Darkness Revealed (A Loki Love Story) Book 2 in Darkness Series

Living in Hel

*This chapter contains very dark and disturbing content. I will not go into detail. Just consider yourself warned. Reader discretion is highly advised.

(Her point of view)- In Jotunheim

It is so cold.

It is so quiet.

I can hear the echo from my chattering teeth reverberating from off of my dungeon cell walls. I attempt to warm myself by wrapping my arms around my torso, but it brings no relief from the frigid temperatures. I have no idea where I am within this palace that is shrouded in ice. All that I am sure of is that I have been brought to Jotunheim against my will. I have been locked up in this hel, forced to sport a dress of some sort of unusually uncomfortable fabric in a crystal, blue shade. While it was once breathtaking in its beauty, it soon became dirty and torn from my many beatings since my arrival. It is stained with my blood, wrinkled and misshapen. In fact, I must sadly admit that the once beautiful dress has now been reduced to shreds of fabric as it hangs loosely from my weakened body.

I have not been allowed to bathe at all and am only given minimal crusts of bread and sponges of water. No doubt, he is purposefully doing this so as to keep me waning. He does not want my strength to return for fear that I may blow him to pieces with my energy. I would do it, too. I would do it in a heartbeat. But I am so weak from my exertion from the other night that I can barely wield any power at all. The lack of nutrition does not help in the slightest bit. I can no longer even summon a small flame to warm myself or turn myself invisible.

I wince from the pounding in my head. No doubt from the many blows that he has struck across it with my own crown. Upon first arriving here and throwing me into this freezing hole, he had ripped it from atop my head, pulling several strands of hair with it before using it to beat me in the face. He cursed me in roars of anger the entire time. The youngest of the brothers only stood to the side in silence, looking at me with what I immediately recognized as pity. I cannot understand how he seems so different from his demon of an older brother. He is actually much more similar to Loki. He seems more gentle, quiet, and even caring. If Helblindi were to find out that he has been sneaking me scraps of food in the middle of the night in between the guards' shifts, he would slit his throat. Each time Byleistr reappears, he remains completely speechless, but the look in his eyes tells me that he is sorry for my suffering. He does not linger for fear of being spotted. He tosses the small amount of food through the barred door before taking off in a quiet blur. The food that he brings me is nowhere near enough to sustain my energy, but I am thankful for it all the same. If I ever get out of here, I shall make it known to Loki of his kindness so that he may not have to suffer as much as his brother shall.

I have not seen my reflection in five whole days. At least, I think it has been five days. It may be more. I do not know for sure. Time is slowly becoming nonexistent to me.

I will myself to bring a hand up to touch my face. I can easily feel several large cuts and scrapes scattered all over my skin.  My left eye feels very swollen and sore to the touch. I bring my fingertips to my mouth, finding that there is a large split in my lower lip. I can feel the flakes from dried blood as it is caked just below my chin. I look down to my sleeveless arms. They are covered in bruises, outlining his enormous hands perfectly. He had gripped me so tightly, I thought that my very bones would break under their pressure. Despite my pain, I know that I can take these beatings all day long. As long as he does not try to force himself upon me, I can endure just about anything else. At least.... for a while....

I sit against the wall, pulling my knees up to my chest. I look around the small space for the thousandth time, since I have nothing else to do. I have no windows, so I know not what time of day it is. My only way of keeping up with the time is by when I am served little food or water, and of course, I know when it is midnight due to Byleistr's brief appearance. The only light that I am offered is that from a few ignited torches along the wall just outside of my cell. Underneath their dim glow, I can vaguely make out that the floor is stained with splatters of my blood, making it shine dully in its sticky substance. Other than the torch light, I am covered in a damp, chilling darkness.