Little One

Chapter 6

I woke up but didn't open my eyes. My head was throbbing, and I needed to get my bearings. I listened for anyone talking.

Nothing. Footsteps sounded near me.

One person. I thought.

"Yes, it's just us." A voice said. "I know you're awake; your breathing changed. You can't fool me, little one."

I opened my eyes and sighed.

"You need some work on those skills." He taunted from a table across the room. It looked like an apartment, and we were in the living room.

"Whaddya want me here for?" I asked.

He chuckled. "Let me spell this out for you. Thor is my adoptive brother. He's your uncle. this means..." He said.

"You're my dad," I said.

"Very good! You are Astrid Freya, correct?" He asked.

"No, I'm Dora the Explorer. Obviously."

He frowned. "Dora?" He asked hesitantly.

"It's a TV show for kids," I said.

"Oh, inconsequential then?" He asked.

"I guess." I pouted.

At least they get my jokes.

He rose from the table and walked over. "You are uninjured. Good." He muttered.

"Not totally, my head's screaming." I snapped.

"It's because of the teleportation. You've never done it before, I assume."

I shook my head.

He waved his hands, and I felt fine again. "There. Now, can you use your seidr, or did they neglect to teach you that?"

My brows pulled together.

"Seidr, magic. This." He said, creating a green cloud over his hand.

I shrugged.

"Undoubtedly to keep me from finding you. It would've acted like a homing device." He sneered. "No matter, I'll teach you now." He said, reaching out.

I scooted back and flipped over the back of the couch.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! No touchy-touchy!" I exclaimed.

He frowned.

"In fact, I'd prefer to have a piece of furniture between us at all times," I said.

"You don't trust me." He said.

"No kidding, why should I? Lemme list a few reasons, you were probably gonna kill me, you kidnapped me, you tried to kill my family, you're genocidal."

"Enough." He said, frowning deeply. "I'll respect your wishes, but I'd still like to teach you." He said, sitting at the table.

I moved slowly and sat across from him after turning the chair.

"Extra protection?" He asked, smirking.

"Lemme guess, "If you wanted to hurt me, it wouldn't help"?"

He frowned again. "You're my daughter, I'm not going to hurt you. I promised your mother I'd protect you. Obviously, you were taken, but I have you back now." He said.

"What? Who was my mother?" I asked.

"Her name was Elvire. She was from Vanaheim, and we were betrothed. I loved her, though. And it took her a while, but she warmed up to me. She was, unfortunately, killed in an attack after protecting you. I couldn't get to her fast enough to save her, but she made me protect you." He said.