Chapter Eight #2
"Not tonight," she said finally.
Thor nodded. "Rain check?"
She thought for a moment, trying to process his words. "We need to check for rain?"
"No. A rain check means a different day."
Why? "Oh. Yes. A rain check then."
Thor stared at her for a moment and motioned her forward. "Let's get you to your cereal."
They walked to the Raven Weaver in silence. Elle's conscience screamed at her for not telling him. The whole walk, she had tried to psych herself up, but as the words presented themselves on her tongue, she couldn't. Something inside stopped her.
She didn't want to lie to Thor, but she didn't want to lose him either.
They'd only seen each other a few times, and yet she'd experienced a connection with him she'd never had with another person.
Something of her own. Something only for her.
Something she was sure she'd never share with anyone else.
Thor guided her past an alley, and an icy shiver darted up Elle's spine. She paused to scan the silent street behind them. A hush blanketed the area, almost tangible in its stillness. The muffled buzz of voices seeped out of Frigg's place three blocks away.
“Are you okay?” Thor asked.
Elle turned towards him.
“What's wrong?” he continued, reaching into his coat pocket and withdrawing a heavy, ancient-looking hammer.
“I... I don't know,” she replied.
They moved together, inspecting each building. Elle stilled her breath, ears straining for movement.
Something creaked amidst the shadows. Thor tensed beside her; instinctively, she clutched at his arm.
“It’s nothing,” he reassured. “Probably some helspawn skulking around for easy prey. Let’s head inside.”
His eyes flickered between her and the looming structures she'd been wary of. He wrapped his arm around her waist, solid and warm, and nudged her toward The Raven Weaver’s comforting glow.
Even so, Elle noticed he didn’t holster his hammer back in his coat.
Each step carried them closer toward sanctuary, leaving behind whispers and possible enemies veiled in the gloom.
When they reached the entrance to Frigg’s bar, it felt like coming up for air after being under the bath water too long.
The warmth and spices from inside hit her when Thor opened the door, and her body relaxed.
She was safe. Nothing would hurt her in the Raven Weaver.
Neither Thor nor Lady Frigg would allow it.
They walked halfway through the bar, surprised to find Val sitting with Loki.
Loki spotted them, and Val turned. Her gaze narrowed, and she stood, but Elle gave her a small smile, and Val stopped. Loki said something to her, and she sat back down.
She and Thor continued through the portal and up through the topside of the Raven Weaver to the lofts above. They'd reached her door before Thor put his hammer away, and the tension in his body subsided. Though he’d said whatever had made her nervous was probably nothing, his aura said otherwise.
She pushed her hair behind her ears. "Thank you for showing me your place."
He nodded. "It wasn't how I'd expected tonight to go."
"We'll have to try again." Man, she was getting bold. But somehow being with him made her bold. Strong.
"How about tomorrow? I will take you to the restaurant I like."
The memory of the alleyway came back.
"In Helheim?" She wasn’t sure she wanted to go back so soon.
"No. Up here."
Elle licked her lips. She hadn't dared to venture out anywhere besides the block the Raven Weaver occupied. "Okay."
Thor nodded. "Good."
"What should I wear?"
"Whatever you want. But definitely pants."
She nodded. "Til tomorrow night, then."
"Tomorrow." He didn’t move.
Neither did she.
Elle's heartbeat echoed in her ears, a relentless drum. Her eyes flickered to his lips before she willed them upward, meeting his intense, unyielding gaze, then glanced away, heat rising in her cheeks. Thor’s jaw clenched; she caught the quiet rasp of his breath. His hand hovered near hers.
Neither moved closer; neither broke the fragile tension. The space between them felt like a living thing- taut and electric.
Don’t reach for him. Don’t let desire consume you. Remember who you are. Who your father is.
He nodded and turned to leave. But before he stepped away, their eyes locked once more- a fleeting exchange which burned bright and urgent.
Her fingers twitched towards him, but she held back, biting her lip to stop the longing surging inside her.
Elle touched her pocket and shook her head. "I think I left my keys downstairs at the bar."
Thor gripped the door handle. "I can open it for you."
"No, don't break-"
As the door creaked open unexpectedly, a shiver ran down her spine.
"Looks like you forgot to lock it.”
Elle peered into a place always so familiar yet now wrapped in an unsettling chill. Forgetting to lock the door was unlike her. She retraced her steps from earlier that day. The hallway light spilled into the room, casting long shadows that danced across the floor.
"Want me to check if everything's okay?" His voice calm and steady as ever.
The subtle scent of vanilla lingered in the air, the candles she’d burned before work. A cool draft brushed past, making her skin prickle.
She shook her head. "No," she replied, feeling the steady thump of anticipation like drumbeats in her chest. "I'm sure you're right."
Elle stepped inside. Again, a chill raced over her, but nothing moved.
She flicked on the lamp and did a quick inventory of the room, and nothing seemed out of place.
The modest-sized space above the Raven Weaver sported a kitchenette tucked into one corner and a small bedroom with a large, comfortable bed against the far wall.
Frigg had set it up for her when she'd first arrived, and Elle had done what she could with it since.
The walls were bare of pictures, but the soft, creamy color warmed the entire space.
A large wooden bookcase with books filling every inch.
A half-finished copper bracelet sat on the kitchen table beside a pair of needle-nose pliers.
The whole place smelled like the pub below- old wood and ale- mixed with the vanilla aroma of her favorite candle.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
Elle spun around and threw a smile on her face. "Yes, thank you. I’m being silly."
He nodded, but scanned the apartment once more, his dark gaze flashing for a moment. "Well, goodnight then, Elle. I’ll see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Thor." She fought the compulsion to curtsey.
He closed the door, and silence shrouded her. She stared at the door for several minutes, not moving, waiting. Waiting for someone to jump out. Waiting... for a sound of someone in metal armor. The smell of brimstone and coal. Something. Anything. But nothing came. Nothing jumped. Nothing emerged.
Without thinking, she raced straight to the door and locked both locks before running to her bedroom and throwing herself under the royal blue covers without even taking off her shoes.
She squeezed her eyes shut and pulled the covers over her head.
She was safe. She was safe. No one knew who she was. She was just being paranoid.
She thought of going to find Val, but if she did, Val would become even more overprotective.
She kicked off her shoes but didn’t get out of bed. She blew out a breath and focused her thoughts on the one thing that actually made her feel safe.
Thor Odinson’s face.