HALF THE WORLD AWAY
viii. BROKEN MELODIES
❝RELATIONSHIPS CAN'T BE BUILT ON LIES.❞

THE STARS SHINED BRIGHTER THAT FATEFUL NIGHT IN ASGARD, earning soft smiles from the realm's Prince and his betrothed, the Princess of Meridian. They laid upon the grassy fields of the lush Royal Gardens, watching the stars twinkle against the darkness of the universe. The sharp blades of grass brushed against the back of her neck, but the ground was dry and gave them no bother. Even if it did, she did not mind getting dirt on her dress ━━ too preoccupied with other things to think of her clothing. Katrina found the view on Asgard to be more spectacular than the one she was used to on her home planet. It was something new, something exciting. A new array of stars she had never seen before, causing her to point out all the new constellations she could see. She sighed in content, placing her hands over her stomach. In a quiet voice, she broke the comfortable silence the two had fallen into. "It's beautiful."

His gaze had been on the stars as well, but the sound of her voice had caused him to turn his head in her direction. "Yes, very," Thor said, speaking in a hushed tone despite the fact no one was around. "May I be honest with you, Princess Katrina?"

"Yes, please, speak your mind," Katrina reassured, giving him a smile. A small part of her feared what Thor had to say next, but she would prefer the truth to a lie.

"I prefer the view in Meridian," he confessed, causing a sheepish grin to appear on his lips.

It wasn't what Katrina had expected to leave his lips, causing a stifled laugh to leave her own. "Really?"

"I do not lie, Princess Katrina," Thor frowned, raising a brow at her laughter. "Why do you continue to laugh?"

"I don't know," Katrina sighed, shrugging her shoulders. Her brown eyes drifted to the rose bushes that surrounded them, entrapping them in a maze that Thor knew like the back of his hand. They had bloomed fully a few days ago, seemingly at the news that peace would come at the alliance between Asgard and Meridian. Their vibrant appearance in the moonlight was as lovely as when the light of the sun hit them. Another sigh left her lips, forcing her to look down at her hands. "I truly never expected you to like anything about Meridian, Prince Thor."

He frowned at Katrina's saddened tone. "Katrina, please, you truly do not believe that," Thor said, sitting up before he helped her do the same. "Meridian is one of the most beautiful realms. I enjoy watching the sunrise there. When the sun kisses the sea, creating a magnificent shade of orange and pink. Or, when the sun sets and the stars come out, they reflect across the vast seas causing it to shine as bright as the sky. And, do not forget how versatile the people of Meridian can be," he tucked a piece of her brown hair behind her ear. "They match the beauty of their realm."

Katrina forced herself to keep her gaze on Thor, refusing to look away as he listed his reasons for loving Meridian. It was something she never expected from an Asgardian ━━ much less the Prince. Yet, he had not found a reason to stop speaking. But, something itched away at her brain. Sif's words from earlier came flooding back. Secrets were being kept. And, no alliance could be built on distrust. "Prince Thor, how often have you visited Meridian?"

Thor cleared his throat, facing Mjölnir (the weapon always within hand's reach). "Far too often, Katrina," he admitted, proving to Katrina that Sif's words had been true. Spies from Asgard were amongst Meridians, keeping watch on all of them.

"Sif mentioned your family has kept a close watch on mine," Katrina mentioned, wanting to know everything. Relationships had to be built on trust. It would be the only way to reassure peace between the two realms. "Is it true?"

"Yes," Thor answered, electric blue eyes meeting calm brown ones. He seemed nervous to answer the woman's questions, but he was prepared to be honest. "We've kept an eye on your family since we learned of the curse. My father holds hatred toward the Goddess of Death, considering it would mean the end of realms if she was to escape her imprisonment. Yet, she found a way to latch onto your bloodline, and that gives her access to the outside world. We do not know what it could mean, but it does not look good."

"Imprisonment?" Katrina asked, wanting clarification. It was best to get as much information about Hela as she could. After all, she may need it in the future.

"Yes, Hela should not be a threat, Katrina," the man said, taking her hand in his own before he gave it a squeeze. "At least, not in our lifetime."

"Still, what do you think she wants?" Katrina asked, hoping Thor would have an answer. With whispers of Ragnarok in her mind, it was all Katrina ever wanted to know. It was her destiny ━━ the only thing she had to look forward to.

"My father thinks she'll try to take over Asgard and from there, she'll conquer the other realms and destroy whatever comes in her way," Thor answered with a small shrug. It seemed as if all Thor's knowledge came from his father, Odin. Katrina frowned, realizing that her marriage to Thor could be what Hela wanted. If Thor became King, then she would surely be the Queen. It would allow Hela to have easier control over Asgard.

Katrina sighed softly. Her gaze returned to the bed of flowers at their feet. Thor watched her with an attentive expression, remaining quiet as he waited for her to speak. "Since you have been honest with me," Katrina said, "I should be honest with you."

"Go on, Katrina," Thor urged, wanting to know what was bothering his betrothed.

"My mother lied about the curse," Katrina confessed, causing Thor to grow confused as he slightly tilted his head to the side to get a better look at her.

"How so?" He asked as he gently placed his hand on Katrina's, hoping the gesture would give her some comfort. For the past two days that he had officially known Katrina, her safety and happiness had become a priority for him.

"The curse is passed from generation to generation, Thor," Katrina started as her brown eyes flickered to Thor. "As long as I have the curse, I will not be able to bear any children without our firstborn inheriting the curse."

Perhaps, if Odin knew of the fact, he would cut off the marriage immediately and break all ties with Meridian. It would ensure the destruction of her home and her people, but she did not want to keep something so important from Thor. Communication was important to keep a relationship healthy and Katrina did not want to start hers with Thor on a foundation of lies.

Thor seemed to understand what Katrina was saying, nodding his head. "I have not given children much thought," Thor confessed, looking down at his hands as he remained deep in thought. He did seem surprised by her news but did not have much of a reaction other than that. "I hope to have some in the future to carry on Asgard's bloodline, but we have a long time, Katrina. We will find a way to rid you of the curse, I will not let Hela win. We can think about children later."

"Thank you, Thor," Katrina whispered, not expecting such a response to come from Thor but she had appreciated it.

"Did your mother know that the curse is generational?" Thor asked, keeping his eyes on the blades of grass below him. For a moment, he glanced back to see Katrina nod her head yes. "I do not understand how someone could willingly put their child through so much pain."

"I believe my mother had her reasons," Katrina sighed, shaking her head. Anger showed on Thor's face, but he remained silent to listen to Katrina. "She told me she had always wanted a child, wanting a big family after she had lost hers at a young age. My father didn't know about the curse until after I was born. I suppose he was the one who decided to not have any more children."

"I am truly sorry, Katrina," Thor whispered, letting out a heavy sigh. His life had been considerably privileged compared to Katrina's. The only difficult thing in his life had been the political side that came with being a Prince of Asgard. Though, he rarely had to worry since his father took care of it all. Usually, his solution was a marriage to form an alliance. Hence why Loki had been betrothed to Nadia Marcani from Sol Luna and he, himself, was marrying Princess Katrina of Meridian.

"I am used to it, Thor," she replied, shrugging her shoulders. Her parents had not kept the curse hidden from her. From the moment she could understand, Katrina had been told what the curse entailed and what she was destined for at Ragnarok. Nothing had changed and nothing would ever change.

"You shouldn't be used to it," Thor mumbled, but didn't say anything else as the two of them watched the stars in comfortable silence.

Her mind flickered to Sif, remembering the things she had said earlier that day. She wondered if she should bring them up to Thor, being curious about Sif. She cleared her throat, stealing a glance at Thor. "So, how long have you known Sif?"

"Sif?" Thor mused, smiling slightly as turned to look at Katrina. "Sif and I have been friends for what seems like forever. I'd do anything for her. I suppose you can say she is my closest friend." It was endearing how much Thor cared for Sif, making Katrina smile as she nodded. It became obvious why Sif had been cold toward Katrina. Sif cared for Thor as well, wanting the best for him.

"I do not think she likes me very much."

"Do not take any offense to Sif's words," Thor reassured, nudging Katrina's arm. "It takes her some time to warm up to people... and I do not blame her. Someone very close to her had betrayed her trust, causing her to become cold and distant to people she doesn't know. But, I am positive Sif will warm up to you eventually."

"I hope so. From what I've heard, Sif sounds like a remarkable warrior and a good friend," Katrina commented. A small sigh left her lips as she stared at the moon that shined down on them, making her realize how late it had gotten. "It has gotten rather late."

"Would you like me to take you home?" Thor asked softly, disappointed that Katrina wanted to go home. The day had gone by too fast for him and there was so much more he wanted to show Katrina, but it would have to wait for another time. "I will take you back to the Observatory and Heimdall will send you back to Meridian."

Katrina nodded. "Yes, before my parents die from worry."

Thor chuckled, standing to his feet before he extended a hand to help Katrina up as well. He was tempted to ask her to stay the night. She could sleep in his quarters while he slept somewhere else, but Thor knew her parents would disapprove. So, he did what was expected. He took Katrina home, gave her forehead a small kiss, and told her he would see her again soon. In Thor's mind, he couldn't wait to spend more time with the woman he was slowly, but surely falling for. And, for Katrina, the butterflies she felt whenever she was with Thor only seemed to increase as the days went by and she could only hope that this was her chance at a fairytale happy ending she wished for.

♡

SO, I set a goal for myself in the last chapter to have this book completed by the end of the year and I don't think that will happen. I want to take this book into Thor: Love and Thunder, so I am hoping to get caught up before that movie comes out. I don't know why I am slacking because all the chapters are written and I just need to edit them to fit the new plotlines, but I am still struggling. However, I managed to get this chapter finished and it isn't much different from the original! Katrina and Thor are getting to know one another and kind of developing crushes on each other and I think they're cute.

I kept everything relating to Sif the same and it will tie into my book for Sif (used to have it published and Alis from this book is the main character in it), but I want to finish act one of this book before I publish that one. Sif and Alis' plotline will be expanded and written in that book. The title is still pending because I haven't decided on what to call it yet.

Also, life update, I'm finally officially enrolled in college and being serious about my classes. I think being in school brought some balance back into my life because I am actually able to get some writing done and being able to post an update. But, I recently moved back to Washington from California and I'm waiting to move into my new place. So, I might disappear again because moving is stressful and then I have work and school on top of that. But, I truly want to focus on my Marvel books again because I have missed the fandom and I don't want to abandon all the ideas I once had for this series.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
See you in the next one!

━━ AMARA
[ original PUBLISH DATE ━━ 10.27.2017 ]
[ rewrite PUBLISH DATE ━━ 07.08.2021 ]