Jote opened the door to her ships hanger and stepped out. Her nostrils snared at the strange aroma of the disgusting hunk of rock known as Knowhere. Wandering eyes stopped to get off a glimpse of the beautiful creature that passed them. Jote smiled as she thought about the power of her own looks had on the males of any species...she found it amusing at how simple and pathetic they were. Her black cape of metal feathers dragged the ground just slightly, it had become her new cover since her wings were damaged by Thor just weeks ago. 

Her heart still burned with rage when she thought about the thunder prince...he had taken something from her and he would pay for it dearly. The Valkyrie focuses on her business and moved forward, passing through and occasionally shoving away those who attempted to approach her. Just as she stopped at the large metal entrance the doors opened up, Jote was pleased with this and grew very wrathful to those who made her wait. A petite servant girl with purple skin and red hair tied in pigtails approached her. She walked with elegance and proper, making each step count. When she reached the Valkyrie she gave Jote a small bow with her hands neatly folded over each other.

"My master has been expecting you." she extended her hand towards the entrance "This way."

Jote followed the servant girl down the grand hall and into a large dome that seemed to stretch to the stars. All around her glass cases held both living and nonliving things inside. They entered the center of the room to find a man with white hair wearing red robes laced with fur standing with a class of wine-like substance in his hand. He set the glass on the table and greeted her with a bow.

"Taneleer Tivan," Jote smiled bowing in return and extending her hand

The man reached out and took her hand, softly and ever so carefully he placed a kiss on her fair skin. "What grants me the pleasure to be in the company as a stunning Valkyrie-like yourself."

"I hear you have one of the most astonishing and rare collections in all the nine realms."

"You have a taste in the art of collecting?" he raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Among other things."

"Well then, would you like a private tour."

Jote smiled and took the mans arm and let him lead her throughout his various collections. She walked with him silently as he talked about his many treasures and how he came by most of them. Jote took in every piece of information as she inspected the room with amusement. After over nearly an hour, they finally reached the front entrance from the other side of his grant collection. The Collector was pleased with her interest in his ways of collecting but was very curious to know why.

"I was unsure at first about this place." Jote said gliding her hand across one of the glass cases "But now I think I have changed my mind, this will do perfectly."

Taneleer looked confused by what she meant but was above all most curious. "It will do?"

"Yes," Jote smiled as she turned to face him

Jote clapped her hands and the main door opened once more. The collector and his servant watched as three more Valkyries rolled in a big black contained on a metal cart. They lowered in between Jote and The Collector in the center of the room then left. Jote took the key from her wrist and unlocked the side of the container. The click of the lock loosening propped the door open just slight, a white cold fog leaked from its black prison. 

She ripped off the door with one fluent stroke, The Collector, and his servant curiously leaned over. Jote revealed to him a creature of living crystal, she lay curled on her side peacefully in the fetal position. One of her knees tucked against close against her chest with her arm cradling it. The Collector stared in awe and he admired every inch of her, every smooth curve of her body, very detail of her crystal strands of long hair as she slumbered in her crystal cluster. What he loved the most about her was the clarity of the crystal itself. It shined so clearly but an aurora of color glistened its core.

"Beautiful!" he said in awe "I have heard stories of the famous crystallization of Valkyries but never have a gazed upon its work in person."

"Yes, and this Valkyrie holds great importance to me."

The collector grabbed his magnifying glass and got a closer look. He traced his hands across her shoulders to her the slot of a broken piece now missing. "She has been damaged."

Jote lowered her eye "Yes, this is why I have come. I have been placed in a situation where I can no longer protect her. I would like to make her part of your grand collection."

The collector took another graceful bow "It would be an honor to have a Valkyrie in my stead."

"She is very fragile." Jote reminded him. "One wrong move could shatter her very existence."

"I assure you she is in good hands here." The Collector smiled "She will be cared for and protected from all harm. Should I pay you in advance for this gift or later."

"That's the other thing I wanted to mention" Jote pointed out "I plan to come back for her when the time is right, so instead I would like to pay in advance you for keeping her for me."

She took a pouch toed to her belt loop and tossed it to him. Catching it with ease he opened the bag to find glowing jewels inside. "How does it compare?"

"Everything is wonderful."

The collector watched and waited as the Valkyrie left his collection palace. Once alone he exhaled and locked his jewels inside his desk. "Carina!" he suddenly shouted

The servant girl who had her hand extended over the living crystal jumped out of her skin and stepped away. "I didn't touch it!"

The collector rolled his eyes "Go to the center fold glass and clean every inch of it."

"The center fold glass case?" Carnia frowned thinking of all the dirt and filth she would have to go through to clean that thing.  "The huge one?"

"Yes. The casting light peering over its location would surely make our new guest shine most beautifully."

Carina faked a smile "Most definitely sir." She walked by towards the direction of the case but stopped to get one last look at the crystallized Valkyrie. "I wonder what her name is?" the servant sighed then disappeared.

The collector picked up his wine glass and approached his new work of art. His hand gently traced over the spot revealing the missing piece.

"Her name is Shyael the Escutcheon" He said to poetically to himself. His servant left to uphold her cleaning duties. The Collector watched grazed over the crystal carefully. Jote had given him a most precious piece but little did the Valkyrie know that he had plans of his own.

 "Forthwith the angel captured in her crystal slumber. Will ultimately fly again with broken wings."

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Author's Note.

Thank you again for reading With Broken Wings and putting up with me during this stressful revision! I am grateful for your comments, and I hoped you enjoyed this fanfic!

Shyael will return in book 3 of my MCU: Broken Series. With Broken Words.