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”You asked what it’s like for me to be so smart and surrounded by people who don’t think as fast I do. It can, at times, be difficult – but it’s only ever aggravating when I have to deal with an incurious mind. You do not have an incurious mind, Valkyrie. Because of that you are unpredictable, incisive, and challenging. You allow me to both feel and have warmth, compassion and strength. You make me strong.” Skulduggery turned his head to Valkyrie. “That’s why I keep you around.”
Valkyrie looked up at him from the floor, feeling the knot of emotion rise through her throat. When she was sure that her voice wasn’t going to crack, she smiled, and said “Lame.”
He laughed.
Valkyrie laughed as well and continued to watch the two kittens playing before she turned towards Skulduggery. “What's so funny?”
“You.”
Valkyrie shook her head and said in a baby voice “Who are two cute little kittens? You are!” to the kittens who had just released each other. She petted and caressed one of them while letting her cheek touch the kitten's soft fur.
Skulduggery watched Valkyrie before he picked up the other cat that had returned and began stroking its head against his pant leg. He cuddled it before asking “How are Alice and Militsa?”
“Good under the circumstances. Alice doesn't really want to talk about it, but it's nothing new. She's been withdrawn for a while now and I don't want to push her about what's bothering her. I suspect I may be part of the problem given my reputation. It can't be easy being the little sister of the infamous Valkyrie Cain. Especially not now that she's old enough to understand the extent of all the things I've done to her, our parents, and the magical community.”
Skulduggery nodded. “She has a lot to digest, it's true. The only thing you can do is show that you are there if she wants and needs to talk. Has she told any of what she has found out to your parents?”
“No.” Valkyrie shook her head. “Which of course I'm extremely grateful for, because I don't know how mum and dad would react. I suspect that they would be devastated and that they would have a hard time being close to me for a while, but in the end, they would still forgive me, because that's how our parents are.”
“What do they think about Alice being locked in her room most of the time she's home visiting them?”
“Mum and dad think the same as I do, that it is best to give her time and space to digest everything. Mom also believes that it is not unusual for teenagers to lock themselves in their rooms and refrain from contact with their parents or other relatives during the teenage years, because there is so much else that attracts.”
“You and Alice have a wise mother.”
“We have and none of us would want to replace her, even if we sometimes think she is a bit of a pain and puts way too much into how we live our lives. But I guess that's part of being a mom. No matter how old your children get, you will always worry about them and want to help them as much as you can.”
Skulduggery nodded and dropped the kitten on the floor who disappeared into the kitchen to eat. “Being a parent is a lifelong job and is something you never stop being, regardless of what happens in your own life or that of your children.”
Valkyrie nodded before she too let her kitten go. Reluctantly. She watched for it as it ran off to join its sibling. She sighed deeply before shaking her head. “It just feels so strange to call her by her new name. Winter. I don't think I've gotten used to it yet even though it's been a while since she changed. Don't get me wrong, I understand why she has chosen a new name for herself, but to me she will always be Alice.”
“Then maybe you'll understand why your parents don't call you Valkyrie but Stephanie every time you talk to them,” Skulduggery said with a smile in his voice.
“You're right, as usual,” Valkyrie replied, giving Skulduggery a smile.
Skulduggery tilted his head to one side and thought for a moment. “How is Alice doing at school? Has she made any friends, and does she get along with the teachers?”
Valkyrie frowned. “Why do you want to know that?”
“I'm just curious, that's all.”
“Okay…” Valkyrie said in a hesitant voice before shrugging her shoulders. “As far as I know, there are no problems with her studies. That's what China says anyway, and I have no reason to distrust her when it comes to my sister. China has also shared that Alice hangs out with some of her classmates in her sparetime, which is fine if you ask me. She needs friends her own age.”
“And Militsa? Have you had time to talk about what happened?”
Valkyrie nodded but did not meet Skulduggery's gaze as she answered. “She… She's fine, but…” Valkyrie cut herself off, biting her lower lip hard while clenching her fists tightly.
“But what, Valkyrie?” Skulduggery walked over to his partner and sat down next to her. He grabbed her chin and lifted her face up so her eyes and his eye sockets were in the same level. “What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Valkyrie...”
New tears formed in Valkyrie's eyes, but these were not of happiness, but of sadness. “Militsa… She… She can't… do this anymore, she said. She's been in danger too many times since we got back together after the Faceless One's control over me disappeared. She is tired of being constantly afraid of being kidnapped, tortured or, which was very close in this case, killed.”
Skulduggery said nothing, but continued to look into Valkyrie's eyes where he could see the tears that Valkyrie struggled to hold back. He let his free hand cup one of Valkyrie's hands and gave it a gentle squeeze. He still said nothing, but that was because he didn't need to say anything.
“Skulduggery… Militsa has…” Valkyrie took a deep breath that turned into a sob. “Militsa has broken up with me...”
“Come here.” Skulduggery took Valkyrie in his arms and now Valkyrie couldn't hold back the tears anymore. She pressed herself against Skulduggery's bony body and cried out her sadness that the relationship she'd had with Militsa for about ten years had ended so abruptly. She cried out her confusion, her shock and her anger that she felt at the situation she now found herself in.
Skulduggery said nothing and just held Valkyrie as she cried. He stroked her back slowly. The kittens, who had come into the living room at the same moment they heard the sound of Valkyrie's cry, cuddled around their legs and meowed, as if wondering why their master's friend was sad.
After a little while Valkyrie stopped crying and pulled away from Skulduggery. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand before looking up at him. “Thanks. And sorry for getting your nice suit wet.”
“No worries and apology accepted.” Skulduggery ran his gloved hand along Valkyrie's cheek. “How are you? I understand that many different thoughts and feelings are running through your head and body right now.”
“Honestly, I have suspected that this would happen for some time now. Militsa has mentioned it in passing a few times when we've discussed my choice of profession, so I've known that she hasn't felt completely safe when she's been alone. She has also known that I do not intend to change careers and that being with me has its risks, but because she has loved me, she has continued our relationship, despite the risks and insecurity it entails. But after what happened a few days ago when she was seconds away from dying, it really made her understand the weight of what it means to be my partner and she felt she couldn't continue to take that risk anymore.
And even though it hurts me and makes me sad, very sad, I understand her completely. I would probably feel the same if the situation were reversed. Militsa is probably less likely to be in danger now that we're just friends instead of a couple. At least that's what we both hope. Above all Militsa herself.”
Skulduggery nodded and gave Valkyrie another hug. “You'll probably find a new girlfriend or boyfriend before you know it, Valkyrie. You are still very young, attractive, strong-willed, and notorious throughout the magical community. As soon as the news that you are single spreads, you'll be able to pick and choose from a bunch of different sorcerers.”
Valkyrie laughed. “You're probably right, but I don't think there's a person on earth who knows me as well as you do and who I would allow to get as close as you have.”
“You let Militsa get pretty close,” Skulduggery pointed out, tilting his head in a way that told Valkyrie he would have raised his eyebrows meaningfully if he’d had any.
“But not as close as you've gotten. You're the only one I can share everything with, Skulduggery. You are the only one who lets me do what I want without judging me for my choices. You are the only one who can read me inside out, the only one who knows what needs to be said and done in any kind of situation we may find ourselves in. You are the only one who knows what to say to make me feel good when I’m down. The only one who trusts me completely despite my past.” Valkyrie smiled and placed her hand on Skulduggery's cheekbone. “You're my soulmate, Skulduggery.”
“And you are mine, Valkyrie. Until the end.”
“Until the end,” Valkyrie replied, smiling before leaning forward and letting her lips touch Skulduggery's teeth.
Skulduggery stiffened and placed his hands on Valkyrie's shoulders before gently pushing her away a little so he could look into her eyes. “Valkyrie, what…?”
“Shut up and let me enjoy this moment,” Valkyrie interrupted, leaning forward again so she could kiss Skulduggery again.
This time Skulduggery didn't stop her, instead letting his hands wrap around his partner's back. He pressed his teeth to her lips and could feel Valkyrie smile as she kissed him.
As they separated, Valkyrie let her fingertips caress Skulduggery's cheekbones. Her eyes were shining, and she had a happy smile on her lips. “Do you remember what you said about me having a bunch of mages swarming around me the moment they would find out I was single again?”
“Yeah, what about it?”
“I'm afraid I will disappoint them all very much.”
“Oh, really? May I ask why you think so?”
“Because I've already found a new partner.”
Skulduggery laughed and activated his facade. “And I can confirm that your new partner is very happy about that news.”
“So good, I'd hate to disappoint him.”
“You could never disappoint me, Valkyrie,” Skulduggery said, letting his human lips wrap around Valkyrie's, for in the next second kiss her with a hunger that made Valkyrie moan softly.