Chapter ten- Relief.
It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
-William Blake
Valkyrie did not know how long she had sat in the dark living room, her chin resting on her knees. She kept very still, as if even the smallest movement would trigger another round of tears.
After what she thought was probably a long while, she got up stiffly and wiped away the remaining tears that had dried on her face.
She walked out of the living room, and down the hall. There were no lights on, and dark shadows danced along the walls. She came to the back door, and opened it slowly, stepping out into the cold night. The moon was out.
She shut the door behind her and stood beside the still, thin figure.
"I'm sorry," Valkyrie said quietly. Her voice barely broke through the calming silence in the air.
"I know."
"I should've told you earlier."
"I agree."
"So…so what do you think?"
Skulduggery turned his head to look at her. He was silent. Valkyrie turned back to looking at the moon.
"I don't know," He said eventually, "It doesn't seem right, that you are Darquesse."
"I wish I wasn't."
Skulduggery said nothing, but nodded.
"I wanted to tell you, but I was scared to. And honestly? I have no idea what to do now," Valkyrie continued, her voice flat, "You hate me now, I get that. You have right to." Her voice wavered now.
"I will never hate you, Valkyrie."
Skulduggery's tone surprised her. It was calm, velvet as usual, but held a fierce sort of determination.
"I'm going to destroy the earth, Skulduggery," big tears rolled down her cheeks now, as she realised the truth in her own words, "I'm going to kill everyone. You should stop me before I have a chance to," she bowed her head.
There was more silence, then she felt Skulduggery's hands on her shoulders, and he stooped down to her height.
"What am I going to do with you?" He asked a smile in his voice now, which brought Valkyrie great relief, "You, my dear, are mine, to put it quite simply. And I absolutely refuse to turn against you, never mind hurt you. Do not bring that up again, if you value my sanity."
Valkyrie's face broke out in a grin. She sniffed and wiped away her tears with the back of her sleeve. She looked into his big black sockets.
"What sanity?"
"Precisely."
They stood in a comfortable silence for a long time, just staring at the star studded sky.
"Let's go inside," Valkyrie said eventually.
Skulduggery nodded and patted her shoulder comfortingly, and they walked into the house.
Valkyrie came into the largest living room in the house and lay down on the sofa.
She soon fell asleep.