This ends still during the Ball because I had to update for my readers! Anyway, I'll update soon after this one lol.
Enjoy and sorry for mistakes:
Valkyrie breathed heavily feeling the nerves kick in full ball. Though Skulduggery wasn't actually human, he was still warm. He was always warm and Valkyrie liked that feeling. She knew she didn't like being protected; she always liked a man letting her handle her own business. That was what Skulduggery always did but here, right now, she felt safer than ever. It was definitely hard to try and get Skulduggery off of her mind when he was standing so close to her.
They were the last ones to walk inside and Valkyrie hoped it wasn't going to be very eye-catching.
The descended some stairs going under the Sanctuary to the main hall where every Ball was going to be held, except the Requiem Ball of course. No one had seen until tonight, except maybe Ghastly and Erskine.
They came to another set of double doors except these were more grand. Skulduggery pushed them open and revealed the huge room. The ceiling was high once you walked down the huge two-way stairs. The floor was white marble and the room was round. Where Valkyrie and Skulduggery stood, you were able to look down at everyone. Beside them was a balcony that went around the whole hall and huge white pillars stood against the walls making the room have an ancient feel. Skulduggery and Valkyrie walked forward to the next set of stairs and everyone looked as Valkyrie's heels were making a clacking noise against the floor.
Valkyrie's heart began to skip beats and do all sorts of unusual things as everyone watched them. Valkyrie saw some people try to be discreet as they looked at them. She also saw women looking at Valkyrie with catty and jealous eyes however she didn't miss the eyes of her friends.
Tanith was grinning like a mad woman again and Onyx had a soft smile. Ghastly was shocked at his friend for a minute then smiled. Erskine was grinning as well.
"Their all looking at us." Valkyrie muttered, trying not to move her mouth too much.
"Ah, so they are... well then it looks like we've made a grand entry." Skulduggery replied.
Valkyrie almost rolled her ankle when she took the step a wrong way. Skulduggery caught her around the waist before she could fall and he didn't remove his arm afterwards. Valkyrie smiled thankfully at him. Once they touched the floor, everyone turned to whoever they were talking to before and continued their conversation. It was as if a hypnotist had just snapped their fingers and they were out of the trance. Valkyrie looked at Skulduggery and laughed. Skulduggery held out his arm again and Valkyrie hooked her arm through again. Skulduggery led the way over to Erskine, Ghastly, Dexter, Onyx and Tanith.
"I'm guessing Dexter spilt huh?" Skulduggery asked.
"Yeah, he couldn't hold it in. He was practically jumping up and down like a little kid. Anyway, you look beautiful Valkyrie." Ghastly commented. Valkyrie smiled in return.
"As usual." Said Dexter. He grabbed her free hand kissed it just like at the Requiem Ball. Skulduggery tried looking away at anything at all so his temper wouldn't flare. Tanith eyed him and changed the subject.
"So we have to stand around and wait for dinner? I'm starving!" She said. Everyone laughed except for Skulduggery. He just gave Tanith a thankful look and she returned it with a small smile, warm eyes and little nod. It was weird giving someone a look, he felt like he had to practise everything in front of a mirror to make sure he was doing it right. They all looked around at everyone. This group they were in was like the celebrities of the magical community. They didn't see anyone in particular they wanted to talk to so they all sat at a round table off to the side.
Skulduggery pulled out a chair for Valkyrie and he tucked her into the table. Dexter took the seat on the other side of her and Skulduggery realised he'd have to be wary of him. He suddenly felt stupid. It's not like he was going to tell Valkyrie how he felt tonight anyway. She could dance with or talk to anyone she wanted otherwise it would seem a little suspicious and rude if he said no for her. Not to mention how angry she would be at him.
Starting at Skulduggery going anti-clockwise it went, Valkyrie, Dexter, Onyx, Erskine, Ghastly, Tanith and then a spare seat of the other side of Skulduggery. Valkyrie kept shooting side-ways glances at Skulduggery.
"So Skulduggery is there any new... goals you want to achieve now that you have skin and... yeah." Erskine asked raising an eyebrow towards Valkyrie which she missed.
"Yes. Punch you in the head." Skulduggery glared.
"You could have done that before." Erskine frowned.
"But I really want to right now." Skulduggery said through clenched teeth.
"Come on boys no fighting now..." Valkyrie said. Skulduggery listened and just stuck to glaring at Erskine.
Music started playing and Valkyrie sat upright, surprised. "So there is also dancing before dinner? Get everyone worked up and hungry I guess."
Erskine was first to stand up. He looked down at Onyx and offered his hand. "May I have this dance Madame?" He asked in what seemed to be a flirtatious tone. Valkyrie and Onyx shared a raised eye brow each.
"Yes you may." Onyx replied just as confident and flirty. Valkyrie watched them walk off. Erskine twirled Onyx playfully and then they began to dance gracefully.
Ghastly didn't bother asking, he just picked up Tanith's hand. Before she could be dragged too far away, Tanith turned to two left at the table. "Come on!" She laughed and turned to Ghastly.
"Do you want to?" Skulduggery asked.
"You know I'm no good." Valkyrie replied looking down at her lap.
"You're not bad Valkyrie. I, on the other hand, am too good for words. It's all in the lead and I, little missy, am your lead." He stood and held out his hand. She rolled her eyes and took it. Instead of leading her with his hand, he switched for her waist. Valkyrie laughed over the music once they got to where the main dance floor seemed to be.
"You realise your ego is bigger than ever as your human state." She stated.
"But I'm not actually human." Skulduggery replied.
"What would you rather I call you? An alien? An oddity?" Valkyrie asked.
"I suppose not."
"Exactly."
"Now shut up and lead, the quicker we get out of here the better." Skulduggery didn't say a word in reply. He just moved them swiftly through crowd somehow managing them in the middle of all the chaos. Valkyrie was actually enjoying herself. She laughed as she was dipped and her hair touched the floor.
However, once she was pulled up, the speed was so quick that she pressed against him. They paused in the middle of the crowd looked into each other's eyes.
"Dinner!" Someone called and the music stopped. Everyone took their places back at their tables, as well Skulduggery and Valkyrie.
Valkyrie was in a daze, feeling dizzy and actually sick for some reason. Maybe because she had come so close to kissing Skulduggery and ruining their friendship forever. Yes. That was why she felt sick. She began to feel the sweat beads form on her forehead.
Waiters were coming from everywhere in white long-sleeve button-ups and black bowties. They all had a wheeling table each with Chicken, Lamb, Pork, and vegetables. They attended each table and everyone stated what they wanted and that is what they were served.
Valkyrie kindly declined to any food and Skulduggery snapped his head towards her sharply. "Why aren't you eating?" Skulduggery asked.
"I- i'm not hungry." She shrugged. Skulduggery eyed her carefully, he didn't believe that.
"The truth, Valkyrie." He pressed.
"Well I can't help but think it must be torture to be predominantly human yet you don't get to do any of the human things. I, I feel bad." She muttered, looking down.
"Valkyrie that's ridiculous." He waved to the waitor before he would leave. "Yes can we get a meal please? Any will do." He asked. The waitor hurried off and returned with a plate of lamb, vegetables and gravy over the top.
Valkyrie glared at Skulduggery.
Once everyone was finished they all got back onto the dancefloor. The music was much slower so Valkyrie put her arms around Skulduggery's neck and his arms were around her waist, holding her close.
"I feel very safe with you, you know?" Valkyrie stated.
"I could keep you here all day." Skulduggery whispered in her ear. Valkyrie's heart began to beat faster and her breathing quickened. Dexter Vex walked up to them, oblivious to what was happening and cleared his throat.
"May I dance with you?" Vex asked Valkyrie. She looked at Skulduggery with torn eyes but didn't want to be rude Dexter. She grinned and took his hand.
She made sure though, before she left Skulduggery's arms, that she gave him a lasting kiss on the cheek and an expression showing she didn't want to leave him.
She was taken into Dexter's arms, once again leaving a dazed Skulduggery behind.
I had to end it there so I could update for you all! Keep you wanting more I guess ;) Review!