A/N: I don't own Ghastly, Valkyrie, Tanith, Tipstaff, Erksine, Anton, Saracen or Billy-Ray. Hope you enjoy, and of course the first bit of this Chapter tends to get dark.
Tears blurred my eyes as I ran through the woods, trying to burn off the pain inside, trying to outrun it. So much had changed, and changed for the worse that I kept praying I was in a nightmare, only I knew I wasn't. I came to a stop and rested against a tree, the fall woods looking as dead and barren as I felt inside. I closed my eyes, reliving the past few months. Our wedding had been a disaster waiting to happen. Skulduggery had walked me to the altar, his chest puffed out proudly, and Ghastly had awaited me, his eyes shining with adoration. But something felt off as it always did. As if his love wasn't real, or not the right kind.
But he and the guests had all sought to assure me that this was real, that the bottom wasn't waiting to fall out on me and as he smiled at me in gentle reassurance I believed him. I allowed myself to relax and enjoy the beauty of the church, to be excited that I'd found the right man, the man that would love me for all eternity, whose heart belonged to no other.
Then it had happened. The stupid priest asked if anyone objected and a woman's voice had answered. "Yes, I object! How could you do this to me, Ghastly? I love you!" I'd turned in dull horror to see the subject of so many of my nightmares come to life. Tanith Low standing there, and she was herself once more. Ghastly had just stared at her lovestruck. I'd handed him the engagement ring and he took it not even looking at me. There was a wedding that day, just not mine. I'd left Ireland leaving the shredded wedding dress I'd had to fight my way out of in a rising panic in the room I'd dressed in at the church.
As I drifted, homeless and unwanted I'd been getting ill for a while, having trouble shadow-walking and found out why. I'd been pregnant. Triplets. There was no way I could let the monstrosities see the light of day, so placing my hand over my belly, over what would be the worst possible combination of Darquesse and the man who had betrayed her, I didn't. The beautiful thing about being Darquesse, I suppose.
I sagged against the tree, spent. Then it occurred to me to see how Billy-Ray was doing, and I'd gathered my shadows and was a long ways off, high in the hills above his house. Being Darquesse I could have killed him instantly. But I was interested in why he was outside. He was burning a dress, a wedding dress, and crying. I watched him go back inside then heard gunshots ring out, one after the other. Three in all. I realized what he'd done. Taken care of his own children then himself.
I awoke with a start, panting slightly. Ghastly was holding me, speaking soothing words. "Valkyrie, sweetheart, it was only a bad dream. It's OK, I'm here. Shh, it's OK." I trembled and looked at him.
"I think it was a vision, not a nightmare." I said, fighting back tears and the impulse to run and keep running.
"No, Val, never. I'll never let anything bad happen to you, you know that. Whatever you saw was a nightmare, I promise. Shh. Speaking of visions I think I had one. Why don't you get showered and dressed so we can have breakfast at the café, hmm?" He nuzzled into me, his hands tracing up and down my sides and my fears started to melt away.
"All right, but what does breakfast have to do with a vision?" I asked.
"You'll see." He purred, then his mouth was on mine and he was kissing me deeply, taking more liberties than he ever had before to soothe me and the nightmare fled altogether as I returned his kiss and my hands roamed up and down his back. I looked up at him in utter adoration and smiled.
"All right. I excited to see if it comes true. Any hints?" He shook his head no, a massive grin on his face. I got up then and was heading to my shower a change of clothes in hand when he spoke.
"You know, when we're married I intend to join you. It'll save water." He winked at me and I felt myself blush. Something really had him in a good mood. He never was this openly, well, sexy, with me.
I grinned to myself in the shower, humming "Never Close Our Eyes" so what if it was still early morning? I didn't want to sleep ever again. Ghastly had made me feel fantastic but the nightmare had been so intense. It hadn't been the worst one either.
The worst one had ended with a battle, both of us balancing on the backs of pews, Tanith's sword flashing through the air as I countered with shadows, unable to hurt the woman I loved as a sister. Then she'd driven me into retreat and I'd fell on my back in front of the altar and Tanith was stabbing me through the heart while the gathered wedding guest cheered. You have serious issues, girl. I told myself and I did.
Guilt issues. I knew Tanith could never come back but I felt wrong being with Ghastly. He'd only become an Elder to rescue her, and the way he'd looked at her, well, he never looked at me like that. I shook my head and rallied. Maybe his vision had been a good one, something to ease my troubled mind. I hoped so.
He met me right outside the door, dressed in fresh clothes himself and I wondered if he'd waited on me for some special reason. Ghastly put his hands gently on my waist then kissed me tenderly before pulling back slightly. "Care to tell me what the nightmare was about?" He asked softly.
I shook my head as ice water flooded my veins because I was sure if spoken out loud they would become true. I loved Ghastly with all my heart and soul and I trusted he felt the same way for me, but I still felt loosing him was what I deserved. After all, hadn't Skulduggery waited for centuries to be reunited with the only woman he'd truly and deeply loved?
I bit my lip, knowing the truth would break his heart. Ghastly was a loyal man, a man who would stay by my side even if it was Tanith he desired, and marry me, even while it was her he was meant to be with. Knowing what I had to do I suddenly felt happy. We could avoid this disaster if I just let go, if I let him be with the one woman I knew he desired. "I'll tell you after breakfast." I promised and smiled at him, relieved to have the burden of guilt lifted from my shoulders at long last.
The café wasn't far from our home. Well, Ghastly's home, and we took a table outside. Although the community was made to look as rundown as possible to discourage curious mortals, there were places like this tucked away in the courtyards where four building met, and if you were part of the magical community you got in.
We were enjoying the sun and I felt happier that I had in a long time. I was going to set him free, he'd be with the woman he loved. I still allowed him to shower me with affection, affection I felt was forced on his part, although he was smiling blissfully. Maybe of course, his vision and my nightmares were one and the same...
We'd just gotten our drinks and placed a food order when a couple with two children arrived. I sighed. I'd never get that now, but then I'd never been all that good with kids, so perhaps it was for the best. Then another couple arrived and walked straight to our table, hand in hand as we were and my heart stopped. Tanith.
But a whole Tanith not a Remnant possessed one. There were happy tears in her eyes and she let go of Billy-Ray's hand to hold out her arms to me. She spoke one word, her voice breaking with emotion: "Sister." Then I was up and out of my seat, holding her tight and crying tears of joy nd relief mingled with tears of guilt.
She seemed to understand because she whispered softly in my ear. "You two were meant to be, sis. Just like me and Billy-Ray. Congratulations." And she hugged me tighter still before letting go. They sat with us, getting two more chairs to add to the table as well and I could soon see why.
Lingering in the shadowed doorway were two children all of four or five years old, both wearing sunglasses like their father. They came forward shyly as if they expected rejection and the girl crawled into my lap and clung to me tightly, looking up at me in utter hero worship.
"That there is your namesake, little darlin', told you she'd like you just fine." Billy-Ray murmured encouragingly as I stroked her hair and met the eyeless sockets from behind her lenses.
"Of course I like you, Valkyrie." I assured her. "You're a very beautiful young lady." She grinned then and hopped off without a word. Her brother was just as shy, but he climbed up as well and I made a mental note to check my pockets for child magnets.
"That there is Bocephus." Billy-Ray said proudly. I looked over at him and smiled. He'd either set aside his homicidal desire to kill me, or children had mellowed him out.
"Hello, Bocephus." I said, and he nodded solemnly. "You look very handsome in your suit." I added and he gave me a shy smile and hopped off. I looked at Tanith wanting to ask what had happened to make their kids so shy.
"Mortals." She said and I nodded. Mortals were unbelievably cruel. Not that some mages were any better, but whatever had happened to the children had wounded them both. It was Valkyrie who told me about it, how the adults had been drunk, and insisted on seeing the kids without sunglasses since it was night and I sighed as Billy-Ray rubbed her back soothingly.
Ghastly smiled at her kindly. "It gets better, you know. We all get picked on for some reason, but the trick is to stay with those who care about you and ignore the rest because they really aren't the kind of people you want to know in the first place."
She smiled at him and I knew she was smitten. She was at the age of course and it brought back good memories. Breakfast was leisurely and I sensed Tanith working her way around to the reason they'd show up unexpected.
"We've left America. We're on our way to the Sanctuary to see if we can find work." I looked at her. I'd heard they'd become traveling assassins, then dropped out of sight unexpectedly with most people assuming a target had killed them. Now it made sense why they'd dropped out of sight.
"Do you want us to come with you?" I asked and she smiled in relief. I knew that's what she'd been hoping to hear. Nobody might welcome either one of them and while I couldn't do much to help them I read her unasked question and nodded.
They expected to be arrested. I knew without asking that they did. They wanted to know if they had a family for their children if it happened. I looked at her, at them both. "Are you sure? You get up and walk away and I never saw you." I offered and Billy-Ray shook his head.
"Ain't fair on them, and you know what'll happen iffen the wrong people catch us first." His face went tight. I looked at Ghastly and he nodded.
"I'll bring the van around, you wait here with them, Valkyrie." I smiled grateful he understood. They'd be arrested as it was, they didn't need the shame of being drug into a van by Cleavers in front of their children.
But they weren't arrested. Both Ghastly and I spoke for them in front of Erskine, pointing out the children and stable marriage, the desire to work on the side of the law. A new experience for Billy-Ray to be sure, we admitted, but fatherhood often made men grow up.
"Al right. We've been needing new detectives. They can see Tipstaff about everything. Now I have Grand Mage things to do, like torment Tipstaff when you're gone." He said, and waved us out of his office.
Tanith squealed in the hall and grabbed me, swinging me around in a full circle before she set me down. "We'll both be detectives at the same Sanctuary!" She enthused, Then she was dragging Billy-Ray and the kids towards Tipstaff's office, telling me over her shoulder that they'd catch a cab. I nodded and we left.
Ghastly looked at me in the van. "Well, that was an experience. I expected Erskine to arrest them or Skulduggery to show up and shoot them. Takes care of your nightmares, doesn't it?" He asked looking over at me casually and I nodded.
He sighed. "Took care of mine too, you know. I kept having nightmares of Billy-Ray coming for you, taking you away the same way he did with Tanith, and I knew it would kill me because you're the one I want to be with."
I smiled at him gently. "You know if I had my druthers I'd choose you over a homicidal maniac any day." I teased gently and he laughed.
"The nightmares just seemed so real, Val. I guess we both sensed them coming. I hope to God you know what I feel for you is real. To quote you, you aren't a place holder or an also-ran."
"I do now." I admitted. We drove back home in easy silence, both of us relieved the nightmares hadn't been visions. I knew then the depth of Ghastly's love for me. He would have let me go as well and his enthusiasm that morning had been from his happiness for me. I kissed him before we got out, melting into his embrace. How I ever got lucky enough to win him I didn't know, but I resolved to worship him as the living god he was from that day forward.
Ghastly retired to his shop, promising to show up for his lunch later and I took off up the stairs to meet our grandmother. Our. The word still surprised me when I'd spent so much of my life shutting people out, but the war had taught me how precious people were and that none of us was guaranteed anything. I lived in the moment now as much as possible, enjoying anything good that came my way as the unexpected fortune it was.
Grandma, as she now insisted I called her, shook her head happily. "No boxing lessons for you today, young lady. I see you got Ghastly to pick up some chicken last night, so you show me the recipe and I'll show you several he loved as a child. It will be so good to cook for him again, as well as you."
So we cooked. Bread as she had promised and the chicken, some sides as well all set into a low oven to keep warm. We watched TV as well and shared tea. She was enchanted with my ability to transform food for her, and accepted the Styrofoam cup happily. I apologized for the cheapness of the cup but she waved me off.
"It won't last much longer than me finishing the tea I reckon. You're doing just fine, girl. Relax a little. Do you want me to go spy on the design and report back to you?" She asked, a twinkle in her eye.
"Grandmother!" Ghastly scolded from the doorway. "I see how it is. I leave my two favourite girls alone and they start plotting against me." He smiled and shook his head. "Doesn't seem like you two got to boxing lessons either." He added, greatly amused.
"Well you know the women in our family, we all lie like rugs." Grandma said cheerfully as we got lunch out of the oven. We'd cooked vast amounts of course, but I figured leftovers could be frozen. Ghastly looked rather smitten with both of us.
"Two women to cook for me." He said, smiling at us both. He enthused over everything, and we were pleased with ourselves. Grandma adored my chicken and I praised her bread. I never thought I would have had this again, a chance to cook then eat with another woman after giving up my mother and I savoured it.
Ghastly looked at me after we had the large amount of leftovers put away. "Up for a drive? I'd like to work on your coat, putting the pockets in it I promised. We can pay a visit to Gordon while we're at it and you can load up the van with whatever you need, though hopefully you know clothes shouldn't be one of those things."
He held out his arms and I hugged him tightly, grinning hugely. I'd never liked being hugged before anymore than Anton did, but I was learning to make exceptions, to let my guard down even though I expected Fate to hit me like a freight train.
Grandma saw us off, humming to herself. I laughed when I recognized. "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John and she winked at me. "What are you two up to?" Ghastly asked and we both smiled innocently at him. She'd known about my fears, about his, and she was proud of both of us for being willing to face them.
I honestly didn't think I was being all that brave, I was only following the example Uncle Gordon had set. I missed him and was looking forward to the impromptu visit. Ghastly could take me by surprise, and it was something Skulduggery would have assured me would happen. He lived like he had fought in the ring, thinking on his feet, never letting anyone know what was coming next.
"So, you two never planned on boxing lessons, did you?" Ghastly asked, amused.
"I did, your grandmother didn't. She adores having people to fuss over. I hope I can be like that someday. She's relaxed and good to those around her, doting on them, and she doesn't care who knows."
Ghastly snorted. "You just spent too much time with Skulduggery, sweetheart. And he dotes on people just fine, he just doesn't like to admit it." Ghastly said, pulling up to the mansion. I smiled at him and we got out, admiring the sun reflecting off the windows. The blind to Uncle Gordon's study moved and I knew he'd seen us.
"Must have a new contraption." I grunted. But we were cautious as we went in, as silent as two jungle cats we crept up the stairs, and I pushed the door open suddenly, fire ready in one had to find Skulduggery with Uncle Gordon. He waved cheerily.
"Such a sweet and trusting soul my daughter is." He teased, coming over to hug me as I let the flames die out.
"I wonder who I learned that from. Mom kicked you out already, did she?" I teased back and he laughed.
"I am here on a social visit, my dearest and most loyal combat accessory. From what I hear you've brought new detectives into the fold. I personally intend to blame you the moment they do anything wrong, just so you know." He said smiling gently.
Uncle Gordon and Ghastly gasped, but it was how we normally showed affection and without Tadpole around we were blasting away like we always did. "Actually, I told Erskine it was all your idea and you take full responsibility." I said sweetly, then left the men to talk while I prowled around the mansion for essentials.
I found some books I wanted and a few other things, but surprisingly not much. Ghastly joined me, smiling as he grabbed my jacket. "I should have plenty of pockets in this soon enough. You're going to have to show me how you manage to pack so much in the pockets though."
"Womanly talent." I said and he nodded as if he had suspected as much. He looked at me then, hesitating with his hand on the door.
"I, uh, I invited Skulduggery over, and somehow some of the other Dead Men for a guy's night in." He blurted and I laughed.
"Good, you boys can dig into the leftovers then." I assured him, patting his arm. "I'll invite mom to bring Tadpole and we can have a girl's night in with grandma upstairs, it'll be fun." Ghastly took me in his arms and showed me just how thankful he was and I returned the kiss with interest. Life was good.
That night I carried down enough chicken and other treats for the men, Ghastly having already had cold sodas ready for them. He didn't drink to my knowledge and the men seemed happy enough with Cokes as it was. Erskine, Saracen and Anton greeted me, all three rather in awe that I had done something as domestic as cooking. I made sure Skulduggery had enough of an ethereal portion to suit him then was kissing Ghastly on the cheek and back off up the stairs.
The women were awaiting me. While the men would just sit and chat we intended to party. Tadpole was more than happy to be with us since Victoria had managed and hid from Skulduggery a chocolate icebox cake. She giggled at her cleverness and soon we were eating leftovers, the radio blasting upbeat music.
After we ate Victoria danced with Tadpole to the music, and somehow I found myself being twirled around my my grandmother. The neat thing being that women could dance together all we liked. Later we had TV and popcorn.
"What do you think the men are doing?" Victoria mused.
Grandma snorted. "Something boring like poker. Not that I'd mind a good game myself, but they need everything quiet so they can play. Boring, that's what they are."
I nodded in agreement. There was no music or loud voices drifting up the stairs. So either the building was soundproof or they were being boring. My mobile rang and I looked at the ID. Ghastly.
"How is it going with the boys?" I asked.
"Boring." He answered his voice low. You girls are having all the fun again, aren't you? I walked away from a game of poker. Don't suppose you girls can rescue us with chips or something? That would break the game up at least."
"Anything for the man I'm going to marry. Noticed the big bags I snagged from the mansion, hmm?" I asked and swore I could feel him blush. "Be right down sweetheart." I assured him and we rang off.
I grabbed one of the big bags, stuffed with assorted small bags of chips and other snacks. The men greeted me as a saviour and Skulduggery tilted his head at me. "You know, you ladies could all come down here, we could use something pretty to look at." He coaxed, and I knew he was as bored as Ghastly was.
I looked at my brothers and they nodded happily, so soon we women were with the men, the radio going a tad more sedately, and the couples seated together. Erskine looked at me a faint smile on his face. We single Dead Men are going to strike until we get women who will cook us chicken that good." He teased and I laughed.
"That's my man getting chicken, worked for my mom." The women of course laughed since they knew that was true. "Of course nowhere near as good as my grilled steak with garlic butter, but it'll do." The men looked at me beseechingly.
'I don't have any on me." I laughed. "Besides it takes at least overnight for the flavors to meld into the steak and the butter." They continued to stare. "I don't have a grill, or steaks." I said.
"But you have a grill at the mansion." Skulduggery coaxed, and we're all awake, and we could pick up steaks at the big box store. Please?" I looked at Ghastly who just shrugged.
"They're still growing boys." He offered. "But then so am I. I'll help." He offered and I gave in.
Soon we were both cooking on the grill, never mind it was past midnight and we had the floodlights on, and the men had eaten bags of chips and enough chicken to populate a barnyard. The single men, I realized wanted the attention. I knew all too well how lonely it was to go home alone after a party and thought of inviting them to crash at the mansion for the night.
Ghastly seemed to read my mind. "Let's all stay for the night. Your brothers could use the company." He said as we turned the steaks and checked the grilled vegetables and I nodded.
"You know, they could all move into the mansion for all I care." I admitted. "Uncle Gordon would love the company and they might not look so lonely if they had people to live with."
"Let's bring it up when we eat." Ghastly suggested and we did. My brothers looked surprised, then pleased.
Anton answered for all of them. "Only if you let us pay the utilities and some rent at least. We aren't wanting for money." I nodded and Erskine looked at them wistfully. "That was an invite to you too, brother dear." I said and he flashed me a grateful smile. With the three of them under one roof they'd have plenty of company and Uncle Gordon, who had been with us the whole time looked vastly pleased with himself.
The night in bed Ghastly was spooned into me. "Your dress will be done soon. You won't believe this, but when I went back after lunch and coming here, well, a lot more of it was done and I recognized the stitching. I don't know how he did it, but my father worked on your dress."
I turned in his arms. "I believe you, Ghastly. And you're right, we keep getting signs we are meant to be. Would you be upset if we had a simple service here at the mansion and perhaps a meal with the guests at most after?"
He grinned. "That's what I was thinking, to be truthful. We'll have the Dead Men in attendance and the rest of our family. Sound good?" I nodded then cuddled into him and we fell asleep, contented and sure of our future.
Two weeks later my dress had been finished and it was a sight to behold. Several shades of white had been blended into a gown that was encrusted with gems and beads. It hugged my top and arms them flared out into a wonderful trailing bottom. Ghastly had made me white shoes as well, also accented with the vintage gems.
The women were helping me dress, Tanith included, and we were all giddy. In a manner of minutes I'd be getting married.
Marriage chapter next, I promise.