~ Valkyrie x Malevolent ~

FlawD: So, before we all decide to strangle me for my long, overdue absence, why don't we celebrate the fact that I'm back!? …Somehow I knew that wouldn't work *dodges angry glances from readers* I really am sorry, it's been over a year! It didn't hit me just how much I've missed writing until I got a review very recently, so thank you very much to 'Phoebe Pleasant' for giving my story an awesome review which made me kick my ass into gear and start writing!

Malevolent: Excuse me FlawD, but I really think the readers would much prefer it if you got on with the whole 'story' thing, we get it, you're sorry you've been away for so long, but we would much prefer to read the tale you've written rather than read your pathetic apology…

Valkyrie: That was rather rough Mal, ease up. FlawD is just a little out of practice that's all ^_^

FlawD: No, Malevolent's right. We shall continue on! I just really want to get the message across that I really am sorry and I hope with this update that my readers and fans will begin to love me again! And yes, to those people who have suggested pairings and songs, I haven't forgotten about you so no need to fear! The requests will get done….hopefully relatively soon! Malevolent, if you will do the honours

Malevolent: The only thing that FlawDiamonds owns is her lazy ass, besides that, she owns absolutely nothing and if there are still any readers out there, PLEASE REVIEW!

FlawD: Just one more quick thing I have to say! I know I still have 'Only A Fool – Valduggery' and 'Talking To The Moon – Dexkyrie' to get through, so to the people that suggested those stories, I haven't forgotten, I just need to write a quick something to get myself back into the swing of things so forgive me – I'll see you all later down the bottom of the chapter :- ) xx

Valkyrie POV

To The Moon And Back – Savage Garden

'Tanith, where do I even begin? I've been "graced" with his majesty's presence for three weeks now and I've hated every single second of it. He is just simply so infuriating. I have been stuck cleaning his dirty laundry (don't even ask about the state of it), shining battle armour, getting laughed by henchmen and guards of his suite, it's just all so glamorous for me over here. Cleaning up after royalty is just beneath me, this whole ordeal feels unreal. I'm sorry I've only been able to get a couple of letters out to you before this, it's hard to find time when a royal pain-in-my-butt calls on me whenever he pleases to do some other mundane job. He's got at least ten other servants, but it seems his favourite pass-time is annoying me in return for my outburst at the formation ceremony. I don't know how long I'll be held up in here but I'm already devising ways to escape! Do me a favour and look after Reline for me, okay? As much as I despise it here, it's worth it knowing Reline is alright…anyway, send my best to everyone else at the diner!

Talk soon,

Val ~'

I looked up from the scrawled paper in front of me with a half-hearted smile until I heard the scuffling of feet nearing my room. I closed my eyes and prayed it wasn't someone here to collect me.

Two taps at the door confirmed otherwise. "Valkyrie," Veil spoke from the other side of the door. I inched the bridge of my nose and mentally prepared myself for whatever task Malevolent had set for me. Tucking away my letter to Tanith in the bedside table next to me, I collected myself and approached the door with reluctance.

Upon opening the door, I looked at Veil with a short glance and a quick smile. She stared at me with a bored expression, she has never liked me since my arrival. She doesn't understand my dislike for the King as she willingly volunteered to be a servant in the palace. I had tried to explain to her my reasoning that he was so seemingly selfish and arrogant made me have a distaste for him but she believes Malevolent to be some sort of "hero". I honestly think she is so infatuated with him because of his looks, that's all she rambles on about.

"Mal wants you in his personal quarters…although I wouldn't know why he'd ask for you." Lovely. A mild insult from another servant and apparently a servant on a nick-name basis with the King.

"Thanks Veil," I said between clenched teeth, "and just what wonderful job has "Mal" assigned for me?" At the sarcastic tone of my usage of Veil's nick-name for his majesty, I got a pleasant glare from the blonde standing in front of me.

"He didn't disclose that information to me, just wanted you there immediately."

I looked at her with a raised eyebrow, that's unusual. Veil rolled her eyes at me before sauntering off to her own room. Lovely girl, really. Brushing off my encounter with Veil, I began my walk to Malevolent's quarters. I took the correct twists and turns until I came to my favourite hallway, the only thing I was able to really enjoy in this place.

The huge oval windows that multiplied across the expanse of the wall provided a grand outlook of the land. There was no need for torches or lights lining the hallway wall through this area because the moonlight lit everything in sight. I glanced quickly both ways in the corridor before stealing a slice of time to enjoy by one of the windows. My body relaxed while looking at the grassy plains below, devoid of buildings or houses, just endless fields of green. I let my forehead rest upon the glass softly.

'She can't remember a time, where she felt needed'

A soft sigh escaped my lips, it was nice to find some sort of tranquillity around here. The aggressive front I had towards Malevolent was sometimes draining. Not that I didn't enjoy ruffling the man's feathers, after while though, the game became physically tiring.

'If love was red then she was colour blind'

I shook my head of any thoughts and continued on my way to see what Malevolent had in store for me.

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Normal POV

Malevolent was standing near his desk looking over some files when he heard the intrusive knock at the door. He smirked to himself, knowing full well what annoyance stood just outside his door.

"Come in," he called happily. He listened to the door opening and closing rather loudly and he smiled delightfully at the woman at the entrance of his personal quarters. Lilac eyes glared at Malevolent as he welcomed the young woman.

"Valkyrie, you came in good time." Valkyrie narrowed her eyebrows at his sarcastic tone and got down to business.

"What is it that you need me to do Malevolent? Or am I purely here for your amusement?"

"I've just had the busiest day Valkyrie and I am in no mood to partake in sour banter with you. Lighten up dear, it wouldn't hurt you in the slightest." Malevolent growled out at the end, not appreciating the spiteful grin he got in return for his words.

"Busy day of being a great "hero" for the people your majesty?"

"You know Valkyrie, servant clothes suit you." Malevolent wiped the cocky smile off Valkyrie Cain's mouth with that remark.

"I'm more than a servant," she ground out with an angry look.

"No, no, you're right Miss Cain. You're more than a servant, you're a kitchen hand at a diner." Malevolent's voice dripped with sarcasm and his tired eyes bored into hers. Truth be told, Malevolent knew Valkyrie was more than a servant and would probably go on to achieve great things if her attitude didn't ruin many an opportunity for her.

Valkyrie stared at him with fire in her glassy eyes. She bit her tongue to refrain from calling him ghastly names. She bit down even harder when she watched him approach her with a glistening smile.

"We're getting off track aren't we? How has being one of my many personal servants enriched your life Valkyrie Cain? I would love to hear your answer." Malevolent's hand came round to rest on Valkyrie's upper back as he led her through his quarters. Valkyrie wanted to shrug away from his touch but soldiered on through the urge.

Valkyrie watched as he slowly led the way to their destination. Glanced at the king-sized bed framed with gold posts and elegant bedding and admired the sophisticated office. The palace was truly grand and a miniscule part of Valkyrie envied the upper-class life style Malevolent possessed.

"Oh in just so many ways Malevolent, I honestly can't think what I would rather being doing in my spare time other than your laundry, or your dishes and I can't forget the absolute joy it is to be in your company. I don't know where I would be without you constantly pestering me to do one thing or another." Valkyrie gave him her biggest smile and Malevolent laughed darkly.

"You truly are a great source of entertainment Miss Cain."

"Glad to be of help," Val said sourly. Malevolent stopped both of them abruptly as they came to another set of grand doors. Valkyrie looked at him questioningly with a raised eyebrow and a scowl. Malevolent ignored her and pushed up the doors which revealed a glistening bathroom. Valkyrie felt her eyes bulge at the sight. An in-ground bath directly faced them along with shelves of bathing products surrounding it. The bath was built like a pool, steps leading into the depths of it and black and white chess-board tiles lined the outside. To the left was a doorway which lead into a bathroom sink and toilet and to the right, near a grand rectangle window was an open shower. The expanse and sheer size of the bathroom made Valkyrie want to faint. She glanced up at Malevolent looking down at her with a knowing smile.

"Greedy bastard," she muttered under her breath. 'Who needed this much space and luxury in a bathroom!?' Valkyrie thought with wide eyes.

"I wasn't joking when I said I've had a busy day and I am exhausted Valkyrie," Malevolent began strolling into the middle of the room and shrugging off his jacket. Valkyrie watched his face as he turned away from her and only now noticed the slight dark rings under his eyes. "And while your attitude towards me is unwanted, I do have to say that with the tasks you've been given so far, you've done a fantastic job. It did surprise me that the first batch of laundry I got back from you wasn't laced with itching powder or hadn't been stitched into some sort of voodoo doll of me with pins in it. I know your dislike of me Valkyrie but you've put that aside to get the jobs done properly and efficiently, I'm beginning to think you actually secretly like me." Malevolent looked over his shoulder with a charming smile which led to Valkyrie barking a laugh at him.

"You flatter yourself far too much Malevolent. Don't take my efficiency as flattery, I'm just smarter than what you think. The itching powder did cross my mind but I know that it'll only prolong my freedom out of this place, don't think I'm not secretly plotting your death every spare second I get!"

"Ahh, but you're still thinking of me aren't you?" Valkyrie rolled her eyes and Malevolent chuckled at her response. Shedding his suit shirt and making it join his tailored jacket on the floor, he turned back to Valkyrie who was staring at him uncomfortably at the lack of clothing on his torso. Her eyes remained trained on his. Malevolent gave her a winning smile and extended his arms to the space in front of them.

"In reward of your good work Miss Cain, I'm giving you the privilege to be a part of my nightly bathing ritual." At his words, Valkyrie's cheeks shined the colour of rubies at the image that popped into her head. She eyed him like he was crazy.

"You're insane if you think I'm going to sleep with you-!" Malevolent interrupted her words with a sharp laugh that echoed throughout the tall walls and high ceiling.

"You must think a lot of yourself don't you? I don't want to go to bed with you Valkyrie! You're going to bath me with three other servants." He finished matter-of-factly. Valkyrie's cheeks calmed down somewhat but she couldn't help but feel slightly offended that he seemed so against going to bed with her. She wasn't entirely surprised though, they've despised one another since the moment they met. At that moment, Malevolent promptly clapped his hands and three servants Valkyrie had never seen bustled in through the doors past her.

'Where the heck did they even come from!?' She disregarded the thought with a shake of her head and glared at Malevolent. The other women got to work and two of them held a towel up and looked away from the King as he promptly undressed himself fully while the other servant started on getting the temperature to the King's liking. Valkyrie turned away from the sight of Malevolent undressing, although there was nothing to see with the white towel up but she felt so uncomfortable staring. Valkyrie played with a frayed piece of string that had weaved its way out of the bottom of the plain cream tunic she wore and looked down at the matching servant pants she wore. Her vision travelled back towards Malevolent when he called upon her name. He was in the bath already with a sea of bubbles floating atop the water level. Valkyrie stared at him blankly, waiting for him to go on.

"You can thank me later for the spectacle you've been given," he smiled at his own words, tilting his head back as if he was waiting for her praise.

"You should know by now that the sight of you makes me sick your majesty," she spoke with venom lacing her words. The other servants let out a small gasp at her insult but silenced at Malevolent's raised hand. He chuckled at Valkyrie's expression, "Come Valkyrie, I can tell how the colour on your cheeks betray your words. Now, if you won't wash my torso, do something useful and wash away that attitude of yours." The servants let out sniggers at his remark and Malevolent smiled at their reactions while closing his eyes and resting his head on the edge of the bath. Unwillingly, Valkyrie walked towards Malevolent with a displeased expression. Two of the servants stood upright beside the bath and the third disappeared to stand in front of the doors.

Malevolent jumped slightly at the touch of a hand that appeared on his right shoulder, his head whipped to the right to look at Valkyrie with bathing sponge in hand softly rubbing away at the skin. She kept her yes trained on the arm in front of her and dared not to look into his eyes this close in his proximity. He raised an eyebrow in question to her actions, himself not actually believing that she'd obey. He looked at her slightly parted lips and dark eyelashes that brushed across her cheek when she blinked. He felt her warm breath on his arm and he relaxed back into the bath with her timid ministrations still continuing on his arm. He enjoyed the soft sounds of the water dripping and sloshing against itself and the feel of the soft sponge rubbed and squeezed across his arm. The quietness of it all soothed his weary body.

'She's saying, "Love is like a barren place'

"Do you honestly believe that you're superior than everyone else?" Malevolent opened his eyes at the quiet whisper that came from the woman kneeling next to him. His eyes cast down to the bubbles surrounding him.

'And reaching out for human faith is, it's like a journey I just don't have a map for'

Malevolent didn't say a word, just abruptly clicked his fingers and listened to the sound of the two servants scurry out of the room. Valkyrie looked up, startled from the sudden movement and finally turned her head to look Malevolent. He stared into her eyes with a slightly furrowed brow and answered honestly.

'So baby's gonna take a dive and push the shift into overdrive'

"No. But just because I don't believe I am, doesn't mean that I'm not," Valkyrie blinked at his words and cast a glance back down to the arm she was cleaning. "The people let me be superior than them, that's the key…however, you don't…" Valkyrie glanced at him sideways at his words before shuffling behind him and gently massaging his shoulders and running her hands over his torso. She was genuinely surprised at the honesty in Malevolent's words and continued conversation.

"You order me around Malevolent, right now I'm obeying your words and your rules. How am I any different from the people that look up to you?"

'Send a signal that she's hanging all her hopes on the stars'

"But your spirit isn't in your actions Valkyrie. People do things they don't have to all the time, to survive. I know that's all you're doing, is obeying to survive and get your freedom. I'm not as stupid as you think I am…" Valkyrie ran her hands over Malevolent's chest and raked them up softly up his neck. She appreciated his physique but appreciated his sharp mind and wit even more.

"You surprise me Malevolent," Malevolent closed his eyes in pleasure at Valkyrie's actions, "I didn't think you'd be so honest with me. I don't think you're stupid either, an arrogant and selfish man however, well that might be what I think – " At her words, Malevolent snatched Valkyrie's hand in his and pulled her forward, making her body jerk awkwardly towards the edge of the bath.

"It doesn't matter what I do does it? Your opinion of me will always remain the same, won't it?" He looked into her violet eyes for the answer, as if it would magically be there in between the flecks of grey near her iris'. His mouth was pressed into a thin line as he saw Valkyrie glance away, confirming what he thought.

"Even if you knew how much good I've done for this land behind the snapshots of the media, your opinion would still remain the same…how can someone be so small-minded?" Malevolent asked with an innocence that made Valkyrie narrow her eyes at him. She felt her small hand still in his strong grasp and tried to focus on anything else other than the feeling of his thumb drawing absent-minded circles on her hand.

'What a pleasant dream'

"Prove me wrong then, if I'm so damned small-minded, prove my opinion wrong – " Valkyrie almost chocked when she felt a pair of lips pressed against her own and a damp hand on the side of her cheek. Malevolent's lips moved against her own and while hating herself, she sunk into the kiss willingly. Her eyes fluttered close and all that was heard was the nervous breathing from their two forms. His hand pushed further and softly pushed the hair out of her face and behind her ear. Malevolent pulled away first with an inquisitive look on his face.

Valkyrie licked her lips quickly before saying, "Well, it's a start."

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FlawD: My, my, 3000 words later and you have my first update in yonks! After writing this though, I feel like I've gotten my groove back so expect a few more updates soon!

Valkyrie: FlawD still knows she's got a few more requests so stay tuned folks!

Malevolent: As usual, REVIEW and leave some COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS because FlawD can always use some enthusiasm for more of her work! And also for anyone also following/reading her other story SP: The After Years, she says stay tuned for an update coming soon on that too! Thanks again everyone and we will see you next time

FlawD: Big thanks to everyone who's still reading these stories, and a big thank you to everyone who doesn't want to kill me for being away so long! Xx