A few days later...
Tanith is sitting up in bed and I am cross-legged on the end of it. Her wounds have almost healed, and she insisted that she would heal on her own- without my help. At first I was angry and considered just doing it there and then, but I realised that she would more than likely remember fighting me and what my new powers can do- it makes sense for her to be wary of them. So after days of healing and catching up on everything, I want to get to the topic that has meant my avoidance of my partner and best friend.
"I know what you want to talk about, I've seen you two not talking. I just want you to talk about it on your terms Val..." Tanith starts the topic and I am left dumbfounded. Then a small smile reaches my face, she's like a sister of course she would know what was going on with me.
"I wanted to give you time to recover and us to talk before immediately bothering you with my drama" I shrug it off, having already told her about Fletcher and insisting that she and Ghastly have a first date and promising not to spy on it.
Tanith looks at me and leans in.
"You know, you're being stupid. I mean yes you have had to fill everyone in on why you're now the most powerful mage in the world. But Val, you should have said about it sooner. I know you and him not being together does something to both of you. He said you need to talk it through, what's the worst that's going to happen? You can't live without each other, you think he's going to just push you away?" Tanith chuckled and shook her head at the end, and as I opened my mouth she interrupted me "GO! What are you still here for? I mean, come back after and tell me everything, but go now! Plus Ghastly may also be on his way to see me..." She finished the last part in a quiet tone and I laughed and punched her arm before getting off the bed.
I walked out of the infirmary with her giggles behind me and sighed. After spending days speaking with Tanith and others about what happened and who I now was, I hadn't had much time to experiment with my powers.
I could show you something Darquesse volunteered, which was now normal. We had become each other, with her not wanting to kill the world, we couldn't distinguish who was who. Of course she had all the knowledge about magic that was only being introduced to me lately, but we were both more than willing to share. I think she had also fallen for the things that I had, and was invested in it all once she had calmed down.
I let her take control and observed, to store how to do it and to be able to explain it later.
Our magic leaked from us in tendrils that searched for someone else's magic in particular. I could never forget what his magic felt like. It was like fireworks, burning me brighter than anything else ever could- but never hurting me, just making me feel so alive. There were people that were brighter than others, but never as much as him. I would like to think that it is because he shares Vile like I share Darquesse, but I just wasn't sure. I could feel us getting nearer to him, and our excitement grew but we also became more nervous- who would talk first? Darquesse located him in the training rooms in the sanctuary and I focused on what they looked like, and with a push of magic I teleported to them. Darquesse and Fletcher (once I explained that we would not be getting back together and threw a few punches as he tried to kiss me again) both teamed up to experiment if we could teleport. As it turned out, there isn't a lot that I can't do, but there is a lot that I am not willing to try.
As I become matter in the training room, the sparring between Skuduggery and Ghastly stops. Ghastly is covered in sweat and panting loudly while Skulduggery is still and silent, the only tells of him fighting being the slight creases in his otherwise impeccable suit. Ghastly looks between us and steps back, muttering something 'about time' and says that he's going to see Tanith. I'm not sure if he was waiting to see Tanith or waiting for Skulduggery and I to talk. The training room is now empty apart from us, the lights illuminating various objects used in combat and the two living weapons facing each other now. Skulduggery lifts his head and starts towards me from across the room. His strides are long and powerful, with the grace in his movements that I love. He looks like a man with authority and with a certain mystery, some of which I know and nobody else ever will. I stay still, and for the first time in days, I'm scared. Scared of what he can do, scared of what I will do. This is my best friend, and we have shared so much together, I'm only just thinking now how much of me will go with him if he decides to leave.
He stops a yard away from me, and tilts his head. "Hi" is all I say in a small voice, I can imagine him rolling his eyes as he pulls me into a hug that I squeeze tighter into. I push my face further into his shoulder and try not to cry. I missed these hugs, the feeling of safety and completeness that came with them.
"Valkyrie. I thought you would never come. I missed you." His voice in my ear makes my knees buckle and I whisper brokenly back "I missed you"
He doesn't let go of me when he says this next "I think I should leave for a little while more, I don't know that we're ready for this conversation. I don't know that I'm ready for this." A tear falls at this, and anger makes a sudden appearance as he turns and lets go so quickly. I was right, seeing him walk away did take a part of me with him. Shadows appear at the doors and block his every exit, the rooms grows darker as he stops in his tracks. I feel the power shifting inside of me. Normally I would say don't do it, we've only just got a clean slate. However, skeleton DICK-tective needs a bit of a talking to- so go ahead, I'm going to sit this one out.
The shadows writhe at the doors and I command them to stay there until I tell them to leave.
"You don't get to leave me again. You don't get to run away again, this conversation is happening Skulduggery." My voice is dangerously low, and I see him shrink slightly at the coldness of my tone. "No more running, you wanted time and I gave it to you. I want to know what you're thinking."
He doesn't turn around as he answers me "You want to know what I'm thinking? I'm thinking about what has happened in the last couple of weeks. You merged with a killer, multiple people died, you killed an angel, rescued Tanith, saved Ghastly and I and of course the world. You kissed me. And I ran from you. You want to know what I'm thinking? How wrong it is that you kissed me, and that I wanted more. How wrong it is to get mad at Fletcher for kissing you again. How it felt when you was against me and kissing me out of your own free will. How I want you because you are the only person who will ever understand me. Not even my dead wife could know me as well as you do now. How much I want this, but I can't have it."
My breathing became heavier with each word. I let my magic flow out again, and touched the aurora around him and he stiffened, turning around to face me. I let more of my magic go and watched what happened. Skin started to grow out on his body and he groaned. A sharp jaw came into view, with royal blue eyes and messy brown hair beneath his fedora. The suit bulged out as muscles took the place of air, and Skulduggery rolled his shoulders and looked at me in amazement. I pushed more magic into him and a dazed expression came onto his face. I walked towards him and said "That's what it feels like to me, that's what it feels like when I feel your magic, when I'm with you." I stopped in front of him and waited. His eyes flickered down to mine and his expression was as if he had tasted life for the first time. "Don't walk away from me please. I can't handle the separation, we promised each other. We can be together, until the end."
He kissed me, really kissed me, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me up off the floor as if to get closer to me. I smiled into the kiss and wrapped my arms around his neck. His mouth was setting fireworks off everywhere in me, and my toes scrunched up in my boots. His thumb brushed my cheek and I nibbled on his bottom lip, deepening the kiss. A knock at the door broke us part but we didn't let go.
Our foreheads rested together and he sighed, grabbing the sides of my face and said "You know people will have problems with this, but I'm ready for it, we've saved the world more times than I can count. Until the end Valkyrie Cain." We kissed once more as Fletcher burst into the room.
"Oh. Did not need to see that Valkyrie." He frowned and shook his head. "I was looking for Skulduggery, you or your rebound want to tell me where he went? I'm surprised that you and him aren't attached by the hip." I could hear Fletcher was hurt, and I should have known better than to get carried away.
Skulduggery stepped forward "I'm right here Fletcher. Although I'm afraid I'll have to postpone our training due to the fact I need to do my hair and take Valkyrie out." Fletcher's jaw dropped to the floor as Skulduggery linked our hands and walked out of the door Fletcher had come in.
I lent towards his ear and whispered "You need to do your hair? Maybe you should train with Fletcher, he can teach you a few things about hair product then." Skulduggery rolled his eyes and replied "My hair is fine. I was just thinking of a way to shake him up and get out of there. Besides, I need new suits now, and I haven't eaten in literally years- do you fancy getting a pizza?"
I laughed and allowed myself to be dragged out by Skulduggery and back to his house, where more things waited for us and this new relationship.
Next update will be coming soon, and will more than likely be the last chapter if I can help it! It's been so amazing to have your support throughout and I want to give you guys a great last chapter so I'll be working on it closely- it might even feature some steamy Valduggery! Who knows?
What do you guys think about Skulduggery being given his skin back by Valkyrie? Right description? Should they have a discussion over it?
As always, please leave a review and let me know what you think!
Emily x
