A/N: I don't own Valkyrie, Skulduggery, Ghastly or Dex. Thanks go out to mysteryHuntress for reviewing.
By the time they had settled in a booth and Valkyrie had ordered and had some coffee, she felt better. "Ghastly has your dress ready." Skulduggery said casually. A little too casually. "We could go pick it up if you want." He was drawing patterns on the table with his gloved hand and Valkyrie stared at him. Skulduggery was getting odder every day.
"That sounds great." She said. "I even had a dream about it last night, and the ball." She said, omitting the part where Skulduggery had come to her window in the moonlight and swept her outside. She didn't want him to get the wrong idea. "And there was something else in the dream. A statue?" She asked, then shrugged.
"Of a dancing couple? Yes. You were half awake when I tapped on your window but you looked like you liked it." He said and Valkyrie blinked in surprise.
"You only give gifts at Christmas."
"And every time you need to eat, or need clothes from Ghastly, or-" Skulduggery started counting off on his gloved fingers and Valkyrie narrowed her eyes at him.
"How many Dead Men will be there?" She asked, trying to change the subject.
"Same as last time, I think. Anton will be a no-show as usual, and Saracen won't be coming. I think. Why? Unhappy with your escort for the evening?" He teased.
"No, I am not." Valkyrie said, smiling at him. There was no way Dex stood a chance now, she decided, Skulduggery was downright cheerful. And she knew his good mood would vanish if she didn't go with him. Dex would just have to find a date or go alone like he had last time.
"Are you getting a new tuxedo?" She asked.
"I have several, Ghastly went over one for me so I look my best. By the way, what kind of flowers do you like? Roses, daises, orchids?"
"Um, anything, I guess. You're bringing me flowers?" She asked, now completely lost.
"Of course I'm bringing you flowers. Roses then?"
"Surprise me." Valkyrie managed and then went on hesitantly. "You're really going all out. Thanks." She said and he titled his head in a smile.
"Think nothing of it. And maybe after we visit Ghastly we can just spend the day driving, or at my house, if you like."
"Sounds good." Valkyrie agreed, wondering once again exactly what he was up to. She loved him, she was still in love with him and she reckoned she always would be. And it was wonderful to have the silly, friendly skeleton back she'd first met. Skulduggery seemed younger than he had in a long time and if going to the ball as just friends meant that much to him she would go as his friend.
I don't know what Skulduggery is up to, but even I know he's up to something.