AN. Hey everyone! Thanks for all your reviews. I hope you like this next chapter.

Valkyrie's POV

Skulduggery and I sit on a blanket, fruit and small sandwiches spread out around us, my blue dress sprawled out around me. My mind keeps going back to what Lightning said about Skulduggery last night. I can't believe it. I snap out of my trance when Skulduggery speaks to me, "Valkyrie, are you alright? You seem distracted." I can see the concern in his beautiful bright green eyes.

"I'm fine thank you. I'll be honest…I am rather distracted. Lightning came to me last night… and he said something that concerned me quite a bit."

"May I know what he said?"

I hesitate and look away, "He said that in the past you have had many relationships with women . that you would have your way with them and then leave them."

He reaches out and softly takes my chin in his hand, tilting my hand to look at him. I see desperation in his eyes and… love? It can't be. "Valkyrie," he says firmly, "I promise you that is not true. I never had a relationship with a woman before."

"But why would he lie to me?"

He sighs, "As I told you last night, he has feeling for you. And he is jealous of our relationship. You see, usually when he wants something, he'll do whatever he can to get it. no matter what the consequence."

I take his hand and hold it tightly, "Skulduggery, I'm so sorry I doubted you." He smiles and strokes my cheek.

"It's quite alright, I know how convincing he can be."

We continue eating, never taking our eyes off each other.

"Valkyrie, my parents are having a ball next week, would you like to come with me?"

I smile but before I can answer I'm interrupted, "Of course I will Skulduggery." I turn to see China Sorrows strolling over. She ignores me and never looks away from Skulduggery. I look over at him to see him glaring at her.

"What do you want China?"

"I came to see you of course."

"Well now that you have seen me, would you please leave? I'm trying to have a picnic with Miss. Cain."

"Who?" China's eyes narrow.

"The beautiful woman sitting next to me. If you bothered to show some manners you would have guessed that."

I can't help but smile but it drops as China glares at me, "Anyway, what's this about a ball?"

"It's nothing of your concern."

She chuckles, "Please tell me you are not bringing this… wench?" she glares at me again. I glare back at her.

"Excuse you?" I snap. Skulduggery's hand tightens on mine.

"Don't you call her that again, China. Leave now."

She sighs, "Very well." She turns and walks away.

Skulduggery sighs, "I'm sorry about that."

"it's alright."

We continue our picnic, when we're done we pack up the blanket and begin walking back to the manor.

"I would love to do this again," Skulduggery smiles at me.

"I would love that too," I smile back.

Skulduggery's POV

I escort Valkyrie to her room. Before we get there I kiss her cheek. It takes all my strength not to kiss her on her beautiful lips. We smile at each other. When we get to her room her door is ajar. I looks confused and walks in. I hear her gasp and I go in after her. Her room is a mess. Everything is broken and turned over.

"Oh my God…," she whispers

we look around and see that nothing is stolen. Then I see it. on the back of the door, scratched into the wood is a message. It says, "Stay away from Skulduggery"

"Oh my God…" I whisper and pull Valkyrie close to me.

AN. Dun dun dun! Sorry it was so short. I hope you liked it. Please R&R. until next time.