A/N: I don't own Darquesse, Valkyrie, Ghastly, Skulduggery, Erskine, Anton or Saracen. Iron is my OC, though. Chapter is in Ghastly's POV.
We shared a room that night and I was cuddled up against Valkyrie for warmth, Victoria having pointed out that we were two adult couples. Skulduggery had grumbled, but Valkyrie had been more than happy to oblige and as we were both wearing our jackets against the frigid chill it was decent.
The owner of the inn, Iron Forgemaster, had told us the room would be warm and it was compared to the outside which was now covered with about a foot of snow. I looked over at Skulduggery and he read my silent question, this wasn't normal weather for this town, I hadn't forgotten that much. Having Tadpole there we really didn't want to say what we thought out loud, that mainly we were all in a lot of trouble.
I wondered then if Darquesse should come out and investigate the town, but knew she wouldn't. Not that I'd have any problem with Valkyrie becoming Darquesse, but she was holding herself back for my sake and I could sense it. Maybe it was selfish or foolish, but I wanted to protect her like any man wanted to protect the woman he loved.
So although I could sense she had the greatest desire to rampage through the town on a path of destruction until she got answers, I spoke to her gently, calming her, assuring her I wouldn't let anyone hurt her, ever.
I knew that despite the hardened attitude she had with Skulduggery she wanted protected. Like me she was slow to let people close most of the time, and I savoured our closeness for the honour that it was. I calmed myself with thoughts of the wonderful wedding dress I'd soon be making her as I let myself relax into her warmth and soon fell asleep.
My dreams were strange, almost like visions. The townspeople had been replaced, but were safe in a dungeon far below the town. But the replacements, connected to them were beginning to flicker and fade as the people neared death from the strain of being connected to and powering their replacements despite the freezing temperature of the dungeon. Soon, I knew, the prisoners would be dead if we couldn't save them in time.
I woke up and the first thing I noticed was birdsong coming through the open window. The room was warm and it seemed to be summer outside once more. When I looked out I saw Sanctuary vans and Cleavers herding people into them for medical care. I got up and made some calls while I watched the people scurrying about like ants. Skulduggery was also up, and he'd put on coffee, then gave me a look and a nod towards the now waking Valkyrie.
I watched her stretch lithely then went over and handed her a mug of coffee, touched as always by her grateful smile. As she enjoyed the steaming brew I brought her up to speed. "Before you ask, our Grand Mage had second thoughts after your call and sent some vans out when he couldn't reach us. The entire town was under a powerful enchantment, the problem was the mage doing it was total rubbish."
She grinned in delight and I continued. "The more changes he made, the worse things got. But the gist of it is he wanted the power of everyone in town for himself. My grandmother came upon his plan without realizing it and that's why he killed her. Other than Iron and the shopkeeper you talked to, no one normal was left."
"That's the thing about having our good luck charm with us." Skulduggery told her in mock sadness. "You get to hear about the excitement after." He looked at me fondly. "How many times did you and I end up somewhere only to find the case had solved itself? You truly are good luck, Ghastly. It is something you should be proud of." I waved him off, wondering if he was right.
My dream after all, had indeed been a vision. But even as I slept the town had been swarmed by Sanctuary members who had undid the damage the rubbish mage had wrought. I looked at Valkyrie again, asking if she'd like to pay our promised visit to my grandmother before leaving.
She nodded, sipping her coffee. With the case officially over we were free to visit my grandmother again, though with a lot of the population gone there wasn't much else to do. So we packed the van and agreed to meet Skulduggery and the rest of the family in two hours.
Iron was sorry to see us go. "You're too young to remember, but I was the village blacksmith and people used to come to my smithy the same way they will come to the inn again, but it is always nice to see new people. It was good seeing you again too, Ghastly. Don't wait so long to come back."
We left, Skulduggery grumbling that nobody had asked him to come back. "I wonder why." Victoria said as they walked off and I had to stifle a laugh.
Valkyrie grabbed my sleeve and let them walk off, then looked up at me. She hesitated only a second, then she was initiating a kiss in a way that made my heart pound, her arms wrapped around my neck as her soft body melted into mine.
I was surprised, but soon was returning the kiss as eagerly as I always did, being sure to be gentle with her. I broke our kiss and she murmured protests, but sighed happily when I began to place tender kisses on her face. God, I wanted to be there forever in that moment, holding the most beautiful woman in the world in my arms.
But we did have a visit to make and centuries upon centuries to look forward to together. Valkyrie blushed as we parted and looked down demurely and I was utterly enchanted. I wondered as we walked when I'd first fallen in love with her. True, we'd always been close, even from the moment she'd first walked into my shop with Skulduggery.
I knew he had said something tactless to her about me because I could read it in her shocked expression. She had stared at me for the longest time, but I was staring at her too, in shocked recognition, knowing she was the girl my mother had seen in a vision and wanting with all my heart and soul to protect her.
Then years later, when Fletcher Renn had come to my office I'd had to hold my temper in check as he whined about a betrayal that existed only in his own mind. Valkyrie had made it clear she didn't want him in any number of ways, and although as a man I sympathized for him being in love, it angered me that he expected her to listen, to submit to his will.
Had he known her at all he'd have seen that wouldn't work. I'd felt sorry for her the moment she'd met Caelan. I knew it wouldn't end well but I'd had no notion he would have been that obsessed and deadly in his intent. I had wanted to kill him myself, because I knew he was taking advantage of her inexperience with men, but I'd known it wasn't my place to interfere either.
I thought of the ball as well, how she had told me I was handsome and the other Dead Men had teased me when I blushed. I knew they loved me as a brother but they enjoyed tormenting me whenever they got a chance. But Valkyrie had been sweet to me that night and I had wished that I'd gotten around to making her a dress.
I'd thought I'd saw something in her eyes that night that was different, that she appreciated me for the first time for myself, and I'd found excuses to talk to her since she was honestly a good friend to me at the time. She'd known I was missing Tanith terribly and was desperate to get her back. I wondered as we arrived at my grandmother's house how she could possibly want me now. She'd seen my need to get Tanith back, and we both knew that had Tanith not left we'd likely not be together. But amazingly she didn't hate me for it. I resolved then and there that I'd spend the rest of my life treating her as the queen she truly was.
My grandmother seemed delighted to see us and she whispered to me as she embraced me in greeting. "I have a chest for you, my dear, but I don't want Valkyrie to see the contents. I'll invite her to explore the attic and pick out anything she likes then we can have a look."
Valkyrie looked to me for permission to go exploring after my grandmother offered, still clearly torn between doing her duty as my partner and an Elder and enjoying herself. "Go." I encouraged. "Have fun. Pick out whatever you like, there's plenty of room in the van." She'd grinned then and took off up the stairs.
My grandmother took me to a hallway closet and I pulled out an old leather chest. Inside were wedding dresses, beautiful wedding dresses, and bags of jewelry. I looked at her questioningly. "We've never been a rich family, but the men have always done well by the women. I want you to use these dresses, this jewelry in making your bride's dress. She will be a woman of our family line now, you know how strongly the women of the family have always felt about that."
I nodded, overcome. I could already imagine a wonderful dress, encrusted with jewels and made with all the care and skill I could put into it. My grandmother smiled and patted me, then suggested I bring the van around to collect it and whatever else Valkyrie might find. So that of course is exactly what I did.
Valkyrie, it turned out, liked to work with her hands and had found all sorts of odds and ends to work with, not to mention boxes of buttons and beads that she was taken with. I'd never seen this side of her before and as she fussed over lace and other materials I smiled to myself.
Soon enough we had the van packed and Valkyrie was giving my grandmother a last hug goodbye. "Promise me you'll come visit." I heard her say and I saw my grandmother's face light up with pride.
Valkyrie looked at me when we were both in the van. "I never knew my grandparents." She said softly. Then she rallied. "But I have a grandmother in a way now, don't I?" That she was accepting my family touched me. We weren't rich and I'd always worried that when I'd found a woman to love she would look down on them and me. I had no shame in my upbringing, I was proud to have earned everything I had, but I had still worried as men do that she would judge me and find me wanting.
But Valkyrie had already accepted my family as her own, and included me in her circle with Skulduggery when she had taken me with her and Thaddeus that night. I was looking forward to the return trip, to taking even more time since Erskine had vaguely told me something was happening involving our office so we had time off.
"I hope you can all take more road trip on the way back." I said when our family was all settled in and I'd picked up more fast food take away for breakfast and I got happy murmurs of surprise and delight.
"How did you manage that?" Valkyrie asked and I was about to reply when my mobile rang and Erskine asked to be put on speaker. I did, curious and waited patiently as he worked his way up to the reason for his call.
"Uh, well, I told Ghastly your office is being worked on, and that is true. Mainly your things are being moved out and the new Elders are moving in. But you know, politics and everything, and we'd rather have you two free to be detectives and uh, things." His voice was becoming rather squeaky and I knew it wasn't my reaction he feared, but Valkyrie's.
"Anton and Saracen both called this morning, Erskine. I know my brothers are freeing me up for life as a married woman and it is very sweet of all of you. Both Ghastly and I want more time together, without paperwork, so we both thank you." She looked sideways at me for confirmation and I smiled and nodded at her.
"Valkyrie's right, Erskine. I'm not angry. You know my two loves are Valkyrie and tailoring." I said, drawing a blush from her to my delight. "You saved us a conversation about this. To tell you the truth this is what I wanted, so she and I can start our life together."
We rang off and I heard pleased sounds from the back of the van. Tadpole came forward and sat in Valkyrie's lap cuddling into her. "When you two have babies can I come visit?" He asked and she laughed in delight.
"Yes, Tadpole, you can visit, providing mom and dad say it is OK, all right?" He nodded happily, clutching his stuffed lion and she stroked his hair fondly. I felt a sudden surge of pride that this was the woman who would be my wife and now I knew, bear my children.
Valkyrie grinned over at me. "Just what you need, children tearing up your shop." She teased and I laughed.
"I'm looking forward to it, Val. I've always wanted children of my own. And don't you mean our shop? We're partners now, right?" I asked and she smiled shyly as she nodded. I marveled that this brave young woman had chosen me. We were entering our life together as partners, equals. I would of course follow my father's sage advice and never stop courting her, no matter how long we were married.
Valkyrie had plugged her player in and we'd listened to music and talked and we drove. Now we all sat in the van, listening to the end of "Life is a Highway" by Tom Cochrane. I looked at her, hoping she knew that I would have penned the lyrics for her if I had the talent and she smiled, showing me she understood.
We got out, and when I insisted she let me get her door for her her face softened. Skulduggery of course made sure to say something rather insulting to her about needing help, but she ignored him for once, wrapping her arms around my neck and rewarding me with a lingering kiss. Skulduggery harumphed at her and she laughed in his face. "Aww. Is da widdle baby jeawous? Did ims need somebody to get is door, did ims?" She continued to laugh hysterically as we entered the diner and Victoria joined her, smirking at Skulduggery.
"I've told you that mouth of yours was going to get you what you had coming, you big baby. Even Tadpole can get his own doors." Victoria said. Then she turned to Valkyrie as we settled in the booth. "You'd never know it, but your father is a gentleman. A two-year-old self-centered child, but a gentleman." The women sniggered and Skulduggery looked annoyed.
We were in a diner for mages, so he was able to be without the disguise. However when the waitress came his whole demeanor changed and he placed an order then turned to coo sweetly at Valkyrie. "Doesn't daddy's little helper want to help him eat, hmm?" He asked hopefully and she cocked an eyebrow at him, but then smiled and nodded, clearly in too good a mood to hold a grudge or argue with him.
She looked at me as their coffee and my tea came. "You know, I'm not going to miss that office. You're not disappointed are you?" She asked.
"Are you?" I countered and she shook her head. "We'll still have cases and with my work we'll have a comfortable life. Then when the children come, perhaps we'll go to just my work, our work if you fussing over notions was any indication?" I asked and she grinned, nodding.
Victoria looked at her, clearly enchanted. "I've watched over you for years, you know. You've always made such lovely things, my dear. You should start selling some. You could easily design the jewelery then sell it in Ghastly's shop."
"Our shop." I said, putting a loving arm around Valkyrie. "And how come I don't know about this talent, hmm?" I asked gently.
"Because she knew her father would make fun of her for being a girl." Victoria put in mildly. But Valkyrie went to his rescue and he looked relieved. Skulduggery after all had a habit of being insulting and abrasive to cover up his feelings, but Valkyrie clearly felt there was no need to hold grudges.
We were on holiday after all with our family. Or burgers arrived, and soon conversation fell to pleasant things. Victoria thanked Valkyrie for making her food and drink suitable for a spirit and Tadpole of course had thanked her first. He adored his sister to the point where he jabbed Skulduggery with his elbow and hissed "Manners!" and Skulduggery mumbled thanks.
Valkyrie smiled fondly at him. He would always be her best friend as well as father. The two were more like littermates than full-grown detectives, and play fighting, snipping, and insulting were the way they showed affection. "You know dad, I hope you never grow up." She said and he smiled, then she continued. "Because I've always thought of you as the son I never had." She finished, bursting out into laugher once more.
Victoria snorted laugher and Tadpole giggled while I could have sworn Skulduggery blushed and waved a gloved hand at her. That of course reminded me of a mystery I wanted to solve. "How is it that you got to wear your suit and gloves in the hospital?" I asked and he looked over at me slyly.
"I bit them when they tried to take it off. I wasn't about to wear one of those dreadful gowns. You really ought to design something more becoming for them, Ghastly. The things they have now are dreadful."
"I'll take that under advisement." I said dryly. We lingered for a while then were back on the road. Valkyrie and I chatted as drove and soon enough we were back at the hotel we'd stayed at on the first part of our road trip.
Valkyrie and I got our own room this time and Victoria batted Skulduggery then glared at him, daring him to protest. When we at last got our bags in I stretched out on one of the double beds, exhausted. "I'm never moving from this bed, Valkyrie. The rest of you will have to go on without me." I groaned dramatically and she laughed, then stretched lithely on her own bed.
She caught my appreciative glance and smiled over at me, then laid down on her back. "I'm not moving either, they can go on without us. I don't suppose you'd like to move over here?" She asked and I grunted.
"I would love to, but I'm way too tired to move. You could move over here." I invited. She nodded and clicked off the light on her way over, leaving the room only lit by the sunlight that was creeping in despite the blinds.
She snuggled into my chest and I felt my heart leap as it always did. "You know," I said as I gently stroked her hair, "we ought to take a rest and then go out to dinner, just the two of us." She smiled a sleepy approval of my plan to me and we were both soon fast asleep.
Dinner ended up being take away in our room in front of the TV. We were propped up with pillows on the bed eating leisurely and Valkyrie smiled at me. "This had been a lot of fun so far, and dad is right, you are a good luck charm, Ghastly. I hope the luck continues on down to our children."
I blinked. "Yes, hopefully, but not the scars, I hope." She touched my face gently, then was kissing me lightly on each and every one of my scars, making me shiver. She sat back to look at me in utter adoration, then went to her jacket and pulled out and old diary. She came over and handed it to me.
"Your family story, more or less." She said then continued at my raised eyebrow. "You grandmother told me about the scars being part of a family heritage stretching back for centuries. Your first ancestor to have them was proud to be so handsome. It was part of his magic, the way he defended his family and home. They also literally bring luck and protection. You have a rare form of magic Ghastly, one you've never even tapped into yet. I'd be proud to have a baby as handsome as his father."
I fingered the diary then looked at her. "You don't scare easy, do you? That means there is no cure then. I'll always look like this." I sighed and she looked at me for the longest time before speaking.
"Don't you know how proud I am of you? That you have this ability, this magic? It is a gift, Ghastly, a rare ability that is only passed down in your family line. You'll laugh, but I'm honoured to be marrying you." She was kissing me again then, gently, but she was clearly intent on showing me I was needed and loved, and I let her, returning the kiss.
Deeper and deeper it went and I felt something inside me shatter, and a feeling of freedom. I'd living all my life wanting to hide in shadows, bur she was dragging me into the light with her love whether she kew it or not and I was all too happy to follow.
We'd slept cuddled into one another for a second night and I treasured her presence. I had feared having to let her go home to the mansion when we returned home, but she didn't even give me a chance to voice my fears as we lay together in the morning. "You know from this day forward your partner refuses to go home to the spookity old mansion, right?" She purred and I was kissing her in gratitude when a knock came to the door. We both groaned not wanting to leave our warm bed.
The knock came again. "Valkyrie? Ghastly? I took the liberty of getting us all breakfast." Skulduggery called through the door. "Meet us in our room in fifteen minutes?" He went on hopefully, and we both managed to reply that we would.
Valkyrie shot an annoyed look at the door but it softened to gentle amusement and she hurried to get ready, then packed our bags and I got ready myself. We were in their room in ten and eating a breakfast of take away from a local eatery. It hit me then that this really was my family. We were sharing meals together, traveling together on a road trip. I enjoyed the thought and as soon as we had all piled into the van I turned the radio on softly and enjoyed the drive.
We stopped for dinner of take away, enjoyed under a tree in an open field. It was cool, and music drifted to us through the open windows of the van. We couples sat together in easy silence while Thaddeus explored, then called his sister to him, showing her treasures he'd found, and she helped him out, gathering then into an empty carton she'd cleaned out using her Elemental skills.
I was touched that a woman would realize that twigs and stones were a young boy's greatest treasures, along with a leaf on other things he'd found. Valkyrie packed them away for him carefully then ruffled his hair and I longed to see her do these things with our own children some day.
At long last we were home and cuddled on the couch together. The TV was off and soft music floated to us from my radio. I'd brought in our treasures and bags from the van leaving them downstairs in my shop.
"You know," I said gently. "Now that you are queen of this castle you can explore to your heart's content. I own the building outright. I always just used the rooms for my shop and this and the bedroom, but you may feel free to lay claim to any space you like."
Valkyrie smiled up at me. "Well other than rooms for the children and perhaps a crafting room so you aren't tripping over me how much room do we need? I don't mind being close to you, you know." She said, wrapping her arms more snugly around my midsection.
"I was hoping you'd join me in the shop, Val. There's plenty of room for us both to work and I'd miss you if I didn't see you all day, you know/" She grinned hugely and nodded. "Of course," I said, kissing her tenderly, "I want you to find something to do while I work on your wedding dress. Maybe Victoria needs help getting settled."
She was going to answer when my grandmother appeared suddenly. "You leave those two young lovebirds alone, Ghastly Bespoke. She can have boxing lessons with me, and learn family recipes and the like. That is if she'll have me." She said, her pride stopping her from asking, but Valkyrie was off the couch and enveloping her in a welcoming hug.
"Are you kidding? Yes, I'll have you! You're the grandmother I never got to have." She said fondly. Valkyrie looked at me, tilting her head much the way Skulduggery did. "Can she come live with us, please?" She asked, her eyes shining with excitement and I could only nod a happy reply.
My grandmother stayed with us for a while, visiting then told me she'd like one of the unused rooms having found a cot in it. I agreed and she faded from view, but not without promising Valkyrie her boxing lessons in the morning.
I looked at her, amused. "You've been adopted into our our family, Valkyrie. And my grandmother either takes to a person or she doesn't. Well, our grandmother. You've made a friend for life. I'm glad you want her here, you know. Now that I know the truth I want to make up for lost time."
Valkyrie grinned at me. "I always wanted a grandmother to teach me things. Like baking and sewing, and before you ask, my sewing skills are rubbish. But it is ever better having a tough-talking grandmother who will teach me to fight."
She looked at me, suddenly serious. "How come you never told me you were in love with me, Ghastly? How could you possibly think I wouldn't want to know?" She asked her voice gentle, and I looked away helplessly. "Did it ever occur to you that I've never felt good enough for you, that I still don't? I'm still wondering how I got lucky enough to find you."
"Valkyrie." I managed, stroking her long brown hair back from her face. I pulled her to me, kissing her gently, reveling in the affections she showed in return. I realized then that I was the lucky one, and resolved to do whatever it would take to keep her by side.
Yes, I know, so much cute your teeth melted and you went into sugar shock. I can leave it there, or get to the wedding eventually and babies. Comments are welcome!