Chapter Three: A Massage

I picked her up later that night. She was subdued. I looked at her as I pulled away from her house. "Something wrong dear?"

She sighed. "You were right. I…I don't feel comfortable with them anymore."

I stifled my desire to laugh aloud. "I'm seldom wrong after all." I tilted my head in smile. "It will be alright dear. You'll see. You'll always be at home among the magics." She smiled and nodded.

I drove on. It was a comfortable silence. Suddenly she sat up straighter. "Wait a minute. This isn't the way home!"

I visualized my smile widening at her choice of words. "No, this is the way to Gordon's house. I'm having my house repainted. You don't mind if I meditate here do you?"

She laughed. "You can meditate there all you want!" She smiled. "I've always loved that house. When Gordon was alive, we used to sit in his library, and he would read his books to me, or we'd play chess. I wasn't very good, but he taught me well."

I tilted my head in curiosity. "I didn't know that about you. We must play sometime. I can take up where Gordon left off."

Her eyes lit up. I almost crashed the Bentley because I was staring at her eyes.

She laughed. "What's got your attention that you would almost destroy this precious car?"

"I can't help that you are a very distracting person, dearest Valkyrie." She stared at me. Her cheeks were lightly flushed. It wasn't that I didn't give her compliments, I just didn't do it often with such a serious tone. Usually, I was teasing or joking. I like doing that. It kept her on her toes. I refused to become a plaything that she used to boost her ego. I was nothing like Fletcher Renn.

"You think I'm distracting?"

"Very. I still can't wrap my head around how head strong you can be. How stubborn, stupid, or just plain silly-"

She whacked my head and shouted. "OI!"

I started laughing. She huffed. I could spy a small grin on her face. Good, everything is 'normal' between us. Perfect. I can begin my second phase. I could feel my soul shiver in anticipation at having Valkyrie all to myself. Only for me. She would think of no one but me. My name would be the only thing on her mind, on her heart, on her tongue.

We arrived at Gordon's in one piece. It was raining. Valkyrie hesitated just enough to let me know that she hadn't practice her water magic like I told her too. I just sighed.

"Come on. I'll give you the lecture that you won't listen to, once we're inside." She grinned at me and snuggled close to me. I prevented the water from hitting us as we walked to the house. She took off her boots as I went into the kitchen. I once again felt the desire to taste tea. I sighed and started making her some.

Slipping in a sleeping draught, I stirred the tea and put the spoon in the sink.

"You look tired."

She looked up from the fire that she had started in the fireplace. She smiled as she saw the tea I handed her. "I do feel tired."

I noted her shoulders. "Why so tense?"

She laughed. "You never take off your detective hat do you?"

I chuckled. "Fair point. But, I suppose I don't want my partner to be in bad health. It wouldn't be good for future cases. I need you to be on top of your game, as modern people say."

She laughed and sipped the tea. "This is delicious. Thanks."

I dipped my head in acknowledgment. "You still look tense." I reached out and touched her trapezius muscles gently. "You hard as a rock. Or at least as hard as your head."

"I will dump this tea on your suit."

I chuckled. "Allow me to alleviate your ailment?"

She smiled. "I am inclined to consent to your request."

I chuckled and slipped my hands onto her shoulders. Rubbing gently I applied enough heat to my hands to make them feel human and to relax the muscles. She moaned quietly. My nonexistent breath quickened. To hear her moan my name…oh…that would be a marvelous thing. I forced myself to not get carried away. I focused on working the knots out of her muscles.

"Mmm…Skul?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Let's make this a regular thing…you're quite good at it." She was practically putty in my hands. She hummed in contentment. I imagined what other noises she could make because of my hands.

I leaned over and chuckled in her ear. "Of course." I would never give up a chance to touch my Valkyrie. My hands slipped into her hair. I could tell that it was soft. Soft and sleek, just like the owner. Her head lolled to one side and the empty teacup crashed to the floor. I continued massaging her. Working my fingers in her scalp. I whispered dark and delightful things into her ear. Things that she would experience soon enough.

Once she was mine.

I hope you guys are enjoying these chapters. I still haven't figured out if Skulduggery succeeds or if he fails. What should happen? Should Valduggery win in the end?

Ink…