AN: I don't own Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Tanith, Ghastly, Vile, Darquesse, Anton, Dexter or Saracen. Story is back in Val's POV and takes place after the last chapter so Val is in her 40s or 50s. Scary, huh? A few readers wanted more spice so be warned the chapter might go a bit limish. Well a lot limish. Sorry this chapter got a bit long.
I awoke when it was still dark to the feeling of skeletal fingertips in leather gloves being run up and down my arm ever so slowly. As I became more alert I could feel Skulduggery's body pressed into mine from behind, his ribs teasing me and making me ache to turn around even through our clothes. I shivered at the pleasure of the sensation and felt his breath along my neck, then his nasal cavity was pressed there firmly and he drew in air, getting a gasp of delighted pleasure from me.
I turned all too happily in his arms, feeling my desire for him surging to the surface as my lips found his teeth and I pulled him into a searing kiss. Skulduggery growled in pleasure and I started to caress his skull, making his growls go deeper. Then I was pulling my lips away from his teeth to place fevered kisses along his jawline, in a way that made him gasp.
My eyes were adjusting to the dimly lit room now, and I easily shifted Skulduggery onto his back as I admired the look of helpless desire on his face. I drug my teeth along his jawline, eliciting another pleasured gasp, then he was placing heated kisses on my neck, nipping in between, making me cry out in pleasure.
Skulduggery drew back and grinned up at me. "Good morning, Valkyrie. We have an early start ahead of us. Though we do have a while yet before we need to get ready." He murmured. Then he was flipping me over, and his teeth found my lips, he opened them and I obliged him, exploring his teeth and maxilla with tender care, feeling my heart overflow at the soft gasps and cries the gesture still drew from him.
Then he was answering my explorations, his own velvety tongue of shadows exploring and tasting, the gesture infinitely tender. He cradled my head with a gloved hand and sighed as we continued the kiss, my hands caressing my beloved husband's skull. Then he was pulling away and at his gesture the lights came on. I blinked and groaned.
"What time is it?" I asked, trying to shield my eyes the best I could.
"Four AM. But you and I my dear have a very long trip ahead of us and I wanted to get an early start." He purred and I smiled up at him. Skulduggery clambered off me at last and drew me tenderly with him, bringing me into a chaste kiss his gloved hands holding mine. Then his arms were around me and there was nothing chaste about the kiss. Skulduggery drew back at last to press his forehead into mine. "Do you know how much I love you, Valkyrie Cain?" He asked, his velvety voice making my insides shiver in delight.
"I do now. And do you know how much I adore you, Skulduggery Pleasant?" I asked gazing deep into his hollow eye sockets, feeling his gaze meet mine and falling into those bottomless depths as I always did. I heard his pleased murmur in reply, then he tilted his head at me.
"A shower for you, my dear. Our bags are already packed and in the Bentley. I will make coffee to take with us. Off with you then." He said, giving me another kiss. I went happily to my shower wishing we had more time so I could coax him in with me, but then we would have never finished getting ready. Skulduggery had been giving hints late the night before he was up to something, but I had no idea what.
I'd already noticed he had on a crisp, clean suit and his cologne had smelled as heady as it always did. Thinking of his mixed scents of wool, bone and cologne I got out and toweled off, leaving my hair damp. I knew very well he wouldn't be able to resist drying my hair and I grinned wickedly, thinking of all the times I'd him dry me off instead of toweling off. The things I'd put the poor man through. Skeleton. Whatever.
When I got downstairs Skulduggery must have been thinking the same thing. "What a naughty detective you are, leaving your hair damp like that." He murmured as he approached his fedora tilted down rakishly over one eye. Then he was manipulating the water out of my hair, leaving it full of body like he always did. Skulduggery ran his hands through my hair, grabbing handfuls and inhaling my scent deeply. "God, I've missed doing this. You smell so good." He murmured.
"So do you." I purred, burying my face in his neck to breath in his heavenly scent. Skulduggery's arms tightened around me, his hands starting to roam, but then he was gently pushing me away and tilting his head to two silver travel mugs.
"Our sustenance until we stop for a bite to eat. I've noticed you haven't asked where we are going." He said, clearly amused but also curious.
"I want it to be a surprise. Like our honeymoon was." I said, grabbing my coffee and following Skulduggery to the door, which he opened with a courtly gesture for me. We walked to the Bentley arm in arm, a gesture I never recalled him making before. He got the door for the Bentley as well and I was so very happy he'd taken to his necklace. I saw through the illusion easily and his skull shining in the light of the full moon took my breath away.
Skulduggery was extremely handsome by moonlight and he knew it if the wicked grin of delight that appeared on his skeletal features after he briefly kissed me told me anything. I got in and got his door and he murmured his thanks when getting in. "Seatbelt. I'm glad you enjoyed our honeymoon so much, Valkyrie. Because we're going on it all over again." He said grinning broadly at me as he switched on the radio.
"That's wonderful, Skulduggery!" I said happily. "How on Earth did you manage to get us the time off?"
"We are Elders, remember? And Erskine meant it when he said we had no rules. Ghastly has taken Tanith off as well. Do you realize it has been decades since any of us went on vacation? Well we had the kids on trips, but that's what I mean. I feel like a young man again." He said happily and grinned over at me.
"You are a young man, Skulduggery."
"Skeleton."
"Very well, skeleton. You know, I think people at the Sanctuary are starting to notice I don't age, even for a sorcerer."
"Mm, I had noticed. You're doing it for me, aren't you? Choosing to stay, to not age so I'm never alone. That's sweet of you, Valkyrie." He said softly.
I smiled over at him in reply. "Of course I am. It is one of the few things I enjoy about being Darquesse. Do you think I ever want you alone, ever? It surprised me at first to realize I didn't have to age like most people, but then you never age either."
"Good point, I don't suppose you recognize what is playing." He cocked his head slightly to the radio and I smiled. Skulduggery was very good at evading overly emotional times and I was more than willing to let him.
"It's "Mmm Hmm" with James Moody on flute."
"Very good! Whoever taught you to have such good taste in music? That's right, me." Skulduggery preened and I laughed. I loved his ego most of the time. It left him truly puzzled when people didn't instantly adore him, since Skulduggery could think of no one quite so wonderful as himself. He didn't do it in a bad way, of course. I reminded myself as I sipped my coffee. Then he startled me by speaking. "I'd always wanted to ask you to remain by my side, but- You know as the centuries pass-"
"I know." I said softly. "But we'll make new friends, Skulduggery. We're both eternally young and fighting bad guys forever, or nearly that by your side sounds amazing. Besides those kids of ours aren't going to age any more than we do."
"And they just happened to pick out lovers that don't age." He mused. "I'm glad of it. I never had the heart to tell them everyone we know will be gone one day. Lord, listen to us. We are free at last to go where we please and mourning the future like a pair of old biddies. Enough of that, how about some breakfast?" He asked pulling into a strange eatery we'd never been to before.
"Sounds wonderful, but I don't remember this place." I confessed.
"Well we aren't starting from Ghastly's so a different stop first. You'll like this place, I think. Let me get your door?" He asked hopefully and I nodded. We were getting a fresh start, getting to take time for the things that with cases and work had fallen by the wayside.
When Skulduggery drew me into a searing kiss as he helped me out I knew he was thinking the same thing. It felt so good to feel his hands on my waist again, to feel the way his teeth seemed to mold themselves into my lips. I wanted to take the kiss deeper, to delve into him as I hadn't into far too long but he pulled back with a smug grin. "What happened to the wife who didn't believe in PDAs?" He asked, clearly amused as he walked me in, holding the door to the eatery for me.
"Mm. That rule went by the wayside, at least for the day. I feel like we've been given a second chance." I said, remembering that we had been.
"We were. I remember it too, Valkyrie. Had I not thought my mobile was ringing and pulled off the tracks-" He shivered slightly then grinned at me cheerfully as we snagged a booth by the window. "The important thing to remember is I would have looked fabulous in my coffin." He teased. I laughed unwilling to scold him.
We looked at our menus and Skulduggery grinned over at me. "Look, Valkyrie. They're running a special on the burger and fries platters. Bottomless sodas and fries with unlimited burgers. All we can eat. Would my most beautiful and loyal combat accessory care to join me in getting our money's worth?" There was a hopeful note in his voice and I nodded happily. Skulduggery made one of his happy chirrups. That was one of the things I adored about Skulduggery. As elegant as his suits and Bentley were he would eat just about anything especially if it was tasty and cheap.
I relaxed into Skulduggery's side and he looped a bony arm around me after we'd placed our order and our Cokes had arrived. "It has been way too long since we've done something like this." I said happily.
"Indeed it has. I hate to sound like a terrible father, but I'm glad the kids are raised and we're on our own again. Promise me those are the last of them. I intend to get back to enjoying my wife full time now." He purred nuzzling me briefly.
"Deal. Ah, refills. I like this place, how did you find it?" I asked.
"Oh, I have my ways. Ah, here are the platters, you first, my dear." Skulduggery said, waiting for me to try the burger. It was heavenly as were the fries and we both polished off several platters as we enjoyed the sight of the sun starting to rise. When we left I was fairly sure the first thing the owner would do was cancel the special but we were content. I was also very sleepy and soon drifted off under the blanket Skulduggery put over me to dream sweet dreams of our future life together.
Skulduggery shook me awake and I recognized the first stop we'd made to change out of our clothes. He parked the Bentley and reached over for me, drawing me into a passionate kiss. His teeth met my lips firmly then were opening so he could apply gentle pressure above and below my mouth. Then he was greedily exploring my mouth, growling in pleasure as his hat got knocked off and I gripped his skull to return his attentions. I was working his maxilla repeatedly when I felt the blanket slither off and his gloved hands worked at my jacket zipper as he managed to clamber over to my side of the car and I lowered my seat to happily give him access.
He pulled my jacket zipper down ever so slowly, following the path of the zipper with heated kisses and nips that drew helpless cries from me and I happily rewarded him with caresses of his skull murmuring his name repeatedly. I was giving gasps of pleasure as his restless hands caressed my body, and I had just started to get him out of his suit jacket when he came to lay flush on top of me when I sensed we had an audience. I looked over Skulduggery's shoulder to find a young family was looking at us, clearly appalled. I just grinned at them and Skulduggery grunted in disgust. "I don't remember asking for an audience." He grumbled.
We got out and stretched before heading into the stop to stretch our legs and get some coffee and snacks. The family avoided us and left quickly, making us both laugh. The day was so warm I'd left my jacket off and we took our time walking back to the car. "You know, we probably scarred those children for life." I said with a happy grin and Skulduggery laughed.
"Didn't we just? Serves them right for spying on an innocent couple." He purred leaning in to nuzzle me again before he walked me back to the Bentley an arm wrapped lovingly around me. I realized then he truly felt younger than he had in a long time. We were, after all, together again, just the two of us as it was always meant to be. So I didn't mind feeding him as he drove, even though he was perfectly capable of feeding himself.
We passed the time quickly and had soon crossed the border with no trouble. Skulduggery looked at me, tilting his head endearingly after I'd broken up a candy bar and patiently fed him. "You know I don't thank you nearly enough for being such a loving wife. It's so wonderful that your feeding me again like this. I don't expect it all the time, but it does bring back wonderful memories. Thank you, and I mean that." He said gently.
"You're welcome, and I love you too, Skulduggery." I said since we both knew it was what he'd really meant. He blushed slightly and made a strange half purr half chirrup sound.
"You always were braver than me. But you know how I get about emotions."
"I know I'm the same way. Expect with anger, we're both wonderful at expressing anger." I said fondly.
"Yes but you'll have to admit I sulk better than you." He said proudly.
"That you do and I'm thankful our daughter takes after you, it makes me not worry about her. She growls like you too. I still remember how cute they were as babies, those tiny growls and wee suits of armour."
Skulduggery snorted. "Yes, it was really adorable when Val used to bite people. I'm thankful the sweeter side of her nature took over. Of course I bite people so I see where she gets it from."
I looked at him in surprise. "Since when do you bite people?"
"I haven't done it in front of you, but trust me young men bite when they fight, especially their brothers. We gouge out eyes too or at least try to. We were wild as children." He said fondly.
"That explains you wrestling Cain on the carpet and teaching both our kids to fight dirty. Thank you for that." I said leaning over to kiss him gently.
"You're more than welcome, Valkyrie. Though some of the ways you taught my sweet daughter to fight make me shiver. Women are absolutely vicious with knives. I never taught you to fight like that."
"Tanith."
"Ah. That explains the dirty street fighting as well. We have such peaceful discussions don't we?" He asked, clearly amused as we pulled up to Reba's roadside restaurant slash zombie haven.
"We don't live in a peaceful world, Detective Pleasant." I said, tapping the sign about zombie attacks as we entered. Surprisingly Reba was there as was Sean. They both greeted us warmly then led us to the booth we'd sat in all those years ago.
The place was just like I remembered, only since it was daytime most of the zombies were slumbering peacefully underground or off relaxing in the warren of rooms Reba explained they had beneath the restaurant. Skulduggery of course was teasing me with the barest brush of his ribs and I remember him doing it that night so long ago.
He kissed me tenderly as he ran his gloved fingers through my hair and I realized I'd never get enough of him. I'd always want one more kiss, one more caress. I was looking into his eye sockets all too willingly getting lost in them when Reba brought our coffee and shot us an amused look. "I'm making you what you had the night you came in. Steaks will all the trimmings and then some. It does us good to see another couple still so much in love. Well, I'll be back and the meal is on the house and don't you two argue with me." She said happily.
"You know, Reba, we're retired as Elders now, so buttering us up does you no good." Skulduggery said, amused, which was news to me. She laughed and walked off then he turned to me. "So is Ghastly and don't worry we have fine replacements. A few good men we both know are looking to settle down into more sedate jobs so they are welcome to them." He purred happily.
"But who?" I asked in wonder.
"Saracen for one and Dexter for another. I know, I know they don't seem like good Elder material but they will be, Valkyrie. We've been at it far too long. Besides the Dead Men are coming home to roost." Skulduggery said, leaning in to kiss me softly.
"You had a lot to do with this, didn't you?" I asked, amused when we at last parted.
"Perhaps, but honestly Ghastly deserves all the credit he'd been trying to get us all replaced before we got married. None of us were ever really suited to that work and Cain and I almost lost you to it." He said softly.
"I remember." I said caressing his skull then looking down at our entwined hands. We both still wore our engagement rings and not just because Vile had made them Necromancer's rings. They reminded us that we had bonded, in the here and now with Skulduggery as a skeleton. And that that bond was complete. We wore our wedding bands as well, silver bands with skull motifs and of course they looked exactly like Skulduggery, but I didn't mind in the least. I treasured my husband and I knew every day every second at his side was a gift. Our meals came and I happily fed him as I has so long ago, Skulduggery purring and making happy chirrups as he blinked at me in utter adoration.
Then he took me by surprise as he always did. "Your turn." He said said, feeding me the choicest morsels from his plate that he'd saved for me. I was utterly touched and I knew he's changed dramatically just to be with me. When Reba also surprised us with dessert he fed me as tenderly as I fed him. "We never did get a wedding cake, but this is much nicer, don't you agree?" He asked as we finished the decadent chocolate bombe.
I nodded happily content to linger with him over our coffee, then we were making our goodbyes and Skulduggery treated me to an absolute leer when we got in the Bentley. "We have, if you recall, one more rest stop then our destination for what will end up being the night. Do you remember the house in the woods?" He purred, teasingly.
"Yes, and I remember us falling asleep there too." I said amused.
"Well, this time we have almost two weeks there, and I don't intend to let you fall asleep our first night there. Cam and Fia will already have put another of those wonderful baskets in our room. So I suggest we eat in for the night if that is all right with you?" He asked hopefully. I nodded, hardly able to await our arrival.
Pulling up to the stone house in the gathering dusk brought back a flood of memories. I could see from the lit windows that a fire had been laid for us and I welcomed the warmth in the cool woods. Skulduggery got my door and escorted me to the house, opening the door with a gesture. He scooped me up before I could walk in and carried me over the threshold. "My beloved bride." He purred, setting me down gently.
Skulduggery drew me into his arms, gesturing the door closed, then was walking me backwards with an intense kiss his teeth firmly on my lips. He opened them seeking to explore and I gave in all too willingly as I felt us tumble slowly backwards into the bed. Skulduggery growled in pleasure as his hat got knocked off and I gasped in pleasure as his gloved hands roamed up under my shirt.
I opened his suit jacket, all too happy to explore the bones of his flawless ribcage through his shirt, using his tie to pull him closer still. Skulduggery groaned helplessly, then was shrugging out of his jacket, letting it fall to the floor. We'd both kicked our shoes off and I touched his feet with mine, a gesture that drew a small gasp of desire from him, since he could never get enough of his bones being touched.
Suddenly he was pulling back and grinning at me. "Dinner first, then we can make love all night long if we desire. And I know I desire." He said happily. "Wait here, Valkyrie. I'll get the bags. I've also got a surprise for you." He purred before reclaiming his shoes and fetching the bags. I looked around the snug cottage. It hadn't changed from what I remembered. There was the wonderful gift basket brimming with treats related to blessing a married life set on the rustic table, the same charming fireplace the same door to what was still the world's smallest bath.
But it was a wonderful place all the same and I turned on the small radio softly and had music playing by the time Skulduggery returned. He grinned at me as he set down the bags and closed and locked the door with a gesture. "You waited for me, O, best of wives? Thank you." He said, truly happy and relaxed. He came over and I handed him the card which we read together, Skulduggery's arm looped lovingly around me. We were welcomed back and congratulated on over two decades of wedded bliss and it made my eyes mist up to read it because they had been blissful.
We took our time with the dinner, Skulduggery once again showing me how to use the teapot over the peat fire, and helping me set out plates for both of us of smoked salmon, local bread, sirloin haggis and all other sorts of truly thoughtful foods. We put some of the honey in our tea and Skulduggery smiled to see the blanket, the twin to the one in the Bentley only in blue plaid not red. He wrapped us in it and we fed each other, marveling over the thoughtfulness of our hosts. "We have to have them down sometime in return, Skulduggery. How about something like the Christmas celebrations at the Sanctuary if they can get away?" I asked and he nodded happily.
We knew after all how truly gracious they were as hosts. As much as we both loved Anton he'd have dissolved into helpless hysterics had guests asked for gift baskets or any other amenities for that matter. The man was friendly and we were always welcome in the Midnight Hotel but this was much nicer. Skulduggery seemed to be thinking of him as well. "Anton wanted something like this you know. He just hasn't found his helpmate yet. When he does he'd planned on this. I think his guests would like it, much more personal."
"He's had to have been in love, Skulduggery. Who got away?"
Skulduggery sighed. "I don't know. I truly don't. He's friendly yet he keeps to himself, if she or he is out there he's never said. Still, I pity the man."
"You know some people do enjoy being alone." I said gently and he nodded.
"I did at one time." He admitted. "Then I got this really annoying partner." He teased but went on cupping my face in his now ungloved hands. "And I realized I'd do anything to keep her by my side. That's when I knew being alone for me was over. It has never bothered you has it? My falling in love with you after meeting you at such a young age?"
"Were you in love with me when I was twelve?"
"Lord no!"
"Then don't worry about it. Look at Ghastly and Tanith. They have an age gap too and don't go telling me it doesn't bother some people. You know I've been seriously tempted to stop them from aging too, but it wouldn't be fair, would it?"
"No, I suppose not. But then again, we could offer, couldn't we? Though if they accepted you know we'd all have to leave the Sanctuary at some point. Even mages get desperate to live forever."
"That would be centuries from now. But enough of that. Do I see actual mincemeat tarts, with custard?" I asked, all too happy to serve the tiny desserts to Skulduggery laden with cream and accept the same offerings from him. I dabbed cream on a finger and held it out to him, a wicked grin of delight on my face.
Skulduggery gave a low rumble of desire then opened his jaws allowing me to dab it on his maxilla. He closed his teeth in a sensual gesture, holding my finger there and I swear he winked at me. "Your turn." He said, his voice husky and held out a skeletal finger dipped in cream. I took the finger into my mouth, grinning wickedly at him as I closed my lips gently and pulled back my head, but not before licking his finger. Skulduggery gathered me to him without a word and walked us both to the bed. He laid me down gently, taking off his tie. At his gesture the lights went out, leaving us in firelight.
I admired him as he ever so slowly undid his tie, tossing it behind him carelessly. I knew he'd regret the rumpled clothes in the morning, but I didn't worry about that as he laid himself down beside me, encouraging me to unbutton his shirt. I did, devouring his ribs with hungry kisses and caresses that made him shiver, then the shirt was somehow on the floor and he'd happily snaked his hands inside of mine, exploring to his heart's content.
Then he had my shirt off as well and I could feel the pleasurable sensation of his bare ribs brushing up against me and I wanted more than anything to hurry things along, but Skulduggery wouldn't be rushed. He took his time with me now. Placing gentle kisses all around my neck and shoulders, dipping down to nuzzle my cleavage as his hands worked my shoulders.
He was just working on my bra clasp and I was getting to his belt when both our mobiles rang. I sighed knowing we had to answer. I fished mine out of my pocket. Tanith. "Yes sister dear, what is it?" I asked with a sigh.
"We were just wondering if your enjoying your cottage as much as we love ours." Tanith said with a giggle.
"What?" I asked, dumbfounded.
"Skulduggery was raving over the place for decades, so we decided to give it a whirl. Why not come see us in fifteen minutes? We'll make coffee." I agreed and rang off then looked at Skulduggery.
"Tanith?" He asked and I nodded. "That was Ghastly, inviting us over. I swear those two had no fun on their honeymoon." He grumbled, then laughed as he got up and stretched the sight of his bones by firelight making me slightly dizzy. "Sorry for the interruption, but they are our best friends. I had no idea they came here as well. Ghastly says they just arrived." He mused as we dressed.
"No worries, Skulduggery. We'll get back to where we were just now soon enough and the visit will be fun. It is their first time traveling as a couple again too, you know. They must want to celebrate with us." I said smiling. Skulduggery grinned in reply and soon was escorting me up a path I'd hadn't noticed to the door of another cottage. I wondered as we were greeted happily what the future held in store for us as couples and couldn't wait to find out.
Hopefully that was just enough spice for the people who wanted it, and not so much that my other readers tossed their cookies on their keyboards.