Chapter 28

VALKYRIE

With my eyes shut, I try to focus on my meal. My chat with Dimitri yesterday didn’t go well. He stormed out of my room, all riled up.

As if it was my fault. Now, we’re sitting here, eating dinner in silence like nothing happened. Dimitri is right next to me, and he hasn’t said a word since he walked in.

Damian and Leo are also at the long table with us, but no one has started a conversation. It’s making me anxious.

I spent the entire day with Michael, Damian, and Prince Cian. Michael has been checking on me, making sure I’m not feeling sick. It’s still surprising to me that after everything I’ve been through, I’m feeling better.

Just one day has passed, and my body pain has vanished like it never existed. Prince Cian and Michael are also surprised at how quickly I’m recovering. And I won’t lie, I can feel this change in me.

Is it a good thing? Or is it bad? I don’t know.

I can’t let this worry me. What’s really bothering me is Dimitri. I want to keep my distance from him, but somehow, he’s always on my mind. Dimitri won’t change.

His anger is something I can say I’m used to because of my time as a slave. But during my slavery, the only times I dealt with angry people were when they were punishing me.

I can’t understand why Dimitri gets mad at me. He’s the kind of person who gets angry quickly. Everything irritates him, and I saw a lot of that today.

I heard his growls and shouts echoing through the palace. His shouts remind me of the times they punished me as a child. The whips, the cuts, the kicks. Dimitri reminds me of all of it.

With a sigh, I wipe my mouth, excuse myself, and stand up. I can’t stay here anymore. As I walk away, I hear Dimitri call my name.

I glance over my shoulder and see him glaring at me. “Yes?” I ask.

“Heading to your room?” Dimitri asks, while Damian watches us.

“Yes?” I lie. Honestly, I’m not going there. I plan to go to the library.

“Let me walk you,” Dimitri offers, standing up. I clutch my dress.

“No need,” I say quickly, turning away from him and hurrying out of there.

“Valkyrie?” I hear Dimitri call from behind. I quicken my steps, trying to get away. Right now, I need some alone time, without him around. I have a lot to think about. Especially those dreams.

“Stop, Valkyrie!” Dimitri demands as he grabs my arm and pulls me against his chest. I let out a small yelp and look at him. His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me closer. “Dimitri!” I protest.

“Just listen to me!” Dimitri says, sounding annoyed. “Just for a moment, that’s all I’m asking.”

Breathing heavily, I look away. I feel my body relax and wait for him to speak. Dimitri loosens his hold on my waist and instead takes my hand, leading me away. I let him guide me.

Without asking any questions, I follow Dimitri. I frown when I realize we’re heading to the library. He opens the doors and pulls me in. I look around as he lets go.

The library is dark, lit only by a few candles. Hearing a soft click, I turn and find Dimitri looking at me with a gaze that makes me swallow hard. I back away. What is he up to?

I turn my back to him and fix a loose strand of hair. The place is eerily quiet. The only sounds are our breathing and my pounding heart.

Feeling his warmth, I gasp. He’s standing too close behind me. My breathing becomes erratic as his hands find my waist.

“D-Dimitri?” I stutter nervously. I’m scared to look back. What is Dimitri doing?

I close my eyes and swallow hard. A shiver runs down my spine, making every hair stand on end. My chest rises and falls. I can feel his body against mine.

Dimitri wraps his arms around me, catching me off guard.

“Are you cold?” Dimitri whispers in my ear.

I can’t speak, so I just shake my head. It’s frustrating. Even though my mind rejects him, my body is craving more.

Suddenly, Dimitri mumbles something. I frown and turn to look over my shoulder.

“What did you just say?” I ask, confused. With his head resting on my shoulder, Dimitri mumbles an apology. I feel his body relax against mine.

With a sigh, I stay still. He keeps mumbling ~sorry~ until it starts to annoy me.

“Enough, Dimitri,” I say, shaking off his arms.

I walk to my favorite spot near the fireplace and Dimitri follows, taking a seat across from me. His eyes linger on my face.

“Valkyrie, I said I’m sorry,” Dimitri repeats.

“And I heard you,” I snap back, irritated. I didn’t mean to sound rude, but I want to be alone.

“Look, I know you’re upset. And I know that I’ve been rude,” Dimitri admits.

I raise an eyebrow and look at him. Why did that bother me?

“I know I’m an idiot, and I have a lot to learn. But you need to understand, Valkyrie, that there are certain things I can’t tolerate,” Dimitri says, his golden eyes meeting mine.

“You need to change and follow the rules.”

“Like what?” I ask, incredulous. Is he serious right now?

“Stay away from Damian. I need you to keep your distance from him,” Dimitri says.

“Are you jealous of your own brother?” I ask, feeling my anger rise.

“Yes, so what?” Dimitri snaps back. “I hate seeing Damian around you. You’re always smiling and laughing with him. Why can’t you do that with me?” Dimitri asks, his voice trembling. “Why?”

“Because you’re not him…,” I say, then quickly shut my mouth in surprise. Dimitri looks at me with pain in his eyes. That look makes my chest ache. A suffocating feeling in my throat makes it hard to breathe.

Dimitri’s voice is a whisper, barely audible over the crackling of the fireplace. “I see…” he murmurs. “I’m sorry I’m not him. I’ll never be him. You’ll have to accept me as I am.”

My lower lip trembles, and I bite down on it, but it doesn’t help.

“You belong to me, Valkyrie. Not him, not anyone else. No one else can touch you, do you understand? No one,” Dimitri insists, rising to his feet. “This is a warning, Valkyrie. Listen to me.”

With that, he walks away.

I cover my face, letting the tears flow. I sob as quietly as I can. Is he always going to be like this?

***

A gentle nudge wakes me, and I open my heavy eyes.

“Valkyrie?” Prince Cian whispers. I look around, disoriented, and remember that I fell asleep crying in the library.

My neck is stiff, and my eyes feel swollen. Did I cry myself to sleep?

“Are you okay?” Prince Cian asks, sitting down next to me and rubbing my back in small circles. I hiccup. “Hey, come here,” he says, pulling me into a hug. I’m still half-asleep, so I let him.

“Let me take you back,” Prince Cian offers, but I shake my head and rub my eyes.

“Is it morning?” I ask, my voice hoarse.

“Yes,” Prince Cian confirms, his icy blue eyes meeting mine. “Valkyrie, what’s wrong?”

I furrow my eyebrows at him. “What?” I ask.

“I asked what’s wrong. I know you’re hiding something. Is it about Lilly? Your powers?” Prince Cian presses. Suddenly, I remember Lilly.

“Lilly!” I exclaim, standing up abruptly. “What happened to her?”

Prince Cian stands too, his face darkening. “You don’t need to worry about her,” he says.

“Where is she?” I demand.

“I said, don’t worry,” Prince Cian repeats, his tone sharp.

I scoff and turn to leave, rushing out of the room. I know Dimitri must have done something to her. As I run down the stairs, the guards and others stare at me, surprised.

I’m barefoot, my hair a mess, and my eyes probably red and swollen. I head for the throne room, where I know Dimitri will be, and collide with someone.

I fall back, landing hard on my butt. I wince at the pain.

“You okay?” a voice asks. I look up to see Jason looking down at me, concern etched on his face. “Sorry about that,” he says, extending a hand. I take it, and he helps me up.

“You look awful,” Jason says, making me self-conscious.

“Where’s Dimitri?” I ask, ignoring his comment.

“The king? He’s in the dungeons,” Jason replies. I thank him quickly and run off in that direction. I hear Jason call after me, but I’m too focused on finding Dimitri to pay attention.

I push open the metal door and step inside. The stench hits me immediately. It’s worse than where I was kept as a slave. At least they cleaned our cells once a week.

Feeling nauseous, I try to focus on finding Lilly or Dimitri. I carefully descend the dimly lit stairs, following the sound of voices. One of them is Dimitri’s.

He sounds angry, but it’s a restrained anger.

I follow his voice and stop when I see three figures standing against the wall. Damian and Leo stand with their arms crossed.

I hear a gasp, then a loud smack. My heart races as I creep closer.

Another smack, another cry. What are they doing?

“This is for what you did,” Dimitri growls, his voice low and menacing. It sends a shiver of fear down my spine.

I peek around the corner just as a loud crack echoes through the room. I scream, drawing everyone’s attention. I clap a hand over my mouth and look at Dimitri.

He’s covered in blood, and Lilly is hanging from the ceiling, barely alive.

“Valkyrie?” Damian calls. I whip my head around, then back away. My stomach churns as I take in Lilly’s condition.

Her leg is twisted at an unnatural angle, and her stomach and breasts are bleeding. Her face is bruised, and her back is covered in whip marks.

I can’t breathe. I back away slowly.

“Valkyrie?” Dimitri calls.

I look at him, but all I see is a monster. Tears stream down my face. He’s a monster. I cover my face, trying to block out the sight.

But all I can think about is the times they punished me. The times they tortured me. The times I was chained and branded like an animal.

I feel cold hands on my arms and look up. Dimitri is standing in front of me. I push his bloody hands away and look at Damian and Leo. I don’t want any part of this.

“Wait, Valkyrie,” Dimitri says, grabbing my hand. I look down and see my arm and wrist smeared with blood.

“Let go!” I sob. “Please don’t…” The memories come flooding back.

“Hey, calm down,” Dimitri pleads, reaching for my hand again.

“No, please don’t hurt me,” I cry.

“Dimitri!” Damian shouts, and then strong arms are holding me. I don’t dare look up. I’m too scared to see who it is.

I hear doors opening and closing, voices whispering. I curl up into a ball, and the person holding me doesn’t let go. I can feel the bile rising in my throat.

“I’m so sorry,” Dimitri whispers, pressing his lips to my forehead. “I’m so sorry.” Why is Dimitri holding me?

I struggle, but his muscular arms hold me tight. I hear two doors slam open. I yelp in surprise.

“My king?” Mia’s voice asks, shocked.

“Grab some fresh clothes,” Dimitri instructs, continuing to walk. My eyes are still squeezed shut. I’m scared to open them and see my body stained with blood. Lilly’s blood.

“Valkyrie?” Dimitri calls out, but I just press my eyes shut even tighter.

“No,” I respond.

I hear him sigh, and then the sensation of descending stairs. Something warm touches my skin, and I finally open my eyes. Steam and the fresh scent of plants welcome my anxious body.

“At last,” Dimitri murmurs. I glance at him, his face just inches from mine. Feeling self-conscious, I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face.

A soft chuckle escapes him as he continues to walk. My entire body is now submerged in warm water. My clothes cling to my body, making me feel uncomfortable.

“Don’t you want to let go?” Dimitri asks, a smile in his voice. I shake my head shyly, continuing to hide my face in the crook of his neck.

“Very well then, as the queen commands,” Dimitri mutters, planting a kiss on my shoulder.

We’ve been in the water for some time now. Eventually, Dimitri settles down on the shallow end of the bath. I rest my head on his shoulder. His warmth, combined with the water, is making me relax.

Dimitri hasn’t spoken a word, and I appreciate the silence. I close my eyes and let out a tired sigh.

“Why don’t you take your clothes off?” Dimitri suggests, his hand moving up and down my back.

He’s right; the clothes feel heavy and uncomfortable on my body. I nod, sitting up without meeting his gaze.

Moving away from his lap, I walk a bit further until I feel it’s safe to undress.

I peel off my dress and toss it aside. It floats on the water. I return to my previous spot, hearing a rustling sound behind me. I choose to ignore it.

Once the noise subsides, I look towards the open window. The sun is high in the sky. Is it already lunchtime? Ever since I moved here, I’ve been eating more.

This newfound hunger has me eating twice as much. It’s a strange feeling. After all, I was used to eating only three times a week. But now, I can eat whenever I want.

Feeling the water shift around me, I glance to my left. Dimitri is sitting behind me. I can feel his legs on either side of me. I hug myself, staying silent.

“Come here,” Dimitri murmurs, his hands reaching for my stomach and gently pulling me until my back is against his chest.

The simple touch makes me inhale sharply. Dimitri is affecting me, just like before.

“Relax, Valkyrie,” Dimitri whispers, his voice as soothing as a lullaby. I lean against his chest, resting my head to one side. I feel his hand reach for mine.

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” Dimitri murmurs, his fingers intertwining with mine. “I just don’t understand. Why were you there?”

“I came looking for you,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the sound of cascading water.

“Me?” Dimitri asks, “Why? I thought you were angry with me.”

“I was,” I admit quietly. I’m still a bit mad at Dimitri for what he told me.

“Was it because of Lilly?” Dimitri then asks, prompting me to nod. My red hair fans out over his chest. I watch as Dimitri plays with my hands.

His large, masculine hands make mine look so small. I can’t help but smile as I watch in fascination.

“Lilly needs to be punished,” Dimitri states, his hand closing over mine. My gaze remains fixed on our hands.

“For what she did?” I ask.

“Yes, everyone already told you, right?” Dimitri asks.

“Yes…,” I respond, nodding. “But all I wanted to know was what you planned to do with her. Are you going to kill her?”

Dimitri tenses up. Sighing, I sit up. I let go of his hand and start to fix my messy hair.

“You don’t have to hide anything from me,” I say, my voice tinged with sadness. I hear him groan, and I close my eyes. A sudden pull causes me to open them in surprise. I find myself falling into Dimitri’s lap, staring at his face.

His raven-black hair is tousled, falling over his face.

“I’m not hiding anything,” Dimitri says as he ruffles his hair. I blush at the sight. I hadn’t really noticed before, but Dimitri is incredibly handsome.

His chiseled jawline is captivating, and his golden, reptilian eyes draw me in. His full lips tempt me to commit every sin I know I’ll regret later.

“Valkyrie? Did you hear me?” Dimitri asks as he leans in closer.

“Huh?” I respond, sounding confused.

“What are you thinking about?” Dimitri asks, causing me to blush. I can feel my face heating up.

“Nothing! What did you say?” I ask, flustered.

“I said that I know you’re not ready for all this. You…didn’t have the best life as a slave. I think I saw that a minute ago,” Dimitri explains with a sigh.

Dimitri’s right. Can I handle all this? Just the sight of blood and weapons makes me shudder.

“You see?” Dimitri says, pulling me into a hug. His head rests on my chest. “I don’t want you to be afraid of me.”

Rubbing my face, I decide to give up.

“Now that I remember,” Dimitri says, lifting his head, “you…”

“I what?” I ask as I see his gaze drift down my chest. I frown at him, noticing a sly smile spreading across his handsome face.

Shaking his head, his smile disappears. He lifts me up and positions me with my back to him. Confused, I try to look over my shoulder, but I stop.

Goosebumps spread across my skin as Dimitri leaves a trail of kisses down my back. I gasp as I feel his lips moving up and down.

“W-wait…,” I stutter as I feel him reach the crook of my neck. I cover my mouth, stifling a moan that threatens to escape my lips.

“Come closer,” Dimitri murmurs, his voice a low rumble that sends vibrations through his chest and into me as he pulls me in.

I can feel the tip of his arousal nudging against my backside. With one arm securely around my waist, Dimitri uses his other hand to brush my hair away from my neck.

He continues to kiss me, his hand wandering down to cup one of my breasts. He squeezes, and a moan escapes my lips. His fingers tease my hardened nipple.

“P-please…” I manage to gasp out, hearing a groan escape him in response. He lifts me up effortlessly and carries me back into the bedroom, tossing me onto the bed. I let out a surprised gasp. “Hey!” I protest, my body still damp from the shower.

Dimitri crawls over me, his gaze intense as he takes in my naked form. I find myself licking my lips in anticipation.

“Do you have any idea how much I’m holding back?” Dimitri whispers, his breath warm against my skin. He takes a deep breath, and I feel a shiver of pleasure run down my spine.

“I…” I start, but he cuts me off.

“Let go, Valkyrie,” Dimitri murmurs, his lips hovering just above mine. His full, red lips make me lick my own again in anticipation.

His kisses are soft as feathers as they trail down my cheek, my neck, and my chest. I moan, my legs trembling beneath him. He lifts one of my legs, and I gasp as I feel the head of his cock against my wetness. My eyes widen in surprise. He’s so hard, so ready.

“Oh, my…” I whisper, a sudden wave of nervousness washing over me.

I push him away slightly, biting my lip so hard that I taste blood. Dimitri watches me, his eyes dark with desire, and I find myself wanting him.

I want him. My body is practically screaming for him. As our eyes meet, Dimitri gives my leg a gentle squeeze. I can tell he’s holding back.

“Tell me you want this,” Dimitri murmurs, so quietly that I’m not sure I heard him right. I keep my gaze locked with his, noticing a vein pulsing in his forehead.

“Tell me, Valkyrie!” Dimitri demands, his voice louder this time.

Why am I hesitating? Why does this scare me?

“I…I’m sorry…” I whisper, reaching out to touch him. Then, grabbing a sheet from the bed, I slide off and leave him there. Something inside me tells me not to, and I feel a pang of guilt, but I just can’t go through with it.