Chapter 42

DIMITRI

Everything is Prince Cian’s fault. That damn dragon.

I’m pounding on Valkyrie’s door, but she’s not answering. I know I let my temper get the best of me, but hearing from Irene that Cian kissed Valkyrie made me see red.

I slump against her door just as a loud roar echoes through the palace. I’m not in the mood to deal with whatever’s going on.

~“Dimitri! Damian is fighting with Cian,”~ Leo tells me through the mind-link.

~“Let them. Damian can beat the hell out of him for all I care,”~ I reply, sighing.

Honestly, I wouldn’t care if Damian killed Prince Cian. He deserves it. But right now, I’m more worried about Valkyrie. I let my anger get the best of me. I didn’t mean to.

The roars continue, and I sigh. Damian and Prince Cian are really going at it.

“There you are!” Mia says, rushing towards me. She looks worried.

“Mia? What’s wrong?” I ask, standing up straight. A headache is starting to form.

“It’s Valkyrie. She fainted,” Mia says, catching her breath.

“Valkyrie? But she’s in her room,” I say, confused.

“No,” Mia corrects me, looking at the door, “King Casen just took her to Michael.”

Casen? Why is Valkyrie with him?

I mind-link Damian to tell him what’s happened. The fight stops immediately.

“Let’s go,” I tell Mia, and we head to Michael’s room. Damian, Leo, and a bloody Prince Cian meet us there.

When we open the doors, Michael calls for Mia and asks the rest of us to stay outside. Casen comes out next. He looks worried.

“What happened?” I demand.

Casen jumps when he sees me. He looks conflicted.

“I don’t know,” Casen admits with a sigh. “We were talking, and she started acting strange.”

“What do you mean?” Prince Cian asks. Blood is dripping from his head, face, and arm. He’s holding his chest like he’s in pain, so I guess Damian broke his rib too.

“She started acting like someone else was with us. Like she was looking for someone who wasn’t there,” Casen explains. “She started panicking and holding her head. Then she fainted.”

“Looking for someone?” Prince Cian murmurs, deep in thought.

“Yes, it was odd,” Casen sighs. “Michael said not to worry, but she was pale. I hope she’s okay.”

After a while, Mia comes out and tells us everything is under control. I want to see her. I need to know she’s okay.

We pace the hallway, waiting for Michael to come out.

“Calm down, Dimitri,” Damian says, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Valkyrie is strong.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and nod. Damian’s right; she’ll be fine. We all wait in silence until the door finally opens. Michael peeks out, looking for someone.

“How is she?” I ask him.

“She doesn’t want to see you. It’s best if you stay away for now,” Michael says, his tone stern.

I swallow hard, taking in his words. Then, feeling defeated, I nod. He’s right; Valkyrie wouldn’t want to see me right now.

“Casen, please come in,” Michael suddenly says, beckoning Casen inside.

“Why Casen?” I ask, confused.

“Queen’s orders,” is all Michael says before closing the door. I stand there, stunned, staring at the door.

“Dimitri…,” Damian says, trying to comfort me. I clench my fists and walk away.

“Dimitri!” I hear Prince Cian call after me. I glance over my shoulder. “Wait, King Dimitri, please!”

I grab Prince Cian by the neck and slam him against the wall. “Why are you even talking to me?” I growl, my anger flaring. Prince Cian struggles as my grip tightens. “I should just kill you!”

I squeeze harder, watching as he starts to turn pale and his lips turn purple. His hands claw at my arms as I grip tighter.

“ENOUGH!” Damian yells, stepping between us. “Enough, Dimitri!”

I snap at him and let Prince Cian go. He starts coughing and swearing.

“I just want you to listen to me,” Prince Cian coughs. “Just hear me out!”

“Fuck off, I don’t want to hear anything from you!” I snap, pushing him. “Pack your things.”

“What?” Prince Cian asks, confused.

“Yes,” I hiss. “Pack your fucking things and leave. You’re banned from my kingdom. Get out before I throw you out myself.”

Prince Cian’s eyes widen as he grabs my arm.

“Please just listen to me!” Prince Cian pleads.

I growl loudly to make my point. Cian flinches.

“Last warning,” I mutter, walking away from him.

***

A day has passed since everything happened.

Valkyrie has returned to her room. Mia came to tell me how she’s doing. I haven’t dared to visit her. I know I messed up this time.

There’s a knock at the door, and I go to answer it.

“King?” Mia calls from the doorway.

“I’m in the bath,” I call over my shoulder. I hear light footsteps as Mia excuses herself with a bow.

“Is something wrong?” I ask, sipping my wine.

“Yes… Well, not really. How do I explain this?” Mia says, sounding confused.

“Just say it, Mia,” I tell her.

Mia’s feet shuffle nervously as she stares at the ground. She bites her lip, then lifts her gaze, her eyes wide with fear.

“Mia?” I prompt, my patience wearing thin.

“The queen… She just stabbed Prince Cian,” Mia stammers.

Did I mishear her?

I stand abruptly, grabbing a cloth to cover myself.

“Say that again?” I demand, stepping out.

“I-I said the queen just stabbed Prince Cian,” Mia repeats, her voice shaking as I raise my eyebrows in disbelief.

“Where is she now?” I ask.

“Prince Damian has her. She… You should go,” Mia advises, letting out a weary sigh. “Please hurry.”

Why do I get the sense that Valkyrie had a reason for her actions? As I head towards the throne room, I instruct Mia to find my grandfather.

“The elders are with her,” Mia murmurs. I stop in my tracks, turning to face her.

“Since when?” I demand, my voice laced with anger.

“Since she stabbed him. It’s chaos,” Mia explains.

Running a hand through my hair, I dismiss Mia. I signal the guards, and they swing the doors open.

“Ah, there you are!” my grandfather greets me, rolling his eyes. I stride over to him. Valkyrie stands in the center of the room, her face a mask of fury.

As I take her in, she scoffs and turns away. It stings, but she has every right to be angry with me.

“What happened?” I ask, moving towards my throne. I sit down, my gaze fixed on Valkyrie. I hadn’t noticed before, but now I see it. Her hands and dress are stained with blood.

“Valkyrie?” I call out, and she looks at me. “Care to explain, my love?” I tread on thin ice with that term of endearment. I can see the rage in her eyes. They’re filled with hatred.

“What do you mean?” my grandfather interjects, rising to his feet. “This…human… She stabbed a prince!” he spits out with venom.

“Grandfather, I suggest you sit down,” I command.

“Sit?” my grandfather scoffs. He walks towards Valkyrie, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze raking over her with disgust. “Can’t you see what this whore has done?”

A growl escapes me as I rise to my feet, seething. I’m about to retort when a sharp crack interrupts me.

My grandfather stumbles backward, landing on the ground. He clutches his nose, staring at Valkyrie in shock. Blood begins to trickle down. Did she just punch my grandfather?

Valkyrie huffs, striding over to him. She looks down at him and spits, “Call me that again, old man. I dare you. I swear I’ll punch you in your balls!”

I’m taken aback by her actions and words. This is the second time she’s caught me off guard. What’s happening to her?

“You don’t call me a whore! And I did what I did because he deserved it!” Valkyrie shouts.

“You bitch!” my grandfather growls, rising to his feet and raising his hand. Valkyrie doesn’t flinch, her gaze locked on him. Her eyes are filled with the same determination I saw the night we met.

My grandfather seems troubled. He lowers his arm, continuing to stare at Valkyrie.

“Enough,” I interject, descending the stairs. “Explain to me what happened, Valkyrie.”

“It’s none of your fucking business,” Valkyrie snaps, her eyes still on my grandfather. “I suggest you stay where you are and don’t move.”

I can’t help but smile as I continue down the stairs.

“I believe I gave you an order, dragon,” Valkyrie murmurs, her eyes meeting mine.

I’m taken aback, and I feel my body freeze. What?

I glance down at my body, trying to take a step forward, but I can’t. What’s going on?

“Dimitri?” Leo calls out, standing up.

I can’t comprehend what’s happening. Why can’t I move?

“What did you do?” I ask Valkyrie. She just glares back at me before returning her gaze to my grandfather.

She walks up to him, leans in, and says, “Listen carefully, old man. I suggest you back off. This has nothing to do with you.”

“With me?” my grandfather laughs, “Who do you think you are?”

“I’m your queen!” Valkyrie hisses, her anger palpable. My grandfather looks at her in utter shock, as if he can’t believe what Valkyrie just told him.

“You!” my grandfather hisses, his hands balling into fists.

“I think you should be kneeling in my presence,” Valkyrie retorts. “Do I need to command you, dragon? I said kneel down!”

With a thud, my grandfather drops to his knees. His face is a picture of shock as he lifts his head to look at Valkyrie. Gasps and whispers fill the room.

Did my grandfather just kneel to her? Confused, I look at Valkyrie. What’s happening to her?