Chapter 57

VALKYRIE

I’m gasping for breath, tears streaming down my face. It’s a pain that’s hard to bear, watching him walk away.

“Let me go,” I plead, my voice choked with tears.

“You can’t, Valkyrie,” Zar insists, pulling me back towards him.

I tilt my head back, letting the tears flow. Why does it hurt so much to see him leave?

“Please, my queen. You need to calm down,” Calandra pleads, her hand gripping mine.

“Just bring him back, please. Tell him to come back,” I manage to say through my sobs.

Calandra and Zar exchange a look. Michael leans in to whisper something to Damian. After a nod, Damian turns and leaves the room.

I lean into Zar’s chest, feeling a warmth spread through me. I glance down to see Calandra’s hand glowing with a soft white light. My body relaxes, my eyelids growing heavy.

“Sleep now,” Calandra murmurs as I surrender to the darkness.

***

I wake up to a gentle touch on my belly. Zar’s hand is there, tracing small circles. I watch him in silence.

“Sleep, Valkyrie,” Zar whispers.

“What time is it?” I ask.

“It’s morning. You slept all day yesterday,” Zar replies with a smile. “You need to rest.”

“Zar, is it okay to feel sad?” I ask, thinking of Dimitri.

“Depends. Are you sad because Dimitri left?” Zar questions.

“It’s not just that he left… it’s what he said to me,” I confess, resting my head on Zar’s chest.

“And what did he say?” Zar asks, a smile playing on his lips.

“He said… he loved me?” I admit, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.

“So, do you love him?” Zar probes.

“Love him?” I echo, the words sounding foreign. I feel a tug in my chest. When Dimitri confessed his love, my heart pounded and I wanted to cry. His sincerity was overwhelming, and I tried to say the words back. But why couldn’t I?

“You do love him,” Zar concludes, a light laugh escaping his lips. “Oh, Valkyrie, you’re in love with Dimitri.”

I stare at him, taken aback. Zar is grinning at me.

“You really think so?” I ask.

“Yes, you’re just scared,” Zar says. “Why don’t you accept his feelings? Even though I’m mad at him for what he did, he has a good heart.

“He loves you, Valkyrie. He’s just figuring out how to show it. You don’t have to rush into anything, but you should let him know how you feel.”

I smile, looking down at my belly. Zar’s right. I’m scared of my feelings, but why? It feels like something is holding me back.

“Do you want me to call him?” Zar offers.

“No!” I exclaim, shaking my head. “I…”

“Don’t worry,” Zar reassures me, laughing. “If you don’t want me to, I won’t.”

I thank him and close my eyes.

***

“Can I get up now?” I groan, sitting up in bed with my arms crossed.

It’s been a week since everything happened. I’ve been resting this whole time, and my body is screaming for a change of scenery.

“NO, my queen,” Calandra retorts. “Not yet.”

“But I’m tired of lying in bed. Can I at least walk around the balcony?” I beg Calandra.

Over the past few days, Calandra has been helping me understand what to expect from my dragon pregnancy, especially since the babies are of royal blood.

My morning sickness has eased up, but certain foods still make me feel sick.

Calandra sighs and stands up. “Just ten minutes,” she concedes, offering me a hand. I clap my hands in excitement and slowly start to get up. Thanks to Zar’s help, I’ve been feeling better.

The babies are growing stronger, and my back is healing. The pain is still there when I lie down, but the bruise is fading.

“Take it easy,” Calandra cautions, holding me back.

I nod and take small steps, feeling my body relax. I’ve been craving a nice walk. The breeze and the sun on my face make me smile.

“This feels so good,” I whisper, closing my eyes. Calandra giggles as we make our way to the balcony. I make sure my cloak doesn’t fall off as I lean against the stone railing.

“Are you feeling okay?” Calandra asks, glancing at me.

“I am, don’t worry,” I assure her, smiling.

Calandra nods, and we stand there together. I look around and notice that most of the trees have shed their leaves.

“Winter is coming soon,” Calandra observes as a cold breeze brushes my face.

“Yes…,” I murmur, my hand instinctively moving to my belly. I stroke it gently, smiling. Lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice the other person next to me.

“You know,” I say, “I can’t wait to meet them.”

“Neither can I,” Dimitri whispers from behind me. I turn around to find him standing there, a sad smile on his face. His golden eyes meet mine. I look around and realize that Calandra has left us alone.

“Why are you here?” I ask him, my hand still on my belly.

“I... I wanted to see you,” Dimitri admits as a soft breeze blows by. I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear and smile at him.

“May I?” he asks.

I look up at him, realizing he’s asking about my belly.

I nod, and Dimitri steps closer, gently placing his hand on my belly. I watch in awe as a beautiful smile spreads across his face. I reach up and touch his face.

He stops and looks at me. I reach out and pull him into a hug. Dimitri carefully wraps his arms around me. His warmth is comforting as I rest my head on his shoulder.

“Stay,” I murmur to Dimitri. He stiffens at my words.

“Are you sure?” Dimitri questions gently. I nod, offering him a small smile.

“Please,” I plead. He responds by pressing a kiss to my temple and wrapping me in another hug, holding me until it’s time for me to head back to bed.

“Are you in any pain?” Calandra inquires as Dimitri assists me back inside.

“No, I’m okay,” I assure her, settling into a chair. Mia is busy fluffing the pillows on the bed.

“That’s good. Now, get some rest,” Calandra instructs, gathering her bag and beckoning Mia over.

“Are you staying?” I ask Dimitri, who’s watching Calandra’s movements.

“I should let you rest,” Dimitri replies, starting to walk away.

“Wait!” I call out, catching his hand, “P-please stay... Stay with me.”

Dimitri looks at me, his face a mix of emotions. I don’t want to pressure him, but I want him to stay.

“Just an hour, that’s all I’m asking,” I tell him, releasing his hand. “But if you don’t want to, it’s okay.”

I lean back against the pillows, smiling. I know I have no right to ask him to stay after what I put him through. I had no right.

As he begins to walk away, I drop my gaze. He’s leaving. I keep my head down, fiddling with my hands.

Feeling a shift beside me, I glance up. Dimitri is pushing the fur aside and settling down on the bed. I can’t help but smile at him.

“Come,” Dimitri invites, his arms open wide. I move to lie down next to him. Dimitri wraps his arm around my waist. We stay like that, in silence.

“I’m sorry, Valkyrie,” Dimitri murmurs after a while.

“Why?” I question, lifting my head to look at him.

“Because I put you in danger. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?” Dimitri asks, brushing a stray hair from my face. I smile at him.

“Of course I forgive you,” I assure him, pressing a kiss to his chin “How could I not? If... If I love you...”

I’m not sure if he hears my last words. But I hope he does. Clutching his shirt nervously, I close my eyes, waiting for his response. After a few agonizing minutes of silence, I look up.

Dimitri is gazing at me, a broad smile on his face.

“You mean it?” Dimitri whispers.

Of course I mean it. I’ve spent the past few days contemplating my feelings. I’m still scared, honestly. It feels like confessing my love for him is putting him in danger.

I don’t know why that thought crosses my mind. But that’s how I feel.

“Yes,” I respond, smiling shyly, “I love you… But I won’t lie and say I’m not scared of what might happen.”

“What might happen?” Dimitri questions, his brow furrowing. “Why do you say that?”

“I… I’ve had this bad feeling that if I tell you how I feel, something bad will happen… to you,” I explain, fighting back tears.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“Nothing will happen to me, Valkyrie,” Dimitri assures me, his brow furrowed. “I won’t let anything happen to me, to you, or to the babies. I promise you that.”

I know he means it, but my heart is telling me something else.

“Don’t worry, it’s not good for the babies,” Dimitri soothes, pressing a kiss to my temple.

“But…” I try to argue.

“No, Valkyrie, trust me. Nothing will happen, do you understand? Nothing,” Dimitri insists, leaning in to kiss me.

“I love you,” I whisper, returning his kiss. “I love you.”

“And I love you, my queen. Thank you,” Dimitri murmurs against my lips. “Thank you for loving me back.”

I smile at him, letting my tears fall. I can’t hold them back any longer. Wrapping my arms around him, I press a kiss to his neck.

“I know you love me. I promise to love you the same way you love me.”

SPY

The figure waves goodbye, a bag slung over his shoulder and a cloak draped over his body. He slips inside, careful not to draw attention.

It’s late at night. The area is deserted. He peeks around the corner before darting forward, his steps light and silent.

As he waves his hand, a faint blue glow emanates from it. Soft thuds echo from the other corner.

He steps forward, glancing down. Two bodies lie motionless beside each other. A smirk plays on his lips as he continues on, finally reaching his destination. He uses his magic to unlock the door.

The room is dark and empty. He sets his bag down and approaches the bed.

Red hair, fiery and wild, is spread across the blue pillows. He removes his cloak and stands beside the bed’s occupant.

He pulls something from beneath his cloak and blows on it. The room remains silent. He tucks it away and leans over the bed.

A slight rattling noise makes him pause. But the person in bed only stirs slightly. He raises his hand, waving it over the person’s face.

A white mist descends over her face. Assured it’s safe, he lifts her, slinging her over his shoulder.

As he steps out onto the balcony, he scans the area. Suddenly, something hovers above him, casting a shadow. He looks up and smiles.

Then, pulling his cloak over his head, he leaps over the railing, landing on the silver dragon.

“No one saw you?” another stranger inquires.

“No,” the figure replies, removing his cloak. “No one saw me, Prince Eros.”

“Good,” Prince Eros responds, smirking. He pulls on the reins, and they all depart from the palace, disappearing into the night clouds that obscure the moon.

No one is aware of what has transpired. No one knows that their queen has been taken, leaving no trace of her abductor.