Chapter 9

MICHAEL

I’m flipping through the pages of ancient history books, trying to find any hint—any clue about Valkyrie’s powers. Ever since I first met her, she’s intrigued me.

She’s not just a magic user, but there’s something about her eyes that compels obedience. They’re so captivating that I want to take her to bed and just gaze at her endlessly.

I’m amazed that Dimitri managed to find someone like her as his mate. Fate must have had a hand in this. Now, I need to understand her magic. She calls it a curse, but it’s as clear as day to me.

It’s magic.

Valkyrie has both magical and healing powers. I haven’t seen her healing abilities yet, but the red glow that dances on her hands is what truly fascinates me.

She mentioned that she developed these powers at the age of twelve, powers that could burn anyone. They didn’t affect Dimitri, but would they work on others?

Somehow, Valkyrie has managed to avoid causing harm.

She wears gloves to protect her hands. Most sorceresses or mages have magic, but their glow is blue, not red. Valkyrie’s is red, which suggests she has some sorceress in her.

I’m pouring over various books, trying to find any mention of a mage or sorceress with a red glow. I’ve lived a long time and never encountered someone with that power.

She mentioned burning, but is it like fire?

A soft knock interrupts my thoughts, and I invite the visitor in.

“Reading, I see,” Leo comments as I keep my eyes on my books.

“Yes, is there something you need?” I ask, glancing at him briefly. Leo takes a seat, leans on the table, and looks at me with a frown.

“What do you think about Valkyrie?” Leo asks, piquing my curiosity.

“Valkyrie?” I echo, setting my book down on the table. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m just curious. Have you noticed that Valkyrie looks like someone?” Leo asks, looking puzzled as he glances at the books on the table.

“Looks like who?” I ask, now confused by his question.

“The late queen,” Leo says, his eyes meeting mine.

Frowning, I rub my chin. Now that he mentions it, she does bear a resemblance. My mind starts racing. Then, I snap my fingers and stand up abruptly.

I walk over to a bookshelf. Scanning the last two rows, I stop when I find the book I’m looking for. I flip through its pages until I see the word red.

“I see…,” I mumble.

“What did you find?” Leo asks as I hear the chair creak and feel him approaching.

“Nothing.” I smile as I close the book. “If you’ll excuse me, I have something to do.”

Leaving Leo alone in my office, I head toward Dimitri’s chambers. If my hunch is right, Valkyrie must have a birthmark. But to confirm, I need to check her entire body.

I knock on Dimitri’s door, waiting for someone to answer. Nothing. Ten, twelve—where is everyone?

“Michael?” Damian’s voice breaks the silence as he approaches me. “Are you looking for Valkyrie?”

“Yes, is she busy?” I ask, furrowing my brow.

“No, but she’s not staying here anymore,” Damian explains.

“Then where is she?” I ask.

“In the queen’s chambers. Follow me,” Damian says, and I trail behind him.

Why is Valkyrie there? Did Dimitri move her?

Damian knocks on Valkyrie’s door. A woman I recognize, Mia, opens the door and welcomes us.

“Oh, Damian, Michael, please come in!” Mia invites us in.

This is my first time entering the queen’s chambers. I’ve heard that a spell has been cast on this room, preventing the king from entering unless the queen allows it.

I glance around, seeing Mia and Damian in conversation. Then, my gaze shifts, and I see a shadow move. It’s Valkyrie.

“Oh hi,” Valkyrie greets, looking surprised.

She appears to have just stepped out of a bath. Water drips from her body. She looks tempting. I see Mia assisting her, but what makes me smirk is Damian’s expression.

He’s blushing. His red eyes are filled with lust as he scans Valkyrie’s body. I won’t deny it, she tempts me too. Her curvy, voluptuous body is irresistible.

“You know Dimitri will kill you if he sees you like this,” I comment, moving next to him.

“Like what?” Damian asks, his eyes still on Valkyrie.

“Lusting. You know your face is giving you away, right?” I say.

“Dimitri knows I like Valkyrie,” Damian admits, causing me to whip my head around in surprise.

“You what?” I exclaim, almost shouting, causing Mia and Valkyrie to look our way.

Grabbing Damian by his arm, I pull him aside.

“Are you fucking serious right now?” I ask through gritted teeth as Damian slaps my hand away.

“Yes, I am,” Damian confirms, frowning. “I told him.”

“She’s your brother’s mate!” I hiss.

“So? Dimitri isn’t treating her well. I warned him, Michael. If he doesn’t change, I will take her away,” Damian growls. “She deserves better!”

I’m taken aback. This is the first time Damian has ever acted like this. Telling Dimitri he’s a love rival is even worse. Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“God, you two are hopeless,” I mutter, causing Damian to growl.

“Sorry, what can I do for you?” Valkyrie interrupts, causing us to turn around.

She’s now dressed in a long brown dress with golden details. Her wet hair hangs loose.

“I came because I wanted to confirm something,” I explain, bowing slightly. “It’s about your powers.”

“Oh,” Valkyrie whispers.

“What about them?” Damian asks as he takes a seat.

“I need to see if you can hurt someone else,” I tell her.

Valkyrie’s face is a mix of surprise and fear. “Don’t worry. It’s just a test. But we’ll need two volunteers.”

“Who?” Mia asks, her eyes darting between us.

“Damian and me,” I answer. “You just have to touch our hands. That’s it.”

Valkyrie looks scared. Her body trembles. Mia starts whispering soothing words to her. I know this is tough for Valkyrie.

“I-I can’t,” she stammers.

I sigh and take her arm. “It’s just a test. I can heal, and you can try your healing powers on Damian. His skin will heal on its own,” I reassure her with a smile.

Valkyrie looks at Damian, her face torn.

“It’s okay, Valkyrie. You won’t hurt me. It’s just a small burn. My finger will do, right?” Damian says, giving her a comforting smile.

I watch her, waiting for her response. Damian seems to have a calming effect on Valkyrie. I raise an eyebrow in surprise and clear my throat.

“Ready to give it a shot?” I ask her.

Valkyrie nods and takes off her glove. She slowly reaches for Damian’s outstretched hand. Her hand is shaking terribly. I feel awful for putting her through this, but I need to know.

Finally, she touches Damian’s hand. A red glow spreads across her hand like a flame. To everyone’s surprise, Damian isn’t hurt.

“It’s not hurting you?” Valkyrie stammers, shocked.

I lean in for a closer look and tell Damian to hold Valkyrie’s entire hand. He pulls her closer and grips her hand. The red glow covers his hand, flickering like a flame in the wind.

“Amazing…,” I whisper. “Now me,” I say, causing Valkyrie to look scared again.

“Wait, what if I hurt you?” Valkyrie whispers, her head bowed.

“Don’t worry,” I say, smiling. “Trust yourself.”

Valkyrie looks up and nods.

I hold out my hand, waiting for her to place hers on top of mine. She carefully grips my hand, her fingers trembling. Then I feel it—the burning sensation. I hiss in pain and pull away.

“Oh no!” Valkyrie cries out, frightened.

“It’s okay,” I reassure her as I recite a healing spell and the wound closes.

“You okay?” Damian asks, looking concerned.

I stare at my hand. Something’s not right. My healing powers didn’t seem to work. Instead, the burn has left a scar.

“You have a scar?” Damian asks, surprised. He leans in to get a better look at my hand.

“Looks like it,” I reply, glancing at Valkyrie. An idea comes to me. “Heal me, Valkyrie.”

“What?” Valkyrie asks, stepping back.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I snap, grabbing her arm. “You’re going to stay here and heal my wound.”

Valkyrie looks doubtful. I can see tears welling up in her eyes. Is she really that scared of hurting us?

“Valkyrie, trust yourself,” I tell her. She lifts her head and gives me a weak smile.

It hurts to see her like this. Valkyrie has been through so much that everything scares her now.

She takes my hand and brings it close to her mouth, chanting something in a language I don’t recognize. I watch in awe as the small scar disappears. Just a simple phrase and it’s gone.

“What language was that?” I ask her.

“I don’t know. It was already in my mind, so I just said what came to me,” Valkyrie explains, causing all of us to gasp.

“Are you serious?” Mia asks, her eyes sparkling with excitement. To her, Valkyrie must seem like a mythical creature.

“Interesting…,” I murmur. After thanking her, I excuse myself and drag Damian with me to the library.

“Can you let go?” Damian grumbles. “And why are we in the library?”

“Because I need to check something. And you’re going to help me,” I tell him, smirking.

“Gross, don’t smile like that!” Damian complains, pretending to gag.

I roll my eyes and tell him to follow me. We head to the back of the library where the forbidden books are kept under lock and key.

“Open it!” I command Damian.

“You need the forbidden books?” Damian asks, sounding skeptical.

“Yes, hurry up!” I urge him.

“Could you at least say please…,” Damian grumbles as he pricks his finger and lets a drop of blood fall into a small fountain.

The doors creak open, sending a cloud of dust into the air and making us cough.

“How long has it been since you opened this door, geez!” I complain.

“I can’t remember,” Damian replies, stepping back.

The forbidden books are locked behind two large mahogany doors.

These doors are enchanted and can only be opened by royal dragons. The books inside hold the secrets of past dragons and magical techniques, as well as forbidden magic and lost languages.

I scan the shelves for the book of lost languages.

“Here it is!” I exclaim, pulling out an old book that’s damp and dusty. The book is so old it looks like it could crumble to dust at any moment.

“Forbidden languages?” Damian asks, standing next to me. “Why that?”

I hold up a finger to silence him. I’ve memorized the phrase Valkyrie used. I flip to the healing section and start reading.

***

“Michael, it’s been half an hour,” Damian complains, sounding frustrated. “How much longer?”

I scratch my head, frowning. Is it not here?

“Hey, I’m talking to you,” Damian says, kicking my butt.

“Stop it!” I snap.

I reach the last page of the healing section. I flip to the back of the book and stop. I can’t help but smile.

“Why are you smiling like a creep?” Damian asks, frowning.

“Found it,” I mumble, moving to sit on the floor next to him.

“Look!” I thrust the book towards Damian. “See? It’s the same phrase Valkyrie used to heal.”

“And?” Damian prompts, his brows furrowed.

He had a point. What was this mysterious language Valkyrie had used?

“It’s not here?” I murmur, flipping through the pages. I’ve moved on to a different section now.

I halt, my gaze landing on a page detailing the language of dragons. My eyes widen and I let out a curse.

“Holy shit!” I exclaim, my voice louder than I intended.

“What? What is it?” Damian asks, his eyes scanning my face for clues.

“Valkyrie didn’t use some lost language; she used a dialect,” I mutter, still in disbelief.

“A dialect?” Damian echoes. “Which one?”

“The dragon’s dialect. She knows the forbidden dragon language,” I tell him, my eyes wide with shock as I look at him.

This can’t be right. Valkyrie knows the language of dragons? But why?