Chapter 29

VALKYRIE

“What have I done?” I mutter to myself, pacing the room like a caged animal.

I left Dimitri hanging. My heart is pounding so hard it’s frightening. It feels like it might burst out of my chest. I can’t sit still, so I keep pacing, back and forth, back and forth.

Suddenly, a loud bang startles me. I let out a small yelp and turn to see Dimitri standing in the doorway, shirtless. His breathing is ragged, and his face is a mask of anger.

“Dimitri?” I ask, my voice shaky.

He strides towards me, grabs me, and hoists me over his shoulder. I scream, “DIMITRI!”

He smacks my butt as he carries me out of the room. “Put me down!” I demand, my head bobbing with each of his steps.

I kick him in the back. He grunts in response. I can’t see where we’re going.

“Put me down!” I yell again.

He drops me onto a bed of soft furs. I yell again, more out of surprise than pain. I look up at Dimitri, who is hovering over me, glaring at me in silence. Why isn’t he saying anything?

“I’m only going to say this once, so listen carefully,” Dimitri says, his voice as commanding as the day we met. “I want you.

“I know this is new for both of us, but Valkyrie, I can’t hold back any longer. I’ve been trying to out of respect for you.

“But I’ve realized something… I don’t want to lose you,” Dimitri pleads. I sigh, looking at him.

“Dimitri, I…” I start to say, but he silences me with a kiss. His hand slides under my waist, pulling me closer to him.

He parts my lips with his tongue, and his sensual movements draw a loud moan from me. When he finally pulls away, I open my eyes. My lips are tingling from his passionate kiss, and his breath fans over my now-sensitive lips.

“Just let me. That’s all I’m asking. I promise I’ll try,” Dimitri says, his eyes uncertain. Is that fear I see in the eyes of this king, this beast?

I reach up and touch his face. He looks torn.

“Okay,” I whisper. “But I’m scared. I just need you to change, that’s all.”

He nods, then rests his head in the crook of my neck. He relaxes next to me, and I place my hand on my waist, deciding to give in. I hope this is the right decision.

***

I wake up to the sound of rustling. I look around and see Dimitri getting out of bed.

“Did I fall asleep?” I ask him.

“Yes. Rest some more,” Dimitri says as he pulls on a shirt. “I’ll come get you for dinner.”

He closes the door behind him as he leaves, and I lie back down. I feel drained. I sigh and look out at the balcony. A cool breeze makes me pull the furs closer around me.

They smell like Dimitri. I smile to myself and decide to get dressed.

I get out of bed and head to the bathroom. I find some of my clothes and whisper a thank you to Mia. She must have brought them earlier. I pick them up and start to change.

As I let my dress fall to the floor, I catch sight of myself in the mirror. As my hand brushes over my breast, I freeze.

“What’s this?” I murmur, noticing a small mark on my left breast.

The door opens and I quickly cover myself.

“Valkyrie?” Mia calls out.

“Mia, is that you?” I ask, peeking out from behind the door.

“Hey, are you okay?” Mia asks, her eyes landing on my breast. “Oh, my god!”

I drop my hands from my chest, and Mia stares at me, a smile spreading across her face.

“No way…,” Mia breathes, reaching out to touch my breast. I slap her hand away and blush.

“Mia!” I hiss, embarrassed.

I cover my breast again and move away from her.

“When did this happen?” Mia asks, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Wait,” I say, holding up a hand. “What is this?” I ask her.

“Valkyrie, that’s your mark!” Mia exclaims. “You finally have it! But, wait, did you and the king have sex?”

I stare at her, speechless.

“Excuse me?” I ask, taken aback.

“Well, if you have the mark, it means you did something, right?” Mia asks, her excitement palpable.

“Can you calm down?” I stutter, “I haven’t done anything like that!”

“You haven’t?” Mia asks, covering her mouth with her hands. “So, did he suck your breast?” I roll my eyes and glare at her.

“Nothing like that,” I say, but then I pause. Now that I think about it, Dimitri did rest his head on my breast earlier.

Mia notices my frown. “Is something wrong?” she asks, curiosity in her eyes.

“Nothing,” I say, turning away. “Should I show this to Dimitri?” I ask, pulling on a white dress.

“Of course, my queen!” Mia says, grabbing my arm. “Let’s get you ready!”

I stare at Mia in confusion as she drags me out of Dimitri’s chambers.

***

I curse under my breath as I look at my reflection. Is Mia serious right now?

“Perfect! Dimitri will be speechless,” Mia says, beaming. I reach up and start to remove the heavy jewelry from my neck. This isn’t me.

“What are you doing? No!” Mia exclaims as she sees me taking off the jewelry.

“Mia… This isn’t me,” I tell her.

“But you’re not a slave anymore. You’re a queen,” Mia says, rolling her eyes. She nudges me to stand in front of a mirror. “This is who you are now, Valkyrie. Stop dwelling on your past.”

I gaze at my reflection and let out a sigh. Mia has really outdone herself. I’m wearing a long, golden dress with black ruffles that clings to my body. The bottom of the dress is adorned with delicate flower details.

The dress has a wide, plunging neckline that accentuates my breasts. The mark will be visible to everyone.

I feel too exposed.

“I… I’d like to wear something else,” I say, trying to think of a way to switch dresses.

“No, that’s not happening. So get that idea out of your head,” Mia retorts. “You look stunning, Valkyrie.”

Just as I’m about to respond, there’s a knock at the door. Mia and I both turn to look.

“Who’s there?” Mia calls out.

“It’s me. Is Valkyrie there?” Dimitri’s voice comes from the other side of the door.

I panic and look at Mia. A wide grin spreads across her face as she rushes to the door. Cursing under my breath, I force a smile onto my face.

Mia opens the door and Dimitri steps in. He stops in his tracks when he sees me, taking me in from head to toe. I fidget with my hands and keep my gaze lowered. I don’t want to see his reaction.

“Valkyrie?” Dimitri murmurs. I glance at him through my lashes and see his mouth hanging open. He clears his throat and walks over to me.

He extends his hand, waiting for me to take it. My eyes wander over his body. He’s dressed in a black coverall and a cloak with golden chains hanging from it. The intricate design is mesmerizing.

“Valkyrie?” Dimitri murmurs again, jolting me out of my thoughts.

“What?” I snap, confused. Then I realize he’s still holding out his hand. Without another word, I take it and we head to dinner.

As we enter the dining room, I see everyone is already eating. Damian’s eyes meet mine. For a split second, I think I see him gasp.

Confused by his reaction, I hear a sudden clatter. Prince Cian is staring at me, his mouth agape and his eyes wide.

“Cian?” Damian calls out, but Prince Cian just stands up and walks over to me. Dimitri stops, unsure of what’s happening. Then, shoving Dimitri aside, Prince Cian grabs my arm.

“What the fuck!” Prince Cian exclaims, glaring down at me.

“Back off, Cian!” Dimitri retorts, pushing me behind him. I clutch Dimitri’s cloak, pleading with him not to get angry. I don’t want them to fight. Dimitri growls, but Prince Cian roars back.

“Move!” Prince Cian hisses.

“Calm down,” I say, stepping in front of Dimitri. I look at Prince Cian and ask, “Is there something you want to ask me?”

His gaze drops to my chest. Then, with a loud growl, he lifts his icy eyes.

“When?” Prince Cian asks, his teeth clenched.

“Some time ago,” I reply, holding his gaze.

“What’s he talking about?” Dimitri asks.

“He doesn’t know?” Prince Cian asks, looking at me.

“No,” I reply sharply.

“What is it, Valkyrie?” Dimitri asks again.

I keep my eyes on Prince Cian. There’s a dark shadow in his eyes. Why is he so angry?

I turn to Dimitri and pull the neckline of my dress down to show him. Damian and Leo abruptly stand up.

“Your mark?” Leo murmurs.

“This is…?” Dimitri asks, still not understanding.

“This is my mark. Our mark,” I say, showing him the small, dark mark. A tiny swirl in the shape of a cross has appeared on my left breast.

I look at Dimitri and see a bright smile spread across his face.