Chapter 48

VALKYRIE

I storm out of Dimitri’s room, the doors slamming behind me. I’m frustrated, left high and dry. I’m aching for release.

When I get to my room, I find Mia rummaging through my clothes. Her eyes go wide as she takes in my naked form.

“Get out!” I bark at her. She starts to protest, but I point to the door, cutting her off.

I know Dimitri’s mad about what happened. But the truth is, I don’t remember anything. All I recall is his kiss and him leading me to his room.

I glance down and see blood on my hands. I push the sight away. What did I do?

With a sigh, I head to bed. My body is hot, restless. I reach down, touching myself. I close my eyes, picturing Dimitri’s mouth on me.

His tongue is everywhere. It’s so sensual, it only fuels my desire.

My back arches as the pleasure builds. I moan, my legs tightening around my hand. I slide a finger inside, flicking my clit. My body responds, wetness pooling.

Just as I’m getting lost in the sensation, there’s a knock. My eyes snap open, darting to the double doors. I stay silent, hoping whoever it is will leave.

When the knock doesn’t come again, I resume touching myself. My pace quickens, my moans growing louder. I’m on the edge when the doors swing open.

I whip my head around. Damian is standing there, swallowing hard as he takes me in. His eyes darken as they roam over my body. I smirk, my hand moving back to where it was.

I let my gaze drop, noticing the bulge in his pants. I bite my lip, continuing my movements. My head falls back as my climax builds.

I come, my breath coming in pants. Damian growls softly, shutting the door. I bring my hand to my mouth, tasting myself.

Damian growls again, pinching his nose. I sit up, reaching for a sheet.

“Need something?” I ask him, feigning innocence.

“Put some clothes on,” Damian snaps.

“I’m covered, Damian. What do you want?” I ask again, sitting up.

“I’m going to the neighboring kingdom. I thought you might want to come,” Damian sighs.

I glance down. Damian’s pants are straining.

I’m still not satisfied. I look at his pants, licking my lips.

“Damn,” I mutter. “Go take a bath, Damian.”

He scoffs, looking up at me.

“I’m fine,” Damian growls. “Get ready. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

With a nod, Damian leaves. I sigh, looking at the bath. I get up, deciding a cold bath is in order.

***

I pull on my gloves, noticing Damian and two other dragons with him.

“Ready?” Damian asks, frowning.

“Yes,” I reply, greeting the others. “They’re coming with us?”

“Yes, we need to buy some things and pick up medicine,” Damian explains.

I nod, waiting for them to undress. Once they’ve transformed and packed up, I climb onto Damian’s back, and we leave the palace.

The sky is overcast. Dark clouds are rolling in as we head in the opposite direction. I take one last look, shrug, and tighten my grip on Damian’s scales.

Ten minutes later, we’re at the kingdom’s gates. Like before, we get in line and wait to be checked.

“Are you coming with us? Or do you want to go somewhere else?” Damian asks me.

“I’ll take a walk and visit your friend,” I say, grabbing a bag. “We’ll meet back here in two hours?”

“Just be careful, Valkyrie,” Damian says, squeezing my hand. I smile, pulling on my cloak, and head off.

I see some exotic fruits that I decide to buy. The market is bustling. As I wander, I spot some beautiful gems. I approach the stall, asking the seller what they are.

“It’s onyx,” the man says, grinning. “One of a kind.”

“Don’t lie to the girl,” a voice says next to me. I turn to see Damian’s friend.

“My lady!” Bernard exclaims, and I smile at him. “Come with me.” I follow him as he leads me through the market.

“Be careful with gems,” Bernard says, smiling. “These guys tend to lie.” I chuckle, looking at the stalls.

“Damian said you’d be visiting. Is there something you need?” Bernard asks, curious.

“Yes,” I say, stopping. “I need your help with something.” I explain briefly, and Bernard’s face turns serious. He asks me to follow him.

We walk for about twenty minutes before we stop at a wooden house. “Are you sure about this?” Bernard asks, frowning.

“Yes.” I nod, gripping my cloak, waiting for the doors to open.

Just as Bernard is about to ask again, a woman with black hair and red eyes peers out at us. She smirks, but it fades when she sees me.

“Ness,” Bernard greets her.

The woman stares at me, then steps aside, inviting us in. The house smells foul, and I cover my nose, grimacing.

“Couldn’t you clean up a bit?” Bernard complains, and Ness scoffs.

“Why are you here with this?” Ness asks, looking at me with disdain.

“Hey, show some respect,” Bernard scolds.

“Why should I?” Ness retorts, sinking into a red armchair. “She’s just a filthy tamer.”

Bernard sighs loudly, gesturing for me to sit.

“So, what do you need?” Ness asks, twirling a lock of her hair.

“It’s her, not me,” Bernard says, pointing in my direction. I find myself locked in a stare with Ness. Her eyes are hard, unyielding. Why is she looking at me like that?

“What do you want, girl?” Ness demands.

“I need you to look into my memories,” I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. This earns me a frown from Ness.

“Memories?” Ness scoffs. “What could a girl like you possibly have in her memories that’s so important?”

“Just do it,” I beg.

Ness sighs, leaning forward. “Give me your hand,” she instructs. I extend my left hand to her. She takes it, her expression turning into a frown as she studies my palm.

Suddenly, I feel a tightness in my chest. I lift my eyes to meet hers. They’ve changed color. I pull my hand back, and Bernard steps in between us.

“Take it easy, Ness,” Bernard murmurs.

Ness shakes her head, taking a deep breath. “This isn’t easy. Come back in three days,” she says, opening the door to her house. “You need to leave now.”

As I step outside, Bernard whispers something to Ness. She just watches me as I adjust my cloak. The door closes behind me, and Bernard comes over, patting my back.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Bernard asks.

“No, I’ll go back on my own. I still have time, and I can look for more food. You don’t need to come,” I say, managing a smile. I thank him and say goodbye.

I make my way back to the market, heading for an open area where children and women are playing. It’s like a garden, with bushes of roses and peonies arranged beautifully.

I can’t help but marvel at the sight. I notice a trail between some trees and pause to look at it.

“That leads to the lake,” a woman with two children tells me, smiling.

“A lake?” I echo.

“Yes,” she whispers, soothing one of the children. “A lot of girls go there. You should check it out.”

She waves goodbye with a smile. I find myself staring at the trail again. With a shrug and a smile, I decide to follow it. I’m curious to see what lies beyond the garden.