Chapter 4

DIMITRI

As I guide her through the palace, I can’t help but notice the sparkle in her eyes. She’s got this innocent vibe about her, but at the same time, she seems a bit naive, maybe even a little clueless.

But she’s mine. My queen. She’s got a lot to learn about her new role, and I know I can’t rush her.

Her body is still healing, and if I want her to carry my child, I need to make sure she’s eating enough. She’s so skinny, I can see every bone in her body.

The mage had warned me before he went off to investigate her. I’m eager to learn more about her—where she comes from, who her family is, who she really is.

Deciding she’s seen enough of the palace for one day, I guide her back to her room to rest. She doesn’t say she’s tired, but I can see it in her face.

Every now and then, she winces and rubs her thigh. She’s clearly in pain. I scoop her up in my arms, and she squirms a bit. She’s adorable. Her curly red hair is a wild mess, tangled with mine.

Damian told me everyone’s eager to meet her. They’re all intrigued by her unique eyes. I can’t help but be drawn in when I look at her, especially by that hazel eye with golden swirls.

If my memory serves me right, I’ve seen those eyes somewhere before.

After tucking her into bed, I head back to meet Damian.

“How’d it go?” I ask as I enter the throne room. My brother Damian and my best friend are sitting across from each other.

“Just as we expected—they were pissed. Grandfather was especially upset. He didn’t like that we left a survivor,” Damian says.

“I’m curious about her,” my best friend Leo chimes in.

“You’ll meet her tomorrow. I’m planning to take her to the training grounds,” I tell him.

“Interesting choice, brother,” Damian smirks.

“Any news from the south?” I ask Leo.

“King Dimitri, the situation in the south remains the same. The dragons we sent are keeping an eye on the group of merchants.

“So far, there hasn’t been an attack on the traders. But, even though the town is usually bustling,” Leo sighs, “I have a feeling they might attack from somewhere else.”

“Have three of your best men scout the east and north. I don’t want any surprises. I have someone to protect now,” I say, earning a few chuckles.

“What’s so funny?” I ask, annoyed.

“It’s just… You seem different,” Damian says, grinning, “my brother finally found his mate, and you seem more possessive, more at peace.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. Am I really acting differently?

“Damian’s right,” Leo says, clearing his throat, “you do seem different. You’re less angry, even though she’s only been here two days.”

“Isn’t that the point of having a mate? Someone to calm the beast within?” I snap.

“If you say so,” Damian says as he stands up. “I need to head to the training grounds. I have recruits to train. I’ll see you guys later.”

After Damian leaves, I turn to Leo. He’s deep in thought, tapping his foot—a sure sign he’s got something important on his mind.

“Spit it out, Leo,” I command.

He stops tapping his foot and meets my gaze.

“Dimitri, is she your mate?” Leo asks cautiously.

I glare at him. “What are you getting at?”

“Don’t get mad, just hear me out. Have you noticed anything unusual about Valkyrie?” Leo asks, piquing my interest.

“Unusual how?” I ask, thinking about her peculiarities.

We know she has powers, but we don’t know where they come from. And then there are her eyes, which are a mystery in themselves. My mind races as I think about that hazel eye.

“No,” I finally say, looking up at Leo, “do you have a theory?”

“Well, I noticed something when I saw her from a distance,” Leo begins, looking down and starting to tap his foot again.

“Get to the point!” I snap, my patience wearing thin.

“She looks a lot like your late mother,” Leo says, causing me to frown.

Now that he mentions it, Valkyrie does bear a resemblance to my mother.

My mother was half sorcerer, half tamer. My father, the king, met her during a battle. She was a tamer, but the moment they met, they felt a connection, and the mating mark appeared. I tried kissing Valkyrie’s wrist yesterday to see if the mating mark would appear, but nothing happened.

“You see? She has red hair like your mother and two different colored eyes. Your mother had them too.

“Even her face looks a bit like your mother’s,” Leo says eagerly, “don’t you think she might be from your mother’s family?”

“That’s impossible,” I whisper.

I stand up, letting Leo know I need to ask her something. He bows his head as I leave.

Now I’m even more curious about her. I can’t wait any longer. I rush into her room, but Valkyrie is asleep. I watch her from a distance, my hands itching to touch her.

Her back is to me, so I slowly crawl up until I’m hovering over her. Her chest rises and falls with each breath. Her red hair is spread out over the off-white silk sheets.

She’s beautiful. I reach out and gently stroke her face. Michael has healed almost all her scars, except the ones on her hands.

The anger I saw in her when Michael asked about those wounds made me think she’s hiding something. Is she scared?

She’s the kind of person who flinches at anything scary, which is understandable. She was a slave, and from the looks of it, she’s been one for a while.

I continue to caress her, moving my hand down her neck, her arm, stopping when I reach her hands. I swallow hard, take her left hand in mine, and bring it to my lips.

“Dimitri?” Valkyrie’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, her eyes fluttering open. I give her hand a gentle squeeze, offering her a smile.

“Did I wake you?” I ask, feigning innocence.

“No, don’t sweat it,” she replies, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and sitting up. “You need something?” Her gaze meets mine, curiosity in her eyes.

I find myself studying her hand, my eyes tracing the deep scars that mar her skin.

“Can you tell me more about your power?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

She falls silent, her lack of response prompting me to look up. She’s frowning, her gaze fixed on our intertwined hands.

“Why?” she finally asks, breaking the silence.

“Because I want to understand you better,” I confess, my voice barely audible.

Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise as she studies me. That familiar tug in my chest returns, accompanied by the fluttering sensation in my stomach. The longer we hold each other’s gaze, the stronger the feeling becomes.

“My power…” she begins, her voice trailing off. “I discovered it when I was twelve. I hurt someone for the first time when I was fourteen. After that, they’d punish me, lock me away for months.”

“Months?” I echo, taken aback. “How old are you now?”

She turns her hand in mine, a small smile playing on her lips.

“I’m twenty-one,” she reveals, “and my power is healing and burning.”

“Healing?” I question, my brow furrowing. She hadn’t mentioned this before.

“Y-yes, I can heal, but only deep wounds, and it doesn’t work on myself,” she explains. “Weird, right? I’m a healer who can’t heal her own pain.”

Her voice is tinged with sadness. I’ve noticed that Valkyrie often seems lost in thought, a melancholy air about her.

“Who gave you these powers?” I ask, trying to keep my tone casual.

“That, I don’t know,” she admits, her lips forming a pout. “I’ve always been alone… Always.”

“What about your mother?” I press.

“I don’t know,” she repeats, her gaze meeting mine. “I never met her.”

“You never met her?” I ask, confusion seeping into my voice. “Then who raised you? Who took care of you?”

She pulls her hand away, her gaze shifting to the side. Anger flashes across her face.

“Please don’t ask,” she pleads, her teeth gritted.

“I need to know!” I insist, grabbing her arm.

“I told you, I don’t know!” she snaps back. “I grew up with two other girls. They took care of me. All I know is that they found me.”

Tears well up in her eyes. I watch her closely, sensing that she’s holding something back.

“You’re lying,” I accuse. “Don’t you dare lie to me.”

“Lie? I’m telling the truth!” she retorts, standing up and storming over to the balcony. “I don’t owe you any explanations!”

I stand up and grab her arm, pulling her back.

“Don’t test my patience!” I warn, my voice a low growl.

She glares at me, her grip on my hand tightening. I’m taken aback by her strength. How is she so strong?

“Let go, Dimitri!” she hisses. “I won’t put up with you just because you’re a king. I won’t bow to you.”

I release her, watching as she storms out of the room. Growling in frustration, I take off for a night flight.

How dare she speak to me like that? I fly north, my anger seeping into every pore.

When I return the next day, landing at the entrance of the cave, the morning sun is just beginning to rise in the east. My anger has subsided, replaced by a sense of calm.

“Finally back,” Damian greets me, leaning against the wall.

I shoot him a glare, my tail knocking into his side. He chuckles in response.

“Okay,” he concedes, raising his hands in surrender.

I transform back into my human form, pulling on a pair of gray trousers.

“Anything happen while I was gone?” I ask, buttoning my pants.

“Well… Your mate is quite the spectacle,” Damian replies, a smirk on his face.

“What do you mean?” I ask, my brow furrowing in confusion.

“I think you should see for yourself,” he suggests, turning to lead the way.

I follow him to the training grounds, my curiosity piqued. As we approach one of the fighting platforms, I notice a crowd of dragons cheering and yelling in excitement. I try to see over the crowd, but my view is blocked.

Damian nudges me, pointing toward the front. I follow his gaze and my jaw drops at the sight before me.

Valkyrie is on the platform, engaged in combat with one of the new warriors. Her agility and defensive stance leave me in awe. Her hair is pulled back in a high ponytail, and she’s dressed in shorts and a black shirt.

Sweat beads on her forehead as she lands a punch to the boy’s gut, a triumphant smile on her face.

“You should see her; she’s a natural,” Damian shouts over the noise. “She’s been fighting for over an hour, and she’s won two out of three fights.”

“What?” I exclaim, shocked. “She can’t be fighting that long! Her wound will reopen!”

“What wound?” Damian asks, looking confused.

Growling, I push my way through the crowd and onto the platform. The cheers die down as everyone notices my approach. Valkyrie’s eyes widen as she sees me.

“I thought I told you to rest!” I growl, the crowd falling silent.

“And I’m feeling better!” she retorts.

I scoop her up, throwing her over my shoulder. She struggles, yelling in protest.

“Call Michael, NOW!” I order. Damian looks at Valkyrie in my arms and grins devilishly.

I carry her back to my chambers, my grip on her waist tightening.

“Put me down!” Valkyrie’s voice rings out.

I give her ass a smack and she yelps in response.

“Quiet down, or I’ll spank you,” I tease, a smirk playing on my lips. “You’re not following orders. You’re defying me.”

“I-I was just…” Valkyrie stammers, but I silence her with a look. I throw open the doors and stride in, tossing Valkyrie onto the canopy bed.

“Next time you disobey, I won’t be so kind. I’ll show you what defiance really means,” I warn her.

Valkyrie flinches and retreats a little.

“Scared now?” I scoff, standing tall. “Who gave you permission to train with the others?” I ask, reaching for a bottle of wine.

“No one… I just went and practiced on my own,” Valkyrie mumbles, fiddling with her hands.

“You did?” I scoff. “I’ve never heard of a slave who knows how to fight.”

Valkyrie’s head snaps up. She clenches her hands and frowns. “General Leo taught me a while back,” she says, causing me to choke on my wine.

“What?” I sputter. “What did you just say?”

“I-I said that I thought I should learn some fighting skills,” Valkyrie mumbles.

I’m about to question her further when the mage enters the room. He freezes when he sees us, the air growing tense.

“Sorry, am I interrupting?” Michael asks, glancing at Valkyrie.

“No,” I reply, frowning. “Come in and check her wound.”

Michael tends to Valkyrie’s wound, cleaning it in silence.

“She hasn’t been resting, has she?” Michael asks, shooting Valkyrie a glare.

Her face turns as white as snow.

“No, she’s been disobeying orders,” I say, glaring at her. “I might need to tie her up.”

Michael raises an eyebrow at me, then turns back to Valkyrie’s wound, examining her other scars.

“It looks like it’ll heal, but you need more rest. There might be a small scar, but I’ll try to remove it. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll do my best,” Michael says, finishing up with the bandage on her thigh.

“There’s something I wanted to ask, if the king permits it.”

Michael turns to me, waiting patiently for my response. I give him a firm nod, curious about his question.

“Can I see your power?” Michael asks.

“My powers? But why?” Valkyrie questions.

“Just do as he asks, and don’t question it,” I snap, irritated. She’s been defying my orders, and it seems like Leo and Damian have been encouraging her to train.

I had planned to have her train, but only once she was fully healed. I wanted to be the one to ask her, not some other man.

Valkyrie looks at her right hand. She lifts it, showing it to Michael. I wait for something to happen, and just as I finish the thought, a red glow that resembles fire dances in her hand.

“Can you control it?” Michael asks, his eyes filled with awe.

“Yes, I learned,” Valkyrie says, “and my healing one.”

“Healing?” Michael chokes out.

“Yes, she has healing powers,” I confirm. Michael furrows his brow and stands up abruptly.

“Fire and healing?” Michael repeats, as if in a trance.

What’s going through his mind?

“Thank you! And excuse me,” Michael says, quickly exiting the room. I stand there, trying to make sense of what just happened.

“Will he be okay?” Valkyrie asks, her gaze fixed on the doors.

I raise an eyebrow, shrug, and take a sip of my wine.

“Hopefully, he will,” I mutter.