Chapter 60

VALKYRIE

I’m sprawled out on the bed, my body aching and my head pounding. I swear under my breath. I can’t let this continue. I need to escape, but I have to be smart about it.

The chamber doors creak open and I quickly shut my eyes. My face is a mess of dried tears and damp hair. Then, a gentle hand touches me and a woman’s voice whispers in the room.

I slowly open my eyes to see a black-haired woman smiling down at me.

“Hello,” she greets, her smile a little sad. Her gaze drifts to my back. After the man left, I’d managed to roll over, using the last of my strength.

She strokes my face gently, then kneels beside me. “I’m sorry,” she murmurs. “Would you like me to heal you?”

I glare at her, watching as she settles on the bed. Her hand begins to glow as she whispers something in a language I don’t understand. I close my eyes as a cool sensation washes over my body.

“A healer?” she mumbles to herself. I open my eyes to look at her. What did she just say? I try to sit up, but she stops me.

“Don’t. I’m still healing you,” she tells me.

“Y-you…how do y-you know I’m a healer?” I manage to croak out.

She lowers her gaze, then smiles.

“You’re a tamer, I see. My name is Devika,” she introduces herself, looking back at me. “Does Prince Eros know you’re a tamer?”

“No, I don’t think so,” I whisper back. “But the other one… I think he knows.”

“You mean Prince Seth?” Devika’s brow furrows. I give a small nod. She sighs and returns to healing me. After what feels like an eternity, she finally finishes.

“You’ll be sore, but your wounds are healed. Except for a few; they’ll leave scars,” Devika informs me as I sit up.

As she helps me, she suddenly stiffens. Her eyes widen as they land on my stomach. “You’re pregnant?” she questions. I stand up quickly, instinctively covering my belly.

“Wait, I won’t hurt you,” Devika assures me, standing up with a nervous look on her face. “I couldn’t, but they could.”

“Who? Eros?” I spit out his name like a curse.

Devika nods, pinching the bridge of her nose as she lets out a loud sigh.

“Come, let me check on you,” Devika offers, extending her hand. I eye it warily. “I won’t hurt you.”

I nod and take her hand. Devika guides me back onto the bed. She moves her hand over my belly, her hand glowing as she makes small circles.

I watch her like a hawk, ready to react if she tries to hurt me.

“They’re fine. A little stressed, but fine,” Devika says, smiling. She removes her hand and looks at me. “You’re pregnant with King Dimitri’s children, right?”

“Yes,” I mumble, gently stroking my barely noticeable bump.

“I’ll get you some clothes,” Devika says, standing up. As she leaves, I scan the room. I need a weapon, something sharp. I spot a small knife on a wooden table and quietly grab it.

“Here,” Devika says, returning with a dress. “Eros keeps clothes here for his women,” she explains.

“Where am I?” I ask her as she helps me dress.

“You’re in King Gabriel’s castle. Have you met him?” Devika asks.

“Met him?” I echo. “Will I?”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, the chamber doors swing open and Eros strides in. A smirk is plastered on his face as he looks at me.

“You smell like blood,” Eros comments, grabbing my arm. “But who cares? Come with me.”

He drags me out of the room, and I glance back at Devika. She just watches us, silent. I whisper a plea for help, but the chamber doors close, cutting me off.

“Where are you taking me?” I demand as Eros drags me down a flight of stairs. The castle is made of gray stone, with blue flags hanging in the hallways we pass.

I take in the vast, empty space. It’s so cold and quiet that our footsteps echo. “I asked where you’re taking me!”

“To meet someone,” Eros replies, his grip tightening. I wince in pain.

We arrive at a pair of massive doors, which two guards open for us. Eros continues to drag me along.

“Here,” Eros says, tossing me forward. I land on my knees, keeping my head down out of fear. Eros looks ahead.

“So this is her?” a voice asks. “Raise your head!”

I lift my head to see a man with curly brown hair and green eyes staring at me. He drops his goblet in surprise and stands up abruptly. What’s his problem?

“Kalliste?” the man asks, his eyes wide and filled with tears. “Kalliste, is that you?” I frown, confused by his reaction.

“What? Who’s Kalliste, father?” Eros asks from behind me.

The brown-haired man descends the eight steps to me. He grabs my arm and pulls me to my feet. I watch him, baffled. What’s going on?

“Kalliste!” he exclaims, pulling me into a hug. I stiffen at his sudden embrace.

“Father, what are you doing?” Eros asks, pulling me away from the man.

I glance at the woman on the throne. She looks like she’s seen a ghost. “This is the dragon king’s mate,” Eros says.

I look back at Eros’s father, confusion written all over my face. He frowns. “Name,” he suddenly demands.

“Name?” I echo.

“TELL ME YOUR NAME!” the man bellows at me.

“Valkyrie…” I manage to whisper.

He’s panting, his brow furrowed. Then, out of the blue, he starts laughing. I take a step back. Why is he laughing like that?

“Who would’ve thought?” he muses.

“Gabriel!” the woman upstairs calls out, her voice trembling.

“Hush, my queen,” the man—Gabriel—dismisses her with a wave of his hand. “How long has she been here?” he asks Eros.

“Almost a week,” Eros replies, his face serious.

Gabriel’s gaze shifts to my hands. I realize I’ve been clenching them tightly. I need to stay strong.

He reaches out and grabs my hand, pulling me towards him. I stumble into his chest as he examines my raised hand. “What’s this?” he asks, referring to my glove.

He tugs at my wrist, pulling my glove off.

“Hold on!” Eros interjects. I glance at him nervously.

“What’s the problem?” Gabriel asks, an eyebrow raised. “It’s just a glove.”

“Sure, but she must be wearing it for a reason,” Eros points out.

“A reason? Like what? Scarred hands?” Gabriel scoffs. He yanks my glove off completely and stares at my bare hand, looking puzzled.

I clench my hand into a fist, determination surging through me. If this was going to work, it would. If not, I was in for a world of pain. Swallowing hard, I yank my hand back and slap Gabriel across the face.

Gabriel cries out as something glows from my hand. I back away, but Eros grabs my hair. I whirl around and kick him.

I remember the fighting skills Jordan taught me.

I kick him in the stomach and make a run for it. I burst through the doors and sprint down the hallway, desperate to find an exit.

As I pass a group of soldiers, their faces shocked, I spot a blade hanging from one man’s belt. I bump into him, snatch the blade, and keep running.

I hear Eros shouting in the distance as I leap over a fence. I have no idea where I am, and my body is screaming in pain. But I have to get away. Panting heavily, I hear footsteps behind me.

I sprint down a trail and take a sharp turn. There’s an open field ahead, surrounded by a fence and… are those weapons?

I grip the blade tightly. Glancing over my shoulder, I see a group of men chasing me. I’m ahead of them, but I need to get out of here.

As I glance back again, I trip and fall. What the hell? Groaning, I clutch my stomach. For a moment, I’m terrified, but there’s no pain.

“Hold on, please,” I whisper to myself, struggling to my feet. But as I take a step, something massive lands in front of me. I scream and fall backwards. What is that?

I hear a growl and lift my head. A dragon?

I scramble backwards, staring at the creature. Its silver scales and blue eyes make me pause. Why does it look familiar?

“Well done, well done,” a voice says behind me. I stand up and hold the blade defensively. I hear the dragon growl behind me. Is it going to attack me?

“Stay back!” I shout. Gabriel’s expression hardens. He scoffs and turns his head to the side. I notice a burn scar and frown. He feels my gaze and looks back at me.

“Surprised? You can hurt me, Valkyrie,” Gabriel spits out, seething. So it worked? “But I wonder, would you dare to hurt me again?”

“What?” I ask, confused. Eros and his men join him.

“Father, are you okay?” Eros asks, his teeth gritted. Gabriel just glares at him. They share a silent exchange before Eros lowers his head.

“Now, where was I?” Gabriel says, turning back to me, “Ah yes, my dear Valkyrie. I asked, would you dare to hurt me? Because I don’t think you would.”

“Try me, asshole,” I retort, anger flaring. “Touch me, and I swear I’ll wipe that face off the earth.”

My body seems to be acting on its own. I feel a sharp pain in my head as my mind goes numb.

“I didn’t expect you to be like this,” Gabriel says, laughing. “But then again, why wouldn’t you be? You get it from me, after all.”

“What?” I ask, stunned.

Eros and everyone else stare at Gabriel like he’s grown a second head. He laughs, clutching his stomach. I tighten my grip on the blade, scanning my surroundings.

“Yes, Valkyrie. You get your spirit from me. Don’t you understand?” Gabriel says, locking eyes with me. “I’m your father.”

I feel a chill run through me, and I sway on my feet. What did he just say? I shake my head, breathing hard, and close my eyes. Did I hear him wrong?

Slowly, I open my eyes again. He’s grinning widely. “Hello, my daughter,” Gabriel smirks.