A Valkyrie's Apprentice: Book Two

Coin & Blood

– K Á R A –

I had seen the mortal buffoon brawl many a time. But I had never seen Kaden deliberately concede in a fight.

Tayah stood with a scheming John in the crowd as he filled her in on how Kaden would receive punch after punch from the other sweaty mortal inside the fighting pit in the darkened room. It smelt too much of unwashed bodies and stale ale.

Tayah would occasionally run a hand along my armoured arm under the cloak sensing my discomfort. Her touch would instantly drag my attention off the rot of the mortal realm and to better places. But not before a mortal would catch my eye too long or a rowdy patron would elbow his way to an early grave.

It took a lot for me not to act on a number of occasions. My immortal counterpart had to turn away from John at one point to press her hand against my stomach before I went after a muscular heathen with an axe across his back.

She smiled darkly under her own hood with beautiful silver irises and the rage left me.

I sighed and kissed her quickly before she returned to her conversation like it had never happened. Keeping her hand wrapped around my forearm while she did.

"He cannot keep putting them to the floor, woman." John reminded her while I kept my eyes on concealed weapons and pickpockets in the crowds.

"Yes but surely it's not worth the gold if he gets brain damage." She mocked over the noise.

"The payments change hands frequently here as do the victors–we just ensure we are on the right side of the victory." He reiterated as he took a sip of disgusting ale.

"Fine." Tayah conceded with a smirk as Kaden took a strong hand to the jaw and made to dramatically stagger backwards. The crowd cheered and cursed all at once.

"Ooo we'll see that one tomorrow!" John grinned and shouted out some profanity in his direction.

Tayah elbowed him with a bit too much force and he glared. "You could at least pretend not to enjoy his pain!"

I dipped my head towards John and called over the roaring crowd. "This is better than I expected, mortal! Much less dull than a tavern."

He grinned back to me. "Watch it before I set you in there!"

I gave him a considering look as Tayah laughed between us and tightened her grip around my arm. "If you step in I would happily fight." I answered. 

He looked at me more seriously with more concern now while I gave him a dark smile that did not bluff in the slightest. "How about Tayah against you?" He drawled with an eyebrow waggle. "Everyone loves a bit of girl on girl." 

I felt the power ripple through me in rage at the mortal's leering face. I stepped towards him and he jumped back with a knowing grin. Tayah took that moment to bend close to his ear and tell him something I couldn't even make out before turning and pulling me along with her.

Another roar erupted and I assumed Kaden was taking another beating. But I still glared death under my hood at that wretch as we wove through the mortals.

"Tell me if this is too much and we can slip away." Tayah told me close to my ear, leading us towards the stone edge of the large underground room.

"Slipping away with you in any direction is favourable. But I promised I would look after your buffoons." I returned, letting my cheek graze hers as I strode close beside her protectively.