The Lady of the Valley

TLotV Chapter 37

**Note (1/4/22): I know I've been bad about writing (and getting this out there.) I'm making a goal to post a chapter a week on Sundays until this book is done.

37.

Astrid studied herself in the bathroom mirror, considering how she'd describe herself in a book. But she couldn't get past the idea itself. She didn't give off main character energy.

Ari did. Blonde and bouncing hair, with a perfect amount of curl, a "sprinkling" of freckles, like all the YA books squeed about. Plus bright eyes, a natural size six or something, and bonus magic powers. People flocked to Ari, instinctively, like she danced through life in a literal spotlight. Even Derek had. Would she have even met him if it hadn't been through Ari?

People didn't see her, unless it was in one of the moments that Ari literally stood at her side. But then, like a good supporting cast member, Astrid would fade out.

Derek's face appeared in the mirror behind hers. His lips brushed her shoulder. An electric chill zapped through her.

"You look like you're brooding," he said.

"I am not brooding," she huffed back.

Derek looked doubtful. "That is odd. I'm told I'm practically a professional brooder. Nearly an expert. And that look on your face is definitely broody."

"Derek, am I pretty?"

He turned her away from the mirror. Then he cupped her chin in his hand. "Have I failed to tell you that? Should I write a poem? An ode to your luminescent skin and hair, like a curtain falling against the moon?"

Astrid's face burned. "No, I mean, like conventionally. Am I an attractive person? I don't feel like it."

His hands found her skin through the slits in her skirt. He forced her back until her legs bumped the counter then he pushed more, lifting her onto the counter itself. He'd asked her to wear the same outfit from before, from the night she'd been bartending for Ari's party. And the boots. His face said he thought she was quite lovely indeed.

"I'm sorry you don't feel like an attractive person," he whispered into her jawline. His hands traced the outside of her thighs. "You are lovely, a vision to the eyes. You are clever, and fierce. You are strong and determined. I find everything about you tantalizing, from your taste to your smile."

Her whole body warmed like she was standing too close to a campfire. "I'm not like the pretty people."

"You don't need to be. There isn't one classification of pretty. There are no lists, no cardboard cutouts, no breed standard to compare people to. You don't have to look like an actress, or any celebrity, or a goddess to be pretty. It's in how your hair falls over your face when you're working, the look in your eyes when you're fighting. It's not what you are, it's in who you are."

Her vision blurred. Derek leaned in and kissed her nose. Laughter spilled out instead.

Ari chose that moment to spin in around the corner, stopping short of entering the bathroom. "Um, is this a moment?"

"Yes, but not that kind of moment," Derek answered.

"Oh, oh!" Then Ari dove in beside them and wrapped them both in a hug. "I love you guys."

Emotion coursed through Astrid like a herd of wild horses. Then she managed to settle her brain into something more reasonable. When they pulled away Astrid sniffled and slid off the sink, still flushed and warm. "Thanks."