4 Months of Bliss

Next one in this series. Once again, I have to remind you that you can read these out of order, in order or just plain however you feel like. :)

And I just realised, these can be set practically anytime in her life you want. Obviously, if you make it set when she is young, it won’t make a huge amount of sense, but I see people like to write about the time when she is in her 20’s. Personally, I can see this as when she is about 150-200 years old, still stuck in the time when she appears to be 20-25. But whatever floats your boat…

More Valduggery than the last one. :)

~*~

Skulduggery sat on a log facing a fire. He was in a contemplative mood, the memories from the war against Mevolent’s forces haunting his every action. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t acknowledge the fact that Valkyrie had come and sat down next to him.

“Whilst the fire is really interesting and all, I am fairly certain that you need to be playing an instrument for a lion to randomly appear out of the flames. That or use some powder,” she commented.

Skulduggery turned his head sideways to look at her.

“What is the point?” he asked. “Why are we here? Can’t we just run away to a random area of the world and live there until it is all over? Is there a reason why we need to stay here and fight?”

“For our loved ones. You are a brilliant strategist, and that comes in handy with the battles and attacks. I’m completely willing to tell someone straight off what exactly their faults are, and if they don’t change them, it isn’t for lack of trying on our part, you know. Who else can take up our roles? With my good looks and your ego, there isn’t anyone that can take our positions.”

Skulduggery laughed. It was a fully belly laugh, underlining the insanity that had taken control of everyone. Valkyrie didn’t find anything funny. After he had finished, Skulduggery leaned over and threw another log into the fire. Slowly the flame grew to encompass the log so that it was being burned away alongside everything else.

“I’m sure they could do without us, even for a few hundred years or so.”

“No, Skul. I’m not leaving here until the war is over, and I can’t cope without you more than anything.”

He sighed before looking at her properly. “Have I ever told you how the fire light makes you seem even more pretty?” he asked.

“Why, because half my face is so dark you can’t see anything?” she asked him sarcastically, the war having even worn her to her limits.

Skulduggery laughed. “No. It gives you a sense of mystery. It makes it appear as though there is something there that no one will ever be able to guess, but at the same time, they won't be able to force it away from you ever.”

It was Valkyrie’s turn to laugh. “Yes, my love for you. No one else except for us understands it, and no one can ever take it away from me.”

“I have to correct you on that one though, I don’t understand how a wonderful, bright, smart, stunning, woman like you could ever love an old, damaged skeleton like me,” Skulduggery commented with a smile. Val gave up with all of his moping, as he had been doing it for a few days now, and lifted one of his arms. Skulduggery let her, amused.

If he was able to, she could bet that one eyebrow would be raised watching her accusingly.

After it was at a reasonable height, Val transferred it to her other hand and slid along until she was under it. Upon completing this, she let it drop again. Skulduggery’s girlfriend had managed to get him to put his arm around her shoulders without him even having to put any effort into it. He tightened his grip on her and brought her impossibly close to his side.