Valkyrie Demons

Chapter 17

"Valery, can I come in?" It's David.

My tears have dried up a long time ago. I'm sitting on the window seat looking out at the stars.

"Yea, sure." I reply half heartedly.

He opens the door a crack, sticks his head in, looks around, decides it's clear then comes in all the way. He stands there by the door looking uncertain.

"You can sit down if you want. There's some cookies someone left over by the table if you want some." I reply, motioning with my hand in the direction of the table.

"I'm fine thank you. I came to see how you're doing. It's been an overwhelming day and then you came running into the kitchen, basically in tears! Please tell me what's going on." He sits on the opposite side of me.

"Everything is just really overwhelming. I've been keeping all my emotions bottled up, but when we came here and everyone was so nice to me and queen Aurora gave me a hug... it just reminded of the mom I never had. Then the girl you're with... what's her name by the way?... threatened me and Finn is a dumb idiot. Ugh I just want my brother and to go home! "

" Tell me the whole story. "

I replay everything since Lisa dragged me away. I also told him that I'm not sure how the love-prophecy thing is going to work if I don't even want to be near Finn. After I'm done he frowns a bit at the floor.

"That was a bit weird of Ariel, she's actually a really sweet girl. I think she's just afraid I'll leave again." He shrugs. "As for Finn, that was really uncalled for. Although, I do think you should talk to him."

I wipe the remaining tears from my face. "I think you're right, but I'll do it tomorrow. I feel a little drained at the moment. Is it alright if I go to bed early? Will you tell them I'm sorry about dinner and that I'll make it up?"

He gets up and walks toward the door. "Off course. Good night, don't let the bed bugs bite." He winks and shuts the door quietly.

I smile at the saying but it quickly fades away when I'm left alone with my thoughts.

~~~°°°~~~

Tink, tink, tink, tink. I sit up suddenly, when the birds tapping on the window, fly away. My head is pounding and I have a crick in my neck. I must have fallen asleep on the window seat. Just as well, now I have to take a bath or everyone will know I didn't sleep on the bed.

I quickly wash up, but then realize it's just beginning to get light. It must still be early. I'll make everyone breakfast! I can make up for missing last night's dinner. I comb my fingers through my wet hair while hopping down the steps. I reach the kitchen, which is oddly quiet compared to yesterday. I start making one of my friends special blueberry pancakes. I top it of with some bacon and eggs with freshly squeezed orange juice.

"Mhm, what smells so good! Valery, you're up early. I see you made us some breakfast. Bless you dear child!"

King Luka sits down on one of the many, many chairs. He gives himself a big helping of everything! He looks at me sheepishly and I chuckle a bit.

"I don't mind making more, take as much as you want." I say with a smile.

The king was still eating while I was busy making more food , when all of a sudden, about six or seven children rush into the kitchen! They all take what they can carry, saysl a quick thank you and out the door they go. I stare at the door in shock.

"They're up early. I wonder what Selene has planned for them today."

"Selene?"

"Oh yes off course, you weren't there last night. Selene is my eldest daughter, you'll probably meet her in a few minutes."

"I'm sorry for not being at dinner last night, but I hope breakfast can make up for it." I ask hopefully.

"Oh don't worry about it dear. David explained that the journey was a bit much for you. But the best part was seeing Finn in such a bad mood! Boy can that child mess up sometimes!" The king starts laughing again and it fills the whole room.

"David told you about that, did he?" I turn back to the food so Luka doesn't see the embarrassment on my face.

"No need to, I can read minds . Finn was replaying every second of it over and over in his head.The look on his face when you ran of!"

"What's with all the laughing? Do we have to get rid of the giggle sprouts again?" In walks a stunning young woman with black hair, popping green eyes and flawless skin.

"Morning to you too Selene. I was just telling Valery here about Finn's lack of social skills! By the way, this is Valery. Valery this is Selene."

"Nice to meet you." We say at the same time. We both giggle a little bit.

"Are those kids all yours?" I ask as I put a plate of food in front of her.

"Oh yes, delightful little things aren't they? Seven is my maximum though, fifty decades can make you feel real old especially when your husband is away on assignment!" 

"Fifty decades! What... how-"

"Who is cooking? Is smells delightful!"

A few more people walk in and I finally understand why there are so many chairs. The whole kitchen is full of laughter and the smell of food. At some point David and Ariel popped in and it got even livelier. Then all of a sudden the room went quiet. The door opened and in walked Finn. He looked like he was about ready to cut someone up, but then he saw me and he immediately stood up straighter. His frown dissapeared as well.

I wasn't in the mood for another conversation with him so I went on to prepare a plate for David. The conversation returned to normal, although a bit more quiet.

"That was very thoughtful of you to make breakfast for everyone. You could've asked and I would've helped you." Finn shuffled into a spot near me where I could hear him loud and clear.

"Are you saying I can't do it by myself?" I cross my arms and stare at him. I notice the room becoming even more quiet.

"No! No! I..." He looks around the room. Everyone is staring at us, probably wondering how he'll mess up this time.

"Can we please talk outside?" He pleads.

I see the desperation in his eyes and decide to take the risk.

"Yea, why not. What could go wrong?"

I put  the plate down in front of David and walk through the door to the garden with Finn.