A Valkyrie's Apprentice: Book Two

Another

– T A Y A H –

It took five more mugs of ale until I started to feel the ever perfect senses start to dull. I grinned at the impossibly beautiful goddess over the light of the candle. It had flicked out when I laughed too closely to it. But when I moved to use my ability I felt it vanish from my reach. I pouted up at the blonde.

"Do not even think about it." She told me flatly as she moved her fingers over it and it sparked back to life.

"Such a model immortal." I smiled, trailing my fingers over the table towards her.

"Such a reckless one." She returned trying to take my mug away. I swiped it out of reach with a lazy smile.

"You have barely touched yours."

"For good reason." She muttered. "And to protect you from yourself."

"I've never seen you drunk." I stated with a mischievous look.

She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yes that sounds like a marvellous idea. Stumbling down the streets with the powers of the gods."

"You don't see–me stumbling." I said between a hiccup.

Her serious expression broke and she laughed quietly. Gods every time it caught me off guard... that sound. Those eyes. Those lips–

"That's because I would catch you, Tayah Ashrive." She answered me quietly.

I felt my face heat for the hundredth time this night but I didn't care. Every time words like this left her lips I felt the meaning behind them. Saw the seriousness in her eyes and I fell all over again.

"I forgave you before you even sat down." I told her, leaning forward and matching her look. It still didn't stop the surprise that crossed her face. "Don't act so shocked. I can't even stay away from you for two slithers let alone hold a grudge."

"You managed longer than that." She allowed with amusement dancing in those burning eyes.

"I didn't enjoy a moment of it." I responded honestly.

"Not even your new teacher?" She asked with faux shock.

Instead of the obvious I let my eyes wander off in thought. "Well... she is quite impressive with the fire elemental."

Kára allowed me to play the game with a neutral expression. "Oh?"

"She showed me–quite closely I might add–how to really get to grips with my power." I said with a thoughtful expression. She leant forward slowly with the same emotionless expression and it took everything in me to not grin.

"Anything else?" She murmured in lethal calm.

"We shared a moment. She placed her hand on my shoulder, looked me dead in the eyes–"

Her hand landed on my leg suddenly and I felt the buzz of her power in the air. Now I couldn't hide the grin as she stared me down.

"The fact that you are not lying so far makes me want to return to that warehouse and take her head from her shoulders–or did you want to continue playing this game?" She growled darkly.

I was about to answer her when I smelt burning and glanced under the table.

"I have a hole in my riding trousers!" I hissed.

She didn't move her hand as she spoke. "Accidents happen. Maybe I should let your teacher know as much."

I placed my own hand over hers beneath the table. "You really think anyone comes close to you?" I asked, closing the distance between us. Her eyes watched me intently over the candle flame.