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Chapter 13 Into Waterrose

  • He climbed the few steps to the heavy dark wooden doors. Pushing one open with his foot to step into the opulence of the expansive foyer. The triple chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The second dangling from chains connected to the first. And the third hooked to the second. All of them laden with a tight circle of candles. Glowing brightly over the gold trimmed red carpeting beginning at the stairs, leading to the dais where the stairs split into mirror images turning out toward the walls and winding up to the second level. Torches glowing up there.
  • But there was a dark hall passing the dais and continuing to darker chambers down the hall. Lined with elaborate frames along the right. As he passed a few she realized they were portraits, the eyes following their progress. He suddenly turned sharply to take the stairs up the dais.
  • She glimpsed a door going beneath it.
  • My lower room. He often slept in the servant's chamber under the stairs when trying to recover from some injury or another.
  • "Who are all these men? They're...Strange." She peered around his arm toward one of the portraits. It's intent dark eyes staring through her.
  • "I'm certain they'd find you quite strange."
  • "Who are they?"
  • He knew well she tried to distract him, searching for a viable escape. "My brothers." He said nothing more on the subject. Keen on her plan, he was disinterested in small talk.
  • As they reached the second level her eyes roved the corridor's beautifully ornate furniture. Well-hung tapestries depicting gorgeous scenes accentuated the beauty here.
  • "Lovely is it not?"
  • "I might be in awe, were I not wondering what you intend to do with me?"
  • He was quiet. Staring ahead.
  • "Are you going to kill me?"
  • No. That's ridiculous. His brows drew together. "Would I have taken the time to bring you here when I could've killed you where you collapsed at the pond?"
  • She tilted her head grudgingly.
  • "What are you going to do with me?" Her voice quaked slightly, and he sensed her humiliation at the weakness.
  • Ignoring her question, he asked. "You don't like feeling weak, do you?"
  • "Does anyone?"
  • Probably not.
  • "Especially not you. You're usually in control?" When she didn't answer he added. "Is it preferable to have others at your mercy?"
  • She huffed as though he asked nonsensical questions.
  • Which is answer enough, I suppose.
  • "Am I to be your prisoner for a while then?"
  • A long while.
  • "As long as pleases me." He smiled.
  • "I'll tell you nothing of my kind. No creature in the world can keep a secret from men like a valkyrie. No torture nor beating will make me waver." She said assuredly.
  • "You already have."
  • "Have what?" She blinked.
  • "Told me of your kind."
  • A valkyrie.
  • "I did no such thing."
  • "You most certainly did." He continued walking, staring ahead. Boots clicking across the wood floor. "You've told me there are more of your kind. You even told me what you are. Thank you. Until now, I'd no idea you were anything other than myth."
  • She winced.
  • "What more would you like to talk about?" He asked easily.
  • "You mean what more would I like to tell you about?"
  • That'd do.
  • "If you wish." Smiling broadly, he glanced down at her.
  • Perfect silver-blonde hair framed features so delicate they were almost childlike. But that expressive face betrayed how very much of a woman she was.
  • There's pain in her eyes only a woman grown can suffer. His gaze zeroed in on the pained look. She had eyes that resented meeting the gaze of any man.
  • Tightening her lips, she refused to say anything more.
  • No matter. I've tamed more reserved women before.
  • ***
  • Concentrating, she once more exercised the energy it took for wings to form. Before they could manifest, a ripple of energy rose from him. Shoving her more firmly into his arms and stealing her breath. Like someone laid on her.
  • Far too weak to stave off his greater power her brow furrowed. "What are you?"
  • Stronger than you.
  • He laughed. "Now you're interested in me?" He walked with her in his arms, effortlessly. Stepping to a door which silently opened. They entered a dark chamber where shutters were drawn. Only a few candles in the corners. As yet unlit. The bed rasped along the floor as it slid to one edge of the chamber without being touched. Posts grating.
  • She turned her head to watch it moving in shock. She fumbled for words. Finally muttering. "This room is designed to house a valkyrie."
  • Now. He blinked down at her, face impassive.
  • "Did you use magic to adjust this room?"
  • "As we climbed the stairs." He affirmed.
  • ***
  • Shaking her head, she eyed the bed.
  • He followed her gaze. "It's lovely, is it not? Large and spacious?" He said in a voice smooth as honey.
  • "I've no need of such things."
  • "All women do." He purred.
  • "Only if they've a need to please a man. I've no such need." She spat.
  • "Would you like to?" He tilted his head and lifted a brow in challenge.
  • Once you have a taste. You'll want more...
  • She snarled under a curled lip. "Do you enjoy teasing me?"
  • You've no idea... He quirked an inviting brow.
  • "Immensely." He neared the fireplace where a flame burned warmly. Leaning over the back of the loveseat, he dropped her to the warm cushions.
  • It was plush and gave beneath her, molding around her.
  • Like I want to mold around her.
  • She shifted uncomfortably.
  • Rounding it, he flopped down, leaning his back against her shoulder and crossing his boots over the armrest to settle in.
  • Leaping to her feet as though he'd burned her, left him teetering for balance and chuckling.
  • She's utterly unsettled.
  • She glowered at him. Warily backing up and weaving around furniture to put a small table between them. Her pert breasts jutted upward, body tapering to a waist perhaps slightly narrow for his taste, splaying into slender hips made for fleeing. Without looking, she seemed to sense when to step to the side and trail a hand over an armrest or table. Placing anything she could, between herself and him. His eyes roved over her fluid actions, her body moving as if disconnected at the joints, those hips swinging as she strode behind the chair on the opposite side of the room.
  • As far from me as possible.
  • He draped an arm over the back of the loveseat. "You think furniture will protect you from me?"