Promises

5. What Have I Told You About The Birds and the Bees?

Skulduggery awoke in a dark room. He blinked a couple of times and waited for his eyes to adjust to the light. He could see only a little bit in front of him now, but it was enough to show that the room he was in wasn't small. That's when the lights flicked on.

He could see everything now. But what shocked him most was the scene before him. Nefarian Serpine stood holding a dagger in one hand, smiling at him. In the chair was Valkyrie, her hands and feet tied down. In the far corner opposite him was little baby Sophie.

His eyes widened in shock and Valkyrie turned her head to look at him. He could see the desperation and pain on her pretty face, and his heart sank.

"Run," she whispered.

He shook his head violently, then turned his attention to Serpine. "You're meant to be dead," he said.

Serpine laughed and Sophie hid her face in her hands.

"Meant to be," Serpine replied, approaching Valkyrie. "Doesn't mean that I am."

"Go to hell," Skulduggery snapped, and Sophie wailed when Serpine slapped Valkyrie across the face. Skulduggery growled. "Don't touch her..."

Valkyrie looked up with tears in her dark eyes.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered, and then Serpine slit her throat.

Valkyrie stared up at the ceiling in the dark. She heard the sound of Skulduggery's even breathing beside her, and smiled. She turned her head slightly and looked at him. His brown hair was messy, and sat like a halo on the pillow. One of his arms was wrapped around her shoulders, the other was underneath his head, and his chest rose and fell with each breath he took.

He looked so peaceful in sleep.

Valkyrie sighed and looked up at the ceiling again. This was quite dangerous, to be left alone with her thoughts... Her eyes fluttered closed, but sleep never came.

She didn't know how long she had been lying in bed awake, but her eyes snapped open when she heard a strangled 'no.' That's when Skulduggery stirred, unsettled in his sleep. Valkyrie sat upright, leaning on her elbows and stared down at him. He was still mumbling, brow creased and hands curling into fists.

"Skul?" She murmured, touching his shoulder gently and giving him a light shake, trying not to scare him. "Skulduggery?"

Valkyrie heard footsteps hurrying down the hallway towards them and that's when the door swung open. Gabrielle stood in her nightclothes, frowning worriedly. Skulduggery's eyes fluttered open and he rubbed them, relaxing again and blowing out a long breath.

"Valkyrie..." He whispered, pulling her close to his chest. Gabrielle blinked as she watched them and Valkyrie closed her eyes.

"Nightmares?" She asked him. He just nodded.

Valkyrie looked up, and Gabrielle began motioning for her to follow her. Valkyrie went to pull away, but Skulduggery grabbed her.

"Stay," he said, urgency in his voice. Valkyrie blinked at Gabrielle, and the blonde girl nodded and walked back into the hall, shutting the door behind her.

Valkyrie turned over onto her side and snuggled close into his chest. He wrapped his arms even tighter around her body. "What was your nightmare about?" She asked softly, and felt him stiffen. Crap, had she asked too much? "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," she added quickly.

"No, it's okay. I'll tell you," Skulduggery replied. Valkyrie buried her head in his chest and listened.

"It was you, and Sophie. Serpine..." He trailed off and Valkyrie held him tighter.