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OSVP	By : LotornoMiko Category: +S through Z > Valkyrie Profile Views: 1214 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Valkyrie Profile or the charcters from it. I make no money off of the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-OSVP
- 2-Two
- 3-Three
- 4-Four
- 5-Five
- 6-Six
- 7-Seven
- 8-Eight
- 9-Nine
- 10-Ten
- 11-Eleven
- 12-Twelve
- 13-Thirteen
- 14-Fourteen
- 15-Fifteen
- 16-Sixteen
- 17-Seventeen
- 18-Eighteen
- 19-Nineteen
- 20-Twenty
- 21-Twenty One
- 22-Twenty Two
- 23-Twenty Three
- 24-Twenty Four
- 25-Twenty Five
- 26-Twenty Six
- 27-Twenty Seven
- 28-Twenty Eight
- 29-Twenty Nine
- 30-Thirty
- 31-Thirty One
- 32-Thirty Two
- 33-Thirty Three
- 34-Thirty Four
- 35-Thirty Five
- 36-Thirty Six
- 37-Thirty Seven
- 38-Thirty Eight
- 39-Thirty Nine
- 36
- 37
- 38
Hands were clapping, making a purposeful repeating sound that kept to the beat of the music. Laughter and cheers accompanied those sounds, the people smiling as they watched and waited for their chance to join in on the dancing. There wasn't that much room. Certainly not enough floor to accommodate everyone should all the guests decide to get up and dance at once. Patience was the key. When one couple took their seats, another would be quick to take their place in the dance.

Colors were all around her, the guests looking like a living rainbow in their new clothing. Women's skirts flared, twirling about as the ladies were spun by their partners. Flashes of legs could be seen, the men laughing, whistling in appreciation. There was no room for modesty, the women taking it all in stride as they danced to their heart's content.

Lenneth danced too, caught up in the arms of a man who was most definitely not her new husband. This man wore a constant smile, eyes bright with laughter as he spun Lenneth around him. Faster and faster, until she was almost dizzy and only the support of his arms kept her upright. Fortunately, he did not take this as an opportunity to pull her closer than was proper. Lenneth wouldn't have allowed it. She would have reacted in a manner most unbefitting for the laughter and festivity of the moment.

It was hard to remain unaffected by the people here. By their laughter and excitement, their sheer enjoyment of the day. It was downright infectious, and though Lenneth had done little smiling, and no outright laughing, she too could admit to a slight relaxing of her guard. It was simply too difficult to fight against the tide of the people, against their innocent joy.

It didn't mean Lenneth was completely at ease. She hadn't been all day, her troubles and worries of the night before plaguing her well into the start of today. And she had so many of them! More than perhaps she had ever had, even as a commander of Odin's armies. Back then, in her heavenly home, she had never felt the pressure or constraints of time. She had known she would live or die on the battlefield, and that had been enough for her.

In Asgard she had been just one of many Valkyries. Brave and bold, valued but replaceable. It hurt to be discarded so easily, but Lenneth had always accepted that as the one drawback to her life as a battle maiden. Of course Lenneth had never dreamed she would be given away, that her life as Valkyrie would end in anything but her own death. Perhaps that is why she found it so difficult to accept her circumstances now.

Lenneth didn't think of herself as the marrying type. She had never seen herself as the type to settle down, and raise a family with some man. Lenneth still couldn't wrap her mind around the idea that that is what was expected of her now. That that is what her King himself had decreed she should do. She railed against the future set out before her, fought it in the only way she knew how.

Or at least she had tried. Lenneth fought to keep her shoulders from sagging, her partner then spinning her into the arms of a different man. Like all her previous dance partners, the man held her at a distance, careful of crossing the line between proper and lewd. They all knew none of them had the right to hold her close. That that privilege was reserved for Lenneth's husband, and him alone.

Dancing that wild, unrestrained dance, Lenneth tried to catch sight of Lezard as she moved. He was out there somewhere, caught up in the arms of one of the many women present. Something, perhaps Odin's enchantment, caused a stir of unrest in Lenneth that had nothing to do with her upset over being married. It was jealousy, pure and powerful in it's form. She didn't like the thought of Lezard spending time with another woman. Any more than Lenneth liked the fact that she could get jealous over the idea.

She wasn't the type to get possessive over a man. She knew that. Lenneth could recognize these feelings as unnatural, as engineered by Odin's love spell. And yet it didn't make what she was feeling any less real! It could drive her mad, all these unfamiliar, unwelcome feelings she suffered through daily. Predominately she dealt with love, the feeling unwanted and pulling her towards Lezard. That love made her nervous, made her worry incessantly. She feared it and him, and that was another thing for Lenneth to be upset about. And all because she wasn't used to fearing much of anything. Certainly not some mortal man!

She didn't fear Lezard exactly. She was frightened more of what he represented to her, the shackles that would be put on her heart and spirit if she gave into the love festering inside her. It wasn't a natural love she was fighting. Odin's enchantment would strip away her spirit, her personality and free will. Make her a slave of her husband, hopelessly devoted and endlessly yearning for him. And that was something Lenneth could not allow.

Perhaps that is why she had pinned her hopes on a desperate scheme. A plan that if successful, would have restored her to her former divine glory. Or so she had hoped. Lenneth did not know if it was even possible to regain what she had lost. Never had a Valkyrie, regardless of the circumstance that led to the Goddess' casting out, been brought back to Asgard. And never had that which had been rendered mortal, been allowed the privilege of ascending to anything more than that of the Gods' servants. Einherjar.

And yet she had had to try. To do anything Lenneth could, even if it meant clawing and crawling her way back to the heavens. The days before the wedding had been wasted, Lenneth trying and FAILING. She had not found out anything she could use, nothing that would allow her to curry favor with King Odin. She was defeated in the moment, yet Lenneth refused to give up on her quest. Even as the hours, the very minutes were counting down against her.

It was disappointing, downright upsetting that she hadn't been able to find proof of Hel's true intent before she had been forced to marry Lezard. A lesser woman might have despaired, or accepted it as a sign that she was meant to fail. But Lenneth, couldn't, wouldn't resign herself to her fate. To the love Odin had tried to enchant her with. Even as she knew the time was coming when the party would be at an end, Lenneth hung on to hope, little though it was.

Lenneth was DETERMINED. To not only expose Hel's planned treachery in the Asgard Nifleheim alliance, but to come through this night with her heart still belonging to Lenneth. But apprehension was strong within her. Lenneth still vividly recalled how she had reacted to Lezard. She had been frozen, succumbing to his touches and his kisses. And all the while knowing that with every touch, every caress he was strengthening the enchantment upon her. Damning Lenneth closer to loving him slavishly.

Lenneth tried to tell herself that she had been caught unaware. That she had been unprepared for the feelings that would be stirred up by Lezard's touch. She tried to convince herself that it would be different tonight. That she would be ready, and able to stave off those unwanted feelings. That she could make herself ice, impervious to the warming her heart was attempting to do.

It didn't lessen the apprehension she was feeling. Lenneth was terrified of losing herself. Of becoming a slave to emotions. There was so much at risk, not just the cost to herself, but the cost to Asgard as well. For Lenneth knew, if she gave in to the enchantment tonight, never again would she worry about exposing Hel's evil. Never again would Lenneth worry about her sisters, or about the people who lived up in the heavens. And that was simply unacceptable to Lenneth!

She didn't betray her thoughts as she danced. To look at Lenneth, one would never suspect the apprehension within her. They'd see the stoic face of a Valkyrie, the former Goddess unaffected by the concerns most brides would be having at the moment. They'd never know how frightened Lenneth was at the thought of consummating this marriage, and that was the way she preferred things.

A different man took hold of her hand, guiding her away from her current partner. There were no objections to this, people switching partners often. No one was with the person they had started the dance with, friends and strangers coming together with laughter. Lenneth almost envied them their carefree attitudes, the woman having little experience with such a show of merriment and joy.

She spun in fast circles, being guided around her partner's body. On one of her many turns, she saw him. Lezard. He was separated from her by at least a dozen bodies, a redhead in green dancing around him. But his eyes were all for Lenneth, staring at her as though she was the only one in the room. For him, that might very well be true, Lenneth turning flustered in response to the look in Lezard's eyes.

Two more spins, and she lost sight of him. The dancers had moved in such a way, that the sea of couples had swallowed him up. And yet she kept turning her gaze in that direction, trying to sight him one more. Sometimes she'd think she'd see the flash of his glasses, or see brown hair that could have been his. And then she was being pulled in the wrong direction, a new partner being most eager to dance with the former Goddess.

It would go on like this for all night if she let it. Her partners all seemed determined to keep Lenneth away from her husband, having pulled them apart almost immediately once the dancing had begun. Lezard hadn't had the chance to voice a protest, women waiting and eager for their turn at dancing with the lord of Flenceburg. Lenneth vaguely recalled Mystina mentioning something about the significance of the dance. Some sort of ritual or tradition that was doing nothing except to tire Lenneth out!

The whole day had been full of rituals. From the moment the sun had risen in the sky, things had been happening. There had been the bath meant to purify Lenneth both body and soul. The cleansing waters had been cold, as though they had meant to freeze out any impurities inside Lenneth. It had been a great relief when she had been allowed the much warmers waters of the bathhouse, and the other women had joined her in the pool. They had paid great attention and care to preparing Lenneth for the wedding. Fragrant herbs had been crushed into a paste, and mixed into the soapy water they had used to shampoo Lenneth's hair. Similar flowers floated in the water, every inch of Lenneth's skin being anointed with their perfumes.

There was meaning behind the flowers and the herbs used. They conferred the blessings of fertility, of health, and happiness. There was even ones for love, the flowers making some sort of heady perfume that was said to be both intoxicant and aphrodisiac. Lenneth had balked at the idea of wearing a supposed aphrodisiac, thinking the last thing she needed was to further encourage Lezard's interest in her.

The women had insisted, and an agreement was eventually reached. Only the tiniest amount would be used, enough to gain the blessings of the flower. The older women had disapproved of this, but the younger women had smiled, turning teasing. They had outright stated that Lenneth was so beautiful, she would not need any flowers to entice her husband to her bed.

Those teasing words had brought an unfamiliar heat to Lenneth's face. She didn't think she had outright blushed, but Lenneth had been embarrassed all the same. And all because she knew they were right. Lezard did not need any additional enticement to find Lenneth attractive!

If ever she had been in doubt of Lezard's physical attraction to her, Lenneth need only remember how he had looked as they said their vows before Hel's priestess. The man hadn't been able to take his eyes off Lenneth, a dark heat in his expression that had been downright predatory. He WANTED her. Wanted her in a way that Lenneth had no experience with. In all the centuries she had lived, the only thing she had truly been desired for, was the blood in her veins. The power it would give the undead fiends who lusted after all Valkyrie.

Lezard didn't want Lenneth's blood. It held no use for him. He wanted her body. Wanted her in the way a man wants a woman, and knows she cannot refuse him. It was a frightening thought. Frightening because of the truth it held.

Unsettled, Lenneth's dance faltered mid step. Her feet were nearly trod on by her partner, the man nearly not recovering in time to right her sudden stumble. By the look on his face, he showed he did not suspect the real reason for her sudden clumsiness. He'd actually try to continue the dance, but Lenneth? She had had enough.

Not even trying to make excuses, she began shouldering her way off the dance floor. The music didn't stop, the people continued to move around her. Sometimes right into her path, trying to encourage her to resume the dance. Lenneth sidestepped them all, even Randolf who was the most persistent of all. The look on the blonde man's face was almost comical when he realized the Valkyrie had evaded his best attempts, but Lenneth couldn't truly smile.

It was good to be off the dance floor, but there was no true relief found at the feasting tables. People pressed in around Lenneth, eager to offer their congratulations. To engage her attention, to try and entice the Valkyrie into sharing more than few words of conversation with them. But these people were strangers to her, and many she didn't even know their names. It made Lenneth tense, the woman not forgetting her training on the field. Her guard was going back up, Lenneth effortlessly avoiding those who would presume to touch her.

Just as she avoided the many mugs of drink that was offered to her. It was breaking with tradition, the special honey blend a mead that was meant to promote fruitfulness in those who drank of it. As the bride, there was a demand that Lenneth drink as much as she could tolerate of the honey mead. But one taste of the potent brew had let Lenneth know how easily the drink would destroy the remains of her defenses. To be so weakened by Odin's enchantment was one thing, but it would be doubly disastrous to end up drunk on top of it all.

It wasn't going unnoticed that Lenneth was refusing the drink. It disturbed some of the older guests, but the younger crowd was quick to make excuses. She had heard them say more than once, that Lenneth didn't know their ways. That she didn't know the importance behind the drink. It didn't appease some of the more haughty of complainers, but at least no one had dared press the issue to Lenneth herself.

Avoiding the path of well wishers and drink pushers, and staying out of reach of some of the more eager dancers, Lenneth walked past the banquet tables. The remains of the wedding feast lay on the black brocade of the table cloths. The feast had been grand, more food than Lenneth could ever recall seeing at one time. And that was saying something, considering the nightly feasts that were held for the einherjar in Valhalla.

Lezard had spared no expense where the wedding was concerned, and it extended to the food. Hunting had been good, whole racks of lamb broiled, wild pigs roasted, even venison had been made readily available. The people here did not hold back their appetites, all but demolishing the feast within a few hours time. And to wash it all down, wine was supplied, in addition to the special honey blend of mead.

Frankly Lenneth wouldn't be surprised if she was one of the only ones NOT to be drunk at this point and time. The reception had been going on for hours. Long enough for the sun to set on this day. And yet the party showed no sign of ending, people overly zealous in their merry making. Not only was the dance floor crowed, but the gaming tables were also full of people. Gambling away their fortunes, and perhaps too drunk to care.

There was even contests going on, some of the party spilling out into the castle courtyard. There had been contests of strength for the men, the hunters pitting themselves against one another in matches of archery, wrestling, and sword duels. For those less brawny in stature, there had been games of wit, and even a few conjuring contests for the magically inclined.

It wasn't just a tiring day, it was an overwhelming one. The people had tried to include Lenneth in everything they did. They were warm and welcoming, issues with mead aside. And yet she had always felt the outcast, unable to relax completely. Lenneth wondered if she would always feel that way, then quickly frowned. She knew her private long term goals did not allow for a future here in Flenceburg. As such she shouldn't worry quite so much about making friends with these people.

But some relationships could not be avoided. Such as the one with Lezard. Lenneth peered at the dancers, trying to find some sign of her husband. But if he was still there, Lezard was lost amidst the crowd. That suited Lenneth just fine. Tired as she was, Lenneth was not ready to retire for the night. Not to the bedroom she would now share with her husband.

Still searching the crowd for Lezard, Lenneth began making her way towards the rear entrance of the ball room. Nearly every step of the way was impeded, people trying to gain Lenneth's interest. She was saying things, making excuses in an attempt to hurry along her exit. Impatience flared within her, Lenneth wanting out of the room, and out of it now! And yet she wouldn't allow herself to be rude, making her tediously slow escape.

Once out in the hall, she breathed easier. Lenneth could still hear the laughter and conversation of the guests, it and the musicians' songs trickling into the hall. The hall itself was empty, no signs of the black and gold clad men who normally stood guard over the castle. Lenneth frowned at the realization that their posts had been abandoned. And all because she knew a stronghold was only as secure as the people who guarded it made it. Yes, some of the most powerful mages in Flenceburg were present for the party, but that didn't mean the guards could slack off.

She was uneasy with this lack of discipline, knowing that in Valhalla, the einherjar would never be allowed to abandon their posts. Lenneth almost turned around to reenter the ball room, if not for the opportunity the missing guards presented her with. This would be the first time she was truly alone. The first time she had no one, not even a servant, to report back on her movements. Something like a glimmer of a smile crossed her lips, Lenneth relishing the absolute freedom of the moment.

Her self appointed mission was always at the forefront of her mind. It was that mission that moved her now, Lenneth stalking away from the ball room on silent feet. She didn't know if she could find anything of use, but Lenneth HAD to try. Some might call it desperate, or think her foolish. Clinging to that last, desperate hope that she would discover what she needed and avoid taking this marriage any further. Lenneth tried to avoid any doubts, but also tried to keep from letting herself feel overly hopeful. All the while thinking that if she could just find some proof, Lenneth could take it and leave the castle before Lezard even knew she was gone.

She tried to ignore the pain in her heart at that thought. Tried to tell herself it was only Odin's enchantment that made Lenneth feel badly at the thought of walking out on Lezard. She wouldn't let any doubts or regret stop her though, Lenneth walking through the castle. Trying to decide where exactly to search first. The most promising place was the private wing of the castle. The one Lezard had claimed for his sole use. She had been there once before, Lenneth refusing to think about the almost kiss Lezard had nearly forced on her there.

She hadn't had much time to look around, that last time she had entered into his private chambers. But this time looked to be more promising. Holding onto her skirts to minimize the rustling sounds they made, Lenneth hurried as quick as she dared. She'd have to avoid a servant, some man who had stepped away from the party to smoke his pipe. Lenneth would stay hidden in the shadows, waiting for him to leave before she could take the staircase up to the next floor.

That large, hated crest of Hel's seemed to mock her, the cruel Goddess' blank visage waiting for Lenneth as she took to the landing. Except to scowl at it, Lenneth ignored it, walking past with her head held high. There wasn't anyone to see, the guards gone from this part of the castle too. The uneasy feeling continued, Lenneth almost thinking she was walking into a trap. She'd feel better to be armed, but there was no weapon readily available to her at this time.

Pressing on, ignoring her unease, Lenneth walked down the long hallway. Many of the doors were closed, hiding the contents of Lezard's storehouses from her. She'd check them all eventually, but like with her previous visit, Lenneth was sure Lezard would keep anything incriminating close to him. That meant either his private workshop or his bedroom, and the two rooms were located side by side.

She had been to his workshop before, Lenneth carefully studying without touching, the experiments that lay out in the open. They had been proof of dark magic, but hadn't been anything that could incriminate Hel or her people of working against the alliance with Asgard. It didn't mean that something couldn't be hidden there, something she had missed on her first look through. Lenneth would return to the workshop, but before she set foot there, she would try a room she had yet to see.

The door to Lezard's-to their bedroom was unlocked. It made no sound as she pushed it open, it's silver hinges well oiled and free of rust. Lenneth would step forward almost cautiously, as though she expected something to spring out at her at any moment. Nothing like that happened. For a sorcerer's private sanctum, the bedroom was decidedly lacking in magical defenses. She didn't relax her guard though, Lenneth certain there would be charms, or curses on anything of importance.

The room itself was decidedly masculine. All rugged and earthy looking, with dark mahogany wood making up most of the furniture. The colors were dark, the walls

painted a brown that was several shades darker than the mahogany furniture. A dark carpet covered the floor, a red the color of blood when it has dried. Unlike the room Lenneth had been using for the last several days, the carpet hear wasn't plush. Her feet didn't sink into the fibers ankle deep. She preferred it this way, the carpet doing it's job in keeping the floor warm.

Amidst all the dark brown, there was hints of another color. A bronze accent that bordered the point where ceiling met the wall. The ceiling itself was just as dark as

the walls, but an intricate pattern had been painted onto it's surface with the bronze. Lenneth stared at it a moment, recognizing the powerful magic that emanated from the symbols. She was no expert, especially when one took into consideration the many mages that followed Queen Hel, but Lenneth was sure it was a protection spell of some kind. It made her uneasy, Lenneth wondering just what it would take to trigger the spell, and what form it's protection would take. Would it react to her snooping? Would she be struck down the instant she discovered something of importance?

But she couldn't allow the spell to deter her. Whispering a protection spell of her own, and wishing she had had more experience when it came to the many magics that existed in the world, Lenneth continued her survey of the room. There was an armoire in one corner, the doors not completely closed. It was overstuffed with clothing, and not all of it was Lezard's. The seamstresses had finished with most of Lenneth's new wardrobe, and as her new married status dictated, the clothing had been brought to the room she would now share with her husband.

Lenneth didn't have much use for the clothing. Not when they were all in the ridiculously limiting fashion that the women of Flenceburg seemed to favor. All heavy skirts with needless frills, bogging down her movements and her choices when it came to fighting. The gowns were fine if she had been a spell caster. She wouldn't need much mobility to weave magic. But to fight with a sword? Or even just with her body? It was practically pure disaster!

Sighing to herself, Lenneth turned her attention away from the armoire. The desk situated across the room from the large bed, looked the most promising of everything inside this room. With it's many drawers, and compartments, there was much to search. And not all of the drawers had been locked, to her surprise and her pleasure.

Carefully handling the objects inside, Lenneth would rifle through the top most drawer. There was folders, with documents inside. Papers she skimmed over briefly, trying to see if anyone had been fool enough to write down Hel's planned betrayal. There was small boxes that upon opening, revealed charms and amulets, even a jar of some odious powder. Quills and ink pots were also inside, along with an elaborate wax sealer that would place Lezard's mark upon any letters he sent, any documents he signed.

It all seemed perfectly normally, smelly powder aside. She felt disappointed, Lenneth fingers skimming one of the locked drawers. She had no keys, and she was no lock pick. If Lenneth had retained her divinity, her strength alone would have been enough to force the drawer open. But mortal as she was, no matter how Lenneth struggled and strained, the drawer wouldn't so much as budge. It left her frustrated, Lenneth positive something of importance was inside it.

She continued to stand at the desk, all but glaring at the locked drawers. She wanted it open now, and knew unless she suddenly developed the skills of a thief, Lenneth's curiosity would go unsated. She felt the urgency of the situation, Lenneth wanting to discover what secrets Lezard hid, and discover them now. She had no time for guile, to lure Lezard into a false sense of comfort so that she could pilfer his keys when his guard was down. She wanted-needed proof of his Queen's treachery, and felt the frustration of how everyone and everything seemed to conspire against her!

Angry, but holding back the urge to let out a growl of frustration, Lenneth dropped down into the desk's chair. It was black leather, stuffed but not overly so to keep it from being too comfortable. It creaked with her movements, Lenneth lowering her head into her hands, feeling how tired, how frustrated, how defeated she was. She wasn't going to cry though. If anything she was in a mood so foul, she would have relished a fight with a legion of Brahms' best vampires. She needed an outlet, some violent activity that would help to soothe her inner turmoil. And fighting some inexperienced castle guards wasn't going to cut it.

The stress was getting to her. Perhaps it had been since the moment she had awakened to Lezard's kiss. Bad enough she had had to worry about unwanted feelings towards the man who had kissed her awake, but to have to deal with Hel's treachery on top of it all? It was too much, Lenneth shouldering this burden alone. Desperate to not only prove herself to Odin, but to save everyone from Hel's evil.

Truly the last thing she needed in this moment, was the reminder that it was her wedding night. The pressures that came with being a new bride. But the footsteps on the threshold of the room's door, alerted Lenneth to the fact she was no longer alone. She knew without turning it was her husband, Lezard having come to seek her out at long last. Lenneth couldn't help but stiffen in her seat, her hands still covering her face. As displeased as she was by his arrival, Lenneth was also embarrassed to have been caught in so vulnerable a moment.

"Lezard..." Lenneth said, her voice betraying none of her weakness as she lowered her hands. "Has the party ended already?"

He made no inquiries on how she had known it was him. And why should he? It wasn't as though anyone else would have dared come to this room! "Not yet." Lezard said in answer to her question. She could almost picture him grimacing, his voice holding the inflection of it. "I'm afraid the party won't be winding down any time soon. Not so long as the majority still have the energy to move."

"It seems as if the party will go on all night then." Lenneth said, vividly recalling how energetic everyone had seemed.

"We'll be lucky if it ends by morning." Lezard retorted. "It's been a long time since they've had cause to celebrate..." She came away with the feeling he had wanted to say more, as though Lezard had abruptly censored himself. But Lenneth couldn't guess as to what he was not saying, the woman turning in her seat to see the dark look in his eyes. He had thought of something. Something that troubled him.

"Lezard?" She couldn't keep from being concerned, Lenneth rising out of her chair. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Why would there be anything wrong?" He asked instead of answering. The smile that he flashed her was clearly forced, the light not reaching his eyes. "I am here on this beautiful night, alone with my sweet bride. Now is not the time to let anything spoil this moment."

He was almost glib as he answered. Lenneth was not, not liking nor needing the reminder that they were alone. "We should get back to the party." But when she made a move towards the door, he stepped into her path. Lenneth had to draw up short to prevent bumping into Lezard's body.

"They'll never know we're gone." He said.

It made her frown. "I'm sure that's not true."

A slight shrug from him. "They won't miss us." Lezard insisted. "If anything, they'll have been expecting us to take our leave of them." Now his smile looked genuine, the light of it reaching his eyes. It gave him a look that was part mischievous, part rake, Lezard almost teasing then. "No doubt they're surprised I lasted this long."

Now that made her uneasy, Lenneth understanding what he implied. That he had kept away from her, was something short of a miracle. Especially for so long. She also understood his patience was at an end, Lezard all too ready to claim his bride. Just as she was most decidedly not ready. For that, for any of it, Lenneth feeling her chest grow tight with her upset.

"It tried my patience, really it did." Lezard continued. "But then that was the point of it all."

"It?" Lenneth echoed, feeling she was missing part of the conversation.

Again that teasing smile. "Surely you noticed." He said. "The way they purposefully kept us apart for the better part of the night."

She had thought it strange. "That was on purpose?" She breathed out, and he nodded.

"One of the more trying traditions for the wedding." Lezard explained. "I never realized just how annoying it was, until we were the recipient of it." He made a scoffing sound then. "It's supposed to build anticipation between the newly wedded couple. As well as tests the limits of their patience."

And it was obvious to Lenneth that Lezard's patience had indeed been tested. "I see..."

"It all must seem so strange and silly to you." Lezard continued. Lenneth found herself nodding.

"Indeed. But then what do I know of mortal customs."

"It's been a long time since you walked among mortals as anything but a Valkyrie." Lezard noted.

"Centuries at least." Lenneth confirmed. "Much has no doubt changed since then."

"No matter how much things change, some things remain the same." Lezard said. "The rituals may differ, but the end result is the same. People still marry and start families together."

"Wars still happens, and alliances fall through..." Lenneth murmured softly. That troubled look returned to his eyes, but then Lezard was shaking it off.

"Fortunately there's no war to worry about on this night. "Truthfully, Lenneth would have preferred a war to what was expected of her on this night. That shaky, nervous feeling only intensified when Lezard lifted his arm, fingers outstretched to caressed a curl that touched her cheek. Lenneth couldn't stop her reaction in time, the former Goddess actually stiffening in response.

Lezard's hand froze, the touch not completed. He stared at her a moment, then was abruptly turning away. He seemed as though he would not comment on her reaction, Lezard instead moving to close and lock the bedroom door. Her heart beat seemed to increase in tempo to the turning of the lock. And yet she couldn't retreat, Lenneth refusing to seem a coward by backing away. Lezard actually looked surprised to turn and see her still standing so close. It was clear he had expected her to flee to a much safer distance.

"I won't run." Lenneth said it as much for herself, as she did for his benefit. She was reminding them both of what she had been. Her condition may have changed, but the heart of what she had been, hadn't. She was still all Valkyrie, still the proud warrior woman. Running was simply not an option. She would face headfirst her duty, though she wouldn't be able to make love to Lezard with any sort of pretense of joy.

"I didn't think you would." Lezard said once he had recovered from his surprise. "You're anything but a coward."

If only he knew how badly she felt like shaking! Many, including her sister Hrist, would have laughed to see the once fearless Lenneth so afraid. But the closer Lezard came to Lenneth, the more aware she became of what was expected of her. And just how that task would most likely destroy her spirit, and free will, rendering Lenneth into a shell of the woman she had once been.

"Lenneth..." Lezard said at the exact instant Lenneth said his name. They both paused and blinked at each other, and then Lezard was nodding. "You first."

It was strange. As much as she wanted to delay this from happening, her anxiety was such she almost wanted it over and done with. Then maybe she'd breathe easier, her chest no longer constricting in pain. "You know this isn't what I would have chosen for myself." Lenneth said out loud.

"I know." His expression had gone unreadable in response to that.

"I never wanted to retire from being a Valkyrie. Never did I want to tie myself down to any man, never mind who he was." She told him. "I was happy as a battle maiden. I couldn't, can't, imagine any other life being half as fulfilling. Let alone a life where I am bespelled to love against my will." Lenneth let out a deep breath. "I know things could infinitely be worse. I could have been given to a man who has not been half as kind as you have been. It makes..."

"Lenneth." Lezard interrupted, that hard to read expression still in place on his face. "Please...no more..."

"No more?" She repeated, and frowned.

"Whatever you had been about to say, I don't deserve it." He told her. It only made Lenneth frown harder, the woman not understanding what he could mean by that. And yet it was clear he wasn't about to explain it to her, Lezard actually turning away from her. It made Lenneth move, her hand reaching to touch his arm. He reacted to that touch, turning to catch her hand in his. He'd actually raise her hand to his mouth, lips brushing across her knuckles in a kiss. But she saw the troubled look in his eyes, Lezard struggling with something.

"Won't you tell me what's wrong?" Lenneth asked, using her other hand to brush back her own hair. "It's clear something is bothering you."

His mouth hesitated over her hand. "It's nothing..."

"You won't share even that much with me?" Damn but unexpected hurt had slipped into her voice just then. "I am your wife now...your troubles are mine." If anything, his eyes darkened with some unfamiliar pain. She didn't understand it, couldn't fathom what was bothering him so.

"It's just nerves." Lezard said, then let out a strained chuckle. "I don't want to hurt you..."

Her own eyes widened, Lenneth surprised. Could Lezard truly be as nervous about what was to happen between them as she was? Just the thought warmed something inside her, softening her expression ever so slightly. She couldn't remain unaffected, not when faced with how troubled he was at the thought of hurting her. Lenneth made a decision then and there, reaching with her hand to touch the side of Lezard's face.

"You won't." She encouraged, fingers caressing over his cheek. He actually lost some of his own stiffness, leaning into her caress with a sigh. He'd reach up to cover that caressing hand with his, his trouble eyes gazing at hers. There was heat coming into his expression. Not a lot, but enough to let her know he was shrugging off some of his worries. He was still bothered by something, but Lezard was clearly not about to let it ruin the night for him.

With desire blooming in his eyes, his hand still holding hers, Lezard closed the distance between them. Lenneth was pleased that she didn't so much as gasp, holding herself absolutely still for the kiss that was coming. It started out chaste, his trembling lips almost uncertain on hers. When Lenneth didn't try to pull away, it emboldened him, Lezard deepening the pressure on her mouth.

It wasn't unpleasant. Lenneth stood there, and without realizing it, leaned into his kiss. It was a subconscious act of encouragement, one she didn't realize she was giving. Not even as Lezard acted upon her unspoken invitation, exerting enough pressure with his mouth that there was no choice there but to yield. Her lips parted, Lenneth unprepared for the slow thrust of his tongue inside her mouth. She had time to think it was too much for her, that it was too overwhelming and traumatic. Lenneth knew then her heart was going to be lost before the night was through, and that brought out the shaking she had tried so hard to hold back.

Trembling, she closed her eyes to hide the mix of hurt and longing in her expression. It wasn't going to be enough, she wasn't going to be able to survive this. The first real note of despair started within her, even as her heart sighed with longing.

---------------------------------------------

Damn...This got to be long, and I didn't get to do everything I thought I could for 37. Which means I have to split up the wedding night to a second chapter. But! I think it's

okay...and decided it would do to have a Lezard POV too! Maybe...we'll see...

To Be Continued...

Michelle
- 36
- 37
- 38
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