Mark of the Valkyrie

by A R Hall

  “I think it’s beautiful. It tells a story that’s special only for me. Not only that, but it honestly reminds me of wings.” He paused.

  “Like the Valkyrie?” She looked back at him. That’s what she had thought when she’d first gotten them, a reminder of what could await her in the end. If she could find a way to prove herself, at the end of this life the Valkyrie would take her to Valhalla.

  He smiled at her and nodded. “Exactly. You’re a fierce warrior. I saw how you picked up a sword and even the occasional axe. You are a force to be reckoned with.” He moved his hand on top of hers. “I’ve always felt like I didn’t belong, like I was stuck between two worlds. There’s the world my father came from long ago that was left behind because of the curse. Then there’s the current one where my mom comes from. It makes more sense now, though. I was supposed to be here, supposed to be brought into this world. For you.”

  How could he be so okay with this? Did he really believe he was brought into this world because of her? When things seemed too good to be true, she learned it was because they often were. And this was too good. Too easy.

  “I’m coming on too strong. I’m sorry.” He removed his hand from hers. “This is new territory for me. Well, for both of us. I’ve never been the best with words but I’m trying here. I know how important this is. I get that it’s big and this connection matters. I’m your curse breaker, and I want to do whatever I can to help you, but I also don’t want to rush things. I know timing isn’t the best because we’re on the moon’s time which is really annoying.”

  She sighed. So he knew what was needed because of the curse but had zero interest in her other than that? Was his plan to break her curse and then leave her alone? Did he already have someone else in his life? The thought made her both nauseous and angry. He was supposed to be hers. Isn’t that how the curse worked? He was her soul mate and the one she was supposedly meant to be with. “I don’t want to force you to do something you don’t want to do.”

  “What?” His brows furrowed. Her response shocked him.

  She stood up and turned away from him. “You probably have someone in your life already, and I don’t want to complicate things even more for you.”

  “Astrid.” She heard the creak from the bed as he stood up.

  “You should probably just go.”

  He pulled her arm to turn her towards him and instinct had her raising her hand at him. She slapped him.

  “Don’t grab me.” Her eyes narrowed.

  He closed his eyes and took in a breath before looking back at her. “Noted. I’m sorry. I just want to know what I said that was so wrong.”

  “I don’t want you to feel obligated.” She shook her head and huffed. “Regardless of what you see or have seen and know. I don’t need a savior.” She took a step back. “This clearly won’t work.” She looked at the space between them.

  “I didn’t say I was your savior.” He ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

  No, she thought to herself. He only thought of himself as a curse breaker. That was his only purpose with her. She didn’t want it that bad. She could return to the lake and sleep the years away. Maybe another mate would come along in another hundred years. What made this guy so special. “I don’t need you, Latham.”

  “How do you know?” Latham was overstepping. He was trying to figure her out. Her emotions were everywhere.

  She didn’t know how to respond to that. The truth was that she didn’t know. She wished it could be simple, but that seemed too good to be true. The wall she was quick to kick down was making its way back up. “I don’t need you because fate clearly made a mistake.” Deep down she knew it was a lie.

  “What if I want to be your mistake?” He cautiously stepped closer. When he noticed she didn’t step back, he continued to get closer to her. “What if I want to be the one fate chose for you?”

  “You don’t get to just choose to be this chosen one. It’s not for glory.” It wasn’t like it was guaranteeing someone their seat in Valhalla. She watched as he took a final step towards her. Any closer and they’d be touching.

  “I’m going to kiss you.” The corner of his mouth turned up in a grin. “And the only reason I’m telling you is because I’d rather not get slapped again. So maybe if I tell you what I’m about to do you’ll allow it. I just want to see something.” It may have been a line, but she was going to let it happen. One hand snaked behind her neck and pulled her face up towards his. His other hand went to the small of her back, his arm pulling her body flush against his.

  She could feel her breath get heavy as she froze in place. His blue eyes flickered between her eyes and her mouth. She needed to object but her nerves felt like a lightning storm was coursing through them. He didn’t give her enough time to object before gently placing his lips against hers. He held his hand at her neck giving her no room to pull away but only be pulled closer.

  His tongue teased the spot where her lips met, prying her mouth open. She moaned against him. Her hands fisted the sides of his shirt trying to pull him impossibly closer. Her head was shouting to stop. That it was a mistake. She couldn’t let her heart break again. Astrid knew she wouldn’t be able to live with it. Deep down she knew it was different this time but her head and heart were in disagreement.

  She quickly pushed him away. “No.” She covered her mouth and shook her head.

  His hands slowly dropped to his sides. “Don’t fight it.” He started to take a step closer again.

  Astrid raised her hands to stop him. “I need you to leave.”

  “I don’t understand. Why are you fighting this?” Latham questioned.

  The door opened bringing their gazes to Flynn. “Food’s here.” He looked between the two of them. “I can wait outside or come back later.” He paused at the entrance before deciding to close the door behind him and sit the few bags on the table.

  “That’s why.” Latham chuckled to himself. He looked toward Flynn then back to Astrid.

  “Leave.” Astrid turned to face Latham.

  “I’m going.” He raised his hands.

  “Good!” She crossed her arms.

  “Great!” He stepped heavily towards the door before yanking it open and slamming it behind him.

  “Fantastic!” She watched as the door slammed then turned to face Flynn. “Please tell me you brought alcohol.”

  He pulled out a few bottles from one of the bags. “I found mead! Want to talk about it?”

  “No.” She walked over and sat down at the table. “Right now I just want to eat and drink.” She knew he meant well, but talking about her feelings had never been her strong suit.

  “Fair enough.” He opened up a bottle for each of them and poured it into a couple of cups while she took the rest of the food out of the bags.

  A few bites later, she’d already lost her appetite. She quickly downed the liquid from her cup before going straight for the bottle. The sweet honey taste felt good going down. She was equally tempted to fall to her bed with the bottle as she was to fall back into the lake for eternity.

  Chapter 5

  The cool evening air was doing nothing to cool him down. Latham had taken his time walking back to the gym. It wasn’t far, only a few miles from the lake. Astrid had gotten to him, though. His feet hit the pavement quick and light as his pace picked up.

  She was clearly with someone, and it frustrated him to no end. Why hadn’t she started their conversation with that? None of it made any sense. If she was already with someone he shouldn’t have been able to see her mark.

  He hated the thought of her with someone else. Latham knew he needed to think logical. She had been on this Earth long before he was, just like his father. It wasn’t impossible that the other man was also one of them. They had been in the lake for a thousand years. Some of them had to have had some sort of romantic relationship with one another at some point. Before or after the curse.

  He had gotten to the gym just in time to see Kate walking out the door
s and getting ready to lock the main door. It was the door most people used except when the office was closed. All the members of Operation Fit had a simple, little, black keychain that allowed them access twenty-four seven. There was a door next to the main front one that allowed members entry.

  “Damn it, Latham! You scared me.” Kate’s hand flattened against her chest that quickly rose and fell. “Since when do you go for a run so late in the evening? And that’s no excuse to leave the cleaning supplies spread out everywhere. I didn’t even know what all you cleaned and ended up cleaning everything.”

  “Whatever, Kate.” Latham was still fuming and walked past her to go inside. He pulled his keys from his pocket and went in the members door.

  Kate was a second cousin on his mother’s side and knew nothing of what really happened in this town or the lake. She started working there a year ago after dropping out of college. She worked hard, and she was family, which was the only reason he allowed her to get away with some things.

  The gym wasn’t empty, the small crowd of townspeople that came in during the evening were spread out amongst the machines and various equipment. He walked past them all straight to his office, locked the door, and fell to his chair.

  * * *

  Latham could count on one hand the number of times he’d ever entered Club Scales. Each time the inside gave off a different vibe. Tonight’s theme was Havana Nights, and it was thoroughly decorated. He didn’t know how accurate it was but the place was packed and everyone seemed to be having a good time. There was a crowd on the dance floor clearly enjoying the live music.

  He grabbed a stool on the other end of the bar that allowed him to have his back to the wall. He didn’t mind crowds but felt more comfortable knowing someone couldn’t sneak right up behind him. Latham pulled his baseball cap down low over his eyes and ordered a beer. A few times a pretty girl from out of town would approach him to dance. He politely declined at first but now he chose to ignore them all together. He wanted to be left alone but didn’t necessarily want to be alone.

  “Who put you on edge?” Blaire slid another beer across the bar to him. Her red hair looked even more fiery under the lights.

  He eyed her curiously before giving in. She knew, she was mated to one of them. “I saw one today. The mark.” He took a swig of his drink.

  “What the hell are you doing here then?” She raised her eyebrows at him.

  He drank half of his beer before sitting the bottle down to answer her. “She doesn’t want me.”

  “I don’t believe that.” Blaire crossed her arms.

  “She already has someone in her life. She doesn’t want anything to do with me.” He knew it didn’t sound right. It’s what had kept him up all night. He couldn’t fathom it. He’d seen them leave and return to the lake every month.

  “Latham.” Kristopher walked over and nodded. “What’s with the pained face you’re trying to hide behind beer?”

  “He’s trying to drink away his emotions and forget.” Blaire interrupted. She looked at Latham. “You’re not going to forget. Trust me. This will haunt you and hurt until you do something about it. It’s the curse.”

  Latham knew she meant well, but he didn’t want to hear it. He just wanted to be left alone.

  He lied to himself. He didn’t really want to be left alone. He wanted to be with Astrid and learn more about her. Latham hadn’t seen any sign of her since he left the cabin yesterday. He’d secretly hoped she would be back at the gym today, but she never showed. She was probably enjoying time with her guy. He didn’t want it to bother him so much, but there was nothing he could do about it. She had chosen. So he chose to have another beer. His eyes scanned the crowd.

  Latham thought maybe one night with someone not from around here could help take his mind off Astrid. If she was with someone else, then he could be too. He smiled at a few girls looking his way from the dance floor.

  He wasn’t sure what made him look towards the door. Instinct perhaps. He looked just in time to see Astrid walk in with the guy who had also been at her place the day before. He assumed it was her boyfriend. Latham watched as they were quick to get shots from a girl carrying a tray of mixed shots from neon colored tubes as they made their way to the dance floor.

  “That her?” Kristopher glanced to Astrid and back to Latham. He chuckled. “They’re more like siblings. Just so you know.”

  That didn’t make any sense, though. Latham was sure he’d seen the way they were around each other yesterday. He’d seen the way they bantered. If it wasn’t complicated, why did she turn him away? He was her true love, and they both knew it.

  “Hi, there.” Another out-of-town girl approached Latham. “Care to dance?” She fluttered her eyelashes a little too much.

  She was cute and was trying too hard. Before Astrid, he might have enjoyed it. All he could do was glance from the stranger to the dance floor where Astrid shook her hips to the music, her hands trailing up her sides. He groaned.

  “It’s just a dance.” The girl bit her lip and looked from the dance floor to Latham. “Care to make her jealous?”

  Latham looked back at the girl. “Why would you do that?”

  “Because I love to dance.” She beamed. “And I know a troubled soul when I see one. You’ve got it bad, and with your looks, there’s no way it’s one sided.”

  He shook his head and stood from his stool. Making Astrid jealous wasn’t something he had considered. He didn’t want to hurt her. If it worked it proved it, though. She couldn’t hide her true emotions forever. He had to take the chance. Latham glanced out to the dance floor one more time before turning to the girl. Two could play this game. “Your name?”

  “Sheila.” She held her hand out to pull him to the dance floor.

  “Latham. Alright, let’s see what you got.” He put his hand out to hers and let her pull him to the middle of it all. Her touch felt all wrong, though.

  The rhythm of the music could be felt through the floor. “Loosen up a little,” Sheila whispered as she moved closer to him. Latham was too rigid and his dance partner wasn’t helping.

  Astrid’s eyes met his quick across the middle of the dance floor. Her eyes narrowed at seeing him dancing with someone else. She quickly turned and sandwiched herself between two different men.

  “I saw her. That was a move of jealousy.” Sheila grinned. She turned them so they weren’t directly facing Astrid. Her back was to Latham as she moved her hips up and down against him. She placed his hands on her hips and he stilled. She looked up over her shoulder at him. “Trust me, it’s working.”

  Latham wasn’t a natural when it came to dancing. It also came down to the partner. His was currently making him stiff and not in the way that helped. He could two-step and line dance with the best of them. It had been his mom’s favorite, and he learned at a young age. Everything else, like this, he just didn’t have it in him. Still, he tried.

  Sheila turned and leaned up to him to whisper in his ear. “Think of something happy and grin and then follow me off the dance floor. She’s flustered, and it’s working.”

  Hearing that the plan was working made him grin. If it meant Astrid admitting the truth and them moving past this, he couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across his face. He watched as Sheila shook her hips off the dance floor and towards a table with friends. She spoke to them and they nodded before she turned back to him and smiled. She nodded for him to follow as she walked towards the front door.

  Latham didn’t think she thought they were leaving together. He definitely wasn’t interested in anyone else besides Astrid, not now. He followed and stopped at the door to casually glance back at the floor where Astrid had stopped dancing. He quickly stepped out the door. So she had been watching this whole time?

  “We’re not really leaving together.” He crossed his arms.

  “I wasn’t suggesting that.” She laughed. “You’re going to stand out here and wait for her to come out. I don’t think it’ll be long. I’m leaving, tho
ugh, I’ve got an early morning. Thanks for the dance, Latham.”

  He watched as she left and shook his head. He made his way to his truck and let down the tailgate to sit and wait. He looked back at the door of the club and watched. Any minute Astrid would storm out of there and hopefully there’d be a smile on her face after she realized he was alone and waiting for her. Did she want to be with him as much as he wanted to be with her?

  Latham knew it was fast. Fate decided they were meant to be, and that was good enough for him. He didn’t even care if it seemed too fast but he loved her. He saw her whole life when he touched her mark and he couldn’t help but fall and fall fast. Latham was in love with Astrid.

  Chapter 6

  Astrid had the urge to throw up. She felt awful, and it wasn’t the alcohol talking. She quickly excused herself from the crowd she was dancing with and hurried to the ladies room. She’d watched her soul mate dance with that girl then walk right out the door. Astrid splashed a little cool water on her face then gripped the sides of the sink hard, her hands turning white. She had a pain in her chest that. It physically hurt as she attempted to clutch at it.

  She knew exactly what was about to happen. She’d pushed him away and instantly regretted it. He was going to be with someone else, and she had no one to blame but herself. Astrid was stubborn and didn’t know what her next move needed to be.

  Flynn sat on a stool at the bar waiting for her. She slowly approached him. “I don’t want to hear it.” She knew what he was going to say. He’d told her last night and again this morning not to push him away. She had found her curse breaker. Flynn would give anything to find his soul mate, and Astrid was rubbing it in his face. She had the opportunity, and she pushed him away.