Valentine

I knew I was being childish.

Wallace was lying on his side behind me, holding me close, with his face buried in my hair. I was worried about him, laying there listening to his too-rapid breathing, but even so, his presence was a comfort. Above all else, I knew I could trust him. It wasn't a matter of honesty, though the big man had given me no reason to doubt his word.

When it comes to trust, honesty is a small thing. Vivian wouldn't lie to me, and being twins, there were few people I knew better. But I couldn't trust her like I could trust Wallace. She'd be honest with me, and help me however she could. I'd even told Wallace about how she'd been the one to fund my recovery. But if there was something I really needed to be done and done right, I couldn't trust it to her. She may act with my best interests at heart, but she wouldn't take the same steps I would, wouldn't approach matters with the same care. The truth was, if I had a problem, I couldn't trust that she would take care of it as well as I could.

But Wallace, he was a whole other animal. If I left something in his hands, there would be no room for doubt, and I trusted he would see it through. He also let me crawl all over him, and with a little prompting could turn me into a quivering mess, which I quite appreciated.

But I'd known him for how long, a few weeks? And already I couldn't bear to part from him. I was acting like a little girl with her first crush. But that wasn't about to stop me.

It was a struggle to move with Wally's arm across me, the damn thing must weigh twice what I do, but I managed to wriggle an arm free. Careful not to wake him, I reached out as far as I could and was just barely able to get the tip of a finger on one of the coins sitting atop the nightstand.

The second coin was a little further away, and I had to lean against his embrace to reach it. He stirred slightly, and for a moment, I was worried he would wake, but settled down after a moment.

Coins in hand, I cast a simple spell, targeting the curtain rings on the penthouse's expansive windows. I made sure each set was drawn tight, before flipping some of the covers over our heads. I didn't know exactly how sensitive human eyes were to light, but hopefully, this would be enough. I felt childish and guilty, trying to make Wallace oversleep, so he'd spend another day with me before we parted.

But I wasn't about to stop there. I let out a mix of pheromones to suppress anger and fear, and to slightly increase arousal. I was far from an expert, but I knew it to be the mix generally used to cause feelings of contentment and happiness.

I tried to stay conscious, to stay in that middle ground between sleep and proper wakefulness, eager to enjoy the closeness with Wallace. At some point though, I must have dozed off.

When I woke, the blankets had been thrown back, sunlight was streaming through the curtains, and Wallace was idly running his fingers through my hair.

"Good afternoon," he said softly.

"Is it that late already?" I muttered sleepily.

"Oh, is it that late already?" he mocked and ruffled my hair.

I hunched my shoulders a little and pressed myself back against him, "Sorry."

"Don't be," he assured me, "Didn't want to leave on a downer anyway."

"I apologize if that was a lot to drop on you at once Wallace, I just haven't had anyone to talk to about- Well, I haven't had anyone to talk to."

Wallace rolled me over onto my back and leaned down to kiss me. Something he was beginning to get better at. I sighed in relaxation and savoured the kiss while it lasted.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad to help however, even if that just means listening."

I thumped him on the chest, "Just one big softie, aren't you? However," I pointed over to where the 'piano' as Wallace called it, still sat, "I was serious about that thing, if you want to help then before you go tomorrow you'll bend me over that piano and make me your little bi-"

Wallace gently covered my mouth, "Annnd I think I get the point."

I got what I wanted, even fooled around in the shower a little, showing my appreciation for Wallace sorting out the hot water. But the day I'd stolen did eventually come to an end.

We both woke well before sunrise the next day, though didn't rise until an hour or so after.

I'd healed enough to use my Strengthen amulet, but lied, and asked Wallace if he'd carry me down to the truck. Wallace gave me a knowing smile but did so. I spent the whole trip down whispering in the big man's ear, explaining, in detail, exactly what was waiting for him once we were back together.

When Wally brought me out into the sun, I saw that the snow was already beginning to melt, and one could see bare grass in patches, here and there.

Amity was waiting for us down by the truck, and over my protests, promised Wallace that she'd keep me out of trouble.

The big man bent down to give me one last kiss, his ears turning a bit pink with Amity there watching. There was no long goodbye, he simply straightened, and began striding north.

I watched him go. He'd packed lightly, with just some food, water, and the coat Amity had made him bundled away in his pack. He wore a jumper like Amity had picked out, hooded, and olive instead of Amity's pink. Under that, a light shirt in the human style, and dark blue slacks he said were 'denim'. The pockets of which he'd filled with coins and other miscellanea for casting spells. Finally, he had his weapons. The long axe I'd purchased for him, slung next to the pack, and the rifle he'd taken from the black-armoured human soldier.

After a little 'ahem' from Amity, I joined her in the truck. She drove while I watched out the window until Wallace faded from view, and not once did he turn from his path to look back.

It was almost unbelievable how quickly we made the journey through the pass, and up to the mountain. What had previously been a two or three day affair was squared away in a little over two hours. The terrain was unfamiliar, and far from forgiving, but the human vehicle managed it with ease.

Even the climb up the slope to the city, I'd expected to work out some agreement to keep it in the carriage shed at the base of the ramp. But it wasn't necessary, with the gynoid taking the truck right up to the city gates.

The rank and file guards, for their part, also seemed quite taken with the truck. But their captain, much less impressed and looking for all the world like a woman who just wanted her shift to be over, waved us through without comment.

Amity pulled the truck over to the side of the street just inside the gate where it would be out of the way, and turned to me, "Where are we going first?"

"We'll get you a translation enchantment, then on to Temerity's manor. There are, ah, some unresolved conflicts between us."

Amity gazed thoughtfully about the inside of the truck, "I suppose we can't exactly escape her notice."

I shook my head, "We'd need to face her eventually regardless, better to do it sooner rather than later."

Amity shrugged, "Point me in the right direction."

When I'd last been to Temerity's manor, it had been an oasis of luxury and fresh green landscapes among a city of cold stone. But approaching it now, it was more akin to an armed camp.

It wasn't just that the days of snow cover had turned the carefully manicured lawn into a field of muddy brown grass. The wrought iron fences, previously a sign of significant wealth, had been removed. In their place, stacked between the fence pillars, were hastily mortared blocks of stone.

The wall was about as tall as Wallace, and while that was little in comparison to the city's defences, it was a far cry more than anyone else within the walls had. I could even see guards patrolling behind them, suggesting they'd built a firing platform behind.

At first, I thought we might not be allowed through the gate, made now of tree trunks rather than more decorative ironwork, but I was recognized and admitted.

The spectacle continued within the walls. The melting snow and pounding of feet had turned her lawn into a muddy morass, and there were now duckboard paths leading between rows of tents pitched in front of her manor.

"We're going to have a bugger of a time finding any mercenaries now," I muttered.

Amity frowned, and glanced over at me before returning her gaze to the cobblestone path, "Why is that?"

"There are only so many people willing, and even fewer able, to sell their sword. From the size of this camp, Temerity must have hired every single one that wasn't on some other contract. Most of them are elves, but there are gnomes and goblins out there as well."

Amity fidgeted in her seat, and I could make out her second set of arms shifting under her clothes, "Should we head back?"

I shook my head once, "The point is to make peace. Having seen this, that's only become more important."

The gynoid took a deep breath, and while I wondered if she even needed to breathe, it seemed to calm her somewhat, "Okay, do I just pull up here?"

"The soldier there," I gestured, "He's waving us in, park up there and we'll go see the woman."

Amity brought the truck to a halt, and undid the wires under the dash, silencing the vehicle.

She gave me a grave look, "I'm right behind you."

I reached over and pulled the door handle, "It'll be fine," I promised, before shoving open the door and hopping out.

Amity, true to her word, was right behind me almost the moment my feet hit the cobbles.

I didn't wait for an invitation or escort and made my way up the steps to the wide double doors. It was then I became certain that Temerity had hired every sellsword in the city. For as I approached the doors, it was the pair of human rebels, Matt and Will, who pulled them open for me.

Will seemed shocked for a moment, then slowly shook his head, "Oh, for fuck's sake."

"Good morning to you as well," I replied, "We're here to see Temerity. Might you show us the way?"

"Where's the big guy?" Matt sighed.

"Busy. And Temerity?"

Matt turned for the stairs, and waved a hand over his shoulder, "Come on," he instructed, sighing again.

Temerity was in her study, sitting behind a large oak desk devoid of papers, with her boots up on the desk.

She narrowed her eyes but said nothing as we were led in. Matt opened his mouth to speak, but Temerity dismissed him with a wave of her hand, and he retreated without comment.

I sat across from her, and Amity took up a position just off my right shoulder.

The big elf woman spared a moment to look over the gynoid before putting Amity out of her mind.

"So, do you enjoy being the giant's little whore?" were her first words to me.

I smirked, "Whores get paid, I'm doing it for free."

Temerity grimaced, "How did you do it?"

"Steal Wallace away? I promised him magic."

"So did I," Temerity growled, "What else?"

"Nothing else. Actually, I believe I told Wallace I'd shoot him should he ever touch me."

Temerity turned away, shaking her head, "Fucking wizard, Wallace must have found out what he said somehow."

"Mmm, do tell, what did your wizard say?"

She glanced at me side-eye, and I expected some sort of rebuke. Instead, something in her expression changed, and not for the better.

"He told me that some mental malady afflicted Wallace. That teaching him magic would be a danger. He must have eavesdropped, some such thing, and realized that I'd not be keeping my promise."

"So instead you hoped you could charm him."

She shook her head again, "I should have realized. Damn it all. He asked about you, you know. I only realized after he left that he was trying to learn more before running off with you."

"I suppose you had only good things to say."

"Far from it. I doubt I could have been clearer and still sounded sincere."

"I don't see why you're all broken up about it," I taunted, "But then Wallace is that good. One good lay and I can hardly stand up or sit down. I suppose it makes sense that you'd wish him back."

"Oh fuck off, you crazy little nymphomaniac. You are wasting him. I don't care who he's screwing. I need what's in here," she snarled, a finger at her temple, "You're playing your little scavenger fantasies, living in some abandoned building, while I'm trying to save a city. Wallace would be an awfully helpful person to have by my side right now. Instead, he's wasting his time screwing you and indulging your stupid fantasies."

"I guessed that's what the sellswords were for. Do you presume to wrest control from the Baroness?"

Temerity waved a hand dismissively, "I'm the rightful ruler. A Duchess does not bow to a Baroness, and most of all, I understand what is necessary to return the city to its proper path."

"You seem to be doing fine without Wallace's help."

"Simon is still out there," Temerity retorted, "He passed through just a couple of days ago, several of his little dolls in tow. Now there's a man who understands how the world works, someone who puts people in their proper place, and makes them like it."

I shrugged, "Go spread your legs for him then."

Temerity only rolled her eyes, "Have you ever heard Simon talk? He doesn't want allies. He wants dominion. First, he secures Pelignos, then comes for us or Caniforma. I refuse to be a junior partner, Parabuteo will stand on its own. So why don't you spit it out? What does Wallace want?"

"Pardon me?" I frowned.

Temerity brought her fist down on the desk, "Don't play coy with me. He got his magic, fine. But there's more to life, and one needs mana to do anything useful," she jerked her chin at me, "In exchange for his knowledge, what does he want? Once I have the city, I'll be in a better position than anyone to give him what he wants."

I leaned back, the very picture of careful consideration, all the while mentally kicking myself.

I don't know what I expected coming back into the city to confront Temerity, but I should have realized that there'd be a little more going on than her being a bit miffed about Wally screwing her and then leaving.

"You haven't been to our new stronghold, so you wouldn't know. But the truth of the matter is, we require little that can't simply be purchased with the mana we already have. Though I suppose you could make an offer, and we'll see what Wallace thinks of it."

"Prettier women, perhaps?"

"Fuck off," I snapped, and was immediately angry at myself for losing my composure.

"No, I'm not telling you my offer. You can play errand girl, but with a sealed letter. I doubt you'd even be honest about what I offered in the first place," Temerity reached down, and pulled a knife from her belt, "And there's a second thing."

The floorboards creaked, as Amity took a half step forwards.

"Wallace stole something from me."

"Not your virtue, surely,"

"The necklace," she replied, as a smirk began to form.

"With the translation enchantment? That was a gift," I protested.

"Who's to say? His word, or I suppose your's, against mine? An absent giant, a noblewoman who's disinherited herself, and a Duchess, about to seize control of an entire city. As a prospective ruler, I can't just let this sort of slight against me go unpunished, not after you stole him away."

"Which is it? Did he steal from you, or is it your wounded pride at me cuckolding you?"

Temerity considered the knife, turning the naked blade over in her hands, "Either? Both? I suppose it doesn't matter," she replied dismissively.

"Out with it then, how do you plan to exact your retribution. Cut off a hand perhaps? I doubt you could manage it, and if you could, I don't imagine he'd be inclined to ally with you afterwards."

"Hair," she replied, "I'm getting an enchantment made, and it requires Body mana. I can't imagine a better trophy than the long locks of a rival worked into a piece of jewellery."

Amity stepped between us, and I saw her hands flex. The way they usually did right before she extended her claws.

"Or, I suppose," Temerity went on, "Wallace could be branded an outlaw, and I could send people to the rundown little building you're squatting in to force him back to the city."

"Fine," I glowered.

"What?" Amity exclaimed.

"Let me handle this," I said to the gynoid, waving her out of the way, "You will give your word. Whatever Wallace thinks of your offer, all of what happened before is put to rest. You'll not raise it again. It's settled."

"As long as you also give your word to take my offer, seal intact, to Wallace."

"Fine."

Temerity swept her legs off the desk and hopped up, "I'm so glad we could handle this matter so civilly," she cheered, "Now tell your little friend to go stand in the corner while we finish up."

The look on Amity's face made it clear that she was far from okay with this, but at a gesture, she backed away.

I thought perhaps to stand, not knowing how Temerity wanted to do this, but I quickly found out.

In a flash, she grabbed a fistful of hair and dragged me over backwards. The back of the chair hit the ground, but she yanked on my hair, pulling me halfway to my feet. The two of us crashed through the door to the study, and she threw me to the floor of the hallway beyond. I landed face down, and she was on me before I could rise. She planted a knee in the small of my back and took hold of my hair with her free hand.

Already, doors were opening. People were peering out, investigating the commotion. Guards, servants, guests, some of whom I knew to be on the city council. With the grip she had in my hair, she pulled my head around, making sure I saw all of them.

She made a broad sweeping gesture with the knife, "Everyone, meet Valentine," Temerity announced, "Fey noblewoman, I'm sure some of you are familiar with her family. You know, Val usually pays good money to get treated like this, don't you Val?"

I saw Amity at the threshold of the study, and speared her with a gaze, shaking my head for her to stay back.

"Oh don't deny it, Val," Temerity chided, and then in a false whisper, continued, "Don't worry, we're all friends here. What happens between these four walls, stays right here. Isn't that right everyone?" she asked, once again raising her voice to the spectators.

I'd worn my hair loose that morning. Usually, I wore it in a braid because I found it much easier to manage, particularly while travelling. But Wallace seemed to like when I wore my hair loose. He was always nuzzling my neck or the top of my head, so I'd stopped bothering to braid it.

Which made it easy for Temerity to draw out my humiliation. She took great glee in gathering up fistfuls of hair to hack at with her knife. Each stroke of the knife adding to the mound of purple silk piled before my eyes, until finally, I felt her knee come off my back.

I heard the rasp of metal on leather as she replaced her knife, and she began walking away, "Why don't you go clean yourself up, you're a mess." she called over her shoulder, "Oh, and I'll have someone bring you the letter, errand girl."

I picked myself up off the ground, brushed a few stray strands from my jumpsuit, and squared my shoulders. I gestured for Amity to follow and left, a sort of bored disinterest on my face.

It wasn't until we both made it to the truck, and I had a chance to look in the mirror that I let the mask fall.

My hair, what little was left of it, was a mess. In some spots, it was down nearly to the scalp, and in others, it stuck out. Temerity couldn't have done a better job making her statement. It looked exactly as if a madwoman had pinned me down and hacked at my hair with a knife.

"Valentine-" Amity began.

"Don't talk," I replied flatly.

I reached behind the seat, groping around until I found what I was looking for. My half of the linked books, which I flipped open to the most recent page.

With no message from Wallace waiting for me, I sat there wondering what the hell I was supposed to tell him until I was interrupted by a tap on the glass.

I took the sealed roll of parchment from the servant, and Amity brought the truck to life. I felt the vehicle begin to move but did not lift my eyes to gaze out at the camp. Instead, they were focused on the page in front of me, and what I might say.