Her mum looked shocked for a moment, before she answered. "Wow Valkyrie, I should've seen this coming a mile off."
"I guess so."
"Are you completely sure?"
"Certain. I've never felt this before."
"You said it felt like your stomach was doing flips?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
"Mum?"
"Yes, Val?"
"Is this how you feel about dad?"
"Yes darling it is. I just want to make sure that you're making the right choices for yourself."
"I know mum. You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself."
"I understand that sweetie, and I fully support your decision."
"Thanks mum."
"You're my daughter Valkyrie, you don't have to thank me for believing in you."
"Now what do I do?"
"Well... It's really your decision, but if I were you..."
"You would tell him your feelings?"
"Yes, I probably would."
"Mum?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think I'm too young? For Skulduggery I mean."
Melissa thought for a moment before answering, and she chose her words carefully.
"You're twenty-three Valkyrie. You're old enough to know, and old enough to make up your own mind about these things. If you really love him, age should play no part in your relationship."
"But... What if, he doesn't feel the same way about me?"
Melissa put a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Then, you'll know to move on."
Valkyrie looked up at her mum as she walked from the room, the door clicking shut behind her.
Valkyrie walked down the stairs and entered the lounge room, mentally telling her brain and stomach to settle. She felt like she was going to hurl, but she kept herself together.
She smiled when Skulduggery looked up from playing with Alice. She felt the same feeling when his emerald eyes on her again. She staggered a little, and he frowned. He wasn't stupid, God he wasn't stupid. He'd seen it, the small mistake. Now, there was no escape. She gulped, and he stood.
"Valkyrie," he said, the velvet voice turning her legs to jelly. "Can I speak with you outside? In private?"
She couldn't speak, so she just nodded, and followed him out the front door.
She stepped outside and heard the door click shut behind her. She stood with her back to him. She heard him sigh and she expelled a breath, butterflies stampeding in her stomach. It was making her feel sick.
"Valkyrie," his velvet voice made shivers roll down her spine.
"You heard it all, didn't you?" She said without turning around. She felt him hesitate, and he walked forward, leaning on the porch guard next to her. She inched away from him.
"Yes, I did."
Valkyrie exhaled slowly. Stupid, stupid, stupid...
"And..."
She turned to face him, her heart beating fiercely in her chest. "What?" She urged.
"And... I want you to know that..."
"That you don't feel the same way?" She interrupted, turning away again. He stopped, his gaze never leaving her.
"Total opposite actually," he said, and Valkyrie spun, her eyes filled with hope.
"What?"
"I... Valkyrie, I... Love you."
She stopped breathing, her heart skipped a beat. She felt her stomach doing flips and spins and tumbles, and she fought down the butterflies. Suddenly, she was filled with passion for him, but she reluctantly held back.
"Really?" She managed to choke out without screaming in excitement.
"Yes, I have for a while now."
There were tears in her eyes now. Happy, joyful, marvellous tears.
"I love you too," she whispered, turning her entire body towards him. Then she realised something. "It's not gonna be weird is it? A four hundred year old man and a twenty-three year old girl?"
"We can make it work," he replied, inching closer towards her. She let herself take a step forwards, and his hands were on her hips. She breathed in quickly, and froze.
"Do you mind?" He asked softly. She swallowed.
"Not at all," Valkyrie replied, and leaned in. Her fingers lost themselves in his hair, and he brought her sharply to his side. Valkyrie tried not to hyperventilate. This was happening, it was real.
"All I want," he said, his forehead touching hers. "Is to be with you."
Valkyrie breathed heavily. "It's all I've ever wanted," she replied, and her courage and confidence went off the radar. She smashed her lips to his, and their tongues battled for ferocity. Her heart was going crazy, and she thought that it would burst from her chest anytime soon. She felt her lips buzzing, and her spine was tingling. Then she realised that Skulduggery was tracing his fingers down her back. She shivered. They broke the kiss, and stood there together, staring at each other.