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Ere wondered whether all Valkyries were so humorless and forbidding, or whether Eir was just special that way. Probably the latter. The other two Valkyries who’d come to their rescue in the Dead Lands had seemed more fun. The blonde one was a sweetheart, and the other one looked at least like she knew how to have a good time.
Finally, completing his transactions and one hairy donkey lighter, Ere turned back to the warrioress.
“It is pointless to delay, or so you say,” Ere began.
Then, stopped with a smirk.
“You see what I did there? I can’t help being poetic.”
Slowly, she arched a sleek black brow, unamused.
Ere redoubled his efforts.
“But youhavedelayed, haven’t you? You’re obviously here for Kai—but only over my dead body, mind—”
“Yes, you’ve mentioned,” she intoned. “That can be arranged.”
“—but you haven’t marked him yet. You even saved us all from the bog.”
“The timing wasn’t right,” she hedged.
The slight flicker in her eyes gave away her fib.
“Uh huh,” Ere allowed, not calling her on it.
“While you’re delaying anyway, while we’re relaxing for a bit in this winter wonderland, why don’t you enjoy yourself for a change. Take a breather from the death-dealing. A hiatus, if you will.”
“I enjoy my duties,” she said stoically without inflection.
“This…” she gestured around her to the mundane everyday activities bustling around the longhouse, “…is superfluous and strange.”
“Well,try,” Ere persisted.
“Look, I managed to get you and Kai a nice clean bed in the barn all to yourselves.”
She blinked at him, her eyes taking on a glazed sort of sheen to them at the mention of Kai.
Ere kept his triumphant grin on the inside.
“I even procured a change of clothes for all of us, including a pretty dress and a hot bath for you. One of the women here can help you wash and do your hair before we all congregate for supper.”
“Do my hair…” she echoed, perplexed.
“Well, sure,” Ere quipped, nodding his head in encouragement. “You’re no beauty in the usual sense, no offense—”
She glared at him.
Ha! A little vain, are we?
There was hope yet.
“—but your hair is long and wavy, I can tell. Healthy and lustrous. Letting it flow freely will do wonders. I can’t tell your figure beneath that armor, but you’re tall and lean.”
He made a show of checking out her backside.
“Some curves, I’m pleased to see, and those long, strong legs come in handy too. Just remember to glide in the dress I got you. Don’t stomp. Channel your inner siren. Unearth your deeply buried femininity. I’m sure it’s in there somewhere.”
“I am not wearing a dress,” she stated staunchly.
