Page 47 of Between Broomsticks and Beating Wings

“Your muscles are so hard. Not cuddly at all.”

Rune barked a laugh, and I propped myself up on my elbows to watch her face light up. I liked that laugh.

“I won’t be flexing them in my sleep. I can be soft for you if you wish.”

“Okay, okay, I accept. You may sleep with me, and I shall cuddle you.”

“Whatever you wish, seeress,” Rune said. She began removing her golden shell, but she wasn’t like a snail. She wasn’t very gooey inside. She was strong, with muscles that rippled when her hands clenched. I hadn’t seen her without her leathers very often, but I couldn’t help but peek at her exposed olive skin.

She knew I was watching her, but she didn’t seem to mind. It was only fair, because I knew she watched me too. She had been for a long time.

“I like you better when you’re not lying to me, you know,” I admitted as I laid my head back on the bed. I was sideways across both mattresses, but that was the only way I could lay without my feet hanging off.

“It’s hard to tell you the truth,” Rune whispered. I kept my eyes shut to give her privacy, but I could hear her thumping around as she changed into her night attire. The poor woman hadn’t had anything but leather and metal on her body in days. I wondered if my warm skin next to hers would feel good. I wondered if she was deprived of touch, of comfort.

“Why?”

“There’s no point talking about it now, seeress. That’s a conversation for another night.”

“There she goes again, evading questions like a fly avoiding a palm,” I mumbled into my arm.

Rune chuckled as she climbed into bed next to me. “Some answers require sobriety. When I tell you this truth, I want you to remember it.”

“I could tickle them out of you.”

“You could try, but I’d hate to break both your wrists.”

“You’re violent.”

“And you’re persistent.”

“Thank you.” I smiled proudly. “Gods, we fucking stink,” I moaned.

“That we do,” she said with a chuckle. “There’s a tub in the bathing chamber, but I don’t trust you not to drown.”

“What if you hold my head above water?” I asked with a wobbly smile. Surely, my charm would convince her. She simply smiled, as if she thought I was being silly, not sincere. “I mean it!”

“That would require me to be in there with you.” she pointed out, and I felt her shift next to me.

“And?” I asked, propping my head up on my arm.

“And…you’ll be naked.”

“And?” I asked again, not sure why she was resisting my perfect plan.

“Well, I don’t think you’ll feel as passionately about this plan in the morning,” she said. “Why don’t we have one night where we reek of ale, and then we can both bathe in the morning? Separately.”

“Sounds sticky, but fine,” I sighed.

We both turned to face each other, the blanket pulled up to our necks. My fingers ached to touch her under the thick quilt.

Did I want to scratch her?I must, because my hands kept balling into fists every time the urge struck me. She wasn’t a cat. Valkyries weren’t for petting.

“You’re thinking about me not being a cat, aren’t you?” she asked.

“I am.”

Rune let out a long sigh. “You and Tove have an unhealthy relationship, you know that, right?”