▃▃▃▃▃ ‧₊˚⊹ ‧₊˚⊹ ▃▃▃▃▃
THE LAST KINGDOM
𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄 ─── ❛ alliances

SKIN AND BONES ₊˚.༄𖥸 ──
𑁍₊𓄹 -- ❪ the last kingdom ❫. 𓄹
╭ ‧₊˚⊹ 你好，欢迎光临
╰ ✦ a feast╭ ᘒ ✦

Chatter filled the hall they all sat in, eating and drinking away. Valeria sat between Lady Ælswith and Aldhelm as she listened into the conversations at the table.

Valeria only looked away from the table when she saw Steapa and Uhtred walk into the hall and towards the table. "Lord." Uhtred nodded towards Alfred.

"You were seen." Alfred simply said, looking up Uhtred with a look Valeria did not understand.

"Seen where, Lord?" Uhtred raised his brow, hands clasped in front of him as he stared down at the table.

"Leaving Winchester, leaving Wessex, entering Saxon Mercia and crossing Walting Street." Alfred told him, making Valeria sit up in interest, reaching for her cup of wine.

"Young into Daneland, Uhtred." Lord Odda added from beside Alfred. "I'm sure you have an explanation." He added with a raised brow.

"I trust we will hear the truth of it." Lady Ælswith imputed with a glare. It was obvious to Valeria that the woman did not like Uhtred.

"What business do you have in Daneland?" Alfred continued to speak towards the Dane, hands clasped together on the table.

Uhtred sighed as he crossed his arms over his chest. "The Kings business. Lord, your business." He turned to Alfred. "You're happy for me to speak in this company." He nodded towards Æthelred.

Valeria bit her tongue as she leaned back in her seat, side-eyeing Aldhelm with pursed lips. Alfred simply shrugged his shoulders, nodding his head. "Freely. Why not?"

Uhtred moved forwards at that, standing directly in front of the king. "Lundene had been taken." Valeria sat up at that, her brows pinching together as she looked at Uhtred. "By the Northmen, Sigefrid and Erik."

"Never." Æthelred spoke, shaking his head with a weary look. "Says whom?"

Uhtred dryly chuckled as he turned to Æthelred. "Did my lips not move?" He sarcastically asked.

"Sigefrid and Erik are in Frankia." Alfred noted, tilting his head to the side in confusion.

Uhtred slowly nodded his head at that. "They were and now they are not, Lord." Uhtred simply said. "They have a fleet at Beamfleot, they have an army at Beamfleot, some of which had sailed upriver and taken Lundene."

Valeria licked at her lips as she listened to the man's words. Valeria had always been interested in the politics, even when her brother willed for her not to. "If this is true, it cannot be allowed." Æthelred shook his head at Uhtred. "Lundene belongs to Mercia."

"They will choke the river." Alfred realised, lifting his hands in front of him.

"They will, Lord." Uhtred calmly stated, nodding his head.

There was silence for a moment, until Aldhelm cleared his throat. "With respect, Lord Uhtred, you have still not explained why you crossed the street into Daneland." He questioned the Dane, making Valeria purse her lips once more.

"I can never remember your name." Uhtred mocked, turning to Aldhelm as he pointed at him.

"I am Aldhelm." He did not show any signs of offence as he nodded towards Æthelred. "I am commander of Lord Æthelred's household guard." He turned to Uhtred once more. "Would you like me to write it down." He jested, making Valeria lower her head to silence an amused sound.

"You will answer, Uhtred." Lady Ælswith insisted with a firm look, staring up at the man.

"I was invited to Daneland, lady, to Padintune." Uhtred simply said, moving his hands to his hips. "And there I was asked to join with Sigefrid and Erik." He turned to Alfred. "I was offered the kingdom of Mercia."

Valeria's brows pinched together as she turned to her brother, whom scoffed at Uhtred's words. "And your response?" Aldhelm asked with interest.

"He is here, is he not?" Lord Odda turned to Aldhelm with a small glare. "I would say that is response enough."

"Uhtred, I did not see you at the church." Æthelflæd then spoke up, changing the subject with a soft smile. "I do hope you were there."

Valeria softly smiled at the younger girls softness and innocence. "I was there, lady, of course I was." Uhtred nodded his head, smile on his lips as he looked down at the princess. "And may I say how beautiful you are today."

"Thank you." Æthelflæd smiled once more, lowering her head momentarily at Uhtred's words.

Æthelred turned to his new wife with pursed lips. "My dear, we are discussing a matter of importance." He said, holding onto Æthelflæd's hand.

Æthelflæd nodded her head, smile still on her lips. "Yes, I heard, Lord." She then turned back to Uhtred. "So are the Northmen intending to remain in Lundene or are they waiting for a ransom?"

"Fair question." Uhtred hummed, slowly nodding his head at the princesses words.

"Besides Uhtred's loyalties, it is the only question." Alfred then said, eyeing the Dane with pursed lips. "We shall offer negotiations."

"Quite right." Æthelred nodded his head in agreement.

"Once the celebrations are done, you, together with Æthelred, shall travel to Lundene." Valeria looked over at Alfred at his words, then to her brother, watching as his face dropped. "Assess their strength and their numbers."

"An excellent way forward, lord."

It was morning after the royal wedding. Valeria found herself in the palace Church, her eyes closed as she prayed.

She signalled a cross over her chest, pressing her lips against her cross necklace as she clasped her hands in front of her.

Valeria did not know what she was praying for, perhaps for the safety of her brother and Aldhelm whilst he was travelling to Lundene to face the Danes.

She didn't look up when she heard soft footsteps behind her, someone walking into the church and crouching beside her.

Opening her eyes, Valeria tilted her head to the side, her features growing soft as her eyes landed on Æthelflæd.

Valeria softly smiled at the younger girl, which Æthelflæd weakly returned, a smile that did not reach her eyes. That made Valeria frown. "Are you well, princess?" Valeria softly asked, watching as Æthelflæd clasped her hands in front of her.

"I am, sister." Æthelflæd nodded her head, trying to reassure Valeria. But Valeria could read people like a book, a useful trait she had.

A soft sigh left Valeria's lips as she raised her hand to gently rest them on Valeria's clasped hands. "We are sisters now, Æthelflæd, you can tell me anything." She promised, nodding her head with a smile. "But you do not need to tell me if you do not will to." She reassured, squeezing Æthelflæd's hands. "I am here if you ever need to speak."

Æthelflæd slowly nodded her head, her lips pursing as she lowered her head. She abruptly turned to Valeria, pulling her into a hug and quietly crying into her shoulder.

Valeria didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around the young girl, resting her hand on the back of her head, offering Æthelflæd all the comfort she could.

She wanted to know what had made the princess react like this, and she prayed her brother had nothing to do with it.

Pressing a gentle kiss to Æthelflæd's forehead, she rested her chin on her head, holding the crying girl close to her chest.

Valeria had returned to Mercia, waiting for battle. They waited for King Alfred's words, and it came, promising one thousand men to battle against the Dane brothers.

But, they were to meet with Uhtred first, at his home in Coccham. Surprisingly, Æthelred let Valeria come, and Æthelflæd.

Valeria held a soft smile on her face as she dipped her hand into the water, leaning her side on the boat.

She had noticed the change in Æthelflæd, which made her frown. Not days ago, she was smiling and laughing. Now, she isolated herself, rarely smiling.

Valeria had spent all her time with Æthelflæd, trying to cheer her up. She had asked her sister what was wrong with Æthelflæd, but Æthelflæd simply said she missed her family, which Valeria understood.

Tearing her gaze from the water, her eyes landed on Æthelflæd beside her, Thyra, Uhtred's sister and Beocca's wife on the other side of the princess.

When the boat grew closer to the dock, Steapa and Aldhelm were the first out. Valeria sighed as she carefully stood up, offering her hands to Æthelflæd and Thyra, which they both took.

Valeria moved towards the edge of the boat, accepting Aldhelm's hand as he helped her onto the dock. Valeria sighed as she flattened her dress, looking at the walls of Coccham. "I did not expect Coccham to look so..." she trailed off, trying to find the right words as she turned to Aldhelm.

"Put together?" Aldhelm raised his brow, making Valeria nod with a hum, grin on her face.

"Yes, exactly that." Valeria chuckled, watching as Æthelflæd and Thyra moved towards her. "Although, it does look beautiful." She added, looking away from the walls of Coccham.

"Surprisingly." Aldhelm uttered, making Valeria nudge his side with a grin. Valeria then looked over at her brother, noticing a man speaking with him. She patted Aldhelm's arm as she moved towards Æthelred.

"Brother, we should not keep Lord Uhtred waiting, yes?" Valeria moved towards Æthelred with a grin, standing by his side as she turned to the man opposite them.

Valeria's eyes then widened, while her mouth fell slightly open. The warmth of embarrassment crept into her cheeks, swallowing thickly as her eyes stayed on the man in front of her and her brother.

Finan.

Valeria blinked heavily, being the first to break eye contact as she turned to Æthelred, whoms brows pinched together. "You are right, sister." Æthelred nodded his head, turning to his wife and outstanding his hand. "Come, dear."

Valeria didn't miss the way Æthelflæd reluctantly left Thyra's side, moving towards her husband and taking his hand.

Fidgeting with her hands, Valeria avoided Finan's eyes as she cleared her throat, not spearing him a glance as she moved towards Aldhelm, whom was waiting for her.

Why was Finan in Coccham, Valeria asked herself. Did he follow Uhtred? She shook the thoughts from her head as she noticed the look Aldhelm sent her way. "What?" She immediately spoke, raising her brow as they walked into Coccham together.

"Nothing." Aldhelm shook his head, pursing his lips as he stared down at her.

Valeria slowly nodded her head, clasping her hands in front of her. She glanced over her shoulder at the Irishman, but quickly looked away as he looked her way. "Whom is that man?" Valeria suddenly asked Aldhelm, her brows pinched together.

Aldhelm raised his brow, looking over at Finan, then back to Valeria. "One of Lord Uhtred's trusted men." Valeria breathed out at that, nodding her head as she bit her inner cheek. "Why do you ask, Val?"

"No reason at all."

Valeria sat in the hall, finding a seat beside Thyra as she looked at the men in the hall. It was a variation of Saxons and Danes, whom all followed Lord Uhtred.

"I have not seen the inside of a pagan hall." Aldhelm spoke from behind Valeria, looking around the hall as he spoke. "I am surprised at its...warmth."

"Were you expecting to see heads on poles, Lord?" Gisela, Lord Uhtred's woman asked with a raised brow.

Valeria pursed her lips as she looked towards the woman, then to Aldhelm with a pointed look. "Excuse Lord Aldhelm, lady." Valeria sent Gisela a smile. "He tends to speak freely without thinking." Aldhelm rolled his eyes at that.

"Thank you, lady." Gisela reciprocated the smile, sitting beside Thyra as she looked towards Æthelred. "Will Lady Æthelflæd be joining us after prayers, Lord?"

"If she has the will, yes." Æthelred nodded his head as he spun his sword on the ground. "She has not traveled well."

Gisela raised her brow at that, clasping her hands in front of her. "Should she be travelling at all to battle?"

"It was her wish to accompany her husband." Aldhelm spoke for Æthelred, looking towards Gisela as he spoke. "They are newly married after all."

Æthelred nodded his head at that, smile on his face. "She will be kept out of harm's way." He said.

Valeria frowned as Thyra got up from her seat, walking off in a hurry. Her brows pinched together as she turned to her brother, whom didn't even notice Uhtred's sister leave.

"Uhtred, had the king written that when the siege of Lundene begins, I am to be first up the ladder?" Æthelwold spoke up to Uhtred, seated beside a Dane, whom cleaned a shield. "It is, after all, something he would do."

Valeria looked towards Uhtred, whom was reading the letter from King Alfred. "You accept that I am in charge of all men?" Æthelred questioned Uhtred, raising his brow.

Uhtred looked up from the letter, rolling it back up as he threw it onto the table. "It is the king's wish." He simply said, moving away from the table.

"It is." Æthelred smugly said, making Valeria roll her eyes at the bickering. "Are you with us?" He asked Uhtred, whom walked towards his weapons.

Uhtred simply picked up a sword, spinning it in his hand. "Why would I not be?" He questioned, looking down at the sword. "I am an ealdorman of Wessex."

Valeria looked over her shoulder at the Lord, pursing her lips as her eyes then landed on the Irishman behind Uhtred. "Alfred had decided to give you this one last chance." Æthelred continued to mock Uhtred.

Uhtred sent him a sarcastic smile as he turned around. "Do you have a plan?" He asked, putting down the sword.

"Together we will travel downriver and meet with the armies of Mercia and Wessex, make camp a short distance from Lundene." Æthelred started to explain, hands clasped in front of him as he stared at Uhtred.

"Do you have a plan of attack?" Uhtred questioned once more, raising his brow as he looked form at Æthelred.

Æthelred nodded his head at Uhtred's words. "Yes." He pursed his lips. "It is not too dissimilar from your plan. You will attack the north gate with your own men. Once the assault is underway, I shall attack from the marshes with the main army."

Valeria looked over her shoulder as Uhtred walked towards the table. "And how will you know my assault is underway?"

"I will know." Æthelred firmly said.

Raising his brow, Uhtred turned back around. "You will know?" He said in a mocking tone as he threw his sword to Finan, who grabbed it with ease.

"Uhtred, do not doubt me, I want this victory." Æthelred leaned forwards in his seat, watching as Uhtred leaned on the chair his wife sat in. "Lundene belongs to Mercia and I am Lord of Mercia." He tilted his head to the side. "I will go with every man at my disposal to reclaim what is mine."

Untred nodded his head in understanding, crossing his arms over his chest. "Good." Was all he said as he walked back to the sword rack.

Valeria quietly breathed out, already bored of the talk of war. She knew she'd be at the camp, along side Æthelflæd.

She just hoped it all went to plan.

Valeria had heard enough of politics and plans to attack the Danes. She had heard enough for a night.

So, she decided to take a look of what Coccham had to offer. The town seemed cosy, if Valeria was being honest. And the people were nice.

And Valeria found herself sat on the docks, looking down at the water beneath her as she kicked her legs back and forth.

She woman sat quietly on the dock, her silhouette framed against the vast night sky. The cool breeze tousled her dark hair as she gazed down at the water, which shimmered like a blanket of silver beneath the moonlight.

Each gentle wave lapped at the wooden posts, creating a soothing rhythm that echoed in the stillness of the night.

The moon hung low, casting its ethereal glow on the surface, making the water dance with glimmers of light.

Lost in her thoughts, Valeria felt a sense of peace envelop her, as if the world around her had faded away, leaving only the serene beauty of the night and the soft whispers of the water.

Valeria had tried her best to ignore the Irishman that had, for some strange reason, been on her thoughts.

But, fate was not on her side.

The sound of heavy footsteps against the dock behind Valeria made her turn around, her eyes widening when you saw it was Finan, and he was approaching you with a smirk on his face. Fate really is not on her side.

"Well, look whom it is, the sister of the weasel." Finan teased as he leaned against the wall of the dock, looking down at her sitting figure. He had noticed the way you had been avoiding him, which only made him even more amused.

Valeria rolled her eyes at his words as she kept her eyes on the water beneath her, pursing her lips. "Yes, Finan?" She ignored his comment about her brother.

Finan chuckled at her eye roll, taking a few steps closer to her and standing behind her. "Still not goin' to look at me, are ya?" He teased, his smirk growing wider.

Valeria breathed out at his words as she lifted her head, looking over her shoulder at him with a raised brow. "Yes?"

He smirked at her raised brow, his eyes slowly roaming over your features. "Finally, she looks at me." He said, his voice filled with amusement. "Was wonderin' when you'd stop avoiding me."

"I haven't been avoiding you." Valeria shrugged her shoulders, pursing her lips as she continued to look over her shoulder at him.

Finan rolled his eyes at that. "Oh, please. You think I haven' noticed you avoiding my gaze every time our paths cross?" He chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest as Valeria pulled an awkward look. "You've been trying to stay as far away from me as possible."

Valeria pulled a defeated look, slowly nodding her head as she looked back down at the water beneath her, hands clasped together on her lap.

Finan's smirk softened a bit upon seeing her defeated look. He couldn't help but feel a bit amused by her attempt to resist him. "And why is that? Afraid ya might like me too much?" He jested, watching as she looked back up at him.

"Oh, please." Valeria rolled her eyes as a quiet scoff left her lips, looking over at him with an amused look as she moved to stand up, flattening her dress and cloak.

Finan chuckled at her eye roll, his smirk returning as he continued to tease her as he watched her stand. "Oh, now there's tha' attitude I remember." He took yet another step closer to you, his height towering over yours as he looked down at you with a cocky confidence. "Y'ur not denying it, though."

Valeria shook her head as she bit her inner cheek, glancing back down at at the water beneath her with as she crossed her arms over her chest. "You have an ego, Irishman."

"Aye, I've earned the right to have an ego." He said, his voice still filled with teasing amusement. "And it is not my fault if women cannot resist my charm." He took another step closer, the space between them growing smaller and smaller but Valeria ignored it. "Including you, it seems."

"Oh, perhaps it is the good ol' Irish charm." Valeria jested, turning her attention back to him with an amused look, mimicking his accent.

Finan chuckled at her mimicry of his accent, his smirk growing wider as he took the final step closer, closing the small gap between the two of them. He was now standing so close that he could feel her body heat. Valeria pursed her lips as she lifted her head high, keeping her eyes on his.

"Ah, so you do notice my charm, do you?" Finan said, his voice even more hushed than before as he teased her. "Careful. You might be falling for it."

"Oh, of course." Valeria sarcastically said, rolling her eyes in amusement. "Whom says I haven't already?" She jested, raising her brow as she looked up at him.

Finan's smirk widened even more at your response, his eyes lighting up in amusement. "Is tha' so?" He let out a low chuckle, the sound sending shivers down her spine. He continued his teasing, his voice even quieter as he leaned in a bit closer to you. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say y'ur flirting with me."

Valeria tsked, shrugging her shoulders as she looked back down at the water beneath her. "Think what you want." She bit back an amused smile.

Finan chuckled at her response, clearly enjoying the game they were playing. He leaned in even closer, his breath lightly tickling her ear as he whispered. "You know, for someone who's trying to resist my charm, y'ur doing a terrible job."

Valeria bit her inner cheek, swallowing thickly at the minimal space between them. She quickly cleared her throat. "Oh, what could I ever do?" She rolled her eyes dramatically, turning her head to the side to look at him with a raised brow.

Finan chuckled once more, his gaze locked on Valeria's. He couldn't help but be even more amused by her response, finding her stubbornness endearing in a way.

He leaned in even closer, his voice a mere breath against her skin. "You could always admit tha' I've won you over."

Valerie chuckled at that, crossing her arms over her chest as she tried to brush over the way his words felt. "Won me over? Finan, we have spoken once." But, she couldn't help but grin up at him.

Finan couldn't help but laugh at her response, his eyes lighting up with even more amusement. He loved the way she challenged him, it only made him want to tease her even more. "Once is all it takes." He said, his voice filled with cocky confidence. "And clearly I've made quite an impression on you."

"Whom says it's a good one?" She tilted her head to the side, pursing her lips as she jested, hands clasped in front of her.

Finan chuckled once more at her challenge, his smirk widening even more. He loved her attitude, even if it was meant to annoy him. "Oh, trust me. It's a good impression." He said, his voice even huskier than before. "You can try to deny it all you want, but I know y'ur intrigued by me."

"Intrigued, perhaps." Valeria hummed, slowly nodding her head as she kept her head tilted to the side. "But not for the reason you are thinking." She then added, raising her hand to stop him from thinking anything else.

Finan's smirk widened even more, his eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and surprise. He liked the way she continued to challenge him. "Oh really?" He chuckled, his voice filled with curiosity. "And tell me, why else would you be intrigued by the likes of me?"

"Well, there has to be more about you." Valeria simply shrugged her shoulders, dropping her arms to her side. "Like, how did you even come to serve Uhtred?" she asked with a raised brow. "It is not everyday you see an Irishman in England."

Finan chuckled at her question, his grin widening even more. "Ah, taking an interest in me as a person, eh?" Valeria nodded her head at his weirds.

Finan took a step back, leaning against the wall of the dock as he crossed his arms over his chest. "As for how I came to serve Uhtred, it's a long story. But the short version is that he saved my life, and I've been loyal to him ever since."

Valeria sent him a soft look, nodding her head as she leaned on the opposite side of the dock, listening to his words. "How?" She then shook her head as a breathy chuckle left her lips. "If you don't mind me asking?" She softly asked, raising her brow.

Finan smiled faintly, taken aback by her genuine curiosity. He wasn't used to people asking him about his past, especially not women. "It's a long story," he began, pausing for a moment as he looked out at the water. "But, I was a slave, and Uhtred helped me." Valeria softly nodded her head at his words. "I owe him my life, and I swore I'd fight by him until I die."

Valeria pursed her lips at his words, slowly nodding her head as she intently listened. "I'm sorry that happened to you." Valeria sent him a sad smile, clasping her hands in front of her.

Finan chuckled at her genuine sympathies, his eyes lingering on her for a moment. He was not used to women feeling sorry for him. "Don't be. It's in the past now." He said, a small but genuine smile on his face. "But I appreciate the concern." He took a few steps closer to her, his voice even quieter now. "I didn't think the sister of the weasel was capable of kindness."

Valerie rolled her eyes as she brushed some of her hair behind her ear. "Æthelred is not that bad." Valerie shook her head with a sincere look as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Finan chuckled at her defense of her brother, his smirk widening once more. "Oh, really? Not tha' bad?" He teased, taking another step closer. He couldn't help but think how cute she looked with her hair slightly messy, and how her eyes sparkled when you looked at him.

"Æthelred may have his moments." Valeria slowly nodded his head, her words trailing off as she stared at him. "But, I would not have my title, nor the respect of the Mercians if it wasn't for him." She admitted, biting her inner cheek.

Finan chuckled once more, a bit surprised to hear her defend Æthelred so wholeheartedly. He took notice of the way you bit your inner cheek, finding it oddly captivating. "I see..." he began, his tone softer now, losing his usual cocky attitude. "So you owe y'ur respect to him, then?"

"He's my brother." Valeria simply said, softly smiling. "Even if he is my half brother, he's only ever treated me as just his sister, not his fathers bastard." She shrugged her shoulders, looking back down at the water beneath them.

Finan couldn't help but feel his heart soften at her words. It was obvious how much she cared for her brother, even if he was a weasel. He took another step closer to her, his smirk transforming into a small smile. "So you two are close, then?" He asked, genuinely wanting to know more.

Valeri nodded her head with a smile, looking back up at Finan. "He's the only family I have. Never knew my mother, my father acted like I didn't exist." She bit her inner cheek once more. "He was the only person to treat me as more than a bastard child."

Finan's smile softened even more as she spoke, his heart feeling heavy with empathy.
He took yet another step closer, now standing only a few inches away from her. He reached out his hand, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, making her lips part slightly. "I'm sorry." He said, his voice a mere breath against her skin.

She shook her head with a soft smile. "Do not be." Valerie reached up to hold onto his wrist. "Besides, being a bastard gives you some freedom." She jested, a chuckle leaving her lips.

Finan couldn't help but chuckle once more at her attempt to lighten the mood, his heart skipping a beat as her hand wrapped around his wrist. He could feel her soft touch on his skin, sending a shiver down his spine. He tried to push down the feeling, but it was hard.

He softly smiled as he looked down at her, his voice barely above a whisper. "Freedom, eh?"

Valeria hummed, nodding her head with a chuckle. "Yeah, it is not like I have a county to lead, like my brother." She shook her head with a grin.

Finan chuckled at her lighthearted comment, his gaze scanning over her features. He couldn't deny that he found you attractive.

He swallowed hard as he lightly squeezed her hand, his voice suddenly lower than before. "No county, no husband, no heirs to worry about. You're free to do what you please then, eh?"

A chuckle left her lips as she nodded her head, craning her head to look up at him. "Perhaps." She hummed. "But, my brother prefers to know that I am safe inside the walls of Mercia." She tsked, shrugging her shoulders.

He continued to look down at her, his gaze lingering on her lips for a moment before he spoke. "He's quite protective of you, is he?"

Valeria nodded her head as she let out a sigh, keeping her eyes on Finan. "Perhaps a tad much." She tilted her head with a grin.

Finan chuckled at her response, unable to take his eyes off her. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so intrigued by a woman. He leaned in a bit closer, his breath lightly tickling her skin. "He's afraid you'll run off and get into trouble, then?"

Valeria swallowed thickly once more, the distance between only dawning onto her as she glanced up at him. She quickly cleared her throat, shrugging her shoulders. "Well, he has
every right to think that." She tsked, another chuckle leaving her lips as Finan's brow raised in interest. "But, those stories are for another day, perhaps." She then said, crossing her arms over her chest. "The hour grows late and I do not need my brother to ask questions."

"Ah, we wouldn't want tha', would we?" He teased, making Valeria roll her eyes as she wafted his arm, biting back a smile.

"No, we would not." She firmly said, sending him a pointed look as she dropped her arms to her side.

Finan chuckled as she wafted his arm, finding her firm look strangely alluring. He couldn't remember the last time a woman had this much of an effect on him. It was maddening, and he both loved and hated it. He put his hands up in fake surrender, his smirk returning. "Alright, alright. You should get some rest."

Valeria softly smiled, nodding her head at his words. She then stood up on her tiptoes, leaning up to press a kiss against his cheek. "Goodnight, Irishman." She softly said, as she stepped back.

Finan's eyes widened in surprise as he felt her soft lips against his cheek, his body feeling like it was on fire. His cocky attitude disappeared as he stared down at her, rendered speechless for a moment.

He quickly snapped out of his daze, clearing his throat as he tried to find his voice. "Goodnight, princess." He said, his voice huskier than before.

Valeria quietly chuckled at his reaction, shaking her head with a smile at the nickname as she moved around him to walk back into the walls of Coccham.

— madeleines notes

EEK.

Ik this seems like it's a fast burn, BUT YOURE WRONGLY MISTAKEN HEHEHEH!!!!

well, they're obz soft for one another so 🙌🙌🥰🥰

But it's gonna go cray cray in next chapter and THE THINGS I HAVE PLANNED.

Makes me cry tbh but 🥺

BUT HAVE THIS LONG CHAPTER.

This was supposed to be published earlier but the news of Liam Payne actually broke me. I was a hardcore 1D fan when I was a kid and still was.

And more things are coming out abt him and it makes me depressed. But I'll still be publishing don't worry.

Also, new cover. Which I'm obsessed with!

My first graphic I actually adore and am proud of!!

I have so much planned for Valeria's character TRUST ME!

I can't wait for you to see more of her character and the stuff I have planned.

But Finan and Valeria are so John B and Sarah coded from obx. AND MAGGIE AND GLENN 🙌🤭

19th October 2024
5408 words