by the lips of the Black-tainted Valkyrie.

"Hah. I would not have let you go even if you'd chosen not to belong to me." Hrist reached an arm forward, embracing the inviting hips and pulling her close.

Red-painted lips didn't hesitate. Claimed as a warrior, loved as a woman, respected as a dragon– Aelia would soon experience another kiss—

Long ago, she had made this dragon her own before an inevitable revival upon Lenneth's ascension to the Ethereal Throne. Losing her hadn't been different than what humans called 'mourning', and seeing her die again was heart-wrenching despite the relief of having Aelia again so close to herself.—

"You speak as if I hadn't been fascinated by you from before." Hrist's tongue never failed to retain that arrow-like straightforwardness. "You've a choice to make, Aelia. Become my Einherjar or fade after accomplishing nothing."