Valentina was determined to learn how to defend herself by means of a sword, she had grown tired of sitting back and following in her mother’s footsteps and settling as a mere cog who no one knew if not as another housekeeper to Quinn The Baron, and his family. She loved her mother with every breath, but she needed to be something more than be the wife to a clipper some day. She needed to start by educating herself and faced found the perfect opportunity when she found Ryder in the yard.
One conversation led to another and Val convinced Ryder to allow her to hold his sword. She didn’t expect for it to be as heavy as it was! But she had to admit, even in the moment that she touched the handle, she felt the adrenaline coarse through her. Ryder seemed entertained with the way that she looked at the weapon in her small hands. That was when she swung it with a wick in the air and Ryder jumped back, his blue eyes lit with fear as it swung aimlessly due to lack of proper control.
“No, you have to- If you hold it like that you’ll- Both han- Both hands!”
“Okay, then show me!” She looked up at the 6 foot something guy, genuinely interested in learning so much as the basics. Her mother would not approve if she found her not only holding the blade, but seemingly bonding with Ryder. Rumors had circled around the fields of Ryder having a forbidden romance with the Baroness to be. But Val only cared for his lessons. And she had to learn something before they were caught.
“Treat me like you would any other clipper and don’t go easy on me. Let me know if i’m not doing it right,” was one of her conditions before their impromptu lesson began.
She could tell that he was growing as impatient as she was. Her frustration aimed at the sword and his at her poor control. “It’s heavy. I’m trying to get a hang of it.” She groaned, lifting it up with a swing once again. She realized that she was complaining and she didn’t want him to decide she wasn’t ready, so she held the sword with two hands instead, as he ordered.
She allowed him to improve her posture after he helped her find a better stance with nudging kicks and readjustments. She wasn’t going to pretend that she didn’t notice the way that his hands expertly guided her hips back and the fact that she could feel his breath on the back of her neck.
Valentina swallowed slowly and took in a deep breath as his hands traveled down her shoulders and to her hands. He towered over her by at least a foot and it was oddly comforting how he felt behind her, evident in the way that the blade fit better beneath her hold once she relaxed. And the way that his fingers curled with hers only caused her breath to catch in her throat.
“Ryder.. focus,” her voice was unintentionally meek as her sight was set on a tall weed she was hoping to be able to clip through and she couldn’t bring herself to think about his nose tickling her neck. Or.. the way that her heart skipped a beat when she dared to look down at their arms and his feet flush against her own.
“Ryder, shut it. This isn’t the time. I’m fine and you aren’t.” She dodged away from his touch after a second too long of his hand touching her forehead. Was it really a win that he admit he was in pain and so much so that he was giving into going to the hospital? Val knew Ryder, she once knew him so well that it hurt, and she knew that if he was giving into medical care.. a smug win should not be in vicinity of this situation.
He must have been in a lot of pain to surrender to the idea of getting further help. “God, Ryder.” She scoffed and shook her head because, how could he continue to do this to himself? “If you weren’t in such a state right now, I’d be kicking your ass myself. You know that right?”
She decided against entertaining an argument. She knew they had to go as soon as possible, in order to treat any hidden wounds that could potentially be more serious than meets the eye. Val took to cleaning up whatever had been displaced before she lifted the strap of her bag over her shoulder. She looked around them and there were a few others gathering to leave. She spotted a familiar face and she knew it was Ryder’s manager. It took everything in her not to march over there and give the other woman the treatment Ryder had saved himself of.
“Zypher, help me get him into my car. Now.” She didn’t bother giving the woman any details as far as her plan to get Ryder the help that he needed - she had subjected him to this incident and hadn’t bothered to spare a glance his way since her posse had shown up anyway. She rightfully lost the privilege in Valentine’s eyes.
She recognized him immediately-- how could she not recognize her own son? But for a minute Lydia wasn’t sure what to do. Of course she would always be happy to see him, but at the same time she knew she had to be wary.
“Ryder?” She really hadn’t expected to see him. Should she be worried? Was it just a coincidence that he was here? “What are you doing here? Your father didn’t send you, did he?” she asked, raising her eyebrows. “Does he know I’m here?” If Quinn had found her... well, that would definitely not be good, that much was for sure.
