The Valkyrie’s Ghost

Author's Notes:Wow. I'm truly amazed by the feedback I've received onThe Valkyrie's Ghost. This 8th installment represents work I completed before posting the first chapter. I'm currently working on Chapter 42, and I plan to release the next update once Chapter 45 is finished.

To be honest, I wasn't sure how TVG would be received. It's a romance, and I cast a 5'5" main character who's forced to cross-dress? Oh, and he might be asexual? Not exactly the best elevator pitch. It's a complex tale that required a bit--okay, a trainload--of backstory and character development. I was convinced I'd be the first one-star failure, booted, booed, and blasted out of the community.

But it seems the story is strong enough to continue. Good--because I'm just as eager as you to uncover the Men of Dominion [the crowd boos] and see if Riley and Lysandra are able to live happily ever after [the crowd cheers].

I've found a willing editor who's currently working through the first 40 chapters. There's an option to submit edits on existing work, but withCome Fly with Me, it took 4 to 6 weeks before those edits were applied. If any experienced authors have suggestions (unpublish Beta and republish edited?), I'd love to learn from you.

And here's the final bit of good news: this kind editor has offered to review ALL of my future publications--so there's hope for fewer grammatical errors.

Umm... after this one, that is.

Take care and enjoy today! PHD

Chapter 36

Thursday, January 1st

Presidential Suite

1335 Avenue of the Americas,

New York City, NY

Lysandra--------------

Lysandra opened her door, her carryon and dress bag in hand. After a warm good morning, Riley took the items and handed them over to a Hilton staff member who added it to a growing stack of luggage on his Bellman's cart.

Riley's eyes caught movement, and he stepped between Lysandra and the woman who was sprinting from the elevators. Riley seemed to listen to his comms unit; he looked back and mouthed SiSi and stepped aside to make room for the publicist. Seconds later the copper-colored hair was flying in her wake she slid to a stop and reached for Lysandra's arm.

"Lysandra, Kendra Slone and an ESPN crew have setup in the lobby and want two minutes. You get to share your Nike partnership, and they get two questions." She said in a staccato blitz of words.

"I don't have a choice, do I?" Lysandra signed.

"Sorry honey." SiSi said sadly, "Vance and Nike pulled some favors to get them here. I have my kit. We will go lite, but you will be on camera. Our window is in 10 minutes, so we need to get a crack'n."

Nine minutes later, the elevator doors opened and SiSi led Lysandra by the hand to the right in a small lobby area that had been cordoned off, and group of lights, cameras and five ESPN crew members were moving around.

Kendra noticed Lysandra approach and jumped down from her set's chair and walked over. While on her face was the professional smile she is known for, Lysandra noticed a tightness around the eyes. She walked up to SiSi and gave her a hug. She then turned to Lysandra and opened her arms.

"This is a fucking hack job and I am sorry." She whispered into Lysandra's right ear. "I have a question about your crossdressing security guard." Lysandra heard the air kiss.

Lysandra leaned in and asked, "Do you know who?"

Kendra pulled back and gave a barely perceptive shake of the head that communicated that she did not know, but knowing Kendra tenacity, she would find out.

"Lysandra," Kendra asked, "my directors have asked to have your security to stand in the background, as it seems we have a question about the attack and your safety."

Lysandra walked over and bent down to Riley's ear. "Kendra said this is an ambush. A stinking hack job with some questions about your crossdressing." She moved back to look him in the eye, "I am so sorry" she whispered.

Riley smiled. "I got this. It isn't the Five's porch with my family at which I dropped my drawers, so easy-peasy. Just kick it to me once they ask."

Lysandra's mind leaped back, and she smiled and she nodded.

"Whatever you do, don't cry." Riley said quietly, "Mascara streaks and gets clumpy. I am so confused by the chemistry of bat dung."

Riley turned and whispered into SiSi's ear and she dived for the bellman cart to dig at her luggage.

At that moment, the ESPN producer came over and said they would use a boom mic and she would just be seated on the appointed bar-height director's chair. The producer was surprised that Riley followed without direction and looked over to Kendra who pointedly ignored the whole scene.

"Good morning and Happy New Years from the Big Apple," the ESPN host said in an enthusiastic voice, "I am sure everyone is recovering from the long night and getting ready for some of the biggest bowl games of the year. I had an opportunity to catch up with the ALL-world woman's athlete Lysandra Vale." Turning from the camera, the host had a welcoming face with a huge smile. "Lysandra, thank you for taking the time to meet with us."

"Kendra, it is always a pleasure to visit with you." She smiled, "ESPN has always been a welcoming and supportive platform for women in sports."

Kendra's eyes flashed to find her producer, but jumped back to the interview, "That is kind of you." she reached out and touched her arm, "I heard that you were actually working last night. Could you tell us about the Night of Nike event that was held last night?"

"It is my pleasure. Nike is such a supportive partner who has always had my back in all my work. They are generous supporters of the Bridges to Brilliance program that seeks to expand STEM programs in rural public schools." Lysandra smiled as she saw the eyes of Kendra bouncing between her and her producer, "When the asked if I would join them as they explored the future of athletic apparel and the infusion of technology, I jumped on the opportunity." Lysandra laughed loudly and reached to return the arm touch, "besides, a girl could always use a reason to buy a new dress."

"It was a lovely look for you," she looked down at a large monitor at the foot of the camera which showed Lysandra in her dress and with a few other Nike athletes. Where could I get one of those?"

Lysandra laughed, "I got my dress from Aether & Form and they were delightful to work with."

Kendra paused and with a much more serious look said in a more formal interview voice, "Lysandra, it was on December 6th when you were attending your Bridges to Brilliance fund raiser here in New York where a Dainel Royce Hadley attacked you in a woman's restroom at the Grand Hall at the New York Public Library."

Lysandra's face lost all its emotion. "Yes, it was."

"I know that must have been a shock to be attacked in such a public place." Kendra added, she looked down as if she was struggling with herself, she looked up and made eye contact with Lysandra, who gave an almost imperceptible nod to proceed. "A senior ESPN executive had an off the record conversation with a senior Nike executive who questioned your team's selection of," she looked down at her notes, "Aegis Spectrum Solutions and their assignment of Mr. Riley Rivers as your security. Especially based on the cost and that Nike has committed to addressing all your safety concerns. Do you have any thoughts?"

"I do not have any concerns. Mr. Rivers is a highly decorated member of the US Army's Delta Force with a distinguished service record." Lysandra stopped and staired into the camera. "I did not hear this from Riley or Aegis. I heard this from a senior commander in the Army in a recent debrief. You can tell your Senior ESPN and Nike executives to go..."

Riley stepped forward and touched Lysandra's arm. She stopped, turned with a smile, and returned her attention to Kendra. "...to go and spend some time investigating before they air out details that can impact their work and Ms. Vale's safety."

Kendra gave a slight smile. "Mr. Rivers. Since you stepped up, could we get you to answer a question posed by these two executives?"

"It would be my pleasure." Riley said. "I hope I didn't break a trademark with a certain chicken chain."

Kendra smiled. "On the screen below, you will see two different shots of you. The one on the right is from last night and the one on the left is you at the Bridges to Brilliance event in Chicago. The question I was provided to ask, is are you mocking female athletes or the transgender communities?"

Lysandra leaned forward and barked angrily, "I asked him to..."

Riley smiled and laid his hand gently on Lysandra's arm. She took a deep breath and glared at the camera and then Kendra and back to the camera.

Riley began softly. "Ms. Sloan. I will be glad to answer your question, But could I first ask the courtesy to answer three of my own questions?" She looked to the producer who was shaking his head. "Despite what your producer says or cuts to be aired, you will notice that Ms. Morrow is streaming this on Ms. Vale's social media channels."

"Some might suggest that this is a form of blackmail." Kendra said, trying to hide her smile.

"Some might say that asking Ms. Vale for an interview on her way out of the hotel is a cold-hearted ambush." Riley said in a low, serious voice. His voice shifted to his typical kind, fun voice, "But I know that cannot be what was intended for this interview!" Riley laughed, but his eyes were laser focused. "Ambush Lysandra Vale? Never!"

Kendra looked over to her producer who was on the phone, shouting into the receiver. He then waved his hand and marched to the side.

"Well, it seems you producer has given you the clearance. Remember, tit for tat. I will ask you three questions, and you get three questions I will answer to my full ability."

"Ms. Sloan, when were you notified that you would be conducting this interview?" Riley asked.

Lysandra's mouth dropped and she looked from Riley to Kendra.

"My producer called me this morning at 4:30 with call to be in the lobby at 8:30 am." Kendra answered.

"For both of our audiences," Riley pointed to the ESPN camera and then to SiSi's camera, "can you share with us if you crafted the questions for this planned interview or if you were handed those questions?"

"Both. I was asked to craft three questions to showcase Lysandra's Night of Nike Event or her Bridges to Brilliance." Kendra shared, paused to look at her producer who had his arms crossed angrily. "Then I was told to share the anonymous quote and ask a question about security in general and your crossdressing specifically."

"Ms. Sloan, surely it was more than asking a question." Riley asked gently, with his eyebrow up in disbelief. "Well, shucks, you are going to get a fourth question. So, question number three. Did your directions have additional instructions."

"How do you know that?" Kendra asked in shock, before she looked at her producer who turned his back and walked away from the shoot. Kendra flushed a bit. "Yes, umm, the production notes said to push hard on your qualifications and your slight of the transgender community."

"Thank you for your honesty, Ms. Sloan." Riley said sympathetically, "I know this is very difficult for you." He paused and looked back to Lysandra who managed to close her mouth, but her eyes were still wide in wonderment. "Final question. You are an award-winning documentarian who has helped produce a number of highly compelling content of sports figures."

Kendra looked down in shame.

"In sports, how often do you get combative of a victim of an act of violence against that athlete?"

"My ethics professor stressed that "When covering stories involving victims, journalists must prioritize dignity over immediacy--offering space, respect, and the right to silence."" Kendra remembered.

Riley stated calmly, "so it was an ambush. I am sorry the un-named set of executives have placed you in a position to violate the ethics you were instructed in."

He looked towards Lysandra. "Ms. Vale, with your permission, I will answer the question and provide background. I am sure Ms. Cross can visit with some named executives at both Nike and Disney to provide you with an opportunity to remove any information you feel is too personal or causes you discomfort." He looked at her but returned his hand to her forearm. "Do I have your permission?"

"You do." Lysandra said and dropped her hand on his with a pat for encouragement.

Turning to the camera, Riley spoke in his no nonsense voice. "Ms. Sloan, I believe the question you were provided was 'are you mocking female athletes or the transgender communities?' Is that correct?"

"Yes, that was my first question." She said, with a small challenging smile.

"Of course, you first of four." He smiled in return. "I could answer with a simple no I am not mocking female athletes or the transgender community, but that is the letter of the agreement. We are better people than playing those sorts of games."

"First, let me start with four publicly known facts. "First, during the evening of Saturday, December 6th, Ms. Lysandra Vale's estate was vandalized by two men who spray painted hate filled statements that devalued her to a subservient role of a woman from ages past."

"Secondly, on that same evening, Ms. Vale headlined a Building Bridges charity event in New York City, went to visit the lady's room, was directed to a different restroom by what appeared to be library maintenance, and which point she was isolated. She was grabbed from behind by an assailant who was 6'2" and 284 pounds. This individual is reported to be an avid bodybuilder." Riley paused. "In the moment, Ms. Vale reacted by slamming her Sergio Rossi Leather Pumps with a 3-ich solid heel on the right foot, fracturing the second metatarsal, third metatarsal, and cuboid bone." Riley paused again, the tension built. "As the assailant's bones were crushed by some very stylish heels, he released his hold, and Ms. Vale swung her left elbow as hard as she could and fractured his orbital bone on the left side. Finally, Ms. Vale then kicked the assailant in his pelvic area before seeking help."

Riley looked over to Kendra who was barely holding together her professional presence. He continued quickly. "I can hear people ask, did she need to kick the man while he was down?" Riley looked into the camera "That happened in three seconds. The current defendant is 102 pounds heavier than Ms. Vale. He had grabbed her from behind." Riley paused, providing space for thought. "If her heel was off by 2 inches, or if the assailant rolled his head down to provide the forehead he would not be on the floor and Lysandra Vale would have been at his mercy."

"The third fact the world knows, is that this is not the first time Ms. Vale has been attacked by larger man." Riley paused as emotion entered his voice. "The first man was not an unknown assailant. It was her coach who she viewed as a father figure, a trusted mentor, and loved adult. In his role as coach, he had ultimate power at that time in her life that turned violent."

Lysandra's far hand grabbed her seat's arm rest, a simple brush of his thumb and she closed her eyes, imagining the hammock. Riley's arms.

"It was just minutes after attack that Ms. Vale is asked about security. She wants the person that who will be her shadow, living in her home, to be a woman. Do you blame her for that Ms. Sloan?" Riley asked. "I find it totally understandable to avoid inviting an unknown man into her space."

Before she answers, Riley smiled, "That is a rhetorical question, I am not sure I could survive five of your questions."

Lysandra smiled and even chuffed out a light laugh as did Kendra.

"Why did Ms. Vale's team contact Aegis?" Riley asked, but held up his finger in do not answer, "this if the fourth and final data point. First, Ms. Cross was provided with two recommendations by a Nike' executive team who performed an extensive search. Ms. Cross and her team validated their research and reached out to both firms." Riley paused for effect and looked directly into the camera. "A firm out of DC did not have the assets available to even considered the contract. From what I was told, Jordan Hallowell-Kierce did meet with Ms. Cross and was about to pass when a stray comment in their meeting sparked the idea to have me present as a woman."

"I am sorry this is such a long response." Riley smiled "Let's discuss the cost. I would agree that Aegis is also one of the more expensive solutions. But it is more than paying for a pack of bodyguards. I will not share the what or the why, but we literally had 37 Aegis staff members in attendance last night. Is it worth it for Nike to invest in this level of protection? Last year, the Valkyrie product line was neck to neck with the infamous Air Jordans and reportedly had its profits topped the $1Billion dollar mark."

"Speaking of Valkyries. Can I get an employee discount?" Riley asked Lysandra.

"I will see how the rest of your answers go." She quipped.

Returning to Kendra, "Whoever in Nike who decided to find the world's best security agency and to pay the premium costs, communicating to that athlete that they value her safety? Genius." Riley tapped his temple. "I promise we are about to finish the marathon that is your first question."

"As Ms. Vale shared, I am a special forces officer with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. I have participated in and led multiple special forces operations. As you can tell from my intimidating frame, I might not trigger Ms. Vale's most traumatic events. To comply with her direct command, I did dress as a woman."

"I was a real bitch and made him dress as a woman." Lysandra mumbled.

"She was faced with this decision literally hours after a traumatic event, which triggered a childhood trauma. The one thing she requested, a female bodyguard, was ignored." Riley turned his attention onto Lysandra. "Her world, that she fought so hard to build was spiraling out of control. Here stood three people from a company she had never heard of. Her trusted manager, Octavia Cross, introduces a female CEO Jordan Hallowell-Kierce who brings a little twit in a skirt and blouse. She felt as if she was grasping on to her life with the tips of her fingers. She wanted to excerpt control. I have extensive history of trauma and therapy and immediately complying with her demand that I continue to dress was reasonable. Difficult because until you walk a mile in three-inch heels, you don't know torture, but reasonable." Riley smiled with Lysandra and returned his attention to the interviewer for her next question.

"Why did you dress in a designer dress for the Chicago Bridges to Brilliance, but return to a more conventional suit last night?" Kendra asked with an almost bitter set of her mouth, uncomfortable with the questions she was handed.

"Ms. Vale had stated that she would purchase all of the clothing I would be wearing. Most outfits were selected to complement what Ms. Vale was wearing from what I was told are some very recognizable designers. However, as a member of Ms. Vale's security detail, I need to have access to weapons, radios, and other items. So, wearing a form-fitting ball gown was a challenge." Riley calmly narrated.

He looked to Lysandra and smiled. "Over the past several weeks, Ms. Vale and I have built a strong professional relationship and as sometimes it happens, a strong personal respect for each other. Despite the potential blow back, she asked me to return to my normal attire so I would be more comfortable in my role in protecting her."

"If you would have let me answer a few of your rhetorical questions, I would ask where you hid what when wearing a gown." Kendra asked with a smile, Riley just smiled and lifted his right eyebrow up in a mock challenge.