Ivan's Queen
Chapter 16 - Eagle Eye

Ivan Romanov’s P.O.V.

One week later

I thank the maid who hands me the tray piled with breakfast before shutting the door and walking towards my bed. Amelia has been cooped up our room ever since she fainted but neither of us are complaining.

Setting the tray onto the bedside table, I lean over my mate’s petite frame covered by the duvet. Soft chuckles escape me when I notice the pillow she’s cuddling with while thinking that it’s me. I sweep her long brown hair away from her face before peppering light kisses to every inch of skin I can reach. She mewls softly in her sleep while turning to face me as her hands replace my shirt.

“Five more minutes, please!” She whines sleepily as she hugs me to her.

“Wake up now or our breakfast is going to get cold.” I laugh before nestling my nose into the crook of her neck and inhaling her sweet scent.

She cracks an eye open to squint up at me and huffs adorably as I pull her up. “It better be delicious to have me waking up at such an illegal hour.”

“It’s eleven.” I deadpan before swatting her perky ass as I push her into the bathroom.

“Ivan!” She growls as she rubs her bottom with a cute pout.

I grin cheekily at her expression because she looks about as harmless as a kitten. Leaning against the door frame, I watch as she brushes her teeth and washes her face. She pulls her hair up into a messy bun which I love and my gaze follows the numerous baby hairs that break free and curl around her face. Her eyes meet mine as she returns the towel to its place, icy blues wide awake and alert. I bite my lip when the collar of my shirt slips off her shoulder making me want to press teasing kisses to her soft skin. Because she’s much smaller than me my clothes drown her completely and right now it looks as if she’s not wearing my boxers underneath. Fuck, I swear mentally. I need to calm myself down before I end up taking her.

“What’s for breakfast?” She wraps an arm around my waist and hums as she presses herself closer to me.

“All your favorites, my love.” I murmur as I kiss her temple.

I’m still treating her as if she’s fragile but I can’t help myself. Her body finally adjusted to my mark over the weekend but it took a toll on her. It’s only Monday so I don’t want to push her too hard. Seeing her in pain and crying hurt me more than I could say. I never thought it would have such an extreme effect.

Placing the tray on the bed, I take a seat and pull her onto my lap so that she’s sitting sideways. Her eyes light up at the sight of chocolate chip pancakes which makes me chuckle as I take a fork and cut a piece. As I hold it up to her lips my beasts purr in satisfaction when she happily starts to eat.

But after a few pieces she makes a noise of displeasure before taking the fork from me. Cutting a piece, she holds the fork up to my lips expectantly. Smiling softly, I open my mouth and allow her to feed me. In our world feeding your mate is precious and intimate. I doubt Amelia knows how much it means to me but it makes me happy nonetheless.

“How do you feel now?” I ask as I take the orange juice from her.

“I told you I’m fine.” She rolls her pretty blues playfully but her tone is soft as she understands that I’m worried. “Can I leave the room today and do something? I’m bored of just resting. Maybe I can train?!”

“Absolutely not!” I snap and receive an equally murderous glare in return. “You’re not training until I say that you can!”

“That’ll be never then.” She mumbles and squeals when I nip at her earlobe.

We continue to eat in silence but my mind is elsewhere. I think Amelia notices this and it only makes me more nervous. Is this the right time? What if she says no? Will she think this is too fast? I wonder to myself. However, I’m brought out of my thoughts when I feel soft lips touch mine briefly. I smile and watch as her eyelashes flutter before she opens her eyes. A rosy blush graces her cheeks instantly when she replaces me staring and it makes her look like an angel. My angel.

“What are you thinking so hard about?” She murmurs as she pushes the tray away before straddling my lap.

“I um…I-I want to ask you something.” I curse myself mentally for stammering like a fool.

She looks up at me and her eyes are now sparkling with curiosity. “Ask away.”

Chuckling nervously, I nod and lean over to open my bedside drawer. Feeling around the space, my hand eventually grasps the square box and I pull it out. I open it to replace the diamond ring I had designed for her and look up to meet her wide eyes. She whispers my name in shock as her arms slip off my shoulders to rest against my chest.

“This may be too early or it may be the perfect time but I want to ask you if you’ll marry me, Amelia?” I smile shakily as I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I-I don’t really know how to do this or what to say…I’m not really a romantic – I mean, I forced you on a dragon on our first date –”

“Ivan!” She laughs which makes me look up in confusion. “You’re rambling.”

“Oh!” I scratch the back of my neck as I feel my cheeks and ears heat in embarrassment. “Uh…what I meant to say is that…I’ve loved you for years and every day my love for you grows stronger. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I promise I’ll spend every minute keeping you happy and making you feel loved. Will you marry me?”

I hold my breath and my heart hammers away in my chest as I wait for her response. She smiles beautifully before a cross between a sob and a laugh escapes her as a lone tear slips down her cheek. She nods her head as she wipes it away and I relax in relief. I grin happily before slipping the ring on her finger. A large and oval-shaped diamond sits in the center surrounded by smaller ones. The band is quite thin and encased with tiny diamonds, catching the light as she stares at it in admiration.

“This is beautiful!” She breathes and smiles softly.

“I’m glad you like it.” I murmur as I wrap my arms around her waist.

“So…my dad gave you his blessing?” She asks in a teasing manner before giggling when I scowl at her question.

“After threatening to kill me in about thirty different ways, yes.” I mutter and roll my eyes when she bursts out laughing.

I have just made it to my office when Lazarus opens the door and hands me the important mail that he’s sorted. I go through them all before I come across an envelope with a black seal of an eagle. I open it to replace a folded piece of paper and it’s like a kid has drawn a hangman with my name written letter by letter underneath. There is no message, just the drawing and the seal to go by. Lazarus notices my silence and holds out his hand which makes me give him the note. He rolls his eyes and mutters a curse under his breath.

“Probably a stupid kid.”

“A kid who took the time to seal it like that?” I reply as I arch a brow.

“Listen, if it continues then we’ll take action okay?” He frowns when I stare at him unsure. “We have your wedding and Amelia’s coronation to focus on right now.”

Sighing, I nod in agreement. There have been a lot of times where people have sent me death threats in both stupid and creative ways. This is probably just another one of them.

After talking to Amelia, I had announced the news to the public that our wedding is next Wednesday where she will also be crowned Queen of the Lycan Kingdom. Granted that there’s not much time we have enough people to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

Lazarus and I start running through the preparations for the two events with Amelia and Nova joining us soon after. Both the wedding planner and event manager I had hired accompany them as Amelia tells me that she decided on the venue. After that, we tackle the guest list and invitations. Eventually, we agree on one that we both like and I order for them to be sent out immediately.

We work well into the night as Amelia and I finalize countless of other things such as the food, the cake, floral arrangements, videographer, photographer and so much more! Nova is going to be Amelia’s bridesmaid and Lazarus will be my groomsman. The outfits are picked with their help and opinion before the seamstress and tailor hurry away to work on them.

Eventually, around ten at night, Amelia and I walk out of the office. We bid everyone goodnight before she pulls me outside with a few guards following closely behind. I can feel her excitement and happiness through our bond as she guides me through the gardens. We make our way to the grand hall that I had completely forgotten about. It’s tucked away in the trees now, hidden from plain sight. Amelia glances over her shoulder at me before smiling widely as she pulls me through the double doors. I step inside and nostalgia hits me when my eyes roam over the large arches, stained glass and numerous paintings.

“This…is where we’ll be married tomorrow. What do you think?” She smiles contently as I follow her across the hall.

“It’s perfect.” I grin before extending a hand to her.

She takes it and I pull her close. One hand rests on my shoulder and I hold the other as we begin to slow dance in the center of the room. Resting my forehead against hers, I watch her eyelids flutter shut as she smiles contently. It makes me happy seeing my mate happy.

“It all seems so surreal. We’re getting married!” She whispers and unknowingly squeezes my hand a little tighter.

“We are. I can’t wait to see how beautiful you’ll look.” I murmur lowly as if speaking any louder would ruin this moment. “And I can’t wait for everyone to know that you are mine as I am yours.”

“I didn’t think we’d ever come this far in the beginning.” She chuckles lightly as her hand slips out of my grasp to caress my cheek.

“Thank you for staying.” I close my eyes to what feels like thousands of tingles coursing through my veins.

“Thank you for trying.” She presses her lips to mine in a soft and sweet kiss.

I savor the taste of her and inhale her unique scent of chocolate and sea salt. Even her scent is as sweet as she is. Her touch and kisses make me intoxicated because they’re like an addictive drug that I can’t resist. I reach into our bond and easily feel the love she has for me, it’s warmth spreads through me and makes me feel whole. I could die a happy man right now as I hold her in my arms and kiss her.

I feel a bit of nervousness hit me all at once at the thought of our wedding day. Nothing and nobody can fuck it up or so help me, I will end them. I want Amelia to be happy and smiling throughout the day and the thought of someone ruining it all has me on edge.

“What’s wrong?” She frowns up at me before sending me a knowing look when I shake my head.

“I just want everything to be perfect for you.” I smile as I rest my hands on her hips before swaying side to side.

“As long as you don’t get cold feet I’m sure everything will be fine!” She teases with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Trust me,” I growl playfully as I pull her flush against me. “Nothing can stop me from marrying you.”

She grins widely as I twirl her before bringing her back into my arms. “I can’t wait!”

“I can tell, Солнышко.” I laugh at her before peppering her heated cheeks with kisses. I can never resist her when she blushes. (Little sun)

She sighs happily before resting her cheek against my chest as we sway slowly. And we continue to dance into the early hours of the morning, talking and teasing each other about our upcoming celebration. Goddess, I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.