Ivan's Queen
Chapter 21 - A Hopeful Prayer

Ivan and I look at each other but instead of matching my curious expression there’s a knowing look in his eyes and I realize that this must happen regularly. He sighs and pulls me along into the foyer before we turn left to a space that is their living room. While the exterior of the castle is dark and eerie, the interior of their home is bright with pops of color here and there. It’s subtly modernized and I’m guessing this is Ayla’s doing.

“Yes!” I hear Ivan whisper-shout before I turn to see him rush off to the two kids sitting on the carpet.

The children look up and I instantly recognize them as Lucien and Leila from the pictures Ayla showed me. Both tackle their uncle into a hug and their small hands pull on his clothes as they show Ivan their toys. I watch in amusement as my mate takes out two candies from his coat pocket and their eyes light up at the sight of them.

Chuckling, I look up at the sound of footsteps rushing their way up the stairs and I see Ayla. Asher marches down and meets her halfway with anger swirling in his bright red eyes. I frown in confusion when I see him carrying a purple bundle in his right hand. Ivan shrugs in disinterest when I glance back at him before he turns to the kids again.

“Why the fuck are all my clothes purple?!” He seethes as he throws the pile at her feet.

“I have no idea!” I wince at how bad Ayla’s acting is. However, after a few moments of Asher glaring at her in silence she caves. “Okay, I spilled paint over them in the laundry room and the color didn’t come out.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration. “And why were you opening a can of paint in the laundry room?”

“I didn’t want to make a mess in the room we’re setting up.” She defends herself while biting her bottom lip.

“Ayla…” He starts with barely restrained anger. “I covered the floor with sheets just in case, didn’t you check?!”

“Oh…no.” She grimaces when he snarls loudly. “Babe, I’m sorry! You know I didn’t do it on purpose!”

“What the fuck am I supposed to wear to the event tomorrow?!” He glares at her when she wraps her arms around his waist but makes no move to embrace her in return.

“I’ll make it up to you!” She bargains when he pulls away to pick up the clothes.

“How?” He asks with a roguish grin on his lips as his eyes roam over her body.

“By buying you new clothes!” She grins only to be smacked in the face with a handful of shirts.

Both look our way at the sound of Leila’s squeal, their eyes glossed over with a protective and concerned glint before they relax when they realize it’s just Ivan and I. I wave with a smile and laugh as Ayla tackles me into a hug. We had decided to surprise Ayla by visiting her home at the end of our tour so she was unaware that we would be coming. I greet Asher and talk to him about how our tour went as she turns to Ivan and hugs him with a bright smile on her face. But that instantly falls as she pulls away while her eyes search for something.

“What’s wrong?” She asks Ivan with a frown on her face.

“Not here.” He murmurs lowly as he glances at the children before his eyes catch the guards and maids walking about the castle.

Ayla and Asher look at each other before they ask two men called Corbin and Vito to keep an eye on Lucien and Leila. We walk into what I soon replace out is Asher’s office. Ivan and I take a seat at the desk while Asher sits opposite us with Ayla on his lap. I snicker when I catch Ivan pull a face at seeing his sister in the arms of her husband before snapping out of it when I nudge him with my elbow.

“What happened?” Ayla asks again, obviously being able to sense Ivan’s worry and stress.

“We saw Liev before leaving the southern lands.” Ivan mutters and almost slouches in his chair. I can feel that he’s tired and would rather be doing anything else other than discussing that man.

“What?!” Ayla exclaims and her eyes immediately darken in anger.

“Fucking hell!” Asher sighs heavily before leaning back in his chair.

“Still lost here.” I mumble and bite my lip when three pairs of eyes turn to me.

I narrow my eyes at Ivan when I sense his amusement before huffing as I cross my arms. His hand grasps my thigh and I still at the warmth of his touch seeping into my skin. He covers his mouth with his hand to hide the devilish smirk underneath. Damn him! He knows exactly what he’s doing to me! I groan as I try not to squirm.

“A rogue leader wanted to take my throne and caused the Great War.” He states before pausing. “Liev is his son.”

“Oh…shit.” I breathe as my eyes widen in realization. “Do you think he’s behind the threat letters?”

“What letters?” Ayla demands while her narrowed eyes flicker between the two of us.

“Right after our engagement and wedding announcement these letters were being sent to the castle. All of them are sealed with an eagle imprinted in black wax and contain childish drawings of Ayla and I being tortured.” Ivan explains as he pulls out numerous envelopes and throws them on the desk for Ayla and Asher to read.

“He’s back to finish what his father started.” Asher mutters with a frown before rolling his eyes at the drawing of Ivan hanged. “This is idiotic!”

“So…there’s going to be another war?” I ask weakly but fear grips me as I think about Ivan getting hurt again.

The memory of seeing his scarred and wounded back is still fresh in my mind. I don’t want him to get hurt even more and that’s exactly what will happen if he goes to war. Ivan’s eyes meet mine and I feel a soothing caress through our bond as he tries to take away my anxiety. His hand leaves my thigh and intertwines with mine instead to give it a reassuring squeeze.

“Possibly, yes.” He murmurs lowly and I can still feel his eyes boring into the side of my head when I look down.

He knew this whole time that there isn’t any other way around it. That’s why his anger, fear and worry have been increasing day by day. It isn’t because he can’t replace out who is behind this, it’s because he already figured out that it’s Liev and he’s going to stop at nothing to avenge his father.

“You have my warriors at your disposal Ivan, just say when.” Asher states with a firm nod.

“Thank you.” Ivan smiles a little before his eyes stray to mine again.

“Don’t worry, Amelia.” He orders softly in our mind link but I keep my gaze fixated on our hands and watch his thumb caress soothing circles into my skin instead.

“We need to discuss plans of attack so –”

“Daddy! Lucien broke my favorite doll!” Leila screams as she bursts through the door with an apologetic Corbin standing behind her.

“That little…” Asher trails off and sighs heavily when tears start falling from Leila’s eyes.

“We’ll get you a new one soon, baby.” Ayla crouches down and wipes her tears away.

“B-But, I want one now.” She pouts before staring straight at Asher with her big brown eyes.

Ayla’s eyes widen before she turns and glares at Asher. It’s clear that Leila has her father wrapped around her pinky finger. And it’s confirmed when Asher struggles to not give in. His eyes flicker between his wife and his daughter before his shoulders slump in defeat.

“I’ve got spares.” He mumbles and darts out his seat to take Leila into his arms.

“I told you to stop doing that!” Ayla seethes which makes him wince.

She turns to us with a heavy sigh after he disappears. Telling us that we’ll discuss later she guides us out of the room and towards the dining table. Maids are hurrying around as they set numerous dishes on the table while trying to dodge Lucien running in between them at the same time. I watch as the little boy climbs his seat with some struggle and protests when Ayla tries to help him. He grins widely when he finally settles on it but immediately pouts when Asher glares at him as he helps Leila into her seat.

I watch their antics with a smile as we help ourselves to the food. Asher is the only one who sips on a dark red liquid which I assume is blood. The conversation is light and we don’t go anywhere near discussion about the war or plans of attack because of the two children. But throughout it all, Ivan holds my hand in a firm grasp under the dining table and uses our bond to take away all my worries. I almost forget about everything until we are back in our room for the night.

I go through the motions of changing my clothes and brushing my teeth with an aimlessly wandering mind. I’m fully aware that Ivan is a powerful hybrid and has won wars before but I can’t help but be afraid of losing him. No matter how many times I reassure myself that nothing will happen to him my mind is a different story. It’s been cropping up various scenarios of what could occur out on the battlefield and it’s driving me to the brink of insanity.

How I wish I could help him in some way, I think to myself as I gaze at my reflection in the mirror. All I see staring back at me is a woman who’s afraid of losing the man she loves. Although I’ve been trained rigorously to defend myself I know that I’m no match against powerful supernaturals who could snap me in half with a flick of their finger. And God knows how many species Liev has on his side.

With a heavy sigh I decide to rid my thoughts of negativity and doubt. The last thing I want is for Ivan to feel constant anxiety from me. That certainly won’t help him prepare for the war. I need to show him that I am strong and strong is what I will be.

“What are you afraid of, Солнышко?” Ivan’s low murmur snaps me out of my trance as he pulls me into his arms the second I walk out of the bathroom. (Little sun)

And just like that all my emotions from before come crawling back. So much for being strong, I think to myself in disappointment. Damn him for knowing me so well!

“Of losing you.” I whisper truthfully with an aching heart.

“You won’t.”

“You can’t promise that.” I shake my head in frustration.

His long exhale makes me look up at him again. I feel his hand touch my cheek and caress it. Emerald eyes that I love so much take their time in roaming over every one of my features almost in a lazy manner. As if we can just stand here forever and forget about all our worries.

And then he lowers his head before his lips meet mine in a slow yet sweet kiss. I kiss him back with equal passion while trying my hardest to convey just how much I love him and how worried I am about him. In the darkness of the night, I lose myself to pleasure as he peels off my clothes and worships my body slowly like he’s got all the time in the world for me.

He spends the night making sweet love to me and reassures me with his touch and kisses that everything will be alright. And soon, I forget about my fears and doubts under his captivating gaze as he makes me feel safe in his strong embrace.

But after, as I lay there with my head resting on his chest, I pray hard to whoever is listening to protect Ivan. That he come out victorious once more if a war is to happen and to keep him safe from harm.

Because that’s all I can really do at this point, pray.