Ivan's Queen
Chapter 9 - Home

The kiss is sweet and passionate, better than I could have ever imagined. Ivan cups my face and pulls me close as his lips coax mine gently. I push up on my toes and wrap my arms around his neck, opening my mouth after his tongue sweeps across my bottom lip. Our tongues dance together before he bites down on my bottom lip and tugs, making me groan. He soothes the ache before the need for air becomes a matter of necessity.

I pull away for breath albeit hesitantly. My eyes meet his and I smile shyly at the tender expression on his face. As I’m pulling away, he leans forward and pecks my lips which makes my breath hitch in surprise. I blush at the loudness of it before peeking at Ivan, only to replace him smirking cheekily. Rolling my eyes, I swat his arm and skate away but he follows close behind.

We spend much of our time on the frozen lake before deciding to have food, making our way back to the benches to take off our skates. We walk up to a wooden lodge that turns out to be a restaurant tucked away in the trees and the smell of food makes my tummy growl. Like the ice rink, this place is also cleared out and only the two owners are serving us. After eating our meals and sharing a dessert, we decide to walk around the area before Ira comes to take us back home.

In under an hour, we break through the clouds to the familiar sight of the castle and I sigh in relief. Travelling on top of a dragon is cool and all but I’m not so comfortable with heights. Ira lands back in the courtyard and Ivan helps me down. He leans forward and whispers something in a foreign language to the dragon before winking at him when he steps back to my side.

“What did you say to him?” I ask curiously as I watch the massive creature fly away.

“Just a thank you for bringing us.” He smiles down at me.

“And he understands you?”

“Yes. The most common language for supernatural creatures to use is Latin. But dragons have a far more ancient language, as well some other species. I’ve learned most of them.” He explains before intertwining our hands as we start to make our way back into the castle.

“Speaking of creatures...” I start hesitantly as I wonder if he’ll tell me what I want to know. “Can I know the name of your wolf and vampire?”

He halts before turning to me with a hesitant look. I can see his eyes switching from black to red chaotically, something that I’ve noticed uncle Vulcan’s eyes do. He once told me that it means his beasts have come to the surface and are talking to him or trying to take over. But I notice Ivan’s clenched jaw and fists, his knuckles are also as white as a sheet.

“You don’t have to –” I smile understandingly because I don’t want to push him.

“It’s not that...” He licks his lips and almost deflates from his tense form. “I-I’m scared to hurt you again.”

He whispers the last part, as if he didn’t want to say it in the first place. I step closer and cup his cheek. My confused gaze meets his worried one as he sighs heavily and rests his forehead against mine. His hands replace mine and intertwines them both with his as he holds them tightly. I murmur his name which causes his eyes to open.

“I’ve been trained on how to control them in every type of situation but the one situation I didn’t prepare for was when I would replace my mate.” He laughs but it’s slightly strained as his eyes keep switching colors. “It’s really difficult to control them around you, Amelia. I don’t want to hurt you like the last time.”

“You won’t. I trust you completely.” I smile before pressing a kiss to his cheek. “But if you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to.”

There’s an undecipherable look in his eyes as he stares at me for a long moment. Eventually, he sighs and nods before wrapping his arms around me gently. He’s treating me like I’m extremely fragile but I trust that he won’t lose complete control.

“Konstantin is my wolf and Maksim is my vampire.” He utters quietly as his eyes settle down to the familiar vibrant green.

“Konstantin and Maksim.” I whisper to myself before yelping in surprise when Ivan growls loudly and pulls me closer.

I see his eyes switching from black to red to green chaotically, making me wince at his struggle. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” His laugh is strained as he tries to reign in his beasts, choosing to inhale my scent deeply. “They’re a little crazy about you.”

I giggle shyly when he pecks my nose before sighing in content when he wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his comforting embrace. I feel giddy, as if on a high, over how well our date has gone. It was perfect and I’m starting to feel so comfortable around him. We continue to make our way inside the castle and towards the wing where our bedrooms are. As we walk, I can’t help but notice how perfectly our hands fit – my small one in his large, calloused one.

“I had fun! Thank you for an amazing day.” I grin as we reach my door.

“Me too.” He smiles as he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Can I take you out again sometime soon?”

“I’d like that.” I nod while my heart races in excitement. “Goodnight, Ivan.”

“Amelia.” He calls as I turn, making shivers shoot down my spine at the sound of my name rolling off his lips so easily. “I don’t have much of a private life being a King here and I have accepted that but, you will be my Queen one day. I would prefer it if we got to know each other better without prying eyes. I hope you understand.”

“I do. Thank you for putting me first.” I smile before my cheeks turn a fire truck red when he takes my hand and his lips brush against my knuckles gently.

“Sweet dreams, ангел.” (Angel)

I close my bedroom door and, unable to resist, let out a squeal of excitement and happiness.

The next morning, I decide to take a walk in the gardens since Ivan left early to visit one of the neighboring sectors. Benno and Hendrix have been following me around since I stepped out of my room but are currently talking to some warriors five feet away.

I smile at the row of roses as I run my hand over the petals of a deep red one. However, a sharp hiss escapes me when a single thorn pricks my finger and draws blood immediately. Soft hands grasp mine, startling me as I look up to see a beautiful woman. Her hair is the whitest I’ve ever seen, apart from uncle Indigo and Knox back in the Renascence pack. Her brows are a dark grey, she has a pale complexion to match and her eyes are a comforting dark brown.

I watch in silent awe as her lips pull into a sad frown before strings of bright gold wrap around my finger and close my tiny wound immediately. I step back and stare at my skin in shock before turning to the woman. She is now smiling widely and her eyes are bright with happiness.

“Y-You’re...what...how?” I mumble in confusion as she giggles.

“I am Nova, your Beta Female. I am so pleased to meet you, my Queen!” She grins before looping her arm through mine and pulling me further through the garden. “I hope we will become great friends because it gets quite lonely in the castle with nobody but grumpy advisers. Why, I would rather hit my head on a wall than talk to one!”

I can’t help myself when a chuckle escapes my lips at her words. “If we are going to be friends then please, call me Amelia. How did you heal me, Nova?”

“Of course!” She smiles widely, her fingertips grazing tulip petals as we walk. “Promise me you will not tell a soul. I trust you since you are my queen.”

“I promise.” I reply, matching her serious expression.

“I am a fairy with healing abilities.” She whispers once she confirms that nobody is nearby. “But Lazarus does not like it when I use my powers so please, do not tell him.”

“Lazarus? And why does he not like it?” I frown in confusion as I take a seat on a wooden bench next to her.

“Lazarus is my husband, yours and Ivan’s Beta Male.” She smiles gently with a loving look in her eyes. “Healing weakens my body and makes me vulnerable, that is why.”

“Nova!” I gasp and shoot her a stern look. “You shouldn’t have healed me, it was a tiny cut!”

“I know but, I could not help it.” She bites her lip, worry marring her delicate features. “Oh, please Amelia do not tell Lazarus. I will not use my powers when they are not needed, please do not tell him!”

“I won’t.” I sigh, holding up my hand when she relaxes. “But you must remember what you have just promised me.”

She nods eagerly and hugs me tightly which elicits a laugh from me. I really like her and I can see us becoming the best of friends – not just because she is my Beta Female, but because of how lovely she is. We spend more time in the gardens, either walking or taking a seat on the numerous benches.

She tells me of how Lazarus visited the Kingdom of the Fae and found her during his stay before bringing her back here once he realized she is his mate. Their relationship was rocky at first because Nova had always thought she would marry another fairy. But eventually, they grew closer and are now happily in love.

Nova also explains that the reason I didn’t see her when I first arrived is because her and Lazarus were visiting her homeland. I nod as I listen to her ramble on about her home with a cheery expression. She is quite delicate, both inside and out. Her voice is light and airy, her slender figure and soft features make her appear fragile. I know she’s stronger than she comes across because I can feel the power rolling off her in waves.

Apparently, her father possesses the healing gene which was passed down to her the day she was born. But sadly, many took advantage of her father. “It is why I cannot trust many people with my secret. I fear they will not use it for good like I want to.”

“My mother saw fairies back home once but, she said they were tiny. One of them even led her to a cliff.” I turn to her in curiosity. “Are you able to change sizes?”

Her eyes widen in distress and I immediately reassure her that my mother wasn’t harmed. She explains that some fairies who are younger and have just received their wings are more playful and mischievous but practically harmless. However, there are others who can be unkind and untrustworthy, often meddling with people’s mind and especially humans since they can’t see past their glamour. Glamour is like a veil that hides something or someone’s true nature.

“But yes, when we fly we become smaller in size. It gives us speed and reduces vulnerability. Attackers cannot see us when we appear to be nothing but a fleeting shimmer in the sky.” She winks with a cheeky grin.

I hum in understanding, a comfortable silence ensuing between us as we stare at the vast land filled with flowers and plants of all sizes and colors. Impressively, Nova knows the names of every single one and she reveals that she’s been living at the kingdom for three years now.

“How is your relationship with Ivan?” She asks suddenly and I bite my lip in response.

“We started off rocky. I thought he didn’t want me.” I sigh before shaking my head. “But he explained to me that his beasts were almost about to take control and he didn’t want to frighten or harm me.”

“Because you are human.” She nods before crossing her arms as a cold breeze greets us. “They probably felt extremely overprotective and territorial.”

My eyes widen in surprise. “H-How did you know I’m a human?”

“I can tell who a wolf is and who is not just by sensing their primal nature, and you do not have one.” She gazes at me pensively.

I smile in understanding as I play with the hem of my jumper. “My mother is a human and my father is a werewolf. I didn’t receive his genes.”

“I understand.” She nods with a warm smile.

We sit in silence before I decide to ask a question that has been plaguing my mind ever since Ayla mentioned it. “So, you were here when the Great War happened then?”

“If you want to know why Ivan is so distant and cold, I’m sorry but I don’t have that answer. The man who came back isn’t the same Ivan we all once knew. Something changed him and what that is, nobody knows.” She glances at me with a thoughtful look. “He was a victorious leader in the war though and it wasn’t his first battle - that’s the part that confuses us the most.”

I remain silent as my mind reels with possibilities. What could have affected Ivan other than the brutal war he battled? I wonder to myself. I need to replace out but, how? I sigh helplessly. Ivan and I are not that far in our relationship to even attempt asking about a topic he has locked away in the dark recesses of his mind.

“I hope you haven’t tired our queen, love!” I turn to see a man heading our way before he wraps an arm around Nova’s waist and pulls her close.

He introduces himself as Lazarus and I greet him with a smile. He’s a tall man with a muscular build, blue eyes and blonde hair. He looks like a golden boy with his charming looks and Nova looks so small against him but they make such a cute pair.

I smile wistfully as I watch Lazarus tease Nova, eliciting giggles from her and stealing kisses here and there. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I snap back to the present but catch Ivan’s eyes. He walks over to me and mumbles a low “hey,” as he wraps his arm around my waist hesitantly.

“Hi.” I whisper as I grin up at him.

“You’re always so cheerful.” He pokes my side playfully as we follow Nova and Lazarus back to the castle.

“I’m just happy you’re home early. I didn’t expect you to be back so soon!” I reply as I walk with a spring in my step.

“Home?”

I look up at him before my gaze flickers from the grand structure of the castle to his mesmerizing eyes. “Yeah...home.”

A tiny smile slowly lifts his lips as he looks away. It brightens his whole expression for a moment but it’s enough to make my heart skip a beat.