In the still of the night

Slowly, Serena opened her eyes, feeling slightly groggy as if she had drunk too much wine. The room was awash with the light from the fireplace and she lay staring at the flames as she recalled the events from the hall. She felt her face flush crimson as the images flashed in her mind's eye. Her blush deepened as she remembered running into the King's arms and fainting. What must he think of her? Just another weak, scared human unable to handle herself. She shook her head disapprovingly and climbed out of bed. This won't do, she mentally scolded herself, I'm stronger than this. It's no secret that vampires are lustful creatures, with the presence and looks to seduce both vampires and humans alike. But she hadn't expected to walk right into a fully fledged vampire orgy.....and at her wedding feast of all places!

Perhaps that was why the King had requested the maids to bring her back to her chambers, she thought, he knew what was going to happen! Did he also participate? She hadn't seen him but he must have been there or how else could he have found her? And why did it matter if he had?

Deep in thought, she found that she had wandered out to the balcony and just realized how cold it was. She reached to pull her cloak around her when she realized that she was no longer wearing her bridal gown, looking down she saw she was now dressed in a flowing white night gown and matching robe. She felt warmth flooding her face as she hoped that it was the maids who had changed her clothes and not the King.

Enjoying the crisp, cold air on the balcony, Serena remained there gazing down at the white, shadowy landscape, lost in her thoughts.

It was some time later, how much she wasn't sure, when she felt his presence behind her. She hadn't heard him come in but she could sense his aura as he moved closer, coming to stand directly behind her, his breath tickling the back of her neck where the wind had blown her hair to the side.

"Are you alright, Serena?", his voice warm and low beside her cheek.

She nodded, not quite trusting herself to speak.

"You were not meant to witness that", he continued.

"Did you....?", she paused, not sure what it was exactly she was asking.

"Would it matter if I did?", he echoed her words from the terrace.

She could hear the smirk in his voice and she inwardly chided herself for being so transparent.

"If I said that I didn't, would it make it easier for you not to hate me?", Ivar asked, placing his hands on her arms.

"You have done nothing for me to either hate or fear you"

"Yet", Ivar whispered softly, his lips just barely grazing her ear.

Serena could hear her blood rushing in her ears as her heart pumped faster in her chest, his hands on her arms suddenly felt hot and the heat was spreading through her body. Ivar rested his head against her hair, inhaling deeply as Serena fought to control the feelings that his closeness was evoking in her. Ivar sighed and turned her to face him, looking deep into her enchanting violet eyes.

"I have lived over a thousand years Serena, and there is nothing that I have not seen or experienced. Such things....no longer hold any attraction for me....is that the answer you were seeking?"

"I...no.....yes...well how did you find me?"

Ivar chuckled softly, "You were supposed to be waiting for me here and when I found you hadn't arrived yet, it wasn't difficult to figure out you had gotten lost in the hall. Although...you looked quite flushed when I found you...did you perhaps enjoy the opportunity to observe one of our more pleasurable rituals? I won't tell "

Serena stared at him, trying to ignore the blush rising furiously across her cheeks.

"I have no interest in such wanton debauchery and I would appreciate if you refrained from inferring anything to the contrary"

Ivar's lips curved upwards in a smirk as he leaned closer, "I am not entirely averse to a little wanton debauchery if it's only with you"

Serena stepped back from him, her face burning and her body trembling with an emotion she couldn't quite recognize. The thought of him consumating their marriage tonight came to her suddenly and filled her with a strange feeling of excitement and anxiety as the images from the hall flashed through her mind. Did she want him to? Did she want him to do to her the things she had witnessed in the hall earlier tonight? He was her husband now and she knew that as his wife she was expected to fulfill certain duties. Was he expecting this of her now? She gulped uneasily, as the reality of her current predicament set in.

Ivar took a step towards her and she stepped back, he took another step forward and again, she stepped back. A small smile played on his lips as he stepped forward and Serena stepped back only to come up against the balcony rail. The stone rail was cold against her back but did nothing to cool the heat coursing through her body. Ivar moved closer still and and slid his hands around her waist before gently lifting her to sit her down on the balcony ledge. His hands were still on her waist and Serena's breath caught in her throat when she felt his waist pushing gently against her knees.

She felt vulnerable like this and for the first time since she arrived at the castle, she felt fear. If she was going to perform her wifely duties she would have preferred it wasn't against her will.

"Serena, do you honestly believe that I am so enslaved by my carnal desires that I would take you against your will?"

Ivar sighed and rested his head on her shoulder, his breath warm against her skin. Feeling somewhat relieved, Serena murmured softly in his ear, "Thank you"

Ivar didn't respond immediately instead picking her up in his arms, he strode back into the room and placed her on the bed. He pulled the covers over her and bent to brush his lips lightly on her forehead before moving to the other side of the bed and lying down beside her on his back.

"Serena? When I do eventually take you, and I will, it will be because you willingly give yourself over to me and beg for my touch"

His voice seemed to float towards her as she drifted to sleep.