The Summons

In the dining hall, the next morning, Ivar and Serena were having breakfast, when the doors opened and Rathgar walked in. He looked more gloomy than usual today, his scowl more pronounced, as he peered out from the tattoos around his eyes. Bowing respectfully to Serena, he took his place beside Ivar, as he waited for Victor to serve him, before he spoke.

"The Northern High Council has summoned you"

"Well they certainly didn't waste any time", Ivar snorted in disdain.

"Hardly surprising since Mikhail was here"

"At whose behest, I wonder", Ivar drawled, eyeing his Commander General.

"They were trying times", Rathgar sighed, tired of being berated for the events of that night.

"I never said otherwise"

Rathgar thought it better to remain silent for the rest of his meal, already regretting that he had come at all. After venting his rage on both Mikhail and himself, Ivar had dismissed them, with a grave warning. As ancient and powerful as he was, even Mikhail, did not dare to challenge Ivar in the face of his anger. Ivar was a formidable opponent in any circumstances, but even more so when he was in a rage.

"Whatever happened that night was not Rathgar's fault and he should not be held accountable for it", Serena said firmly, as she looked at Ivar.

"He disobeyed his orders", Ivar replied, surprised by Serena's defense of the silver-haired vampire.

"Which orders might those be?"

"The ones in which he swore to keep you safe and protect you from harm, even from yourself"

Rathgar watched the exchange with much interest, he was not used to seeing anyone stand up to Ivar. He had sensed a change in the young Queen, and it seemed that his instincts had been correct.

"He performed his duties exceptionally", Serena argued, her cheeks stained rosy pink.

"By whose standards?"

"Mine"

Ivar scoffed and shook his head, he was fast losing patience with her and he couldn't understand why she was so adamant.

"I am the Queen of the Shadowlands and I have full reign in the event that you are otherwise incapacitated, which you were. He followed my orders, if you wish to punish someone, punish me!"

Rising abruptly from her seat, she threw her napkin on the table and strode to the doors, slamming them loudly behind her. Ivar stared at the closed doors in stunned silence, while beside him, Rathgar swiftly hid his amusement. The sound of breaking glass filled the dining hall, as Ivar crushed his goblet in his hand, his jaw clenching in anger, as he rose from his chair.

"I wouldn't if I were you", Rathgar said in a calm voice.

"But you are not", Ivar hissed, turning his anger on him.

"Let her be, Ivar, she is no longer the scared child who arrived at Senka Castle with little more than hope and those dazzling eyes"

"And what would you know about her?"

"I know she is a Queen.....and a witch from a powerful bloodline"

The blood from Ivar's hand had dripped down onto the immaculate white tablecloth, staining it bright crimson. Rathgar sensed him struggling with his emotions, before he drew a deep breath and sat back down. Immediately, Victor materialized as if out of thin air and began hastily clearing the table and cleaning the blood from the polished wooden surface. Once they were alone, Rathgar spoke again, in an effort to calm him down.

"Perhaps you should take her away somewhere after the coronation. Somewhere you can both be alone together, without all of this", he waved his hand around, indicating the Royal Palace and all its grandiose pomp.

Ivar sighed and absent-mindedly ran his fingers through his hair, "You are right. We've not yet had a honeymoon, maybe we can have one once this is over"

"In the meantime, what of the summons?", Ivar asked, changing the subject.

"Serena's powers cannot remain secret. It would be impossible even for you"

"Speak to Mikhail, with Seamus, he can at least give us until after the coronation"

"As you wish", Rathgar nodded, "What do you mean to do about the traitor?"

"That will be handled at the meeting with the Council", Ivar stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"Very well. I will begin preparations for the meeting tomorrow"

The two vampires rose and left the dining hall together, parting ways in the hall, as Ivar continued upstairs to the Royal Chambers.

He paused just outside the doors, listening for Serena's heartbeat from inside, hoping it would give him an indication of her current mood. She was crying quietly but he heard her clearly, and immediately opened the doors and rushed inside.

"Serena, why are you crying? What has happened?", he asked, tenderly taking her in his arms.

"I am sorry for my outburst. I don't know what's come over me....it's just.....too much", she replied haltingly between sobs.

"It's alright, I am not angry", he said, stroking her hair as she clung to him.

"But I don't wish for Rathgar to be punished on my account", she sniffed, looking up at him with her teary eyes.

"Hush now, he will not be punished if it upsets you. I give you my word"

"Thank you Ivar", she whispered, laying her head against his chest.

"There is no need to thank me, you are the Queen, it is within your power to offer leniency at your discretion"

"Is that all that I am? Your Queen?", she couldn't help herself, she wanted to know if she meant anything more to him.

Ivar was surprised by the question, but he answered with what he thought was the appropriate answer.

"You are my wife Serena, if that is what you are asking", he looked down at her, but her face was hidden in his jacket.

"They are only titles but nothing more", her voice was muffled by his clothes.

"Do you wish to mean something more to me than just a title?"

She didn't immediately answer but he knew that she had heard him, he heard the slight skip in the beating of her heart. She was nervous, he could tell, but he didn't know why. He decided to wait, give her time to gather her thoughts before she answered. He kissed the top of her head and gently rubbed her back, while he patiently waited.

"I do", she breathed her response, trembling slightly.

"You don't just mean something to me, Serena, you mean everything to me"

She looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise, as she searched his face questioningly.

"Everything?"

"Yes , everything"

He could see that she wasn't quite satisfied, there was something else that she wanted to hear but she seemed too shy or afraid to ask. He tried but still couldn't read her thoughts, but he had a feeling that he knew what she was seeking.

"Is it my love that you question?"

The blush that rose to her cheeks, told him that he was indeed correct.

"You have my love, Serena, as much as I can give. My love has always been yours to take"

Although she continued to blush, the radiant smile that lit up her face was all the confirmation he needed, to know that she had wanted to hear him declare his love for her. Now he only needed for her to do the same, and he didn't have long to wait.

"I love you too Ivar", she replied softly, her eyes shining with joy.

He kissed her softly, tasting her lips as if for the first time, he savored the taste and softness of her mouth, taking his time to explore every part of her. She melted into his arms, holding him and sliding her hands under his clothes.

He reluctantly broke the kiss, pulling away from her, but keeping his hands firmly on her waist.

"How much do you love me?"

"More than words can ever express"

"More than words?", his lips quirked up in a smile.

"Yes"

"Then show me"

And she did. Over and over and over again. She never tired of him, of his touch and she was bolder than she had ever been. Touching him everywhere, with her hands and mouth, drawing from him every drop of his seed. He responded with equal passion, teasing and tasting every part of her body, bringing her to heights of pleasure that she had never dreamed of. He was slow and gentle, then hard and wild, dominant and submissive, allowing her to take control and be controlled.

Knowing of their love, brought something new and exciting to their lovemaking, stripping away all inhibitions and heightening each sensation as though they were making love for the first time. Ivar was extremely aroused by Serena's vocal responses, loudly voicing her pleasure, without restraint.

The part of the Royal Palace that contained the Royal Chambers, became strangely quiet, as most of the servants descended to the lower parts of the palace, to give the King and Queen some privacy. Only the King's trusted guards remained, along with Rathgar, who was never far from the royal couple at all times.