The Doctor Will See You Now

Evening was fast turning into night and the snow fell in fast swirling flurries to the ground, covering everything in its powdery softness. The trees were bare of leaves, their branches dark and twisted like deformed skeletons, reaching upwards to the heavens. An icy wind whistled loudly through the streets, as the last of the evening stragglers, with their scarves and coats pulled up over their faces, hurriedly made their way indoors and out of the blustery cold.

Inside the castle, fires roared in the fireplaces and lamps burned brightly in every corner to dispel the cold that crept through every crevice and crack. All the windows were shuttered and curtains drawn, while the palace's human inhabitants walked within its walls dressed in thick woolen robes and tunics. The vampires, unaffected by the cold, patrolled the exterior of the palace while inside they stood guard on the third floor, outside the Royal Chambers.

Inside the Royal Chambers, Serena was already in bed, the thick covers pulled up around her and over her swollen belly. Her face was pale and drawn while her eyes, in sharp contrast, shone brilliantly violet. She was breathing heavily and her veins featured prominently through her almost translucent skin. Inga had just finished braiding her raven hair and stepped away from the bed as Ivar came to take her place.

She smiled at him, her face lighting up with genuine delight at seeing him close to her again. Ivar touched her cheek and ran his thumb across her lips before leaning down to kiss her gently on her forehead.

"Dr Aylard said that I'm doing very well and the baby will be arriving soon", she said, taking one of his hands in hers.

"Indeed you are but you still need proper care and I have sent for another physician to attend to you"

"Dr Aylard is taking good care of us, I don't need another physician"

"I understand but he is limited in his experience with.....a case such as yours and I want to make sure that nothing is left to chance with you and our child"

"But I like Dr Aylard", she insisted sullenly.

"More than me?", he arched a brow questioningly.

"Of course not! No one could replace you in my heart!"

"I know, I just want to hear you say it", he smirked.

Serena smiled and raised her hand to touch his face, gently tracing the smooth contours of his cheeks and mouth. His skin was cool and flawless and her fingers glided effortlessly across its surface. He caught her hand in his and turning it over, kissed her palm and each of her fingers in turn.

"Now then my darling Serena, you know well that I do everything to keep you safe and well so no more arguments, yes?"

She tried to be assertive, wanted to be, but she was just too tired and she had neither the inclination or energy to argue. She nodded quietly and sighed out loud, still holding his hand, as she pressed it to her stomach and let him feel his child move inside her.

She watched as his eyes grew wide and a slow smile curved his lips upward. He moved his hand tenderly across her belly, and bent forward to rest his head on her stomach, listening to the sound of the small heart beating within. She brought her other hand up to his head and softly stroked his thick black hair, content to watch him as unguarded as he was in that moment.

Time slowed, moving at its own pace, seconds becoming minutes until something or someone disrupted the magic of the moment and Ivar slowly raised his head and turned to face the doors.

There was a soft click as the lock turned and Rathgar appeared, stepping silently into the room. He bowed before them and straightening up, looked at Ivar, before he spoke.

"When you are ready"

Ivar didn't reply, but turned instead to Serena, speaking to her in a soothing tone.

"It is time you meet your new physician"

"Oh", she sat up in bed and pulled the covers up to her chest while smoothing back her hair.

Rathgar walked further into the room before turning back to the doors and nodding at someone standing outside in shadowy hall.

The man who entered the room looked even less like a physician than Dr Aylard, but not in a pleasant way. His bird-like stature and deep sunken eyes with their black orbs, were unsettling to say the least, and Serena glanced nervously at Ivar to see if this was some kind of mistake, but his face told her otherwise.

"Your Majesty, may I present Vasyris, your new physician", Rathgar uttered stiffly.

"Your Majesties", Vasyris bowed low, keeping his head bowed after he straightened up.

His hairless scalp gleamed in the lamp light and his olive skin shone with the glow from the fireplace. The hem of his dark brown robe reached to the floor, covering his feet, while the sleeves concealed his hands, the sound of his voice was low and raspy, like sand being blown across the desert.

"Vasyris it's been too long but not long enough", Ivar replied, without mirth.

"Always a pleasure Your Majesty", Vasyris kept his head bowed as though afraid to show his face.

Rathgar snorted derisively and threw a quick glance at Ivar before turning his attention back to Vasyris.

"Get on with it old man. You're not here to be social"

Despite his disturbing appearance, Serena was displeased with Rathgar's harsh treatment of the man. Even though he had a sinister aura about him, she felt that he meant her no harm.

"Lord Bane, this is not how we treat our guests and especially not the physician that will be attending to the heir of the Vampire King", she admonished.

Ivar folded his arms across his chest and the corner of his mouth twitched as he watched Rathgar squirm under Serena's steady gaze.

"Forgive me Your Majesty, but the hour grows late and you need your rest. I only thought to encourage him to proceed with his job", Rathgar bowed his head and placed his hand over his heart.

"I appreciate your concern, Lord Bane, and you are correct. Shall we proceed? Vasyris?"

Vasyris hurried forward, his head bobbing on his neck as he approached the bed and held out his hand for Serena to take. Ivar's eyes narrowed imperceptibly and he tensed, prepared to rip the man's heart out at the first sign of a threat.

Serena paused before placing her hand in the old man's tanned and weathered one. She immediately felt warmth spreading from his hand into hers, there was a gentle buzzing sensation that radiated through her body, enveloping her in its comforting vibrations.

She felt no malevolence through the connection so she continued to hold his hand while allowing herself to float along with the ebb and flow of the pleasant warmth. The old man's eyes were closed and he seemed to be muttering softly to himself, but Ivar and Rathgar heard him clearly. He spoke in an ancient tongue, not heard for many centuries, and long since forgotten, except by those who had lived long enough to have spoken it.

Serena lay against the pillows that were propped up behind her and closed her eyes. Her breathing, which had previously been labored, was now calm and steady, and her face had become relaxed and serene, as she drifted into a deep sleep.

His voice soon faded and he raised his head and stepped back away from the bed, his eyes on Ivar.

"I do hope that you have not done anything to harm my wife....for your sake", Ivar was watching just as closely, if not more so.

"You are still as distrustful as ever"

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't be"

"Careful. Your humanity is showing", Vasyris mocked.

"Careful Vasyris. Or your heart will be on show"

Vasyris held up his hands placatingly and lowered his head. He knew he was beat and wouldn't push Ivar any further, old he may be, but he was certainly not stupid.

"Well? Speak", Ivar ordered.

"Both Her Majesty and heir are in fine health but I may have to induce labor"

"For what reason?"

"Her body will not be able to sustain the child for much longer....not without dire consequences"

Ivar grew silent while he contemplated this, his expression was unreadable and he seemed to have forgotten the two men. Her powers were strong but not fully awakened, and to attempt to awaken them now would require an emotional shock so great that it would risk harming their unborn child.

"How much longer?", Ivar asked quietly.

"A week or more...but no longer than two"

Ivar's gaze drifted to the bed and his wife sleeping peacefully under the covers. For the first time in weeks, he heard her heart beating in a steady, even rhythm. He couldn't risk losing her, not now, not ever.

"You have a week to prepare. You will remain here in the palace until the baby is born", Ivar stared hard at Vasyris, as though daring the old man to refuse.

"As you wish my King"

Ivar gave a slight nod to Rathgar, who quietly ushered the old man out of the Royal Chambers and into the hall outside.

He remained seated long after the two men had left and when the sun rose the next morning, he was still sitting in his chair, only having moved beside the bed, to be closer to his wife.