Approaching the Councilors, Serena kept her eyes lowered, watching Ivar's boots move across the stone floor, and stopping when he did. She bowed her head and curtsied, just as Ivar had instructed, raising her eyes to see the five Councilors studying her with an almost hungry intensity. The feeling of disquiet grew, her stomach in knots and her clenched hands, hidden amongst the folds of her dress.
Seated before them, were two women and three men, and just by looking at them, she knew that they all represented the five different races that inhabited Nahana. One vampire, one Lycan, one witch, one fae and one human, and she found that she could easily identify them all.
She gazed at each of them in turn, noting their features and race, as Ivar introduced them. The vampire, Mikhail, was so pale, his skin seemed almost translucent and his thin lips were firmly pressed together in a look of permanent disapproval. Beneath his long platinum lashes his claret-colored eyes shimmered mysteriously, and were framed by similar markings to Rathgar's, but less bold and more elaborate.
Beside Mikhail, sat Lucinda, the witch, watching Serena with a keen interest, but not with any malice as far as she could tell. She had hazel, almond-shaped eyes and ruby-red lips the exact same shade as her hair, that cascaded down her back in thick, luxuriant waves. She was anything, if not stunning, to behold.
"Queen Serena of the Shadowlands, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance", the fae, Seamus, spoke, his voice, a melodious baritone, was truly delightful to hear.
Serena looked at him, her eyes drawn to the beautiful man, sitting in the middle of the others. His brunette hair worn long, as was customary for fae of royal blood and eyes so blue, they seemed almost turquoise.
"The pleasure is all mine, my Lord", Serena replied, slightly bowing her head.
"Well we have waited long enough"
Serena turned her head at the sound of the sharp voice, finding the owner to be a beautiful blonde with green eyes, she was clearly annoyed and also very obviously human. Before she had time to respond, Ivar smoothly interjected, his voice sickly sweet.
"Forgive me, Lavinia, I was so preoccupied with acquainting myself with my new bride, I lost all track of time"
Serena saw something akin to rage, flicker in the woman's eyes, before Lavinia quickly masked it with a small, tight smile. Beside her, the Lycan, Markus, laughed, his warm, brown eyes lighting up with amusement.
"Lavinia hasn't quite forgiven you yet, Vampire King", Markus said, speaking through his laughter.
"There is nothing to be forgiven for, as far as I am concerned", Ivar replied, indifferently.
Lavinia glanced at him, her beautiful features clouded with anger, as she opened her mouth to speak.
"That will be enough, Lavinia", Seamus spoke softly but Markus immediately stopped laughing and Lavinia closed her mouth, reluctantly biting back her angry response.
"She is beautiful, Your Majesty, you have chosen well", Lucinda spoke this time, smiling warmly at Serena.
"Well at least that's one thing that I think we can all agree on", Markus agreed.
Lavinia looked like she had something to say, but thinking better of it, she remained silent while Seamus and Mikhail, who had still not spoken, only nodded imperceptibly but said nothing. Serena could sense waves of hatred, emanating from the human and she was confused as to why. She certainly had never met the woman before and she could only guess that it most likely had something to do with her forgiving Ivar for something he must have done.
"You are from the former kingdom of Mordach?", Seamus asked.
"Yes, my Lord"
"A beautiful place", Lucinda said.
"Thank you, my Lady. Have you been?", Serena smiled back at her.
"Indeed, but unfortunately not as long as I would have liked", Lucinda replied, frowning slightly.
"Perhaps you will visit again, for longer", Serena said, hopefully.
"Perhaps next time, you will accompany me and give me a tour", Lucinda glanced quickly at Ivar, her eyes smiling mischievously.
"You will be in good hands, if Her Majesty, is willing", Ivar smiled back at Lucinda, a look passing between them that Serena couldn't quite decipher.
"Your Majesty, when do you plan to leave for the south?", Seamus politely interrupted.
"Not for a while yet, we still have much to prepare", Ivar answered, turning his attention to the fae.
Serena stiffened slightly, trying to hide her surprise, Ivar had not mentioned traveling south, to her. She wondered now, when he had planned to inform her of his intentions or even if he would have, when she felt his hand firmly squeeze her arm. She turned to him, smiling widely, before turning back to the Councilors, who were watching them closely.
"Of course, we wouldn't want you to leave your bride alone so soon after your wedding", Lavinia said with more than a little venom.
"Hardly, I intend on taking my Queen with me", Ivar countered, resisting the bait.
"Are you sure that's wise? Taking her with you into battle?", Lucinda questioned, concerned.
"You could always leave her in my care. I don't mind", Markus grinned, winking teasingly at Serena.
"As much as I appreciate your concern, it is entirely my decision to follow His Majesty, into battle", Serena replied calmly, feeling Ivar relax beside her.
The Councilors stared at her, unblinking, before glancing at each other and nodding, seemingly satisfied with her answer. All of them, except Lavinia, who only glared at her, loathing evident in her eyes and her lips grimly pressed together in a frown. Serena couldn't help but wilt a little, under the intensity of her open hostility, as undeserved as it was.
"If that will be all, my Queen and I, will take our leave. She is most interested in seeing the rest of the town in the short time that we will be here", Ivar said, diplomatically bringing the meeting to a close.
"Of course, we have much to offer, please feel welcome", Seamus replied, his eyes on Serena.
"Thank you, my Lord", Serena felt Ivar pull her towards him as he turned to leave.
"We will see you at the ball tonight", Markus' voice rang out just before they turned.
"We are looking forward to it", Ivar curtly replied, turning to leave once again.
"Queen Serena", a soft, sibilant whisper echoed through the chamber, freezing them in place.
"You have the most exquisite eyes"
Serena turned back and her eyes met with Mikhail's red orbs, as he stood up and almost seemed to glide down the aisle towards her, his long, black robes, floating gracefully behind him.
"From whom did you inherit such a precious gift?", he inquired, coming to stand in front of her.
"I.....don't know", she stammered, her heart starting to quicken its pace.
"Hmmm....intriguing...truly mesmerizing, I must say. Wouldn't you agree?", he asked quietly, still gazing at her.
"It's not so rare, Lord Mikhail", Ivar answered, pulling her closer to his side.
"But not common either", Mikhail returned.
"Perhaps but we must take our leave, my Queen is feeling a little faint from being on her feet for so long in such heavy finery", Ivar held her against him as he turned to leave.
As they walked down the aisle, she could feel the eyes of everyone in the chamber, watching them leave and she restrained herself from running from the room. Up ahead, she saw Rathgar, standing beside the doors, his eyes roaming around the room, as though anticipating some kind of threat from within these walls.
As they approached, he called through the doors for the guards and immediately they swung open to let them out. Serena exhaled, breathing deeply now that they had left the chamber and were walking down the hall.
"You did well, Serena", Ivar murmured.
"When were you planning to tell me about your trip to the south?", she hissed back.
"Not here", he replied softly, guiding her to the front doors, while Rathgar trailed behind, his eyes still scanning the room.
Stepping outside, he strode briskly to the carriage, forcing her to keep up and hurrying her inside before climbing in beside her. He exhaled loudly, running his fingers through his hair, tousling it so a few random strands fell on his face, covering his eyes. Leaning back against the back of the carriage, he closed his eyes as he reached out and took her hand in his.
Serena didn't respond, sitting rigidly, beside him and looking out the window, trying her best to ignore his close proximity to her.
"Serena", he sighed, brushing his thumb across her knuckles.
"Were you even planning on telling me?", she asked softly.
"Yes, of course but...", he sighed again, louder this time.
"But what?", she questioned, turning to face him.
"I didn't think you would want to come with me "
"Why wouldn't I?", she asked, surprised.
"Do you see me as your husband Serena?"
"I....don't think I understand", she stuttered.
"Am I only the Vampire King to you?", he probed.
She paused, contemplating his question, her brow furrowed in thought.