Chapter Nine

"Good morning beautiful," David crooned, smoothing his hand over Ophelia's flat stomach as he softly kissed the underside of her jaw.

"Morning," she hummed, lazily rolling onto her back. David drew her into a slow, passionate kiss, while gently guiding her upright, slowly working the silk camisole that had ridden up over her thighs as she'd slept over her hips, sliding it leisurely up over her body before gently guiding it over her head. His eyes drifted hungrily over her naked breasts and he dipped his head, ghosting his lips across her chest as he smoothed his hands up over her waist to cup her breasts, grazing his thumbs over her peaked buds. Ophelia hummed with pleasure, sexily biting her lip, her head dropping back against her shoulders as he teasingly fondled her breasts while nipping and sucking her exposed throat.

David positioned her between his thighs, wrapping her slender legs around his waist as he slowly pushed her back against the pillows, sliding his hand up her thigh. He captured her in a heated kiss as he nudged his stiff cock against her warm, soft mound. Ophelia's fingers tangled in the kings tousled hair, her tongue exploring his mouth between lusty breaths. Her hands smoothed down his back and rounded over his hips, all the while her emerald eyes darkened with desire.

David bit his lip hungrily as his eyes roamed the mouth-watering curves of her body. "This needs to go…" he crooned, plucking at the damp material of her knickers. To his surprise, without taking her eyes off his, Ophelia seductively slid her underwear down her thighs, flicking them to the side with her foot. The king groaned, his eyes roaming ravenously over the soft contours and tantalizing curves of her naked body. "I want to wake to this sight every morning for the rest of my life," he exhaled, his voice husky from only recently waking from slumber and his deep-rooted desire.

Ophelia beckoned him to her with her finger and he smirked, lowering himself to cover her with his weight, hungrily devouring her lips. The feel of her luxuriously soft, warm naked skin pressing against his bare chest was enough to make his head spin. He snaked wet, open mouthed kisses down the length of her neck, continuing a path to the soft mounds of her breasts; his tongue zig-zagging over velveteen flesh while his thumbs grazed her peaked buds in lazy circles. Ophelia gasped, releasing a shuddering breath, spurring on the king's passionate assault of her body. With his thumbs still teasing her breasts, he trailed his tongue the length of her stomach, licking, sucking and biting lightly at the supple flesh.

David couldn't get enough of her. She was so soft and warm beneath his lips and finger. Her skin was as smooth as silk and she both tasted and smelt like the finest maraschino cherries. The previous night had been an awakening for him, perhaps for them both and all he could think about the moment the haze of slumber had cleared from his eyes, was his queen and her irresistible body. David groaned, making his way further down her body, grazing his teeth over the soft flesh of her inner thighs, coaxing another shaky exhale. He trailed his tongue the full length of her legs, skimming lingering kisses to her inner thighs before turning his attention to her irresistibly scented, glistening apex. He eagerly lowered his head, ghosting his lips over her mound, eliciting a breathless moan from his queen.

Ophelia gazed down at him, her bottom lip hooked between her teeth and David lowered his head back between her thighs and with his tongue flat against her desire drenched folds, slowly raised his head keeping a firm grip on her waist. David could hear the rapid thump of her heart, the scent of her arousal shrouding him as she exhaled short, shallow pants as he covered her apex with his hungry mouth. He groaned, humming with pleasure as he tongued her warm, wet slit, the taste of her slick deliciously sweet. He buried his tongue deeper, sucking her folds ravenously as she writhed beneath him.

"Oh… don't stop…" she panted, her hands seeking the top of his head.

David moaned, parting her swollen folds to cover her sensitive bud and sucked gently, eliciting harmonious whimpers of pleasure. Ophelia's hands fisted his hair, drawing him closer, urging him to continue his feast. David hummed with lust, sucking her sensitive bud harder, gently biting down with his teeth. Ophelia cried out, her sensual vocalisations melodious to his ears, her sounds a glorious partnering of both immense pleasure and the slight, hint of pain. His tongue darted over her throbbing bud, the scent of her arousal growing stronger until he knew she was close to falling. He sucked her bundle of nerves, nudging her apex until she was quivering with restraint. He slid his hands up her slender body, tweaking her pebbled nubs with a gentle tug. "Oh.. David…" Ophelia cried out, her back arching as her body violently shook, her hands clawing at both the crumpled sheets and the pillows above her head as she rode the waves of her climax.

Ophelia's eyes fluttered open and she looked back at him with a bashful smile.

After a brief moment of comfortable quiet, David spoke. "What would you like to do today starlight?" he smiled, shifting to lay beside her.

His queen frowned. "I have my lessons, I didn't think I had a choice in the matter."

"Today you do-" he smiled, softly nudging her lips, brushing a stray curl from her face, "-I've already told Dwayne to cancel your lessons today and I also told him that I'm taking the day off from my duties - thus, we are free to do whatever you wish."

"Honestly, David, I just want to spend some time with you," Ophelia chewed her lip shyly.

"I'm all yours sweetheart," he crooned, drawing her into a succession of tender kisses.

"Do you think you could maybe show me a little of your kingdom? Perhaps we could take a walk somewhere, nothing extravagant…" she smiled, stroking his temple with the pad of her thumb.

"It's is not only my kingdom Ophelia, it is yours too and it would be my pleasure to show it to you," he smiled. "Shall we start with breakfast?"

"Sure, though can you request something sweet? I'm not in the mood for eggs and bacon," Ophelia asked sweetly.

"Anything for you my queen," he smiled.

Ophelia tugged at the panelled skirt of her dress, trying not to trip over the billowing, lush crimson embroidered fabric that covered her feet. David had explained that because she wanted to leave the palace grounds, she must adhere to royal clothing protocol which meant that as the future queen, she must dress modestly, yet at the same time, flaunt her high-ranking social status. Ellie had picked out a beautiful rich, crimson crushed velvet dress with long sleeves and a modest, square neckline which she'd paired with a pair of slightly uncomfortable heeled pumps and a plethora of jewellery that both weighed a ton and looked like it cost a fortune. While Ophelia was all decked out in jewels and a lavish dress, David had gotten away with wearing a pair of black leather pants, a wine coloured silk shirt that complimented her dress and a pair of heavy, military boots – men had it so easy.

David paused at the heavy, mahogany doors of the dining hall, turning to face her with a warm smile. "You look beautiful Ophelia," he crooned, tenderly stroking her cheek. "If only you could see yourself through my eyes, you'd see what a striking queen you will be," he added, nudging her lips softly. "Shall we?" he smiled, motioning to the dining hall doors.

"We shall," she smirked, slipping her hand in his.

Ophelia allowed David to lead her into the room where they were greeted by Marko and Paul. "Good morning sire - your majesty," Marko bowed with a warm smile.

"Morning Phee, might I say how ravishing you look this morning," Paul grinned. "Your majesty," he greeted David with a bow.

"Morning boys," Ophelia giggled.

"Where's Dwayne?" David frowned at the two blondes.

"Here your majesty," Dwayne's flustered voice sounded from behind them as the heavy doors swung open. Ophelia turned around to find Dwayne strolling into the hall with a young boy practically clinging to his left leg. "My apologies sire but Jeremiah was upset, he wanted to see you, or in his words superman," Dwayne chuckled, resting his hand on the child's head in a fatherly manner.

Ophelia quickly surmised that the young boy was the orphan David had saved from the Lycan's ambush that unfortunate night and her heart ached. He was such a sweet little thing with his mop of mousy brown hair and big grey doe eyes.

"Come," David beckoned the young boy who timidly crossed the hall, pausing by David's feet. Ophelia watched, her stomach fluttering with affection as David knelt on one knee, stroking his knuckles across the little boy's cheek. "Why do you cry Jeremiah?" David spoke softly.

"I miss my mommy and daddy," he whimpered, his innocent eyes growing watery with unshed tears. Ophelia's heart broke for the child for she could relate to his grief, as could David judging by the flicker of sorrow in his crystal blue eyes. Though at least Ophelia was old enough to understand her loss, the poor child on the other hand must be so scared and confused.

"I understand Jeremiah, I too miss my mother and father-" David smiled sadly, "-but you don't need to feel scared OK? You're safe here, do you understand?"

Jeremiah nodded, glancing up at Ophelia with misty eyes. Ophelia found herself joining David on the floor, sitting back on her heels as she regarded the boy with a soft smile. "Hi Jeremiah, I'm Ophelia," she introduced herself.

"Are you the queen?" he whispered, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth.

"Apparently," Ophelia smiled, and David chuckled. "How old are you Jeremiah?"

"I'm four-" he beamed proudly, "-I'm a big boy now."

Ophelia's heart melted. "Yes, you're a very big boy now, big and brave, isn't that right?"

Jeremiah nodded eagerly.

"Hmm… yes I think you'll make a fine palace guard," Ophelia appraised light-heartedly, observing his smile grow wider.

"You mean I can fight the bad guys like the king?" Jeremiah asked, almost giddily.

"Of course, you'll be the toughest, strongest guard of them all, even bigger than Dwayne," she gestured to the kings adviser who was stood with an amused smirk on his face.

"Woah," Jeremiah's eyes widened.

"And do you know what the toughest, strongest guard needs to keep him big and strong?" Ophelia pressed with a grin.

"What?" Jeremiah leant forward in anticipation.

"Breakfast," Ophelia beamed, and Jeremiah giggled. "What about it master Jeremiah, would you like to join me for breakfast?"

"Yes please," Jeremiah's face lit up with delight, barrelling into her arms. Ophelia embraced the child warmly, chastely kissing his cheek. She saw David glancing over at her with an expression she couldn't decipher as she rose to her feet, carrying Jeremiah over to the table, placing him securely in her lap.

"I hope the king doesn't object to our newest palace guard joining us for breakfast?" Ophelia glanced over at David who was lowering himself into his seat at the head of the table.

"Of course not my queen," David smiled sincerely, tilting his head affectionately.

"I gotta say, it's rather wholesome in the dining hall this morning," Dwayne smirked, taking his seat beside her.

"Ze sweet caress of twilight-" Paul exclaimed in a mock-French accent, "-there's magic everywhere… and with all this romantic atmosphere… disaster's in the air," he sing-songed exaggeratedly and Ophelia despite her best efforts burst out in hysterical laughter while Jeremiah giggled in her lap. Marko coughed a laugh, biting his knuckles to stifle his amusement while Dwayne snorted.

"You're a child Paul, a damn child," David sniped, his scowl morphing into an amused grin when he saw how hard Ophelia was laughing.

"So, where are you taking me?" Ophelia chirped as she strolled hand in hand with the king across the stone bridge separating the palace from the rest of the kingdom.

"I thought we'd take a stroll through the village closest to the palace, perhaps stay awhile by the lake before I take you for a late lunch at the local inn – all very low key, I don't think you're ready to be swarmed by the masses just yet, plus I still have that prat of a Goblin King to think about," David replied, stroking his thumb over her knuckles.

"Sounds like a plan to me, I'm just happy to spend time with you…" Ophelia smiled, shyly averting her eyes in favour of peering over the wall of the bridge at the crystal clear river below.

"As am I Starlight."

An iron gate set in a high, stone wall blocked the end of the bridge where two guards in heavy black regalia and crimson cloaks stood sentry with Marko perched atop the wall, his legs straddling either side as he stared out across the kingdom. "Your majesty," the two guards bowed gracefully, their sharp, crimson eyes regarding Ophelia with curiosity.

"Angelo, Ezra, allow me to introduce you to your future queen, Ophelia," Marko grinned, hopping down from the wall with natural grace.

"Welcome your highness," Angelo bowed cordially.

"A word of advice my lady, avoid the king when he's running on little sleep, he has a tendency to be rather boorish," Ezra smirked.

"Ignore Ezra Ophelia, he never did know when to keep his foolish mouth shut," David countered with a smirk.

Ophelia smiled, enjoying the king's repartee with his staff. She'd seen him at his most pretentious but she'd also seen the softer, more playful side of him and judging by the luxury in which his staff lived, she could see that he was a very fair, hospitable ruler which only made her attraction to him heighten. "Ophelia, Marko will be shadowing us while we're travelling around the kingdom, your safety is paramount at this time," David stated, pulling her out of her internal swooning.

"Don't worry your highness, I won't intrude," Marko winked and Ophelia blushed.

"I don't know what it is you are referring to Marko but even jesting about the queen's morality should surely be a punishable offence," she sniffed, smirking when David barked a laugh.

"Ah, I see our future queen has a little fire in her veins your majesty," Ezra chuckled.

"Capable of putting a pep in his majesties step too, wouldn't you say fella's?" Marko grinned knowingly and Ophelia's cheeks heated.

"Enough teasing boys, please release the gate," David shook his head in amusement.

"Of course sire," Angelo bowed, cranking the gate open.

"Until we meet again," Ezra winked with a bow and Ophelia giggled, already knowing the youthful guard was trouble.

Following a peaceful stroll through the village, the king lead Ophelia towards the enchanted woodland bordering the lake. The perils of living in a magically enchanted kingdom, meant that he had to suffer the various occasions he came across random places that would delight and fascinate the fae but left a vampire such as himself feeling a little nauseous. He scowled, batting at a glowing neon pink butterfly, fluttering and dancing incessantly in front of his face, leaving him ducking out of the fluttering little pests reach. Continuing down the path into the woodland, hundreds of the glowing butterflies like the one he'd just fought off, of all the colours of the damn rainbow, danced and flittered, their bright luminescent wings skimming the lush green leaves of the towering trees. White fairy lights hung from tree branches and wrapped in loose spirals around their trunks while the path they were walking on glittered and twinkled like it had been scattered with the remnants of a damn strippers knickers.

David shuddered - it was positively nauseating. He glanced over at Ophelia wondering if she shared his distaste for such a place only to find her eyes wide with amazement, an awestruck smile on her pretty face as her eyes followed an electric blue butterfly that flittered and circled her head. He glanced over his shoulder, stifling his laughter when he saw Marko strolling a fair few feet behind them, his face screwed up in disgust. David turned his attention back to the beautiful creature beside him, relishing in the warmth of her hand in his dowsing his skin in a wave of static electricity. He couldn't stop thinking about that morning and how she'd interacted with the boy-child, she'd been so kind, caring, motherly even and although he knew he was fantasizing about things way off in the future, he couldn't help but think what a wonderful mother she'd make.

They journeyed deeper, the woodland humming with life all around them. David mourned the loss of his queen's warm touch when her hand slipped from his as she twirled in a slow, deliberate circle, gazing up at the closely knitted canopy of nature, listening to the melodious song of the nightingale and nightjar, interspersed with the strident hoot of an owl hidden in the vast valley of trees. The twilight sky broke through the cracks in the canopy, lighting the dirt path ahead, bathing the outgrown, creeping roots, wildflowers and fallen leaves and twigs that crunched and snapped beneath their feet in a soft, pastel glow. David inhaled the scent of fragrant minty grass, the earthy scent of the dirt and the pleasant perfume of the various flowers, all of which were mingled with his queen's intoxicating scent. He smiled, recapturing Ophelia's hand, keen to ride the wave of peace washing over him for as long as it would last. Right now, it was just him and his queen, there was no threat of the Goblin King taking away what was his, there was no stack of correspondence to work through, there was no court to sit through, listening to the incessant gripes and drone of his fellow rulers. There was only peace and tranquillity, the weight of Ophelia's hand in his, the heady perfume of her blood flooding his senses, her soft beautiful features gracing his sight and the promise of where the day could lead.

Following a lengthy walk through the woodland, they stepped out into a grassy meadow of sorts that bordered a glistening, azure blue lake. "Wow," Ophelia gasped, looking around her with child-like wonder.

"Are you enjoying the sights of our kingdom so far my queen?" David drawled, guiding her to sit between his legs on the bank of the lake, his arms wrapped around her waist as he leant his chin on her shoulder.

"I can't believe places like this actually exist, I thought it was all just fairytales and fantasy fiction, I never dreamed I'd experience it for real," Ophelia gushed, leaning back against his chest. "Thank you for sharing it with me David," she uttered, kissing his jaw with a shy smile.

"It's my pleasure Ophelia," he murmured, gently turning her head to capture her lips in a lingering kiss.

David couldn't fathom the happiness and calm that he felt from such a simple action as sitting by a lake with his queen in his arms. He had thought that it would have been burning passion and pleasure of the flesh that would bring him such inner tranquillity but he'd been very much mistaken. Of course, the passion that burned between them when they were alone in his chambers was all encompassing, it was something earth shattering and something he'd never experienced before but just being close and affectionate with Ophelia was enough to make his chest ache with happiness, thawing the icy walls around his heart. It would seem that with his queen he would have the best of both worlds.

He found himself wondering if this was how his father felt in the company of his mother. It was no secret how much his parents revered one another, their love was a subject of envy amongst the other royal couples. Though David was admittedly a little scared to feel such new and intense feelings, always waiting for the day that Ophelia would walk away from him, he knew that he couldn't control the speed nor the degree in which he was falling for the woman in his arms no more than he could control his carnal thirst for blood.

"David?" Ophelia de-railed his sappy train of thought.

"Hmmm?"

"Do you want children?" she asked, catching him off guard.

"What random questions my queen asks," he chuckled, stroking his thumb over her sternum.

Ophelia laughed light-heartedly. "I'm sorry, I know it's a bit of a heavy question but seeing you interact with Jeremiah this morning, how soft and caring you were towards him, just made me wonder if you saw yourself being a father in the future."

"I feel I must make a confession-" David smiled against her shoulder, "-my weaknesses and though I have very few, they are rather weighty, and those weaknesses are children and animals," he murmured feeling slightly abashed. He'd never admit his weaknesses to anyone but the woman in his arms made him want to bare his tortured soul.

"So, the pretentious, rage machine does have weaknesses, and what noble weaknesses they are," Ophelia teased and David tickled her ribs in retaliation.

"Do not take my confession to mean I am weak in every sense my queen for I can be cruel as much as I can be compassionate and I can punish as much as I can reward," he crooned against her ear, nuzzling the juncture of her neck and shoulder, relishing in the way his queen shuddered.

"I could never think you weak my king, though I do see your true colours are not all black and white," Ophelia whispered, twisting her neck to kiss the underside of his jaw.

A shiver like the teasing caress of his queen's fingers trickled down the length of his spine. How her words of reverence destroyed him in the most pleasurable ways. "How your words of veneration make me weak Ophelia," he breathed, gently pushing her down onto the grassy bank.

David cradled the back of her head in his hand as he dipped to capture her in a slow, passionate kiss and the way she hummed against his mouth almost had him coming undone. He drew his tongue along the underside of her jaw and she tilted her head, leaving the satin smooth alabaster flesh of her throat exposed to him. David groaned, placing wet, open mouthed kisses to the spot where her pulse thrummed like the wings of a hummingbird.

Ophelia released a low moan, her moans of pleasure turning to a gasp and David frowned, raising his head to find his queen staring at something a little off to the side of where they lay. "What is it Ophelia?"

"A baby rabbit, oh my God it's so cute," she squealed in girlish delight.

"Are you seriously telling me that a baby rabbit is more captivating then your lovers touch?" David pouted, pulling her upright.

Ophelia turned to face him with an amused smile. "Now don't pout my king-" she playfully tugged his bottom lip, "-your touch could be nothing less than captivating but I'm keenly aware that Marko is hiding somewhere in that tree-line and can see everything that we do and I'm actually glad of the distraction because believe me, your majesty, if my attention was not drawn elsewhere, I don't think I would have been able to stop myself from wanting more of you," she purred, trailing her fingers down his chest.

David bit his lip with a smirk. "Shall we say, to be continued?"

"Most definitely," Ophelia grinned impishly, her emerald green eyes twinkling with mischief.

David observed Ophelia as she turned her attention back to the rabbit. He had to admit it was rather cute with its fluffy brown fur and beady black eyes and he found himself wondering where it's mother was. "Davey what if it's lost?" Ophelia frowned, patting the grass, trying to get the rabbits attention.

Davey? He grinned, shaking his head in amusement. "It's the way of the wild starlight, sometimes baby animals get lost."

"But it's so small and defenceless, what if a bigger animal tries to eat it?" Ophelia flustered as the rabbit timidly hopped in their direction.

"As unfortunate as it is, then that's just life's food chain."

"Spoken like a true predator," Ophelia scoffed, and David snorted a laugh. He watched intrigued as the rabbit tentatively approached Ophelia's outstretched hand, it's tiny button nose twitching as it sniffed at the tips of her fingers before to his surprise, it hopped right into the palm of her hand. Ophelia beamed, her whole face alight with happiness as she cradled the tiny creature against her bosom, gently stroking it's fur with the tip of her finger.

"Poor baby," she cooed, caressing it's floppy ears and the rabbit nuzzled the palm of her hand.

David rolled his eyes in exasperation, though he was secretly enthralled by the sight. "Would you like Marko to take it back to the palace and we'll keep it in the gardens? There are no predators bar the one you sit beside and his staff, it should be safe there."

"You'd do that?" Ophelia's eyes widened, her smile growing wider.

"For you my queen, I'd do anything," he sighed with a warm smile.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she squealed in delight, surprising him with a hard kiss to his lips.

"You're most welcome sweetheart," he smiled, kissing her cheek. "Marko!"

Marko sauntered out from the tree-line, approaching the two of them curiously. "Yes sire?"

"Can you please take the rabbit back to the palace and release it in the gardens, apparently it is to be the queen's mercy project," David stated, gesturing to the tiny fluffball in Ophelia's hands.

The king could see Marko was struggling not to laugh. He cleared his throat, holding out his hands. "Of course your majesty, I ask that you remain here until I return."

"Of course," David nodded as Ophelia carefully set the rabbit in Marko's hands.

"If anything happens to that bunny, regardless of whether you are the head guard and a friend to the king, I will order that you spend the night in the dungeon," Ophelia warned and both he and Marko barked a laugh.

"You heard the queen Marko," David chuckled.

"Don't worry your highness, it's in safe hands," he winked before heading back towards the forest.

"Hmmm… with Marko absent for the next five minutes, perhaps it would be prudent for me to pick up where I left off," David smirked, pushing Ophelia down onto her back, eliciting a girlish giggle.

"Is that all it takes my liege, five minutes?" Ophelia teased and David growled.

"Oh how naïve you are Ophelia, I can go all night," he breathed against her ear, drawing her into a hungry kiss.

Ophelia stared up at the grandiose building, it's exterior architecture a sight to behold. The building was comprised of two storeys set in a sprawling landscape off an old, beaten path on the far side of the village. The structure was predominantly comprised of deep burgundy rosewood, it's thick panelling painted a glossy, inky black with iron framed high arched windows. The aroma of roasted meat, buttery pastry and cinnamon spiced fruits floated through the open medieval-style door, the tantalising scents mingling with the bitter fragrance of ale and sharp notes of liquor. A swinging wooden sign protruding from the side of the building read 'The King's Inn' and Ophelia wondered whether it was just a random name choice or a tribute to past and present kings.

"Shall we?" David motioned to the inn with a warm smile.

Ophelia glanced over her shoulder, spotting Marko perched atop a rickety wooden fence bordering a paddock, his eyes trained on the near distance. Though she'd wanted to spend time alone with David, she couldn't help but feel guilty that Marko had been following them around all day and now they were about to go and fill their stomachs with delicious smelling food while he sat outside staring into space. "Davey?" she murmured, squeezing his hand that had been interlinked with hers for the majority of the day.

"Yes sweet one?" David replied and Ophelia felt herself blush.

"Should we invite Marko to join us? I feel a little mean leaving him out here alone," Ophelia frowned, meeting the kings crystal blue eyes.

"You do realise it is his job Ophelia? He is not doing this as a favour to me, it is his sworn duty."

"Even so, it doesn't feel right," she countered.

David smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling cutely. "As you wish sweet one, you may invite him to join us."

"Most gracious of you your majesty," Ophelia beamed, kissing his cheek. "Marko," she called out to the king's guard.

"Yes my lady?" he smiled, hopping down from the fence.

"Would you like to join us?" Ophelia offered sincerely.

"Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude your majesty," Marko shook his head.

"You're not intruding Marko, it is the queen's wish that you join us to eat and as such, I have no objections," David clarified.

Marko grinned, flashing his pearly white teeth. "In that case, it would be rude of me to refuse."

"Quite," David chuckled, leading them inside.

Ophelia surveyed her surroundings with ardent curiosity. The interior of the inn was as decadent as it's exterior with the same medieval vibe. The furnishings were all polished teak, with the walls solid varnished oak. A sturdy bar ran across the back of the common room, stocked with rows upon rows of bottles all filled with varying shades of liquid from a dark, ruby red to a rich caramel. Silver filigreed candelabra's hung from the high ceiling while heavy, silver sconces lined the walls, the sprawling space illuminated by candle-light giving it a warm, welcoming yet intimate atmosphere. A large stone fireplace was built into the furthest wall from the bar where flickering amber flames roared and licked at the stone chimney. A large bearskin rug was laid out in front of the fire, with similar animal furs lining the walls like nature's own tapestries, interspersed with mounted stag heads and the odd snarling maw of a humongous wolf.

"My king, it is such a pleasure to have you visit and for you to bring the queen - well I'd say it was a cause for celebration," a jolly woman with kind hazelnut eyes beamed down at her, her hands clutched against her buxom chest.

"Now Mable, there's no need to roll out the red carpet, just a bowl of your kingdom renowned beef stew and a slice of plum tart will be sufficient. Don't feel you must put yourself out on our account," David smiled.

"Nonsense child, you'll get the works and nothing less – I did the same for your mother and father when they used to visit and I shall do the same for you and your queen. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some work to do," the woman beamed, giving Ophelia one last appraising look before bustling back towards the kitchen.

"How old is she exactly?" Ophelia inquired curiously.

"A few millennia, give or take," David smirked when Ophelia gasped in awe.

"She doesn't look a day over fifty," she shook her head in disbelief.

"You tell Mable that and she'll be sending her famous plum tart to the palace every day," Marko chuckled.

"Sire, may I get you some refreshments?" a tall, stocky man with the most striking bright red eyes approached the table, a grubby white towel resting askew over one broad shoulder, his jet-black hair flopping over his forehead.

"Goblin ale for me please Lochlan," Marko leant back in his chair, interlinking his hands behind his head.

"Sanguis, please Lochlan," David put in his order. "Ophelia, what would you like to drink?"

"I don't suppose you have any Coke?" she mused, and the three men barked a laugh.

"I'm afraid we don't stock Coke my lady," Lochlan shook his head with a charming smile.

"What drinks do you have that don't end in me being inebriated?"

Lochlan chortled. "I can offer you milk, granatas which is essentially a sweet pomegranate syrup served either hot or cold, rose or lavender soda, lemonade or water."

"I'll try the rose soda please," Ophelia smiled.

"Very well my lady," Lochlan bowed graciously before heading back to the bar.

"Your highness, if you want, you can write a list of anything that you miss from the Overworld and on the next full moon, I'll make sure to stock up on it for you – it's what the rest of us do," Marko offered.

"Thanks Marko – what do you stock-up on?" Ophelia questioned curiously.

"Depends," Marko shrugged as Lochlan set a tray of drinks on the table. Ophelia eyed David's glass with intrigue, it looked very much like blood, yet he'd called it by a different name. Perhaps an old fashioned term? Latin maybe? "Usually I stock up on vodka, smokes, Dorito's – man I love Dorito's-" he laughed, "-M&M's, milk duds – junk food basically."

"What about you David? Do you stock up on anything or is there nothing that you really desire seen as you've always lived here?" Ophelia asked, taking a sip from the glass of pale pink liquid in front of her, pleasantly surprised by its subtle sweet, floral taste.

"Mainly cigarettes-" he replied, casually leaning back in his seat, "-but I am partial to Reese's pieces for some reason," he smiled.

"No way, I love Reese's – especially the white chocolate… ugh, that's so going on the list," she chirped, taking another sip of her drink as the two men chuckled.

David couldn't stop staring at the woman sitting across the table from him. The way she hummed happily with every mouthful of food she found pleasing. The way her eyes danced with mirth whenever Marko cracked a joke. The way her face lit up in a beaming smile whenever she looked over at him. The way her cheeks flushed pink whenever she caught him staring. The way she was so open and amiable to everyone that she met - everything about her mesmerised him.

Marko had set up camp at the bar with one of his old acquaintances, the two of them knocking back Goblin Ale like it was water while Ophelia had been apprehended by Mable who was talking his queen's ear off about the food and regaling her with stories of the past. "I remember one time when his majesty was just a boy, no more than six and he accompanied his mother and father on a trip into the village and they stopped off here. Now, let me tell you Ophelia, the king was a little heathen," Mable smirked, wagging her finger in David's direction and the king barked a laugh while Ophelia giggled.

"On this particular occasion, the king decided to explore the paddock just outside and somehow managed to procure himself a rather large, slimy toad. He snuck back into the inn with his pilfered treasure and decided that the best place for the toad was down the back of his mother's dress."

Ophelia gasped a laugh and David grinned, draining the last dregs of blood from his glass. "What did she do?"

"Why she screamed the place down-" Mable chuckled, her eyes twinkling with nostalgia, "-the high king at the time was trying very hard to stifle his laughter as he rummaged through his wives skirts to try and find the wretched thing while the young master grinned from ear to ear, watching the chaos unfurl."

"Did you get punished?" Ophelia asked curiously.

"No-" David smirked, "-my father found it hilarious and my mother threatened to throw me in the dungeon until my next birthday but she never could go through with it."

"No, Sophia never could stay angry at her little boy, the moment he flashed her his mischievous grin and big, blue eyes, she melted – Demetri was the same, he never could stay angry at his son, they simply loved him too much…" Mable smiled sadly.

David swallowed around the lump in his throat, feeling his chest tighten from the memories of the two people he loved the most. "I loved them too Mable, despite driving my mother to the brink of insanity on occasion," he smiled, averting his eyes.

"I know you did your majesty, even a fool could see that," Mable uttered, patting the back of his hand before she started clearing the table.

"You OK?" Ophelia asked, sliding her chair closer to his.

"Yes, I'm fine sweet one," David smiled.

"It's OK to feel sad you know, I understand your pain, it's one we both share after all…" Ophelia whispered, reaching out to cup his cheek, stroking her thumb across his jaw.

"I…" David sighed, he wanted to speak the words that made his heart ache but he couldn't bring himself to do it, not here, not so publicly - he couldn't let his subjects see him fall apart.

"I'm glad that I found you Ophelia. When I lost my mother and father, I let darkness consume me. I felt cold, angry and lost but now, everything's changed – you make the palace feel like a home again. You're a ray of light in the darkness that once overwhelmed me. I feel calm and comforted in your presence. I don't know how you feel Ophelia, but from my side, I'm so happy that you're here," he murmured, kissing the back of her hand softly.

Ophelia blushed, her eyes dropping to her lap shyly. "I'm happy too David," she smiled coyly, thawing the last of the ice around his heart.

Marko strolled into Paul's chambers, finding him and Dwayne sprawled out on his bed, shrouded in a haze of purple smoke, the pungent odour of weed hanging heavy in the air. Marko clambered up onto the bed, sliding the burning joint out from between Paul's ringed fingers and brought it to his lips, inhaling with a pleasured sigh.

"Man you reek of Goblin Ale," Dwayne wrinkled his nose, sluggishly punching his friends arm before his hand flopped back down against his broad chest.

"Been drinking on the job dude? That bad, huh?" Paul chuckled, reaching for the bag of peanut M&Ms by the pillows.

"No you airhead, we stopped off at The King's Inn over in the village, got talking to one of my old buddies, you remember Shawn, right?" Marko replied, taking another hit.

"Oh yeah, isn't he the guy that got dishonourably discharged from the guard for pissing over the side of the bridge when he was wasted on Goblin Ale?" Dwayne laughed.

"Yeah," Marko shook his head in amusement.

"How's that working out for him?" Paul scoffed, cramming a handful of M&M's in his mouth.

"Still on the ale man, pretty much sunk me under the bar."

"How'd you even get to the bar dude? Weren't you supposed to be manning the king and queen?"

"Ophelia invited me to join them and surprisingly, David didn't object to it – the dudes totally fucking whipped."

"Tell me more, tell me more," Paul perked up, rolling onto his side with a grin. "What'd you see? What d'you know?"

"Well they were all over each other down by the lake until Ophelia spotted a lost baby rabbit and completely forgot all about the fact David had his face buried against her throat," Marko grinned.

Dwayne and Paul barked a laugh. "Ouch, that had to hurt his pride a little," Dwayne winced with a smirk.

"You'd think but he seemed totally blissed out man, got me to bring the little furrball back here for her and everything – the dudes a changed man, he literally held her hand all damn day."

"No way-" Paul's eyes widened, "-do you think he loves her?"

"I think he's falling for her man - hard," Marko nodded.

"I think she's feeling the same," Dwayne agreed.

"I love her-" Paul stated around a mouthful of chocolate, "-she's so fun to be around, everyone fucking loves her."

"I just hope Dave doesn't let his demons ruin what could be the best thing to happen to him man," Dwayne sighed, snatching the bag of M&M's from Paul's hands earning an outraged glare.

"Yeah, me too," Marko murmured, flopping onto his back.