Ivan's Queen

Chapter 5

Chapter Five - New World

"Amelia, are you okay?" My mom asks as soon as I walk in, her eyes shining with confusion.

I bite my lip when everyone at the dining table looks up at me. I mumble out a low "fine" with a strained smile before quickly taking my seat. Valentina and Misha glance at me worriedly only to sigh when I shake my head discreetly. I don't want mom to worry about what happened and dad would surely go crazy if he finds out. There has been enough drama already and I don't want to add to it. Besides, the ointment Ivan had given me yesterday has worked wonders and I can hardly see any signs of bruising! But unfortunately, no ointment could help with the pain. My abdomen is still aching and sore which makes my movements awkward.

I sigh and start piling my plate with food from the delicious breakfast spread, relieved that everyone's attention is now elsewhere. We make plans to go into the city to do some shopping which I'm very excited about.

After breakfast, everyone disappears into their rooms to get ready as we leave in thirty minutes. I put on a pair of leggings with a baby blue hoodie and white shoes so that I'm comfortable. I wanted to wear my jeans but I knew the waistband would be even more uncomfortable against my sore skin.

My hair is still damp from my shower this morning so I quickly blow dry it. Putting on some makeup, I decide to go with a natural look. When I'm done, I leave the bathroom and start tying my hair into a ponytail as I walk over to my bed.

"Please tell me you kicked her ass."

I jump and a loud shriek escapes me at the unexpected voice. Groaning when my abdomen screams in protest, I flop back onto the bed. My dad stands by the door with his arms crossed and the dark tattoos littering his arms make him look even more intimidating than he already is. I should've known he would find out what happened yesterday, he always knows what's going on in our lives.

"I could barely stand." I grit out, breathing slowly as I sit up.

"Well, do you plan to?" He arches a brow, lips set in a firm line.

"Yes." I nod, matching his smirk that appears when I answer.

"That's my girl." He murmurs before walking over to sit beside me.

He gently pulls me into a hug, pressing his lips to my temple. My tense shoulders sag in defeat when his comforting embrace envelopes me with warmth. He rubs my arm as a pained whimper escapes me when I move to hug him.

"It won't stop hurting." I whisper with a shake of my head.

"I know princess, it'll take a while to heal. But maybe this will cheer you up?" He shifts slightly and pulls out a charm in the shape of a sun.

I laugh and my mood lifts as he puts it onto my bracelet. On my sixteenth birthday when I didn't shift, I was disappointed and really upset. So, to cheer me up my Dad gifted me a special bracelet with charms that he puts snippets of his memories into. He enlisted the help of a witch that he knew through aunt Aurora.

This is the eighth one and he always happens to have one on him every time I'm upset or feeling low. Closing my eyes, I touch it and instantly find myself reminiscing to the morning when dad, mom and I decided to take a hike and make it in time to see the sunrise. I see the city below and the sky above colored in hues of orange, yellow and blue. I see myself turning to look up at dad with a wide smile, excitement in my eyes. And then it fades into bright white light.

"Thanks Dad." I smile softly before giving him a hug.

"Looks like we're running out of space." He muses as he nods at my bracelet.