It had been six weeks since the three other Pevensie children left their sister with Caspian and today, she sat beside Caspian during a council meeting. Many of the Telmarine members were trying to charge Narnians higher taxes if they purchased property within the town. Caspian was growing impatient with the council members, allowing his temper to get the best of him. He slammed his fist down on the arm of his chair and yelled, "I will not allow you to treat Narnians as second class citizens! I promised them equality and sanctuary and that is what I plan on delivering! With or without you." A council member grumbled, just loud enough for the rest of the room to hear, "We all know what happens to those who disagree with the great King Caspian..." the council member's voice trailed off as he realized he had been heard. Caspian stood quickly, "If you wish to end up like Miraz--" Susan stood quickly and placed a calm hand on his shoulder, "My king...I am sure Lord Preman was just speaking out of frustration...we all get a bit tensed in these long meetings. Gentlemen, if you find it too difficult to think of the Narnians as equals, then your place is not on this council. To discriminate against them is to take a first step back to the dark ages when these people were hunted and killed for simply being who they are. The king knows this, which is why taxing Narnians more than Telmarines is not an option. All Narnians and Telmarines shall have equal rights to facilities, services and property. Taxes will be the same for all citizens of this land. Just as the king said, there will be no compromise on this. If there is a shortage in the budget, we will explore other options." Caspian calmed, slowly returning to his seat as the meeting wrapped.
Susan was walking back to her quarters when Caspian jogged up beside her, "Thank you for earlier." She smiled and looked confused, "What do you mean?" He clasped his hands behind his back and leaned in as people passed by, "For keeping me grounded during the meeting. Sometimes...I allow my temper to get the better of me. If you weren't there, I could have possibly said some very inappropriate things..." Susan looked down, blushing heavily, "I was just doing what was expected of me your highness." He took her hand, "The way you stepped in to resolve the conflict...the way you calmed me...the way you reinforced my agenda in your articulate, gentle manner. No Susan...you did more than what was expected of you. You did what is typically expected of the wife of the present king..." Susan's lip trembled as he leaned in, "You would be perfect as my queen, but I understand your trepidation." Caspian watched Susan's reaction to his words, frustrated that she didn't immediately accept his near-proposal. He knew she was still concerned about how long she had in Narnia, but he refused to think of her leaving. She couldn't leave. She would not. He would travel to the ends of this world and back to keep her with him.
Susan was straddling Caspian, rolling her hips against him as their unfinished dinner lay cooling on the table by the fire. She threw her head back and moaned as he grabbed her hips, working her harder against him, their bodies glistening with sweat. Caspian flipped her over and began to pump into her, staring down at her passion lidded eyes, "I'll grant you anything your heart desires Susan...tell me what you want." She gently caressed his neck and stared into his eyes, "You Caspian...all I want is you." He smiled, leaning down as he softly kissed her lips, "You have me my love...you have all of me." After their passions were sated, they laid together, staring at the fire from his bed. Susan began to feel anxious. He usually fell asleep right after they made love, giving her time to sneak one of her Daucus Carota seeds. Tonight, Caspian laid wide awake beside her, drawing imaginary trails along her skin. His fingers stopped at her belly as he spoke, "I want you to bear my children Susan." There was no real romance in what he said, it was simply a matter of fact statement. Susan stuttered, "Caspian, you know that can't happen...Aslan...Aslan might take me away from here." He clutched her to him, "Stop! Stop...please don't say such things." He gripped her tightly to him, shaking. Susan realized he must have anxiety attacks. Whenever she mentioned the possibility of leaving, he would grab onto her, shake and sometimes hyperventilate. Afterwards, he would throw tantrums, sometimes tossing a piece of furniture or punching an unsuspecting wardrobe door while ranting about the fact that he wouldn't allow her to leave him.
He shook, clutching her to him as she tried to calm him. It took a few minutes, but he finally calmed enough to allow her to leave the bed. She walked out onto the balcony to stare at the stars. He watched her perfect silhouette as she stood, turned away from him. He watched her shiver and stood to retrieve her cloak. As he picked it up, a handful of seeds fell to the floor. He squatted and picked up the seeds, examining them curiously. He quickly placed them in a drawer in his bedside table, then delivered Susan's cloak to her, draping it over her shoulders as they both stared up into the evening sky.
