Slight trigger warning for this chapter. However, the mature-ish content is more implied rather than shown.
Edmund carried Nzinga up to the healer's tower. But on the way, a young lady nearly ran into him, not looking about in her haste.
"My! Surely did not think I'd run into you, your Majesty," the woman said. "Great islands! What happened to her? Who is she?"
Edmund simply stared at the woman blankly. Even though he hardly minded, he wasn't exactly used to people running into him and then being anything but absolutely terrified of retribution and groveling and scraping before him for forgiveness. Unless of course it was someone he knew well. He stared at the woman and realized he did in fact know her, but couldn't place her. At least not here in Cair Paravel. It must be somewhere else he knew her.
"Is your Majesty planning on answering my questions or simply staring at me like a fool?" the woman said snappishly.
"She needs a healer," Edmund said, deciding Nzinga was more important that discerning the identity of the mystery woman.
"Pr-Queen Aiyanna is in conference with her advisors in that room. She'll be quicker than a healer," the woman offered. Edmund frowned, noticing the woman almost said Princess instead of Queen. The Dryads often did such, as she was still a Princess in their courts even if she was a Queen Consort in the Narnian courts. But this woman was quite clearly human, as far as Edmund could tell. Now Edmund was more interested. "I can fetch her for you."
"Yes, please do," Edmund said, noticing a bench where he could lay down Nzinga. He started running through his memory, trying to figure out who that woman was. Maybe someone he hadn't seen in a while? She had said "Great Islands". That would imply Lone Islands. He tried imagining her as a younger woman… "Malia," he suddenly said, remembering her. No wonder she was so discourteous after running into him. After all, this was the same girl who's first word to him was a curt "bitterness."
"Your island is quite impressive, Governor," Edmund said awkwardly, not yet used to kingship. In fact, he had only found out within that month that the Lone Islands belonged to Narnia. He was going into all of this rather blind, and his young age certainly was not helping. He could tell they were judging him and suspected a few were plotting behind his back, knowing he was still inexperienced.
"Thank you, your Majesty," Governor Kentrell responded. "You can see that the Lone Islands are quite well run."
The implied "without your interference" seemed quite clear to Edmund after all the other subtle and not-so-subtle hints he had been given that day.
"Governor, the Dreyfus trial requires your personal attention," a young girl Edmund mistook for an unusually young secretary said, walking up to them, her hair pulled back in a tight bun and a sour expression on her face.
"Very well. Malia, please show the Narnian King around the town if you will," Kentrell said, walking off.
"Um, hello….Malia is it?" Edmund said.
"Bitterness," she said.
"Um, pardon?" he said, slightly shocked.
"Malia. It means bitterness," she said as though merely discussing the weather.
"How…interesting," he said uncertainly.
"Your Majesty's name means protector," she said, suddenly turning to him. "It could be a rather apt name for a Narnian King. After all, the taxes you and your royal siblings impose on us are meant to be in exchange for your protection."
"Meant to be?" he asked, hoping that a woman his age would feel able to be more frank with him.
She gave him a sideways glance, one he easily recognized as judging him. "It is rare than being a colony is beneficial to the colonized."
"We aim to not burden your lives. Taxes are projected to be lowered soon and we hope to have as little interference as possible," Edmund responded, the same sentiment he had been repeating with slight variations all trip.
"That seems unlikely with your own kingdom recovering from war. And is a promise of non-interference truly considered protection?" she said.
"What do you mean?" Edmund asked instantly, knowing she was leading somewhere and testing the waters.
Malia glanced about. "You know…your Majesty would have the ability to interfere in the Dreyfus case."
"I don't even know what it is about," he protested.
"Any fool could see the documents incriminating him are forged. That is, any fool who hasn't been paid off to see otherwise or is not prejudiced," she said.
"Prejudice?"
"Against those who worship the Calormene gods," she said. "Most here have no beliefs, but despise Calormenes and will fake loyalty to Narnia's Aslan to excuse their prejudices."
"I…I suppose I could go in there and see how the trial is going. Aslan, I don't think he would hate Calormenes," he mused. "Wait, isn't the governor there?"
"Yes," Malia said shortly.
"So are you implying he is dishonest as well?" Edmund said hesitantly.
"I'm implying my uncle is easily swayed," she said.
"Your uncle?!" he exclaimed.
"Which was part of what led to my parents' death," she continued as though he hadn't spoken.
"I – What?" he said, particularly perturbed that she would then live with the man she considered at least in part responsible. And his head was spinning with all this new, startling information about this strange young girl.
"And he thinks his hands clean of their blood. If you want to interrupt that trial, it would be a good idea to go now," she said, lifting an eyebrow.
"Who is hurt and where is she?" Aiyanna said quickly, business as usual, but she seemed annoyed at the interruption. Malia followed quickly on her heels.
"Nzinga," Edmund said, cradling her head in his lap.
"Your slave girl?" Aiyanna said distastefully. "You interrupted me for this?" Edmund glared at her.
"There are no slaves in Narnia. So she deserves as much attention as any other," Edmund said defensively.
"Just this one time since I might as well now that I've already been interrupted. Normally I dislike using my magic for trivial matters," Aiyanna warned, placing her hands on Nzinga and calling up her magic.
"So, Malia! What are you doing out of the Island's?" Edmund asked amicably.
"Surely you heard of my uncle's passing, Sire," she said.
"Of course. You have my condolences," Edmund said. "But why are you here? I've asked you to come many times before, but you always seemed so resistant to the idea."
"At my age, not having any sort of male figure to ward off suitors make life in areas with human men…difficult at best. Since I have no intentions to wed, having a life free of such harassment is limited mainly to Narnia, although I hope I will not have such problems here," Malia said pointedly. Edmund winced, knowing that she was also referring to him propositioning two of her ladies-in-waiting the last time he visited the Lone Islands.
"I will do my part as well, and rest assured such protection against harassment is a particular concern of both of my sisters," Edmund said. "But what are you doing here? In terms of employment and living conditions?"
"I had contacts who knew Lord Nahele and convinced him to take me on as an attendant," she said.
"Then your talents are being wasted. Come work for our courts as I always hoped you would," Edmund said eagerly. Malia exchanged a surreptitious glance with Aiyanna that Edmund eventually decided he must have merely imagined. After all, what connection could the two possibly have?
"I suppose that will be acceptable," Malia finally said, much to Edmund's relief. As peculiar and perhaps morose as she may be, Malia was a genius with courts and Edmund knew he could use her skills, particularly now that they might be losing Susan.
"In the meantime though, I believe Lord Nahele sent you on a mission so perhaps you ought finish that before commencing your new employment," Aiyanna said tersely.
"Of course, your Majesty," Malia said before swiftly disappearing.
"How is Nzinga?" Edmund asked worriedly.
"She's healing," Aiyanna said irritably. "And actually, I've done all I can do. She'll wake soon. I need to get back to figuring out how to cover up…you know."
"Ana, I'm sure I could find some assassin for you so you needn't do it," Edmund offered again.
"And I've said before I'll handle it. Although I took your advice and found a young protégé of mine to carry out the deed so you needn't worry about me," she said coldly. "Now I will leave unless you actually have anything useful to speak with me about."
Edmund gave her a dark glare that went largely ignored as she left. Not long after, Nzinga did in fact begin stirring. "Nzinga? Nzinga!"
"Where…what?" she said groggily.
"You came in through the window and only said Rabadash before passing out. What happened?" Edmund asked tenderly.
"Why…why would you care?" Nzinga said, suddenly regaining her strength enough to push away from him and crouching along the other side of the bench. Her eyes darted as she thought before saying, "Ah, I see."
"See what?" Edmund frowned
"You do not hide well that you do not wish your sister to wed Rabadash. You wish to use this to dissuade her. But she will know as well as I that such men treat the likes of me as the dirt beneath their feet while treating women like her as porcelain treasure," Nzinga spat.
"Such men? I hope that means you do not think it of all men?" Edmund said, reaching a hand out towards her cautiously, as though afraid she might tear it to bits. Nzinga merely ignored his hand so he placed it gently on her knee.
"I would never speak ill of you, Sire," Nzinga said.
"Or wouldn't to my face at least," Edmund said dryly. "I have a feeling you're not fond of any men."
She seemed to be mulling her response over, most likely trying to gauge his reaction to her words. "No..Not particularly. At it's not simply those of my rank who suffer from men."
"No?" Edmund said, agreeing with her, but realizing she had more she wanted to say.
"Well… no matter what a woman's rank may be, a free woman who has laid with a man who is not her husband is likely to be treated by filth. Perhaps even worse than a slave for a slave may be lucky enough to escape notice from her master, but a wife…" she said, trailing off ominously.
"Is…Have you…When Rabadash had you…did he say something about…" Edmund attempted. Nzinga didn't respond. He then decided to ask, "So what exactly did happen?"
"He had me flogged as he tried to fish more information from me, unhappy that I left," she said, her eyes darting about.
"What did you tell him?" Edmund said instantly.
"Nothing you need fear. I…You did show a kindness towards me. I have no loyalty to Rabadash. Never before, not now, and never," she said with a glower. "After he had me flogged and beaten, I was thrown down an abandoned well. I only just escaped."
"Nzinga, I swear you never need worry about such things again if you stay here. You are safe with me," Edmund said, reaching a hand out towards her, but refusing to force his touch on her. She looked at it as though it was a disgusting slab of meat.
"I heard you talking before I woke. About an assassination?" Nzinga suddenly said, confusing Edmund with the capricious change of topic. Perhaps she was somehow testing him. He decided to go for full honesty in case she had heard more than he expected she had.
"I…Ah…You must swear to tell no one," he said uncertainly, knowing how dangerous it could be to tell her.
"It sounded like Queen Aiy…Ay…."
"Aiyanna," Edmund supplied.
"Yes, her. She was plotting murder."
"Ah…she'd kill me if she heard me speak of it," he said nervously.
"And that she needed to lead investigators astray," Nzinga continued as though Edmund had not even spoken.
"Ahh, yes," he said uncertainly, really wondering where this was headed.
"What is that path should lead to Rabadash?" Nzinga said, her eyes narrowing to evil slits.
"Ahhh," Edmund cleared his throat.
"And I inferred you would prefer to have the assassin be not one connected with Queen Ah…Ayi…"
"Aiyanna," Edmund supplied again. "Although that's why we usually just call her Ana. But, what?"
"I want revenge on Rabadash. You need an assassin to pin a crime on Rabadash. Let me do what I do best," Nzinga said, a cruel smile twisting her lips.
"I, ah….You don't really want to do this, do you?" Edmund said, terrified at the idea. "You needn't ever do such work again."
"I need this. I need my revenge on Rabadash," Nzinga said, suddenly angry.
"Why? I mean, what he did was horrid, but I'm sure you've had much worse," Edmund said, concerned.
"I've never had the chance to get revenge on anyone. And this isn't even enough! He'd likely get off scot-free other than the Dryads despising him," she said, looking dissatisfied.
"I really don't like the idea of …revenge."
"But would you not want the Calormene prince implicated for such a crime? Depending on the identity of who it is to be killed, it could mean the end of any relations between him and your sister," Nzinga said. Edmund was quite aware he was being manipulated, but yet Nzinga had an excellent point.
"I…I just don't want to take advantage of you in this way," he said gently.
"I don't even know what you mean," Nzinga frowned.
"I mean, you…you don't have to do such dirty work anymore," he elaborated.
"Maybe I want to," she challenged. Edmund tried to discern if she was being honest, but even though he prided himself on being able to read how honest people are, he was at a loss.
"King Ahiga and Queen Amitola of the Dryads," he finally said.
Nzinga frowned. "Dryads…forest creatures? Like Queen….The High King's consort?"
"Aiyanna is their daughter," Edmund confirmed.
"Tell me everything I need know, and I can finish this by first light," she said with an eager hunger that frightened Edmund even as it fascinated him.
While Susan did not yet feel like all was prepared, her ladies finally convinced her to settle down for the night. But as she retired to her chambers, an unwanted guest was there waiting for her.
"Darius. And just how did you manage past my guards?" she said through gritted teeth.
"They allowed me entrance," he shrugged.
"Get out," she ordered.
"Your Majesty," he said reluctantly, making only half an effort to leave. "Just…I need to tell you something."
"Well get it out quickly. I haven't much time," she said, faking ignoring him by shuffling some papers. Something about their interaction earlier had particularly ticked her off.
"I…You were right earlier. I…I wasn't exactly being honest," he finally said. Susan slammed the papers in her hand down on the desk, almost more furious now that she had confirmation that she was right that something was off.
"So you lied to me?" she said almost too sweetly. Darius flinched.
"I…I…Not exactly," Darius attempted. "I..."
"Just get out. I don't want to deal with this right now," Susan said irritably. "Come back later. It's possible I might be in a better mood then."
"There…there isn't really a later," he said hesitantly.
"I'm not leaving just yet," she frowned.
"But I am," he said.
That caught her attention. "W-What?"
"Fighting the Giants up North. You knew your royal brother was bringing more troops with him," Darius said.
"I didn't realize more troops included you," she said more softly.
"Well, it does," he shrugged.
Susan bit her lip, thinking. While she didn't want to forgive Darius so easily, remaining angry with him was difficult if this was possibly to be the last moment they had together. "I…fine."
"Fine?" he said tentatively.
"Let's not leave on an argument," she said, turning to him and smiling thinly. He still seemed tensed for a fight, so she went to him and took his hands into hers comfortingly. "Darius, what exactly did you mean by not being honest with me?"
"I…Well, the Bria and Corin thing…that really did happen. But…she was planning on going to Peter when I found out and intercepted her. And…might have influenced her a bit more," Darius said awkwardly, not wanting to disappoint Susan so. Not to mention possibly angering her further.
"You manipulated your own niece?" she said accusingly. Darius visibly flinched away from her. She took a deep breath to keep her temper in. She usually had little trouble controlling her emotions, but around Darius she seemed to be like a volatile child again.
"I…I didn't hurt her!" he protested. "She was the one who brought up how you were marrying for political gain. She was asking if that was the same for Corin…and…well, I …I said it was. Which isn't really a lie!"
Susan pulled away from him, not sure how to feel. Darius grasped her more tightly, saying, "Susan, please. I…there's more."
"What?" she said more angrily than she meant.
"Corin…he was asking around where Rabadash's tent was," Darius said, leaning away from her slightly.
She sighed. "Really? You were behind the toads?"
"He actually wanted to box Rabadash. I talked him down from that although I believe the toads were Bria's idea – who I didn't know was involved – and told him where the tent was," he explained quickly.
"Oh by the Mane! In that case, I'm rather glad you talked him down. Rabadash was furious enough about the toads, but thankfully could not pin down the pranksters. I can't imagine the diplomatic catastrophe Corin threatening to box him might have caused," Susan said, not able to keep from laughing a little.
"So you're not mad?" Darius asked, relieved. He slowly pulled Susan closer to him. She knew she ought to protest, but his arms were so warm and comforting. She started laughing more, which made him at ease enough to begin laughing as well.
"No. I' d probably be upset longer, but I'm more upset over you leaving," she said quietly.
"You…you were also upset with me before this," he pointed out.
"I…I'm sorry," she said uncertainly.
"It's not your fault, my Queen," he protested instantly. She smiled, pushing back a stray lock of hair.
"You…You said what you meant. It's…I shouldn't have let you on like that," she said, not sure if she regretted the time she spent with him or if she was desiring more.
"You didn't. I…I knew from the start that I was setting myself up for danger. I'm just lucky this didn't end with me being hanged by your brother," Darius said, pulling Susan in even closer with a lopsided smile. With him so close, it became harder for Susan to think. To clear her mind, she pulled him over to a couch with her, sitting far enough away for clarity.
"I'd never let that happen. And Peter's not that irrational," she teased, curling her feet under herself and leaning against the couch.
"But, there's still something I need to know," Darius said, his heart beating with the thought of what he was about to say. He almost did not want to ask.
"And what is that?"
After a long pause, he finally mustered up the courage to ask, "Your Majesty…Do…Do you love me?"
"And what would answering that accomplish?" she deflected.
"I…Please?" Darius pled, scooting closer to her. Susan closed her eyes tightly to avoid having to look him in the face and deny him, but then he placed his hand on top of hers.
Breathing heavily, she averted the question, saying, "I…I love Narnia more. And…And my siblings."
She slowly opened her eyes, half-hoping he'd be insulted and leave, but instead he had an amused smile. "That was a much shorter list than I anticipated," he said. When he had imagined asking the question, his pessimistic mind had assumed many different scenarios much more depressing. And he was relieved that Rabadash seemed to be nowhere on her mind.
"Oh," was all Susan could think of saying. "Ah, who else would have been on there anyways?"
"Perhaps Phen, Bria, and Helena? Some long time close friends? People from your Majesty's world? Some prince or other former suitor?" he said despite himself.
"I suppose you're right about the children. And I care about my friends in a much different way. And as for suitors…" she said.
"And?" Darius said with a frown.
"There …it doesn't matter. I care about you more," she said, dismissing the thought and trying to distract Darius by doodling on his arm with her finger.
"Tell me, please," he begged, trying to ignore her exciting touch, particularly since he knew she was trying to distract him.
"I…There was one suitor who caught my interest. A merchant. The farthest we got was kissing. And…he simply was not my type. He seemed nice at first, but then…I don't know. Something was off about him. And I never could marry him anyway," she said with a shrug. "And there was a prince I was interested in possibly marrying for political reasons, but he ended up falling in love and marrying a Galman Duchess. But I've…I've never had trouble leaving a man before," she said.
"And …Rabadash?" he added.
"I will have a good life with him," Susan said with the eloquent but meaningless statements often she used to hide her true feelings. Darius saw through it instantly, having seen her use this technique before.
"You don't really think that, your Majesty? I …I have to admit, part of me wishes that you hate Calormene, but.. but for your sake, I hope you find happiness," Darius said, looking like he was forcing every word, but Susan appreciated the effort nonetheless.
"I…Thank you," she said, turning away from him.
Darius put a gentle hand on her shoulder to turn her back to him. "You do think you could be happy, right?"
Susan wanted to say "Of course" or "I know I will", but then everything that she meant to say disappeared as she ducked her head into his tunic and began sobbing uncontrollable.
"Your Majesty?" Darius said anxiously, wrapping his hands around her. "Susan!"
"I…I won't be. I know I won't be. I…I know I can't love Rabadash. He's everything I despise in arrogant, self-centered, ugh!" Susan sobbed on his shoulder. Darius wordlessly stroked her hair as she cried. Eventually Susan regained control over herself enough to say, "I…I…I know all he cares about is me having heirs. And as many as possible. But I don't even want to be a mother! And I hate heat! And Calormene spices! And …" She cut herself off, gasping for breath as the many different thoughts that had been bubbling to surface overtook her as she babbled and convulsed wildly. Darius grabbed onto her tightly, letting her cry it out as even more of her fears surfaced.
"Your Majesty? Susan? I…I thought you wanted to leave," he finally whispered after she had been quiet for several moments.
"I…It's right for Narnia," she said, her voice tight. shifted her head on his shoulder, placing her hand on his chest.
Darius gulped, trying to keep from reacting too much. "I…You can tell me anything, your Majesty."
"I…I shouldn't. It's not fair to you since you…ahh," Susan said, gesticulating wildly.
"I'll try not to be biased. For your sake," Darius said with a struggle. "A…Anything for you."
"Anything?" Susan repeated. Darius simply bowed his head.
"I…I told you before…I love you. And…even if I didn't, I owe you everything," Darius said, reaching his hand out to her and resting it lightly on her knee.
Susan's heart went out to him. She reached for his chin, cupping it in her hand. He leaned in closer to hers until their lips were only a centimeter apart.
"M-May I?" Darius said in a low voice, just barely able to keep himself away from her. She quickly pulled his lips to hers, wanting him again. In that moment, he was suddenly all that mattered. She knew she'd regretted it later, but before she knew it, she had gone far enough that he was pinned down to the couch, his shirt disheveled.
"Oh…I…I'm sorry," she said wildly once she realized.
"Wh-Why are you sorry?" he breathed, panting heavily.
"It..This is…" she said, meaning to finish with "wrong", but instead said, "Dash it all! It's our last night together."
"Whatever you want," Darius said carefully. Susan pushed him back down on the couch, enjoying the sensation of actually feeling in control of something for once. But then it quickly spun out of her control. Before she had even realized it, they had made yet another mistake, their clothes strewn about the room.
"Wait," Darius suddenly said when he had regained enough control. "By the Mane!"
"A…A little late for that," Susan panted, leaning back down to give him a quick kiss on his nose.
"I…Tash's fires! I…I didn't mean to…not again," Darius said, breathing heavily.
"Neither did I…I…I don't think I regret it though. That was…" Susan said.
"Amazing," Darius finished, looking at her with so much adoration that Susan blushed.
"I …I guess…if we've already…I mean, there's no harm in…doing some more, now is there?" she said.
"I…I suppose not," he said, his eyes wide. He could hardly believe his luck. He wanted her so much. But he was trying to not make it obvious. Particularly since he knew if he was a good man he would have said no. But he couldn't. He never could say no to her. Not about anything.
"Are you sure?" Susan frowned, wanting to make sure he didn't feel forced into it.
"I mean, it's a bad idea…But I do want to…" he said uncertainly. "But, your maids and ladies and guards! They could enter any moment!"
"They won't. And they know what happens to those in my employ who betray my secrets," she said, an unusual nasty look on her face. In order to pass by the suddenly tense moment, Darius kissed her. That was all Susan needed. Soon they were entangled in each other once more. Somehow they ended up off the couch when Susan suddenly hear a bark.
"That's my guards' signal! Someone's coming!" she hissed, even in that moment alert enough to recognize the danger.
"Wh-What should I do?" Darius asked, panicked as he yanked his clothes on quickly. Susan glanced about and found a robe she used when bathing that would have to suffice since her many layers were far too tedious and intricate to put on quickly.
"Hide," she said, shoving him roughly into a closet.
"Susan? What's going on?" Edmund said a few moments later when he walked in, sensing something was amiss. His eyes centered in on the closet, making Susan nervous.
"Nothing! Why are you here?" she snapped.
"It seems you are in a simply delightful mood," Edmund said dryly. "Nzinga seemed to be giving me a warning for you."
"What, am I next on your slave girl's to-murder list?" she said tactlessly.
"Susan!" Edmund protested. "What has gotten into you?"
"I..It's late. I'm tired," she snapped.
"Did I wake you?" he asked, concerned. "Your hair does look like you just got out of bed. Do you really sleep in your robe?"
Susan inadvertently blushed. "Ahh, yes. Yes, that's it. So what's the warning?"
"She mentioned how women who sleep with a man other than their husband are treated even worse than slaves," Edmund said. Susan couldn't help glancing toward the closet. A moment later she remember just how perceptive Edmund was when he said, "Please don't tell me he's in your closet."
"Ahhh…" Susan said in an unusual high voice.
Edmund groaned. "Susan…"
"You promised to not interfere," Susan warned.
"Darius, you might as well come out," Edmund said reluctantly.
"Y-Yes, your Majesty," Darius said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head where Susan had accidently hit him against the back of the cabinet too hard. He bowed stiffly.
"I suppose Nzinga's warning came too late," Edmund said moodily, glowering as he looked back and forth between Susan and Darius.
"Rabadash'll be drunk the night of our wedding should it happen. He…He'll never know anyways," Susan insisted. Darius simply stared silently at the ground.
"Is that supposed to be even vaguely comforting?" Edmund frowned.
"I'm fine, Edmund. I can take care of all things by myself," Susan insisted.
"I… I just worry about you," Edmund said reluctantly.
"Well, don't," Susan said curtly.
"Just…Just keep in mind that you can say no at any point? While of course we don't want a war, if that's what it takes, that's what will happen," Edmund said.
"I'm tired. I'm going to go to bed now," Susan said, turning away from him.
"As in going to bed alone or…" Edmund questioned. "Never mind. Don't really want to know. Susan, I'd like to speak with you privately. I…I'll come back in a minute or so."
"Alright. But, knock this time?" Susan said more kindly as Edmund embraced her and kissed her cheek.
"You shoved me into the closet?" Darius said incredulously the moment Edmund left.
"I had to do something! What if it had been Peter or someone else who'd cause problems?" Susan protested.
"You know, I'm glad you are leaving! If this is what life would be like if you were to stay, then you might as well go," Darius said angrily, more out of the pain of being rejected by her yet again than truly wishing her gone.
"W-What?" Susan said, feeling as though she was about to burst into tears any moment. "How dare you?"
"How dare I? Forgive me, your Majesty. One so far below you as I should never question a thing your royal, high, high highness does," Darius mocked with an exaggerated bow.
Susan was hurt enough to lash out again, hissing, "It's true though. So if I shove you in the closet, you do as I make you do." She accentuated her words with jabbing her finger into his chest on each, forcing him to stumble backwards.
"It's true? That's the best you have?" he retorted.
"Get out. As I told you before, I did not give you permission into my quarters," she spat.
"As. You. Command," he said, forcing each word out angrily.
"Out," Susan said, pushing him backwards towards the door.
Edmund had been sitting in another of Susan's many rooms in her quarters and noticed Darius storming out. "Susan?" he said anxiously as he entered to find her curled up on her bed, her head resting on her knees and arms wrapped around her legs.
"He…He… rejected me," she said in a small voice.
Edmund went to sit next to his sister. "What?"
"He…he said he was happy that I was going," she said as Edmund wrapped an arm around her.
"Do…Do you want me to do anything about it?" he asked.
"He…It would just validate everything he was saying if you used your rank to punish him," she said.
"Do you want me to stay with you for the night?" Edmund offered reluctantly, knowing he couldn't let Susan deal with this alone.
"I..If you need to go," she said reluctantly.
"I've got nothing more important right now than you," Edmund promised.
"Thanks," Susan said with a soft smile. "By the way, how's your love life going?"
Edmund raised an eyebrow. "Ah, nonexistent?"
"Nzinga?" Susan pointed out.
Edmund scoffed, "What?"
"Mmm, if you say so," Susan said suspiciously. "It's not like you could ever be with the likes of her anyways, other than for simply a night's fun."
"Hey that's not true," Edmund protested, suddenly upset even though he had no interest originally.
"Mmm, whatever you say," she said in the same disbelieving tone. "I'm going to bed."
"Alright, I'll sleep on the couch," he said.
"Ahhh, that might not be the best place," Susan said awkwardly.
"Why? Oh Lion's Mane!" Edmund cursed as he realized it. "Ah, I'll sleep over here then.
"Ahh…maybe not there either," Susan said, her face now turning red from embarrassment.
"Ew. Ew, ew, ew! So where is safe?" Edmund said.
"You know, I'm probably fine," Susan said with an awkward laugh, trying to fix the strange moment.
"I suppose I won't try to find a safe place to sleep then. But come find me if you need me," Edmund promised.
"I will. And promise me you won't try to get back at Darius?" she said anxiously.
"I know that my sister fights her own battles. But I'm here for whatever you need," Edmund said, hugging her.
Once Edmund had retired to his room, he anticipated Nzinga returning to him soon, but decided to nap anyways. His eyes kept flicking over to the window, wondering when she'd return. But then the door creaked open quite quietly.
"What is this? You actually know how to use doors?" he teased.
Nzinga looked at him wildly. "What are you talking about?"
"Never mind. So, you did it?" he asked.
She shook her head. "They were already being mourned when I arrived."
"They were…dead?" Edmund said.
"I'm not sure. It did not look like human corpses, but they weren't clearly living," she said, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"I'll go see if any of the Dryads are here in either Aiyanna's quarters or their embassy," Edmund said. "Come with me?"
On the way there, he muttered under his breath. "If she's there, she will not be happy to see me."
"The Dryad Queen, your Majesty?" Nzinga asked.
"She doesn't exactly have the most amicable personality. So, a bit like you," Edmund teased. He regretted it a moment later when Nzinga looked as though she was prepared for a more offensive reprimand and added, "Just joking."
"Ah, I…I see, Sire," she said uncertainly, carefully keeping him in the corner of her eyes even as she kept her eyes down.
"Ay, Nzinga," Edmund said gently, placing a hand under her chin. "I've told you. You are safe with me. You can even insult me and I wouldn't hurt you. In fact, do it! Insult me."
"W-What?" Nzinga said, looking even more startled.
"Insult me," Edmund said with a bit of a laugh, taking her hand and squeezing it.
"I…Really?" she said uncertainly.
"Really."
"Well, your breath …smells…badly," she began.
"No, it doesn't!" he protested. He was mostly teasing – he did have garlic the night before so it was even likely true – but Nzinga looked terrified. He squeezed her hand again and said, "Well then, go on! Don't stop now."
"I…I…I lied, Sire. There is n..nothing wrong with you," she stammered.
"Nzinga I'm fairly sure it's absolutely true. I'm not the least bit insulted. And if I was, I might be a bit put out yes, but I'm not going to get upset with you," Edmund reassured yet again.
"A..Are you sure? Don't…Don't stop now …. When I might …my old master…Some days I couldn't take it. And…I would start. And just keep going, and he would taunt me, and that was what he would say, and then he'd eventually get angry, and then for every insult…" she finally began ranting.
"Nzinga! I…I'm sorry. I would have never said that if I knew," Edmund said, wanting to reach out to her but afraid of touching her and antagonizing her further. "And…And what?"
"And…" Nzinga began before turning around. Edmund was confused at first, but she slipped her arm out of her shift of a dress to pull it down enough to show her back and held her hair out of the way.
"By the Mane," Edmund whispered. "Do you…do you want a healer for it? We could get rid of it."
Nzinga fixed her dress and turned back around. "M-May I ask you something?"
"Anything. My wish is your command," he said gallantly, making her confused once again.
"What are you playing at?"
"I don't know what you mean," he said hesitantly.
"Everyone has a motive for everything. I'd rather you be honest instead of…this," she said, gesturing about.
"I…I …" Edmund began, but then thought back to what his sister had said. "I…I like having you around. As a …companion. But only when you want to be here. The rest of the time, you can find whatever employment you wish. Legal employment that is or else unfortunately that would make us enemies."
"Companion? Does that mean…" she said uncertainly.
"It means no more than just talking and being a friend," Edmund said firmly. "There is nothing you need to do here."
"Nothing?" she said uncertainly.
"Absolutely nothing," he said resolutely.
"I…I think I trust you," Nzinga said, much to Edmund's surprise and relief.
"Really?! I mean, really?" he said.
"I will serve you then to earn my keep," Nzinga said, her hand darting out and grabbing his wrist. Edmund was startled.
"I…I don't mean you to be a slave again," he protested.
"I know. This is hardly slavery. And I will choose to stay because when I left you, my past caught up with me. I have too many enemies and my only solace seems to be with you," she said, taking an unusually bold step towards him.
"Then you will stay as my companion?" Edmund said far too happily.
"Employ me as your spy. I don't do conversation well. But I can do your dirty work for you," she said, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes.
"I…You get off on that sort of thing?" he said incredulously.
"Murder? Maybe. But sneaking around, fighting, yes." she said, looking rather pleased, although not smiling. "The…nighttime activities, never."
"Well, that's disturbing," Edmund muttered. "The murder bit, I mean."
"But true. And I recall we were going to find out why the latest two I was to murder were not alive?" she said.
"Right. Well, we're here," he said, knocking on Aiyanna's door. "Perhaps you should stay outside."
"King Edmund," Malia answered. "I suppose this should not be a surprise. They would likely not like that I am to say this, but I'd recommend you send your brother to the Dryad Queen to help her after she finishes with her court."
"W-What? Why?" Edmund asked. "I mean, she's not exactly upset that her parents are gone."
"She's …Not taking it well," she said. "But not for the reason you think."
"So she still is fine with having her assassin or protégé or whatever murdering her own parents," he said incredulously.
"No."
"No? What do you mean no?" Edmund frowned.
"They…They had passed on before her protégé arrived," she said solemnly.