Authors note: LONGEST chapter by far :-)
Also, I'm sorry about any grammar mistakes. I have a tendency to upload these right before I go to bed... So, when I spell check I'm half-asleep hah! Probably not a good thing, but I do it when I have time!
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Your kiss is one of my favorite things.
A sympathy swarmed the glorious ballroom in a delicate waltz. As the music sounded I became bedazzled by all the colors swarming the dance floor along with the intricate dance steps. There were Archenlander's and Narnian's doing all sorts of traditional dances. Dances that I failed at, even if Susan had made me take those lessons with Peter…
The reason there were both Archenlander's and Narnian's was for both victories. The victory against the Telmarine's in Anvard and Peter's win in Ettins with the giants. Currently, Cair Paravel was filled with all sorts of beings in different shapes, sizes, colors, and ears. Specifically ears.
Edmund stood beside me with an amused smirk on his ruby lips as he watched me eye the dance floor in awe, "Would milady care for a dance?"
"Oh kind sir," I held out my hand and he took it tightly causing his callused findgers to grind against my dry hands. Damn, this cold weather made my skin dreadful. "I am afraid I am terrible at dancing and far too weak to do so for long. Maybe one dance, King Edmund?"
He unusually kissed the palm of my hand. It reminded me of the time he did the same action in the gardens when I first arrived to Narnia. Before we had kissed or anything. Such a long time ago…
Edmund led me onto the dance floor and we danced less complex than any of the fauns, dryads, humans, or squirrels around us. The reason I say squirrels is because a happy squirrel couple danced on the floor close by Edmund's and my feet. I was afraid they would get squished, however they seemed to be in a content bliss in one another's arms.
"Unity, you look extremely gorgeous in that dress," Edmund winked and I rolled my eyes at his charm.
I eyed my peach colored gown that Susan had made for me. The dress came down to the floor, but Susan was smart enough not to make it have a tail. I could be so clumsy sometimes… The arms stopped at my elbow. Not to mention a gorgeous corset front piece that made my "assets" look spectacular!
"And you look dashing in that tunic," he blushed softly. Edmund bore a deep red tunic shirt, with black trousers and burgundy colored boots. Normally Edmund did not wear his silver crown, nevertheless, he wore it that night atop his mess of dark brown tresses.
Can you say smokin' hot? Cause I can. It's pretty easy if you sound out the syllables correctly…
"Your hair has grown long," Edmund commented as he played with a loose strand of hair that framed my face. I had promised Susan in my letter that I wrote back in Ettinsmoor that she would be allowed to style my hair for me. Something forbid when I first entered Narnia; I hated the headache it gave me whenever I had my hair up for hours. Susan had taken advantage and decided to put my hair up in some sort of bun with braids and all that junk. It confused me as I watched her elegantly do my hair a few hours before the ball began. The simple art of putting up ones hair seemed more difficult than it should have been.
"You're very observant Ed."
He scowled, "Don't sound so condescending."
"Have I ever?" I laughed as he rolled his chocolatey eyes at my sarcastic tone.
"Every damn day," Edmund responded lightly.
Edmund's grip around my waist tightened and he leant forward placing a chaste kiss on my temple. I closed my eyes enjoying the intimate contact with my king. When I opened my green eyes to stare at Edmund I noticed his own were bugged out. I frowned at his expression as it were somewhere behind me.
"Please," his voice was pleading. "Do not overreact. Lady Ariela is making her way towards us right now."
I rolled my eyes. Seriously. I did not need this wench in my presence. Could she not see Edmund was completely happily getting his groove on with me?
"Damn it Edmund," I muttered as I turned around and could visibly see the arrogant duchess pushing her way through hoards of people. I squealed in fear as she came dangerously near to stepping on those cute little squirrels. The cute little couple moved out of the way just in time for Godzilla to storm up to Edmund with a dainty smile on her ugly lips.
"King Edmund," she bowed and held out her hand. Edmund kissed the top of it with a roll of his eyes in my direction. I just continued to glower at Ariela. The Duchess returned the look as our eyes connected. "Greetings."
"Hello Lady Ariela. What a pleasant surprise," Edmund said with a politeness only a true king can commute. She giggled. Gag me.
"Edmund," I faced him interrupting there exchange. "I am going to attempt to find Genesis. Susan told me he would be coming tonight and I haven't seen him in months. Excuse me."
He looked defeated as I let the arm he had around my waist drop and scurried off. Ugh. Being around that woman made me feel dirty! What a waste of human.
I skipped around the ballroom in an attempt to find any recognizable face. There were so many centaurs; they all pretty much looked the same from behind. I mean… they had horses rears…
Alas, I found Lucy. Not exactly whom in particular I was searching for, but good enough. She stood talking with Mr. Tumnus on a dais in a gorgeous pastel purple gown. I had never noticed before how much of a woman she looked outside of her usual innocent aura.
"Lucy! Mr. Tumnus!" I grinned at the two of them. I wrapped my arm around Mr. Tumnus's shoulder causing him to lower his head as I was shorter than he. "Lovely to see the both of you."
Lucy giggled, "I could tell by the disgruntled expression on your face that you've discovered Lady Ariela is here."
"Please. Let's not talk about ugly. It's contagious."
She belted out a laugh causing Mr. Tumnus to chuckle. I smiled as she wiped a tear that built up under her eye from how hard she had been laughing. Really. It's true. If you talk about ugly you yourself become ugly on the inside. Whether it because you are jealous or judgmental.
"Lucy, have you seen Genesis by any chance? I have been looking all over for him," with a frown I eyed the surrounding area. Still no Genesis.
"He came by here a few moments ago looking for you actually," she answered amused. "I sent him towards Edmund since I had seen you both dancing with one another."
"Boo," I sighed tiredly. I hated walking around searching for people (or centaurs). "I think I will just wait here until he graces me with his presence."
Facing the ballroom floor I surveyed the many faces. I could see Susan dancing with an Archenland knight. He swung her around in delicate twists and turns that it started to make me dizzy. The golden haired High King was twisting around a periwinkle petaled dryad with a dazzling smile on his lips. Then Edmund looked somewhat miserable as he stiffly turned Duchess Ariela around in his arms. I laughed.
"Mark Wahlberg! Mark Wahlbergggggg! Oh, I mean Lady Unity! Lady Unity!"
I turned to see whom was calling my name. A happy beam made it's way across my face as Özsen hurled towards me with a lady faun tagging behind him.
"Özsen!" crying out I ran into his arms eloping him in a bone crushing hug. He held me back equally as tight and I smiled at the female faun over his shoulder.
He pulled away and I saw tears in his eyes, "Oh, I had been so worried when I discovered you were ill after the battle. I prayed to Aslan you would be alright! Ah, he must have heard all of our prayers!"
"I am glad you are alright," I told him in relief.
"This is my wife Mari," Özsen grabbed the dirty blonde haired female faun beside him. She did a curtsey and I bowed to her man-like and she giggled. "She brought some of her cookies for you! We had a plate sent to your bedroom to make sure you got some of them.. Thankfully so."
"It seems that the ones we had put out here for all to feast are gone already," she stated.
I grinned, "How very kind of you."
"Saleel, Deadalus, and Eber are here as well tonight," informed Özsen. Yay! That means I would be able to say hello to all of them. "They are prancing around doing who knows what! Mari insists that we should dance the night away. It was lovely seeing you Lady Unity."
"Lady Unity, may you come visit our village sometime?" Mari requested and Özsen nodded his head in agreement. "I will have you a fresh batch of cookies there. Right from the oven!"
"Of course!" Özsen and Mari said their goodbyes and made way to dance. I smiled as I watched them kick up their goat feet and spin around in circles. I hope whenever I got married I was happy like them.
Before I could register what was happening something very large lifted me into their chest. I grunted in confusion. What the hell was that?
"Unity. I am so glad you are awake. I came to visit, but you were ill at the time. I felt terrible."
"Genesis," I wrapped my arms around the centaurs torso as he still held my tiny self against his chest. "Oh my, Genesis. I can't believe it's really you."
He let me onto the ground gently and I could hardly comprehend why I had begun to cry. My cheeks started to burn as tears quietly made their way down falling to my neck before drying up. I held a hand against my mouth to stop myself from sobbing at the sight of the half-man half-horse before me.
Genesis stood tall as he smiled warmly at me. His eyes were red as well, but he had shed no tears. I wanted to continue to hug him although I figured carrying me in his arms like he had would be quite tiring.
"Let us go somewhere more private to speak!" I nodded my head agreeably and we ventured out towards a vacant balcony. I breathed out into the cold winter air causing a fog to erupt around my lips. Genesis shivered into the chilly air as well.
"I forgot it was winter," I told him sorrowfully. I rubbed my arms to bring them warmth. Crap. It was extremely cold out here.
The centaurs teal eyes seemed so much darker in the night, "Sounds like something you would forget."
I shoved him gently, "Hush up."
"How do you feel now that you are awake?" he asked.
"I am okay. I'm still a little weak at times, but I hadn't moved in that month I laid in bed so I lost a lot of muscle," I pouted. I wanted to challenge Genesis to a duel so bad to show off my skills. "Susan said that they would turn me over so I wouldn't get bed sores and would stretch my arms and legs. That only does so much though."
"All that matters is that you are alive and well," Genesis patted the top of my head affectionately. "I cannot comprehend why you decided to join the war to begin with."
"Because I'm reckless, immature, and irrational."
He laughed lightheartedly, "Well, yes. I did not want to be so rude as to tell you that though."
Deciding we were in need of a subject change I gave him a grin, "How have you been Genesis? It has been so long since I've seen you," I rested my elbows on the stone surrounding the balcony. Gazing at the gardens covered in snow I noted how the white blanket covered all my favorite flowers. Narnia was quite beautiful in the winter. Beside the fact that I hated the snow… if I never had to step in it or feel the wrath of it's harsh winds and wet snow I would find it nice.
"I have been meaning to tell you I have found a woman I am in love with…"
I gasped shocked by my friends decloration, "Seriously? What's she like?"
"Her name is Chara," he bit down on his lips trying to fight off his pearly smile at the thought of the woman. "I brought her with me tonight."
"Then where is she? Did you leave her all alone?" I gave my friend a scornful glare. Who just leaves their girlfriend alone to talk to another girl? Different species or not that was a bit disrespectful.
"No, she's with her brother at the moment."
"Come introduce me," I tugged on his hand but he shook his head. I frowned disapprovingly.
"I want to know more about King Edmund and you before I introduce you to her," I laughed at his statement. What a nosey little butt face!
"King Edmund and I are dating," he scrunched up his nose confused. Oh, right they call it 'courting' for some reason. "Like, we are courting. As in together."
I brought my hands together as to show him what it meant as I molded my fingers between each other. He chuckled and I stuck my tongue out at him.
"That is lovely to hear," Genesis grinned at me and I shivered. "I will show you to Chara now."
Thank Aslan. I could feel my toes and fingers going numb from the cold.
Genesis lead me throughout the ballroom. I saw some Archelander's gap at him and I shook my head at their rude stares. They act like they've never seen a centaur before. Which even if they had not at least they know they exist. Unlike when I first came to Narnia I thought centaurs were just made up in fairy tales and stuff.
Genesis lead me over to the back of two conversing centaurs. They turned as my friend coughed to signal our presenece. I laughed loudly when I saw whom Chara's brother was.
"Deadalus!" I screamed as I pounded into the redheaded centaurs leg to embrace him from my height. He stared wide eyed down at me almost as if he had seen a ghost.
"Unity," he spoke softly. "What a pleasant surprise. I see you have made a full recovery."
I nodded my head beaming up at him, "It is wonderful to see you again! This is your sister-" I motioned my hand to the somewhat smaller female centaur beside him. She had the same fiery straight hair and piercing aquatic eyes as Deadalus. "- Chara."
"Yes," Deadalus rolled his eyes at the gooey look in her own as she stared at Genesis.
Genesis stepped closer to Chara and informed, "This is our friend Unity."
The female stared down at me with a hearty smile, "I have heard a great deal about you from both Genesis and my brother."
"Probably not many good things," I laughed causing Deadalus to snort.
"Mostly about how you foolishly pretended to be a boy," Deadalus said. "And how you almost got yourself killed going into battle."
"Hey, that giant totally caught me off guard-"
Deadalus cut me off, "- what did I say about letting your guard down during battle?"
"Don't do it?" I sheepishly shrugged my shoulders. Deadalus shook his head at me.
"Lady Unity, is that really you?"
The black curly haired faun and satyr I spent some time with appeared. Eber rushed towards me and hugged me tightly. I giggled as Saleel joined the hug bringing us into a threesome. Hah, threesome. Wait… ewe.
"Saleel! Eber!"
"Oh golly it is you," Eber pinched my cheek as they both pulled away from me. I swatted my hand at him and he chuckled loudly.
"Nice to see your familiar face," Saleel commented with a grin.
"It is nice to see yours as well."
"How long have you been awake?" questioned Eber.
"About a month," I answered tightly. Had it really only been that little since I woke up from such a terrible coma?
"Glad you woke up. I saw when they brought you back to camp," Eber grimaced. "Your head looked ghastly. Let me tell you, I thought you were dead."
Saleel elbowed the faun causing him to fall over some, "We are just glad you survived."
"Yep," Eber popped his P's loudly.
"Ah, may I borrow this fine young lady for a dance."
I turned with a smile to stare at Edmund, "Well, hello there handsome."
"King Edmund's," chorused around followed by a few bows from my boys. Eber came up beside me and pushed me closer to Edmund and I laughed at his reaction.
"Your majesty, please take her away from us," Eber urged. "She is keeping away all the ladies I could be meeting with the beauty she posses."
I scoffed, "Oh please."
Edmund's hand fell to my waste, "I have to agree with you, kind faun. That is why I must steal you before someone else tries to snatch you away. After all, I just got you back."
"What happened to Ariela?" I asked with a frown as I looked around to see if she was seething in a corner. Maybe she was sharpening a knife in hopes of stabbing me whenever she got the chance.
"I ugh, escaped."
"Then you and I must hide. I am awfully tired for a dance anyway," I pouted up at Edmund and he smirked. "How about we go someplace quieter. With a bottle of wine."
"That sounds perfect," he kissed my temple.
"Oh, I agree," Eber declared with a wink. I waved goodbye to my friends as a blush crawled onto my cheeks at my friends statement.
Edmund and I ducked through the ballroom until we found a door besides the main ones to exit out from. Then we giggled childishly as we snuck into the kitchen and stole a bottle of wine. I followed Edmund into his bedroom where he locked the door behind us.
I collapsed onto his bed and breathed in his husky scent that tainted his quilt. How is it possible that someone could smell better than anything I had ever smelt in the world?
Pop. The sweet sound of the wine bottle bursting off made me turn to gaze at Edmund. He stood directly behind me shaking the wine bottle back and forth lightly with a boyish smirk on his lips. I scrunched my nose as I giggled at him. I reached for the bottle but he pulled it towards his mouth and took a swig of the liquid.
I scoffed, "Share with me."
He handed me the bottle. I followed his action and took a large gulp of the tangy liquid. The wine had a citrus taste to it.
Edmund sat on the bed next to me. His hand crawled around my waste and he hugged me comfortably, "We aren't allowed to have any more drunken nights are we?"
I almost spit out the liquid at the question. That had to be the most hilarious thing Edmund has ever said to me. Ever.
"We don't have to be drunk to do the things you are talking about Ed," I informed him. I shifted to stare up at his burning cheeks.
He bashfully muttered, "Well. I mean. I ugh have no idea what to say to that then."
"You are the one that brought it up." That's what she said.
Edmund shrugged, "I thought you would make a joke."
"You thought wrong then," I laughed as he took the bottle from my hands and drowned a good bit of it. "Hey! Stop hogging all the wine you brat."
I grabbed it back and took a long drink. How dare he think he could get drunk off of our wine without sharing? Psh.
"I am King. I can do as I please," he stole the liquid back drinking more. I pulled my dress up some so that I could sit crossed-legged on the bed. "Don't get me wrong, that dress looks beautiful on you, but mighty uncomfortable."
"Are you asking me to get out of my dress Edmund?" I teased.
He rolled his eyes, "No."
I took the wine bottle from his hands and instead of taking a drink I placed the half empty bottle on the nightstand beside Edmund's bed. He gazed at me questionably. Biting my lip I grasped the back of his head and slowly brought his lips onto my own. His lips were wet from drinking the wine and I am sure my own were as well.
Edmund's left hand grazed my cheek as he deepened the kiss. I shuddered as he allowed his tongue to escape from his mouth to seep into my own. I gave him entry, which in turn made my stomach churn as nerves and excitement all started to build up.
I fell onto my back as Edmund pushed my shoulders back gently. Although, he never broke the kiss as he crawled atop my body and rested on his elbows above me. My hands tangled themselves in the back of his hair as the kiss became more intense.
Breaking the kiss for a chance to breathe I let my lips brush against the skin under his ear. Edmund's reaction at the sudden contact was for him to grab my waste. His chocolate eyes were still closed as he took in the new sensation of my lips nipping at his earlobe.
Knock.
Edmund and I froze at the sound of a fist on his bedroom door. Oh no, we'd been caught.
Knock. Knock.
The Just King coughed, "Who is it?"
"King Edmund," I fought the urge to scream. "It is I, Lady Ariela."
"Are you fucking serious?" I hissed quietly. Edmund winched at the irritated expression on my face. "She stalked you back to your room. This is an issue."
"Quite," he agreed copying my hushed voice.
"Eddy?"
"Edmund I am seriously this close-" I held up my index and thumb so there was barley space between the tips of the fingers. "- to kicking her ass."
He pushed himself up so he were on his knees hovering my waste. I slapped a hand over my mouth as I started laughing. An embarrassed look came over Edmund's face and he quickly put his hands over his crotch to hide his boner. This was great.
"Eddy," Ariela whined. My laughing ceased being replaced by the annoyed expression once again.
"Just a moment Ariela!" Edmund snapped loudly so that she could be heard from inside his room. He climbed off of me and held out his hand. "May I have a pillow please?"
I pulled the pillow from behind my head out letting my head fall to the pillow behind it. He took it and held it over his crotch. I snorted and he shot me a pointed look.
Edmund walked over to his door and unlocked it. He pried the door open a crack, "Lady Ariela. I am sorry to inform you I have grown ill. It seems I ate some bad fish this morning."
"Oh Eddy," she cooed. "Let me come in and make you feel better."
I sat up in the bed, but kept my cool. No need to blow Edmund's cover. It would make him look bad having me in his bedroom holding a pillow over his junk for many reasons. After all, it was looked down upon to bed one before marriage still. Even if we hadn't done that it wouldn't make a difference. People would still gossip.
"Lady Ariela that is highly inappropriate," Edmund said harshly. I smiled daintily. That's right. Put her in her place.
"My apologies your majesty."
"I shall see you tomorrow Lady Ariela."
He shut the door. The lock clicked and I smirked. I hope she looked depressed staring at the closed door.
Edmund walked over to me and threw the pillow at my face. He bent down and smoothly stole a kiss from my lips. He pulled a breath away and mumbled, "Now where were we?"
Giggling I grabbed him by the tunic and tugged him onto the bed. His lips once again found mine. Our night was filled with tender kisses until we both grew tired. Every inch of my body wanted me to stay with him for the night, but I knew Lucy would wake me in the morning.
I gave Edmund one last chaste kiss on the lips before retreating to my bedroom. A permanent smile was etched into my mouth as I drifted off to bed thinking of Edmund.
What do you guys think? I KNOW you've been aching for some Edmund and Unity lovin'. Hah!
