"The search remains the same, King Edmund. I can tell you little else. Orius is waiting to give you a report of his findings."

"I don't want findings. Can you give me a name?"

"I can give you nothing tangible, Your Grace."

"I need something, Lyra."

"I have doubled the watches. We have been searching tirelessly for a fortnight, King Edmund, there is nothing new to discover."

"There must be something. Look again. Have the guards questioned Ronas?"

"He did not leave his cell, Your Grace. I sent down a few others to interrogate him. Orius has their report, but he can tell us nothing new. I have also sent eagles into the skies, to try to gather a different perspective for us."

"Thank you, Lyra. I know this is well beyond your requirement."

Lyra stretched, her sharp claws scratching against the worn carpet. "We do not accept such politics, King Edmund. Rest assured, if the man who did this has left a shred of trace, I will find it."

Edmund nodded grimly as Lyra slunk out of his chambers. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes, casting a quick glance in the corner to make sure Liana had not woken up. All social norms had been abandoned since the attack. His room was now her room: he had had her things shifted, and though he had assured his siblings he slept on the divan in the corner, they all knew it was not always true. He couldn't bear to be away from her for longer than necessary, and even now he found his legs automatically moving him towards her sleeping form so he could brush her hair out of her eyes.

Her forehead was puckered in a permanent frown. Liana had nightmares every time she closed her eyes, and when they were open she was constantly complaining of a headache. Lucy had checked her cordial, Lias had given her all the potions he could think of, but her memory had not returned and by now Edmund was sure she was not lying. A haunted look had crept into her eyes, and she winced every time someone mentioned that night. But she loved him. That fact alone was enough to make him ignore everything else and focus on catching whoever was behind all of this.

"Your hands are cold," her lips barely moved when she spoke. Her eyes opened, and they were bloodshot. She winced as she sat up, and Edmund automatically supported her back with his arm, picking up the cup of water on the table next to the bed in his free hand so he could hold it to her lips. Liana drank from it gratefully, and when he had set it down she tugged on his sleeve. "You are exhausted. Did you not sleep last night?"

Edmund resisted the urge to yawn at her question. "I wanted to be sure you were resting."

"Did I scream again?" Liana bit her lip. "I wish you would shift me to the Houses. You do not have to care for me every time I have a bad dream."

Edmund sighed. "We've been through this, Liana. You are not going anywhere. I need you to stay with me."

"You also need to rest. You have not been to your study since that night."

"I have no work to do. Susan is handling the diplomats and Lucy has taken over finances."

"And who is supervising the social gatherings and taking my place in the Houses?"

Edmund frowned. "Why are you worrying about such things?"

Liana huffed. "I'm worrying about you putting an entire kingdom on hold because of me."

Edmund sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching out to tilt her face upwards. "Don't pout," he pressed a kiss to the corner of her downturned lips. "You can leave your room tonight, if you wish. There's a small banquet in celebration of the engagement of Lady Iris and her suitor. He asked for you to be present."

Liana's eyes darkened. "How many people will be there?"

"Not many. I will be right next to you the entire time, I promise."

"Edmund-"

"You cannot give your attacker the satisfaction of succeeding, Liana," Edmund's voice was earnest. "Believe me, I want nothing better than to lock you in this room with me forever until all threats are gone, but that is not something you would ever do. Your nieces are safe, we know that. There is just you to worry about, and I have sworn that I will keep you safe from now on. You should go tonight, hold my hand, prove to this person that you are not easily threatened."

Liana swallowed, but met his eyes unwaveringly. "You are right."

"You will come?"

"Yes," she let out a shaky breath. "I will also be following that hand-holding policy, I assure you."

Edmund grinned. "I will have no complaints," he got up off the bed and bent to kiss her again, ignoring her puckered forehead. "I will go meet with Orius now. There are two guards outside and Lyra will enter as I leave. You should get ready for tonight."

Liana's eyebrows shot up. "I thought this was a small banquet."

"It is. But you will be sitting at the High Table, with me," his boyish smirk was impossible to resist. "Did I not mention that?"

Liana's eyes widened and she picked up a pillow, hurling it with all her might at Edmund. "You neglected to mention it, yes!"

Edmund laughed. "I'll leave you to your own devices. Susan sent you a few dresses. Wear the green one," he winked and backed towards the door, catching the second pillow she threw at him and laughing at her indignant expression.

!

"You do look charming."

Liana snorted. "Thank you, Lyra, although I suppose helping me dress was never a part of your duties as the King's Shadow?"

Lyra purred with amusement as she scratched at the carpet with her claws. "I was instructed to keep the King safe. He is safe when his mind is at ease. When you are in trouble, he is anything but at easy, and he's a terrible pest."

Liana giggled as the maid fussed around her hair, obviously trying to ignore the conversation around her. "Your beautiful hair is thinning, Healer Liana," sighed the faun. "You must worry less."

Liana shared a look with Lyra through the mirror, her lips twitching. The maid was dismissed and Lyra escorted her out, closing the door behind her and turning back to survey Liana. "Are you ready to leave, Healer Liana?"

"Isn't Edm- the King going to come as well?" her eyes widened a little and her pulse sped up. Physically, she was fine, but she doubted she would be able to leave the room she had been locked in for over a fortnight alone.

Lyra didn't answer, since the door hurriedly opened and Edmund poked his head in. His hair was brushed and his crown sat, a little crooked, on his head. "I got dressed in Peter's room, I didn't want to disturb you," he grinned when he saw that she was ready. "You're wearing green."

"And so are you," Liana raised her eyebrows. "You wanted to match, King Edmund?"

"Perhaps," he crossed the room to her side, not noticing Lyra quickly slink out and shut the door behind her. "You look radiant."

"My hair is thinning and I look pale."

Ignoring her comment, he offered her his hand and helped her stand, allowing himself to run his eyes over her quickly. The dress was a deep forest green, slightly loose on her since it was Susan's size, but the perfectly round neckline and the gold belt accentuated her figure well enough. Her hair was swept to one side and left loose and curly. Edmund kissed her forehead, inhaling the sweet smell of flowers that always seemed to accompany her, and then stopped her before she could begin walking. "I have something for you."

Liana raised her eyebrows. "Whatever for?"

"For being the most beautiful woman I have ever known," he turned her around gently so she was facing the mirror and kissed her temple. Hands shaking slightly, he took out the small locket from where he had stowed it in his tunic pocket, ignoring her surprised expression. "I know its not as extravagant as what I gave you last time," he had lowered his voice now, quietly murmuring his words into her ear. "But I have a feeling you'll like this more," he clasped it around her neck, unable to resist pressing a quick kiss to her nape.

Liana shivered, entwining her fingers with the hand that rested on her waist. She used her free hand to run her fingers over the smooth pendant. It was a circular stone set in silver, the same deep green as her dress and only slightly larger than her fingernail. There was latch on the side, but it did not open. The back of it was smooth metal, and her fingers detected an etching. Frowning, she undid the necklace and turned it over, holding it up against the light to read what was written. Edmund did not move from behind her, rather he rested his chin on her shoulder and watched her expression through the mirror.

Liana didn't move. The etching was minute, but she could read it perfectly. Her heart ached, and she felt tears gather at the corner of her eyes. Her dream and Aslan's words came rushing back, and she felt dizzy, but she refused to dwell on them, not when there was a wonderful man standing with his arms around her and waiting for her reaction.

She blinked back tears and put the necklace back on, turning around in his arms to fling her arms around his neck and press her lips to his. She felt him smile as he played with the belt at her waist, breaking the kiss quickly to touch his lips to her collarbone, her jaw, and the corner of her mouth.

"We're going to be late," he murmured.

Liana sighed, but nodded, removing her arms from around him and instead accepting his offered hand, only turning back long enough to check that no hair was out of place. When she turned back to look at Edmund, he was smiling.

"What is it?"

"Nothing," he squeezed her hand.

"Tell me."

"I love you."

Liana blinked. Since the day she had been attacked, he had often told her that he loved her. When she was about to fall asleep, when he thought she was sleeping in the morning but in reality she was pretending so he could get up and take a walk before breakfast… he said it, but never when he felt that she was going to respond to it. This time, he was clearly expecting an answer.

"I love you too, Edmund," her voice was a little hoarse, but he did not seem to notice. He grinned and kissed her again, quickly, ignoring her pout and laughingly opening the door so she could exit before him.

!

"You need to dance with someone."

"Absolutely not."

"You have danced thrice, Edmund. It is nearly midnight."

"I will dance again with you once you have rested."

"You need to dance with someone other than your sisters and myself."

"Why?"

Liana groaned. "You are impossible."

Edmund squeezed her hand from under the table. "You are tired. We can leave whenever you wish."

"We can hardly leave together."

"We can. I have guards outside the family wing specifically to ensure no one sees us."

Liana sighed. "I am tempted, but we should wait until your sister leaves."

Edmund nodded, continuing to rub soothing circles into her palm with his thumb. "Did you enjoy yourself?"

Liana smiled a little and nodded. The evening had been an interesting one. Edmund had sat her on his right at the table set up furthest from the window, where his siblings sat with the guests of honor. The man she had helped had been full of gratitude, and his fiancé had been a blushing and giggling girl, younger than Liana but not much older than Lucy. Liana had not felt like dancing, but Edmund had coaxed her into one set, and then Peter had insisted on the next two. Edmund had danced with his sisters meanwhile, but as soon as Liana was partner-less he had claimed her hand and towed her along with him as he met diplomats and nobles. She knew what he was trying to do, and she blushed every time she was introduced, since Edmund made it a point to show their linked hands. Fortunately, she knew most of them, and was not required to say more beyond a greeting and an adieu.

Suddenly, Liana felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She shuddered, turned back to peek over her shoulder at the velvet curtain that separated the high table from the small alcove behind it, from where the servants were entering. As she watched, she saw an unfamiliar man, with piercing eyes and dark skin, exit the alcove. His eyes met hers briefly, but he had looked away before she could check his expression. He bowed stiffly to Edmund in passing, and, without breaking stride, made his way across the dance-floor to the exit.

Liana frowned. "Who was that? He seemed to not like you."

Edmund turned to look at her in confusion. "Didn't you see him properly?"

"Yes, but I've never seen him before."

Edmund's lips twitched. "You've got to be joking, Liana. You don't recognize the Count?"

"Count of what?" Liana blinked. "Did you introduce me to him just now?"

Edmund snorted. "Very funny, Liana."

She frowned. Her head was beginning to ache and his dismissal of her questions was annoying her. She pinched him, ignoring his look of surprise. "I'm being serious! I don't know who he was!"

Edmund stared back at her for a second, his brow furrowed in confusion. He reached out a hand and touched Liana's face, stroking his thumb gently against her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I know your memory had been foggy of late and-" he suddenly broke off, his eyes fixed on something she could not see, and his face took on a look of horror.

Liana waited, but he didn't continue speaking, merely stared at a point above her left shoulder. He appeared to be deep in thought. She huffed and jerked her face out of his grip. "Edmund, you're being ridiculous. Who was that man?"

Edmund did not answer. He stood up and walked towards the corner close to the table, where Lyra was sitting and watching them. He spoke to her and, without a backwards glance, made his way towards the exit. Lyra approached Liana cautiously, her eyes narrowed.

"Follow me, Healer," her voice was a purr, but it sounded deadly. "The suspicions regarding you attack have changed, as has the concern for your safety."

"Concerns?" Liana stood up from the table willingly enough, unconsciously fiddling with the locket around her neck. "I do not understand. I just told him I didn't recognize that man, and now-"

"That is where the concern begins," Lyra led her towards another door that Liana assumed led to a terrace. When she opened it, however, it was a small passage. "This is for the royals' personal use, in case of emergencies. It leads straight to the hallway outside King Edmund's chambers. Come, Healer Liana, we must leave."

Liana bit her lip, but followed obediently. The walk was short, and within a few minutes they were inside Edmund's room. Lyra summoned a maid to help Liana change out of her dressy clothes, and then sat down at the foot of the divan that Liana curled up onto.

"You need not worry about the King," Lyra's voice was calm, but not unkind. "He took guards with him, and he will return soon. He merely went to confirm a theory."

Liana sighed. She had given up attempting to understand Lyra's cryptic responses to her questions. She reached for a book that was lying on the table next to her, opening it and intending to read. However, the words blurred in front of her eyes: her head was beginning to ache. She closed it and leaned her head back, closing her eyes. Sleep was the furthest thing from her mind, but she felt a pressure on her leg and saw Lyra resting her head on her knee, eyes closed. The ease of Lyra's pose reassured Liana somewhat, and she allowed herself to drift to sleep, one hand stroking Lyra's soft fur and the other curled around her locket, where the etching remained glistening as a reminder of the previous few, worry-less hours:

Forever yours
All my love
E.