Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.
Summary: After almost a year of conflict in both the North and the South, Narnia's borders are secured once more. Hope brightens as Narnia prepares for a year of peace. Yet, when shadows from the past threaten, will the light be smothered or shine all the brighter?
A/N: If you have not read the first eleven stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, Veiled, Unveiled, Eclipsed, and Obscured), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.
Chapter Forty-Three: Safe?
There was something soft beneath her cheek. Everything was soft. She opened her eyes and then blinked. She was laying on her bed. She pressed a hand against the soft mattress and carefully sat up. Her bed…in her bedchamber. Her gaze fell on Oreius who was standing nearby, his head lowered and his arms folded over his chest. He was wearing a dark brown tunic. She frowned slightly. "Oreius?"
His head came up and he walked toward her. "Alambiel, you are awake. We were beginning to worry that we would need to use Lucy's cordial, after all." When she opened her mouth to speak, he raised a hand. "No, don't fret. You and the child are safe now."
He took her hand in his and then brushed her hair back from her face. His dark gaze searched hers. "Forgive me for asking but it is too important to wait. What did you tell the Monster about the secret ways into Cair Paravel?"
Alambiel shook her head. Something wasn't right. She could feel it. She glanced around again and then looked up at Oreius. Her brow furrowed as she studied him. "What happened, Oreius?"
"I found you. You knew I would, did you not?"
"Yes," she murmured.
"Did you speak of the secret ways? Do you believe Thalia and the babe are in danger from the Monster still?"
The feeling that something was wrong solidified like a leaden weight in the pit of her stomach. Alambiel looked around again. The bedchamber was neat, organized, and empty of all save herself and Oreius. She couldn't hear anyone in the sitting room. "Where is Tuulea? I need to talk to her about the baby."
"Shh, Alambiel, you mustn't worry. You and the baby are safe now. You need only trust me."
He leaned down but she drew back. "You are not who you claim."
"Alambiel, you are distraught still. Let me comfort you."
He once more leaned in but recoiled when she scratched his face. As he reached up to touch his bleeding cheek, the illusion melted away and she was once more in the cold, damp cell, staring at the Monster. She let out a shaky breath but met his glare steadily. She lifted her chin defiantly. "You have lost your touch. My husband is a Centaur. He does not make a habit of referring to children as anything other than foal, especially when her refers to ours. He is also a soldier, the General, and he doesn't refer to the Four without title. And he would never let you escape here alive."
The man looked at his bloodied fingers and then sneered at her. "You think you are so clever, princess." He turned his fingers toward her. "You will pay for that. And then you will spill every secret you know regarding Narnia, Cair Paravel, and the Four. Or else I shall ensure that the curse still works because I will personally see to it that your foal never draws breath."
ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ
A/N: Please Read and Review!
