A/N: And here is part II of Goodbye Brother. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it x

Take heed of the fact that this chapter will involve Suspian smut/lemon.

Read on, and here's the usual recommendations to soundtracks:

Harry in Winter – Patrick Doyle

Njol – Jeremy Soule (The Northern Diaries OST)

Ek Elska Þik – Jeremy Soule (The Northern Diaries OST)


As the memorial service went on in the Great Hall, with song, drink, food and good company between friends, lords and ladies, Caspian was reminded how lucky he was to have friends and family around him in these dark times. He stood with Peter and Trumpkin at his side, sipping his wine watching as Edmund and Lucy engaged in the dancing going on in the centre of the grand room with small smiles on their faces. Edmund too tried to get a smile on his sister's face as he spun them around, holding their hands between them as they did so. Not a particularly elegant dance, but one to put some warmth in their hearts as sleet drummed hard against the floor-to-ceiling windows. Peter decided to speak up after a while of silence:

"I may not say this enough to you, Caspian. And if we don't make it through… Whatever this is," Caspian almost snorted at the words he himself had spoken on the Dawn Treader, "I want you to know that I appreciate everything you have done for Narnia. To see her prosper is enough to convince me that she is in the best of hands," he said. Caspian turned to look at him for a second before answering, noticing that he did not look at him, but at the dancefloor with a sombre look in his eyes.

"Thank you, Peter."

"Aye, and I will never complain about your job ever again, yer majesty. Holding the fort during your sailing was a task suited for a man bigger than me… Literary," Trumpkin murmured. Peter held back a snigger as he drank from his goblet. Caspian gave the dwarf a pat on his shoulder, saying nothing, but ever so thankful for the dwarf nonetheless. The dwarf looked up at his king, puzzled at his gesture, feeling ever so patronized, if not slightly warm in his heart; they were good kids, all of them.

After yet several moments in silence, they watched as Edmund and Lucy walked up to join them, Lucy having her shoes in hand.

"I told you that turn was too sharp, Ed!" the company heard Lucy scold her brother as she gesticulated with the piece of the heel that had broken.

"I said I'm sorry!" Edmund exclaimed as he took a goblet of cider from a servant passing them with a tray of drinks.

"'Sorry' won't replace the heel, mister!" the youngest Pevensie bickered as they appeared before Caspian, the dwarf and their brother.

"What happened? Stepped on his toes too hard?" Peter said with a chuckle. Lucy shoved a playful fist in his arm.

"Very funny. Now, if you will excuse me, I must put on different shoes. I'll be right back," the Valiant Queen replied, turning around to leave for her chambers.

"I will escort you, yer Highness," Trumpkin demanded slightly fearful eyes. He did not want the sweet Pevensie to come to any harm. Lucy held up a hand once he came her way.

"Nono, that's alright DLF! I will be just a minute, go on and drink and be merry!" she replied as she whisked away through the crowd of people.

The company of Kings and Lord looked after the youngest Queen as she left the hall. Peter sighed heavily before turning towards his company,

"I wish I had her spirits, to speak the truth. No matter what has happened in our lives, Lucy has always been… the substance that kept us all together, even when we were separated. She has so much strength, that one..." Peter told them, and even if they did not reply, they couldn't say they disagreed - the girl was the epitome of hope.

Caspian turned his gaze down. So much death around them, and despite that, Lucy kept her spirits and hopes up. The girl deserved so much better, and he suddenly felt sickened that he couldn't offer her, or any of them, more. The room started to spin slightly, and Caspian's heart started to pound. He sometimes had these attacks of panic, and he knew he had to get away, if only for a moment.

"Please, excuse me," he murmured as he brushed past the oldest Pevensie to exit the room. Trumpkin and Peter looked after him in confusion, but did not stop him. Peter met Trumpkin's puzzled expression with one of his own. Had they said something?

. . .

The cold stone tiles made Lucy's feet ache, and she was relieved to put her feet into comfortable shoes once again. Padding through the halls, dark in the evening, but her path lit up by candles as far as her eyes could see, she was alone with her thoughts; or so she thought.

She was not expecting to meet anyone on her way back to the memorial service, and so she startled at the sight of the Professor, cloaked in the night, as he snuck out past a small wooden door that were usually covered by a large burgundy drape. He had a set of keys in his hand, and he struggled to keep the keys silent as he closed and locked the door behind him.

"Professor?" Lucy piped up. The elderly half-dwarf jumped at her voice, quickly turning around to face the intrusive voice. A sigh escaped him once he recognized the girl's face.

"Oh, your Grace, I did not see you there…" he said, breathy from the fright she caused. Lucy furrowed her perfectly plucked eyebrows at the man's strange behaviour.

"It looks like you didn't want to be seen at all, Professor."

"Nono, I…. Well," the man stuttered slightly, dropping the keys inside his robe. Lucy's expression softened, and she glided towards him, her eyes meeting his fleeting gaze.

"Professor Cornelius… Are you hiding something?" she asked him in a low, yet soft voice.

"I…"

"It's alright; you can trust me, you know that."

The elderly man looked down at her feet, sighed through his beard, and watched her over his spectacles. He took down his hood.

"It is not something, that I am hiding, your Grace. It is someone, and I have been trying to figure out a way to tell you all, as the very someone is not your… common guest," the white-bearded man spoke carefully, silently hoping that she would understand and not punish him for his act.

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean, Professor," Lucy replied quietly. Her heart started to beat quicker, and she hoped this would not add to their troubles.

"I… It would be best if I showed you, your Majesty," he said, looking around them suspiciously as he did so. "But you, and only you alone… For now," the halfling requested, his eyes pale and sincere.

Professor Cornelius was not a fearful character, far from it. Lucy felt fear towards what he was supposed to show her, as she did not know its nature. Therefore, she then straightened up, and cocked her chin upwards, her stature that of a Queen.

"Very well. Lead the way, my Lord!" she requested. He walked towards the door he had just exited, unlocking it before ushering her inside. He looked out towards the hall, assuring no one followed them.

. . .

Edmund just left a group of fauns to join his older sister, who stood leant by a pillar whilst sipping cider in peace. She had been quiet all evening, and having seen little of her, he decided now was the best time to talk, now that he had her in sight.

"You alright, Su?" he said as he appeared on her right side.

"As good as can be," she replied quickly as she turned her gaze towards his. He looked worn out and pale, almost sickly even.

"You look tired," she stated in a neutral tone.

"Well, I am, I won't lie. I don't suppose you've been sleeping much better than me?" he replied with a sigh under his voice.

"I doubt it."

They stood for a while and watched couples drink, cheering and dancing around the room, and it was a subtle way of grounding, just focusing on the now. They both noticed Drinian's wife and daughter in a corner along with a couple men from the Dawn Treader's crew. The wife met their gazes across the room, and both brother and sister raised goblets her way with solemn smiles. The wife returned the gesture with a nod and a small smile. Her eyes were swollen, and her face drawn, but she looked beautiful nonetheless. They hoped this memorial feast would honour Drinian's life and that his remaining family would find comfort in it.

Edmund was reminded that despite having seen Caspian give his condolences to the mother and daughter earlier this feast, he had not seen him since then. This was several hours ago, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of dread. He turned to his sister once again.

"Susan… Have you seen Caspian at all during the service?"

"No. He's a busy man, I expect," she replied monotonously, but also felt the very same pang once her brother stated the fact of their High King's absence. Her mind now working like a clockwork, despite the amount of alcohol she had consumed, she decided to go find the man; this wouldn't be the first time anyone from court had disappeared these last few months. She turned around to face her brother with a reassuring smile.

"Now that you mention it, Ed, I did see him earlier on the dancefloor with Drinian's daughter. He's around here somewhere, don't worry," she assured him, hoping that her little lie would reassure him. There was no need to frighten her brother until Caspian was actually found, and so she made it her quest to hunt him down.

"I'm going to get some food, alright? I'll talk to you later, little brother." Susan replied, patting his cheek, much to his frustration. He hated it when she did that, though it gave him a warm feeling to know she was alright after all of this… Seemingly.

. . .

"I had no other place to keep him, so I figured the southern gate would be best. It has been locked since Miraz's death, and we have not used it since," the professor said as he walked first down the stone stairs, a torch in hand. The spiral staircase took them down into a dark hallway, and it was apparent the Professor spoke truthfully. It was dark, damp and dusty down there, and the smell of mould was strong.

"But Professor, please tell me what this is all about. Why do you have him locked away?" Lucy asked as she carefully stepped down the treacherous path of stairs.

Finding a narrow hallway, the Queen and Professor walked side by side.

"You see, my girl, after your reign and following the death of the White Witch, all her followers and supporters were claimed dead. But history, be it worthy enough, will always be brought down by its survivors, and after a significant amount of time has passed, history turns into legend. And so, the legend of the White Witch, her history, has been passed down from family to family for centuries, keeping her morals and chance of reign alive… You witnessed this with the dwarf Nikabrik, yes?" the elder asked. Of course she remembered; her arm still ached some nights after that incident at the How.

"Are you trying to tell me you are leading me towards a follower of Jadis?" Lucy asked, her voice pitched.

"Not precisely. I think, you Majesty, it would be best if he told you his story himself… But now you know; Jadis' line of rule might have been over for a millennium, but the progenies of her beliefs still live – and are being punished for being related to those beliefs, even today," he said, meeting her expectant gaze. She swallowed hard.

Arriving at a door, the short, plump elderly man gestured for her to hold the torch so that he could remove the chains and the door bar barricading the entrance before opening it and walking inside.

"Wait here just a moment, my girl." Cornelius requested as he disappeared through the door and whisked away for a moment. The air in the tunnel was awfully cold, and as the elder opened the door, it turned even colder. Lucy's teeth began to rattle just as the halfling returned:

"Please, come along."

. . .

The Gentle Queen rapped just as gently on the grand doors of Caspian's chambers. Her pulse beat in her ears, for she felt anxious that he would not respond to her knock. There was by now a great chance he too had gone missing, or worse, been killed, and her mind raced with all the possibilities that could explain his absence. Luckily, her mind was put to rest when the High King himself opened the doors, dressed in nothing but brown trousers and a loose white shirt, opened at the top of his chest. His hair was falling to his shoulders in free locks, his face worn, yet oh-so handsome; it ached in her heart just by looking at him.

"Susan." He said, almost surprised as he blinked once.

"Oh, thank goodness." Susan said with a gasp, as she took her head in her hands with a sigh. Caspian stepped aside for her to enter, and she did so, puzzling him only for a moment, for she exploded almost the minute she turned around to face him.

"Caspian, you absolute cretin!" she exclaimed, making him raise a brow at her sudden outburst. Whatever had he done to anger her this time? Certainly not almost joining a dwarf and hag in conjuring forth the power of the White Which through his blood of Adam, that, he was sure of.

"It's always a pleasure to see you, my Queen." He faced her, and even with the distance between them, he could tell she was steaming.

"Oh, come off it! What were you thinking, just vanishing like that?! We've been looking for you, you imbecile! We thought you were missing or worse!" she exclaimed, her voice fierce and her eyes shimmering a dangerous grey. Despite fuming, she decided it would be best to leave out the "I" in "we".

Caspian closed his eyes slowly in realization. Leaving out a sigh as he understood her anger, he stepped forth to explain. It would turn out she had still leftover anger to vent, and so he allowed her to finish. He had seen her with her bow and was not so foolish enough to cross her even further.

"I cannot believe I have to tell you this, but we have arranged escorts for a reason! Losing you to another assassination attempt or abduction or… or… Caspian, do NOT wander away unannounced like that again, do you understand me?!" she said, her voice threatening. He thought it was cute, really, but he understood her concern, and scolded himself for blindly acting on his feelings.

"Susan, my Queen, I'm sorry for leaving the festivities. I wasn't thinking straight at the moment and I needed to get away. I promise, it won't happen again," he told her, his hands in front of him to calm her. He looked her in the eyes, and the warmth of his ever-so brown orbs pulled a harsh sigh out of her in defeat.

"It better not. Just…. Remember what I said; be careful," she said, her voice now calmer. Caspian smiled to himself as he walked over to a desk and opened a flask of a good vintage.

"I am the very soul of caution, your Highness," he mimicked her words with a smile as he poured the red sparkling wine into two goblets on the desk.

With a non-audible groan followed by an elegant roll of her eyes, Susan felt the sudden urge of throttling him, but the feeling died quickly once he spoke:

"Did you just roll your eyes at me?" Caspian's voice was that of amusement, and Susan turned her head to see him hold out a goblet for her. Bugger, so he did see that.

"Yes, I did, and you better get used to it if you're going to do stupid things like that," she replied with confidence as she took the goblet from him and taking a generous zip. He chuckled under his breath at her wit. Cute indeed, he thought to himself.

"Now, are you done scolding me, or are you able to sit down with me and enjoy a drink or two?" he asked her as he sat down on the furs on the floor against his bed, the fireplace providing soothing warmth. The sound of its crackling was comforting as well.

"I'm sorry, but I just… -" Susan apologized, but Caspian interrupted her with a lopsided smile.

"My Lady, it's alright, I jest."

"Right."

Caspian studied her form by his place against his enormous bed. Her grey polyester dress, long-sleeved and formal, with silver embroideries in the seemingly comfortable fabric fitted her perfectly, and her dark hair fell loose to her lower waist apart from the sides that was braided to the back of her head. The jewellery hugging her neck and along her ears glimmered in the light of the dancing hearth - she was a creature of ethereal beauty. Wanting nothing more than her company, he patted the spot beside him.

"Please, join me; I don't bite," he said with a cheeky smile. She could smack herself.

"I…" Susan's head hesitated. "…Very well," her heart decided, winning this debate.

And so, she sat down beside him, sighing as she felt the soothing, warm rays of the fireplace against her skin.

. . .

The smell of rotting meat and wet dog hit Lucy's nose once she ducked under the doorframe. But the sight before her once in the room was an even greater impression; a polar bear.

The polar bear was as large as a horse-drawn chariot, seemingly tall and muscular. His white fur had streaks of blood and his hind paw was bandaged. His left ear had a split, and a large, paled scar crossed the left side of his snout and lip. He was resting on the floor against the wall, and it seemed Cornelius had made him a bed of straw, as they currently were standing on said blood-stained straw and silage.

The room was not even a room; along the length of the front wall on their left was a steel gate, rusty and old, and it was locked and secured with two grand doors, along with more chains. There were no windows, only walls and floor of stone. Against the steel bars of the gate lay the remnants of a rooster. The polar bear had been fed too, apparently.

His large head rested on his paws, and he had pressed himself against the short wall furthest away from the door. Even resting, he looked truly terrifying.

Lucy was not able to speak for the first couple of moments as she took it all in, but when she did, it wasn't quite what she thought would escape her mouth:

"Cornelius, are you mental?"

The elderly man ignored her question and walked instead towards the head of the bear to inspect his split ear; Lucy held her breath.

"Hmm… The bleeding has stopped, that is good," he murmured. The bear had kept his eyes open from the moment he heard the rattling of the chains to the door, and they shone an alert shade of light umber.

"Cornelius, what is all of this?" Lucy demanded to know. She thought polar bears to be extinct, as all of them had been followers of the White Witch. The very fact that they had a wounded one in a locked away part of the castle was too surreal for her, and she started to believe it was all a dream. A polar bear?!

"They say you cannot choose where you come from… What you are, your Majesty. This one was chased from his home to escape the path his predecessors had taken before him. Hence, the Power of the White Witch sought after him and his family long after Jadis' death. And so that is the main reason he is here now," the man spoke, but it did not give her much insight. The Professor turned towards the bear and patted him on his shoulder. The beast suddenly jerked, turned his head and growled after the Professor with vicious teeth bare. Lucy startled and jumped back. Now she knew, this was far from a dream.

"Ah, still tender I see… I'm sorry about that," Cornelius said, not showing the slightest amount of fear. The bear growled during his breaths, but let his head down again, a sigh escaping the beast with a rumble from his chest.

"Voytek, I present to you Queen Lucy the Valiant. Do you remember the name?" The professor asked the great white bear, who lifted his head once again to watch the girl. His ears were laid back, but his eyes did not shine as predatorily as before.

"Yes." The bear replied with a voice so deep it put fear in Lucy's soul, his gaze still upon her. Knowing now that he was a Talking Beast, she felt more at ease being this close to the bear. He was luckily not the savage bear she had met three years ago.

"And would you be so kind to explain to her why you are here? Why you might be able to help the Queen and her family?"

Now this, had her intrigued. But also at bay; who was exactly this character?

"Daughter of Eve…" the bear rumbled as he tried to stand on his feet. He gritted his teeth with effort as he did so, and Cornelius tried to aid the bear in his attempt to get up. The bear growled low in his chest at him.

"Leave me to it, old one. I can… manage," the bear demanded with a grunt of pain. Lucy felt a sense of relief when the elderly scholar stepped away to stand by her side.

"Who… Are you?" Lucy asked in a quiet voice, her blue-green soulful eyes watching the hurt animal.

"I am Voytek, son of Vijotan and Tekela. Last of the White-Marshals. I regret that you must see me in this state, for it is not the appropriate look of a White-Marshal. Nevertheless, I will tell you my tale, Eve's-daughter." Lucy stepped closer as the bear stood on his feet, swaying slightly. He noticed Lucy's concern.

"The bone-men handled themselves well in battle, as you may see," he said with a huff, followed by a grim laugh.

"Please, let me heal you," Lucy requested as she reached for her cordial. After the incident during audience, she found having the potion strapped onto her being soothing. The bear shook his head with a rumble from his chest.

"No. I will not deny another warrior that drop by taking it for myself. The bone-men harmed me, but the injuries will heal in time." Voytek spoke, his gaze that of determination.

"Bone-men?" Lucy asked as she reluctantly put her cordial in its pouch. It was not a word she was familiar with.

"Men that are not men. Men that have become dry bones and carcasses and reek of death and decay, and yet, still walking across this soil. A woman sought out my hamlet to have me fight at her side and return what was once hers. At the very moment I denied her this privilege, she sent her abominations after me. The creatures of walking dead…" Voytek explained, now starting to pace, limping as he did so. A snarl escaped him as his voice grew more powerful.

"They murdered my mate in cold blood. My cubs… Other White-Marshals by my side. I may be the last of my kind, and that is why I sought out your castle, my Queen. For the evil must be stopped. It is already on its way." The bear announced. His voice cracked at the mention of his children and mate.

"The winter…" Lucy murmured as she wrapped her head around Voytek's story.

"Voytek… This woman that attacked you: did she have a name?" Lucy asked. She had a feeling she already knew the answer. The bear stopped his pacing and looked her in the eyes.

"Yes… Talulah. The Queen of Ice," Voytek growled her name like it was poison. He sighed before continuing, "We White-Marshals serve in this life as protectors of the ancient relic that once belonged to the White Witch of Old. A receptacle, hosting the power to destroy all that is living. Alone, it cannot do harm. But, along with certain items, they can together be exploited to exterminate the world as you and I know it, my Queen."

Lucy stepped closer to the beast.

"You protect an item designed to end the world? Who is protecting it now?" Lucy asked, feeling slightly frantic even if she didn't show it. If Voytek was here, and the last of his kind, who guarded the item at this very moment?

"It is still I. For the role of a White-Marshal is to protect it by relocating it when needed, and never revealing its current location." Voytek spoke, his voice now calmer. Lucy looked at him with wide eyes. The pieces were now starting to come together, and it seemed they had a chance at stopping this evil sorceress after all.

Talulah, Jadis' ancient sibling, needed the item protected by the order of the polar bears to be able to perform the ritual, The Deplorable Word. To think anyone would even create something so powerful… If they could erase said item from existence… Lucy repeated her thoughts to both the professor and the bear:

"Why wasn't the item destroyed? Wouldn't that have stopped the threat of it getting into the wrong hands?"

Voytek hesitated to talk, for it was complicated.

"It cannot be destroyed. Destroying it means destroying the realm. And even if it did not hold that power, alas, there is no known way of performing such a perilous task."

Of course there wasn't – great. Lucy sighed in despair.

. . .

The oldest female Pevensie and the Seafaring King was on their third goblet of wine, now currently sharing a laugh.

"- Trumpkin told us his fears of looking like a grape in that new outfit. Of course, that extremely purple tunic built an image in my head so badly I couldn't help but agree; needless to say, he didn't speak to me for the rest of the day because of it," Caspian chuckled under his breath as he told her of an incident he had with Trumpkin one day after the defeat of the Calormene Army two years ago.

She laughed whole-heartedly at the imagery of Trumpkin the Grape, tears threatening to spill.

"Oh, bless that DLF," she said under her breath as her laughter died. Drowning the last chuckles with a zip of wine, Caspian shifted in his seat beside her.

"I never understood that part," he told her honestly as he ran a hand through his hair. She turned her head, only to look at him with amusement.

"'Dear Little Friend'".

"Hmm, fitting indeed," he agreed, making her smile like never before. A thought then crossed the young King's mind.

"Remind me to use it in one of our next council meetings," he told her humorously, making her near choking on a zip of the sanguine vintage. She heard him laugh a "oh, sorry" on her right as she coughed twice, struggling to hold her laughter back.

"That would be most unappreciative, I believe!" she told him with a deep chuckle, and the sound made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end and a most delightful shiver run down his spine.

As her head fell back against the bed whilst her fit of tear-spilling laughter eased down into chuckles, Susan couldn't remember the last time she had a laugh like this. Caspian had a good sense of humour, and the fact that he was a good story-teller didn't help. Neither did the wine.

Alas, she was happy to hear he had had laughter and joy in his life, even after Miraz' reign. Taking over his uncle's neglectful reign and making Narnia a prosperous realm was a task she knew had drained him of energy and resources and had left him little time for laughs. Hence, it was nice… Seeing him like this, so relaxed.

As their laughter died, they grew quiet, simply embracing the moment of peace. Susan, deciding she had had enough wine, put her goblet away. Whilst doing so, she couldn't help but feel the gaze of Caspian's sable eyes upon her.

Her fragrance infiltrated his senses; aromatic lavender with a touch of jasmine flowers, it was divine. To see her smile and join in on simple joys was a fortune to behold, a balm on his heart that had ached so for the last years. She had been working so hard to keep them all safe, to solve the mystery that lingered over court. He was grateful to her.

"What is it?"

Her voice tore him away from his trance. Her crystal blue gaze met his, making his pulse beat frantically.

"I…" Caspian's voice failed him, and he looked down upon the floor to put his goblet away as well. His gaze locked with hers once more, and he spoke serenely and truthfully:

"I am happy to have you here with me, that's all."

A coy smile graced Susan's lips, and she looked down to the floor, touched by his words.

"As am I," she spoke sincerely in the gentlest voice he ever heard graze his ears.

Her eyes finding the open section of his shirt, looks lingering there to avoid his penetrative, passionate gaze, Caspian lifted his hand, his fingers ghosting her chin and jaw to have her meet his gaze once again. Her gaze fleeting between his eyes, Caspian caressed her jaw with his thumb tenderly to calm her down. Knowing it was not easy for her to open up and reveal her soul to him, that beautiful, wonderful soul, he felt both proud of her, and deep affection for her.

"You are beautiful…" he said, his gaze besotted, his voice filled with warmth. Susan felt her heart smack against her chest as his husky words infiltrated her mind. He meant it. He really did, and yet; why was she so afraid, of… this?

"Caspian…" Susan whispered tenderly with a hint of anxiousness. Her shaky breath revealed to him that she had never been told truthful words alike his own before, and he was grateful she allowed him this closeness. He needed it, and he knew she needed it as well.

Bringing her face closer to his, he leant down to place a warm kiss upon her lush lips. First it was a gentle touch of their lips, but she soon returned his kiss, her hand placed on the side of his neck and upon his shoulder. He brought her closer to him by gently fisting the long, silky locks on the back of her head, his kiss now urgent and deep.

Susan had felt these stirrings of feelings before inside her, but it was only with him... Maybe it was the wine that made her give in to his tender caresses, or it was the fact that she wanted him just as much as he needed her. The fact that he smelled so divine certainly didn't help. She was truly weak for that cologne of his.

. . .

Susan did not know how they got this far: she was currently on her back against Caspian's bedsheets, the furs providing warmth and comfort. The weight of Caspian over her was too a feeling of warmth, and his whole being the epitome of safety. The safety she had missed for so long. He had by long disregarded his shirt, and the feeling of his feverish skin underneath her fingers sent shivers down her spine. Their hands explored each other with the utmost passion, and Susan's hands were currently busy in a way that drove him unbeknownst to her, animalistic: one hand caressing his scalp, the other settling at the back of his neck, her fingernails teasing the short hairs there.

"Susan. . ." he groaned against her collarbone, his hot lips never leaving the skin there.

The way he called her name, how he gave in to her touch made her bold and suddenly wanting of a different taste. She wanted more, simply… more. Moaning out his name as he lavished at the column of her neck, Caspian's response was to undo the knots on the front of her dress. It might have been the alcohol in his blood that made him act in the way he did, but this urge inside him, it ate him from the inside out. The desire to have and to hold her overrun everything else in his system and impaired his other senses in such a way he forgot they were even present.

The taste of sweet grapes from the wine lingered on his lips, and Susan couldn't get enough. The feeling of his weight on top of her and his hands all over her was everything, and she needed it like a drowning man desperate for air.

Wanting more, Susan hooked her ankle around the back of his knee and flipped them over with a surprising amount of strength. He might be physically heavier and stronger than her, but Queen Susan managed by in the right moment.

The expression on his face when she straddled his lap and kissed down his throat and chest, making sure to graze her teeth over his Adam's apple in the process, was everything she had dreamt of seeing: his brows furrowed in slight confusion of their sudden change, his chocolate eyes dark with lust, his lips parted as he drew in breaths. When she followed the trail of his sternum, her feverish tongue tracing his pectorals, she made sure to gently nick at the tiny scars she could find. She travelled down his body and her hands caressed his thighs as she kissed her way down his abdominal muscles. When she reached just above his navel, and felt a trace of dark hair tickle her chin, his broken speech sobered her up.

"Susan…" it was her name, so simple, but it held so much power.

Reaching up and finding his lips once again, he sat up with her in his lap, holding her close as he did. A moan escaped her lips as he again sought out the skin on her neck, suckling there and against her collarbones. He exhaled against her skin, making a long shiver run down her back. Pushing the fabric of the grey dress past her shoulder and down her arms, Susan aided him by removing the dress off her arms and torso and pulling her long tresses of hair over her shoulder. Hugging her bare skin close to his, Caspian could barely think as he kissed her sternum and the top of her breasts. She was divine.

The mixed feeling of their heat along with the throbbing against Susan's inner thigh rendered Caspian with such desire that he effortlessly, yet effectively flipped them over, her yelp of surprise rendering him grinning deliciously.

Her blue eyes, bright in anticipation, looked up at him as she had come short of breath. Her ebony hair was fanned out on the furs, and her chest heaved up and down as she was trapped underneath his weight once more. A creature of natural beauty and grace, she had stolen his heart a long time ago, but now in this moment, the image of her under him would be etched into his mind forever. He kissed her hungrily and her arms instinctively flung around his neck as he devoured her. When she had grown lightheaded as a result of his attention combined with the lack of air, her grip on him loosened, and he seized the opportunity to nip at her neck, before tracing his lips along her collarbones, kissing the dip in the centre. He braced his weight as he peppered kisses down to her breastbone, still moving downwards. He shivered as he heard her moan softly when he felt the weight of one of her breasts in his large hand, kneading just right. Providing the other with attention from his tongue and lips, she mewled at the stimulation. When she writhed against him, he left a lovebite above the swell of her breast, before proceeding to kiss down her chest and flat stomach. He gripped her waist as he had settled between her legs, kissing and nipping at her protruding hipbones. She held back a groan and bit her lower lip as she felt locks of his dark mane tickle the surface of her skin. He was being a tease, and it did not help her case once he stopped to capture her lips once more.

Damn him, she thought as he gently bit down on her lip.

"Caspian," she growled impatiently, and she felt him chuckle devilishly against her skin.

"All in good time, m'Queen," he purred back, and her head fell down against the furs at his husky voice, filled with lust and desire.

Caspian's voice suddenly purred against her lips before recapturing them in an ever-so hungry kiss. Finding strength, she reciprocated her famished King's kiss, feeling pure bliss for the man above her. Her hands travelled up his back, and she moaned softly at the feeling of his lips feasting on the pulse point on her neck. Her slender calves brushed against his thighs as an informal invitation, and she felt one of his hands grip her thigh in response. His lips worked on her neck, and she dug her nails into the skin on his back to bring him closer. An animalistic growl rumbled in his chest as he held her down against the furs, making her shudder in anticipation. It was also then she felt his very hard member poking at her thigh. She grinned in gratitude of the man's sexual prowess. When had he taken off his pants?

She understood the wine had taken over much more of her senses than she first anticipated, for she did not remember when she herself had disregarded the rest of her dress and undergarments, not that she minded.

"Please…" she mewled against his shoulder in the most beautiful voice he had ever heard. With a strong grip on her thigh he forced it over his hip and slid into her with a deep groan against her jaw. With one full thrust, he was sheathed within her, feeling her slick warmth gripping him tightly and perfectly. Her name danced upon his lips as he kissed her hard and urgently. He was relieved that she relaxed against him with a deep and sensual sigh, and she stretched easily around him, making her familiar with his girth. Panting slightly, Susan returned his kisses and shifted underneath him, spurring him on with a small groan.

He took her for a slow dance at first, but when she kept moving her hips with him, urging him on further, his thrusts become more powerful. He was like a well-bred horse; all muscle, veins protruding, and his body flexible and strong, with stamina to go on forever, always doing his outmost to please his mistress and follow her orders.

Feeling full at every thrust, Susan moaned tenderly at the impact of his body slamming against hers. A thin layer of sweat glistened on his back in the candlelit room, and her arms raked at his ribcage. Groaning, he captured her ever-so tantalizing lips in a kiss, feeling himself go insane with built-up tension and pleasure as he bucked into her welcoming heat.

"Caspian, please…" she pleaded with a groan, and he sobered up as he heard her calling his name. It took all his self-control to tear away from her, resulting in Susan letting out a low, disappointed whine from their disconnection. With a groan, he quickly flipped her over onto her stomach and positioned himself behind her. Surprised at first, yet very aroused, Susan yelped as she felt the sweet sting from his palm as he smacked her behind once. The sound of his hand against her flesh rang deliciously in her ears. He then tenderly caressed the spot before gripping at her waist, bringing himself into her from behind. She groaned delightfully at the feeling of his member penetrating her deeply, stroking the very special spot inside her in the process. His hips hit against the taut curve of her rear, and that was currently the only thing audible to her ears, the sound of flesh slamming against flesh combined with his pleasurable groans and sighs. Her breathing was raspy and quick as she lost herself in the feeling of being taken from behind, and she supported herself on shaking arms and elbows. A shiver rushed up her back as his fingers ghosted up the trace of her spine, caressing her back and hips. Needing to be closer, Susan straightened up and pressed her back against his front. Caspian snaked one arm around her stomach and another gently around her throat as he held her close and feasted on her neck. She let her head fall back against his shoulder, her eyes closed as the overwhelming pleasure overcame her very being. Her lips parting to let pants of pleasure escape. Caspian slowed down his powerful, almost frantic thrusting at the change of positions, now focusing on the moment that was there and then.

His hands ghosting down her taut body, rubbing circles along her hipbones whilst holding her close to his hot skin, Caspian felt like flying, his head high up in the sky. The feeling of the smooth paleness of her porcelain skin under his palms grounded him enough to keep his pace up. He was complimented by the Queen's tender gasps and moans.

Practically melting inside, Susan sighed happily at his tender touches, despite his ramming into her hard. The immense feeling made her arch her back with a moan as pleasure pooled in her core. Feeling her clench tightly around him, he knew she was close. She gasped his name as she shuddered with her head thrown back, and as he pulled her closer with his iron grip around her hips, he rammed into her once before witnessing her release with a broken groan. The sight alone triggered his own orgasm, and he pulled out of her, only to spill his seeds onto the back of her thigh. Releasing her hips from his fingers, he pulled them down unto the furs. Caspian's body joined in regaining their breaths as he lay behind her with his front pressed against the length of her back. He placed lazy kisses behind her neck and along her shoulder blades draped a relaxed arm over her waist, as the pair's heartbeat pummelled against their chests in rhythm. Relishing in the feeling of her hot body, so tiny and soft against him, Caspian's eyes closed shut as he tried to regain his energy.

Unable to speak, Susan too focused on landing from her high. She was tired.

Once their breaths eased out, Susan managed to speak:

"Caspian?"

"Mmm?" he murmured against her skin.

"Mind opening a window?" she requested in a gentle tone as she shifted in his arms.

Obeying, Caspian tore himself away from the comfort that was the woman in his bed and walked over to the two windows to let in the cool air. Snow fell in tiny flakes from the sky, and the night was luckily windless. Standing there for just a moment to take in the fresh air, he heard shuffling of the furs behind him. Allowing himself just another breath, the Seafaring King padded back to his bed, and were pleasantly welcomed by Susan's arms once again.

. . .

"Professor, this changes everything! Now we might have a chance of defeating Talulah!" Lucy said in hushed tones as they ascended up the stairs from the abandoned gate.

"I am glad, my girl."

"I will tell my brothers and sister in the morning. Voytek needs his rest, and so do we. Will you join me back to the party?" Lucy asked the elderly man as they approached the ancient door to the hallway.

"I think too I will rest, my Queen, but please do give the others my regards. I am an old man." The halfling said with a cheery smile. Lucy gave his shoulder a pat and they exited the door together before making sure no one saw them and rearranging the curtain.

"Good night, Professor," Lucy whispered. The elderly man gave her a nod of appreciation before waddling along to his study.

Once returning to the memorial service, several people had retired for the night, yet her brothers were still there, talking to a leopard and a greyhound.

"Lucy!" Peter exclaimed once she came into sight. Both rushed to her side, their eyes wide with anticipation.

"What took you so long? We were on the brink of sending guards after you!" Edmund explained, his eyes searching her for injuries. Lucy shot them both an innocent smile, whilst brining forth her hands.

"I'm sorry, boys, I didn't mean to take so long. I met the Professor on the way, and he showed me… Some very interesting discoveries," she said, managing to keep the news of their guest incognito for now.

"Oh, really?" Peter said, his brow raised.

"Really."

Her brothers let out a sigh of relief, and by the urge of her sister, the three of them made way to their separate chambers.

"Oh, should we check in on Su?" Lucy asked as they passed her chamber doors.

"No, let her sleep. She has Barbas with her." Edmund explained as he hinted towards the husky she had staying by her entrance to guard her as she slept.

Little did he know she would have a different guardian with her this night...

. . .

The room might have felt chilly in the crisp… Summer…? night, but Caspian's body provided great warmth against hers, and the warmth lulled her to a snooze as they both felt on their exhaustion after the day. Murmuring sweet nothings in her ear as they came down from yet another high, he stopped once he heard her breathing even out, her naked body rising up and down evenly.

He was resting on his side as he held her close, his skin against hers. Her head rested against his triceps whilst her face was tucked underneath his chin. Her front against his, he had an arm slung over her waist, feeling quite at ease. Finding solace and comfort in her sleeping form, Caspian soon drifted off himself into a deep sleep.

It was the best sleep he had had in a long time.


A/N: And there you have it! I hope you can all now see where I am going with this story. I feel quite motivated with this story, yet the problem is avoiding plotholes. I can already sense several, but for the sake of the story, I will continue writing, and edit chapters later on if I have the time.

I apologize if the smut-scene came too soon, but I felt it was necessary here for the sake of the plot later on. I will disregard the speculations if it will involve a pregnancy already now, for not all couplings must involve one. Alas, time will tell x

Until next time,

Dragon