A/N: Here's a short chapter, just to get along with the plot until I get to write longer chapters.

Enjoy!

Soundtracks:

Elysium – Gladiator Soundtrack


Four young women enjoyed themselves on a futon with different fruits and wine.

Their laughter filled the lounge that was hazed with sandalwood incense. Candlelight filled the room as they lay spread across the burgundy mess of pillows on the futon.

The emperor himself lay spread out amongst them, his head resting on one of the girls' lap. The concubine fed him grapes whilst another played with his dark locks of hair.

A guard entered the set of large doors. "My Lord," he announced. The Tisroc sighed in exasperation at the interruption.

"This better be important," he commented and lifted his head.

The guard looked down awkwardly.

"Tarkaan Farhad requests an audience, my liege." The guard announced, his hands gathering at his back.

"Send him in." The Tisroc said with a sigh as he sat up from the futon, groaning as he did so.

A man dressed in yellow robes and a white turban walked in, his arms out in greeting.

"Tisroc," he greeted, followed by a 'may he live forever'.

"You better have a good explanation for this late, untimely interruption," the emperor complained as he stood up to pour himself a goblet of wine. The gold glimmered in the candlelight.

"I hear the Lone Islands are to be ours once again," the Tarkaan said, his tone satisfied and firm.

"If the royals want that Crystal that badly, then yes," the Tisroc said with a smirk before sipping his wine.

The Tarkaan raised his brows in surprise before walking forward towards the table between him and his emperor.

"Are his Highness to truly give up on the artefact?" the royal councillor questioned. The Tisroc snorted at the man's inquiries and walked towards one of the many arched windows.

"Of course not. Only a fool would allow such to happen." He explained as he looked out the window at moon shining tall and bright that evening.

"The Crystal has been in our protection for years. To lose it would mean-"

"Do you question me?! Do you think me to be so thoughtless?!" the Tisroc exploded as he turned towards the Tarkaan, fire in his eyes. The Tarkaan stepped back, hands up in surrender.

"No, sire, I merely-"

"These intruders, these…barbarians! They will never get out of here." The emperor turned back towards the window, the moon beaming down on him.

"Once they give up the Lone Islands to our command, they will all diebleed, like struck pigs!" he said bitterly through his teeth.

"The Narnian Empire and its royals will regret ever defeating the Calormene army in the Great Desert...!"

. . .

Caspian stretched and stirred in the bed as he looked over at the Gentle Queen resting beside him. She lay sleeping silently and peacefully on her stomach, her arms underneath a pillow, her cheek resting down against it. The moonlight shone brightly through the curved masts of the open windows, silver beams covering the naked curve of her spine.

Her long, black mane fell slightly down across her face and over her shoulder.

Caspian sighed silently, before stretching out a hand to brush away the locks of her silky hair from her cheekbone. A small sigh escaped her, and she roused at the feeling of his touch.

Earlier that evening, in this very room, Susan had told Caspian not to 'overthink this' before kissing him hungrily, to which he happily reciprocated. Between the passion and the hungry kisses she had attempted to tell him that this wouldn't change anything, that it did not mean anything for their future, but the words died down as his love and warmth engulfed her and swallowed her whole.

Her body had melted against his as he had taken control. Once they came together as one, nothing else mattered but them.

They knew their bodies; they knew what they both needed. They had needed the release, as the tension had built up for far too long. Not that Susan would admit it, anyways. He knew this, and to bring her into his arms once again only felt that much fulfilling as a result.

'Home' held deeper meaning for Caspian; it meant coming home into the Queen of his heart's arms.

His own strong arms would mean nothing if they could not hold around Susan.

Home did not have a place, if she was not there with him.

His lidded, sable eyes met her silvery ones, and she looked at him with contracted pupils before blinking her eyes shut again. She shifted so her hand could grasp his tiredly and intertwine her slender fingers with his. She settled down to sleep again with his hands tucked underneath her chin – Caspian followed her example with a small smile and shut his eyes to catch some well-needed sleep.

With the warm flesh and blood beside him, it was not difficult.


A/N:

Dedicated to my mate, my inamorato. Without you, my days would be empty and without meaning.

You are my home.

Dragon