Chapter 28

Lucy stood on her balcony gazing at the incoming tide that shone brightly against the light of the full moon. Such a night, lite by the fading sun and moon overhead made it as bright as day. Her tears fell in rhythm with the crashing of the waves. Her family was here and her heart couldn't be warmer. They were all, once again, united in the land they loved and respected. She was having a wonderful time. Until he showed up.

Caspian.

Even thinking his name sent an electric jolt to her heart and more tears to spill over her long eye lashes. He shouldn't have this power over her. Yet, he did. No matter what Lucy said or did, Caspian still controlled her heart and her love. But she would never have his heart or his love.

He'll never love you... He will always want her... he could never love you...

Lucy saw the way Caspian and Susan had starred at each other. The sparks, the yearning that their looks spoke of. It didn't matter that there were other people in the room. The moment their eyes connected everyone else simply disappeared. Caspian wasn't aware of Lucy, and Susan wasn't even aware of her husband, Thomas, right next to her.

He'll never love you... He will always want her... he could never love you...

It was hopeless, and she was a broken woman. Her body felt completely numb, yet her mind raced every direction. Her beloved balcony wasn't offering much solace to her shattered heart. Perhaps a walk would increase her mental state.

Decision made she left the castle and tread down the pebbled path to the soft sandy shore of the beach. Bending over, Lucy slid the silk slippers from her feet. Without thinking, she took the first tentative steps towards the rising surf. The last of the sun light fought to bring shades of orange and pinks to the world. As the darkness with it's white outline fought to conquer the light.

The first touch of the salty light blue water was chilled to her delicate toes. Shivers raked up her body from her feet to her spine. Another step and the water now splashed against her ankles as it was absorbed, like ink into a pen at home, to her dress. The hem wet and floating in the waves around her as they rushed to shore and hurried back out to sea. Drowning was a slow death but it would silence the voices screaming in her head.

He'll never love you... He will always want her... he could never love you...

A sob like scream escaped from her lips, the water was up to her hips now. Had she walked this far into the ocean? It was difficult to keep her balance, the waves embracing her lower half, beckoning her forward another step. What was that noise? Was she crying that loudly? What she wouldn't do for this pain to end.

…...

Caspian stood outside of Lucy's chambers. For once in his life he was truly and utterly nervous. Yet he was determined. Even if she turned him away this time, he, King Caspian, would spend the remainder of his days convincing her of his feelings. "Please let it not be too late," he begged before rapping his knuckles against the door.

He waited.

"Lucy," he knocked again, "may I speak to you?"

Silence.

"It's of an utmost important matter."

When she wouldn't even acknowledge his presence, Caspian tried the door handle. Locked. Caspian pressed his right ear against the door. Holding his breath he listened for any sound coming from the other side. Silence. As he pulled away and straightened to stand, Caspian noticed a faint glimmer deep within the mouth of the Aslan door knocker. His large fingers barely squeezed inside as he felt a foreign object chilled against his touch. Once the metal object was enclosed in his fingers he removed them from the toothy roar of Aslan.

It was a key.

Sliding it into the key hole the door clicked open. "Lucy?" He entered cautiously. "Lucy," he called louder, "are you here?" It was obvious at this point that she was indeed not within the walls of her room.

The wind blew the satin curtains open as it carried a high pitch cry into the room. Curious, Caspian walked out onto the balcony. It was a lovely night, once the sun faded and the single cloud floated away from the moon, it would light the night as if it was day. Caspian couldn't picture a more suitable night to confess his love. The noise came again.

Caspian leaned over the railing to see if a branch was squeaking against the stone building. Nothing. It must have been the call of a strange bird. Leaning on his elbows he glance out into the distance. The ocean was beautiful as it carried the last rays of sunshine towards the shore where a dark figure waded neck deep into the water, where incoming waves cascaded over the form.

The terror that gripped his heart was unbearable as the cloud drifted away and the light reveled the identity of the figure. Caspian was frozen with fear as he leaned over the stone balcony and screamed at the top of his lungs, "LUCY!"