Susan had fallen asleep in Caspian's protective embrace, but she was surprised and extremely relieved to wake up and find that he had left before Peter came to wake her for the day. As she roamed the How assisting archers with bow repairs, she happened upon Caspian, who smiled mischievously at her as she approached.
"Good morning Caspian," she nodded respectfully.
He bowed his head slightly, "Good morning Queen Susan."
The chemistry between them was so palpable, everyone else in the room quieted and looked at them as they stared at each other. Caspian broke the silence, "I was just going over the plans with your brother. Even with reinforcements, we will still be short handed. Perhaps since Miraz is dead, they could be open to diplomatic talks?"
Peter nodded as he looked down, "It is worth a try...the less blood that is spilled, the better."
As the day ticked on, Susan found herself alone in one of the dim rooms in the How. She clutched her bow and closed her eyes, praying she could avoid having to kill. She hated killing...no matter how deserved it was. She allowed her thoughts to roam back to Caspian. Although the worst of him seemed to be gone, she couldn't help but feel as though she awakened something inside of him when they made love.
She began to regret it.
She jumped when she heard her name, "Oh! Caspian! You startled me."
He approached her, smiling, "I am sorry...I did not mean to frighten you."
"No, it's alright. Just lost in my own thoughts, that's all."
He circled her and stepped behind her, brushing some hair away from her shoulder as he kissed the back of her neck, "Hmm...I wonder if you were thinking of me, because I certainly was thinking of you."
She closed her eyes and trembled beneath his touch, "Oh Caspian..."
He pulled her body close to his as he began trailing kisses up and down her neck and shoulders, "When this is all over...you will be mine...all mine."
The way he said it almost frightened her...sending shivers up her spine. The pleasure that she was feeling delayed her reaction, "Caspian...I don't think I can stay here."
He snatched her around and squeezed her arms, getting an all too familiar angry look on his face, "Do not say such things! You belong to me and me alone. No one can take you away from me, do you understand? Susan...last night, I marked you. You gave yourself to me and you cannot take that back."
She narrowed her eyes and shook her head, "Caspian...I thought you loved me...you said you wouldn't-"
His expression softened as he loosened his grip on her arms, "I do! Which is precisely why I can't let you go. I will bring swift justice to anyone who tries to take you away from me."
He kissed her hungrily, crushing her body to his. She wanted to fight, but it felt too good. She allowed her body to melt into his as he pressed against her. He backed her up against the nearest wall and unlaced his pants, then hiked up her skirt. He whispered against her neck as he laid sensual kisses across her skin and pressed his hardness against her moistening slit, "Tell me you want me Susan...give yourself to me."
She moaned and closed her eyes, completely lost in the sensation of having his body against hers. In her mind, she wanted to make him stop and tell him to get a hold of himself, but her body simply wanted him and nothing else. She whispered lustfully, "I want you Caspian...take me."
He entered her in a swift thrust upwards as she struggled not to cry out. He pumped in and out of her roughly, moaning into her skin. She gripped onto his shoulders and gritted her teeth as her back dug into the rough stone wall. The desperate mix of pain and pleasure sent her over the edge quickly. She tried to squirm off of him as his pace quickened, signaling his approaching orgasm.
"Not inside Caspian...no..." she whispered unconvincingly and again, he ignored her. He would leave his mark inside of her just as he had last night.
He drove inside of her once more and came deep within her, shutting his eyes tight. They stood like that for a few moments before he slowly and carefully lowered her to the ground, laying soft kisses over her mouth and neck. As her body relaxed, an overwhelming sense of regret for what happened and dread for what was possibly to come washed over her.
After their brief encounter in the How, Caspian and Susan both busied themselves helping troops. When midday fell, a large group of rugged men approached the How.
"We will speak only to King Caspian," he had said.
Caspian approached with the Pevensies not far behind. He gave the man a hand shake and turned back to the siblings, allowing his gaze to linger on Susan, "Please give us a moment alone."
As they all filed away, Peter was hesitant to leave, but soon did at Susan's prompting.
An hour later, Caspian returned to the main hall of the How with the leader of the mountain men in tow. He stood before Glenstorm, Reepicheep, Trumpkin, the professor and the Pevensies as he spoke, "The men of the mountains will fight with you...if you grant me one thing in return."
Everyone looked slightly confused when he allowed his eyes to fall upon Susan as Peter spoke, "What is it?"
Caspian continued, "I want you to allow me to take the Gentle Queen Susan as my queen."
Susan's eyes widened as Edmund, Peter and Lucy's heads snapped around to look at her. Edmund stepped forward and narrowed his eyes, "I'm not sure I heard you right...you will give us the reinforcements we need to defend ourselves...if you can have our sister?"
"She cares for me and I her...it is a simple request."
Peter shook his head, "Caspian...I don't know what happened between you two, but we do not belong in this world. It is not Aslan's will that we stay here."
He raised his voice angrily, "Then let him come forth and tell me so! I refuse to be parted with her!"
Susan rushed forward, whispering urgently, "Caspian! What are you doing?"
"I am protecting my future with you. I told you I loved you."
"And I told you that I may not be able to stay in Narnia...I accept Aslan's will Caspian, and you shall too."
He narrowed his eyes, "Never."
Susan turned back around, "We will discuss this later..."
"No!" Caspian said as he stepped forward. "You will grant me permission to have her as my queen or the men will return to the mountains."
Peter clenched his fists, "This is outrageous! THIS is the ruler you spoke of Professor? This bully? Well I will tell you one thing...I will die before you take her away from her family."
Caspian spoke calmly and eerily, "I know she loves you Peter...but if you stand in my way-"
"Enough!" Susan rushed forward to stand between the two. She gave a pleading look to Peter then turned to Caspian, searching his eyes as tears began to well in hers, "Caspian...I thought you changed...I thought you were different."
He took her hands, which caused Peter to nearly charge forth, but he was stopped by Edmund, "I have changed, can't you see? I care for you so desperately, I am willing to sacrifice everything for you."
Susan shook her head, "I never asked that of you...I never wanted that from you!"
Their conversation was interrupted as a centaur rushed into the room, "The Telmarines are approaching!"
Caspian looked to Peter, who then looked to Susan, who nodded, "I pledge myself to you Caspian...in return for the protection of my people."
Peter and Edmund's jaws clenched tight as Lucy glanced worriedly between Peter and Caspian.
The Telmarines sent forth a messenger. Caspian, Edmund and Peter approached as he spoke, "It is the wish of Lord Sosepian and General Glozelle that they meet with Prince Caspian in private."
Peter gave Edmund a look that screamed 'no' as Caspian stepped forth. He glanced back at Susan, who stood on the ledge of the How looking down at them as he followed the messenger into the woods to the Telmarine camp.
General Glozelle and Lord Sosepian stood as Caspian entered the tent. They both bowed deeply, "Your highness."
Caspian looked at them confusedly, "What is the meaning of this?"
Lord Sosepian smiled and approached Caspian, grasping his arms, "We are prepared to accept you as our king your majesty. With Miraz out of the way, you are free to reclaim the throne that is rightfully yours."
Caspian wasn't sure about trusting them so quickly, "But I thought-"
General Glozelle stepped forward, "We were loyal to Miraz out of fear of retribution...we all knew you were the true king."
After several more words of flattery and pledges of allegiance to Caspian as the new king, General Glozelle stood before the Commanders of the Telmarine troops with Caspian at his side, "These are your troops now my Lord...what of the Narnians?"
"They may have their land and peace...if they grant me what I wish."
Glozelle and Sosepian looked at each other and smirked, "Does this have anything to do with the lovely Queen Susan?"
Caspian laughed softly and patted Glozelle on the back without saying a word.
After Caspian left the tent to be introduced to the army as king, the two smiled at each other. General Glozelle swirled a goblet of wine, "The boy will be far easier to deal with than Miraz...the Narnians will never hand their queen over to him. When they don't, we'll be able to keep them right where we want them."
Susan walked into the main hall of the How just as Peter and Glenstorm were finished speaking. She saw both of them silence themselves as she entered the room, leaving her to look confused as the centaur walked by her, nodding respectfully.
"What was that all about?" she asked, approaching her brother.
Peter turned away from her, "I was just giving him instructions."
"Instructions...what kind of instructions?" she asked, stepping in front of him.
Peter let out a deep sigh, "I refuse to hand you over to Caspian like some sort of bargaining chip. I don't think he's good for you Susan."
"Perhaps not, but I am good for him Peter and we are good for the kingdom. What if Aslan has put us together for a reason?"
Peter shook his head, "No Susan...we don't belong here anymore. You can feel it the same way I do. As soon as Narnia is restored to her former glory, our time will be up. He has to accept that and so do you."
"Peter...we are dealing with a man who was taught that cruelty and domination equals strength. The only reason he has any notion of love or humanity is because of Doctor Cornelius...now he credits me for making him the person he is supposed to be."
Peter hung his head, "I just spoke with Glenstorm and he and Morningdew have been instructed to take you and Lucy deep within the southern forests if Caspian tries to take you."
Susan got an alarmed look on her face, "No! Peter you mustn't! Caspian will bring war upon the Narnians if I am taken from him! I can't leave him Peter...he needs me."
Peter furrowed his eyebrows, "You act as if you love him...do you?"
Susan looked down, "I think so."
"You can't possibly...Susan, he will hurt you."
She put a hand on his shoulder, "Peter...please. I know what's best for me and I know what I need to do for our people."
Peter watched her leave, then immediately went to find the red dwarf who served as their resident healer.
An hour later, Susan sat in the How as all the Narnians waited outside for word from Caspian. Peter approached with a goblet of water and a plate of food, "You haven't eaten all day."
Susan smiled, "You read my mind."
She began to eat hungrily and offered him some, but he refused and watched her as she ate. As she ate, she began to feel drowsy, but blamed her exhaustion on her recent lack of sleep.
When she finished eating, she struggled to keep her eyes open and yawned repeatedly, "Oh gosh...Pete...I'm so tired."
"It's ok Sue, just relax..." Peter whispered as if he were encouraging her to fall asleep, which she did soon after.
Peter fetched Glenstorm, Morningdew, Lucy and Edmund. They quickly loaded the unconscious Susan onto Glenstorm as Lucy mounted Morningdew. Edmund and Peter watched as they took the secret passage out of the How and into the forest.
"I sure hope you know what you're doing Pete..." said Edmund as they stared after them.
Peter sighed, "It's for her own good...hopefully she'll know that soon enough."
More reviews please! Also, I need to know if you want a Suspian baby. All of my Suspian stories have had a preggo Susan in it, so I can either keep with the pattern or break from tradition. It depends on your votes, so let me know in reviews where you want this story to go!
