Okay, so I am soooo sorry about the long wait on this chapter, but I assure you it will be worth it! It's a really long chapter, the longest I've ever written, but I'm actually really proud of it. I'm going to go ahead and warn you that this chapter is rated 'M'. If you're uncomfortable with that, then don't read the end of the chapter. This is the first mature scene I've written, so if it's terrible, I apologize! Critiques and tips are encouraged.
I have a few things to say before we get started.
One is that I have the most amazing readers EVER! You guys rock, seriously. If you haven't checked it out already, please go look at the awesome picture Court1410 found for me for this story on my profile. It literally embodies everything this story is about. Also, the AMAZING Just Plain Valiant created a music score for my story. I nearly cried when I found out she did this, so I want all of you to go check it out! The link to her youtube account is on my profile as well.
Okay, so... ON WITH THE CHAPTER!
The castle wasn't quiet after Bexxi left, unfortunately. There was still the hectic hustle and bustle of the corridors as the workers of the castle ran around preparing for the Christmas banquets and the arrival of Father Christmas. I tried to remain as low key as possible until Christmas Eve, when I knew I would be forced to attend the Christmas Eve banquet.
I found many different capable places to hide during the two days following Bexxi's departure. Besides occasionally residing in Edmund's private library, where he would most always find and distract me, I found I spent most of my time hiding out in Stormie's stall. Merie would always complain whenever I would come back to my room smelling like hay and horses, and would always give me a tongue lashing about how unladylike I tended to be. Several times I had to bite back the retort on my tongue about how much more unladylike I could be.
On the first day of Bexxi's absence, I discovered a secret passage in the castle that led to the apple orchard in the gardens of the castle. That same day, Stormie and I frolicked around in the snow in a white meadow some yards within the wood surrounding the castle.
The following day, I sat on a stool in a corner of the kitchens and watched the workers slave away at preparing the meal. Several times I asked if I could help, but I was always given a stern no.
I wasn't really hiding from anything in particular. Well, you could say I was hiding from the Pevensie's, because I really didn't want them to miraculously realize that my birthday was on Christmas and decide that a double celebration was in order. You could also say that I was hiding from Edmund. But, really, I was only hiding from the feelings I would get when I was around Edmund.
So, I guess I really was hiding. Childishly so, of course.
I was discovered by Lucy in the late afternoon of the day before Christmas Eve in the castle's black smiths workshop. The black smith had been given the task of providing new gold-ware for the upcoming Christmas banquet, and he had been doing so for several weeks. I found the metal bending fascinating, and he wasn't at all bothered by my hovering.
Edmund had been tipped off by Merie, who had noticed a pattern in my disappearances and guessed that I would either be at the black smiths or the textile shop. Edmund had already visited the textile shop, assuming that I was looking at the lovely fabrics they had to offer.
He looked rather agitated that he had to search for me around the castle, but didn't actually voice his irritation.
"Lady Ashlynn," I heard a voice call as I stood closely to the foreign blacksmith who was, at the time, explaining to me how to recognize the correct temperature of the metal for bending. We both looked up sharply at the voice, and while my new friend bowed with awe and courtesy of his king, I felt my heart drop at being discovered.
I recognized the tone in his voice, however, and knew that I needed to respond to him according.
I dipped into a low and elegant curtsy, lowering my eyes to the ground.
"My king," I greeted formally back before raising my eyes up to his annoyed dark ones. Edmund nodded at the blacksmith with a small smile and requested that I walk with him. I bid my new friend farewell and assured him that I would visit again. I left his shop and walked along side Edmund as we navigated through the market.
"Is everything okay, Ed?" I asked once we were out of earshot of the blacksmith.
He grinned at my use of his nickname. "Yes, I've just missed you is all. I haven't seen you in a few days, so I was beginning to worry that you had either left with Bexxi or were avoiding me." We stopped walking and Edmund turned to me with a serious face.
"I see you haven't left Narnia, so it seems only natural for me to believe it is the latter that has kept you from my presence. Are you avoiding me Ashlynn?" He asked quietly.
I looked away from him and scuffed my shoe across the ground. I didn't respond.
"If this is about what I told you, then I really must insist..." I realized immediately why he thought I was avoiding him. He was partially correct, but the idea that this is what he thought and how it must hurt his feelings made me feel horrible and I wanted to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.
"No!" I exclaimed, blushing wildly and looking around us to make sure no one had heard my exclamation. "No, that's not it at all." I lied.
"Then what is the cause of your elusion?" He asked, a look of worry and hurt in his eyes. I shuffled my feet nervously.
"I'll tell you, but you must swear that you won't make a deal out of it." I said in a stern and warning voice. Edmund relaxed a little and beckoned for me to follow him. We left the market quickly for some privacy, and once we were inside the castle gates, he pulled me aside and motioned for me to continue.
"I've not only been avoiding you. I've been trying to steer clear of anyone who might discover my secret." I paused and looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.
"Which is?" He urged.
I sighed. "My birthday."
Edmund seemed to release a huge breath he had been holding in and dropped his head to his chest in relief. He started chuckling and shook his head in disbelief. He looked back up at me and I felt my knees get weak at his beautiful crooked smile.
"Really Ashlynn? That's what this is all about?" He asked in an amused voice.
"Yes. I didn't want you all to make a big deal out of it like I knew y'all would." I defended in an irritated voice.
Edmund continued to smile at me. "Come on, Ash, it can't be that big a deal. When is it again?"
I sent a mild glare his way. "It's Christmas day, actually."
His grin spread further. "Really, Ashlynn. This is just ridiculous. Here I was thinking I had done something wrong and the whole time you are just being self-conscious about your birthday."
My glare didn't let up, and Edmund only grinned wider at me. He glanced around us quickly before bending down and pressing a kiss against my pouting lips.
I relaxed slightly, easing my glare, before turning away from him and continuing towards the castle.
"I'll let the others know not to pester you about your birthday. But, you should at least allow them the opportunity to get you a birthday present. They'll be very cross if they found out you purposefully hid this from them." Edmund stated as he caught up to me and walked along side me with his hands tucked into his pockets.
I sighed and rubbed my face with my hand. "You can tell them as long as you make them promise not to make a big deal about it. Christmas is enough without a birthday thrown on top of it."
Edmund was still laughing about the situation when we parted ways near his bedroom.
The Christmas Eve ball was as spectacular as anyone could have suspected it to be. Susan had done a fantastic job of planning the ball and the throne room was absolutely magical.
Susan and Lucy had approached me Christmas Eve and berated me for having both avoided them and failed to inform them of my birthday. They then, along with the help of Merie, forced me into a beautiful white gown and had preened and pampered me until I looked and felt flawless.
Edmund had not allowed me out of his sight the whole night, much to the displeasure of his older brother who wanted him to be discreet. Unfortunately, it was very clear to those who saw us together that there was something going on between us. His hands and his eyes refused to leave me, and I was left blushing the whole night.
"Ashlynn!" I heard a voice whisper quickly in my ear. I turned and beamed at a happy and flushed Lucy. She gestured quickly for me to follow and I hurried after her, managing to sneak away from Edmund while he was distracted.
I followed her out of the throne room and could barely keep up as she rushed through the corridors of Cair Paravel.
"Lucy!" I called as she grabbed my hand and tugged me around a corner. "Where are we going?"
"Shh!" She responded, pulling me through a door and into one of the grandest bedrooms I had every seen.
"Oh wow." I commented as I glanced around the huge red and gold chamber.
"This is Peter's room. You know how extravagant he can be." Lucy dismissed with a wave of her hand. Before she ushered me through the bedroom and into another room that looked like a sitting room of sorts. Susan was sitting on a nice couch and sat up straighter as we entered and smiled widely at us.
"This is Peter's living chambers. We usually meet up here for close family dinners and meetings and such." Lucy explained as she walked over to sit next to Susan.
"Hello Ashlynn." Susan greeted happily. I grinned back at her.
"Hi Su. What are we doing here exactly?" I questioned.
"We decided we should celebrate your birthday tonight instead of tomorrow, so it wouldn't get forgotten in the excitement of Father Christmas's arrival." Susan explained kindly. She offered me some tea from a pot I hadn't noticed sitting on a small table in front of her and Lucy. I accepted the tea and sat on the couch across from the two girls.
"I hope Peter and Edmund don't take too long sending everyone off. I can't wait for you to open my present, Ash." Lucy gushed as she too accepted some tea from Susan.
I smiled at her and wondered what she possibly could have gotten me. A slam to my left averted my attention to Peter and Edmund's arrival. They were laughing about something they had been discussing, and I found myself smiling along with them, regardless of my lack of knowledge of the joke. Edmund caught my eye and walked quickly to my side. He placed a sweet kiss on my cheek that lasted longer than it probably should have before he sat down closely beside me. Peter caught my eye and grinned at me before he sat down in an armchair near mine and Edmund's chair.
"Alright! Me first!" Lucy exclaimed as she jumped up and rushed behind the couch she was sitting on. She came back with a neatly golden wrapped package and held it out to me happily. I laughed at her eager expression and took it from her outstretched hands.
The package was large and heavy, and I was so curious to find out what it was that I almost gave myself a paper cut when I ripped open the wrapping. Edmund had to reach out and grab my hand and pull it away from the wrapper so it wouldn't get cut. I gave him a bashful look and he chuckled, kissed my hand, and released it.
I was astonished when I opened Lucy's gift. It was a complete set of fitted, custom battle attire, including a beautiful set of gold chain mail, a leather breast plate and matching shoulder pads and wrist guards.
"Nice, Lu." Peter commented as he leaned forward and examined the armor. The breast plate had an image of a lion pressed into it, and the same lion decorated the wrist guards as well.
"These are really nice wrist guards." Edmund commented as he looked them over as well.
I just smiled and leapt up to thank Lucy.
"I have a set just like this. I assumed you would like it as well." She said as I hugged her.
"I love it." She smiled and sat back down on the couch. "Well, go on Su. Give her yours. It goes along with my gift." Lucy explained to me. Susan swatted at Lucy for giving away too much information before passing me a thinner and much lighter box.
I opened the lid on the box and gasped. Inside was the most beautiful set of bow and quivers I had ever seen. The bow was made from ashwood and had ivory details decorating the handle of it. The quiver was made out of the same color ivory as the details in the bow, and the arrows had beautiful golden feathers.
Peter let out a long whistle as he looked down at my newest gift.
"They're just spoiling you, Ashlynn." He commented with a grin. I heard Edmund chuckle beside me. The sound rumbled deep in his chest and filled me with a great longing to be closer to him. I tried to ignore the feeling, but felt myself moving closer to him. I tried to distract myself from Edmund by turning my attention back to Susan.
"Susan!" I exclaimed as I looked up at her in shock. Lucy and Susan grinned at me. "These are absolutely gorgeous!"
I picked up my new bow and it was nearly as light as air. I held it in my hands, testing out the weight and the draw of the string and bow.
I handed it over to Edmund and launched myself into Susan's arms. She giggled and hugged me tightly back.
"Well, you haven't had a set since..." She seemed to falter in her words. I pulled away, realizing what she had probably meant to say. "Well, you know. You've never had a set so I figured I would have you one made." She recovered sheepishly. I smiled at her, though my heart dropped and my irritation spiked. I tried to ignore the onset of sudden unpleasant emotion as Peter handed over his significantly smaller gift.
It was in a small wooden box, and I eagerly opened it, expecting jewels of some kind. The box didn't contain any jewels, but I wasn't disappointed by what I found. It the box was a small set of gold finger braces for stringed instruments. I laughed out loud at the note scratched into the top of the box that said,
"Now you won't injure your fingers every time you
wish to play your silly instrument.
Also, you no longer have an excuse to not play for
the entire court of Narnia when the royal family requests."
"Thank you, Peter." I hugged him tightly as I tried to hold back my tears. "Though, I can't promise a concert anytime soon. I'm afraid I'm still too rusty."
He rolled his eyes. "Of course you are, Ashlynn. Why don't you practice now?"
"Oh please do Ashlynn! I'm the only one who hasn't heard you play!" Lucy exclaimed, leaning forward in her seat. The other three Pevensie's laughed but urged me to play them a song.
"I don't even have my guitar here!" I said, grinning at their enthusiasm.
"Actually, I had it brought to my chambers just for this occasion." Peter said smartly, reaching behind his chair and pulling out my guitar. I sent him a mock glare and snatched my guitar from his hands.
I slipped on the beautiful gold finger braces and reveled in how the slid expertly across the strings of my guitar. The sound wasn't completely foreign to my ears, but it was different. It put off a must higher pitched sound that was very unique. I played for my new family for several long minutes, before Lucy started yawning.
"I'm afraid you are too good at that, Ash. You're putting me to sleep." Lucy stated as she patted her mouth.
"I say we head off to bed, yeah?" Edmund jumped in eagerly, almost too eagerly. I gave him a strange look. I hadn't yet received a gift from him, so I knew he had either not gotten me a gift because he knew I didn't want a big deal out of my birthday, which I highly doubted he would do, or he had a gift for me that he didn't want anyone else to see him give me. If it were the latter, it would be for one of two reasons: he either was too embarrassed for anyone else to see him give me his gift or he didn't want to share the moment of the gift giving with anyone else. Either way, I was suddenly very nervous.
I noticed Susan and Peter giving Edmund odd looks, but they went along with him anyway.
"I am rather tired, and we have a long and exciting day tomorrow. I'll head off to bed then. Good night everyone. Happy birthday, Ashlynn." Peter gave me another hug and left towards his actual bedroom.
I followed the remaining three Pevensie's into the corridors and said my good-nights to them as well. Edmund walked me to my room, but it was a silent walk, and a nerve racking one for me. When we reached my door, Edmund simply kissed me sweetly on the lips, wished me a goodnight, and left me alone. I was stunned speechless. I entered my room in a disappointed daze and prepared for bed.
Not an hour later, I was interrupted as I brushed my hair by a knock at my bedroom door. I was confused at first. Who would come to my bedroom so late at night? Merie never knocked, so I knew it wasn't her. And Lucy had been too tired to want to make me a late night visit. Peter would never dream of coming to my room this late, so I knew for a fact it wasn't him. That left Susan or Edmund or another servant in the castle come to bring me bad news.
I walked quickly to the door and cracked it, looking out cautiously. It was Edmund, and he was looking up at me through his dark lashes. I felt my knees get weak at the look in his eye and I quickly opened the door wider to let him in.
"Edmund," I greeted quietly as he walked up to me and placed a slow kiss on my cheek. His face hovered next to mine as he guided me further into the room and shut the door behind him. I felt my heart beat increase at least ten-fold at his proximity and the sensuality of his presence.
Just when I thought he was about to kiss me again, he took a step away from me and grinned. I smiled back at him and watched as he pulled a silver package from behind his back.
I raised an eyebrow at his antics and took the gift from his hands.
"What is this?" I questioned as I held it in my hands and looked down at it.
"It's your birthday present." He replied with a cheeky grin. I sent him a hard look.
"And why couldn't you give this to me an hour ago when we were with the others?" I questioned back, my eyebrow still raised.
He stepped closer to me and I found myself inhaling his musky scent and sweet breath as it washed over me in erotic waves. He leaned down closer to me slowly, almost as though he knew exactly what he was doing to me.
"You'll see." He whispered in my ear, nudging my neck with his nose and lightly touching his tongue to my neck as well.
I shivered and I was worried my heart would beat out of my chest. I was sure Edmund could hear my heart's traitorous thumping, as it was entirely silent and still in my room.
I turned my head slightly and looked up into Edmund's dark eyes. They seemed almost darker than usual, and I couldn't control the x-rated thoughts shooting through my head. I wondered what those dark eyes would do when they saw me naked. Would they flutter shut if I kissed him on his most private area? Would they stay open as he entered me for the first time? Would they get darker if I voiced my thoughts aloud to him? Is it even possible for them to get any darker than they are now?
Edmund tilted his head to the right, indicating for me to follow him to my couch. We sat down and he gave me another piercing look.
"Open it." He whispered. I lifted the top of the thin paper box slowly, and found myself looking down at a red cloth. I set the top of the box aside and lifted out the velvet cloth inside it. I slowly unwrapped the material and found myself looking down at silver silk. I grabbed the silver silk and lifted it up and found myself looking at the most beautiful dress I had seen in my entire time in Narnia. It light as air and the fire light from the candles in my room hit the material and sent diamonds and stars across my vision and Edmund's face. The dress had a deep v-line neck that nearly made me blush at the thought of my wearing it. The dress was completely sleeveless and there were two tiny straps that were supposed to hold it on. There was virtually no back to it at all, and I blushed under Edmund's scrutiny as I realized it. It was a floor length gown, but I was positive is was not an appropriate dress to wear at public events.
I looked over at Edmund with both awe and incredulity.
"Go try it on." He whispered, and I couldn't help but notice his voice was much huskier than it had been before. I stared at him a moment longer and, like the slave I knew I was to him, I obediently slinked behind my dressing screen and slipped off my nightgown. I pulled on the dress and felt as though I were wearing nothing.
The small straps that held the dress on were very loose, but not from a wrong fit. The dress was designed to hang loose around the shoulders. The v-line was not as deep as I had previously expected, but more of my chest was exposed than had ever been since my residence in Narnia. The silky material was loose around my breasts, and I was scared the dress would fall right off if I moved wrong. There was a slit on the left side of the dress that went up to my mid thigh. I could feel my back completely bare and I shivered at both the coldness of the silk against my skin and the massive amounts of skin that were let bare. The silky material clung to the skin it did cover and I couldn't help but think that there was no real purpose to the dress at all. I was practically naked wearing the dress and there was no way I could ever wear it out of this room. Also, a thought popped into my mind that this was not a very Narnia dress. It would have been appropriate back in the world I came from, and I reveled in the almost feel of home. I felt very comfortable and the dress and wondered where in the world Edmund had bought it.
I walked out from behind my dressing screen and tried not to blush as Edmund greedily drank in the sight of me in the dress.
"Where did you find this?" I asked him quietly. He stood up and walked over to me.
"Do you like it?" He asked. I noticed again that his voice was deeper than usual.
"Of course. It's gorgeous. It looks like something we would wear back where I came from. But, where did you find it in Narnia?" I asked again. Edmund stood next to me and reached over to touch my bare neck and shoulders.
"I had it made." He replied, replacing his fingers with his mouth and leaving lazy kisses across my shoulders and neck. I shivered with pleasure and found my mind reverting back to my dirty thoughts. He moved behind me and continued kissing across my shoulders.
"You do know I can't wear this in public, right?" I whispered. I felt Edmund smile against my shoulder and nod his head.
"It's for me. I'm not going to lie. I was selfish with your birthday present." He responded, as he trailed his mouth and tongue down my neck. I tilted my head to allow him better access to my throat and I heard him growl softly at my submission.
His large, warm hands skated gently across my shoulders and down my arms. I felt goose bumps rise across my skin and felt Edmund smile at my reaction to what he was doing.
"I love you Ashlynn." He whispered in my ear. "I'll never hurt you."
I nodded in acknowledgment of what he was saying, knowing exactly what he sought and giving him permission to do with me whatever he wanted.
His burning hands skated down my waist and across my hips, gripping the material at my hips and bunching it in his hands. He gently tugged at my hips, turning me to face him. His dark eyes met mine and widened slightly. I gave him a confused look but he kissed me before I had the chance to ask him what was wrong.
The kiss was very heated, and I didn't even have time to register the fact that his tongue was against my lips before I felt it in my mouth. His hands left my hips and grasped my face as though his life depended upon it, and I got the strange feeling that it was. I eagerly reached up and tangled my hands in his dark, messy hair, pushing myself as far into him as humanly possible.
My heart went ballistic, and I was positive that if Edmund couldn't hear it, he could definitely feel it pounding between our connected chests. Perhaps he could have even felt my heart through our connected lips.
I was so intoxicated by Edmund's attention to my mouth that I barely registered the movement of his hand on my exposed thigh. He reached around behind my left knee and hoisted my leg over his hip, bringing me even closer than I had been before. The new angle allowed him to show me just how much he wanted me. He was very hard, and I could feel his erection against me. I whined at the contact, and he was quick to pick up my other leg and lift me up off the ground.
He continued to kiss me fervently as he blindly walked us over to my bed. Somewhere in the walk towards it, his shirt came off, leaving my hands to roam across his bare back as he carried me. Before we reached the bed, he pulled his mouth away from mine and took a step away from me. I gazed at him in confusion, barely hiding my irritation at him stopping.
"What's wrong?" I asked as he stared at me with dark eyes. He reached over with one hand and fiddled with one of the small straps holding my new dress on. His eyes watched his hands and I was overcome with nervousness. Why wasn't he doing anything?
"You are far too overdressed for the occasion." He stated with a cheeky smirk before pushing both straps over my shoulders. The dress pooled at my feet, leaving me in nothing but my underwear. I shivered from the cool air dancing around my bare chest and blushed when Edmund's dark gaze slowly traveled over my exposed body.
Everything was a furious flurry of kisses and touches after that. I found myself laying on the bed beneath Edmund as he practically ravished my skin with hot, open-mouthed kisses. Unsure of what to expect when his mouth descended upon my breasts, I accidentally kicked Edmund and we fell into a fit of excited laughter together.
I was trembling severely, and Edmund was smiling down at me knowingly. His warm hand caressed my side, almost as though he were trying to smooth out the trembles my anxiety caused.
His mouth moved to my neck and he left a series of wet kisses there.
"You're trembling." He whispered in my ear. I nodded, trying desperately to control my nervous breaths and shakes.
He smiled against my neck and kissed a trail back to my breasts. I didn't kick him the second time he licked them, but I couldn't keep myself from arching my back, pushing my chest further into his mouth, and moaning out his name.
My noises must have encouraged him, because while his mouth was lavishing my breasts with adept attention, his right hand found its way down to my sex and I'm quite sure I nearly convulsed from the sensations I experienced as his fingers worked their magic.
Somehow, his pants came off, and shortly after his underwear.
I was over him, kissing his chest and touching his foreign organ tentatively. He gasped when I took him in my hand and I was so nervous that I would hurt him or do something wrong that I didn't notice until I was beneath him again that he was moving us.
My underwear came off after that, and then I was captured by his dark eyes. He was questioning this game he had started, unsure of my compliance, and worried about the later consequences. I was trembling furiously, my hands on his back shaking so that I could barely grip it. While I was the picture of nerves, he was as calm as the sea after a storm. But his eyes gave away his uncertainty. He had done this before, that was quite obvious. But was I ready?
For a moment, my trembles stopped. "I love you." I whispered, my gold eyes staring steadily into his, and his hesitation was over.
There wasn't as much pain as I was expecting. I had never made love before, but I knew it was supposed to hurt. There was a slight stabbing sensation, but after the first thrust, there was no more pain.
Edmund was still for almost a minute, and when I finally met his dark, hooded gaze, he started moving. It was as steady and wild as the ocean. That was all I could compare it to at the time. His arms were flexed as his hands, on either sides of my body, held him above me. His skin was glistened with sweat so much so that I couldn't grip his back. My hands ended up falling to hold on to his hips as they moved, desperate to cling to some part of him.
His face was what captivated me most of all. It was fiercely concentrated. His eyebrows were scrunched together in what I could only assume was pleasure. His eyes opened and met mine, and his look was almost more erotic than his ministrations.
I found myself rocking along with him, and our simultaneous entwining sent me towards the edge of a cliff I had never experienced before. It felt like climbing; like reaching; like searching. And the final result was as amazing an end as I knew was possible. As I cried out and fell, he did too. He collapsed against me and his weight was not suffocating, and I missed it when he moved off of me.
He whispered "I love you" a million times, and I fell asleep, worrying about what would happen when I awoke.
O.M.G. That was intense. Okay, so tell me how you feel about this chapter. Hokay? Not Hokay? Also, I'd like to let everyone know that the next few chapters are going to get very intense, and I'm not talking about citrusy intense. I'm talking about plot unfolding, life-changing, story-altering intense. Mkay? Haha. Maybe not tooo intense, but let's just say Aslan's on the move... which means Ashlynn's mystery is soon to be revealed. Also, tragedy in the next chapter. :( I hate doing this, but I feel I must warn you. Something terrible is about to happen.