Author's note: Hey guys, here's another chapter! I would say you're looking at one or two more tonight, maybe more depending on how I feel! I tried to do this as tastefully and as realistically possible. As usual, please let me know what you think, I would love to hear your opinion, especially since I think I struggled most with this chapter.

I know there are undertones of sexual harassment in here, I want to tell you guys now in no way do I condone that kind of activity, and I do not believe in adding those serious themes just for "shock value" so please don't be offended, because in no way am I trying to exploit the issue for readership.

As usual guys, I do not own Narnia!

*Caspian's POV*

"Your majesty?"

Nevin seemed a little frightened of me. And rightfully so, Fahd's face was already bloody from Christina's few blows, but after I had grabbed a hold of him I could not stop myself.

Anger pulsed through my veins, and I saw red, and although I'm sure the man was already unconscious, I could not stop hitting him. I wanted him dead; I wanted him to pay for having attacked her.

The only thing that stopped me was the softest sigh and a small "thank you" from Christina.

I threw down the Calormen's limp body with disgust, and turned my eyes to Nevin.

"Please dispose of this wretched creature, as well as his fellow countrymen. The treaty is off; there will be no negotiations with such barbarians. Nevin, I want you to personally see to it that they are gone before sunrise. Never to step foot in this country again. If they dare, I will make certain they will not leave here alive."

With that, the young man ushered the other men he brought with him, two other servants, and the three carried him away. I turned toward Christina.

Oh, Aslan, no.

She was badly beaten. There was blood dripping from her mouth and a large gash spanning from her hairline to her left temple, and bruises were beginning to form around her cheeks and eyes. Her hair was disheveled and her throat was bright red, turning purple from where Fahd had placed his foot. Her dress had blood, hers and his, I'm sure, streaked down the front, and was torn at the bottom. She was even missing one of her shoes.

I gulped back the bile rising in my throat and picked her up as gently as possible.

"Why did this happen to her?" I asked myself quietly.

I knew that gash on her head needed stitches and, due to past experiences, I thought it best to handle that while she was still unconscious. I took her to the infirmary as quickly as I could and laid her down on the cot as the nurse bustled around me, to prepare to treat her.

"Tangela, her head needs stitches," I croaked, feeling sick.

"Do you recall the last time we tried to give Lady Christina stitches, your highness? I do not wish for my head to be removed at her behest."

"That is why I have brought her to you unconscious," I tried to laugh, but it came out sound like a sob.

At this noise she nodded silently, setting to work on Christina's head. I squeezed her hand, although I had my doubts as to whether or not she would actually wake up while this procedure was happening.

Luckily, Tangela worked quickly, and had the wound stitched and bandaged in a matter of moments.

She then set to work on the rest of Christina's injuries.

"Is she going to be ok?" I asked her as she softly applied pressure to Christina's abdomen, where the scar of her stab wound was still located.

"Besides some bruising and swelling, and a sore throat, I would say she will make a full recovery in a week's time. I would focus your attention more on the emotional healing, sire. I fear for the girl's head, she will be terrified to walk these halls alone for a very long time, I daresay."

I coughed, feeling both devastated and relieved.

At least she will be ok, but she will be scared to live here.

After she had applied a salve of herbs and creams to Christina's bruises, paying close attention to her throat, Tangela dismissed us, telling me that she would probably be more comfortable waking in her own room rather than the infirmary.

I agreed, carrying her, once more, to her chamber, and laying her down gently.

Although I couldn't think clearly, anger and sadness swirling around within me, I was glad to have enough presence of mind to realize that she was still wearing the dress she had been attacked in.

My cheeks heated up as I fumbled with the laces on the back of her corset. I had never undressed a woman before, and this was not the way I had imagined my first time going. That thought alone brought an even stronger heat into my cheeks.

Once her gown was loosened I went over to her wardrobe and pulled out the largest nightgown I could find, and pulled it over her head, careful to avoid her injuries as best I could. I then pulled on the hem of the dress until it came off, around her ankles, and I pulled her arms through the sleeves in the nightgown.

I left the dress on the ground next to the bed as I sat in the bed next to her, and leaned my head against the headboard as I waited for her to awake.

*Christina's POV*

"Cas-" I gasped, struggling for breath.

"Your precious King cannot save you now," Fahd laughed, his black eyes swallowing me whole.

I opened my mouth to try and scream, but no sound came out. All I could feel was a burning in my throat, it felt like someone had taken a rock and scraped it along the inside of my throat, preventing me from making any noise at all.

"Christina. Chris, Please wake up, it's a dream,"

My eyes flew open and I immediately wished they hadn't. With consciousness came the full force of my injuries. My head pounded so hard, I could hear it in my ears, and it felt like a brick was lying on my throat. Both my cheeks felt like shattered glass and my lip was cut open, so I could still taste the coppery taste of blood.

I looked around to find Fahd, but all I found was Caspian.

I breathed a sigh of relief, causing more pain to radiate through my entire body.

Caspian looked like he hadn't slept for a year, his hair was disheveled, and there was blood staining his royal tunic. I looked down, to where his hand was holding my hand, and frowned when I saw how bloody and cut up his knuckles were.

"Cas," I croaked, sounding like a frog.

I guess that would be the after effects of almost being choked to death, twice.

"What happened?" I tried to sit up, but my entire body groaned, and I just gave up.

"Shh," he whispered, running his thumb gently over my cheek, where I had no doubt there were bruises. "Don't talk, you need to give you throat the chance to heal."

I nodded, but kept my eyes on him, trying to convey that I still wanted an answer.

"We can talk about this tomorrow, Chris, you need to rest."

He let go of me and began to get up. Fear struck at my heart. What if, while he was out of my sight, that man came back? No, he couldn't leave me. I quickly reached for his hand and clung to his arm desperately.

"Caspian, please don't leave me. Don't let go, please."

"Go to sleep now, Christina. It's alright, he's gone."

He leaned back and laid beside me, pulling the covers over my shaking body and pulling me close to him. I tried to close my eyes, but every time I did I heard Fahd speaking. I saw his eyes. I smelled alcohol.

I tried to scream, but all that came out was a rasping noise.

"Christina!"

"This isn't supposed to happen to me, Caspian," I cried, tears leaking out of my eyes.

"I know, love, I know. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry"

We sat there for hours, Caspian whispering sweet things in my ear whenever I spoke. He held me when I cried and comforted me in every possible way he could. I clung to him, vowing not to let go, for my life depended on the constant, familiar presence of King Caspian X.

At one point I had calmed enough to lay down and close my eyes.

But only a few minutes after my eyes had closed I felt the bed move beside me.

Caspian had gotten up and was beginning to head towards the door. My heart stopped. He couldn't leave. Not now. I needed him.

"Caspian! Don't go, please, I'm begging. Don't leave me, I need you."

"You need to get some sleep, Christina."

"I can't sleep without you here."

"I really shouldn't…"

"Stay with me, Caspian. Please, just stay the night with me?"

His face flushed and he looked mighty uncomfortable, but I could care less at the moment. He was the only thing keeping me from having a mental break down and I needed him with me.

"Very well," he sighed, "just let me change."

He slipped out of the room for just a moment, and I laid there, eyes open, waiting for Fahd to come back, and finish what he had started. But he never came. After a few moments, Caspian returned, wearing a plain pair of brown trousers and a very light sleeping shirt.

Slowly, he walked back to my bed. He slipped off his boots and rolled up the sleeves of his thin under shirt. Then he crawled into the bed beside me and laid down, looking at me. I cuddled close to him, burying my face in his chest. He wrapped a protective arm around my waist.

"You're shaking," he commented.

"Sorry," I whispered.

"Of all things you could say right now, sorry should not be one of them."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize. Not for this."