Edmund rode hard through the forest. The faint sweat that still clung to his forehead made his hair stick to his scalp, and it irritated him to no end. He wanted to stop and brush his hair away, he wanted to change into his riding clothes, he wanted to do quite a few things to make himself more comfortable but he didn't dare to stop. Of course, it had been a dream that started this. Or rather, a very vivid nightmare.

He had not expected such a prolonged absence from the palace. Sightings of the White Stag happened almost every month, but this one had been so close that Peter had a hunting party ready in a few hours. They rarely did things as a family, so when Susan and Lucy had insisted on coming along, Edmund had not tried to fight it, but that did not stop him from taking the necessary precautions. Liana could not be left alone; she would fight him on it but he would not leave her unprotected. He had done his best; Lyra was dedicated, loyal and a fierce fighter. The chances of Liana getting hurt while under her watch were slim.

And then he had had the nightmare. He knew it was impossible for anything like it to happen, but he had saddled the nearest horse and started for the castle immediately. He had left Peter a note; his brother would handle any particulars. They had probably lost the stag but he didn't care. He had not even stopped to consider if she would be at the palace for the night. Of course, Lyra would have accompanied her into the village as well, but the thought of her sleeping in that dreary cottage had him urging his horse to go faster.

He was barely inside the palace walls when he dismounted. The night guard immediately took the reins from him and gave a hasty bow. "Your Majesty, should I…" he trailed off, obviously at a loss as to what he was supposed to do.

Edmund shook his head. "I need nothing. I shall go to my chambers directly. Kindly inform the staff that my siblings will return no later than tomorrow afternoon."

"Yes, King Edmund," the faun nodded and bowed, moving out of his way. Edmund ascended the steps to the castle and headed straight for the private wing. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Lyra stretched out in front of Liana's door. The cheetah's eyes glowed in the dim lamplight as they caught sight of him.

She stood and stretched as Edmund approached. "Master," she bowed. "You are quite early. Or late," her eyes went lazily to the starry sky visible from the window. "Whichever you prefer."

Edmund smiled a little. "I came back earlier than either you or I expected, I know."

"Naturally, Your Grace," Lyra yawned, but the look she gave him was amused.

Edmund frowned. "Lyra?"

The cheetah stretched again. "Permission to speak frankly, King Edmund."

"You need not even ask."

Lyra pawed at her nose and raised her eyes to gaze at Edmund. "Thank you, my King. You are always kind. Please understand that I mean no disrespect when I say that I did not think you could stay away even for as long as you did," Edmund's eyebrows shot up. The cheetah took no notice. Her eyes strayed to the sky outside again. "Healer Liana is awake. Perhaps you would like to greet her. She sleeps ill these days."

Edmund hesitated, but Lyra was already examining her claws. "I'll take a stroll myself. A midnight hunt is always fulfilling. Good evening, Your Majesty."

Suddenly, rushing back into the palace well past midnight did not seem like the best idea anymore. He was being ridiculous. With Lyra on guard and the palace heavily populated it was highly unlikely that anyone would target Liana and hurt her. He was about to call Lyra back when a crashing sound from inside Liana's room made him freeze. Liana was not violent and at this hour he doubted she had knocked over something by accident. He did not even bother to knock, merely pushed the door open. It was unlocked.

Liana was knelt down on the floor by the window, her back towards the door. The glass panes were shattered and lying at her feet. She fingered them idly and didn't bother to turn around.

"A stray rock, I'm sure," her voice was quiet and even, but Edmund detected a hardness in her tone that he was not accustomed to. "Nothing out of the ordinary. I am sorry if you were disturbed, Lyra."

Edmund blinked. She had not realized it was him. He cleared his throat pointedly. "Its not Lyra."

Her head darted back and he saw her hand reach into the folds of her dress. He held up a hand as a sign of peace. Coming back early was seeming like a better idea as the seconds passed. "Its just me, Liana."

She stood up immediately and wrapped her arms around herself, biting her lip. Her gaze was on the floor. "You are back early."

"Yes," said Edmund. Frowning, he approached her cautiously. Something was horribly wrong. "What happened?"

"Oh, someone threw a rock inside my window," her hand tucked her hair behind her ear as she gestured to the broken glass. She didn't meet his eyes. "Nothing serious."

"Nothing serious," Edmund repeated her words slowly. "Someone threw a rock inside your window and shattered the glass."

"Yes."

"But it is nothing to be worried about."

"No."

"Why is that?"

"Because I know who did it."

"Who?"

"I can't tell you."

Edmund's eyebrows shot up. Liana didn't give him a chance to respond. He was close enough that she could touch his face, and she did. Her hand was shaking. Edmund gently pulled her close, allowing her to rest her head against his chest. She was trembling now, and he cursed softly before guiding her towards the divan in the corner, away from the window. He sat down and pulled her down next to him. She tucked her legs underneath her and made to wrap her arms around herself, but he didn't let her.

"Its just me," he murmured quietly and took her into his arms. "Its just me, Liana," he pressed kisses into her hair and rocked her back and forth gently. She hadn't stopped trembling. "Calm down. You're safe."

She nodded blindly and took a deep breath, covering her face with her hands. Edmund groaned and knelt down on the floor opposite her, prying her hands away from her face. Her eyes were red.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just… I had just closed the curtains and I heard voices outside so I ran to the door and then I heard the crash," she took another deep breath. "I-it was quite forceful."

"Do you think someone was aiming for you?" Edmund kept his tone as calm as he possibly could. But Liana sensed his anger. Her fingers curled around his tunic.

"You're not leaving me," she said firmly. Her eyes were wide. "I won't let you go outside, Edmund."

"No one will kill me, Liana."

She shook her head obstinately. "No. You're staying here."

"Technically, I can't spend the night here."

"Yes, you can."

"Liana," Edmund attempted to make his voice as soothing as possible as he pried her fingers loose from his clothes. "All I want to do is take a walk in the courtyard. Lyra will come inside and sit with you. Its alright."

"Perhaps I wasn't clear," Liana's voice was barely a hiss. Her eyes were watery. "You are not leaving this room tonight."

Edmund blinked. He had never seen her look so angry. Or so frightened. But his mind was made up.

"I'll come back," he caressed her face gently. She squeezed her eyes shut and looked away. "Liana, there are guards everywhere. It was probably nothing. I'll go see and come back and stay for as long as you want. Please, you have to let me do this."

She refused to look up at him, but her grip on his hands slackened. Her shoulders slumped in defeat as she leaned back on the divan. There were dark circles under her eyes and she looked pale. Edmund tore his eyes away from her and made his way to the broken window. He gingerly pulled back the curtains and was met with a full view of the courtyard below. Every nook and cranny was visible. He whistled for Lyra and stood there for a few minutes in thought before coming back to Liana. She hadn't moved.

"You can't spend the night here," said Edmund quietly.

Liana's eyes opened. "What?"

"The window's been blown open. That was no stray rock. You're not staying here alone," he held out a hand and she took it. He pulled her to her feet and squeezed her hand. "You're staying in my chamber. Lyra will take you there. I'm going outside," on cue, there was scratching at the door. Edmund didn't wait for Liana's answer, merely pressed a kiss to her hand before opening the door and admitting Lyra.

"Is all well?" asked the cheetah.

"No," said Edmund. "I'm going to look outside. Someone threw a rock into Liana's window. Take her to my chambers and stay with her inside until I return. Do not leave her," he stressed. "Its not safe."

"I understand, my King," Lyra bowed as he walked out of the room.