Dearest Brother

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you that while I find myself unable to accept your invitation at the present moment, I will be sending the children, along with their nurse, to pay you a visit. I am sure they would love a chance to see you after such a long separation. The High King has been kind enough to inform me that there is a cargo ship available upon which they will receive comfortable accommodation and will be well looked after. It will set sail in less than five days and will return in two months, in time for the Summer Dance, which Merda has a great desire to see. You are more than welcome to accompany them home. By then, Aslan willing, the High King will have settled the particulars of the colony in which I plan to establish myself. Should the need arise, I may join you in Archenland, but for now I find myself

Edmund put the unfinished letter back onto his desk and glanced over his shoulder at the only other occupants of the room. Ronas was still lying on the floor, but his breathing was even now and he had stopped bleeding. The sleeping draught Liana had given him would ensure he would sleep soundly for another few hours, since it was only an hour past sunrise. Susan had woken him only a few minutes ago to inform him of the time and to say that she was returning to her rooms. She had wanted to take Liana with her, but Edmund had refused. When he had finally stopped pacing the floor the night before, Liana had been curled up in one corner of the sofa with a perfectly blank expression. His heart had ached for her, but unable to fully comfort her in the presence of his sister, he had merely nudged and coaxed her into relaxing her position enough so that he could place his head in her lap. She had smiled a little bit at that, and they had talked quietly for a few moments about nothing in particular until the soothing motion of Liana's fingers running through his hair had put him to sleep.

When Susan had shaken him awake, he had been surprised to find Liana's back pressed against his chest. She had obviously rearranged herself so that she could fall asleep next to him, as they had the day he had returned from the hunt. He knew the reason behind such a gesture, and he couldn't bear for her to wake up without him. So he had refused to let Susan wake her up, and pretended to ignore her look of disapproval. However, his sister had not said anything. She left the room and he locked the door behind her, turning back only to gently turn Liana over so she was no longer on the edge of the sofa.

When it became obvious that she was still quite deeply asleep, he had become bored and had begun to organize his papers. It was then that he noticed the letter on his desk that was obviously not in his sister's handwriting. Liana had no doubt written it before she had fallen asleep, but Edmund couldn't understand what invitation she seemed to be talking about. She had not told him anything further than that she had received a letter from her brother and that he was well and settled. Obviously, he had been calling his family back to him, and obviously Liana had discussed this with Peter and probably Susan as well instead of with him.

"Edmund?" the anxiety in her voice made him turn back to the middle of the room and immediately reach for her. Liana's eyes were bloodshot and she was running a hand through her hair, her gaze fixed on Ronas. As soon as he touched her, however, he saw her shoulders relax. "I thought you had gone."

"Of course not," he sat down next to her and pulled her close. She rested her head against his chest and sighed. "Susan woke me up almost an hour ago. She wanted to wake you and take you with her back to her rooms, but I thought it best if you woke up where you had fallen asleep."

"Thank you," she murmured. "I slept for longer than I had intended."

"You were tired," Edmund kissed her hair distractedly. He wanted to ask her about her letter, but he did not want to admit that he had read her private correspondence, nor did he think the timing was quite right to have such a conversation. Instead, he focused on the task at hand. "Now that you've rested, we need to discuss the situation."

Liana sighed. "I know."

"You know it will only take one word for me to have him arrested."

"On what basis?"

"I need no basis, Liana."

"Yes, you do. You are a King and I am a refugee. You are a just, kind and noble king and I have gotten you mixed up in some terrible mess that could turn into a scandal," her voice cracked and Edmund felt her pull away so she could bury her face in her hands. He sighed and took her into his arms again, ignoring her protests.

"You are a better person than I am if you can think about someone other than yourself at this point," he murmured. "But I cannot bear to see you upset, Liana, nor can I go without seeing your face after such a night. So please," he gently removed her hands from her face and his heart lurched at her red eyes. He tried to look away, but he wouldn't let her. He merely rested his forehead against hers, forcing her to keep her eyes fixed on him. He could see the tears clinging to her lashes and it made him want to slam his fist into the wall in frustration. She saw the anger in his eyes and bit her lip, tugging at his hands until their linked fingers were in her lap.

"I need to leave," she murmured. Her eyes flickered shut as she reached forward to gently press a kiss against his mouth, catching him by surprise. "I can't go to breakfast in the same clothes I had dinner in."

"Don't leave," Edmund's grip on her hands became tight. He leaned in for another kiss, relishing the feel of her lips against his. She smiled against his mouth before pulling away.

"This is very inappropriate," she raised an eyebrow at his shameless grin. "Edmund, let me go."

"Never."

"I have to go and see Susan, at least."

"She knows you're here with me."

"Exactly."

"I don't see your point."

"Edmund."

"Liana."

"I need to go."

"I want you to stay."

"I'll come back."

"We'll wait for Susan to call us to breakfast," his grip on her hands didn't loosen. When she didn't resist, he pulled her against him and pressed another kiss to her temple. "I don't want to stab him in his sleep."

"I won't be of much use in stopping you," muttered Liana darkly.

Edmund hummed in response and played with her hair absently. Liana merely sat still in his arms, occasionally tangling their fingers together. They sat in the same pose for a long time, and only moved when Ronas began to stir. Immediately, they were both standing and Edmund had pulled Liana behind him, keeping a tight grip on her arm. Normally, she would resent such chauvinistic behavior, but her heart was pounding in her ears. Helplessly, she peered over Edmund's shoulder as Ronas finally opened his eyes. They immediately fell upon his friend's expression of fury. He winced, but didn't speak. Neither did Edmund. Finally, Liana sighed and pried Edmund's fingers off her arm, stepping towards Ronas. Immediately, Edmund stopped her.

"You treated him and he's conscious," his tone was crisp and official. "You have done enough. I will summon Lias and have him sent to the Houses immediately, not under your care."

Liana bit her lip. "Edmund-" he silenced her with a gesture of his hand. Liana couldn't bring herself to argue. A part of her was relieved; she doubted she would be able to care for Ronas considering her suspicions, and even if she could she did not trust him to be near her anymore.

Ronas didn't speak, but he looked like he would have liked to. Edmund released Liana and allowed her to open the door, where she was unsurprised to find Lyra sitting, her eyes dark. With a brief nod that required no explanation, she had bounded away, no doubt to find Lias. Liana entered the room again and saw Ronas attempting to sit up. The look on Edmund's face told her she should not go near him, but she found herself unable to control her movements. She pushed him back down onto the floor and picked up another roll of cloth, wetting it and placing it on his forehead. He mouthed a thank you, but she ignored it and returned to Edmund's side. He immediately wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close against his side. Ronas, who had up until now watched her movements, now looked away as if in pain. Liana bit her lip. Edmund didn't speak as they waited for Lias to enter.