Realization dawned on him. She was worried they would come looking for her. Anger rekindled within him, that he couldn’t say her fear was unfounded. “Of course.”
His chamber was dominated by a massive bed. It was carved with bear ornaments bathed in the flickering firelight from the hearth. Keira wandered in as he shut the door behind them, passed the private dining table, which he had often used to dine alone. Moonlight spilled softly through the windows. In thedaylight, they offered a wonderful view of the castle grounds just above the main doors and beyond to the pine forest and mountains as well.
He turned as she growled in frustration. She was trying to undo the ties of her dress, but her arms couldn’t reach the proper angle.
“Shall I?” Caspian asked.
Keira looked over her shoulder and paused before she nodded.
Caspian loosened the first lace and then the rest, just enough for her to wiggle free. Once the heavy dress was loose on her frame, Caspian averted his attention. He assumed she would want her privacy now. He heard her moving, the rustling of fabric, and then nothing. When finally he looked, Keira had tucked herself into his bed, back turned from him.
She must have been exhausted. He should just leave her so that she could sleep. While he was down there, he could make sure that everything was going smoothly, well as smoothly as possible.
He opened the door slowly, deep in his thoughts.
“Caspian!” Her panicked voice nearly scared the life out of him. Her eyes were wide and afraid. “You’re leaving?”
“I won’t be gone long,” Caspian said, softening, “I promise.”
Keira hesitated before she nodded, tucking herself further into his covers.
Thankfully, he left when he did. The steward was only a few paces down the hall, his face lighting with purpose the moment he laid eyes on him. Caspian was grateful to spare Keira the intrusion.
“Sir, there you are!” Lionel said. “Where have you been? One of the guests has been attacked! They are saying that it was your… lady guest.”
Caspian heard clearly enough the word he was not saying. His fists clenched at his side.
“I am going to handle the situation,” Caspian said impatiently. “It is your personal responsibility to make sure no one other than myself enters my chambers. Is that understood?”
Lionel’s eyes widened. Caspian was sure he had never given him such a direct order. To his credit, the steward nodded and took up his post without delay.
Caspian’s wrath only grew as he marched down the steps. The majority of the gathering had dissipated. The rest were now gathered in small groups whispering to one another. Caspian sought out the prince who was standing alone.
“How is she?” Gilbert asked.
Caspian huffed, unsure how to answer.
The prince nodded anyhow. “Highgrove is being tended in his rooms. It seems his wounds were only superficial.” He paused. “It also seems that he may have been the ringleader of this particular situation.”
Caspian’s brow raised. The impulse to go to his rooms that very moment and finish what Keira started came over him once more. He took in another fortifying breath. As satisfying as violence would be, there was a better way to handle all of this, a plan taking shape in his mind.
“Thank you, my friend,” Caspian said, bowing his head.
“May I ask what exactly you intend to do?” the prince asked.
“He’ll be dealt with in the morning,” was all Caspian offered.
There would be time to set everything right, but for now, Keira was waiting for him.
Keira
Keira roused slowly, keeping her eyes shut against the daylight assaulting her senses. It had been an uneasy rest, falling in and out of consciousness. She reached across the bed as she’d done perhaps a hundred times that night. For the first time, her hand fell through the empty space where Caspian had been.
She’d refused to spend the night in her own rooms because she was terrified of the possibility of someone coming to look for her there. She wouldn’t have been able to sleep a wink. Even so, nightmares had plagued her. When the first had pulled her from her sleep, Caspian was already awake at her side. She’d curled into his chest. It was the safest place she’d ever known. He’d held her until she fell back asleep, each and every time.
But now he was gone.
Keira sat up as she heard raised voices from outside. That’s what had woken her. She stood, wrapping the bed covering over her shoulders.
