Chapter 34
The Departure
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of the dining room, catching on the fine porcelain and casting warm patterns across the table.
Carol picked at her breakfast, her appetite less enthusiastic than usual despite the excellent honey cakes arranged on her plate.
Across from her, Caspian was unusually quiet.
She'd learned to read his silences over these past weeks. This one was heavy with something unspoken.
"What is it?" Carol asked finally, setting down her fork.
Caspian looked up from the report he'd been reading, his green eyes serious. "Border patrol sent word this morning. Blight creatures are closing in on the northern territories again. Larger numbers than usual."
Carol's stomach dropped. "How many?"
"Enough that I need to respond personally," Caspian said. "I'll need to leave within the hour."
"Oh."
The single syllable came out smaller than Carol intended.
Caspian set down the report and reached across the table to take her hand. "I'm sorry. I know we just—"
"No," Carol interrupted, squeezing his fingers. "Don't apologize. This is your duty. Your responsibility. I understand."
"I don't want to leave you," Caspian said quietly.
"I don't want you to go," Carol admitted. "But the northern territories need you. The people need you." She managed a small smile. "I'll be fine. We'll be fine."
Her other hand moved to the gentle swell of her belly—four months along now, visible enough that her gowns needed adjusting.
Caspian's gaze followed the movement, something tender and protective crossing his expression.
"There's something else," Caspian said. "I've been meaning to ask, and now seems as good a time as any."
Carol tilted her head. "What is it?"
"Would you like to move your belongings to my chambers?" Caspian asked. "Permanently?"
Carol's breath caught slightly.
"I have plenty of space in my wing," Caspian continued. "You'd still have your own dressing room, drawing room, lounging room—all the private spaces you need. But we'd share a bedchamber. Wake up together every morning."
A smile spread across Carol's face. "I'd like that. Very much."
Relief and warmth flooded Caspian's expression. "I'll have the staff move everything while I'm gone. It'll be ready when I return. You'll be in our chambers."
"Our chambers," Carol repeated softly, liking the sound of it.
"Our home," Caspian said. "Properly, this time."
Carol stood and crossed to him, settling into his lap despite her growing belly. Caspian's arms came around her immediately.
"Come home safely," she whispered. "To our chambers. To our bed."
"I will," Caspian promised.
His large hand covered hers on her stomach, warm and gentle through the fabric of her gown.
"I'll come back as quickly as I can," he said.
"I know you will."
Caspian leaned down and pressed a kiss to her belly, his silver hair falling forward. "Papa will be back soon," he murmured. "Be good for your mother."
Carol felt tears prick her eyes at the tenderness in his voice.
When Caspian straightened, she cupped his face and pulled him into a proper kiss—deep and full of everything she couldn't quite put into words.
"Be careful," she whispered when they broke apart. "Please, be careful."
"Always," Caspian promised.
◆◆◆
An hour later, Carol stood in the courtyard with Shadow and Mochi at her feet.
The troops were assembled—one hundred and fifty men in full armor, horses stamping and ready. Edwin was already mounted, checking supplies and giving quiet orders.
Caspian emerged from the armory in his battle gear. Dark metal armor that seemed to absorb light, perfectly fitted to his tall frame. Both Wintersbane and Frostreaver hung at his sides. His silver hair was tied back, his expression set in the cold, focused lines of The Butcher of the North.
But when his eyes found Carol across the courtyard, his expression softened immediately.
He crossed to her in long strides.
"I don't know how long I'll be gone," Caspian said. "Several days at minimum. Possibly longer depending on what we find."
"I'll be here when you get back," Carol said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Caspian pulled her into his arms, careful of her belly, holding her close. Carol pressed her face against his armored chest, breathing in the familiar scent of him beneath the metal and leather.
"Come home to me," she whispered. "To us."
"I will," Caspian promised. "Nothing could keep me away."
His hand moved to her belly again, rubbing gently in slow, soothing circles. "Papa will be back soon, Caelan. I promise."
Carol felt her throat tighten with emotion.
Caspian stepped back slightly, then crouched down to where Shadow and Mochi waited.
The shadow wolf had grown significantly in the past weeks—already the size of a large dog, with massive paws that promised even more growth to come. Mochi had reached nearly four feet in length, his Dreamweaver markings distinct and beautiful.
Caspian scratched Shadow behind the ears, and the wolf's tail wagged enthusiastically. Then he stroked Mochi's head, earning a pleased purr.
"Take care of your mother while I'm gone," Caspian told them seriously, as if they could understand every word. "Keep her safe. Both of them safe."
Shadow barked once, as if acknowledging the order. Mochi rubbed against Caspian's armored leg.
Caspian stood and moved to his horse—a massive war stallion, black as midnight, trained for battle.
He mounted in one smooth motion, settling into the saddle with practiced ease.
But before he could signal the troops to move, he looked down at Carol one more time.
She stepped closer to his horse, reaching up.
Caspian leaned down from the saddle, and Carol stretched up on her toes to meet him halfway.
Their lips met in one last kiss—tender and desperate and full of promise.
"Come back to me," Carol whispered against his mouth.
"Always," Caspian promised.
He straightened in the saddle, but his eyes never left hers.
Edwin rode up beside them, grinning despite the serious nature of their mission. "Don't worry, Your Grace," he said to Carol. "We'll bring the Duke back safe and sound. I guarantee it."
Carol managed a small smile. "You'd better, Captain. Or I'll be very cross with you."
"Wouldn't dream of disappointing you, Your Grace," Edwin said with a wink.
Caspian raised his hand, and the assembled troops fell into formation behind him.
"Move out," he commanded, his voice carrying across the courtyard with absolute authority.
The gates opened, and the column began to move.
Caspian looked back one more time, his green eyes finding Carol's across the distance.
She raised her hand in farewell, trying to smile even as tears threatened to fall.
Then he turned forward, and the troops rode through the gates and down the road leading away from Frostholme.
Carol stood in the courtyard, Shadow pressed against her legs and Mochi winding around her ankles, watching until the last rider disappeared from view.
The courtyard felt empty without them. Too quiet. Too still.
Shadow whined softly, sensing her distress.
"I know," Carol said, kneeling carefully to hug the growing shadow wolf. "I miss him too."
Mochi climbed into her lap despite his size, purring loudly as if trying to comfort her.
Carol sat there in the courtyard for several long minutes, her pets surrounding her with warmth and devotion, staring at the empty road.
He'd come back. He always came back.
But that didn't make watching him leave any easier.
Finally, Carol stood, her hand resting on her belly.
"Come on," she said to Shadow and Mochi. "Let's go inside. Papa will be home before we know it."
Shadow's tail wagged hopefully. Mochi meowed.
But as Carol walked back into the estate, the corridors seemed longer and emptier than they had just an hour ago.
She'd gotten too used to having Caspian here. Too used to his presence, his warmth, his steady reliability.
Now he was riding toward danger, toward monsters, toward the endless battle at the northern border.
And all Carol could do was wait.
Wait, and hope, and trust that he'd keep his promise.
That he'd come home.
To her.
To them.
To their family.
Carol pressed her hand against her belly, feeling the small life growing there.
"Your papa is very brave," she whispered. "And very strong. He'll be fine. He has to be fine."
Shadow and Mochi followed her through the estate, their presence comforting even as worry gnawed at her heart.
Several days, Caspian had said.
Possibly longer.
Carol sighed and headed toward her chambers.
It was going to be a very long few days.