Chapter 37
You're Safe, You're Home
Carol sat at the large desk in Caspian's private study—their study now—carefully reviewing the estate accounts.
Honestly? This was the most comfortable she'd felt doing duchess duties. Numbers she understood. Budgets, expenses, revenue streams—these were familiar territory from her past life as an equity research analyst.
The household expenses, the staff wages, the maintenance costs for the estate and its defenses—all of it made perfect sense to her. She'd even found a few areas where they could optimize spending without cutting services.
She'd been managing it while Caspian was away, and if she was being honest with herself, she was quite good at it.
Shadow lay at her feet, his massive head resting on his paws. He'd grown even more in the past week—easily the size of a large hunting dog now, with paws that promised significantly more growth to come.
Mochi was draped across the back of her chair, purring loudly, occasionally batting at her hair when she leaned back.
"Stop that," Carol said absently, gently pushing the Dreamweaver's paw away. "I'm trying to work."
Mochi meowed and went back to purring.
Carol was just finishing her review of the monthly provisions when there was a sharp knock at the door.
"Enter," she called.
Daisy practically burst into the room, her face flushed with excitement.
"Your Grace!" she gasped. "The Duke! He's been spotted on the road! He and his men are riding back!"
Carol's quill clattered to the desk.
"He's back?" she asked, already standing.
"Yes, Your Grace! They should arrive within the quarter hour!"
Carol didn't need to hear more.
She gathered her skirts and headed for the door, Shadow and Mochi immediately following. The maid stepped aside quickly as the Duchess swept past, her pets flanking her like an honor guard.
Carol made her way through the corridors of Frostholme, her heart racing. Seven days. It had been seven days since she'd seen Caspian, touched him, held him.
Yes, she'd been watching him on the premium viewing service. Had seen every battle, every moment of his journey.
But watching wasn't the same as being with him.
She reached the courtyard just as the gates were opening.
The afternoon sun was bright, casting long shadows across the stone. Carol positioned herself near the center of the courtyard, Shadow sitting protectively at her side, Mochi winding between her legs.
And then she heard it—the sound of hoofbeats.
The column of riders appeared through the gates, dusty from travel but clearly triumphant. The troops looked tired but satisfied, weapons cleaned and secured, armor bearing the marks of recent combat.
And at the front, riding tall on his black stallion, was Caspian.
Their eyes met across the courtyard.
Carol's breath caught.
He looked tired. There were shadows under his eyes, dust in his silver hair, his armor still bearing traces of the road.
But he was home.
He was safe.
Caspian dismounted before his horse had fully stopped, his movements fluid despite the long journey. His green eyes never left Carol's face.
Carol walked toward him as quickly as her pregnant body would allow—not quite running, but definitely faster than was probably dignified for a duchess.
She didn't care.
They met in the middle of the courtyard.
Caspian's arms came around her immediately, pulling her close despite his armor. Carol wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him as much as her belly would allow.
"You're home," she breathed. "You're safe. You're home."
"I'm home," Caspian confirmed, his voice rough with emotion. One hand came up to cradle the back of her head. "I missed you. So much."
"I missed you too," Carol said, pulling back just enough to look at his face. "Seven days is too long."
"Far too long," Caspian agreed.
Then he kissed her.
It wasn't gentle or chaste or appropriate for public viewing. It was deep and desperate and full of seven days of separation and longing.
Carol melted into it, her fingers threading through his dusty hair, not caring about anything except the fact that her husband was finally home.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Carol became aware of the troops watching with varying degrees of amusement.
Edwin was grinning broadly. "Welcome home, Your Grace," he called to Caspian. "Though it seems you're otherwise occupied at the moment."
"Shut up, Edwin," Caspian said without heat, though he didn't let go of Carol.
Carol laughed, her face flushed. "Welcome home, Captain. Thank you for bringing my husband back safely."
"My pleasure, Your Grace," Edwin said, still grinning. "Though I think he would have fought his way through an army to get back to you."
"Probably," Caspian agreed, finally—reluctantly—releasing Carol enough to step back slightly. His hand immediately moved to her belly. "How are you? How's our son?"
"We're fine," Carol assured him. "Perfectly healthy. I've been eating well, resting, taking care of myself."
"Good," Caspian said, his hand lingering on her belly. "I worried about you. Both of you."
"We missed you," Carol said softly. "Every day."
"I missed you too," Caspian said. He glanced back at his horse, where several bags were secured. "I brought you something."
Carol's eyes lit up. "You did?"
Caspian walked back to his horse and carefully retrieved one of the bags. He brought it to Carol, opening it to reveal...
"Oh my god," Carol breathed.
A baby griffin looked up at her with large golden eyes, its downy feathers ruffled from travel. It made a soft chirping sound.
Carol's hands flew to her mouth. "It's so cute! Oh, darling, it's adorable!"
"Its parents were killed by the corrupted dragons," Caspian explained. "I found it alone in their nest. I thought..."
"Of course we're keeping it!" Carol said immediately, already reaching carefully into the bag. The baby griffin chirped again but didn't resist as she gently lifted it out.
It was so small in her hands, so delicate. Its feathers were golden-brown with a cream chest, and its tiny lion's tail curled around her wrist.
"Hello, little one," Carol cooed. "Aren't you precious? Yes, you are!"
The baby griffin made a trilling sound and nestled against her chest.
Shadow sniffed curiously at the new arrival. Mochi climbed up Carol's shoulder to investigate, his whiskers twitching.
"That's not all," Caspian said, pulling out his satchel. He opened it carefully to reveal an egg—about the size of a melon, with beautiful frost-white and ice-blue scales.
"A Frost Serpent egg," Carol gasped. "Caspian..."
"Also orphaned," Caspian said. "Its parents hid it from the corruption before they were killed. It's still viable, but it needs warmth and care."
Carol looked at the egg with wonder, one hand still cradling the baby griffin. "They're both orphans?"
"Yes."
"Then they're both staying," Carol said firmly. "They're part of our family now."
She looked at the baby griffin, thinking. "You need a name. Something bright and cheerful. How about... Sunny? Because you're golden like sunshine."
The baby griffin chirped happily, as if approving.
"Sunny it is," Carol said, smiling. Then she looked at the egg. "And when you hatch, little one, you'll be Snowball. Because you're all frosty and white."
Caspian raised an eyebrow. "Snowball? For a Frost Serpent?"
"It's ironic," Carol defended. "And cute. Don't judge my naming choices."
"I wouldn't dare," Caspian said, but he was smiling. "Though I maintain that naming a shadow wolf 'Shadow' was extremely unimaginative."
"Shadow likes his name," Carol said. "Don't you, boy?"
Shadow's tail wagged.
Carol held Sunny carefully, examining the baby griffin with absolute delight. "Look at these little talons! And the tiny wings! Oh, you're going to be magnificent when you grow up, aren't you?"
Sunny chirped and nuzzled against her hand.
Edwin rode up beside them. "The Duchess appears pleased with your gifts, Your Grace."
"She always is," Caspian said. "She has a weakness for orphaned creatures."
"I have a weakness for things that need love and care," Carol corrected. "And these babies definitely need both." She looked up at Caspian. "Thank you. For bringing them to me. For thinking of me while you were out there fighting."
"I'm always thinking of you," Caspian said quietly.
Their eyes met, and the air between them charged with unspoken promises.
Edwin cleared his throat. "Perhaps I should see to the troops and give you two some privacy."
"Good idea," Caspian said, not looking away from Carol.
But then he seemed to remember his duties. "Actually, I need to stable my horse and debrief with Edwin about the campaign. It won't take long."
Carol tried not to look disappointed. "Of course. You have responsibilities."
"An hour at most," Caspian promised. He leaned down and kissed her again, this one gentler but no less full of promise. "Then I'm all yours. For the rest of the day. The night. However long you want me."
"Forever," Carol said. "I want you forever."
"Then forever you'll have," Caspian said.
He stroked Sunny's downy head gently, then carefully touched the Frost Serpent egg. "Take good care of them. I'll see you in our chambers soon."
"I'll be waiting," Carol said.
She watched as Caspian led his horse toward the stables, Edwin and several soldiers following. The rest of the troops dispersed, heading to their own quarters and duties.
Carol stood in the courtyard, holding a baby griffin, with a Frost Serpent egg in Caspian's satchel at her feet, Shadow and Mochi flanking her.
"Well," she said to Sunny. "Let's get you settled. And we need to find the perfect place for your egg-sibling to hatch."
Sunny chirped happily.
Carol headed back into the estate, her heart lighter than it had been in days.
Caspian was home.
Safe.
And soon, very soon, they'd be together in their chambers with no battles or duties or distance between them.
Just husband and wife.
Choosing each other, again and again.
Carol smiled and kissed the top of Sunny's downy head.
"Welcome to the family, little ones," she whispered. "You're going to love it here."