With Courage [King Caspian X OC]

Chapter 35

The journey back to Cair Paravel proved harder than their morning ride. Amber couldn't quite concentrate on the motions needed to get through it without bruising herself and it was entirely Caspian's fault. Large hands covering her own as they snapped the reins. His chest against her back, whispering entirely innocent comments about the scenery in her ear, and yet still her collar felt too tight around her neck.

She wanted to elbow him in the stomach. She wanted to throw him off the horse. She wanted Lord Wellin to mysteriously vanish so they could go back to the Dawn Treader and finish what they had started.

Back at the stables, he lowered her from his horse with a tight-lipped grin, a hand lingering on her hip. She didn't need the help – jumping off was far easier than getting on – but she was in no rush to say so.

They had barely begun their walk back to the castle, having just crested the small incline that separated the stables from Cair Paravel, when they were interrupted.

Lord Wellin stood on the path ahead of them, hands folded neatly before him, his spine ramrod straight. Behind him was a small flower garden tucked against the wall of the kitchens: a neat back entrance Caspian used often when he wished to delay a confrontation exactly like this one.

"King Caspian." He said sternly. Whatever ounce of respect Wellin had shown before – using his real moniker, offering the barest incline of his head – was nowhere in sight. For a moment, Amber wondered if he would tip over with the slightest nudge, poised as he was. Anyone could mistake him for one of the statues that decorated the larger gardens.

"Wellin." Caspian replied, equally petty. The lack of his title made Wellin's eye twitch imperceptibly.

"If I may speak freely?" He had yet to say anything of worth, but already his cheeks were growing red under the heat of his anger. Hardly the look of a man preparing to announce a golden valley, she thought, though it was best to leave that comment until later.

Caspian nodded and folded his arms, waiting patiently. Wellin's eye twitched again.

"Your fellow council members and I have been more than generous in entertaining your behaviour as of late, but it cannot continue. You must wed." Caspian unfolded his arms and made to cut Lord Wellin off, but the older man continued quickly before he uttered more than a frustrated sigh. "I have cultivated your match with Princess Avaline for many years now and yet not only do you show no gratitude for this, but now you have the audacity to flaunt this – this..." He turned to Amber with such disgust it felt like a physical slap, "stranger to an entire court. You are behaving improperly for a King and, as one of your chosen advisors, I strongly recommend you cease this flirtation in favour of a profitable match."

Amber turned to Caspian and saw, with surprise, that he was almost smiling. It was a far cry from those she received, the gentle creasing of his eyes, warm and welcoming. He was cold now, holding the smirk of a man with complete control. Anger simmered underneath his calm façade, tampered slightly by the satisfaction of a decision made. He placed his hands in his pockets and breathed in, almost savouring the words before he spoke them.

"You're fired."

"I beg your pardon?" Wellin spluttered.

Even she couldn't believe it. "Caspian–"

"No. I will accept no argument on this." His eyes narrowed. "I did not show you gratitude, as you say, for your matchmaking Lord Wellin because I specifically told you not to seek a match with Princess Avaline or anyone else in Narnia. Your words may hold some truth to them, but I will not stand here and let you slander the woman I love. I intend to," he caught himself, swallowing back the end of his sentence. But when he turned to Amber, gazing at her with such abject affection her breath caught in her throat, they rose unbidden once more. "I intend to marry her." He said sincerely, entwining their fingers as he faced Wellin again with an unwavering resolve. "And when I do, it will be overseen by a council who understands her worth. Good day, Lord Wellin."