Susan Was Always First

Dancing With Darkness

"Lucy, you dance so beautifully!" Jesse exclaimed with a large grin. "Though, I should not be surprised seeing as everything about you screams beauty..."

"You are too kind." Lucy gave a polite smile at the Calormen, just enough go mask her annoyance. 

"If only you would show your true smile, my lady, the world would be caught breathless with your looks."

Lucy just kept the polite smile on her face, though internally she longed to find a better partner, such as the Lady Avaline from Archenland who did not step on feet or overly flatter her, or Lord Leith who could make her laugh with stories of time spent pretending to be a kitchen boy. 

Romance was not Lucy's strong suit when it came to gentlemen calling on her. She would be much more content to live a life without the company of a husband. Besides, she would rather focus her energy onto finding her sister and brother now that hope had sparked once again that they lived. 

Wrath, or Elda as the girl admitted her true name to be, had given them a hope that they could not deny, and they could not bring themselves to execute a child, especially as Caspian thought of his own child that was yet to enter the world. 

Caralyn watched as the couple spun, knowing that soon the two would be together. The potion in her pocket gave her hope enough of that, a little something prepared by her beloved sister...

"Lady Caralyn." Edmund entered the room, dipping his head to her as he approached her. The banquet hall was crowded in a welcoming celebration. Security was on high alert, with anyone watching for suspicious activity, though it was not expected that danger would strike at so large a gathering. "I hope the days have been treating you well."

Edmund had been gone so often the past two weeks, visiting Elda to see what news the young girl had gathered for them, that he had not paid much attention to his duties a host. They were growing closer and closer to finding his siblings. He could just feel it, hope in all his thoughts as Elda pointed them in the directions of those she knew to work for their enemies. They had caught some, and had allowed Elda to question some, though she was stopped before her tactics could grow sadistic.

The kingdom, too, noticed a change in its rulers, particularly Caspian. The man was acting closer to his true self, and the people of the kingdom breathed easier that he had returned to his right state of mind. 

"They have, King Edmund." Caralyn replied, her eyes still not leaving Lucy and Jesse. "But it seems your sister has not found our time here as pleasant as we have."

Edmund followed her eyes, wondering how the lady had caught on to Lucy's sour mood. "My sister means no ill-will, I assure you. She is still grieving, as we all are, and is not ready yet to meet a suitor."

Caralyn let out a sound of disapproval. "Yet she gives my cousin false hope... do you not think there is a chance she could be interested?"

"I cannot speak for my sister on matters of her heart, Lady Caralyn." Edmund shifted the topic quickly. "Why don't you accompany me for the next dance?"

"Of course, your majesty. I would be delighted." The woman's amber eyes flashed with something, though it was quick enough to leave Edmund wondering if he had imagined it all.

---

"Queen Susan." Envy's voice woke the woman from a nap. "Queen Susan I have something for you and your brother."

Susan groaned, her back aching, as she sat up. Her eyes went to the door of her cell where Envy stood. Peter slept on, unaware of the conversation. The white haired woman was battered, looking like she had been beaten harshly.

"Envy? What's going on? Are you okay?" 

"I am fine, Queen Susan. I won you and your brother a new cell, with access to sunlight." Envy motioned to the cuts and bruises on her body, the reds and purples vivid and harsh. "Sloth will be helping me move the two of you shortly. It would be best to wake your brother and let him know what's happening."

The woman left with those words, and Susan was left to ponder all that had just happened. Envy had fought- physically fought- to win her and her brother a room with sunlight. The woman had given so much for her, that Susan knew when she and her brother were finally restored to their thrones, she would reward the woman and any family she might have for her service. There was no way this woman was anything less than kind.

Peter mumbled something before sitting up, eyes blinking from the candlelight. "Was someone here?"

"Envy got a new cell. We're going to be moved soon." Her hand rested on her lower stomach, smiling softly at the thought of sunlight and freedom.

---

Sloth stood, watching Envy with curiosity. The woman had gone out of her way to make herself appear beaten and bruised, and she was unsure why anyone would go through that kind of work to play mind tricks on the prisoners. They were already puppets to Greed and Envy's wills that Sloth saw no point in playing these mind games. But if the boss ordered it...

"Is giving them outdoor access a good idea?"

"It's just a little window that opens to allow them some fresh air. There's enough magic on it to keep them from escaping, and they already have begun to fully trust me. Giving them some nicer resources will only make them think I am fighting to help them,  and will paint me in a more favorable light, remember? Besides, Greed wants the child healthy, and things this will help."

"But-"

"No more questions, Sloth. Now come, we have work to do."

---

Pride waited with eyes piercing the darkness, blade in hand. She was not supposed to have lived...

The icy metal glinted in the moonlight. There was not reason for Pride to have thought Caspian would spare the child, but he had... and they had believed her. With Lust and a few of the others now inside the palace, they could not risk her identifying any of them...

Wrath needed to die, and Greed told Pride to deliver death swiftly. She always walked this way, would be upon the corner soon...

Ah! A figure moving quickly... it had to be her!

With a swift act, Pride buried the dagger into the back one of least suspecting...

Into the back of King Edmund...