Becoming a Lioness (Book 2)

Chapter 2 Pirates

I awoke the next morning to the sound of birds chirping. The sunlight pooled at the bottom of my ajar curtains and made a stream of light across the floor.

I sat up slowly and stretched before tossing back the curtains and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. I stood and straightened my night gown, walking slowly towards my private bathroom. I brushed my teeth with the make- shift toothbrush and splashed some cool water on my face.

The entire bathroom system was extremely impressive. There was a series of hollow vines that carried water throughout the castle and emptied out into a large wooden bowl coated with a special type of leafs so the water wouldn't leak out. The toilets were sculpted and attached to a separate type of vine, and the shower water poured out of a punctured coconut shell.

I dried my face and quickly slipped into an appropriate gown and flats before running a shell brush through my hair and opening my bedroom door. The usually busy hallway was surprisingly empty and silent.

I frowned and leaned out a little further, peering down each side of the hall. Shrugging, I made my way downstairs, searching for anyone I could find. As I approached the throne room I heard someone calling my name.

"Lucy!" I smiled as she hugged me tightly. "Where is everyone?"

She poked out her bottom lip and jabbed a finger at the large door. "They won't let me in."

Just as the words left her mouth, the door swung open and Susan walked out, smiling at me briefly. Lucy frowned and hurried after her, bombarding her with questions.

Edmund hurried out after a few trusted centaurs and barely even acknowledged me not long after her. I sighed and walked in the cleared out room slowly. I stopped upon seeing Peter seated upon his throne with his head in his hands.

I walked up the steps quietly and made my way to the side of his chair. I kneeled down in front of him and propped my arms up on his legs.

He lifted his head quickly and lightly smiled as I spoke. "Hi."

He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed it, mumbling, "Hi."

"Everything okay?" I peered up at his distressed face. He shook his head twice, his blonde hair shaking as he did so.

I reached up and brushed some strands out of his face. "What happened?"

"Some pirates have been making their way around from country to country, taking out anyone and anything that they see. They raid the villages and steal what they can and early this morning they were spotted near our shores."

My mouth was agape and I shook my head. "Aslan?"

"He should be here tomorrow or late tonight."

I nodded and rose to my feet. " Is Caspian alright?"

He tensed immediately and glowered. "He's been contacted and should be arriving soon as well."

I bit back a grin and sat in his lap gently, locking my arms around his neck. "All this time and jealously still has a tendency of getting the better of you. That's a shame."

He smiled and leaned his chin on my arm. "I love you."

I laughed and rolled my eyes. "I know."