Chapter XLVIII - The Oath of the Eighth-3

Caspian is looking amused as we exchange glances from time to time. Sometimes we're lost in each other's eyes; lost in our own little world where no one else exists. "Caspian, I've sent the suit to your room," says Queen Sophia suddenly, addressing his son for the first time this evening. "You will wear that suit to the ceremony tomorrow." His body goes rigid all of a sudden. His face turns to stone. Caspian lifts his head up to face his mother. "I will wear the suit I already have for the occasion." "No, you will match Lady Celeste. I requested the suit to be made especially for the ceremony," she says calmly but firmly. I can feel his burning rage growing and the red-hot fire flaring in my chest. Black is rapidly swallowing the green pupil and the white of his eyes. I lift my hand to touch the top of his gently. As soon as my skin touches his, I feel the heat cools down, somewhat. He's still angry but he's in control again. His eyes cleared. "I've lost my appetite. Please excuse me, father, ladies, and gentlemen." He snatches the napkin off his lap and tosses it onto his plate. The chair scrapes back with a grating sound as he stands up. The guard hastily opens the door for him before he storms out. I stare at the door, stunned. That was quick and...unexpected. A few seconds later, the door swings open again and the angry Prince strides in. He grabs my wrist and drags me out with him. I expect the queen to yell or scream for him to stop but she's strangely quiet. I chance a quick glance before we exit the room. She's staring after us but instead of anger, she has a strange speculative look on her face. Caspian takes me to an icy stone gazebo out in the garden and buries his face in my neck, breathing me in. His arms around me keep me warm despite the frozen temperature. "I swear, mother is set to push my every button to drive me crazy. It didn't use to be this way," he says with his face still pressed against my skin. We stay like that until I hear footsteps approaching. I relaxed when I catch their scents. Lazarus, Constantine, and Darius. "I wish I could stay with you longer, Moya Printsessa," Caspian says, looking above my head at our three brothers. "But I have to go." "Where are you going?" "We set up a meeting with Chamberlain. Remember the youngest member of the Royal Advisor who advised us to come back sooner? He has some urgent matter to discuss with us." "Okay. Be safe," I tell not only him, but also Darius, Constantine, and Lazarus who are now standing close by. The four of them walk me back to the Palace's entrance where Günter is already waiting. "Remember, please don't go wandering around by yourself, my love," he reminds me again before he kisses me on the forehead. Then they're gone into the night. ***** I pace around in our bedchamber, rubbing my chest. Caspian, where are you? Something is wrong. I can feel it. I was just dozing off when this strange jolt deep in our bond woke me up. The sound of knocking on the door makes me jump. "Quincy! Are you in there? Open the door." Genesis's voice is faint from the other side of the door. Genesis, Serena, and Penny rush in as soon as I open the door. "Something's not right," I tell them and all of them nod in agreement. "We can feel it," Serena says. "I think they're in danger. I can't shake the feeling," I tell them. "I think we need to go to them." They all agree and Penny says, "I don't want the guards to follow us. Call me paranoid, but after the last attack, I still don't trust anybody outside our pack." "I agree," Genesis says. "The men didn't bring any guards with them either, so I don't think they want anybody to know what they're up to." "We'll have to find a way to sneak out without the guards knowing," says Serena. "The tunnel," I suggest. Penny nods her head right away. "There's a tunnel that leads to another room outside the East Wing from this room." I hear Genesis sighs. I know she really hates spiders. "But first, let's get changed," suggests Serena. I have to agree because all of us are now in our pajamas. "We'll meet back here in my bedchamber in five," I tell them. They show up in mine and Caspian's room less than five minutes later and we're all dressed quite similarly in jeans, sweater, boots and hair in ponytails or braids. The feeling of doom increases in my chest. "Okay, let's go."