During his second stay in Narnia, Edmund had decided that the library was his favourite room. Not necessarily because it was the room in which knowledge would impart into him, but it was the only room in the castle where the other two kings were forced to be quiet. Their arguments had to be whispered, so they had less effect and Edmund found he was able to ignore them.

 

Caspian was sitting across from him, leafing through a book, looking rather bored. He kept glancing at Edmund surreptitiously, unaware that Edmund let very little past him. The Telmarine looked troubled, and Edmund found himself asking the question that Peter had been using to drive him mad.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

Caspian started slightly, and Edmund could not help but think that the rather shocked expression was very cute. Caspian looked at him and Edmund simply raised a brow, waiting for an explanation. Over his many years as king, Edmund had discovered that it was often better just to wait and allow someone to gather their thoughts, instead of drilling them relentlessly.

 

“It is just that…” Caspian stood abruptly and went to the window, looking out at the beauty of Narnia.

 

“Just what?” Edmund prompted when Caspian remained silent.

 

“Your sister is very beautiful.”

 

Edmund’s heart clenched painfully, but he forced out, “Indeed.”

 

“But,” Caspian continued, “I do not think that I love her.” He glanced back at Edmund, searching for any kind of response, and Edmund found himself quite speechless. He stood and went to Caspian, placing a gentle hand on his arm, ignoring how the muscles stiffened in his grip.

 

“Only you can tell what you feel,” he finally ventured. Caspian smiled at him and Edmund could not help but smile back. Shifting his body so that they were face to face, Caspian reached out and put a hand on Edmund’s arm. The look in his eyes was so intense that Edmund could not look away. Their bodies drew closer and Edmund could feel his heart hammering in his chest as Caspian’s breath ghosted over his face. He found himself tilting his head back to maintain eye contact when the gorgeous Telmarine pulled him even closer.

 

A loud bang sounded and they jerked apart, recomposing themselves as Peter and Lucy came into view. Lucy was laughing as Peter gave her a piggyback with a grin on his face. The grin faded slightly as he saw Edmund and Caspian standing in front of him, both looking awkward.

 

Letting Lucy down and straightening, Peter said, “It’s a fine day. Why are you both indoors?”

 

“Well-” Caspian began. He paused, glancing at Edmund.

 

“Are you all right, Ed?” Peter asked. Edmund just nodded, having given up on getting Peter to stop questioning him.

 

“Peter, I found my book!” said the ever-cheerful Lucy, brandishing it proudly.

 

“Good on you, Lu,” Peter said, his gaze darkening to a glare at Caspian.

 

“Come on,” Lucy chirped. Peter obediently bent down so that Lucy could climb onto his back, still glaring at Caspian. At Lucy’s command, he left, throwing a last, dark look as Caspian over his shoulder. Edmund stared after them, his heart still pounding.

 

“It is a fine day,” Caspian said, looking over at Edmund. “How about a walk?”

 

“Yes, all right,” said a flustered Edmund, allowing Caspian to lead him down the stairs and through the corridors until they made it into the garden. Caspian’s grip remained on his arm, and Edmund found himself smiling up at him, realising in that moment that Caspian was considerably taller than him. He found himself wishing that Caspian would take him into his arms, instead of just the light touch that he was acutely aware of.

 

“Your brother is very protective of you,” said Caspian. The warmth of his hand on Edmund’s skin was warming his whole body and sending butterflies to his stomach.

 

“I know. He’s even worse with me than he is with the girls,” Edmund laughed, gazing up into the dark eyes that portrayed so much emotion, yet were so guarded.

 

“Why is that?”

 

Edmund faltered slightly, smile fading. Memories flooded him again and he found the ever-present guilt worming itself into his heart again. The warmth from Caspian’s touch was replaced by memories of a hand as cold as ice, taking everything from him.

 

“I am sorry. I did not mean to pry,” Caspian said quickly, looking genuinely concerned. His beautiful eyes pierced Edmund once more, causing his heart to stop then begin beating anew; a rhythm swayed by the pounding of Caspian’s heart.

 

“No, it’s all right. Surely you’ve heard of my meeting with the White Witch?” Edmund said. He felt that he could not deny anything to Caspian; not when the other man was looking at him like that. An inquisitive look on the tanned face, while his eyes portrayed his gentle side.

 

“Yes, I have heard a little.”

 

“Peter’s overprotective instincts surfaced after she stabbed me. I think my near death was enough to make him worry for the rest of his life.” Caspian’s grip tightened on his arm, nearly bruising him as Edmund was drawn closer to him protectively. Edmund felt as though he was breathing in the essence of Caspian as his scent washed over him. A shiver ran down his spine as Caspian pulled him even closer, as though he intended to shield him from the world.

 

“I understand that,” Caspian murmured.

 

“And what about you? Any particularly dramatic events that I should know about?” Edmund said, his grin lightening the mood.

 

“Of course,” Caspian replied, “I ran away from home under the threat of death, only to be kidnapped by insane dwarves and a very fussy badger.”

 

Laughing lightly, Edmund replied, “I am sure that the badger’s cruelty was traumatising. With the amount of times a day he’d feed you and all.”