"Artemis... please" 

The king raises his head at the sound of son's plea. Walking briskly without a glance behind her, the silver beauty goes to the stairs leaving Caspian to trail behind her. He watches as Navene stops the wolves from following the couple. Intrigued to find out what has happened, his feet walk over to the young man. 

Navene turns around hearing the steps behind him. Brushing Vatalanie one more time, he stands straight up before bowing to the king. Casden smiles down to the young man who remains to be a respectful. 

"Navene, should I wonder?"

Navene turns towards the directions of the stairs to hear the closing of a door. He sighs deeply turning back to the king. 

"We were attacked in the forest." At this the King goes rigid but Navene is quick to interject. "No one was hurt... well not physically." 

"Who-"

"Bounty hunters your majesty." Casden closes his eyes exhaling slowly. "But you and the prince already were aware of that." 

His eyes snap open while Navene looks to him blankly. He opens his mouth but nothing comes out. The young lad has a talent for reading people. Casden has come to realize this over the course of their stay. 

"You- You knew?"

"You and your son have a common characteristic... your eyes hold everything." 

Navene wanted to tell them they couldn't hide a secret worth a shit but figure against saying it to a royal. So he went with the more polite wording. The king's hands goes to his waist while he drops his head in embarrassment. He gives himself a minute before looking to the stairway where the young couple disappeared to. Navene turning his head in the same direction. 

"She knows?"

"She knows." 

"Love... please stop"

Artemis huffs throwing the chamber doors open fully aware that he was still following her. She goes to the far side of the room pacing while he closes the door locking it so they may not be disturbed. Tuning back around to see his wife practically fuming. He takes slow cautious steps to her. 

How long?

He sighs instantly knowing what she is asking. 

"Since the day of the doctor's execution."

She stops her pacing and drops her head. Artemis breathes deeply trying to control the anger she has bubbling inside her. Her hands forming into tight fist while she counts in her head. 

"You've lied to me Caspian"

Her words low and holding her suppressed anger... barely. Caspian goes to step to her but she yanks her arm backwards before he can make contact. Her eyes going to his with all the frustration she is feeling. He feels his heart crack at the hurt expression she is holding. His mouth opens but no words come out. 

"I-I just wanted to protect you." 

His voice hoarse feeling like sand has been dropped into his mouth. The look she is giving him utterly shattering him. 

You don't trust me

Caspian's eyes narrow at her. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. One he could not fathom to believe. 

"I trust you more than anyone"

His words getting low and defensive. Artemis' eyes narrowing at his tone but she will not back down. 

"Than you trust no one. You should have told me! What difference would it have made?!"

She finally explodes throwing her hands in the air. Her chest tightening from the anger pulling inside of her. She rubs her chest keeping her gaze on Caspian. He watches her hand before looking back up to her. Slightly startled by her outburst. He stands tall before continuing. 

"Do you have any idea how it is to see you... constantly putting yourself at risk?"

His voice holding his own frustration. He walks over to her as she backs up needing the space. He tightens his fist to his sides resisting the urge to reach out for her. His eyes still locked with her dark swirling silver eyes. 

"Do you know what it feels like to have you lying unconscious in my arms??"

She stands there listening her temper slowly slipping away. She never could tell how hard this has been for him. She stays still and Caspian can see her eyes soften. Taking the opportunity he steps forward to grip her face in his hands. Her hypnotic eyes diving deep into his soul. 

"I no longer own my heart Artemis. It beats only for you." She feels her heart beat accelerate for an entirely different reason now. "I fear if you were to die, my soul would with it." 

She closes her eyes as a few tears slip out. Caspian brushes them away with the pads of his thumbs. Her eyes blinking open to look into his emerald pair. Their faces mere inches away from each other. His breath fanning her face holding her dearly. 

"I am sorry I hid this from you... BUT I will NEVER apologize for my need to protect you and our baby." 

His hand going to press to her small bump. She smiles looking down placing her hand on top of his before looking back up. 

"You own my heart as well my prince"

Caspian's hand goes to the base of her neck yanking it forward to crash her lips to his. The kiss holding so much more intensity. His frustration showing in it. Artemis moans feeling the heat building in her. Her arms come up to wrap around his neck keeping him locked to her. She pulls away to look him straight into the eye. 

"No more hiding things from me."

"I promise" 

With that, she sealed their lips together again. Her hands entangling in his dark hair. His hands venturing all over her leaving a burn trail in its wake. She feels his hands reach for her shoulders pulling down the dress. She complies allowing the fabric to gather at her feet. Her bareness for only his eyes to see. He kneels down press his lips to her bare stomach. 

I will always cherish you Artemis

She smiles down ranking her fingers through his hair while he slowly stands back up. She tugs the end of her shirt before yanking it over his head. Her body a flamed with pure desire. Allowing her hands to run over his tone chest before ripping at his trousers wanting to touch everywhere. Caspian can feel her lust while it washes over him. All notions of an argument quickly being dismissed when her hands slip in wrapping around him. 

He groans before dropping his lips back down to hers roughly. His fight for dominance ending in victory when he cups her butt cheek giving it a squeeze. She gasp and feels her body building to a new high. Her head falls back giving him access to her delectable neck. Nibbling and sucking all over it, his marks forming for the world to see. His other hand goes south to caress her other cheek so he may lift her. Her long legs instantly wrapping around his torso as he continues his assault on the length of her neck while walking to the bed. 

Artemis flops on the bed while Caspian locks her hands to the mattress beside her head. Her body humming with the arousal currently resting against her lower lips. He begins moving his hips forwards and backwards allowing the friction to make him groan. His head dropping to her neck where his lips leave a tantalizing trail of sparks dancing on her heated skin. 

"My queen" 

His words husky and almost primitive. Artemis moans lowly as he finally slips in her. Bulking to to the hilt, her body arches off the bed. Caspian loves how her body responds to him. Her body an instrument just waiting to be played. His hand finding her breast where he grasp it loving how it has grown in size. Artemis gasp at the sensitive area being given adequate attention. 

"You will forever be mine" 

"Always Caspian" 

With that he begins slamming into her. The urge to claim her overtakes him. Their bodies both moving in sync. Two halves of a whole finding each other. The evening spun in the sheets of the bed. No one daring to disturb the couple. 

Hours later they lay bare with a thin sheet draped over them as their bodies remained entangled. Artemis draped over his chest with her breast pressed to his stomach. Her leg thrown over his while his hand is running through her silk silver strands. Both relaxed after several exhilarating rounds wearing them out. Artemis can not stop thinking about what Caspian said earlier. She turns her head with her chin pressed to his chest making his eyes lock with her. 

"I will attempt to watch how much healing I do" 

"Thank yo-"

"But... You need to trust that I would never put myself or our child at risk."

He cups her cheek seeing her sincerity making him nod his head. Leaning forward he presses a tender kiss to her forehead. 

"I'm sorry love"