Page 92 of War Queen
What wasright? Claiming the child? Loving it? Pretending it didn’t exist for the sake of his duty? But he nodded.
The commander gripped the top of Caspian’s breastplate and pulled him close. The dark pools of his eyes searched Caspian’s. Weakness—he was looking for weakness. “Is your mind right?” he asked again.
Caspian would have to figure it out. And quickly. He nodded again. “Yes.”
“Get something to eat,” the commander said, releasing him. “We’re leaving.”
Before the sun had fully risen, they were on their way. Norah seemed in high spirits as she rode; no doubt excitement was coursing through her in returning home. Caspian was happy for her. She deserved it, especially after everything she’d been through.
After the endless day, the sun set too soon, and they reached the Uru. Caspian’s heart pulsed in his chest. They dismounted, and he followed closely behind Norah into the village.
As they neared the center house, he almost stumbled as he caught sight of Tahla approaching. Behind her, an Urun woman followed holding a small bundle in her arms.
“Tahla!” Norah exclaimed.
The daughter of the chief smiled. “Salara.”
Norah hurried forward in excitement. “Let me see!”
Tahla laughed as she turned to the woman who held the infant. She took the child from the woman’s arms and held it to Norah. “His name is Katakah.”
Caspian’s chest tightened. Tahla had borne a son. He had a son.Katakah.
Norah smiled as she took the boy into her arms. “Hello, Katakah Otay,” she cooed. Then she glanced up at Tahla. “He’s got your eyes.”
Tahla smiled. “Yes, he does. Come, let’s get something for you to eat.”
The words between the women blurred together. All Caspian could think about was the child. His child.He stepped forward but a hand gripped his arm, stopping him.
The lord commander. “You’ll wait,” the commander told him.
Caspian watched the women, his head spinning. Suddenly, Tahla’s eyes locked with his. And she smiled. Then she turned and walked toward the center house with Norah.
He stood in a daze. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t breathe. The lord commander said something to him, but he didn’t understand.
“Caspian,” the lord commander’s voice came more sternly.
Caspian looked at him.
“Settle the men and go to your accommodations.”
He nodded.
“Are you well, Lord Justice?” Bhastian asked as Caspian walked back toward the men.
Lord Justice.Caspian had almost forgotten. He felt so unworthy of the name. So unworthy of the title Alexander had once held. Unworthy of the title of father. He nodded, but he wasn’t well.
He never imagined himself a father. Of course, he had dreamed, but it was never a life he’d dared to expect. Most soldiers married. Lord justices married. But there was only one woman he wanted, and she was beyond his reach. Now he had a son. And while joy sprang from every fiber of his being, so did an overwhelming sadness. Would he be able to be a father to the boy? Would the child even know him?
He worked numbly through his duties. He found himself in the house the Uru had provided without remembering the activity. Had he done everything? Food had been left on the table, but he couldn’t eat. He paced the room. Would Tahla come to him? Would she bring the boy? He had to see him.
Night came, and Tahla didn’t. He finally sat on the edge of the bed. But he knew he wouldn’t sleep.
A knock on the door made him jump to his feet, and he swung it open. Only it wasn’t Tahla. His heart fell. It was the lord commander.
“Come with me,” the commander said.
Caspian, his pulse racing, followed Soren through the darkness to a large house off the mainway. The commander opened the door, but he didn’t enter. He only waited for Caspian to step inside, then closed it behind him, leaving Caspian alone in the house.
