Peter's side of the bed is long cold when I rise. The doors to the balcony are open, and the gauzy curtains flutter softly on the breeze. I ring the bell beside the bed and set about washing my face before Ephe comes in.

Just as I'm seating myself at my vanity Ephe breezes through the door. Her long white hair is spotted with delicate braids and tiny charms intertwined in the strands. Her ochre skin is radiant in the morning sun.

"Good morning, your Highness." She smiles.

"Good morning Ephe." I yawn and gaze at my reflection.

I remember back to the pale complexion of my youth and the waxy look my skin took on in Jadis' captivity. Even after all these years, I still think about it.

Even when my hair has grown, and my skin has darkened to its original golden tan, I can still feel the remnants of that time.

"What's on the agenda for today?" I ask as Ephe starts styling my hair.

"With the Kings and Queens on the hunt, you have few obligations; the architects do want to meet with you about the re-designs for the repaired rooms in the east wing, and the healer wishes to see you."

Instinctively I rub my hand against the plane of my stomach.

"When do you think you'll tell him?" Ephe prods gently.

"It's early Ephe, but soon, very soon, depending on what the healer has to say."

"He'll be thrilled."

"I know, it's just that we've waited for this for so long; I don't want to tell him only for something to go wrong." I worry at my lip.

Almost ten years of marriage and only now have the gods decided to grace us with a child. The healers insist it is because of my longevity; based on my mother's age and my father's when he passed, I could live another two hundred years, maybe more. Or I would have, had I not bound my life to Peter's.

Some say the soul-tie is superstitious, but I have no doubt of its efficacy. We shall not live without the other.

While I certainly didn't inherit my mother's fertility, I can only hope I did inherit her good health.

"All done, my lady, let me help you dress."

Wandering through the marble halls of Cair Paravel is often like being in my own small world. The palace is so extensive you could walk countless hallways before passing another living soul. The architects were satisfied and the healers had sent me on my way with the clear message that all was well. With the kings and queens on their hunt, I was content to walk.

The sun had passed its peak almost two hours before I stepped onto one of the large balconies. West facing, it was flooded in sunlight, softening from the harsh white of midday to the more orange tones of the afternoon.

The pendant of my necklace feels pleasantly warm against my breastbone as I soak in the sun

"Your father will be so happy you're finally here." I smile.

With no one around, I talk to the baby aloud, though really, so early on, it's simply talking to myself.

"Whether you are a boy or a girl, you are so loved, little one."

The breeze off the water picks up and rustles the skirts of my gown. My necklace and the stone of my bracelets continue to heat.

"And Aslan will decide if you are to be the next ruler; he is wise and powerful, my love; he will love you, too."

As I reach the balcony railing, I feel a dull pressure deep in my chest.

Strange.

A side effect may be. I let myself gaze out at the crystal bay, hoping to calm whatever nerves are making me feel this way. The thought crosses my mind that perhaps I should sit, or go back inside, or call for some water.

But my feet don't move. My body won't listen.

The stones of my jewellery grow hotter and hotter until I'm sure they'll burn me. Hotter still until they feel as though they're melting through my very skin.

I can't scream, I can't see, I can barely think.

Still, my feet stay stuck; it feels as though my muscles have turned to stone. It feels like the many nightmares of Jadis turning me to stone with her magic.

The pain in my chest swells and swells until it feels like there is nothing left of me to give. My entire being is consumed only with this feeling of utter torment.

Has it been minutes or hours? Days or years?

It's all too much, I can't take anymore. My body feels as though its being shred apart, my soul ravaged and sheared into a thousand pieces.

Something snaps, and the light is too bright to bear.

To Be Continued...