The sound of trumpets ring throughout the kingdom. Everyone within walking distance hearing them, all emerge from their homes to look. It is now early morning and the memory of last time arriving back at the castle invades Artemis' thoughts. She shutters at the thought of Caspian, wondering if he is alright.

She slows her horse to stop him from entering the gates. The King leading the men while chains are wrapped around their captive's neck and wrists. He was made to walk the journey. His chains being yanked whenever he would begin to voice his thoughts. Navene rhode in the back next to his guardian's side.

Artemis, do tell what troubles you?

She turns to glance over her shoulder. Kaleo had decided to make sure no more harm came before leaving her. This included him following her back to the castle. He flew for some time before deciding to trudge the ground behind her.

Past memories Kaleo... I am safe, please give my love to you mother and sister.

Kaleo bows his head taking this as his dismissal. His wings whipping to get him air born. Artemis takes a shaky breath before entering the gates. The crowd in full gathering around the arrival of their king and the guards with the prisoner. Their eyes looking to him before the sound of the gates lowering makes them turn to Artemis. A roar of claps and praises begins tumbling from the crowd. A warm feeling spreading throughout Artemis' heart for these people.

She allows the horse to slowly move through the crowd as they raise their hands to praise her. She reaches down taking some of the hands making more come to gather around her. The king watches on proudly at the beautiful woman who is smiling to his people and treating them as equals.

"Let me through!"

The king turns around hearing his son's voice. He pushes through the guards to find his queen sitting upon the horse. The villagers surrounding her as if she was a god. He stops by his dad's side with tears in his eyes. His dad grips his shoulder momentarily.

"My King?"

He turns around to find his wife holding her palm to her mouth to stop from sobbing. He steps away from his son to gather his queen in his arms. Cassandra wrapping her arms around his leg hugging him tightly.

Artemis looks up to find the king hugging his wife and the young princess. Her eyes drift down to lock with her beloved. She gets down from her horse still looking into his mesmerizing eyes. She begins slowly walking to him before she sees the tears in his eyes. Her legs move faster before she lunges into him. His arms locked around her as he criess against her. Her own eyes watering grateful to be back with him. His hands firmly locked on her back and her shoulders. His body shaking as he attempts to calm his emotions. His relief flooding his body.

I love you Caspian

He chuckles refusing to release her. Her words dripping of honey in his mind. If it is possible, it only served in him tightening his hold on her.

As I love you Artemis

He leans back just enough to look into the silver irises he has missed. Her face covered in a light film of dirt and sweat. She is still the most beautiful thing to Caspian. He grips her neck before locking his lips to hers. The spark in him turning into a roaring fire upon the contact. The crowds applauds and cheers breaking him apart from the moment.

They turn their heads to see the entire crowd cheering for them making Artemis blush. She ducks her head in his chest and just now realizes she is still in her ballgown. Caspian chuckles at her shyness.

"Welcome back our kingdom's hero- Lady Artemis!"

The crowd roars again at the king's praise. Artemis feels a body rubbing her dress. She looks down to see Vatalanie. She instantly drops to her knees wrapping her arms around the wolf who rubs his head against her.

You are loved Artemis

She pulls back looking to Vatalanie with glistening eyes. She stands up to greet the queen and king. Walking up with Caspian's hand still coiled around her, she smiles to the royal couple. Queen Analee throws her arms open to gather Artemis to her.

"Thank heaven's you are safe."

Her soft words sounding like a true mother to Artemis. The waiver in her voice tugging at Artemis' heart. She nods her head at the queen. Analee steps back just enough to kiss her forehead tenderly. Artemis smiles closing her eyes in comfort.

"Thank you for your welcome back to the future queen."

Everyone looks to Caspian who is now directed to the crowd. His voice ringing throughout all. Artemis is still standing by the queen's side.

"We would like for you all to know that everyone will be coming to the wedding that will be held soon!"

The crowd claps loudly as Artemis blushes stepping back to her prince's side. The king motions to the guards to bring in the prisoner. His grunts of pain going unnoticed by the cheering crowd. He saunters in surrounded by the men. The king directs the people to return to their mornings before directing his wife and daughter in. Navene and Goliath following them in.

Caspian takes the moment to attack Artemis in a hunger filled kiss. Artemis equally returning the passion. Her fingers gripping his hair for support while the heat erupts between them. Caspian is half way tempted to run them to his chambers locking them away to have his wicked way with her.

My prince

He groans hearing her voice dancing in his mind. He presses on her harder if possible. Their lips devouring each other. Artemis begins feeling the familiar muscle tightening in her. Her hair begins to shine and her arm illuminating. Caspian pulls back feeling her body heat rising. His eyes widen seeing her glowing form. Her chest rising and falling rapidly while her lips are swollen. Caspian groans attempting to calm down. They are standing at the steps to the castle, anyone could see.

"My love, we must stop.."

Artemis gulps and nods her head. Her mind still foggy. She closes her eyes taking steady breaths making her body return to normal.

"You will be mine... soon"

"I am already yours."

Caspian growls before turning to have them walk into the castle. His primitive side loving her submission to him. She is giving her entire self to him and he couldn't be happier. This however was not the time. They had to deal with the mad king.

Walking into the grand hall, they come to find only two guards, his parent's and the pack in the room. His hand still locked with hers, he walks them to the front to stand next to his parent's. The King and queen perched in their thrones. The pack sitting in a defensive line in front of the royal couple. Goliath taking his rightful spot back next to his mistress. Vatalanie standing next to Artemis' side growling lowly at the man knelt in the middle of the room.

The mad king doesn't dare to raise his head knowing he has lost. He will be joining his family soon enough. King Casden looking upon him with simmering hatred for the man.

"As I have said, your death will not be swiftly. You have threatened my family, my people, and my daughter in law."

Artemis feels a smile tug at her lips at his words. Casden then stands up from his throne turning to Vatalanie. The she-wolf looking to the king who graciously bows to one knee. Vatalanie steps to him bowing her head respectfully. The king looks up to see the wolf before petting her head. His mouth getting close to her ear.

"He is yours Vatalanie."

Vatalanie perks up before King Casden stands to his height gesturing towards the prisoner. She turns looking to the man who threatened her protected. Slowly sauntering through her pack walking like hunter to their prey.

Artemis watches on knowing this is the way of her pack. She doesn't cringe when Vatalanie lunges at the man. The guards turning their heads to not look as the hear the cracking of his bones. His screams from the flesh being ripped off of him making the queen close her eyes. Her hand gripping the king who watches on to the merciless killing. Caspian holding onto his beloved who doesn't seemed fazed.

It only takes about 15 minutes for Vatalanie to lift up from the scattered corpse coated in thick blood. The guards take that as their queue to release the chains. They do not look down at the body but look to the King who motions they may leave. Swiftly making their exit, the king turns to his wife lifting her hand as he stands. She only looks to him as they also leave the great hall. Caspian turns to follow them out but Artemis steps away going to the remains laying on the floor. The prince watches on in confusion as the wolves encircle around her and the corpse.

Artemis begins to feel her hand heat up, she closes her eyes allowing her mind to remember everything he put her through. The hatred igniting the flame she wanted. Her hand directs the fire to the body letting it burn.

Caspian watches on is shock. His jaw practically on the floor watching his beloved perform some sorcery to scorch the remains. A minute later she turns to look at him and her eyes no longer the silver he has come to love but a crimson red. She closes her eyes breathing deeply before reopening them to see her metallic pools. He walks slowly to gather her in his arms.

"You are just full of wonder my queen"

She smiles thankful he is not fearful of her new power. She takes his hand leading him out of the chambers. The flames simmering before going out... leaving only ashes in it's wake. Walking the halls to his chambers with his love next to him, he feels relieved that she is now safe.

Entering their chambers he closes the doors before any of the wolves can enter. Artemis giggles as he quickly turns wrapping his arms around her. His lips dipping down to hers pecking multiple times as he backs her to the bed. Them both falling on it giggling. The moment feeling serene while allowing last nights events fade from thoughts.

"I wish to hold you and sleep... I did not rest last night without you here."

"Nor did I my love..."

She turns her back to him as he coils around her spooning her into his firm chest. They both relax into the bed allowing the tiredness to finally catch up to them.