Becoming a Lioness (Book 2)

Chapter 16 Get my king back

Night fell sooner than I expected, and before I knew it, Edmund had a line of troops on deck awaiting his instructions. I glanced out at the island in the far off distance and sighed.

The evening sea breeze blew my fiery red hair in all directions as I leaned on the railing, just now realizing how hard my heart was beating. Edmunds voice snapped me out of daze and I turned my full attention to him.

"Okay troops. Reepeecheep, take everyone on your left and the second row boat. I will take everyone on your right and head out first. We're a good distance from the island, but we should reach it by sun up. Off you go."

I nodded to Trumpkin as he hurried to the second row boat and began lowering it to the water, tossing a rope ladder down as well, acting as there way down. "Maggie?"

I snapped my head toward Edmund. "Yes?"

"Keep Lucy safe. I mean I know you will, but don't let her-"

"Wait? You don't mean stay here? That's absurd!" I shouted, drawing Lucy and Susan's attention to us.

"What's the matter?" Susan called, placing a hand on Edmunds arm as her and Lucy reached us.

"I've just informed Maggie that she'll be keeping Lucy here." Edmund replied slowly, his eyes darting to me after every other word.

"What!" Lucy cried. "That's not fair! He's my brother too." She crossed her arms tightly over her chest and squinted her eyes at her siblings, causing a smile to appear momentarily on my face.

"I understand your point Luce, but you and Maggie need to stay here so you can let us know if the Pirates try to leave." Susan smiled lightly.

"And how do you expect us to do that?" I exclaimed, mimicking Lucy's arm motions. "Yell?"

"You'll let the Griffins know and they'll fly to us. When we see them, we'll know." Edmund tried to reason with us. "Okay? We'll be back as soon as possible."

I nodded stiffly and pulled Lucy away from them. "Good luck then." They both nodded and headed to the boats.

A little while later Lucy and I sat in silence on the edge of the deck, watching the outline of the row boats as they rose and fell steadily with the waves. I rose to my feet and began pacing slowly.

"Maggie-" Lucy started.

"Lucy, I really don't want to talk right now. I'm sorry, I just can't." I shook my head and ran my fingers roughly through my hair.

"No. I mean I get it, but that's not what I'm trying to tell you."

I froze in place and turned to her quickly. "What's wrong?"

She pointed up, and I gasped as my eyes locked on what she was motioning to. A griffin that I'd never seen before soared gracefully towards us, landing up on the sail. I tugged Lucy into me as a dark haired man began climbing down hastily.

"Wait." I frowned and released the young girl. "I'd know that head anywhere."

"Caspian!" Lucy screeched, throwing herself at him once he was in reach.

"What do you think your doing here?" I placed both hands on my hips.

"Relax. I thought you'd be happy to see me." He smirked, resting his hand on Lucy's shoulder.

"And whys that?"

"I just thought you wanted to go rescue Peter."

I froze, suddenly feeling a squeezing sensation in my chest. "Wh-what? Are you seriously trying to tell me that you want to help us get Peter back. Isn't he your only competition?"

He chuckled whole heartily and smiled. "Trust me, he's not my only competition. Not by far." I rolled my eyes as he threw up his hands in mock surrender. "Come on. We should arrive long before Edmund and his troops."

I glanced down at his out stretched hand, wetting my lips quickly. I darted my gaze to Lucy and met her excited eyes with my own, before squeezing them shut and reaching out, accepting Caspian's hand. Like it or not, I was getting my King back tonight.