definitely this time (e.p. fanfic)

Chapter 7

(Trigger warning: violence, manifestations of post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety)

After the duel, Raina felt considerably more at ease. She felt okay again. And for a moment, she debated telling Edmund the truth. But then the words she'd have to say were words she had been dreading for the longest time. Maybe saying it would mean admitting it to herself. She wasn't sure if she would be able to handle that. But lying to Edmund, it made her feel sick.

Ever since she told him of what had been bothering her, he never left her side. Throughout the day, he was always with her, trying to make sure she was okay, and Raina couldn't help but feel warm.

'Ed, I'm fine.' She said, jokingly as he watched her from the doorway to her room. He shook his head and came in.

'I know.' He replied.

Raina turned to him with her arms crossed, eyebrow cocked.

'Well, I need to change, so shoo.' She said, as Edmund just smirked.

'I don't have to go for that, you know.' He said in a sultry voice as Raina began sputtering.

'Wh-wha n-no wh-why um I-' She couldn't string a sentence along, causing Edmund to erupt in laughter. Raina was red in the face after what Edmund proposed and she could not regain her composure.

'You're cute when you're flustered.' He said, as he walked over to her and his arms went around her waist, pulling her to him. Raina's mouth hung open, as her cheeks reddened. She buried her head in his chest, out of embarrassment as he chuckled to himself.

'Shut up.' She mumbled.

Edmund pulled away slightly, just to look into her eyes.

'Make me.' He whispered. Raina smiled slightly.

'Oh I will.' Raina purred as she began to lean in.

'Guys, we're approaching an island, we're going to check it out and-' Caspian was rambling as he entered Raina's room, stopping short at the sight of Edmund and Raina in a very...interesting position. Raina and Edmund sprang apart, not meeting each other's eyes, as Caspian tried his best to not snort.

'Oh I'm sorry, am I interrupting anything?' He asked, feigning cluelessness.

If looks could kill, Caspian would be impaled a million times by Edmund, whose gaze bore holes into Caspian's face. Lucy poked her head in the room.

'What's going on?' She asked, but when she saw the look on Raina and Edmund's faces, she nodded and smiled to herself.

'Alright lovebirds, time to go.' Lucy urged in a sarcastic tone, as her brother glared daggers at her. She simply laughed.

'Caspian, stay close, yeah? Wouldn't want Ed here to stab us both.' She sassed as she and Caspian walked out of the room. Raina shook her head and sighed.

'Remember when I said your siblings are weird?' She asked. Edmund mirrored her expression.

'They are.'

*********

The royals came across a lush green island, which surprisingly wasn't on the map. It was already dusk as the Dawn Treader approached the island.

'Looks uninhabited.' Said Caspian, as he observed the island through the telescope. Raina, Edmund and Drinian by his side.

'If the lords followed the mist East, they would have stopped here.' Raina stated.

'It could be a trap.' Drinian warned.

'Or it could hold some answers.' Edmund replied.

Raina looked at Edmund, and then at Caspian. They were thinking the same thing.