definitely this time (e.p. fanfic)

Chapter 10

The voices swarmed her. Echoes of misery, anger, and loss reverberate off the walls of her mind. Echoes that she could've changed the ending, but she didn't. That she chose that. But then seeing the broken eyes of the boy she would trust with her life, it changed her.

The Umbra Regem may be wrong about a lot of things. He may be wrong about the past, with her parents and her nightmares and so on. But he was right about one thing.

That she was a liar, who didn't deserve Edmund.

Raina jolted upright, eyes wide, head pounding, chest heaving and hands shaking. Tears were in her eyes, as she squeezed her eyes shut to expel those thoughts. A sob escaped her lips, soft yet so pained and agonising. She spent years hiding her emotions and now they were just wrenched out of her. She didn't even take time to pat herself on the back for standing up for herself, even if it was in her nightmare. She never did it before, and she did for the first time.

Arms wrapped around her in a tight embrace, as Raina sobbed quietly. Soothing words were uttered, as she slowly calmed down. As they pulled away, Lucy placed her hands on Raina's shoulders and faced her with a concerned expression.

'It's okay. We're here. It's all okay.' She said, calmly before embracing her again. Raina buried her head in Lucy's shoulder, ever so grateful for her. Lucy was definitely the sister she never had. Raina pulled away, with a grateful smile.

'Thanks Lu. Passing out seems to be my new thing now heh.' Raina poked fun at herself, to which Lucy crossed her arms with a tight-lipped smile.

'Of course. What else did I expect?' She said, playfully annoyed as Raina flashed an innocent look at her. Just then Caspian came forward, hands on his hips, a stern look on his face.

'Whatever happened to being careful?' He asked, eyebrow cocked. Raina got up from where she was passed out, and looked Caspian dead in the eye.

'That's a funny way of saying 'thank you'. You know, for making sure youse weren't stabbed by spears. You'd be a kebab if not for me.' She said, sweetly. The stern look was wiped off Caspian's face. Raina crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow at him.

'You're welcome.' She sassed as Caspian gave her a sheepish look before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Raina smiled as she leaned into him.

'Ahem.'

Someone cleared their throat, as Raina turned around to see it came from...Eustace?

'Hello? I'm not chopped liver.' He snapped. Raina eyebrows shot up.

'I'm sorry?'

'Eustace actually noticed something was wrong earlier.' Caspian clarified. Raina thought back earlier, and turned to Eustace in realisation. Eustace's face softened at the gratitude on her face. She walked towards him, a small smile on her face.

'Eustace, thank you. Really, I'm very grateful.' Raina said, sincerely. Her eyes sparkled with gratitude and that melted his hard demeanour.

'N-no worries, Raina.' He replied in a small voice.

'Eustace Scrubb stuttering? Oh the gods have truly blessed us.'

Edmund emerged, a cocky smile etched on his face as he approached his cousin.

'Oh shut up, cousin.' Eustace snapped. Edmund's smile did not waver.

'This is truly a moment for the history books. Unlike your school hygiene awards.' Edmund sassed, as Eustace scowled.

'I understand you're jealous, cousin Edmund. It would bode well for you to learn something from me.' Eustace retorted, haughtily as Caspian and Lucy tried not to laugh. Raina, on the other hand, watched the pair with pure amusement.