The Queen of Narnia

Chapter Sixteen

~ Susan ~

  "It looks uninhabited," I commented, peering through the scope at the island we were approaching a couple nights later before I handed it over to Caspian so he could take a look.

  "But if the lords followed the mist east, they would have stopped here," He said, certainty in his tone as he looked through the scope.

  "Could be a trap," Drinian said.

  "Or it could hold some answers," Edmund argued. "Caspian?"

  My husband lowered the scope, a silent debate going on in his head before he spoke. "We'll spend the night on shore. Scour the island in the morning."

  I nodded in agreement. "Drinian, we'll go with two boats again."

  "Aye, your majesty."

~~~

  We set up camp on the beach, finishing just as the night settled over us. The fire in the middle of the camp we'd used to cook dinner was beginning to die down as the dozen or so of us found our own places on the beach to set down our blankets to rest. We were all spread out enough to have a little privacy as we slept, but still close enough to keep an eye out for each other. I sat on my blanket, my usual leather vest laid out beside me as I braided my hair. Caspian, who'd scouted the beach for the past hour, returned and sat down on his own blanket right next to me, a troubled look on his face.

  "What's wrong?" I asked, voice low to not disturb the others as they were falling asleep.

  He shook his head. "I just... There is a lot that rests on our success. Find the other lords. Save those people from the green mist, which we don't even know what it is."

  I watched him carefully, still braiding my hair. "I know. But you don't need to feel all the pressure alone. We're in this together, remember?"

  "My father would have been able to handle it all and more."

  "You're not your father," I said firmly, leaving my hair to cup his face. "You're a different person, Caspian. It's not fair to yourself if you keep trying to be someone you aren't."

  His eyes drifted to the sea, not looking convinced.

  "I never knew your father," I continued, bringing his attention back to me. "But I know you. And I know you're a man that any father would be proud to call his son. You protect those who trust you, you're loyal to your subjects, and you'd do anything to keep the people you care for from harm. I've seen you do all these things so many times, it's impossible for anyone to not be proud of you." I lowered my voice even more. "It's one of the many reasons why I love you."

  His gaze snapped to me completely now, and instead of replying, he leaned forward, pressing his lips against mine. I held him there for a long moment, feeling him burn against me, showing him that I'd be there, always. When we did pull back, it was only slightly, and I still felt his breath against my cheek.

  "My strength comes from my queen," he whispered, and I ran a hand through his hair.

  "Your strength comes from within," I corrected. "I only help."

  "No, Susan-"

  I smiled, cutting off his argument. "We can argue about this, or you can kiss me again."

  That got me a grin, and I felt his worries slip away as his lips met mine once more, this time slower and gentler as the urgency disappeared. It took longer for us to pull away, but small smiles stayed on our faces when we finally did.

  "Turn around," Caspian said, keeping his voice down for the others. I gave him a questioning look, but did as he said. He carefully took my half braided hair and continued on braiding it, getting to the bottom the way I liked but was unable to. I'd considered cutting my hair so often because of how I could barely manage it, but he was always insistent that I kept it.

  "Thank you," I muttered when he finished as he slipped his arms around my waist, pulling me back towards him.

  "Mhm," He replied, burying his face in the crook of my neck. I wove my fingers through his hair, which wasn't tied up at all, appreciating how close he held me.

  "We should probably sleep like the others," I sighed. "We don't know what lies ahead tomorrow."

  "Always the voice of reason, my queen," I felt him smile against my skin, and he lay down, taking me with him. The fire had just burned out, but the cool night never had a chance to set in, not between my husband and the blanket he tugged on top of us. Despite everything, I found myself falling asleep much faster than I had all week.