The next couple of days were relatively calm. Raina didn't know how to talk to Edmund after she discovered his deepest fear. Truth be told, she needed to not feel guilty, and being in his presence would just remind her of what she did to him; what she was doing to him.

She shuddered as the dim reality of her actions set in. It was a polarising feeling; on one hand, she's hurting Edmund by hiding things from him, but on the other, she's simply trying to protect herself, from reliving the trauma she experienced a hair under three years ago. But who cares, when you're hurting someone you have feelings for?

Raina was in her room at Coriakin's mansion, as Lucy worked on taming her hair.

'Good god, why don't you braid them before you sleep? They're more tangled and messed up than me.' Lucy sassed as she tried to take out the knots in Raina's hair. She turned around and flashed an offended expression at Lucy.

'I prize sleep over all else, Lucy Pevensie. You must acquaint yourself with this fact.' Raina said, gravely. Lucy burst out laughing, as did Raina. The girls' laughs reverberated off the walls of the room, just as Gael scuttled in, a worried look on her face.

'Your majesties! I thought I heard..' She said, timidly, before curtsying.

'Gael, please, call us Lucy, and Raina. And also, soon enough, you'll get to know we're not as regal as we appear to be.' Lucy mused, as Raina chuckled.

'She's right, we're just two teenagers, who do dumb things from time to time. You get used to it.' Raina commented, as Gael giggled. Raina couldn't help but smile, because to be fair, Gael was adorable. Raina reached her hands out and gestured to come over to them. Gael ran up to them, and sat down on Raina's bed, as Raina wrapped an arm around her.

'Do you have any siblings?' Lucy asked. Gael shook her head.

'No, it's just me and my parents..' Gael said, sadly as she began to think about her mother. Raina felt herself grow emotional, as she hugged Gael, tightly. She turned to Lucy, who was watching, awkwardly.

'And what might you be waiting for? Get over here!' Raina laughed, as Lucy pounced on their hug, as they swayed on the bed.

As they pulled away, Gael suddenly faced Lucy and Raina, with a slightly unsure and worried expression.

'Can I ask you something?'

Lucy eyed Raina, warily before turning to Gael.

'Of course. What is it?'

Gale nervously fiddled with her fingers, as she swallowed. She looked down, and cleared her throat, nervously.

'H-how do you know if a b-boy likes y-you?' She stuttered out. Raina's eyebrows shot up, as Lucy pasted on an amused expression.

'Hmm..and who is this boy?' Lucy asked in a feigned clueless voice. Raina tried to restrain her laughter. Gael's cheeks flushed red, as she nervously played with her fingers.

'H-his name is Ollie. He lives n-next door to me.' Gael said, in a small voice. Raina couldn't help but melt at Gael's adorable nervousness.

'Ollie, is it?' Lucy said, amused. Raina observed Gael, who began stuttering again.

'Y-yes, Ol-Ollie.'

Raina spoke up next.

'Well, are you friends with him?'

Gael carefully looked up at Raina.

'Yes, I-I think so. He gave me a really pretty card on my birthday. We've been friends for a year now.' She replied in a small voice. Internally, Raina felt her heart melt, as did Lucy.

'D-do you think h-he likes me?' Gael asked again, shyly. Raina pulled Gael closer to her, and ruffled her hair.

'Well, I wouldn't put it past him. But my question is, do you like him?' Raina mused, as Gael flushed red. She nervously looked around everywhere, as Lucy burst into laughter.

'Oh me oh my, I suddenly feel like I'm 8 again, and I got a crush on my next door neighbour. Graham was his name.' Lucy spoke in between laughs and Raina joined in, and soon Gael smiled too.

'I think I have a crush on Ollie...' Gael said, quietly, flushing a deep red as Raina and Lucy wrapped her in a massive hug.

'Awww I'm so happy for you!!' Raina squealed in a girly voice as Lucy got off the bed and started prancing around joyfully.

'When we get back, you should tell him!' Lucy said, ecstatic, but her demeanour quickly changed as she realised. Raina looked at Lucy, worriedly before turning to Gael, who also went silent and still.

'We will find your mum, and we will get back.' Raina said, sincerely. Gael looked up at her, tears building in her eyes.

'How do you know?'

Raina took a deep breath.

'Because we have to.' Raina turned to Lucy, resolute.

'And we will do everything to make sure of it.'

*********

'Your Excellency! May I have a word?' Coriakin's voice called out from the corridor. Raina tamed her hair into a simple high ponytail as she turned to him.

'Coriakin please, call me Raina, I abhor formalities.' Raina replied as Coriakin smiled. He walked forward, a velvet pillow in his arms, with a cloth covering it. Raina eyed it, curiously.

'What's this?' She asked.

Coriakin lifted the cloth off the pillow revealing a simple but beautiful gold headpiece, with leaf designs covered with diamonds? Raina gawked at it as it practically glowed before her eyes. It was as if someone shone a light on it, making it glow with an otherworldly light.

'Please don't say this to anyone, but I would trade my crown for this anyday.' Raina whispered, as Coriakin burst into laughter.

'You are a funny one, Raina.' He spoke between laughs.

'Well, back to the point. This headpiece, whose ancient name is Venus' Crux, was actually given to you at the dawn of time by Aslan. It is to help you center your powers, and so I feel it would be of great help to you right now.' Coriakin explained.

'I know we have done as much as we could to help you gain access to your powers again, but I think this should help you further.'

Raina eyed the headpiece closely, as it glowed in her presence.

'Is this also one of the ancient artifacts that glow when I'm around?' She asked, sarcastically as Coriakin smiled, amusedly, getting very used to Raina's sarcastic responses.

'You could say that. Aslan entrusted it to me after you were teleported to the world of the Kings and Queens of Old. He warned that one day you will need this.' Coriakin explained.

Raina took it in and shrugged.

'Please.' Coriakin gestured to the headpiece.

'He's not wrong. The one power I need for this, is the one I still don't have access to and I don't even know how I'm supposed to access it.' Raina groaned.

'Maybe you need to look back.'

Rain and Coriakin turned to see Edmund standing in the doorway, a far off look on his face.

'Okay, what does that mean?' Raina asked, feeling anxiety bubbling in her. She'd been avoiding him for a while, and facing those brown eyes made her heart skip a beat and her throat dry. Edmund walked a few steps forward before speaking.

'Think of how you used to be the last time you were here. Something might be missing.' Edmund explained. It still seemed very cryptic and vague.

'His Majesty has a point.' Coriakin piped up. 'You were a different person the last time you came to Narnia. I'm not saying turn back into that person, but find what's missing.'

Raina huffed in frustration.

'Guys, that's all well and good, but how do I find something, if I don't know what it is?' Raina asked, slightly annoyed. Edmund sighed as Coriakin mulled it over.

'In the meantime, Raina, I think it bode well if you wore this at all times.' Coriakin gestured to Venus' Crux still seated comfortably on the maroon velvet pillow. Edmund's eyes widened in awe as he took in the gold headpiece. He looked to Raina before looking down again.

'May I?' Edmund asked, eyeing Venus' Crux. Raina gulped as she faced him.

'Sure.' She said, shortly, trying to hide the fact that her throat was dry. Edmund then carefully lifted the headpiece out and walked closer in order to place it on Raina's head. The two of them were inches apart and it seemed as though Coriakin had left the room, which he did actually. Edmund went still as he stared into Raina's eyes. His heartbeat sped up, even as alarm bells were going off in his head, by facing the only other person who knew his deepest fear. But at that moment, all he cared about was her.

Raina met his gaze and shivered as his dark brown orbs bore into her own. It's amazing how someone can have this sort of an effect on you without doing anything. Her heart ached to be near him, to be with him, but her head yelled at her to stay composed, and so she did. Edmund cleared his throat and gently placed Venus' Crux on Raina's head, which fit perfectly, as her brunette waves billowed beneath it.

Edmund always wondered how Raina was so effortlessly beautiful. He wondered how he was ever lucky enough to be with her, however brief it was. Venus' Crux somehow made her glow with a kind of beauty no one could ever possess, not of intimidation or fear, but of warmth, and kindness.

Of love.

Raina gulped as her heart went to war with her mind. Tell him! Tell him how you feel! You know it! Her heart screams, just as her mind interjects. You've hurt him way too much, and you're hurt too! Put yourself first for once.

Edmund wordlessly wrapped his arms around her, resting his head on hers. Raina wordlessly leaned into him, just wanting to be near him. She could hear her mind warn her to pull away, and protect herself. This can't end well. You need to put yourself first and protect yourself.

But what if putting herself first meant telling him the truth?

********

'What is going on with you and King Edmund, Raina?'

'Oh for the love of all that is holy, Coriakin, NOTHING!!' Raina groaned as Coriakin amusedly prodded her about her little moment with the Just King. It appears Coriakin had chanced upon her and Edmund embracing after all that had happened. Coriakin may be getting up in age, but who's invulnerable to a little piece of gossip about the royals?

'I'm just saying, Raina, if there's something to be said, it must be said.' Coriakin mused, as Raina came to a stop on the field where they were walking, and faced him with a playfully annoyed expression.

'Coriakin. Respectfully, speak more of this, and you might find yourself dangling 50 feet off the ground, upside down, during a snowstorm.' Raina said, sweetly.

A normal person would quake in their boots and hide in the sand when against a goddess like Raina. But Coriakin had other plans as a mischievous grin appeared on his face. He cracked his knuckles and stepped back.

'I'll take that challenge.'

Raina's eyes widened, confused.

'Consider this your final exam.' Coriakin continued, just as his right palm glowed and a sudden wind blew by, making his cape billow.

Raina's headpiece began to glow in response, somehow understanding the situation. Raina felt some anxiety bubble in her, but she decided to channel it into something more productive. She faced Coriakin, as her own palms glowed and she threw them high above her head, as lightning struck all around.

The crew caught wind of this and decided to come closer to get a better look, including Lucy, Caspian and Eustace. Their eyes widened as they took in the picture of Raina and Coriakin facing each other, competitive grins on their faces.

'What in the name of England is going on here?' Eustace asked, annoyed. Reepicheep, who had been watching Raina's exchange with Coriakin, turned to the young boy, a hand on his hip.

'Well lad, Coriakin has challenged Raina to a battle of strength, or magic. And Raina has accepted it.' Reepicheep clarified.

'Raina did what?' Lucy asked, exasperated. Caspian just sighed and facepalmed himself.

'What's going on?' Edmund suddenly spoke, catching up to the group.

'Raina and Coriakin are having a little uh... magical tiff of sorts, Ed, don't worry.' Lucy tried to diffuse it by making it sound minuscule, but one look at Raina, who was circling Coriakin with a mischievous grin on her face, was enough for Edmund to march over to the duo, hands out.

'OKAY TIME OUT PEOPLE WHAT IS GOING ON?!' Edmund yelled as he got to them. Raina turned to him, palms still glowing.

'Edmund, if you want there to be a Narnia after our impending battle against the Umbra Regem, you'll step back.' Raina warned, as Edmund shut up instantly. One look at the worry on her face made Edmund step away.

Moments later Raina faced Coriakin again, fire twirling in her right palm, icicles forming in the other.

'You know, Coriakin, I've always loathed exams..' She mused, as Coriakin's smile grew.

'But that didn't stop me from acing the shit out of them.'

Raina fired some sharp icicles at Coriakin. He raised a hand, as they crumbled on the spot. Raina wasn't fazed, as Coriakin formulated rocks out of thin air and hurtled them at Raina. Her arms became a cross in front of her chest, as her eyes began to glow pale blue. The blue light covered her palms, as she crumbled the rocks, and hurtled them at Coriakin, who threw up a shield to protect himself. Raina could sense the crowd getting nervous, so she took a deep breath and created a shield over the crowd. The shield crackled to life and  glowed pale blue. Raina turned to Coriakin.

'Well, they should be safe, right?'

'They should, indeed. Now..'

Coriakin created a ball of fire and threw it straight at Raina. She jumped up high into the air, and froze the fireball and crumbled it. Raina took on the offensive, throwing balls of blue light at Coriakin, who was evading deftly, but was unable to get a hit in himself. He flew up to her level, as they circled each other, looking for an opening.

Down below, behind the cover of Raina's shield, Lucy, Caspian and Edmund watch the scene with bated breath.

'Queen Raina is winning this for sure. I have full faith.' Reepicheep piped up, as the others turned to him. He shrugged.

'Why, I believe she does not back down and she is the strongest of all of us. Narnia depends on her.'

'You might be right, Reep..but Raina hasn't been herself lately.' Caspian chimed in, solemn. Reepicheep looked slightly deflated, knowing what Caspian was referring to. Edmund's head snapped to Caspian, warningly as the latter simply shrugged.

'You might get pissed, Ed, but it's true. And she's like my sister, I worry about her.' Caspian replied.

'Yes well, but she's my...'

Edmund couldn't complete his sentence, as everyone stared at him, knowing what he was going to say. He gulped and turned away, just as Raina created a boulder and flung it at Coriakin. The latter evaded easily, and chuckled.

'My Queen, you might be a goddess, but I am experienced.' He taunted, as he summoned iron chains to form out of nowhere, entrapping Raina's arms and legs to the ground. She let out a surprised yelp as they clamped down on her limbs, as her headpiece glowed in warning.

'RAINA!' Edmund and Lucy screamed at the same time, fear creeping in at the sight of her trapped. Raina looked at the Pevensie siblings, and gave a reassured nod. She looked at Edmund, when something popped into her head. She wondered if she should do it. Edmund's face was contorted in worry, but Raina knew better than to let anyone get away with entrapping her this way. Just as Coriakin came back to the ground, she threw a subtle wink at Edmund, the latter blushing madly at the gesture. Lucy observed this exchange, as she tried her best not to snort.

'Lucy?'

She looked down to see Gael looking up at her curiously, her eyes flitting to Edmund's flustered figure.

'Does he have a crush on Raina?' She asked, innocently, as Edmund's head snapped to the little girl, completely caught, surprised, gobsmacked, all the adjectives. Lucy and Caspian met each other's gaze before rounding on Edmund, trying their best not to laugh at the flushed 17 year old King. He couldn't string a sentence together in response to Gael's exceptionally valid question.

'Wh-wha- I-um I-don't-I'm- agh forget it!' Edmund groaned, as Lucy and Caspian laughed uproariously. Even Eustace looked very amused.

'Oh come on cousin, at least grow up and admit it instead of being a little wuss.' He taunted, as Reepicheep nodded approvingly.

'Interesting word choice, lad, but I see no lies.' Reepicheep chimed in.

Meanwhile, a loud clang broke the camaraderie, bringing their attention to Raina struggling in her bonds, as Coriakin inched closer, smugly.

'I must admit, Raina, I expected a better fight. Oh well, you tried, and that's what matters.' He taunted.

Raina met Coriakin's gaze, annoyed and defeated.

'It's just as well. I thought you'd be more creative. Iron bonds? Come on. It's alright though.' Raina attempted to taunt back, while trying to free herself, subtly hiding a slow but sure glow in her palms.

Edmund knew what's what. Raina wasn't struggling. She was waiting for an opening.

'...This should be creative enough.'

Raina busted free off the bonds like it's paper, and created a shockwave that knocked Coriakin to the ground. Light and electricity cracked around her, menacingly, as Venus' Crux shone brightly.

'I did promise to do something, and I am a woman of my word.'

Raina's right palm stretched forward as tendrils of blue light made its way to Coriakin, trapping him on spot, as her left palm began to glow white. She lifted it towards the sky, as it suddenly clouded over. The air became significantly cooler, as snowflakes began to fall from the sky. Still rooted in place, Coriakin tries to evade Raina's grip, but it's too strong. Raina felt her power come to fruition as she lifted off the ground,her hair blowing, her eyes glowing, as a familiar warmth washed over her. She raised her right palm, lifting Coriakin into the air. As his eyes met Raina's, she smirked, turning him upside down, as snow fell all around him. He couldn't get out of her grip, and even upside down, he met Raina's eyes with a proud smile.

Raina flew closer to Coriakin, who was still dangling upside down, and smiled.

'I'd say this was a 100/100 with extra credit, don't you?'

Coriakin smiled.

'With honours, I'd like to believe.'

please do vote on the chapters guys, it would really help my fanfic!