Ah, sorry I had to leave you with them kissing last time. Haha, I'm not really sorry ;D Thank you to Heyna Blackstar and Padre Pedro fro your reviews! The story is almost complete now!

The Ship – Aravis

Aravis saw the ship first. For a few moments, she didn't really register it because she was too distracted by Cor's mouth against hers and the scent of his hair and the smoothness of his skin.

But then she managed to pull away.

"Ship," she mumbled in the gap between them which felt like a completely inadequate way to describe how she was feeling right now.

Her head was thick with blood, her body aching all over.

And she felt stupid.

All the fury and competitiveness, all the senseless glaring at each other on the deck of the ship that had landed them on this island in the first place.

Cor did not think she was beneath him at all. He did not want a princess. If the last few moments had told her anything, it was that he wanted her.

Cor blinked at her, like he was trying to understand what she was saying and how it was relevant to them kissing each other senseless, then he looked up at the horizon and seemed to finally register what she'd been trying to tell him.

"Ship," he said numbly and then: "Do you think they saw the beacon?" He scrambled suddenly to his feet. "What kind of ship do you think it is?"

Aravis squinted.

"It's flying yellow sails," she said. "Cor, I think it's an Archenland ship."

"Thank Aslan," said Cor. He held out a hand to Aravis and she let him pull her to her feet. "How long do you think it'll take them to get here?"

Aravis shrugged. "They might be here by morning," she said. "If they see the beacon."

Cor nodded, still squinting at the horizon.

"Should we make the beacon bigger?" said Aravis.

Cor shook his head. "It's already as tall as we could make it. Either they're going to see the smoke or they're not."

Aravis nodded. They hadn't let go of each other's hands after he'd pulled her to her feet and she was suddenly painfully aware of Cor's proximity. Of his lean limbs and salty skin. Of what they'd been doing moments ago.

She had a horrible feeling it was all about to evaporate once that ship got here. Once they got back to Archenland. It was one thing for Cor to kiss her here, but quite another to want her back in Anvard.

"We should talk about what just happened," she mumbled. "The kiss, what we're going to do when we get off this island..."

"What do you mean?" said Cor. "I'm very glad I kissed you and I fully intend to keep kissing you once we get off this island so what's there to talk about?"

Aravis' face heated as she imagined them sitting under an apple tree in Anvard's orchard, kissing gently.

"So you really don't mind that you're the crown prince of Archenland and I'm a Calormene exile?"

Cor tilted his head. "Why would that matter?" he said. "I love you, not your title."

Aravis blinked at him, her brain not comprehending the words. "You love me?" she said.

"Yes," said Cor. He caught her cheeks, aligning their gazes so she could see the truth in his eyes. "Took me far too long to admit it even to myself, but I really do."

Aravis felt weightless. Even days ago, she would not have believed they'd be here now, standing on an island, hands slotted together, Cor declaring he was in love with her.

Though she'd often dreamt of that last part.

"I love you too," admitted Aravis.

And then they were kissing again.

-O-

They slept in Aravis' shelter that night. But where before they'd lain shoulder to shoulder, this time they lay face to face.

It was awkward and their limbs didn't fully fit together, but Aravis was willing to forego a little comfort for the chance to lie here and stare into Cor's eyes, grey-blue in the moonlight.

"You know," said Cor. "I knew we would be alright."

"Did you?" said Aravis.

He nodded. "Ever since we escaped from Calormen I've always thought we could survive anything as long as we were together."

Aravis blinked at him, dumbfounded.

"What?" said Cor.

She hadn't been expecting to hear her own thoughts coming out of Cor's mouth. But apparently when she and Cor weren't arguing, their thoughts could be remarkably synchronised.

She twined her fingers with his, his skin a paler shade of grey in the fading light.

"I've always thought that too," she admitted.

Cor squeezed her hand. "Can I kiss you again?" he said.

"Can I kiss you again?" said Aravis.

"Until I'm breathless and silly and old," said Cor.

I will edit and post the final chapter probably in a month or so.