Not mine, except the bits that are.

Azure #5: Wrong (Peter, Ailena; early GA)

As they whirled past each other in the dance's final figure, she on the arm of the Terebinthian general and he leading the Tisroc's second daughter, Ailena saw Peter's face turn green. He stammered something, gave the tarkheena a polite but hasty bow—and promptly fled the room.

She complimented the general's footwork, apologized for needing a rest, and went after him.

He'd gone to the eastern balcony, where she found him pacing back and forth, with an agonized expression on his face that cleared only slightly when he noticed her. Before she could even ask what had happened, he strode across and seized her hand.

"She asked me when the wedding was!" he said frantically, staring straight into her eyes. "And I asked what wedding, and she said mine and Susan's! Because we would need an heir to the throne, of course."

Ailena gaped.

Peter spun away and began pacing again. "And I couldn't...I couldn't stay there, I couldn't give her an answer, how do you even answer a question like that?"

She closed her mouth. "Peter."

"I could never have even dreamed of such a thing! It's horrid, awful! She's my sister! Is that how it is done in Calormen? But even if it is, surely things are different in Narnia? Surely Aslan would not allow such an abomination?"

"Peter."

"But I suppose we will need an heir eventually, for the sake of Narnia, and I don't want to, but perhaps things are different than at home, and maybe it's my duty as High King even if I don't want to—"

"Peter!"

He fell silent.

"Don't worry, Peter," Ailena said calmly. "No one's going to force you to marry Susan. Narnia is no different than England in that respect; incest is still most definitely wrong." She frowned for a moment. "In fact, if the Council was going to attempt to compel you to take a wife, it would probably be me—I'm here, I'm already loyal to Narnia, and I'm quite conveniently unrelated to you."

That stopped Peter short. "I...I had not considered that," he said somewhat dazedly. "I don't think I've ever—well, I've never thought of you as—but I still—that isn't to say I don't—! Oh, bother!" He flushed crimson.

Ailena laughed. "I can guess. You mean the love that is between us is not that which befits a man and his wife, but that it exists nonetheless. And just as well, for I feel the same, which would undoubtedly result in much awkwardness in any such proposed match—not that said match would accomplish the Council's goal anyway."

Peter blinked. "It wouldn't?"

Her mouth twisted in a rueful smile. "I do not age, Peter—I cannot bear children. But that is not the point. Truth be told, most Narnians are content to be ruled well by good kings and queens who honor Aslan, and so they busy themselves with their own lives and do not concern themselves overmuch with the romantic affairs of their rulers. And I'll not deceive you. Arranged marriages are not unheard of in this world, but in Narnia they are never forced. You will never have to marry anyone against your will."

Peter sighed heavily in relief, running a hand through his hair. "That is good to know."

"I'm a bit surprised no one told you befor—oof!"

The brunet had suddenly thrown his arms around her. "I'm glad you're here, Ailena," he whispered, holding tightly. "You always know how to answer things."

"Well, I have been here for a jolly long time," she reminded him gently as she hugged him back. "One learns things over the years. It only makes sense to share what I have learned with those who might profit by the knowledge." Her eyes began dancing as she pulled away. "Especially frantic High Kings who babble on about the future of the kingdom and how they don't want to marry their sisters because they think it's disgusting and foul."

Peter had to smile. "I was rather panicked," he admitted. "The idea was just so...so..."

"Repulsive?" Ailena suggested.

"Yes."

"A perfectly normal reaction! In any case, you are all quite young yet. When the time comes, there are Men aplenty in Archenland and Calormen and the eastern islands. Should any of you wish to wed a Narnian instead, marriages between Men and the children of Wood and Water are not forbidden. And finally, if it should so please the Lion that none of you marry, there have been gaps in the direct succession before. Aslan always provides. So stop worrying about it," Ailena gently chided him.

"I'll try."

"Good man. Shall we return to the dance, then?"

Peter gulped. "I don't know if I can face Princess Azheen after fleeing so abruptly."

"Bosh," said Ailena cheerfully, looping her arm through Peter's. "You will be perfectly alright—save perhaps some wounded pride." She tilted her head to one side. "And I see your crown is skewed. Allow me?" She reached over and set it right.

He couldn't help smiling as he looked her over. "So is yours." He adjusted it, then straightened up and took a deep breath. "Let us go, fair consort."

One corner of Ailena's mouth turned up. "Indeed, High King."

And they swept back into the hall.

EDIT 6-5-19: rewritten and expanded (originally posted 9-11-11)