Hey my readers! I am so sorry I haven't updated! I play tennis and recently I have been diagnosed with tennis elbow. What tennis elbow is, for those who are clueless, it when a tendon in or around my elbow tears. Mainly tennis players get this. It is very painful and I haven't been able to use my right arm for about a week, but since it is feeling better I'm doing something I shouldn't... I'm writing! My doc would kill me, but I feel the need to for y'all! Sorry about the wait!

~*7*~

Your Life Is a Lie

"It's already here?" I ask dryly, staring at my engagement party dress with utter disgust.

It has been a week since the plans for the engagement party started, and the day for it has come. I have been dreading, and because of my new nightmares that have become a regular thing, thanks to my stupid brother, sleep has not come easily. This has made me extremely grumpy. Grumpier than I usually am, which makes people unpleasant to be around.

"Yes, and you will look beautiful." gushes Susan with a smile.

I roll my eyes. "Oh, goodie." I say dryly.

Lucy peeks over my head and smiles down at me. She is doing some kind of braid that is taking forever. "Maya, tonight is going to be so much fun! Be happy!" she gushes, pinning in a loose strand of hair.

I shrug, not feeling like replying. The doors to my room bust open and Shaylin runs in, holding two dresses. "Me and Nils dresses are here!"

Nellie, who is occupied with helping the maid with her hair, suddenly turns around and screams the highest pitched scream I have ever heard. She sprints over, the maid calling after her with wide eyes. "NATALIE!" I shout, my eyes narrowed.

For once, Nils completely ignores me. She is too busy giggling like a maniac over her purple dress Shaylin had just laid out. Lucy once again peeks over my head. "Oh Maya, one day you will be just as excited about your wedding as we are."


After what seems endless hours of makeup, hair, and being pricked with pins, I am finally ready. And I can say, I don't look too bad.

I stand in front of the full body mirror in awe, amazed at what Susan, Lucy, and the maids have managed to conjure. I am wearing a long, white strapless dress. A small, white flower is on my white side, nearly blending in with the dress. My hair is french braided into a bun that Lucy stuck a bright red rose in. My eyelashes are long, my lips are a gentle red and plump, and my heels are at the length where you can manage to walk in them without snapping your ankle.

I turn and a smile crosses my features. Shaylin is wearing a deep red, strapless dress that has a tiny bow in the middle. Her blond hair is wavy, her bangs braided to the side of her head.

Nils is beaming next to her. This is probably the first time she has ever dressed up for something. She is wearing a deep purple, strapless dress that has a slit where her leg is, so when she walks her leg slips out. Her hair is in what the maid called a mermaid braid, which is a huge five strand braid that sits on her shoulder. A green flower that matches with the purple sits in the middle.

"You guys look beautiful." I say, meaning it.

Nils giggles and spins. "I feel beautiful."

Shaylin smiles and hugs me. "Your beautiful too Maya. Remember, this is your night, even though you don't want it to be."

I roll my eyes and laugh. "Thanks."

A knock sounds on the door. Shaylin, walking extremely normal for wearing six inch heels, goes and opens it. Peter clears his throat, looking awkward. "Uh, can I have a minute with Maya?"

Shaylin winks at him. "Sure, Goodlooking. Come, Nils! We are leaving!" she announces, stepping aside so Peter could walk in.

Nellie waves me a goodbye before hurrying after Shaylin. When they leave, Peter turns and smiles. "Uh, hey."

I smile an unenthusiastic smile. "Hey." I say dryly. I sit down on the side of my bed. He looks very hot. His blond hair is swept to the side, sitting underneath his gold crown. He is wearing a white tucked in shirt with a pair of black breeches and dress shoes. A gold sash crosses his chest. My heart flutters and I want to punch myself. "What's up?" I ask nonchalantly.

Peter walks over and sits down beside me. "I want to give you something to pull of the engagement." he says nervously. He pulls a small box out of his pocket and opens it. I couldn't help but to cover my mouth. It was gorgeous, yet simple. It was a simple diamond, shaped as a circle and placed in the middle of a silver ring.

Returning to my normal self, I clear my throat. "You really didn't need to..."

"Yeah, I do." Peter says firmly. Slowly, he reaches over and takes my hand and slips the ring on my ring finger. It fit perfectly.

I smile but quickly hide it. "Uh, thanks." I mutter, kind of embarrassed.

Peter smiles. "Your welcome." he stands and holds out his arm with his charming smile. "So, shall we go?"

I wrinkle my nose. "Do I have to?"


I bounce from leg to leg nervously as I stand outside the large doors leading into the Ballroom. My arm is locked with Peter's. I feel like I am about to pass out. Standing up in front of people isn't my thing. I breathe out shakily. Peter looks to me a chuckles lightly.

I glare at him. "Don't laugh at me." I growl.

He chuckles again. "There is nothing to worry about, Maya. We simply have to walk in and simply smile and shake hands all night. And of course, act like we are in love." Peter's frowns. "Actually, this may be hard."

I shove him angrily. "Thanks." I snap.

A horn sounds from inside the ballroom. Peter pulls me closer. "Come, act like you love me." he says, touching my chin gently.

I smile a weak smile, but then when he looks away, I secretly gagged. The doors open and at once, I freeze in place. Peter has to lead me forward. The announcer is talking, but I can't hear him. Everything seems to go silent in my ears. My legs wobble as I walk down the stairs. I find Shaylin in the crowd, and she smiles, gesturing to it, telling me to smile. I do, and I watch as all the guests nearly melt.

Wow, I must be beautiful.

Finally, we get to the end of the walkway, and Peter begins to make a speech. I am barely paying attention though. I am shaking I am so nervous. I look to Shaylin helplessly. Immediately, she stands up straight and gestures me to hold my head up. Act like your crazy about him. she mouths.

I inwardly gag, but I do what my bestfriend says. I lift my head high and turn to look at Peter, a fake, lovestruck smile crossing my face. He pauses his speech to unhook our arms and put his arm around me, his arm resting on my waist. I add a girlish giggle to make it seem like I enjoyed him holding me. In real life, I want to cut off his fingers.

Finally, my senses seem to return when Peter's speech ends, everyone returns to their business, and the music begins playing once more. I breath out thankfully, and Peter smiles at my gently. "You did great." he says sweetly, kissing me on the cheek.

I smile, grinding my teeth together. Immediately, we are swarmed by people congratulating us on our engagement. I got thousands of compliments on almost every part of my body people could see. I say thank you repeatedly, and have to ask what seems like a million questions that I don't care about.

"When's the wedding?"

"Where will your honeymoon be?"

"How many kids do you two want to have?"

After that question, I need a break. "Darling, I am going to go find my sister and Shaylin. Catch up with you later?" I ask in a sweet voice, rubbing Peter's arm.

Peter, who is talking to a bunch of old Calormen's, turns and smiles at me. "Of course." he says.

I smile before taking my escape. I push through groups of people, looking for familiar faces. Finally, I see Shaylin, Nils, and Lucy talking to a group of men. I nearly run to them. "Thank god I found you guys." I breath out thankfully.

Nils looks up at me and squeaks. She hugs me and I laugh. "You looked amazing coming down those stairs. You and Peter make a cute couple!"

Realizing the men they were previously talking to where still there, I smile a gooey smile. "I know. He's amazing."

One of the men that was standing in front of them steps forward. He is extremely handsome. He had brown curly hair and stunning blue eyes. His skin is naturally tanned from the sun and he is tall, but not too tall. "Allow us to grant our congratulations to your wedding, Lady Mayanichelle." he says, bowing, his friends following in his suit.

I blink in surprise. This has been the first decent male that I have ever met in Narnia. I smile and curtsy, Susan taught me how. "Thank you, Sir?"

As you can tell, I have had lessons in how to be polite Narnian language.

The man smiles. "Rorin. I am the Ambassador of Archenland." he said politely. "And these are my associates, Varden, Lakeden, and Koren." the men smile and bow again.

Suddenly, Varden's eyes grow wide. He quickly bows, and immediately the rest of the men follow in suit. I turn around, and a smile comes over my features. I bow politely. "Aslan." I say warmly.

The great lion rumbles warmly. "Hello, young one." he walks up and I place my hand on his shoulder. "I am here to congratulate you on your engagement. I know it will be a long, happy marriage." His voice sounded sincere, but his eyes dug into mine, nearly screaming he knew this marriage was based on the fact Peter didn't want to marry Bianca.

I smile politely. "Thank you, dear Aslan."

Aslan looks to Shaylin. "It is good to see you all, but I must speak to Lady Shaylin in private."

Shaylin blinks in surprise. "Oh, alright."


*Shaylin's POV*

When I step out onto the balcony, a cool air rushes to meet me. The stars shine brightly overhead as crickets sing their soothing song. I smile. "It's a gorgeous night." I say, turning to the Great Lion.

Aslan nods. "Shaylin, do you remember your Mother at all?"

I blink it surprise. "This is an unexpected question. Why are you asking?" I ask, leaning up against the balcony, the wind blowing my hair in my face.

Aslan sighs. "I hate to have to tell you this on such a celebrated night, but I am leaving soon and won't be back for a while, so I need to tell you this now." I nod, telling him silently to continue. "Shaylin, your parents are not your parents." he says slowly. "You were adopted."

It takes a moment for this news to sink in. My stomach begins to do flip flops inside. "No.." I breath out, my eyes growing wide.

"Shaylin, I wouldn't lie to you. You were adopted at birth by Jack and Linda when you were born." explains Aslan.

At first, I don't believe it. Then I think about it, and things begin to click. How I look nothing like Jack or Linda, how I had to get hip surgery when I was little because of a genetic condition that for some reason my parents didn't possess, fainting easily. I breath out unsteadily. "Why... Why didn't my real parents want me?" I started to freak out. "Was there something wrong with me? Was I not good enough?"

Aslan's eyes grow sad. "No, young one. There was nothing wrong with you." Tears are forming in my eyes. "Your mother..." Aslan paused. "Shaylin, there is no really gentle way to put this, so I'm sorry." Aslan breathes out. "You are the survivor of a failed abortion."