Chapter Thirteen: In the Shadows

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Rose knew how she looked, in her flowing dress of blood red. She'd picked the colour especially, because it matched her mood. She knew she looked stunning, but she'd rather look awful and feel spectacular than vice versa. Her insides felt like they were knotted and twisted with guilt. There was no going back. She knew what she had to do, much as she despised it. Taking a deep breath, she descended the stairs into the throne room, where balls were normally held.

Peter immediately looked across when he saw Rose – and he found himself entranced by his fiancé, staring at her with amazement. Rose never failed to elicit surprise, but it was the expression on her face that detracted from her lovely appearance. She looked haunted, as if someone had died. If this was about the Dvina incident, it was certainly affecting her.

"She's awake now, you know."

"What?"

Rose blinked as she turned to face Peter. His entire face was full of wonder as he took her by the hand and led her across the ballroom.

"Dvina. She woke up this evening. She doesn't remember who attacked her, but she's certain that it wasn't you."

Peter had expected Rose to be relieved, but instead a tight little smile crossed her face. She looked like she was forcing it and she didn't meet his eyes. Instead she looked down at her feet.

"Oh. Well, that's good news."

"Rose." He gripped her by the shoulders, looking into her hazel eyes. They flashed with something a lot like trepidation. "If something was wrong, you'd tell me, wouldn't you?"

She knew that her façade wasn't very convincing and she knew she had to try harder. Rose had been a top student in her drama classes, and if the act wasn't so completely real and lethal, she might have been better at it. She had to try, to keep them all alive. So she forced a smile that was radiant and bedazzling and that Peter couldn't help but be charmed by.

"Of course, Peter."

Then she pulled out of his grip and walked away, towards the dark-haired young King who sat watching the celebrations with no intention of joining in. That was how it always was with Edmund – he was never charmed by Susan's massive parties, or any number of pretty young women who tried to convince him to dance with them. Only rarely would he enter the fray, but he still didn't look as though he was enjoying it.

"It's legal to smile, you know."

Edmund noticed Rose coming towards him, a shy smile on her face. He had to stop himself from gaping at how beautiful she looked in her red dress. While everyone else danced and smiled and laughed, his attention was completely focused on her, the one girl he could never have.

"Do you want to dance with me, Ed? Like old times?"

He hadn't danced with her in years. Edmund couldn't quite stop the grin that spread across his features – and when it did, Rose couldn't help but think how good-looking he was when he smiled, and that he ought to do it more often. Swallowing her apprehension, she grabbed Edmund by the hand and led him towards the centre of the congregation. Out of the corner of her eye, she was watching for Peter. He needed to see this, or else it would be worth nothing.

She wrapped her arms around Edmund's neck and he put his around her waist. For him, it felt as though everything in the world was right again. Rose rested her chin on his shoulder and as they swayed together, the worry seemed to drain from her and somehow this felt good. It felt like even though she shouldn't be doing this, she couldn't stop herself.

Peter had been sitting on his throne watching the celebrations with a lazy smile on his face – but then he saw Rose and Edmund, their close proximity. Of course, it was only just a dance…except for the way they held each other. It was far too familiar, even if they were friends. Something was going on. He stood, his eyes glittering with anger and his hands balling into fists.

"Meet me in the gardens at midnight," Edmund's voice was slightly hoarse, but Rose couldn't have known he was struggling to maintain a hold over his feelings. "We need to talk."

Rose smiled. "Of course."

Then Peter was barging towards them and they broke apart, watching his furious rampage as he came towards them. He folded his arms across his chest and glared at the two of them. Maybe he was overreacting, but he was sure that there'd been something…

"What are you two doing?"

"Dancing, Pete." Edmund sounded slightly amused. "I think even you could see that."

Peter gritted his teeth. "Don't test me, Edmund. I'm not in the mood. There's more going on here than just 'dancing', isn't there?"

Edmund rolled his eyes. He was annoyed at Peter's possessive attitude, at him acting like he owned Rose. She was allowed to dance with other people without having to be interrogated for it afterwards!

"I'm sorry; I should have told you earlier." His voice was dry and sarcastic. "We're having an affair, Peter. Can't you tell?"

Peter pushed Edmund none too gently.

"That's not the sort of thing you joke about!" he snapped.

Edmund didn't look too happy about being shoved, so he pushed Peter right back. His dark eyes had grown angry now and Rose watched the whole thing with apprehension.

"Don't you try and bully me!"

Peter raised a fist as if to punch Edmund, but Rose quickly scuttled in between them, holding up her hands for peace.

"Stop! Please, just stop, Peter."

Peter came to his senses. Many of the guests were now eyeing the two Kings with concern, and he reluctantly lowered his fist and uncurled it. For Rose, he would stop. He knew he'd taken this too far and now he was feeling embarrassed. He was twenty-one now, not a child anymore. He couldn't just go shoving people around like an angsty teenager.

Rose pushed through the crowd, suddenly feeling like she couldn't breathe. She made her way outside onto the balcony and she couldn't stop the tears from spilling down her cheeks. There was no doubt that this was only the beginning, but it was horrible enough already. She'd seen Edmund and Peter fight before, all too many times…it was the fact that they were fighting over her that made this so terrible.

She sniffed and wiped at her tears. No one could understand and she allowed herself to wallow in self-pity, at least for a few moments. Since when had the Protector been so helpless? She was angry at herself now, for giving in to this.

"I don't know what you're so upset about." It was a cold voice that Rose recognized, and her heart sank as she turned to see Susan standing behind her, hands on hips. The young woman looked enraged and Rose thought she knew why. "I thought I knew you, Rose Finley. But apparently I don't. Because the girl I thought I knew wouldn't go around toying with the affections of both of my brothers."

"I…" Rose tried to say something, but Susan held up a hand.

"Look, you're engaged to Peter. I don't know what went on in there, but he was very upset about whatever it was you were doing with Edmund. All I want is for this to be sorted out, Rose. It's not that hard – you pick one, or the other. Because you know you can't have both."

Then Susan stalked back inside without giving Rose any time to explain her side of the story. Rose felt even more dejected now. These were her birthday celebrations, and at least two of the Pevensies were mad at her right now. The problem was, things weren't going to get any better. Rose bit her lip until she could taste blood. They were only going to get much, much worse.

She moved back through the throne room like a ghost, not talking to anyone, not looking at anyone. As she was leaving, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Rose turned around to see Lucy, who was looking worried.

"Rose, there's something I need to tell you. It's about Ed…"

She didn't want to hear it. Not now.

"I'm sorry, Lu. It's been a bad night. Please excuse me; I'm going up to bed."

"But Rose…"

Rose didn't listen. Lucy was left gazing after her friend with her mouth open as she wondered – by Aslan's mane, what had gotten into Rose Finley?

PARAGRAPH

Rose knew that Brody would be waiting. He would have come to gloat – because it was just his way. So she wasn't surprised when she entered her room to find the sorcerer already there waiting for her. Not for the first time, she was unnerved by the way he was able to sneak around without people finding him. She thought his powers probably attributed to that. Just the sight of him made her sear with anger.

"Are you happy now?" she snarled at him, her temper rising to boiling point, "I have hurt my friends just to keep them alive. Just so you can get what you want."

Brody simply lifted his chin and smiled. He could say whatever he wanted, do whatever he wanted. He was the one in power and they both knew it.

"You did well tonight, Rose. In fact, if you continue to progress so well, the job will be done in no time."

His tone was so smug, so self-assured. Rose gritted her teeth, so close to breaking point. She was going to snap very soon, but Brody seemed unaware of that as he smirked at her and continued to bait her.

"I especially liked the little crying act. I watched that from the gardens. Did you make that up on the spot? You're such a clever girl, Rose."

Then the heat rose to maximum and Rose could feel nothing but rage and hate for this young man. He delighted in everything he was doing and that made her feel sick. What kind of psychopath was Brody? While he continued to stand there with that arrogant smile on his face, Rose gave a cry of fury and lunged at him, catching him and throwing him to the ground.

He wasn't a fighter. She remembered this because every time, he'd had to use magic to stop her. She didn't know how many times she hit him. She didn't care. All she could think about was that this was the man who was destroying all of them. All of a sudden, she went flying backwards and slammed into a wall. Her head throbbed and she tasted blood in her mouth as Brody slowly clambered to his feet. His nose was bloodied and he had the tell-tale beginnings of a black eye as he glowered over at her. Brody gave a shaky laugh as he moved slowly towards her.

"I guess I was wrong about you," he hissed, his voice cruel. Rose knew she'd made him mad by attacking him and her stomach free-fell. It wouldn't be her to suffer the consequences; of that she was certain. "You're not as smart as I thought. What happens next is your own fault, so you've got only one person to blame…"

Rose felt cold. "Brody, what are you going to do?"

He laughed darkly. "I told you I would let the others live if you complied. Because of your little display just then, Peter dies. You shouldn't have tried me."

"No, please." Rose suddenly found herself begging. For the young man she loved, anything. Tears were welling in her eyes and she couldn't believe she was crying again. Too many tears. Too much heartbreak. "Anything but that. Brody, I will do anything…just please, let him live!"

Brody was smiling again. This was what always happened. He was in power, and then she attacked and found herself with only more to lose. She was sick and tired of groveling at his feet and dreamed of a day when she might plunge a sword through his heart.

"Too late, my dear. You've made your mistake, now you must suffer the consequences."

"Then take it out on me!" cried Rose, wiping furiously at her tears, "Do whatever you want to me, just don't harm Peter!"

Brody's eyes glinted with malice and his grin was one of insanity. Then he stepped backwards and let the shadows swallow him as he was so prone to doing.

PARAGRAPH

Despite her encounter with Brody and the sick feeling in her stomach about what might happen to Peter, Rose still met Edmund in the gardens like she'd promised. She had the feeling that something bad was going to happen – but nothing worse could occur than the threat of Peter's death. She must have experienced enough tonight.

Edmund smiled when he saw her and he walked over to her. She noticed that his sword was glinting at his hip and was hardly surprised. That was Edmund – he didn't go anywhere unarmed. She wished Peter was the same.

"I was afraid you wouldn't come." He sounded slightly relieved. "I wanted to ask you about earlier – about the ball." She was afraid he would ask her what had been wrong, why'd she left…but he didn't. "When you danced with me…was it only a gesture of friendship, or did it mean something more?"

Rose felt her face grow hot, but she knew this was what Brody had wanted. Perhaps, if she strived extra hard, he would spare Peter. Maybe her trying meant that someday soon, she could break free of these shackles.

"I don't know," she whispered, deliberately looking coy. "I'm not sure what to think."

Edmund took her hand and gently lifted her chin up so that she was looking him in the eye. There was something in those dark eyes she'd failed to notice before – the emotions that ran deep within the dark-haired King. Normally, he kept these feelings to himself.

"Please, Rose. I need to know the truth, because it's killing me inside. You see…I love you. I have since before our coronation."

Rose's head snapped up. Now she realized what she was meddling with and it was far more horrible than anything she could have imagined. She had been toying with Edmund, under the illusion that his feelings for her were only those of friendship. She'd only been trying to make Peter jealous…she hadn't been intending to stumble upon the love that Edmund had held for her all this time. Rose felt like a fool for not noticing, and a whore for using that love against him. Now she wouldn't only be hurting Peter, but Edmund as well.

She couldn't think of anything to say, so she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him fiercely. She could tell by the way he kissed her back that his words weren't lies, that he really did love her. This only made it worse and Rose didn't know how much more she could bear before she exploded. Edmund's kiss was different to Peter's; rougher, more urgent…but it wasn't an unpleasant experience.

Keep your mind out of this! She screamed at herself.

When they finally broke apart, Edmund was looking astounded, as if someone had clubbed him around the back of the head rather than kissed him. Despite herself, Rose couldn't help but laugh at his expression.

"Don't look too pleased with yourself, will you?"

Edmund cleared his throat and turned red.

"I've been waiting for you the whole time, Rose. Always in the shadows. I didn't ever think it would be my turn…but what about Peter now? Do you love him still, more than me?"

Rose wasn't sure what to say, so she shrugged.

"I don't really know. I suppose…I know it's unfair, loving both of you like this…but I have to make a choice, and I think that I choose you, Ed."

She knew it was betrayal the moment she said it and she felt disgusted at Brody, at herself, as Edmund's dark eyes glittered, shone more brightly than they had in a long time. The Just King looked alive, but it was for a reason that didn't even exist. Rose pitied him as he kissed her on the forehead.

"I'm not going to pressure you into choosing. In the end it's up to you…but I don't want to be your back-up. If you don't mean it, just let it go."

Oh, how she wished that was possible! Rose forced a smile and nodded as she took a few steps backwards, feigning a yawn.

"Look, I'm really tired. We can talk about this another time. I just want you to know that…you'll always be in my heart, Ed."

He smiled thoughtfully as he watched her leave, but for Rose, she couldn't get to her room quick enough. She felt the bile rising in her throat and when she slammed the door to her chambers and vomited into her chamber-pot, she wasn't surprised. She was shaking as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, and her reflection looked extremely pale.

She had betrayed Peter. She had betrayed Edmund. Peter was going to die because of her. Edmund would have his heart violently torn in two. All because of this stupid façade she was forced to don. Otherwise, they would all die. In her mind, Rose plotted horrible deaths for Brody…but he was just too smart. There was no way she could win against him and so resigned herself to the fact that once this was all over, she might be able to turn the tables on him. All she had to do now was comply, act like she was going along with what Brody told her to do…and then she would stab him in the back, quite literally. One day, every terrible thing she did would bounce right back on the man who'd forced her to do it, manipulated her into doing this. But right now, she just had a horrible feeling in her stomach, a weight it seemed she couldn't get rid of…right now, all Rose really wanted to do was to crawl off and die.