Chapter Seventeen: Dancing With You

She was about to get up when a pair of black boots stepped into her view.

"Care to dance?" Peter asked, his eyes smiling tenderly. "You look distracted."

"Actually," Rhianna said, not looking at him, "I was just about to leave. I'm tired."

"Just one dance." He extended his hand.

Reluctantly, she took it and allowed him to pull her to her feet. The music started – a slow waltz – as he put his hand around her waist and pulled her closer. Tentatively, she laid her left hand lightly on his shoulder and her right hand in his left. Gracefully, they joined the flow of the music, allowing it to dictate their moves as they swayed smoothly in time. Peter spun her out expertly and twirled her back in, each time making it harder for her to look at him. The last time, he pulled her so close that she could smell the sting of summer on his skin and she was painfully aware of all the places their bodies touched. She was surprised by the gentle strength in his grip, which pressed her firmly against him. The boy she had met on that dark winter night so many weeks ago was gone. In his place stood a young man fast on his way to adulthood, a young man developing rapidly in wisdom, strength, and looks. Finally, she raised her eyes to meet his and found herself spell-bound. Those marine-blue orbs burned with a fiery intensity that took her breath away as he stared into her own eyes. She had never seen him look that way before and it sent a hot rush of blood through her veins, heating her cheeks and making her feel as though she were on fire. No, no, she thought, panicked. This can't happen. I won't let it! Suddenly she broke free of his arms and ran for the gardens, leaving him staring, bewildered, at her retreating figure.

Once outside in the cool night air, she stopped by a splashing fountain and gasped audibly, "No!" She buried her face in her hands and breathed deeply, fighting down her wild emotions and trying to still her wildly pounding heart.

"Rhianna?" Her heart stopped as Peter's voice called her name. He'd come out after her. "Rhianna, what happened? Are you all right?" She could hear that he'd stopped several paces behind her and did not come closer.

Without looking back, she said, "Go back to your guests, Your Majesty, they'll be missing you."

"No, not until you tell me what's going on," he replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest defiantly.

"You must, Peter. Elsa will wonder where you are."

"Why should I care what Elsa thinks!" he demanded. "Do you really think that I'm shallow enough to fall for a girl like that? I know why she's here; she wants to marry a king, someone powerful who'll shower her with jewelry and fine things. She won't find one here! Why do you think I wanted you to come everywhere with us? I didn't want to be left alone with her. Or Ahlejandra."

"Is that all I am to you!" Rhianna cried, whirling to face him, her eyes blazing. "Your bodyguard?!"

Peter took a step back, surprised by the fury in her voice. He studied her for a moment. "That's what you wanted, wasn't it? To be my bodyguard, my defender?"

"This wasn't supposed to happen," she said, her voice wavering. Her slender shoulders lifted and fell in a helpless gesture, then she shook her head, brushing at her eyes with one hand.

"What wasn't supposed to happen?" Peter asked gently. She only shook her head again, refusing to look at him. "Rhia?"

He had never called her by her pet name before and the sound of it made Rhianna's heart feel as though it would break. She couldn't stay, she couldn't face the pain. She feared that if she stayed with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, she would lose them, just as she had lost everything else. The only safeguard against heartbreak was to stay away from what she cared so much about. As Peter took a step closer, she looked up, meeting his eyes. "I'm leaving in the morning, Peter, like I promised." She looked down again. "And I think you would do well to reconsider Ahlejandra as a bride. She is intelligent and beautiful and will be a valuable asset to Narnia."

Peter stepped back, shocked and hurt. "But…" A hard glance from Rhianna made the objection die on his lips. He studied her intently for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. "I won't pretend to have any power over your freedom. You are free to go when and how you choose."

Rhianna sighed inwardly, feeling a heavy weight lift off her shoulders. If Peter didn't fight her, it would make things easier all around. Yet… part of her ached that he did not offer more resistance. Ridiculous, she chided herself, pushing the thought away. She smiled slightly and brushed past him, directing her steps toward the door. Before she reached it, however, Elsa cornered her.

"What kind of stunt was that!" she hissed, her face close to Rhianna's. "Did the bodyguard drag the High King off for a little private moment? He won't give you what you want, girl, so run off and find yourself a proper lover!"

Rhianna's eyes glittered coldly. "What gives you the nerve to suggest that I want anything from him? If you must know, I was on my out. If you're so concerned about his well-being, why don't you go in there and ask him. No one's stopping you." She pushed roughly past the Dryad and strode purposefully down the hall. She had lied when she told Peter that she would leave in the morning. She would be long gone before then.

Author's Note: There you go, guys! The truth comes out. Thanks to everybody for reviewing and keep it up! If you have questions, I will respond! So ask away!