Hey guys! sorry for the mega-long wait! i've been busy and haven't had the time nor the motivation to sit down and edit this previously completed chapter. get mad at me if you like, just review, please!

btw: thanks to leezh for her review, it was much appreciated. and thanks to all of my other reviewers too!

Chapter Nineteen: Tear Down the Walls and Let the Flood Come Rushing In

Rhianna reeled in shock. Peter had chased her all the way out here, yanked her off her horse, and now he seemed to be reading her innermost thoughts. No, this couldn't be happening. She couldn't give in. "Peter, don't do this. Go back. Go choose Ahlejandra or Elsa. I don't… I don't…"

He stepped up to her, his face inches from hers. "You don't what? Say it, Rhianna. Look me in the eyes and say it."

She raised her eyes to meet his. Those marine blue eyes burned with a light that sent heat rushing over her. She opened her mouth to speak, to tell him that she didn't love him. But she couldn't. She couldn't bring herself to say the words that would be the biggest lie she had ever told in her life. She couldn't say the words that would break his heart. Instead, she lowered her eyes. Why? she asked inwardly, why did I have to get stuck with such a stubborn, determined, wonderful young man?

His eyes softened to a tender, soothing hue and he cupped her chin in one hand. "Rhia," he said tenderly, his voice turning husky, "you can't run from love forever. Don't leave me now."

Staring into those eyes, she suddenly melted. Fear or no fear, pain or no pain, she couldn't escape those beautiful eyes, the sound of his voice, the smell of his clothes, the feel of his hands touching hers. Sensing her barriers crumbling, he gathered her in his arms and pressed his face into her hair. Suddenly tears sprang unbidden to her eyes. How could she have thought that she could go back to life before him? "Peter," she whispered. He leaned back to see her face. "I…I don't know what to say to you. Why do you have to be so good? I just…" she struggled to form the words on her lips, "I just wanted to apologize for not thinking of you. I've been foolish, selfish, and childish for so long. I thought that I could protect those I care about by not caring. I lied to you, and I should have –"

He placed a finger against her lips, silencing her. "Shh, I understand." His eyes searched hers for a split second, then he removed his finger as he bent and replaced it with his lips, kissing her tenderly. For a moment, Rhianna was too surprised to do anything other than return his kiss, her hands sliding up his chest and over his shoulders to entwine in his hair. His arms tightened around her waist and he kissed her a little harder before releasing her. Touching her cheek, he asked, "Have I cured you of your need to run away?"

Her eyes, which had been closed, opened slowly. "You have no idea how good it feels to kiss you." Her hands pressed against the back of his head, pulling his face closer. "Do it again."

This time, his arms went around her tighter than ever and he lifted her off her feet, spinning her around. She laughed against his mouth and kissed him so hard that she felt the goose bumps ripple across the skin on his arms and neck. He put her down, but held onto the kiss until he felt her breath come in short gasps and she hung almost limply in his arms, powerless to resist him.

Finally, he released her and she fell gratefully into the strong embrace of his arms, resting her head against his chest. Absently, she ran her fingers through his hair, deep in thought. "Peter?" she asked tentatively.

He stepped back, retaining a hold around her waist. "What?"

"I still can't stay."

His eyes widened. "Why not?"

"Think about it, Peter. We're too young to marry. And, among my people, we were taught that too much expression of love before marriage can ruin the relationship. Besides, it wouldn't be proper for the king to have any sort of attachment to a servant. Hear me out," she said, seeing the objection on his lips, "You know and I know that I'm not a servant, but most others think of me as one – unless they know who I am. Give me a chance to live alone in the world and make something of myself, unaided by either the wealth or the influence of your situation."

"We don't have to get married now, but you could stay at the palace."

"Well," she continued slowly, "I think it will be easier for both of us if we're apart for a year or two until we're of age. It's either that or fight our feelings for two years. I know that I could hold you forever." He smiled. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder anyway."

Peter pondered her words for a moment before nodding. "I agree with you, Rhia. It is best if we're apart."

"Just remember," she murmured, going up on tiptoe to press her cheek against his, "that I love you, Peter. I always have." She turned and whistled softly, calling Darkmoon back; the mare had given them their much-needed privacy and had gone to graze a short ways off. Now she came trotting back, her eyes warm with approval. Rhianna kissed Peter's cheek, then swung up onto Darkmoon's back.

"Be careful, Rhianna," he said. Then, with a teasing smile, he said, "I'll try not be distracted by Elsa while you're gone."

She laughed. "I'm not too worried about that." She was about to urge Darkmoon into a trot when Peter stopped her. He strode across the grounds to where something pale lay shimmering against the grass in the moonlight.

"It's a chilly night," he said when he returned with his cape, handing it up to her, "Wear it well."

"I will," she replied, drawing it around her shoulders. "Goodbye, Peter. I'll return in a few years."

"Until then," he told her, "I'll think of you every day." He paused for a moment before adding, "I love you, Rhia."

She nodded before clucking softly to Darkmoon. "Come, Darkmoon," she murmured, "It's a long way to the old nymph's grove and we had better get started." The mare nodded and broke into a canter, fading away from Cair Paravel and its High King standing on the lawn.

Author's Note: I hope you liked this chapter! Reviews Please! One chappie to go and the story is finished! YAY!