Author's Note: Update, update! Woohoo!
Thanks for the reviews: krystya101, EquestrianPunk1992, Ze Ultimate Fanfic Writer, brezzybrez! You guys rock (which goes without saying!)
Let me just tell you that if I don't finish this by June 6 updates may be delayed for 3 days or so. Why? Because it's back to school! Grrr!
nascar-freak
Chapter 12: A Word Please
Aravinia looked around the hall of chambers. She saw no one. She quietly made her way to Giovane's chamber but just as she was about to turn the knob she heard someone from the staircase,
"Giovane."
Aravinia's head whipped around to see Peter with his hands folded behind his back, and leaning a bit against the walls of the corner. His expression was unreadable, which was making Aravinia quite uneasy, "Good evening," Peter said calmly. Aravinia looked down at the ground, pretending to be in shame. Peter noticed her reaction and walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around her let her head rest lightly on his chest, "Is there absolutely anything you wish to talk about?"
Aravinia frowned. Was this the reason Lucy, Edmund, and Susan had been staring strangely at her? Aravinia shrugged and tried to pull away. She had no explanation whatsoever, but Peter kept his arms where they were, "Please talk to me," he said gently. Aravinia bit her lip, "Nay, there is nothing a wish to talk about," was all she said. Peter pulled away and looked at her directly in the eye, "I know you too well, Giovane," he said. Aravinia cursed silently, What if the problem is: I am not Giovane?
Peter stared at her. His icy gaze was beginning to burn right through her. Aravinia shuddered, "Then you will know that there is nothing wrong," she said coldly. Peter looked taken aback. Giovane never used that tone of voice on him! Not once did she ever- "Giovane-" Peter began, but Aravinia's expression silenced him. She quietly entered Giovane's chambers and curtsied to Peter as she closed the door, "Good night, Peter."
Peter stared at the door as he heard the lock latch into place. He suddenly felt quite abandoned, lonely- no- alone. Peter leaned his forehead against the door, Is this what Lu, Ed and Su meant?
Peter kept his position, and soon decided to leave.
Aravinia crept to Giovane's bed. She growled under her breath, "Suspicion," she whispered, "'Tis time to take the next step."
Aravinia approached the bed with her ruby in hand. She held up the chain in front of Giovane's face and uttered a short sentence. The ruby turned into Sapphire for a moment. Soon, the jewel began to glow into a light shade of foggy blue and finally a ghostly white. Giovane stiffened in bed. Her fists clenched and her body cringed. She gritted her teeth and let out pitiful breaths and screams. Aravinia laughed, "You will not be heard, princess," she said, "At least, not while I'm here."
Giovane shivered violently and shook her head. Aravinia's ghostly white jewel turned into a flaming ruby once more. The Argouran quickly left the room.
Giovane stopped cringing. Her body relaxed, into a limp, breathing sack of bones. Her eyes fought to open. Giovane looked around the dark space she was in. She gasped for breath, and felt cold sweat run down her face. She felt her body boil, and illness take its toll on her already weakening body, "What's happening to me?" she whispered. She tried to sit up but her head screamed. Giovane screamed as well and fell in bed at once. Something's wrong, she thought. Giovane inched to the side of her bed and slowly dangled her feet over the edge. She got down and fell heavily on the ground. Her arms tried to support her weight as she shakily got on all fours. Giovane looked up at the window and crawled to its panes. She ran her hand up the bench beside it and used all the strength she could muster to get up. Her chest heaved from the effort and she pulled back the curtains to look outside the windows. Her chamber seemed to overlook the snow-covered gardens, At least, she thought for she was too tired to speak, I am assured that I am still in my chambers at Cair Paravel, and it is still winter in Narnia. Giovane looked down at the floor. Her feet were only a centimeter off of the ground and yet it seemed so high for her, "Oh Celestia," she groaned as she fell to the floor. She moaned in pain and dragged her body limply to the dresser. She stared at her reflection, and was mortified to see a pale-faced creature look back at her, "Oh!" she cried and fell from the small table, "Calm down," she breathed and pulled herself back up again. She looked more closely at the creature, but with great difficulty. It was a time before Giovane realized that she was staring at her own reflection. The pale-faced creature was her! Giovane ran a hand up her face. Her lips so red from her body temperature, and her eyes looked like dark sockets from the lack of light in the chambers, "I look," the Celestian began, "Menacing," she finished, unable to think of a better adjective. But what really scared her now was her dress. It wasn't the masquerade gown she remembered wearing, but it was a black velvet dress, which she was certain did not own. Giovane shivered and crawled back to bed. She pulled her self up and grunted as she fell on the sheets. Her mind wandered off, Why hadn't anyone looked for me? Or at least wait until I was awake? Giovane stared at the ceiling, Why hadn't Peter-
Why are you thinking about Peter?
Giovane shook her head, He loves me- I think.
I don't think he loves you anymore, Giovane.
Why the comment?
Shall I present to you what happened during the masquerade?
Giovane's eyes began to swell. There she was again. Standing behind the grassy garden hedge. She was in her masquerade gown, and behind her mask. But then, there he was. Kissing her. Giovane did not understand why he would do such a sudden action. Giovane watched again as he kissed her passionately. A kiss that was filled with…
Oh… Giovane's tears rolled down her cheeks, I wish not to think of it!
And so it happened. The princess cried herself to sleep. When was the last time she did that? Oh, yes. She knows. She cried herself to sleep in his arms, just a few months ago.
Author's Note: So yeah, there we go! Hope this was enjoyable. heehee! Next chapter is now being processed!