A week had passed since Riley entered Narnia. She had made friends with many centaurs, fauns, and other animals. Susan taught her archery, even though Riley really wanted to learn to sword fight. It was a long argument that ended with Susan winning.

"Why can't I?"

"Because I think you'd do better with a bow and arrow," Susan answered.

"Maybe if you let me try sword fighting once, we'll all know if I can handle it or not," Riley argued.

"Why don't you go ask Peter for permission. I'm sure he'd let you," Susan sarcastically suggested.

And that was where the argument ended. There was no way Riley was going to talk to Peter. They'd barely said a word to each other. No one but Edmund knew what was going on. And there was no way he was going to say anything.

Somehow she felt comfortable in Narnia, like she belonged there. She hadn't gotten lost in her thoughts like she did back home. She wished she could figure out why she had come from a different time than the others.

One night, she couldn't get to sleep, so she decided to take a walk. The halls were so quiet that it gave her the chills. Thankfully, there was enough moonlight to shine through the windows and give Riley a sense on where she was. She found her way out to the garden where she sat on a bench and stared at the sky.

A small breeze swept over the garden and chills ran through Riley's body. She began to shiver a little and wished that she would have grabbed a cape or blanket. At that moment, a blanket was draped over her shoulders. Riley looked behind her and saw Peter. He just stood there and looked at her.

"Did you need something your highness?" Riley asked, trying to be polite.

"Riley, I've already told you, don't be so formal," Peter replied. "And no, I don't need anything. I just noticed you were out here so I decided to keep you company."

"I don't need any company, but thanks anyways," Riley told him. She turned back around. Peter sighed and walked over and sat next to Riley.

"You know, most people wouldn't talk to royalty like that," Peter pointed out.

"Yeah, but I'm not most people. If you don't like it, tough," she replied. Peter chuckled a little, confusing Riley.

"I didn't say it was a bad thing. I find it quite refreshing. I sometimes dislike it when everyone acts so formal around me. I mean, sure, with strangers or people I don't speak to a lot, it's fine. But, like Orieus, the Beavers, Mr. Tumnus, it's frustrating."

"I'm a stranger. Why is it okay for me to be informal?"

"You are practically living here. And, I don't know, I feel like you're part of the family, even if it's only been a week." Peter replied.

"Thanks. Listen, I'm sorry for giving the cold shoulder. It's just that back home, my brothers are constantly fighting. So, it upset me when I saw the way you were treating Edmund," Riley told him.

"Really? Because I thought it was because you had a crush on me," he joked. Riley laughed and shoved him a little.

"You wish. I'm not into High Kings. They all seem to think they're better than everyone else." Riley told him. Peter pretended to look hurt and Riley burst out laughing. Peter grabbed the blanket and took it away from Riley. She got a shocked look on her face and grabbed a part of it and tried to pull it away from Peter. He wouldn't let go, so Riley tugged a little harder. Peter pulled the blanket toward him, hard enough that Riley lurched forward. They were only a couple inches from each other. Riley instantly let go of the blanket, and stared at Peter. She could feel her heart beating fast. Peter began to close the space between them. When their lips were about to touch, Riley pulled away.

"I better get to bed. Goodnight," she stuttered before getting up. She practically ran back to her room. She shut the door behind her and sat on her bed. After a while of just sitting there, Riley laid down and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Riley woke up to the sound of her name being called. When she opened her eyes she saw Lucy towering over her.

"Come on Riley. It's time for breakfast. Get up," Lucy said.

"Okay, just give me a minute. Goodness, you make it seem like it's the end of the world," Riley replied. She sat up and looked at Lucy. "Happy now? I'm awake."

"Now get ready." Lucy said with enthusiasm. Riley gave her a questioning look.

"Lucy, there isn't, by any chance, some other reason you want me to get up, is there?" Riley asked. Lucy gave Riley an innocent look.

"No, no other reason."

"Uh huh, you know what, you're bad at lying," Riley told her. Lucy huffed and looked defeated.

"They made me promise not to tell."

"Lu, please?" Riley gave her puppy-dog eyes.

"Susan and Ed are taking us to the beach today," Lucy finally gave in.

"What about Peter?"

"He said he had some business to attend to. I swear, he acts like he's the only royal in this palace," Lucy answered. Riley gave her a weak smile, got up, and began to get ready for the day. Lucy sat on the bed and watched her the entire time.

"You and Susan are so wonderful when it come to doing your hair," Lucy pointed out. Riley turned away from the mirror and looked at Lucy.

"One of these days you'll learn too. But it takes practice," Riley told her.

"Will you help me?"

"Of course. I'm sure Susan will too." Riley answered. Lucy smiled and stood up.

"Are you done?"

"Yep, you ready to go, Lu?"

"Why do you think I stood up? Come on," Lucy replied. She grabbed Riley's hand and dragged her to the dining hall. There they found Susan and Edmund already eating. Lucy ran over and sat next to Susan and Riley say next to Edmund.

"Did you sleep well?" Edmund asked Riley.

"Yes and no," Riley answered as she began to eat a piece of toast.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Promise not to tell?" Riley whispered, enough to keep the other girls from hearing her.

"Of course," Ed replied. Riley took a deep breath.

"Well, I couldn't get to sleep last night. So, I walked out to the gardens and stared at the stars. Then Peter came out there. We talked and then he almost kissed me," Riley whispered to Edmund. Edmund looked a little shocked.

"Are you serious? Why didn't you kiss him?"

"Well, for starters, I barely know him. It seemed a little awkward last night," Riley told him. Right then, Peter walked in. Riley and Edmund quickly turned away from each other and started eating. Riley could tell Peter was staring at her while he sat down, but she didn't look at him.

"Peter, will you please come with us today?" Lucy pleaded.

"Lucy, hush," Susan snapped.

"It's alright. Riley already knows." Lucy told her. Susan was about to say something else, but Riley began talking.

"I forced her into telling me. She lasted longer than I thought she would." Riley told Susan. Lucy smiled at her.

"Oh, well, since you already know," Susan began, then she turned her attention to Peter. "Please come with us. You can stop being High King for one day."

"Susan, I've already told you. I have business to attend to. I promise, the next time you all go out, I'll come with." Peter replied.

"That's what you said every other time, Pete," Edmund commented. Peter just glared at him. Then he looked at Riley who was staring at her food, refusing to look up.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't today." Peter told them. He stood up and left the room without even touching his food. The rest of them looked at each other, before deciding to get going.

The beach was fantastic. The water was the most amazing shade of blue that anyone had ever seen. And the sand was so soft that it felt like Riley was walking on air. The entire place seemed like a dream, and Riley didn't want to leave it.

They spent the time building sand castles and searching for sea shells. Edmund, at one point, thought it would be funny to pick Riley up and throw her in the water. She quickly got up and tackled Edmund. Lucy and Susan helped her pick Edmund up and they all three chucked him into the water. The four of them laughed for about an hour before deciding to head back to the palace. But, just before they were about to leave, an arrow shot at them and hit Ed in the arm. He fell down to the ground and pulled it out. Riley kneeled beside him. Susan began to look around, trying find where the arrow came from. Lucy had already ran back to get Peter.

Another arrow whizzed past Riley's head, and just barely grazed her skin. She ducked down and felt blood trickling down her cheek. Edmund grabbed her with his uninjured arm, and they both quickly stood up. They turned every which way, trying to find the shooter.

"Susan, I think we need to make a run for it,' Edmund suggested. Susan nodded. They started to run back to Cair Paravel. Edmund had a hold of Riley's hand, since he was more worried about her than himself. About half way there they ran into Peter, Orieus, and a few more soldiers.

"Who was it?" Peter asked.

"I don't know. We tried looking, but couldn't see anyone. Edmund got hit in the arm and Riley almost got an arrow in her face." Susan told him.

"Orieus, take your troop and scan the beach. I want whoever it is found." Peter ordered. Orieus nodded and him and the other soldiers headed toward the beach. Peter looked at Edmund and Riley. Ed had blood on his arm and Riley's right cheek was cut.

"We better get you two inside and healed," Peter said. Edmund, still holding Riley's hand, began to walk back with Riley in tow. Peter and Susan followed behind them.

"Does your arm hurt?" Riley asked.

"Not much. How about you. That cut looks really bad." Edmund pointed out.

"It stings a little. But, I think I'll survive," Riley told him. Ed smiled and squeezed her hand.

"So, tell me why you insist on holding my hand?" Riley whispered.

"The look on Peter's face says it all," Edmund responded. Riley just barely turned her head to see Peter glaring at Edmund. She turned back around and laughed a little.