Chapter 16: On the Edge
I clenched my fingers as Lucy did the finishing touches on my hair. "You look beautiful! Quite stressing you're going to make yourself sick!" Lucy informed me slapping my shoulder. I smiled as Susan adjusted her own dress in the mirror. "Ready?" She questioned me, "As ready as I'll ever be" I sighed. "If this is what love feels then I hope I never fall in love" Lucy giggled and Susan and I rolled our eyes. "Don't let Corin hear you say that" I giggled causing Lucy to blush making Susan and I laugh as we made our way into the great hall. It was very packed and I sighed at seeing father wasn't here. Ronan caught my eye and he quickly came up to me. He curtsied and greeted Susan and Lucy before turning to me. "Princess you're father wanted to apologize for not being able to make it but something had come up" he said. I sighed and nodded.
"It's fine Ronan, thank you" I told him before we went to our respective chairs. Prince Rabadash was standing with Edmund and Peter and neither one of them looked happy about his presence. I smiled at seeing Peter's clothes, royal blue and gold as Susan had told me they would be. My own royal blue sash was on his arm. A large grin crossed his face at seeing me.
He stepped forwards quickly taking my hands ignoring his sisters as he kissed the top of them. "You look beautiful as always Princess" Peter smiled, I curtsied, "handsome yourself High King" I smiled and his bright blue eyes sparkled as he wrapped my arm around his. My hand nestling perfectly in the crook of his elbow. Edmund smiled at seeing me inclining his head slightly and I tried not to look at Rabadash but he had stepped forwards taking my free hand. "Princess, doing well I hope?" He questioned, "Quite well actually. Very much enjoying my stay in Narnia" I told him. His eye twitched for a second at the anger that suddenly risen up.
"Well that's good news, how's your father? I see he's not present" Rabadash questioned and I sighed. "He's doing quite well. Just some business came up that he couldn't miss. I'll send him you're regards, now if you'll excuse me dinner's about to be served" I told him and Peter quickly led me away from him. "Slimy git" Peter muttered and I smiled at that. "Aw still holding a sore spot for him are we High King?" I questioned him as he pulled my chair out for me. I smiled and sat down at the dark look that crossed Peter's face. "You could say that Princess" he replied for moving down a couple spots to his own seat.
I shook my head slightly at his response. He could be such a boy at times. Cor was sitting next to me and Corin next to him. On my left however was Susan so I at least had someone to talk to. "So when are you going to tell him?" Susan questioned me, Edmund next to her raised an eyebrow as did Cor. "Tell who what?" Cor questioned, "None of your business Cor, or you King Edmund for that matter" I winked at him. He smiled and shook his head but it was obvious he was still listening. "I'll talk to you later about that" I winked at her nodding towards Edmund and she nodded.
I was more than thankful when the dinner was over. Before I could say anything to Susan, Peter quickly appeared and spun me away from Susan. "Oh not even asking now are we?" I questioned him and he winked playfully. "Well I could leave you to dance with Rabadash if you want" Peter smiled moving to let go of my hand. My fingers clenched around his. "Don't even think about it!" I growled making him smile as his hands found my hips lifting me up into the air before setting me back down to my feet as we moved around each other through the steps of the dance.
As the night went on I was getting more and more nervous. I knew I should do it quickly, to get it over with. And from the looks Susan was giving me she knew it too. Just ask him to go on a walk! It'll be fine! But then the little voice in the back of my head would scream at me not to. That I should wait till he asks for courtship. But Peter wasn't interested in any other girls. He was going to offer courtship to me I knew it! "You look agitated Princess" Peter commented, I looked up at him and smiled softly at him. "I'm not High King, just have a lot to think about" I told him softly as he spun me before pulling me close to him again. "And what is that?" He questioned, "did you get another letter from Archland?" He questioned and I shook my head. It was worrying me that Sanly hadn't returned with a letter yet.
"I'm sure you'll hear something soon" Peter said softly and I nodded. "So if it's not Archland that's worrying you what is?" He questioned, I smiled up at him. "You" I told him plainly. He furrowed his eyebrows as he smiled, his head turning to the side. He opened his mouth to question me further only for Rabadash to suddenly interrupt. "High King, Princess" he greeted, Peter turned to look at him. "Prince" Peter practically growled his eyes narrowing, his hands tightening on my waist and my own hand. I smiled at that. Peter was getting possessive and it was cute.
"I was hoping for a chance to dance with the beautiful Princess here, after all Princess it has been so long since we've last been able to talk" Prince Rabadash smiled at me. His eyes begging me to dance with him. I sighed and looked up at Peter. "Just one dance" I promised him. Peter sighed but nodded kissing my hand softly before giving Rabadash a glare and leaving. I sighed as Rabadash took my hand, his other hand filling the space that Peter's left burning. But it didn't feel comfortable like it had with Peter.
"Rabadash, what did you so earnestly want to talk about?" I questioned him, "Don't sound like you're counting down the seconds before you can get away! I just want things to go back to normal between us! I see the way you look at the High King and I get it all right?" He said, I paused and looked at him alarmed. I mean I knew we made quite a few statements but damn. I didn't expect him to say that. "I just miss you, I want my best friend back" Rabadash looked so pathetic it was hard not to believe him.
I sighed, "you mean it?" I questioned him. "I do Ree Ree" he smiled softly and I smiled at him. He hadn't called me Ree Ree since we were kids. "Fine, but you get one chance you understand!" I told him and he nodded and crossed his heart as we continued dancing. "Come on walk with me" Rabadash suddenly said. I furrowed my eyebrows. "Why?" I questioned him, "just to talk. I want to show you something" he smiled wrapping my arm around his as he led me out of the room. "What do you want to show me?" I questioned him. "As a friend, I think you need to see this" he told me. I furrowed my eyebrows but let him drag be along down the hallway.
At hearing a giggle I was even more confused. Who was out here now? Rabadash held his finger to his lips and peaked around the edge of the wall towards the terrace before he looked back at me and nodded his head for me to look. I leaned over and did. Placing my hand on the wall to support myself my jaw dropped. Peter was standing there, his arms wrapped tightly around Princess Arland. Their tongues down each other's throats. She had her hands in his hair and he looked like he was more than enjoying it.
I felt the tears instantly spring up and I turned away quickly moving down the hall. Rabadash caught my arm. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have showed that to you" Rabadash quickly apologized wiping the tears away. I shook my head catching his wrists. The feeling of thumbs wiping away tears reminded me to much of Peter and it was only causing more of them to fall. "Stop, it's fine. Thanks for showing me. I just want to be alone" I told him before running down the hall. Only to collide with Edmund. He caught me before I fell. "Are you all right? Oh crap Aria why are you crying? Did I hurt you? I'm sorry!" Edmund started rushing the words out that they started getting jumbled together. I wiped my tears away quickly. "No Edmund, it's fine. Uh you didn't hurt me. I'm fine. I just really need some fresh air. I'm sorry" I told him quickly pulling my arms out of his grip and continued my running. Leaving Edmund confused behind me.
Peter's POV
I snarled at seeing Rabadash dancing with my Aria. "How'd that happen?" Edmund questioned nodding towards the pair that I was openly staring at. "Wanted to talk to her, pulled a whole pitiful act" I growled crossing my arms. "Will you quite looking so hostile! You're being rude!" Susan snapped smacking at his arm. "You look at them and try to keep a rude look off your face" I snapped gesturing to my Aria and that scoundrel that had his arms all over her!
"Go outside till you can act civil in public!" Susan snapped, "but!" I whined, "now" Susan growled. "I'll keep an eye on them now go!" She snapped. "I'll have her go out and meet you when she's done dancing" Edmund told me and I nodded and left. Susan giving Edmund a curious look but he just shook it off.
I sighed walking out onto the terrace. I looked up watching the stars. At least they were shining brightly tonight. "High King" A soft voice whispered and I turned around hoping to see Aria only to see Princess Arland instead. "Princess" I said instantly, she curtsied. "Is there something I can help you with Princess?" I questioned her not sure why she was here. "Actually I was hoping to talk to you about something" she said stepping forwards so there was only two feet in front of me. I furrowed my eyebrows at her. "What exactly was your plan when news spreads through out Archland that their Princess sneaks off into dark corners with the Narnia High King? After all with Archland being in such a fragile place right now with their King practically on his death bed." Princess Arland questioned, "rumors" I growled my eyes narrowing.
"Oh High King you don't have to defend yourself to me, after all. With such public statements and no courtship offers it stands to question what really is going on between the two of you" She smiled a devilish grin. The same grin she flashed Aria on the battle field that caused Aria to almost take her head off and I felt the same feeling rushing over me. "What do you want Princess and I suggest you tread very carefully" I growled. "Oh High King you have nothing to worry about, the public won't hear such a thing from me" she smiled. "And why is that?" I questioned her, "Well your majesty, for a favor I'd happily stay silent on the rather inappropriate relationship you and Princess Aria have." She smiled, and I dreaded what she would say her favor would be.
"And what favor is that?" I questioned her, she smiled her fingers playing with the blue sash tied around my arm. "Kiss me as if I was your princess" she smiled. "I'm not doing that" I growled instantly. "Oh dear High King. You don't have a choice" she winked and I narrowed my eyes. I knew if I didn't she'd tell everyone and it would destroy Aria and her homeland. "Just one kiss?" I clarified, "as long as it's a kiss that you would give Aria" she agreed. "Fine" I growled and leaned forwards and pecked her lips and quickly pulled back. She gave me a very displeased look. "I said a kiss that you would give Aria and you and I both know that's not the kind of kisses you would give her" she growled. I glared at her and sighed. Damn it.
"Fine" I growled grabbing her upper arms and kissed her hard. I really had to force myself to think of Aria, and I mean really! She quickly grabbed onto me, her hand running into my hair. Her lips moved so differently then Aria's, she quickly pressed herself against my chest and I felt the bile rise in my throat. I was more than happy to pull away and seeing the slight daze expression in her eyes I knew I won. "Now keep your end of the bargain, don't you breathe a word of this or of Aria and me" I growled, "Fine, but you can't breathe a word of this either. To anyone. Or yours and Aria's late night relationships will be right in the public eye" she growled. I glared at her before leaving. I paused at seeing Rabadash leaning against the wall, he had his ankles and arms crossed and he had a proud smile on his face.
His dark eyes watched me like a predator. Did he see? He had to have seen. I quickly moved down the hallway towards the Gala. I had to get to Aria, I had to tell her that I love her and she needed to know that now. "Edmund!" I shouted seeing him coming towards me, I opened my mouth to ask him where Aria was but he beat me to the punch. "What the hell happened?" He demanded, "What do you mean? Where's Aria?" I questioned him. "She went that way balling her eyes out! Did you tell her? Did it really go that badly?" Edmund questioned, "what she was crying?" I questioned him and he nodded.
"Did you tell her?" He questioned again and I shook my head. "No I haven't even been able to speak to her yet! I came this way to come get her and tell her. What do you mean she was crying? What happened?" I questioned him. "I don't know, I was coming this way to see what I found that caused her to cry so damn much and found you. What did you do to her?" Edmund demanded and racked my brain only for a cold chill to run down my spine and settle in my stomach. She must have seen me and Princess Arland.
Edmund glared at seeing my expression. "What did you do Pete?" Edmund growled, I opened my mouth to tell him only for Prince Rabadash's voice to reach us. "Good day Kings, having a nice chat in the dark?" He questioned, I turned around to see him and Princess Arland. She had a wicked grin on her face and I glared at her. I couldn't tell Edmund. The both of them would destroy Aria's reputation and along with it her country. "Quite, same for you two?" I questioned them. "Quite a good chat, High King" Princess Arland smiled before the two made their way into the gala.
I glared, "Pete what's going on?" Edmund demanded, I looked up at him. "Just stay out of it" I growled and heading for the gala. Maybe she went back to the party?