Good afternoon all my beautiful readers! I hope you love love loved, my last chapter as much as I did! This chapter is a little bit shorter than other, but is hopefully what all of you wanted to have! So, with out further or do! Please review and follow etc. And happy happy reading! Love you all! :)x
I opened the doors to my bedroom, once he was out of sight only to find a crying Isobella sprawled across the sofa. Her head shot up as soon as I closed the door.
"What are yo-," she cut me off.
"He was with you wasn't he?" she said sobbing.
"Isobella, what are you doing here?" I asked puzzled. She rose from the sofa, black streaks down her face, her always immaculate hair dishevelled.
"Answer my question, Princess. Was he with you or not?" she asked, the venom pouring out through her Spanish accent. I had no choice but to answer.
"Yes, he was with me." I told her, feeling slightly sorry for her.
"What have you done to him? Have you used some sorcery upon him? Bewitched him with the dark magic?" she asked walking closer to me, her eye alight with rage.
"No, I haven't done anything." I told her with the same rage inside her. How dare she insult me by implying I'm some sort of witch?
"Then what is it!? What is it that keeps him talking about you, sneaking out to see you? What makes him miserable when you're not near? Tell me!" she yelled as she paced my room in a fluster and confusion.
I thought for a while, smiling when I knew the answer. "All I can think of is love, Isobella." She stopped and faced me. Her eyes were now red from her previous tears. She then walked closer to me and threw her arms around me. Then once again, she started to cry only this time in my arms.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked her. I'd never seen her more vulnerable at this moment, I couldn't possibly hold my angry feelings against her now.
"It's just...how...why can't," she paused and sobbed a bit more, "why can't he love me...like he...loves you?" she finished and looked up at me.
"Isobella, that's something you'll have to ask him," I paused to stroke her hair, "but, the heart and love are such complicated things. I'm sure that one day you'll find it too. But that won't happen if you follow through on this plan to marry Pete and I marry Jake. You'll have to call off the whole thing in order to find it." I told her, crossing my fingers she'd listen.
She stopped sobbing and pushed away from me, instead of her eyes being filled with tears they were now filled with more rage and hate. "Do you think you can take advantage of me? I know what you're doing. And let me tell you, I did have love, and he was taken from me just as Peter was from you. If I can't have love, no one can!" she finished.
She turned and walked out of the room, I was suddenly ready to explode. She was so selfish depriving us all of our happiness.
"How could anyone ever love you?" I said the words so harshly it made her stop in her tracks.
Without turning around, she replied, "You'll never know. Your answers were taken by the sea when his ship was."
I suddenly felt horrible and she continues to walk away. The person she loved was dead. Swallowed by the sea, and with him went her heart. It makes perfect sense. She's so cold because of this tragedy. I suddenly felt thankful that Pete was alive; I couldn't live knowing I'd never see him again. I mentally kicked myself for fighting with Isobella. She didn't deserve it, even if she was depriving me of my happiness.
"I'm getting married today." I said as I woke the following morning. I could hear sound floating through my doors from the corridors as well from outside. I stood up a little dazed and walked to my balcony. I walked outside and peered down on the preparations.
I saw Peter and Edmund, helping the other servants put up the marquee for the reception. Chairs and tables were being carted around and flowers coming in with the most beautiful crystal vases. Everything was finally coming together.
Peter stood there working away. I missed watching him concentrate. He was pointing at people instructing them like a real leader. He then looked up and saw me staring, he smiled softly and waved. I sighed, saddened by the memory of last night. I gave him a small wave back and when he returned to his work walked back into the confines of my room.
I sat down on my bed, unsure of what to do. It was too early to start getting ready, but too late to go back to sleep. I walked over to my draws and opened the top one. I searched through for the letter from Pete, a little curious as to what he'd written. I finally found it and tipped the contents on my bed. I sorted through all the little notes we'd shared and found the most important one. It had Peter's insignia on it and smelt like his offices; mahogany and honey. I opened it and it read:
Dearest Lex,
No one will ever compare to you.
Yours forever, Peter.
That was it, with seven words the King could bring me too tears. Yet like he said it comforted me.
"Alexea, I've bought breakfast," Susan said as she walked through my room. I turned to her with my tears stained face.
"Hey, I know it's hard," she paused walking over to me and putting the breakfast down on the table. "But trust me, things have to get better." She paused stroking my hair and then realised the letter. She sighed heavily. "Come on, just have some breakfast, it's your favourite; vanilla muffins and fruit."
"Well, we're done," said Susan and she and Lucy stepped out from behind the screen. Susan and Lucy's dress were their respective shade of red and both tea length. They were off the shoulder and the back was adorned with little ruby buttons.
"You girls look wonderful!" I exclaimed happily as they twirled around.
"Where's Isobella?" question Lu.
"She's getting ready with Jake, some sort of family tradition," I told them, putting on my earrings.
"You better start getting ready, you'll be walking down that isle in just over an hour," Susan said.
"I am getting ready, I've got my earrings on," I said as I pointed to the small round rubies.
"That's the only thing you've done!" she said and I turned to face myself in the mirror. My hair was in disarray, no makeup and still in my dressing gown.
"What's first?" I asked her rolling my eyes. I knew she was dying to get started.
"Hair and makeup," she said giddily. Right away she started brushing and teasing any piece of hair she could get a hold of.
"Su, slow down," said Lucy rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, please slow down. I want a full head of hair when this is over." I told her.
"Both of you be quiet! Alexea don't you ever brush your hair? There are so many knots!" she exclaimed. Lucy and I giggled quietly and my transformation began to take place.
When I was finished with the hair and makeup, the two girls left me to get dressed as they found their brothers. I finally had ten minutes alone. I walked over to my dress and touched its soft material. I unbuttoned the back and stepped into it. How was I going to do the buttons up? That's when I heard the knock on the door.
"Come in, I need some helped," I laughed at myself. I turned to see who it was.
"I guess you're going to get me to do up your buttons as long as we're married?" questioned Jake cheekily.
"I guess so. But aren't you meant to be with your family?" I asked him.
"No, who said that?" he asked.
I rolled my eyes, "Your sister." We both chuckled. "Isn't it bad luck for the bride to see the groom?".
"Well I believe," he paused as he struggled on one of the buttons, "that only applies for couples that are in love. Now since this a contract, I don't think it matters." He finished smiling sadly.
"Then what brings you here?" I asked him putting my earrings in for the second time that day.
"I wanted to tell you that, I saw you and Peter at the fair."
"Oh. I-," he cut me off.
"Don't worry, I was there with Eva."
"So, was there anything else?" I asked him a little puzzled.
"Well, I mean, we could never fake anything like what you and Peter share and what Eva and I share," he paused doing up the last button, "I'm just saying if you're not sure, or won't do this, run now."
I turned to him and smiled sadly, "The fact that you care about me this much now and given we've only known each other for a little more than a week, tells me that, one day we will come to love each other, albeit not as we do love Pete or Eva but, we will. And if that's the best to come out of this situation, then I'll be very happy Jake."
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes, I," I paused and then continued hesitantly. I closed my eyes, "I'm sure."
"Alright, well your buttons are done. And I better be off before we get caught," he said as he walked away.
"Thanks Jake," I said turning as he left.
"And Alexea, you're one of the most beautiful brides I've ever seen," he said just as he slipped out. I smiled a smile of thanks.
I sat down at the vanity. The mirrors that surrounded me showed me all sides of my transformation. Since I was a little I've dreamt of this day. I dreamt of the big white dress, the cathedral vale, my father walking me down the aisle, my grandmother's favourite flowers for my bouquet and the man of my dreams. But today, instead I had a slim dress, no vale; I was walking myself down the aisle, had a bouquet roses instead of lilies, and I wasn't meeting Pete at the altar.
Another knock on the door was my signal that we were ready to walk down the aisle. I stood up and got the bouquet that was left for me. I walked out the door to be greeted by the bridal party.
"Oh, Alexea!" exclaimed Susan. I smiled at her. My dress was long-sleeved; they were tight at the wrist and then ballooned out. It was a boat neckline and some sort of see through material that was dazzled with precious diamonds and pearls. It was fairly fitted and then at the waist, instead of the traditional Narnian 'balloon' it was a slimmer skirt of silk, with the same diamonds and pearls embroidered on the hemline.
"You look good," said Isobella slightly surprised.
"Thank you girls, but I believe we are keeping quite a congregation of people waiting," I replied to them nervously.
With my direction we headed down. Isobella went first, then Lucy, followed by Susan and then I; the blushing bride. All the while I was thinking of Peter. His lips, the way he might've looked if I was marrying him. I heard the shouts echo through the corridors from the kitchen, I heard the orchestra playing for the waiting guests. My tummy started to turn as the butterflies started. My heart was thumping in my chest at a hundred miles per hour.
We finally made it to the closed doors of the ballroom. We were ready to go when a lord came over to us. "There is a bit of a delay. We cannot find the minister."
"What!?" shrieked Susan.
"He seems to have lost himself on the way down."
"He could be anywere," smirked Isobella.
"We have to help find him," said Lucy slightly worried.
"Alright, Isobella and Lucy, we'll go. Alexea you stay here," said Susan.
"But, I'll be here alone!" I yelled out as they had already sped off. I turned to face the Lord, but I was greeted by thin air as he'd left as well.
"Lex!" I heard someone yell. I turned around to see Peter running towards me. As soon as I faced him, he stopped in his tracks.
"Pete, what is it?" I asked running towards him trying not to rip my dress of mess up my face or my bun. My wispy bits around my face and the curls were flying as I raced towards him. "Why did you stop, what's wrong?" I asked him again as I got closer. I was touching his face, his arms trying to get him to stop staring like a ghost.
"Lex, everything's fine. I was just shocked."
"Shocked at what?" I said as I fixed the curls around my face.
"Well, I'd never thought you could look as beautiful as you did last night. Guess I was wrong," he blushed as did I.
"Thanks Pete. You're still an absolute romantic," I told him smiling as I brushed some hair from his eyes.
"Well, then. You might want to hear this," he said as he walked me back down to the doors to the ballroom.
"What, nothing that will wreck my makeup I hope," I laughed sadly. But when I looked at him, his eyes told me this was no joking matter. They were filled with hope and sadness, with love and heartbreak.
"Lex, this isn't the ideal time to be telling you this I know. But it's my last effort. Last night before I came to see you, I told Isobella I wanted to call things off. I'm not getting married unless it's to you. The girl who stayed by my side in battle, who told me she'd never leave me. I don't want to sit there and watch you marry Jake because every time I see you together, my heart breaks a little bit more, and soon enough it'll be in pieces. Last night after I saw you, I couldn't sleep or think straight. I cried because I missed sneaking into your room and holding you in my arms."
"Pete," I whispered, my tears were trying to escape but I held them back with force.
"I cannot see you get married today, and I know you can't either. You wouldn't have kissed me like that last night, if you knew you were going to be married today. So, instead of me watching you vow to whatever god they believe in, your love for Jake, I'll be in our carriage, waiting for you. If you don't come, I understand you're doing what's best for our country."
"Peter, please," I sobbed.
"Lex," he said wiping away my tears, "I can't believe it's taken me this long to say this but, I love you. Really, truly and forever."
"We found him," I heard Susan say as she rounded the corner. She stopped as she saw my tears stained face and Peter.
I looked to Peter, his eyes pleading. "I...have to...go," I told him.
"I'll be waiting," he said as Susan came to fix my eyes. I heard his footsteps trail away as she looked my sternly in the eyes.
"What did he say?" she asked, dabbing and prodding my eyes.
"He told me he loved me," I told her. Her mouth dropped into an O shape.
"Are you going to run?" she asked me.
"If I do, get Lucy and Ed."
"Why?" she asked exteremly puzzled.
"We're going back to Narnia."
"So you're going to run?" she asked me.
"I don't know Su, at this stage, Narnia is still more important."
"Well whatever you choose Alexea, I'll be following hot on your heels." She said smiling.
"We're ready," said one of the Lords.
"Let's do this," I muttered to myself.
The doors opened, and the girls walked down ever so slowly. Then the bridal march began.
"Just keep walking. Just keep walking," I thought to myself.
I'm not getting married unless it's to you... I missed sneaking into your room and holding you in my arms... I can't believe it's taken me this long to say this but, I love you. Really, truly and forever.
Peter's words drummed through my head. Everyone stood up as I walked down to aisle. Jake was standing up there smiling at me. I began to breathe heavily. I couldn't let him stand there alone. I couldn't let Narnia be engulfed into another battle. I was now hyperventilating by the middle of the aisle. Everyone's eyes were on me intently. I stopped. I clutched my chest and tried to regain control of my breathing.
The congregation gasped. I looked up and saw Susan's worried face standing there, I saw Jake make his way towards me. This is not my wedding, I shouldn't be here. Today should've been Eva in this dress. I looked up at Jake who had now come closer. I stood up as straight as I could and mouthed, "I'm sorry."
He nodded his head in understanding. "It's okay. Go."
With Jake's blessing I picked up my skirts, turned around and ran.
"Stop here!" I heard Isobella screech.
"Guards, gets her know!" bellowed Jake's father.
I ran as fast as my feet would carry me. I turned around to see if the guards had followed me. Instead I saw the beaming faces of Susan, Lucy and Edmund. We ran until we got to the doors. I tired to open it but it wouldn't budge.
"I can't open it!" I yelled as they caught up with me.
"What!?" yelled Lucy as she kept turning her head back and forth to see if they were catching up.
"You need a key!" replied Edmund and he tried unlocking things.
Just at that moment, all my faith had faded away, until Eva ran into the hall.
"Eva! Do you have a key?" I asked her.
"I do Alexea. Here, quick. They're coming," she exclaimed. Edmund fiddled with the key and just managed to get it open as the guards came around the corner.
"Eva, thank you so much," I paused handing her back the key. "And take the bouquet, that's your wedding not mine." I finished and planted a kiss to her cheek.
"Thank you Alexea. Now go! I'll be expecting an invite to your wedding!" she yelled as I ran away.
I hurriedly made my way down the steps. The rest of them were situated in the carriage already.
"Hurry up Lex!" yelled Peter as he smiled brightly.
I turned around to see the guards catching up with me. I ran faster and faster, kicking off my heels as the prevented even more speed. I suddenly felt like Cinderella, the character from the old French story my mother used to read to me. I ran into Peter's arms and kissed him passionately. How I've missed doing that.
"Peter Pevensie. I love you too." He smiled even more and gave me another kiss.
"Let's go home," he whispered. And with that, we all got into the carriage and took off. Homebound for the Cair.