Disclaimer: I do not own the Chronicles of Narnia. C. S. Lewis does.

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Isabela ran a hand through her hair in frustration. It was difficult to keep track of hundreds of zigzagging hallways and corridors that dominated Cair Paravel. Despite the long time she had been here Isabela had no clue where she was.

She was lost.

Isabela turned back, debating whether to turn left or right. Left. She finally decided, hurrying her pace slightly. She was turning around the narrow corridor when she saw a long figure standing against the smoothly painted wall.

'My Queen.' Alexander inclined his head and stood upright lazily. 'Quite unexpected to see you here.'

'You're here too, Lord Alexander.' She noted, reminding herself that he was a guest. 'I'm sure you aren't here to look at the artistically painted walls.'

A wintry shadow passed over his face and his eyes narrowed like a predator's .

'You aren't very cordial, my lady.'

'And you aren't very tactful, my lord.'

'At least I try not to be as irritatingly blunt as you seem to be.'

Isabela flushed at his stinging words.

'Excuse me, my lord.' She said her voice stiff and formal. 'I have a task I must attend to.'

She made to move past him, her anger making her quicker but his words made her stop.

'You don't love him do you?'

'Who may I ask are you referring to?' She questioned icily.

'I thought it was very evident.' He smiled to reveal perfectly sharp teeth. 'Your husband.'

'Peter?' Isabela could not believe her ears. 'You shouldn't go around poking your nose in other people's business.'

'I was simply asking…'

'You have no right to.'

'It is interesting to see a couple quarrel against each other. Usually they don't.'

'And you are an expert on marriage problems?' she asked sarcastically.

'I wouldn't say expert.' He said considering. 'Your beauty is beyond perception.'

'Do you say that to every lady you meet?' Isabela asked scornfully, her eyebrows raised.

'No.' Alexander stepped closer to her. Isabela edged back uncomfortably. 'Just you.'

'Oh? Well then I profoundly request you to keep your charming words to yourself, my lord. I have no need for compliments or flattery from you.'

'Every woman desires flattery. No matter where it comes from.'

'I guess I'm not any common woman then.'

'You are correct. You're not ordinary, my queen. You are much higher in every aspect.'

Red spots appeared on Isabela's cheeks and her eyes flashed in anger. Only her upbringing stopped her from slapping him.

'Good day, Lord Alexander.'

Turning on her heel she walked away, feeling his eyes on her back. As she rounded around the next corner she thought she heard him say softly:

'You needn't worry. He doesn't love you either.'

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'Where were you?' Peter asked his silent wife. 'I haven't seen you since the morning.'

'I got lost.' She shrugged her shoulders carelessly.

A faint smile tugged on Peter's lips and he laughed quietly.

'You've been here for such a long time. And you still get lost?'

'Is it my fault if your fortress is a maze of confusion?' She was still angry with her encounter with Alexander that morning.

'You are waspish today, my dear.' He noted, raising his hands in exasperation.

When she did not reply he looked at her in concern his blue eyes clouding over. A sharp frown appeared on his face.

'Isabela?' Tucking his fingers under her chin he raised her eyes to meet his. 'Is something troubling you?'

She stared at him momentarily confused. Finally she shook her head in no.

Peter glanced at her sharply. It was evident she was hiding something from him.

He just didn't know what.

At this stage in their rocky relationship he didn't want to ruin the bond they had built with so much difficulty. So he didn't press her.

'How do you like our guest?' he asked lightly.

Was it his imagination or did Isabela turn a shade whiter and her knuckles tightened?

'I haven't had a chance to talk to him.' Isabela's voice was oddly constricted. 'He seems pleasant enough.'

'I'm surprised that none of us had any knowledge of his native country. Hanwr. Have you heard of it?'

'No.' Biting her lip she looked at him, her green eyes slanting, 'It's strange that nobody has ever heard of Hanwr.'

'He said it was a newly independent state on the border between Archenland and Calormene.'

'Still….it's too odd.'

'I'll write to King Lune. Obviously he would have heard about this new land.' Peter's eyes were troubled as he said this, his voice grave. 'After the recent war, it's difficult to trust people.'

Isabela made a strangled noise form her throat but she didn't comment on it.

'How soon will you write to King Lune?' She asked finally, drawing her knees up to her chin.

'The sooner, the better.'

'Peter…..' Isabela hesitated briefly. 'Do you think that perhaps Alexander is here for something other than a chance for tourism?'

'Tourism?'

'You know recreational activity, visits to scenic, architectural, historical areas….?'

'Why? Do you doubt his motives?' Peter leaned back against the bed. 'Are you suspicious of his reasons for visit?'

'Maybe.'

'That's not an answer.'

'It's the only answer you'll get for the time being.' She scowled at him.

'Isabela….Need you be so sharp tongued?' Peter sighed lightly. 'I'm only concerned for your well being and comfort.'

'You don't love me, do you?'

Peter's face tightened under the shadows that passed over it. His eyes turned cold and he turned his face away.

'Do you truly believe that?' He asked, forcing his voice to remain calm.

'And if I did?'

'I would not be surprised.' He said darkly.

'You didn't answer my question.'

Instead of replying he whipped around and Isabela saw anger, frustration and weariness in his face. He leaned so close to her that their foreheads almost touched.

'Maybe.'

'That's not an answer.' She breathed out, trying to stop her fingers from trembling.

His lips descended on hers with aching intensity and a fierceness that had no gentleness and everything suddenly fell away.

Dear Aslan…. Is this love?

She did not know how long she stayed that way with Peter's arms around her waist, her own resting on his shoulders but it seemed like ages and when he pulled away she still wanted more.

'It's the only answer you'll get for the time.'

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I know what you're thinking: OMG! OMG! OMG! The world is ending! Peter and Isabela are actually in love. And with each other!

Enough with my madness (and Peter and Isabela's) dear readers I am once again terribly sorry for the late update and small chapter. Hopefully the next one will be sooner and longer. But please don't think that I've discontinued it. I will continue this even if it takes me ten years to do it….

Ending on the same note: Review, review, review! Pretty please?

A. L. Potter