Trials of the Moon (book 3) Peter Pevensie Romance

Diner

"Sounds like someone's love had just arrived," the house cook noted as she went back into the kitchen.

The talk in the living room increased and I whipped my attention to it.

"Your Layla's boyfriend?"

I groaned. This wasn't good.

"You again?" I heard father say.

I stepped into the living room. The three people I really hoped wouldn't meet in one room and at my own house, were there. My life was more skewed up now than ever before. Peter's eyes were burning with controlled rage.

"Excuse me, what's going on here?" I demanded, easily stepping back into my Guardian role. Peter's anger chilled instantly like it was never there.

"Layla, don't you get involved with this," father scolded. "A lady should never get involved in situations women shouldn't be."

"I demand you exit the premise immediately until further notice," I shot back in an authoritative tone, then I lowered my voice. "Please, I would like to discuss this without you. It's a personal matter."

Asher's eyebrows rose at my action. He didn't expect I could act like this.

Father sent me a frown, "I think it is more of a matter worth discussing in my presence."

I took a step forward. "All my life, you've told me to not meddle in affairs that is not my business to, but this is my business. So please."

Father crossed the living room to enter the dining area. "You forget your place girl, I require you regain it."

I sighed then looked at the boys.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't planned on all this happening today."

"You've never told me about this, did you Layla, why? I thought you said you wouldn't hide anything from me," Asher looked at me as if looking for an answer.

"Maybe because she had a reason not to," Peter replied icily, his anger reappearing.

I sighed, "Peter, please."

He looked at me and didn't say anything more but his eyes still burned with fire.

I put a firm hand on his arm to keep Peter from punching Asher. Now was not the time for a fight.

I looked at Asher, "Everything I told you was true. This is the path I chose, can't you see, Asher? People do change and so does life. You can't expect that something will still be the same as you left it. Please, I can't be put into someone else's mold." I searched his face. I could read people's faces after all those years as Guardian in Narnia and it always came in handy when I needed it. "It was wrong of you to think so."

What I saw was only that of regret and disbelief. It was then replaced with a harder look, one that I knew I'd end up feeling guilty about this but what else could I do?

"I guess I should have come sooner," I tensed at the tone in his voice.

"I'm afraid that wouldn't have helped you all the same," I sighed.

The meal after that tasted like sawdust. I tried to keep the atmosphere from breaking into a fight now that Peter was here. It worked but I felt like I was breathing thin air and dying fast. Peter did his best to get on father's good side but I knew things weren't any easier for him than it was for me.

It was now closer to sunset. I stood in a nearby stream feeling the nice cold water flow over my feet. I wished with all my heart that I was back in Narnia. Running the kingdom with the only people I knew wouldn't treat me like my father did.

A few small splashes sounded as someone walked over to where I was. "Nature was always the place you'd be in."

I picked up some small rocks from the riverbed and studied their smooth surfaces. "Do you ever wish you were back in Narnia, Peter? Back where we could do whatever we wanted and where we were really at home?"

I heard him heave a heavy sigh. "More than you know. I still wake up every morning thinking I'm the High King of an entire kingdom with you and my siblings, then reality dumps a load of bricks on my head."

He turned me towards him. "But Aslan sent us back here for a reason, Layla."

I looked at the rocks again, they were no longer shiny with fresh water but dried and rough. "Narnia was always my home and for you and the others. Going there was a way to escape the constant accusations from my father. To forget about my troubles here but now that I can't go back, it's like I'm living a nightmare."

I looked at him, "Please don't take this wrong, I never wanted any relationship with Asher other than friends," I said.

"I don't think Asher thinks of this friendship the same way you do," Peter pointed out.

I took his hands in mine. "Peter, I'm not straying from the path I choose. You have my heart, you always did." I sighed, "what Asher thinks is his choice but I'm afraid he'll make things worse for you now that he knows."

Peter took my face in his hands. "I'll take whatever to be with you." He kissed me and I smiled a little, returning it. Just like the old days.