Tryst - Chapter 7

As time went on, Serenity and Endymion grew careless. Their time alone together was so rare and short that any moment they had was put to good use. If Endymion stumbled upon Serenity in the library, he'd take a quick glance around to make sure no one was nearby and would drag her among the many bookcases and kiss her until they heard someone coming. If one of his guards left the room for a moment, she'd draw him in, only to release him just as the door opened.

Serenity had been surprised to find Endymion alone in the stables, taking a saddle off his horse. She hadn't asked where his guards were as he pulled her into a stall, pressing his lips against hers passionately. She didn't understand how or why, but being near him created an uncontrollable passion in her. She knew it was dangerous, foolish, and unwise, but she couldn't stop herself. Every time she made up her mind to end it, he would brush a finger over her skin or look at her with lust-filled eyes, and she'd just come undone. She threaded her fingers into his hair, desperately pressing herself against him as though, if she tried hard enough, she could meld their bodies together.

"I should have known."

They jumped apart, Serenity's eyes wide and chest heaving. Kunzite stood at the entrance of the stall, arms crossed, frowning in disappointment and what looked like anger.

Serenity adjusted her gown; she was a princess, no matter how inappropriate what the guard had just seen was. She lifted her chin and met Kunzite's eyes.

"Have you been following me, Kunz?" Endymion asked darkly. He didn't bother to fix his hair, which she had mussed horribly, or button his shirt. He didn't seem the least bit embarrassed.

"It's my job to follow you, Endymion," Kunzite reminded him. "It's my job to protect you."

"Well, I can assure you that after a thorough search, I have found no weapons concealed on the princess's body," he said, but there was no laughter behind the joke.

"I warned you," Kunzite said. "Why didn't you listen to me? Do you have any idea what will happen if your father – or worse, hers – hears of this?"

"They won't," Endymion replied, "unless you tell them."

There was a challenge behind Endymion's words, and Serenity knew that he was silently asking Kunzite to decide where his loyalties lay.

"How long has this been going on?" Kunzite asked.

"Two months," Endymion told him. "Are you going to tell my father, Kunzite? Or are you going to remain my friend?"

The guard frowned, his silver eyes flickering with anger. "You know I'm not telling anyone. To do so would mean risking war. But tell me, Endymion, what happens when she is married to some other man? What would you do if on your wedding night you discovered that your blushing bride was not a virgin?"

A wave of nausea rolled in Serenity's stomach. Suddenly, she felt dizzy, and the weight of what she had done finally settled over her. She didn't understand why it had taken so long for her to understand the severity of her actions; she'd known from the very beginning the risk involved in her affair.

"Oh my god," she whispered. "What have I done?"

Endymion looked at her sharply, seeing that her eyes were wide, her face impossibly pale. "What are you panicking about?"

She looked at him, an almost wild fear in her eyes. "How could we have been so foolish? Women are expected to be virgins when they marry! What is going to happen when I get married and my husband realizes I'm not?" She closed her eyes tightly, as though she could block it all out.

"Calm down," Endymion told her.

"Calm down? How can you tell me to calm down? What we've done has no effect on you! It won't matter to the woman you marry that you aren't a virgin; she'll never be able to tell! When I'm found out, do you know what will happen to me? I'll be disgraced, no better than a common whore! My family will be dishonored!" She looked at him now, her expression filled with anger. "You were not worth the trouble."

Endymion's eyes widened at her words, but his shock quickly changed to fury. Rage boiled within him, and his face darkened as he took a dangerous step toward her. "What did you say?"

"You heard me," she replied. Then she shook her head, pressing her hand to her forehead. "This was such a mistake."

A low growl escaped Endymion's lips, and Kunzite put a hand on the prince's chest, as though he thought Endymion might hurt Serenity.

The prince whirled, striking Kunzite so hard that the white-haired soldier fell to the ground. Serenity cried out and ran to the guard's side. Kunzite looked completely stunned, and Endymion stepped backwards, shocked at himself.

"Are you alright?" Serenity asked, helping Kunzite sit up. The guard shook himself and pressed his fingers to his cheek, which was already turning purple.

"Princess, I think you should return to the palace," Kunzite said, never taking his eyes off Endymion as he stood. "I think you and Endymion have said all that needed to be said; I, however, have not."

Serenity looked between Kunzite and Endymion for a moment before deciding it was best for her to go. She hurried out of the stables, leaving the men by themselves.

Kunzite glared at Endymion for a minute. "Well, if you were going to hit me over any woman, I suppose I should be happy she's a princess and not some random girl from the kitchens."

Endymion stared at the bruise on Kunzite's cheek. "Kunz, I…"

"You what?" he asked. "You hit me. Why? Because you knew better than to hit her? I warned you, Endymion. Nothing good can come of this."

"Well, it doesn't seem like anything is going to come of it now, thanks to you," Endymion retorted.

"Is that supposed to make me feel guilty?" Kunzite asked. "It doesn't. I'm doing my job; I am protecting you from danger, from yourself. No woman is worth the risk you were taking, no matter how good she may be in bed."

Endymion was still angry, but the bruise on his friend's cheek was bothering him. "I shouldn't have hit you."

Kunzite blinked. "That's the closest thing to an apology you've ever said to anyone."

The prince simply grunted and began walking out of the stables. Kunzite caught up and walked with him.

"Just find another girl," Kunzite told him. "The new girl in the kitchens, the one Jadeite was talking about. She's your type. All curves. One woman is just as good as any other."

Endymion didn't respond, silent as they headed back to the palace.

---

Endymion watched as the kitchen girl drained her glass of wine eagerly. She was beautiful, of course; despite the teasing he endured, Jadeite truly did have good taste in women. Her dark red hair fell in waves over her tan shoulders. The laces of her simple dress were undone, drawing attention to her breasts. She licked her pouty lips and looked at him with an unmistakable hunger.

She crawled to him and kissed him deeply, her fingers clumsy with drunkenness as she fumbled with the buttons of his pants. She pressed herself against him, and Endymion let his hands roam over her voluptuous body with forceful passion. He helped her out of her dress and removed his clothing for her. She climbed onto his bed, smiling drunkenly at him as she beckoned for him to join her.

As Endymion kissed her, ran his hands over her skin, he kept imagining that her hair was longer, silver instead of red, her skin softer, paler, lips fuller. Her touch was strange to him, her hair coarse and foreign. He kept his eyes closed.

When he lay back against the pillows, the woman curled against him, panting, her hair clinging in sweaty clumps to her skin.

"That was incredible," she said huskily, kissing his shoulder. Endymion sighed heavily, detangling himself from her arms and getting out of bed. As he pulled on his pants, she sat up and asked, "Wasn't that incredible?"

Endymion shrugged gracelessly. "It was alright."

He didn't pretend to miss the insulted, hurt look on her face and picked up her dress, holding it out to her. She stared at him as though he held a poisonous snake out to her. Her eyes were wide with disbelief, but when he didn't lower the dress she grabbed it and pulled it on hastily. She didn't bother to wish him a goodnight as she stormed out of the room.

Endymion paced the room for a few minutes before groaning in frustration and heading out the door. His guards seemed surprised to see him but said nothing, and he continued through the halls in silence until he reached a specific door and pounded on it. The guards at this door looked as though they might say something to him, but he silenced them with a glare.

The door opened, and Serenity stared at him in shock as she tightened her night robe's belt.

"I need to speak to you, Princess," Endymion said before she could speak. "I realize it is late, but it is extremely important."

Serenity simply stared as she stepped aside to let him in. When the door was firmly closed, she hissed, "What in heaven's name are you doing here?"

Endymion kissed her suddenly, trying to erase the taste of another woman from his lips, but Serenity practically jumped away from him.

Before she could say anything, he said, "I tried. Kunzite told me to replace you with another woman, any woman, and I tried. And the whole time I was with her, I kept thinking of you. I kept imagining you. I don't want anyone else right now, Serenity. Just you."

He reached out for her, but she stepped back. "Are you out of your mind? You come here to tell me that you slept with another woman, and you expect me to just leap into your arms? How desperate do you think I am, Endymion?"

"Serenity, I know what Kunzite said earlier upset you; I know you are worried about what will happen when you go home. But we can't undo it. You know that."

"Of course I do," she said.

"Then why stop? We both want this. I know you want this. We cannot undo the damage, so why not just continue on while we still can?"

Serenity turned away, facing the window and the dark black sky outside.

"Would you sleep with me if I told you I'd just slept with another man?" she asked.

Endymion pressed himself against her back, his hands running over her body possessively. "Yes, and I wouldn't stop until I had erased the memory of his touch from your body."

She shivered under his touch, but then she pulled away.

"It's not that easy," she told him, a hint of anger in her eyes.

"And why not?" Endymion demanded, irritated.

"First of all," she told him, her voice filled with anger, "I will not touch you until you've washed that other woman off your body."

Endymion was mildly surprised by the jealousy and possessiveness in her voice. "And what else?"

"The guards might get suspicious if you stay the night," she reminded him. "It was incredibly stupid of you to come here so late; it'll be a miracle if they don't tell your father."

Endymion bristled angrily. "So you want me to leave, then?"

"Yes," she told him. "You shouldn't have come to begin with."

He threw the doors open and walked out, just hearing Serenity call, "Thank you for returning my bracelet, Prince Endymion."

The guards closed the door behind him, and Endymion stalked back to his bedroom.

---

Endymion sat hunched forward, staring intently into the red wine in his glass. He sat silently like that for a long time, seemingly unaware that his guards were staring at him just as intently. Then he looked up suddenly, his eyes dark.

"I need to know that I can trust you," Endymion said. "I need to know that you are loyal first and foremost to me."

Three of the men were utterly bewildered, but Kunzite's eyes narrowed.

"Endymion, it is our job to protect you from harm," the guard said. "You already know where I stand on—"

"You're right; it is your job to protect me," Endymion agreed. "But what if the only way to protect me is to keep a secret for me?"

"What are you talking about?" Jadeite asked, eyebrows drawn together in a frown. "What secret?"

"I need to know that if I tell you something, it will remain between us, that you will never speak it to another person as long as you live," Endymion told them.

The four guards looked at each other, all but Kunzite confused.

"Endymion," Nephrite said, "we are your guards. It is our duty to protect you, and to do so, our loyalty must be to you. If keeping a secret is the only way to protect you, it is our job to keep it."

Jadeite and Zoisite nodded.

"And you, Kunz?" Endymion asked. "Will you keep my secret?"

"I have no choice but to do so," Kunzite replied. "I pledged my life to keeping you safe, even if you are choosing a path which places you in danger."

Endymion nodded. "I'm glad to know I can trust you four."

"Well, what's the secret?" Jadeite asked, leaning forward.

"He's sleeping with Princess Serenity," Kunzite said emotionlessly.

Three pairs of eyes widened.

"Are you mad?" Zoisite exclaimed. "Do you have any idea what will happen if you are caught?"

"Yes," Endymion replied, "which is why I just swore you all to secrecy."

"Endymion, this is not a good idea," Nephrite said. "It's too much of a risk."

"What if she gets pregnant?" Jadeite asked. "How the hell would you two explain that?"

"It won't happen," Endymion told them. "We're being extremely careful."

"Endymion, you know that's not—"

"I know, damn it!" Endymion yelled. "I know. Just trust me, alright? I didn't tell you so that you could all lecture me."

"Well, why can't you sleep with another woman?" Jadeite asked. "I mean, Serenity is gorgeous, obviously, but she's just a woman."

"No," Endymion told him. "I tried, and it was not the same. After having her, I don't know if I can be satisfied with anyone else. At least, not while she's around."

Nephrite sighed and began, "Endymion, I—"

"Listen, I did not tell you for advice or warnings. I know what I am doing. What I need is for you four to do your jobs and protect me."

"You mean," Kunzite said, "making excuses and lying for you. Covering for you when you vanish for a few hours."

"Yes," Endymion admitted. He didn't apologize for it.

"Fine," Kunzite said. "I personally don't like it, but I will do what it takes to keep your relationship with Serenity a secret."

The others nodded.

Endymion smiled at them. "It is good to know I can trust you men."

They sat silent for a moment. Jadeite brightened suddenly. "Shall we play a game of cards?"

They all laughed, passing around a wine bottle and pulling silver and gold coins out of their pockets.

"Let's see who ends up with the most of Jadeite's money this time."

---

It was close to sunrise when Endymion finally got out of bed and began pulling his clothes on. Serenity watched him from where she lay beneath the blankets, eyes heavily lidded with sleep and satisfaction.

"You are certain they won't tell?" she asked again, propping herself up on her elbows.

"I'm sure," Endymion assured her. "They are loyal to me; they won't betray my trust."

"Good," she said sleepily, lying back against the pillows and settling beneath the blanket.

Fully dressed, Endymion walked back to the bed and kissed her. "Aren't you glad you forgave me?"

She frowned up at him, though the displeasure was softened by her fatigue. "If you ever sleep with another woman while I am here, you can forget about being forgiven."

"Oh, don't worry about that," he told her. "You tire me out. I have never known a woman with such an appetite."

Serenity blushed and rolled over so that her back was to him. "You shouldn't speak to me like that; I am a lady."

Endymion kissed her shoulder, nipping it gently. "That was not ladylike behavior I saw last night."

Rolling back over, she gave him a petulant look. "And how exactly does one behave like a lady in such positions?"

"Such positions?" Endymion repeated incredulously before he burst out laughing. Serenity frowned in confusion for a moment before gasping and turning scarlet.

"You are a horrible man!" she hissed. "Always thinking about one thing and one thing only!"

"Well," Endymion said, moving so that a knee was on either side of her, "how can I be any other way with you lying naked after a night like last night?"

She blushed again, and Endymion bent down to kiss her. She pushed him away gently.

"You should go," she told him. "The sun is rising."

The sky outside the window was much brighter than Endymion had expected. Cursing, he went to the balcony. He'd have to be quick about climbing down the trellis and rushing back to his room, but Kunzite probably had made sure that no guards would be able to spot him. He glanced back up at Serenity. She watched him from where she lay.

"Tomorrow night?" he whispered.

Nodding, she smiled. "Tomorrow night."

---

End Part I

Author's Notes: Well, there you have it, the not-so-conclusive conclusion of Part I. I hope you've enjoyed the first part of Tryst. The next installation will begin Part II and should be up within the week. Thanks for all your feedback and support! I can't even express how much it means to me.