Title: Dangerous Beauty
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon
Authors Notes: Here's the next chapter! Remember to find me on facebook if you want updates on future stories. My id number is ?id=100001310354238 for those who can't find me just by searching my name. Enjoy!
Serenity woke up the next morning to sunshine on her face. The warmth had seeped through her entire body, and she felt well rested and calm. For a moment, she forgot where she was, and stretched out lazily on the bed, expecting at any moment her brother to come in and scold her for sleeping in.
But her situation was made clear the moment Mina spoke to her.
"Oh good, I was hoping you wouldn't sleep all day."
Serenity opened her eyes to look up at the pretty blond girl who had insisted on spending the night in her room with her. She smiled radiantly, apparently unaffected by the early hour. She was fully dressed and already vibrating positive emotions.
"Are you hungry? I ordered some food. Jadeite is on a break to get some sleep, and Nephrite is at the door. Oh, and Endymion asked me to give you this." She said handing her a small letter.
Serenity looked at it, confused for a moment. Mina had just given her way too much information for first thing in the morning.
"I have an outfit picked out for you already. Don't worry, it's not too pretty, I promise. I had hoped I might show you the gardens today. It's really beautiful outside. After last night, I thought you'd want some time to yourself."
Serenity nodded, pushing herself up to sit and open the letter.
Lady Serenity, when you awaken, ask Nephrite to find me. We will find out how far away I can be from you for your temporary protection to work. It might become important to know for future situations. Endymion.
She folded the letter back, and put it on the table beside her bed. She realized that she couldn't feel him in the room beside her, or anywhere in the long hall.
But she could feel further than she used to be able to, and much clearer. That at least was something.
She didn't call for him. After what had happened last night, she felt strangely different. He had looked at her so calmly, as if he was simply accepting what she was doing. She had seen no emotion at all in his deep blue eyes.
"I also wanted to introduce you to a few friends of mine. Don't worry, you don't have to worry around them. Lady Amy is intelligent enough to know how to protect herself from you and the old king taught Lady Lita. She tried to teach me once, but called me too flighty."
"I didn't realize the king had taught anyone besides his grandson," Serenity said.
"Lita is Endymion's cousin, in some way I guess. The old king's wife had a sister, and she is descendant from that line. She is one of the only girls in that whole family. She grew up with four brothers, who have all unfortunately died in the war. Endymion spends time with her sometimes, and for a while there was talk that they would marry, but I don't think either of them really saw their relationship that way."
"If they are cousins…"
Mina laughed. "If only the world worked that way. Endymion is bound by his title. If he ever decided to marry, there are only a handful of ladies who would do for him. Lita is one of them, and perhaps Amy as well, for she is the daughter of the king's head advisor. He could marry a princess from another land to form an alliance, but at the moment the war is preventing any sort of peace conference."
"Has he ever shown fondness for anyone?" She asked, almost nervous to hear the answer.
Mina shrugged. "As I said before, this place is hardly innocent. He had a woman for a while that pleased him, but I don't think he ever showed her any real affection. I would have to ask Kunzite, but I don't think he has ever attached himself to anyone."
Serenity wasn't sure what she thought about him having a mistress for a while. She knew it had nothing to do with her, but she didn't like it.
"Are you jealous?" Mina asked, startling her.
Serenity cursed her inability to hide her emotions without Endymion around. But she assumed it was only fair, seeing is Mina couldn't hide from her.
"No," she said quickly. "I have no reason to be jealous."
"But you are, aren't you?" She seemed almost excited.
"It is not as easy as that Mina. I know you can feel my emotions, but a fleeting thought is not the same as an actual feeling."
"But it still existed," Mina argued. "Do you have feelings for him?"
"He has been protective of me. It is usual that I form an attachment to him."
"How would you know?" Mina asked with a laugh. "I mean no offense, but you told me yourself that you know almost no one in the world. Perhaps books have told you how it is to feel normally around people."
Serenity blushed softly, taking her point.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Mina said. "I understand." She mock pouted, as if hurt. But Serenity could feel her teasing intentions.
She couldn't help but laugh. "I can see now how you have managed to get Kunzite to give you everything you want. That is a very dangerous trick."
Mina was all smiles again. "Come on. Let's get you ready. You deserve a break from all your hard work."
"I arrived yesterday, I have barely begun."
"After last night, I think it is clear that you are doing very well. This morning is for me to show you what real life procrastinating can really be like. I have already told Lita and Amy that you are coming."
Lady Lita and Lady Amy were waiting for them in a far corner of the extensive palace gardens. They were sitting together pleasantly at a small table, and they felt carefree and calm.
When Serenity approached, she could feel the carefully erected shields around them, just like Endymions guards. They were not perfect, but they were enough. She was glad that they were schooled enough to do so.
"Ladies," Mina said with a laugh. "This is Serenity."
"We have heard so much about you," Amy said with a soft smile. "I was hoping we might meet with you."
Lita was much bolder, standing startlingly tall next to Amy. She was taller than most men. She could see now a little of what traits Endymion had received from his family. He looked nothing like the king, but his cousin shared some of his appearance. "I hear my cousin has brought you to fool the king."
Serenity was startled, and Lita laughed.
"She's only teasing," Mina said sitting down. "I told them what the plan is. You can trust them. Ladies in the palace aren't really paid attention to unless they are wanted for pleasure, so we know most of what is happening."
Serenity sat down, a little cautiously.
Amy frowned at her, as if in concentration. "Is it true that you can't control that?"
Serenity blushed. "Yes and no I suppose. I can't when…I can't at the moment, I find it hard. But I am getting better."
"There's no need to put in the effort right now. Is there ladies?" Mina asked them.
They both shook their heads, but neither of them lowered their own shields.
"So, you must tell us what the retched nobles of this kingdom are feeling," Lita said enthusiastically. "I have been dying to know. They can't all be as stuck up and self absorbed as they appear."
Serenity couldn't help but laugh at that. "I hate to disappoint you, but they are."
Lita groaned in exaggeration, and Amy shook her head softly.
"Of course there are some who are different," serenity was quick to say. "Endymion especially, and all his guards."
"That comes as no surprise," Amy said softly. "Endymion has always remained a class above the others."
"Yes he has," Lita agreed. "It is really unfortunate that he is treated the way he is. If he ever makes it to become king, things will be different."
She could see right away that these ladies were willing to talk, and ready to get into conversations with her. It was so strange, being able to talk to them. Their teasing tones and exaggerated whispers made her realize that they were gossiping.
A wave of pleasure passed through her.
"Goodness," Amy said putting a hand to her chest to steady herself. "That was an experience."
"Sorry," Serenity said with a blush.
"Don't be sorry," Mina said happily. "It's very strange, but it is not unpleasant. I assume it must be what you feel when someone near you shows an emotion."
She nodded. "It can be I assume, but I'm not sure."
"Why were you suddenly so happy?" Lita asked.
She blushed again, hesitant to admit her thoughts. "I just thought…I mean, it occurred to me that I have never really done this before."
"Done what before?" Amy asked.
"This," she said motioning to them. "Sat with others and talked about…everything, or nothing, or just rumors or gossip. I don't…there has never been anyone I could do this with."
Lita smiled, her green eyes flashing. "Well then, you will surely be sick of it by the end of your stay if Mina is to be your companion. It is all she does, gossiping and talking."
Mina lightly smacked her arm, and Amy laughed at their antics.
They talked for awhile, and tea was brought. The servant stared at Serenity the whole time, nearly dropping the tray of delicate looking china. He could hardly control himself at all, and Serenity had to eventually force him to go.
"You must find that really annoying," Mina said.
She sighed. "It is not my favorite part of my gift," she said.
"That is an understatement if I ever heard one," Amy said. "Is there anyone who doesn't immediately wish to own you?"
Serenity pondered the question for a moment. "You didn't."
"How can you know that when we are shielding ourselves from you?" Lita asked.
"That is true, but I know how to read a person without feeling their emotions. You both showed very little true desire on your faces. In my whole life, I have only ever met one person who could hide their feelings from their face completely.
"Endymion," the three said together.
Serenity nodded.
"What of the king?" Lita asked. "Is he as transparent as he seems?"
"I think so," she said honestly. "So far, I have been surprised only at how strong his emotions are, not at what they are. He seems obsessed with power and control, and therefore there is nothing more challenging to him than to win a battle over me. As long as I keep him wanting, he will keep following. It seems unlikely that he is able to hide something from me, but I would not be surprised if there was something about him I wasn't getting. One of his desires doesn't seem really about what I am, more about what I can do. He wants to use me, like a tool. I'm sure that he will ask me to do something, and soon. I'm afraid to know what it might be."
Amy nodded. "He is a stubborn man, and many say he is going mad with his lust for power."
"It could be true," Serenity said. "It certainly feels that way to me. The problem with using emotions to manipulate someone is that, if they don't feel the emotion when looking at me, I can't create it. The king feels nothing but desire, and therefore I don't feel anything else from him when he looks at me. The only thing that has been able to overcome the desires in him, is his hatred for his son."
"Be careful," Lita said with concern in her voice. "That man is very unstable. If he were to…well, you wouldn't be the first one he might ruin."
Serenity gulped despite herself. "I understand the dangers of my position."
"Do you?" Amy asked. "All of them?"
She nodded. "I do," she said. "But I will not allow them to stop me from finding a way to live in this world. It is a danger to me yes, but the outcome might be everything I've ever dreamed."
They all three seemed to soften at her words.
"Well, if you ever need anything from us at all, all you need to do is ask," Amy said.
"Actually, there is something I'd like to know more about," Serenity said. "I'd like to learn more about what's happening here. I feel I know enough about the war from the prince's guards, but I don't know how things really work in the palace. There seems to be a huge jumble of people here, all somehow powerful, and yet I don't know them. I've focused only on the king until now."
Mina nodded enthusiastically. "We'll show you everything," Mina said. "This place is really quit big, and housing more than a regular number of people. It is smart that you should wish to center yourself."
Why don't we plan to meet again tomorrow, only this time walk through the palace," Amy said. "We could make sure you know your way around. It can be something of a maze."
Serenity smiled warmly at them. "I would like that."
"Lady Serenity," a servant said, bowing deeply.
Serenity turned to him, confused by the interruption.
"The king wishes to see you."
Serenity looked at the girls, who had varying degrees of annoyance and worry on their faces.
"It's alright," Serenity said. "Nephrite will go with me."
They nodded, obviously wanting to argue.
"This is what I'm here for."
"You just make sure Nephrite sits next to you," Lita said protectively. "And next time, we'll make sure that one of us is with you at all times."
Serenity nodded, then turned to Mina. "Might I ask you a favor?"
Mina nodded eagerly, so willing to help. "Endymion wrote me a note this morning, asking that I find him when I awoke. I neglected to. Could you find him as soon as you can and tell him where I am headed."
Mina nodded. "I will."
"Thank you," Serenity said standing up and walking as calmly as possible towards the servant.
She walked with him a few steps, feeling Nephrite around the corner. He joined her as soon as she came into view, calm and controlled. He was a little taller than Jadeite, and not as open with his emotions, but he was friendly enough.
"Have you had a pleasant morning?"
"I have, thank you," she said honestly.
"I am glad to hear it. The lady Lita is a very beautiful woman, and Lady Amy knows more of our history than anyone alive."
"I hope I will be able to become better acquainted with them. They both seem easy enough in my presence."
"Is being here really as hard as you always thought it would be?"
She thought about that for a moment. "No, not at all as hard, I suppose. It's stressful, especially when Endymion isn't around, but I guess I never really ever tried to control the people around me to this extent before. I am able to keep a group at bay with much less effort then I thought. Before this, I had to use all my concentration just to make one man walk away from me."
"Why should Endymion make you more comfortable?" He asked.
"Because he is impenetrable. It makes me think of how well he does without the aid of any powers, unlike myself. If he can have so much control, then it should be easier for someone like me."
Nephrite nodded, becoming thoughtful.
"You seem upset by my comment."
"Not at all," he said. "Only contemplative I suppose. We've always wondered if Endymion is in fact, not all human."
She looked absolutely startled at that, and he must have felt it, for he stumbled when she looked at him.
"Sorry," she apologized softly. "But whatever do you mean?"
"There is no solid proof Serenity," Nephrite said, forgoing her title. "But look at him. Does he look anything at all like his father?"
She hadn't thought about that. "No, not at all. I had noticed that. Are you saying that the king is not his father?"
"Of course not," Nephrite said. "I'm only saying that sometimes we notice just how different they are. There must be a reason the king hates him so much, and we have come up with several possibilities."
"Does he look like his mother?"
"Very much so. She was beautiful. Midnight black hair and those same blue eyes. She was not very tall, but she was pale and gentle."
"So it is an option that he simply looks more like his mother than his father."
Nephrite nodded. "It is possible."
"When I met Lita, I could see something of him in her."
"Yes, they are both very tall."
"I assume his grandfather was a larger man than the king?"
"On the contrary. The old king was a very small man. He ruled with his mind, not with his arm. Some might call him frail to look at. He did not live for war, but he was a good fighter. Skilled and quick, instead of brutish and strong."
She nodded, thinking to herself of Endymion's family. What drama there was! The king might not be his father, which she wasn't sure what to think about. The grandfather frail to look at, and yet both Endymion and the king strong and powerful. She wondered how much really went on within the palace.
Serenity felt the presence of the king, and momentarily started to panic. She had intentionally walked slowly, hoping Mina could get to the prince before she got here, but now she feared that Mina had not understood that the request was immediate.
"Will you be alright?" Nephrite asked in concern.
She nodded, trying to calm down. She could do this. She could simply constantly focus on the king, and not let him know her weakness. She could manipulate him as much as possible.
"I'm sure he'll be here soon," Nephrite said quietly. "We could wait."
"The king has already noticed us."
Nephrite looked very uncomfortable with the situation, but he did not argue.
"Stay close," Serenity said. "I'm going to try this a different way."
She focused on the king, making sure that she was constantly holding his emotions.
Nephrite nodded. "You are hidden, for the moment."
Serenity took a deep breath, and walked on alone through the garden towards the king, who was sitting by himself at a table, covered with foods and pastries.
The king smiled. For the first time, Serenity really looked at him. She tried to look at his features, searching for his son. The king was nothing like Endymion with his brown hair and brown eyes. He was a handsome man, but in a much different way than his son.
He got up to greet her, and he felt wild in his desire. She tried to calm it, but it was hard. His desire was getting stronger. She had come across men before she simply couldn't control because they had completely overwhelmed her. The king was getting close to that point.
She was a little shaky when she sat down, mostly from the extremity of his emotions. It was harder than it had been the night before to control him. But he had responded well to her challenging him, so she would try that again. She turned her head away, as if she were still angry with him.
It worked. He immediately focused.
"Come now my dear, don't be angry with me. I already gave you my word that I would not try that again."
"I know what my power is," Serenity said. "I know you will try again."
He laughed. "Yes, perhaps I will. But I did promise you."
She crossed her arms, and looked at him. "Why did you summon me here? I assume it wasn't for an idle chat."
"I had hoped you would take lunch with me."
She looked at the food. She had been hungry a short time before, but her stomach felt clenched now. She cursed herself for choosing not to call Endymion this morning as he had requested. Why she hadn't, she couldn't say. His note had made her anxious. She felt strange calling him to her.
She noticed, however, a strange emotion that was barely on the surface. The king was focused about something important. Perhaps he would make his intentions for her clear.
"That is not the only reason you called me here," she said softly.
The king nodded. "That is true, but I insist you eat."
Serenity looked around her. The king had remembered his guards this time. Five men stood around them, all staring at her. She forced them all to look away.
The king saw it, and smiled. He very obviously liked what she could do. Seeing it caused a spark within him to flare, that same strange desire for what she could do. It excited him, and she knew there was something he wanted from her, something more than what she was used to.
"You are a very gifted woman."
"And you are a very weak man," she said.
He seemed surprised at that. "Excuse me?"
"You have not once tried to shield yourself from me since I've been here. You do understand that I know what you're feeling. I know what you think when you look at me. I know what you wish you could do to me."
He seemed almost happy with her speech. "Yes," he said. "I do understand all that."
"Then why not try and stop me?"
"You think you could manipulate me?" he said, lowering his voice. "You think that you could stop me if I truly wished to have you?" His eyes were dark. "You're wrong."
Serenity was very careful to control him then, to make sure his desire didn't grow to something fierce. But it was getting stronger.
"I'm not hungry," she said pointedly. "You might as well ask me what it is you wanted of me."
His grin was almost evil. "I want you to send your man away so we may talk in private."
Serenity glanced at Nephrite, who was a short distance away.
"The prince sent him to protect me."
"You don't need protection at this moment. The prince has only done what you asked. If you send him away, he will have no choice. Force him if you have too."
Serenity hesitated, looking again at Nephrite who had a hand on his sword. She did not like this situation. She didn't feel completely in control. It was much harder to focus on hiding herself while also holding on to the sanity of the king.
But this was what she had been asked to do.
"Nephrite," she called lightly.
He turned to look at her, obviously having overheard everything. He shook his head lightly, but she ignored him.
"Leave us for a few minutes," she commanded.
She saw the muscles in his jaw clench.
"Do you wish me to force you?" She asked sternly.
Nephrite looked ready to argue for a moment, and then turned to walk swiftly out of sight.
The king laughed as if this were truly amusing. The sound echoed around the park. His own guards were staring at her again, unable to move. She quickly averted their gaze again, making the king laugh harder.
This is the reason she constantly stayed hidden.
"You truly are a gift my dear," he said, licking his lips as he looked at her. "You could protect yourself I am sure. Why chose my son to watch over you?"
It was a test question. She could feel it in him. He wanted a certain answer. Serenity hated going against Endymion or saying anything unkind about him, but he had asked her to perform this task.
So she lied.
"He is the easiest to control," Serenity said as calmly as she could. "I do not fear him as I do some of the other people in your castle. He will not hurt me because he cannot hurt me. I was quickly able to hold him in front of me and control his desires. Sometimes they take me by surprise, but I know how to handle him."
It was the perfect answer. She made sure the king believed her. It wasn't hard. The excitement he felt at her answer heightened, and it was all he could feel.
"What do you want, your majesty?"
"I want you to do something for me. In return, I will give you all the richest you ever dreamed of."
"I've never dreamed of riches," she said evenly.
"Then what would you like as payment."
"It depends on what your request is."
"Well, you see, it is a sensitive matter."
"You are wasting my time," Serenity said nervously. "Ask me what you wish. I will tell you if I will do it or not."
His emotions were darkening and it was making her anxious. She had to stay close to him, but she was beginning to realize that it might not be possible to do so.
"I wish for you to kill my son."
Serenity froze.
The king looked at her evenly. His gaze was cold and challenging.
Had she really just heard him right? She couldn't believe it. He was a fool if he so easily trusted her with something like this. Obviously he was so blinded by what he wanted that he failed to see her for what she was. He thought her cruel, just like her ancestors.
"He's your only son," she whispered in confusion.
The king nodded. "He is a thorn in my side."
She couldn't believe the change. What was she supposed to do? Could she refuse? She had an awful feeling that a refusal would mean the king would turn on her. He would begin to get angry. And angry passion was a very wild thing. But how could she accept? She would never kill another human, no matter what, let alone Endymion.
"What makes you think I won't just turn around and tell him what you've asked of me?" She was focusing very hard on staying hidden. The effort was starting to make her hands shake.
"You're using him as a puppet, you admitted that yourself."
"And why would I rid myself of so easy a defense?"
"Because I'm offering you much more than that. I am offering you the power you crave. The control."
How little he understood her. How little he understood life. He was offering her what he himself wanted, which meant he would only betray her in the end if she really did want it.
"You pause," the king said. "Should I take your silence as a negative?"
She shook her head, feeling very unsteady.
But then, at the corner of her mind, she felt him.
For a brief moment, she almost forgot how to breathe. The immediate release she felt the moment she wrapped his wall around her would have made her stumble if she had been standing. He was far enough away that he wouldn't hear, probably standing with Nephrite, but close enough that she could feel him.
It comforted her. Endymion had asked her to play this game. He had asked her to help the kingdom. She realized that she could lie. Nobody here could feel her while Endymion was around, so she could afford to lie.
"Very well," she said softly. "I accept your request."
The king stared at her evenly. "And in return?"
He would not accept that she wanted to be left alone. She could see it in his eyes. He thought she was as bloodthirsty as he was, playing this game. It was all a struggle for power. She understood then that he thought he had found a kindred soul in her. Her heritage proved his ideas.
"I want to be queen," she said, lifting her chin.
The king slowly smiled. "Do you now?"
"Yes," she said evenly. "I want to be queen, and I want to have the say of what goes on here. I want you to give me the power to change things the way I want them. You can continue fighting your wars, and I will help you win, but you will let me control your people."
It was disgusting even thinking about it, but it pleased him. The feeling swelled within him.
"I find your terms acceptable my dear," he said. "But if my son is to fall, I will need another. One stronger than Endymion."
She nodded, trying to appear calm. Her heart was beating loudly in her chest, and she knew that her hands would be shaking. But she forced herself to remain calm.
The king had just asked her to kill his son.
"If this meeting is over, I wish to be granted leave."
The king nodded. "I look forward to seeing you again tonight my dear, at dinner."
"I have already made plans tonight my king. I will see you tomorrow."
He seemed displeased at that, but didn't argue.
"Goodbye," she said, turning away before he could react.
She walked directly towards where she could still feel the solid wall that was Endymion. Nephrite was beside him, allowing a small bit of emotion to filter through. He was anxious. She hadn't felt it, but he was trying to tell her that he wanted to return. She could have tugged at him, and he would have.
It was too late now.
Her heart broke for Endymion. What kind of man would kill his own son for nothing more than power? Was he really so threatened that Endymion would try to take over the kingdom?
Wasn't that exactly what Endymion was doing?
She felt so overwhelmed suddenly that it wasn't a surprise when she felt the hot sting of tears form in her eyes. She shook her head angrily, trying to stop them. She was scared. It occurred to her that perhaps the best thing to do would be to go home.
But it was already too late for that. There were too many now that would follow her, now that it was known she existed.
Endymion looked up at her as she rounded the corner, and she almost sobbed at the sight of him.
He moved immediately, taking her quickly into his arms.
Serenity wasn't sure why, but the feeling of being wrapped in his arms was like being safe for the first time in her whole life. She figured it had something to do with his wall, shielding her completely. He was so strong. He so easily enveloped her, shielding her.
But they could not be seen like this.
"Please," she said shaking her head. "Ask Nephrite to take me back to my room. I shouldn't be seen like this."
His eyes were a storm of concern. "What is it? What's happened? Did he…"
"Please," she said again, sobbing a little. "Ask him to take me away, and then come to me later."
"Serenity," he breathed her name.
"He didn't touch me," she said softly.
Endymion looked at her, obviously unwilling to let her go. He raised his hand, reaching up to gently brush a tear off her face. The touch was so delicate, so intimate. It made her pause and look at him.
How could anyone want to kill him?
Her anguish built up inside her, stifled by his shield.
"Nephrite," Endymion said seriously. "Take her to her room and don't let anyone see her, not even Mina, unless Serenity asks. I will be there soon."
Nephrite nodded.
Serenity felt frozen in her spot, looking up at him. The cold exterior he always wore was suddenly gone, and she could see through him for the first time, as if looking directly into his soul. All she saw was pain.
Mesmerized, she gently traced his brow with her finger, and then ran it down his nose to gently touch his lips. He watched her quietly.
"I've never seen you before," she whispered.
There was a sound behind them, and Serenity immediately felt the king coming towards them. She pushed away from Endymion almost desperately, and he stumbled slightly as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"If you ever try to touch me again," she hissed at him, "it will be the last time you do anything in this world."
The king stopped at her words, looking at her facing his son. Endymion looked at her, totally confused. Nephrite looked ready to jump in.
And then the king smiled.
"Perhaps this exact moment is not the correct time my dear," the king said. "But I do admire your zeal. Would you like me to escort you?"
Serenity sighed dramatically. "Your son has made it impossible for me to accept the company of a man right now. I will retire to my room, and occupy myself with the company of women."
She spun around, walking quickly away from them both.
Nephrite following behind her, careful to stay a few steps away while the king could still see them.
She heard his laugh, and desperately wanted to look back at Endymion. But she was afraid to. For the briefest moment, she had seen him. She had seen who he was. He had shown her the smallest part of him, but it had been the most important part.
And she had so quickly ruined it.
She found herself crying again, but didn't realize it until Nephrite handed her a soft, white handkerchief with worried eyes.
"I'm sorry," she said, using it to blow her nose. "I must seem crazy right now."
Nephrite just shrugged. "I have seen many crazy things in my life my lady. You might not even make the top ten."
She stopped to look back at him. They were already through most of the garden, and were standing at the bottom of the stairs that would lead them back into the palace.
"What sort of things would make your top ten?"
He smiled gently at her. "One day I might tell you, but I would have to make sure you are not scared easily. It is not a story for the faint of heart."
He was teasing her, trying to comfort her.
She smiled softly at his effort. "It seems like every time I turn around, I'm hurting him."
He looked confused for a moment. "You mean Endymion?"
She sighed. "Let's just get inside. I think I've had about as much as I can handle today."
He nodded, following her in. He walked beside her now, keeping her company as well as guarding her.
She was thankful that Mina wasn't in her room. She really did like that girl, but she was feeling exhausted. She wasn't sure she could take that much talking at this moment.
It was hardly afternoon, and already she felt this way.
How was she ever going to do this?
"Endymion shouldn't be very long," Nephrite said. "He was very anxious that you didn't call for him this morning."
Serenity nodded. "Let him in when he comes here. I'll try to keep busy until then."
End of Chapter nine! Please review!
