As the Eagle Flies
Surprise! It's an update within a week! I am very, very happy to be able to present you guys with this chapter, which I'm very quite fond of for its varying atmospheres. And at end of it…well, you'll just have to find out. XD
I really love hearing all your opinions about this story, especially since you all have so many different ideas about the character of Darien/Endymion (yes, they are indeed the same person). Some of you have even speculated that the duplicity resembles a certain Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and though there are similarities, I have to say that it was not my main inspiration. You're more than welcome to take a guess as to what the my actual inspiration was (hints: think falconry, deception, gender relations); I'll post the answer along with the next chapter.
Speaking of which, I already have the next chapter written and waiting to be posted, all thanks to NaNoWriMo. It looks like you guys won't have to wait that long to see the end of the story after all (but there is a substantial amount of things to cover). Thank you again for your continued patience and interest (and for reading this long author's note—this is my first story of a substantial length, and I've never had opportunities to hold 'conversations' with my readers, so I'm really quite excited. Hope you don't mind!). Now, please enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 9
Mina led Nephrite to the spacious entertaining room, working hard to keep a smile on her face while simultaneously avoiding his gaze. Serena was not far behind, but her smile of greeting was a genuine one.
"Nephrite, it is a pleasure to see you," she said. "I enjoyed your company last night, and I did not think our next encounter would be so soon!"
Nephrite extended a hand, and after a small moment of hesitation, Serena placed her own on top of it. "The pleasure is all mine, my lady." He lifted her hand and placed a small kiss in the formal greeting. Mina watched the exchange, and saw the slight narrowing of Serena's eyes, before it softened into a smile.
Mina waited until they had settled into their seats. "Would Lord Nephrite require any refreshments?"
She kept her expression neutral as Nephrite struggled for words. From their brief encounter in the same set of rooms a few days ago, he would have realised Mina would be with Serena before he knocked on the door. It must have taken him longer to register the significance and disregard that she was his leader and friend's lover. For both their sakes, Mina hoped that Nephrite would be able to reach his own conclusion, soon.
It was Serena who spoke into the silence. "I think there are some tea leaves on the top shelf in the next room. Could you please fetch them, Mina, and ask for some hot water to be brought up?" She turned to Nephrite. "Would tea be all right?"
"Tea would be lovely."
As Mina carried out Serena's instructions, she wondered how Nephrite was reacting to Serena's behaviour. And she wondered why he was here in the first place.
"Perhaps you would like to stay for the midday meal? Mina and I have not eaten yet, and we will be delighted to have you join us."
"As tempting as the offer is, I'm afraid I must refuse. There are a few things I must see to this afternoon."
Serena's smile disappeared, and Mina felt the girl shifting into her cool demeanour. "I am sure you have many important tasks to attend to, all of which contribute to the fate of this country."
"Actually, I need to make a few arrangements in regards to a little trip we're going to make." Nephrite paused and shot a look in Mina's direction, then decided there would be no harm in speaking in her presence. "I hope you have not forgotten Lady Lita's generous offers last evening."
"There are many things from yesterday evening that I have not forgotten, and will not forget."
A quiet knock on the door had Mina receiving the hot water and china, and she quickly worked on brewing the tea. She could see from her peripheral vision that Nephrite regretted the turn of events, and was now trying to improve matters after having so blatantly rejected Serena's invitation, possibly the first she had extended.
"These arrangements need to be made in haste, but I assure you, we will have all the time to dine and speak when tomorrow comes."
That seemed to placate her, and Serena took a sip of her tea, patiently waiting for Nephrite to continue speaking.
"Prince Endymion will be leaving the capital this evening, and will be gone for at least a week. Not many except the Shitennou know your appearance, so we can use that to our advantage. Our journey begins at dawn tomorrow—not many questions will be asked if we leave early in the morning. Lady Lita's estate is a few hours away, and we hope to reach it before noon. I'm sure she will have activities planned for you, and we will remain as her guests for the night."
Serena regarded Nephrite with something akin to astonishment. "Have you spoken to Lita about this inane idea of yours?"
Nephrite grinned. "I have sent a messenger with a brief outline, and as soon as these details are fully conveyed to you, I will personally see Lady Lita."
"I hope you are not coercing her into partaking in what is essentially treasonous."
"Do you honestly believe the Countess can be convinced into something she does not want?" Nephrite sat forward in his chair and became more serious. "After you left the ball yesterday evening, Lady Lita and I held a conversation about this. We both agree you need a break from these stifling walls."
Serena considered his words. "Does anyone else know?"
"Only one other." He seemed hesitant, and Mina saw him glance her way. "Darien is also willing to assist."
The girl made the slightest of nods, and waited for Nephrite to give his explanation.
"He is a trusted friend of mine. We will be leaving in a carriage, and I do not want you to be alone and unprotected, in the case that any trouble arises."
Mina knew Serena had more questions, and the girl's resolute look told her they won't be asked. Save one.
"And what if the Prince finds out?"
There was a challenged in that voice, laced with strength and hope. And just the smallest taste of fear.
"He won't." Mina marvelled at the conviction of Nephrite's lie, at the unwavering look between him and Serena. Then he relaxed, the easy grin returning to his lips. "Besides, how often have you embarked on an adventure like this? You should be excited!"
"I suppose you're right."
Mina wondered how the Prince would react if he saw the smile that Serena gave Nephrite. Would he have been furious with the intimacy between the two? How many of those smiles had graced Serena's face during the week she was here? The Prince may be playing his game well, but did he really have control over the little things, the way warmth that filled the two's expressions as Nephrite relayed the details of his plan?
As Mina listened to Nephrite speak and recalled the words he had uttered since his arrival, she found herself certain of one thing: she was not the only one who could paint such a vivid lie.
She knew it would be a beautiful day. Serena had risen before dawn and silently lit the lamps scattered around her bedroom. A quick check on Mina confirmed that she was half asleep, and Serena left the girl alone. She dressed slowly, taking her time to tie her corset behind her back. Perhaps the loops and knots weren't made in the exact way or order in Sairelle, but Serena knew the Chistonian way. Autumn days, no matter how fine, were always a bit chilly, so Serena sifted through the dresses in the wardrobe and made sure she would be adequately warm. To her delight, she found a thick riding cloak tucked among the other clothing.
She quietly made her way to one of the doors that joined the corridors, and had barely taken a seat when the handle turned and the door opened, a small crack that was barely discernible. The movement was not lost to the visitor, and the crack widened until Serena could see the man standing before her.
"Good morning, Darien," she said, noting how his eyes quickly swept her body. "I hope you have rested well."
"I have indeed, Lady Serena." He took her hand and kissed it, his lips warm against her skin. She tried not to shiver at the touch, but a small blush crept to her cheeks; Serena hoped he would not notice in the dim light. "Are you ready to leave?"
At the nod, Darien led her out of the room, closing the door softly behind them. He offered his arm, and Serena took it wordlessly. The hallway was lit with sconces, casting their shadows in a strange way that shifted and twisted with every movement. Their footsteps echoed throughout the silence in a matched rhythm that Serena felt like humming to. But she restrained herself, and neither exchanged a word as Darien led them through the corners and stairs, passing the large area Serena remembered from the ball, and towards the massive wooden structure that served as a part of her exit into freedom. The doormen and servants bowed respectfully as they approached, and to Serena's relief, allowed them to pass without any questions. She walked past them in a hurry, not wanting them to meet her eyes and see her for who she really was. Her nerves must have betrayed her to Darien, for he laid his free hand on her own that was looped through his arm. She flashed him a quick smile of gratitude, and he returned it generously, lightly squeezing her hand in response.
She felt the difference the moment she stepped outside. Her first breath tasted like the sharpness of clean, wet grass, her second like molten sunrise. She couldn't distinguish between the textures of her next few gulps of fresh air, but they rejuvenated her in a way she had never really understood. The morning air was chilly, and the sky was a shade of blue that she rarely remembered seeing. The stars were taking the last steps of their dance, but in a few hours they too would be hidden behind the veil of day once again. The horizon was tinged with the slightest of orange; dawn was fast approaching.
She was only vaguely aware of her surroundings until they arrived at a carriage drawn by two horses, the magnificent beasts waiting for their command from Nephrite. The general greeted them with a nod, and Darien helped her into the carriage before following her inside. He closed the door and sat opposite her, then gave Nephrite the signal to go.
The carriage lurched into motion, and the sounds of iron horseshoes against the cobblestone enveloped them. They travelled for a few minutes before stopping. It was difficult to make out what Nephrite was saying from the inside of the carriage, but Serena knew what was going on between him and the guards. She managed to catch the guard wishing Nephrite a pleasant journey, before Nephrite spurned the horses into action again.
Only the clamour of hooves and wheels against the road were heard by Darien and Serena inside the carriage. Her heart pounded against her chest—perhaps they matched the rhythm of the horses, though she could not be sure—but she remained silent, waiting for Darien to speak.
The words were accompanied with a smile that warmed her insides, interrupting the regularity of her heartbeats. "I am pleased to announce that we have successfully left the palace, Lady Serena."
She could not contain her joy—where had it come from? Was it the air, the newfound liberty, the man sitting opposite her, who had risked so much for her?—and she wanted to sing her happiness. And she knew, from the light in Darien's own eyes, that he knew how she felt, that did not need to express herself in words for him to understand. It was nowhere near enough, but she said it anyway, her voice breaking halfway into the first word. "Thank you, Darien."
The beautiful day had just begun.
Lita's smile was only half-sincere as she greeted her guests to her estate. Lord Nephrite, one of the famed Shitennou she had only met two evenings ago, had spoken to her very seriously about this visit. She was surprised to find that the Prince was to be personally involved, and shocked to hear that the Prince would not be regarded as a Prince when in Serena's presence. The initial bewilderment had turned into anger as the significance dawned upon her—the poor girl had not yet discovered the Prince's identity. Lita had not wanted to be involved, but it was already too late—Nephrite had made the request to the Prince, who in turn had given his orders. She was simply forced to deceive Serena about the Prince.
But some of Nephrite's words still echoed in her mind. "It may be a half-constructed reality, but this could give Serena the small happiness that she deserves. Has the girl not suffered enough through the Prince's schemes, and is this not preferred over other cruelties he may have had in mind for her? Perhaps the circumstances may be contrived, but I know your concern is genuine. As long as you remain faithful to that above all else, I do not think Serena will be ungrateful and blame you for your actions."
Lita both agreed and disagreed to what the general had said. Her integrity would not allow her to blatantly lie to Serena, and she knew from their brief encounter during the ball that the two had a lot in common and a lot more to share. What she was concerned about, however, was Serena's well-being. Would these tenacious memories and sense of security and friendship they created only serve to be another weapon against Serena once she does realise the truth?
So she avoided looking in the Prince's direction, and only rushed to embrace Serena in her greeting. The girl tensed at the unexpected contact, but slowly relaxed and returned the embrace before they parted.
"I hope your trip was well," Lita said, pushing aside her mixed feelings. "I have been looking forward to your arrival so much, I daresay I was up and ready early this morning, though I knew you would not be here until noon."
"Your sentiments are mutually felt," was Serena's reply. She stepped aside, and gestured towards the Prince. "I am not sure if you two are acquainted, but I know Darien was not present at the ball."
The words escaped her before she could stop them. "That must have been a shame." Lita did not look away from his glare, but she did try to soften her voice. "Lady Serena here was most exquisitely dressed that evening."
"She was indeed," the Prince replied neutrally. "I had the honour of being in Lady Serena's presence later that evening."
Lita ignored the insinuation, and turned to her friend. "Serena, I have heard a great deal about your friend, but this is the first time I have been granted a direct audience with him."
"Please, refer to me as Darien." She could see that he was furious, and Lita knew she was soon about to overstep her boundaries. His words with a command, and Lita could only obey, however begrudgingly.
"As you wish, Darien." Noticing Serena's puzzled look at their exchange, Lita forced a smile. "You must all be starving! Come, let us refresh our spirits and energy with some food."
She led them not to the dining hall but to the more intimate drawing room, where the plates were already set out on a square table. The four sat down, and at Lita's gesture, their meal was brought up.
"You may find that what I have arranged does not compare with the standards at the palace, but I hope you will have the kindness to indulge me just the same."
Lita waited for her guests to take a sip of the soup before picking up her own spoon. A small gasp to her right brought her to the attention of Serena.
"This is simply marvellous!" The girl's reaction was not isolated—from the corner of her eye, Lita saw the men nod in agreement. "Lita, is this a Sairellen specialty?"
She could not help but smile. "Actually, it has been passed down through many generations in our household. All of the dishes being served are from such recipes."
She turned to her left as Nephrite spoke. "Lady Serena is quite right. This soup is one of the most exquisite I have tasted in my life. It is difficult to imagine there are better cooks than those employed in the palace, but I stand corrected."
"Lady Lita," Darien said, "perhaps you would be so kind as to allow your chef to share the secrets of this soup? I am sure it will be appreciated by those who reside in the palace."
"I am sorry to disappoint you, Darien, but I am not sure whether I am willing to divulge such secrets."
Darien was not to be refused. "Is that not a matter to be decided by the one who concocted this dish?"
"You are speaking to her at the present moment." There was triumph in seeing him startled. "I am the one who has been primarily responsible for making the soup, and although I appreciate your high opinion, this is one secret I would not like to share and make public."
He held her gaze for a moment, having understood her anger and resentment. When she broke their eye contact, she glanced at Serena, hoping she was not disconcerted by the slight scene they were causing. Her cool expression told her she was not oblivious, but Lita was glad to see the girl's displeasure was not aimed at her. Darien, having noticed this too, spoke again.
"Please accept my apologies, Lady," he said, his voice surprisingly sincere. "I did not mean to cause any offense. It was incorrect of me to have made my assumptions, and I hope you will forgive me for my rudeness. It is a brilliant soup, and I am very much looking forward to trying these other dishes."
If it were not for knowing his façade, Lita would have softened and let the matter go in an instant. Instead, she only grew more livid, though she had little choice but to swallow her anger. "Let us not make too much of such an insignificant misunderstanding. It would be a great shame if we could not enjoy our time together due to animosity from such a trivial incident."
"Agreed." Darien lifted his glass, and Lita responded in kind. The water instantly cooled her thoughts and relaxed her limbs.
"I am sure it would not hurt to share some of the ingredients," Serena said in a light voice. "I doubt any harm can be done by naming a few herbs and spices."
"I suppose you are right," Lita replied in kind, "but I prefer to see the gentlemen squirm as they try to figure it out for themselves."
The tension turned into laughter as Nephrite choked on his mouthful at Lita's words. "I contest that statement," he said between coughs. "Women may spend their time over a table of herbs, but we men are the ones who provide the game."
"A whole lot of good that would do," Lita shot back, "without anyone to cook it."
"Ah, but there would at least be something to cook."
Still smiling, Lita turned away from Nephrite and towards Serena, her voice a theatrical whisper. "Perhaps our Lord Nephrite here is confident when his adversary is a wild boar, but he would surely be terrified if you place him into a kitchen."
"And what is so frightening about a kitchen," Nephrite asked, not even pretending that he had not heard.
"The same women who daintily sit around sorting through a table of herbs are also quite adept with their impressive set of knives. Would you like to go on a tour later, Lord Nephrite?"
There was more laughter at Nephrite's stunned silence, and Darien reached to pat the general. "My dear Nephrite, it seems you have lost your first battle against Lady Lita."
Not to be patronised, he playfully shoved Darien's hand away. "Your decision is largely biased by the Lady's beauty and talents. If anyone has lost a battle, it would have been you, my friend."
"You seem to have quite the advantage," Serena said to Lita. "I suppose the next victory would also be yours, if the gentlemen start fighting over the order of their losses."
"Now that would definitely go to Darien," Nephrite replied instantly.
"My point made. Males are so easy to read."
Serena's comment brought on another round of laughter, and the four happily continued their meal. When they had taken the last bite and the table was cleared, Lita spoke.
"Lady Serena, I hope you are still interested in going for a ride this afternoon?"
Serena nodded. "That would be wonderful."
"I am pleased to hear it." She spoke to a servant, instructing him to saddle four of her best horses. "Although we have plenty of time, I wish to return before dusk. The nights can be rather cold, and I am sure we will all be grateful to take a bath after our ride."
"You have planned this very thoroughly," Serena said, eyes shining.
"I have received plenty of assistance." Lita cast a look at Nephrite, who gave a small bow. Then her eyes travelled to the Prince, his intensity and authority not lost to Lita. Not to be intimidated, Lita returned the look, until something shifted in his gaze, and the Prince tilted his head down, almost imperceptibly. Satisfied, she landed her eyes on Serena. "Let us go then."
The walk to the stables had been slow and leisurely, with Serena beside Lita, the men trailing behind them. Serena remarked on the structure of Lita's estate, a large building that stood among an impressive garden and lake. The conversation between them had been spirited and enjoyable, with credit due to Lita and her perceptive nature. The hostess had taken one look at Serena's shoes and proceeded to secure a pair of riding boots for the girl, much to Serena's relief. She had been slightly concerned about her lack of inappropriate attire, and did not feel it in her right to make a request to the older woman, however amenable she was. But all those worries had been for nothing.
As they approached the stables, Serena breathed in the familiar smell of horse and hay, a smile widening on her lips. She had loved to ride ever since she was little, and her blood started to race as the fine animals entered her sight. There were two stallions and a gelding, three powerful creatures, all looking at her with intelligent eyes. But it was the mare that caught her eye, the beautiful white mane illuminating the courtyard.
"Her name is Moonshadow," Lita said. She ran a hand along the horse, her expression fond. "See these dark patches in her mane?"
"She's gorgeous."
If Lita noticed the contraction Serena used in her speech, she did not show it. Instead, she laid a hand on Serena's shoulder. "She's yours for the day."
Lita left to speak to the men before Serena had a chance to thank her. The blonde placed her own hand on the horse and leaned towards it.
"You're beautiful, you know that?" she said softly. "I don't believe I've seen any other horses with your colour, your little grey patches. I hope your temperament matches your appearance."
The mare only looked back at her in response, her expression calm and patient. But Serena could see the strength in those muscles, the craving to be out among a long stretch of land. As if noticing the attention, Moonshadow gently tapped the ground with a foreleg. It was invitation enough for Serena.
Grabbing onto her mane, Serena propelled herself into the air, swinging a leg over the saddle. She had always enjoyed the view from astride a horse, but never had the trees looked greener, the sky bluer. Slipping her feet into the stirrups, she was pleased to find they did not need adjusting. She learned forward and patted her horse, her voice still quiet. "I think we're going to have quite a bit of fun today, Moonshadow."
So lost in her own thoughts, Serena was surprised when Nephrite's loud voice cut through the air. "Hey, she beat us to it!"
Serena pulled the reins to the left just in time to see Nephrite mounting his own horse, the brown stallion. He waited until the stablemaster had adjusted his stirrups before joining Serena. She flashed him a smile, and glanced over to see how Darien was doing.
She suddenly found it difficult to think. His stormy eyes were intently fixed on her as Darien swung himself onto his black stallion, a quick, fluid movement that was as graceful and natural to him as breathing. His muscles flexed from beneath his clothing, and from his glazed look and tousled hair, Serena imagined something else beneath him. Heat flooded through her body, and the thought of riding a horse beside him for hours on end suddenly terrified her. Desperate to escape, Serena tore her eyes away from Darien and kicked her horse into action.
She had not underestimated Moonshadow's power. It was as if the animal understood the cause of Serena's tension, and was merely waiting for a command. The canter relaxed them both, and Serena relished the wind against her as she became one with her horse, covering the grounds at a breakneck speed. The exhilaration played with her nerves until all she could hear was the blood pounding in her ears. But she knew that she had to stop, that she had already caused unintended offense to her hostess by breaking away without warning. She firmly pulled on the reins, slowing Moonshadow to a trot before turning her around. She was surprised to see Nephrite approaching them at a gallop, and waited until he reached them.
"Is everything alright?" Both Nephrite and his horse were breathless, and Serena felt the first onsets of guilt. "You frightened us all, by taking off like that."
It hurt to realise what he had insinuated. Nephrite paled at her reaction, and quickly shook his head.
"We did not know what had upset you, and were concerned that you might take a fall."
"There is no need to worry," she snapped. "I can keep myself on a horse as well as the rest of you."
"We did not know that for sure." Nephrite tried to smile. "Although I think you have asserted your skills quite well." He paused, searching her eyes with his own. "Is anything troubling you?"
Serena looked back at him, chin raised. "Not at all. I simply could not wait to take my horse for a ride."
She knew he doubted her words, but Nephrite had no choice. He nodded, and said, "I am relieved to hear it. And if you do wish to discuss anything, I am well at your service."
The understanding, the trust, hurt her more than what she thought were accusations. As she saw the other two riding towards them, Serena thought about Nephrite's initial words. The atmosphere may have been light and easy, but the underlying sense of danger was always there. What they were doing was treason, and the Prince would not allow them to go unharmed if he discovered the betrayal. In that moment when she launched herself into the unknown grounds before her, did they feel a surge of fear? Did they hear the crack of a whip splitting their skin, taste the sweat and blood that flowed in endless waves, while they were punished for their deeds? Would she have reacted the same way, if she were in their position?
Serena cursed herself under her breath. Their positions would never be reversed. Being empathetic served no purpose.
Lita and Darien had arrived, their horses in an unhurried trot. Their fears must have vanished when they saw she had stopped. Not daring to look in Darien's direction, Serena tried to smile at Lita.
"I apologise for having caused you concern," Serena said, eyes slightly downcast. "My eagerness had taken the better of me. I must commend you, Lita, for Moonshadow is indeed a magnificent creature."
"I am very happy to hear that," was Lita's reply. She glanced at Nephrite, who nodded in reassurance. "Well, now that we have all sufficiently warmed up, shall we go for a ride?"
"Ready as ever, Lady Lita." Nephrite's grin was back, and he leaned towards his horse, waiting to spring into action.
"Where did you ever get the idea that this was a race?"
Nephrite shrugged. "I'm male. Pathologically attuned to see everything as competition."
"You had better prepare yourself for the taste of defeat then, Lord Nephrite." Without another word, Lita kicked her gelding into a gallop, Nephrite not far behind. Darien's stallion was itching to join them, but his rider held his reins tight.
"Lady Serena?" His voice was liquid fire, his expression earnest, almost tender. He made no demands, only a gentle request.
"I am fine." There was no strength in her response, but her eyes held a silent plea. "Please, do not concern yourself."
They both knew he was not convinced, but she allowed him to study her a bit longer. The warmth and breathlessness returned when his eyes drank in her sight, unashamedly lingering over her body. She was suddenly self-conscious, and had to grip her reins to prevent her hands from reaching up to smooth her hair. She parted her mouth to let in more air; the movement was not lost to him. His eyes darkened, and when they locked with hers again, she found that she was trembling.
"You are quite the sight, my Lady."
And with that, he urged his horse forward, leaving Serena to wonder if the longing she heard was real.
The ride had brought her back to her spirits. Despite the fatigue that was creeping into her limbs, Serena felt more refreshed than she could remember being. Both she and Darien had caught up with Nephrite and Lita, where the two had decided to call their race a draw. Nephrite had declared that his chivalry had spared Lita from defeat, but judging from his heaving, Serena knew that the other woman had not given him an easy time. Lita then led them to a nearby lake, where the horses had a drink of water and were allowed to graze while their riders indulged in the pastries Lita had brought with her. The sounds of the running water lulled Serena into closing her eyes. She had never been so equally tired and awake in her life.
They had resumed their ride soon afterwards, and Serena and her horse broke into a full gallop. The sheer power and speed cleared her senses like nothing could, and Serena held onto the moment, tucking it away with the rest of her memories. Only when the day began to darken did she relent, taking her time to observe the differing shades of the sky. She heard the talk of the others slightly behind her, and Serena dismounted, whispering a quick word of thanks to Moonshadow. She surveyed the scene before her: the sun was making its last descent of the day, sending its rays to kiss the sky, burning everything it touched. But sight was rapidly slipping away – it would take only a few minutes, thirty at most, before all the warm colours would be overpowered by the dark blanket of the night.
It was then that she saw the moment for what it was. Perhaps her mixed agitation and clarity throughout the day was not unfounded, but signals from her unconscious mind, a part of her that reacted hours before the realisation struck. She took several breaths to calm herself, careful not to make any sudden movements to betray her intentions. Her recollections brought the well-worn road they had passed earlier to her mind, which according to her calculations, would only take a few minutes to reach. Lita had pointed out that a village famous for their blacksmiths was nearby to the south, about fifteen minutes on horseback. Serena was not familiar with the nearby terrain, but they had covered enough ground for her to have grasped a basic knowledge of the region. She would have to wait a bit longer for the darkness to settle, so that she would be more difficult to see. Her horse was tired from the day's riding, but Serena knew Moonshadow would hold. She was more concerned about the lightness of her mane that would surely shine in the moonlight and betray them, but that consideration only made one thing clearer to Serena: once she had decided upon a course of action, she must move swiftly without any delay.
A bout of laughter stopped her thoughts. The proximity of the sound urged Serena to make her decision, but the warmth of the sound, of the mixed voices let loose without restraint, caused her to hesitate. She knew her chances were slim. If she was caught, would they ever look at her in the same way again? Would they curse themselves for their foolishness, for having mindlessly indulged the whims of a girl they did not know and simply felt sorry for, when she repaid them by leaving them to their deaths? She had no doubts about it now – if they were caught, the Prince would not be kind enough to let them live. And in the moment when they realise the meaning behind her full-speed gallop for what it was, would they choose to fight against their Prince, or against her freedom?
She remembered the look on Nephrite's face when she had taken his concern as an accusation, and knew with painful clarity that the general would let her go. Nephrite had given her his friendship from the first moment they met, a selfless act that had brought her here. He would not stop her, even if it meant his own death. Lita, too, would not oppose her escape. If not for the warmth the Countess had been extending, her blatant defiance of the Prince at the ball told Serena about her alliance, provided her involvement would be divulged in the first place. Serena smiled bitterly as she saw, perhaps too late, the blossoming romance between Lita and the Nephrite; the general would do all in his power to prevent Lita from any harm.
And there was Darien. His promises, his embraces, his companionship on the brink of something more. He would protect her in every way possible, regardless of the consequences. He was already out of favour with the Prince for a trivial matter; the anger of having lost the Prince's precious prisoner would launch itself cruelties beyond Serena's imagination. A tear slipped down her cheek as she remembered every reluctant kiss, every accidental touch, every unspoken word they shared with their soul-bearing looks. Her resolution fell with her tears; she could not betray their trust, their love.
Closing her eyes to her decision, Serena turned away from freedom.
AN: Please review. :)