A/N- Hey everyone! Another quick update. Before anyone complains, I know this chapters is short, but updates are going to be coming up pretty fast so please don't be mad! Enjoy!
bunnykim89- Thanks for the encouragement, so far, no plans of stopping.
Dertupio- I would love to find a way, but unfortunately that would ruin the stories plot line.
Hehe- If there are going to be an R rated chapters then it would be in another version… thanks for the review!
chibiangel413- I don't think anyone like Diamond... You're just going to have to keep reading to find out what happens…
Tamchan- Thanks for pointing out the mistake. I'll get back to fix it as soon as I can… Studies are going… already have research papers, midterm papers, etc…
Silver Moon Goddess1- Thanks, I'm glad you like it!
shantie1984- I think that was the thought of most people… just read and find out what happens…
Pearl Knight- I guess this is a pretty fast update for you! Thanks for the review!
That night there was yet another small party held at Serena's home. Lita and Amy made sure to arrive early so they had more time with Serena. They spent most of the beginning of the party in Serena's room making promises of constant contact, whether it was through letters or actual visits. When Diamond actually knocked on Serena's door the two girls excused themselves and returned to the party downstairs. Diamond and Serena entered a few minutes later. As soon as the couple came down the stairs everyone walked into the dining room for dinner.
"Is everything ready for your departure?" Ken asked Diamond halfway through dinner.
"Yes I believe so. The only thing I'm not sure about is the horses." Diamond said.
"O yes, Andrew said they would be ready before he had to leave. It seems that he had found his grandmother a year or so ago and she has fallen ill. He wants to go see her once more before she passes." Ilene said. "He left early this afternoon, leaving young Nicholas in charge of the horses."
"But they will be ready." Diamond said.
"Of course, Nicholas knows how to work with the horses, not as well as Andrew, but I've never seen anyone work with horses the way he does." Ken said. The last course was served and Serena continued eating in silence. She didn't feel like talking about her move. When someone asked her a question she'd answer the simplest she could.
"Now, I believe we should get ready to go. I don't want to leave at midnight." Diamond said.
"Of course, let me just say goodbye to Shadow one last time." Serena whispered.
"I would not deny you that." Diamond said. Serena smiled and excused herself from the table. She made her way up to her room and found Darien lying on her bed.
"I forgot how nice it feels to sleep on a real bed." Darien said.
"Well you can sleep on it as often as you like." Serena said.
"You really think I will stay here with you gone?" Darien asked.
"I don't know. Maybe you can still get some information out of my father." Serena said.
"No, I wasn't getting that much anyway. I will be returning home after you leave so don't be surprised when your parents tell you that I've run away." Darien said.
"Alright." Serena said quietly. "At first I didn't like you, but now I'm going to miss you."
"And I shall miss you as well." Darien stood up and walked over to Serena. He pulled her into a hug and buried his head into her neck. Serena returned the embrace and for a fleeting moment hoped Darien would bite her and change her into a wolf like him. Darien had the same thoughts, but knew he couldn't, not without starting the war again. Although he planned to finish the war, he planned on finishing it with like the way he had planned with his father and generals.
"Hopefully I will see you again." Serena said when she pulled out.
"You will, don't worry." Darien smiled.
"Just don't die in any fights, ok?"
"Of course." Darien said. He bent down and kissed the corner of her mouth before going to the bathroom and changing back into a wolf. When he came outside again Serena had already left. He looked out the window and watched as Diamond helped Serena into the carriage. Andrew was harnessed to it along with a few other horses. At least someone would be there to keep an eye on her for him. As everyone else left the house Darien snuck out through the back. He started running as soon as he left the gardens and didn't stop until he reached the forest. He looked back once more at the house, knowing Serena was leaving as well, but in the opposite direction. He let out one lone howl before running back to his home.
Serena shivered when she heard Darien's howl. Diamond barely flinched when the sound hit its ear, but a crease formed on his brow before disappearing. He resumed reading some papers that he had brought with him. Serena sighed and looked out the window, a single tear slipped down Serena's cheek before she rubbed it away and looked towards her fiancé. "What are you reading?" Serena asked.
"Nothing that you need to worry about, my dear." Diamond said, not even looking up.
"But I'm curious and bored." Serena whined.
"Trust me, my dear, you do not want to read it or listen about it. It's just about a new weapon in the war. Why don't you go to sleep? It will take most of the day to get back to the castle."
"I'm not tired though…" Serena muttered. She leaned on the side of the carriage and started watching the world pass her by. As they passed smaller towns and farms people would come out to watch the royal entourage. Diamond seemed to pass it without even carrying. Serena just watched everyone and smiled sadly at everyone that bowed and smiled at her. A small child ran to the gate and instead of bowing he started to wave. His mother gasped and tried to run towards him, but Serena just smiled her last genuine smile and waved before they entered Kingston. As the entered the gates Serena considered her old life dead and her new life… well she could have been dead either way.