UPDATED 2016 & way more awesome!

Title: Conquest

Genre: Romance/Drama

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon yet do own this storyline and Fergal, the awesome Sun King

Author's Notes:
Thanks for all the sweet reviews and reads of the last few chapters.

Bet ya didn't think I was going in THIS direction did ya?!

Enjoy and tell me what you think!

Her steps hurried as she pressed herself against a wall to hide from a passing guard from Diamonde's detail. She let out a breath. She just needed a break from them. That was all she was trying to convince herself of. Needed a break from being watched.

"Are you hiding cousin?" A voice said near her and Serenity jumped than shot a look at the Senshi that stood before her.

"Would you not if you were in my situation?" Serenity hissed at her as her fingers absently brushed off her dress and her form continued down the hall.

"I wish a thousand times a day I was in your situation Serenity instead of you," Venus whispered sadly and Serenity spun, her skirts ruffling at her feet as she pointed a dangerously angered finger at her cousin.

"Do not pity me!" She spat at her warrior and Venus clamped her mouth shut as her Princess walked to her, mere centimeters from her face. "I know my position and my duty," she spat than spun continuing on to her destination.

"This is not your duty," Venus suddenly growled as she followed after her. "Do you think we do not know? How could we stand by and let him take you from us?" She hissed walking before her to stop her in her tracks.

"I am bringing galaxies peace…" She began and Venus wanted to shake her since obviously her mind was not seeing reason.

"Do not delude yourself Serenity," Venus snapped and Serenity took a step towards her, her eyes narrowing.

"I believe my title is Princess to you Senshi Venus," she hissed and Venus gulped, all of the air leaving her lungs. "I am stopping wars before they start. Do not dare question me! What have any of your affairs brought? Nothing!" She snapped heatedly as she pushed past the Senshi towards her quarters.

"You are right Princess," Venus murmured, disdain for the first time following that title. "My greatest affair amounted in love while all yours amount to are pieces of paper. This alliance will not stop wars! You are afraid of him even in your own castle! How will you rule him in his own world without any of us there?" Venus questioned her and Serenity could only stare at her, her emotions churning within her. "You did this because you thought it would bring Earth peace. We have been noticing your pattern Serenity… you are marrying this man only because he is Earth's greatest enemy," Venus snapped following after her.

"One billion of my people are living on Earth. Of course I desire to protect it," Serenity growled and Venus shook her head.

"You still love him. You never stopped and though you wish to protect your people you want to protect him as well," Venus accused back. For once in her life she was not going to stand down because of protocol or her station. Her cousin needed to hear this. Needed to be stopped from what she was forcing herself to do. She had finally had enough of watching Serenity falling into a pit she could not get out of.

"My love for him was never in question," she replied angrily. "He does not deserve my protection," Serenity suddenly snapped, anger flaring at having his image appear within her mind. She pushed it aside and closed her eyes trying to regain control of her emotions. "Suddenly I am seeing the wisdom in my fiancé's banishment of all of you," Serenity mumbled over her shoulder and Venus halted. She felt like a thousand daggers had entered her body. Had her cousin become so cold-hearted? How had she become like this? Venus pushed forward.

"Banishment… it is a good word for the crime he is committing in taking us from you but Serenity… why do you hold onto this marriage? Tell me… do you think this will make amends with him? You think this will make him love you? Or are you trying to stab him so in the heart like you have done to all of us?" Venus hissed and without warning the Princess spun. Venus did not even comprehend the attack before it had already happened. The stinging flesh of her left cheek informed her that she had seriously overstepped her bounds and possibly destroyed their relationship forever. Serenity was shaking with anger before her, her eyes ablaze, full of hurt and betrayal and overwhelming anger.

"Me hold onto this marriage? You think I wanted this? Think I pursued this?" She spat with anger. "I have to protect everyone and if I am what he needs to keep him at bay than so be it. I find myself in a situation where I have to make the best of things now for me and my people so do not lecture me," her voice was a hiss and Venus caught the despair in it. So, Diamonde really had tricked her, damn near blackmailed her. Serenity sucked in a deep breath and steadied herself as the rest of Venus' words registered. "Love me? I was nothing to him but a foretold bride he was forced to deal with," she spat angrily, the words stinging to her very soul. Venus willed herself not to shake.

"No. He loved you, asked you to be his bride. He will not see this as a gift from you that you would sacrifice yourself for the safety of his kingdom. Serenity our galaxy is being left vulnerable because of this marriage… Alliance members are jumping out day by day! The one you have worked so hard to build is crumbling at your feet!" Venus's voice carried down the hall and it hit Serenity like a ton of bricks. Suddenly Venus's face shifted to shock and she moved to stop something behind Serenity when hands grasped Serenity's upper arms.

"I am afraid I have to concur with your Senshi Princess," a low voice said into Serenity's ears and the Princess's eyes closed, a tear escaping as her body tensed visibly. It took her a moment to recover her voice as her frame took in the shock of his presence. Warmth radiated from him and his voice hit cords down her spine she wished it still didn't.

"Do you dare step on my planet?" She breathed out, her eyes opening and Endymion gripped her arms once more and leaned closer to her, his body reminding him how much he had missed the feel of her against him.

"Forgive me for crashing your wedding but I wanted to see first hand as the Alliance all have worked so hard to build disintegrates with a single 'I do'," he mumbled without emotion and Serenity pulled from him as if she had been stung.

"Bastard!" She cried, ready to smack him too when familiar footfalls echoed in her ear. She turned away from them and her azure eyes encountered crystal blue and she immediately stopped the rest of her tears from falling. She sucked in a steadying breath as Prince Diamonde walked regally towards them, his face furrowed in concern as he looked at the three in the hall.

"My love," he called and immediately Serenity walked to him, his arm wrapping around her. "You look upset," he cooed and Serenity shook her head softly, gently pushing his hand away from her face.

"Forgive me Prince I am just emotional about leaving everything behind," she breathed and Diamonde nodded than turned daggers at the man that stood before him. His build was impressive and he towered over him. He was a direct contrast to his own features… dark ebony hair to his bright white. Dark smoldering eyes to his crystal blue. He was a few inches taller but a step behind style wise. Diamonde always found himself superior in that area.

"Who is this?" He snapped raising an eyebrow and Endymion's lips curled upwards in a cruel smirk as he bowed.

"Surely your highness you would recognize the monarch of one of your most hated planets," Endymion baited and Serenity let out a breath, her eyes narrowing at Endymion in warning.

"Ah an Earthling… How dare you step foot anywhere near me. Who are you anyway? I thought that pathetic monarch died with that fool Duucan."
"Hardly," Endymion growled, his hands tightening in his pockets.

"King Endymion is a member of our Alliance," Serenity said pulling away from her fiancé to stand in-between the two. "With our marriage his kingdom shall be safe under our protection right my love?" Serenity stated calmly and Endymion glanced at her briefly. She did not truly do this for him did she? Did Venus really mean what she said? Why didn't she mention the Sun refugee's that lived among his people? Why did she not mention she owned 40% of the Earth herself as the Sun's heir?

"Of course darling," Diamonde cooed pulling her back into his embrace, his fingers running through her hair. Endymion wanted to rip each one of his digits off. "Wait… Endymion. Your Endymion my darling? The Famed last conquest?" Diamonde asked and immediately Endymion and Venus's eyes widened with shock. Serenity's head lowered. Her conquests had long been secret, private only to her and her warriors that remembered each one yet it had been one of Diamonde's first requests. To know all whom she had conquered.

"Diamonde," Serenity whispered and Diamonde smirked.
"How this must eat at you earthling… to know I have her when you wanted her

for yourself. To know she cries my name instead of yours," Diamonde hissed, his eyes icing over with glee and Venus took a step into Endymion's path, anchoring him in his spot.
"Stop it!" Serenity snapped, her voice rising and all three looked at her with surprise. "I may be your bride but you will not talk about me that way," Serenity hissed at him and Diamonde's face twisted into anger at her. She braced herself and Venus let out a whimper seeing Serenity ready to take whatever she had just brought upon herself. Yet, as quickly as Diamonde's anger came it left and was replaced with kindness once more.
"Oh my darling… forgive me. Men talk," he smiled taking her into his arms. Endymion moved forward yet ran into Venus frame as he watched Serenity visibly shiver as her betrothed touched her. "My precious beautiful bride. You are the jewel of my existence. Mine forever," he cooed lovingly as he shot the other two a smug look. "Good day," Diamonde said curtly, dismissing the two before them as he turned, taking his bride with him. Serenity's head fell as she walked away and Endymion could hear her thoughts echoing loud and clear. Her remorse for having told Diamonde anything. Endymion spun and stormed down the opposite hall. Venus gulped and raced after him.

"My King," she breathed coming to him and he shot her a look full of contempt.

"I am not your King," he spat to her and Venus shrunk back. "How could you have let her do this? How could you let her take that vile creature to her bed and give her life to him?" He snapped angrily at her and Venus stood her ground.

"I assure you highness I had nothing to do with it and was unable to stop it," she defended and Endymion wanted to strangle her. Kunzite would understand. "He would not," she snapped suddenly reading his thoughts, her eyes ablaze looking at him. "I cannot fix this. Did you not hear me trying before you walked up? Sire, I think he forced her into marrying him… This doesn't even make sense with her character that she would do this to us!" Venus snapped and Endymion looked at her with understanding. He too believed the same thing. "My King please can you not do anything?" She begged suddenly before him and Endymion softened a bit. He knew Serenity's warriors and begging was not something they ever did.

"What is it you would like me to do?" He snapped. "Serenity has a mind of her own as we all have clearly seen over the years."

"Can you not rescue her? Tell her you love her," Venus breathed and Endymion let out a breath and stepped towards the blonde Senshi who was suddenly falling apart before him. "Not for our sakes but for hers and your own!" She cried and Endymion gently put a hand on her shoulder. It was a weak attempt at comfort but he had nothing else to give her.

"This is not a fairytale Venus. I do not think I can rescue her from this, but I might be able to save her Alliance. Have patience with me," he breathed and Venus felt tears well in her eyes as she pressed her lips together with anger. He sighed and turned away from her, heading towards his quarters.

"If I kill him will you give me a swift execution?" She asked, her eyes blazing with seriousness and Endymion turned to her.

"I forbid you to touch him," he ordered and her frame shook.

"He deserves so much more than death," her voice was hard and angry and Endymion was a bit frightened by it. "I will not let him take her from us. Will not let her defile her crown by becoming his wife," she said resolutely and Endymion sucked in a deep breath.

"Venus," a voice said suddenly before them and Venus closed her eyes miserably, tears slipping from her lids down her flawless cheeks. "You have been given an order," Kunzite's voice was strong across her shoulder and she nodded quickly.

"Yes, my King," she breathed with a bow to Endymion, her arm crossing her chest in allegiance. "But if her marriage goes through and you do nothing to stop it… I will make good on my threat," she announced, her eyes narrowed as if daring him to stop her.

"Than I will be sure to banish you to Earth for your crimes," Endymion returned and Venus looked at him taken aback. Kunzite huffed and gently touched Venus arm turning her away from him.

"Go find your Princess," he said gently and she moved to touch him than withdrew turning away from them both. They listened as the click of her heels vanished down the hall and Endymion let out a breath.

"Bit intense your love," Endymion mumbled and Kunzite pressed his lips together thoughtfully.

"Nice punishment," Kunzite mused and Endymion turned, Kunzite at his side.

"Had to give her some incentive to go through with it if all else fails…" Endymion replied evenly and Kunzite looked at him with a small smile.

"Failure isn't an option sire."

"How convenient he shows now," Diamonde mumbled as his form paced the room.

"Diamonde I had no idea he was coming and he certainly was not on my invitation list," Serenity pleaded standing before him. "Can you not once believe me?" She breathed than immediately regretted her words as his frame flew towards her.

"How dare you doubt me and my love for you?" He said heatedly as he grabbed onto her shoulders. She wouldn't wince though the pain he was inflicting was more than she was use to from him.

"Diamonde please…" She breathed looking away as she vigorously tried to push her tears away.

"It seems you need to be reminded of just how much I love you," Diamonde ground out, his eyes raking her frame over and she looked at him, a brokenness coming over her as he pulled her towards the bedchambers. She could say nothing. Do nothing. She closed her eyes reminding herself this was for peace… this was for peace. "I never want to see you in his presence again," Diamonde hissed in her ear as he messily began to remove their clothing.

"Yes milord," she breathed, her eyes closed as she tried to clear her mind and imagine herself anywhere else but here.

"So you have already seen her?" His voice sounded amused under all the layers of exhaustion and sadness that were threatening to overcome him daily. "You always did have a way of finding her first," Fergal mused as he stared quietly down to the gardens below. Endymion could not respond. Fergal was right. He always did know where Serenity was. That was because he had put his seal on her… yet it wasn't there anymore. She had removed it. A pain stuck in his chest at that. He found her that time only cause he had followed her raised voice. Quietly he pressed his knuckles against his lips and tried to clear his mind of all thought and emotion. He did not want to accept the situation that was happening before him.

"How could none of us have stopped her from this? Nemesis obviously has something on her but we could have all dealt with it together… why would she sacrifice herself?" Endymion asked quietly into the air and Fergal turned, Endymion's chambers opening as his Generals filed in. Fergal took in the form of the quiet young king and could almost feel the confusion flowing off of him.

"By the time we heard her screaming for help it was already too late young King. She has much of me in her… I am not surprised she would think sacrificing herself would be the best solution for everyone, without realizing how losing her would really cripple us. If Nemesis has whatever you say, we would have to kill Diamonde and destroy Nemesis to free her now," Fergal mused casting a glance at the Earthen Monarch as he stood. A knock came at the door and Zoicite opened it only to freeze beside it.

"You say that as if it is something we cannot do," Endymion hissed as he turned to the aquatic senshi as she entered. Fergal's tiers curled upwards as they both stood waiting for Mercury to reach them.

"For you my King," Mercury said with a bow as she gently handed him a letter. Endymion took it, not taking his eyes off the senshi as she turned and left. He wanted to ask Fergal if the Senshi called every other Monarch their king. It had been something they had called him since the negotiation tower. He had never heard them address any other monarch that way.

"Only me," Fergal responded and Endymion cast an annoyed look at him and pointed the letter at him.

"You know I detest that when you or anyone on this rock does that," he snapped at him and Fergal nodded with a smile as he bowed. "I am going to put that in the new Alliance agreement that you stay out of my thoughts," he continued to grumble.

"Till later Endymion," he mused as he silently made his way from the room. Endymion watched him leave and he let out a breath as his Generals relaxed around the room, standing at different points, all still watching him. Endymion looked at the letter and flipped it open. It was a handwriting he had not seen in ages but one he would recognize till his dying day.

My King, I must kindly request that you never enter my presence again.

Thank you for complying.

His fingers slowly crumpled the paper and he let out a growl. Now she was making him angry. Kunzite walked quietly towards him, gently removing the letter from his clenched fist and Endymion hissed dropping it in his guard's hand.

"What do you wish of us milord?" Kunzite asked quietly and Endymion spun to stare at him.

"There are seven Nemesis guards in Diamonde's party and two advisors working with the Lunarian Court on the Ceremony preparations. It would take at least two hours for Nemesis to realize we had taken them out before they are able to train their weapons on the Moon," Jedite suddenly reported and Endymion stared at him taken aback.

"Are you all eager to start a war?" Endymion huffed and Jedite shrugged casually.

"I am in love with the goddess of war. Perhaps she has rubbed off on me?" Jedite offered and Endymion shot him a warning look.

"I think you have always been eager to kill my friend," Nephlite offered and Jedite nodded.

"Only when it is the best solution," he justified and Endymion turned away from them to gather his thoughts.

"What if you talked to her?" Kunzite suggested and Endymion narrowed his eyes annoyed at that thought.

"I just spoke with her, the letter obviously proved how well it went over," Endymion grumbled.

"What if you told her you loved her?" Nephlite offered and Endymion turned to his guards patiently.

"I think you are all forgetting that she is in a legally binding contract to marry another man. If I told her my affections would it not just ruin her life more offering what she wants before her while knowing she cannot have it?" Endymion accused and Zoycite glanced at his brothers.

"Perhaps that torture will balance out the one she has been suffering for the last year thinking the only man she has ever loved was going to marry her out of obligation and had been pretending to like her," Nephlite ventured and Kunzite stepped before him quickly stopping Endymion from pummeling his companion into the ground. Endymion pushed against Kunzite as those words stung deep into his chest. "Forgive me sire," Nephlite breathed with a bowed head.

"He is right," Kunzite mumbled and Endymion deflated, a shattered breath leaving his lips.

"How can I dare show myself to her again… after knowing all that is happening to her is my fault?" He agonized and Kunzite took hold of his Prince's shoulders holding him up.

"Because you are a man. A man who sees mistakes he has made and he fixes them," Kunzite encouraged and Endymion sucked in a steadying breath getting control of his emotions.

"She wishes me no where near her," he breathed and Kunzite shook his head patiently.

"Then why did she call you 'my King' sire?" He whispered and Endymion felt something flicker in his heart. Hope. He quickly squashed it and Zoicite let out a growl.

"Let me kill him Sire. Let me kill him for touching what is rightfully yours," Zoicite hissed, anger flashing in his eyes and Endymion grabbed onto a chair, leaning on it as those words floated through his head.

"What makes her rightfully mine? Some prophecy before she was born?" He asked into the air and Zoicite walked towards him.

"No sire, the fact that she loves you enough to give her body to some degenerate and sacrifice her freedom to secure the lives of your people," he snapped and Endymion lifted his gaze and met Zoicite's burning blue. "Sire I ruined this for you before but I will not let it be ruined again," The general hissed, his gaze falling to the floor as his confidence wavered.

"You did nothing but set in motion what was going to happen no matter if you said it, I said it or one of her senshi said it. Her reaction was normal and if I had not known I would have done the same thing," Endymion growled and turned away from them.

"Sire," Zoicite mumbled, emotion choking within him. For the first time in a year he felt the freedom of not being burdened for ruining his Prince's life.

"Forgive me for blaming you for my pain Zoi. I was wrong to do so," Endymion whispered quietly and Zoicite sucked in a deep breath trying to keep his composure. Suddenly he felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder and his deep blue eyes met shimmering green and Jedeite smiled weakly at him.

"Do you still love her?" Kunzite asked quietly, the letter in his hand crumpling once more.

"I have only loved her and will love only her. She is it for me," Endymion whispered and the sheer honesty from him almost stunned his generals. For months he had denied it but it was truth. A hard painful truth admitting it now when it made little difference.

"Sire, the other monarchs have arrived and the war room is being prepared," Jedite suddenly reported and Endymion nodded. He may not be able to save Serenity… but he would save what she most treasured. Kunzite suddenly shook his head.

"Sire, we may not be able to save her from this… but let her know those nine months were truth for you. They weren't your duty," Kunzite offered and Endymion nodded slowly.

"Will she even believe me now?" He asked half-heartedly and Kunzite grinned a bit at him.

"She has always seen through your lies," he offered.

"Love is a great reason to start a war my Prince. They are all waiting for you to give the order… Marlina said it herself. They are just waiting on you," Jedite offered and Endymion shook his head turning away from them.

"What if we do not win? What if she chooses to be with him over me? She didn't exactly run into my arms from our encounter and her note seems pretty straight-forward," he snapped and Nephlite let out a breath.

"Sire, sometimes we need to be rescued from our great ideas. She is in need of much rescuing… We cannot tell you if this will end happily ever after with your marriage but sire… it must end with her not marrying Prince Diamonde," he said strongly and Endymion nodded resolutely. No matter what happened between him and Serenity she could not marry Diamonde. He couldn't let her destroy her life like that.

"Two hours till the meeting sire. We have faith in you as does the rest of the galaxy… or this meeting would not be happening," Kunzite said strongly as he held out his Prince's jacket. Endymion nodded solemnly. His guards were right. He came here with a mission and he would fulfill it no matter what… failure wasn't an option.

Slowly her fingers trailed along the wall of the silent corridor. The walls resonated the power of its monarchy and she always received comfort from its welcoming presence. Her hand clutched to her chest as she stilled against the wall. He was here… and he hated her. She stilled glancing at her hand and she visibly shook a bit. She wore it. No one had any idea what it was but she knew… it was the reminder of what she had lost. As the diamond sparkled before her on her right hand she glanced away from it, having felt its warmth for months as her last tie to him. She didn't think it would hurt so much to see him. Hurt so much to be in his presence…

"Hurt so much to not have me?" A low voice echoed in her ears and Serenity jumped, spinning around to face him, her eyes wide as his comforting presence invaded her and her hands flew behind her.

"What are you doing here? You must leave my presence immediately," she breathed, her eyes frantically searching the hallways for one of Diamonde's servants. She saw one turn the corner and her eyes widened in horror. Quickly she grasped onto Endymion's wrist yanking him into the nearest room. Darkness filled their vision as the door securely shut.

"Why are you here?" She demanded quietly and he saw a candle flicker to life illuminating one of the many guest bedrooms of the Lunarian Palace.

"I already told you that I wanted to watch first hand as you single-handedly destroy the Galactic Alliance. The one you spent your whole life working for," he reminded her and she felt the venom in his voice and she turned from him. She felt emotions well within her and she looked for an escape, knowing she couldn't go out the main door since Diamonde's guards had turned down it.

"You need to leave. He cannot see us together," she hissed, pushing down his words of hate as she searched the room for another exit. Her hands rested against her stomach willing the contents to not jump to her throat as panic began to fill her senses.

His eyes watched her pace the room and he felt as if he was in the presence of a stranger. Her mind only registered strong emotions of panic, fear and loathing for herself. His strong, confident, alluring conquest was gone… and replaced with a shell. He felt his heart break as he took a step towards her.

"Look at you. Serenity… what has become of you?" His voice had fallen to a quiet octave and she stilled, her feet stopping as she sucked in a steadying breath.

"King Endymion I must ask you to please leave my presence. Use your magic and be gone," she whimpered, not daring to look at him and Endymion felt his anger pique. He charged towards her.

"Are you that afraid of him!?" He growled and she spun on him, her eyes wide and he caught the tears that were in them.

"Yes!" She screamed and than turned quickly away from him towards the balcony. "He holds the fate of everyone in his hands. If I cannot please him he will destroy planets. He will destroy Earth… He will destroy our people… Do you want that?" She screeched at him and he followed her and grabbed her spinning her around, pulling her away from the open windows and back into the darkness. He was ready to blast her for all the anger he felt, ready to let leash his verbal attack he had replayed over and over in his head towards her. Of how she single-handedly screwed them all when he caught a whimper of pain from her. He stilled and his hands released her. Immediately his hand grabbed the candle and moved it towards her.

"Stay away from me," she warned, her frame backing into a wall and he lifted the candle, moving up the sleeve of her dress to see small deep bruise marks along her arms. "King Endymion…" She breathed shaking her head, a tear sliding down her cheek and he threw the candle down, it's flame extinguishing as he leaned towards her.

"Do not call me that," he whispered quietly and she shook her head, another tear trickling down.

"That is who you are my King," she breathed and he lent his head down and buried it in her neck and she immediately moaned and let her body mold into his.

"Not to you Seren," he whispered brokenly and his hands wrapped around her fragile body, his fingers gently roaming over the many bruises she had received at the hand of her future husband. "Why did you not come to me?" He breathed, his heart breaking at the flinches she gave off after his fingers grazed offended flesh and she ignored his words.

"I am so proud of you Endy… you have become a great King. More than I could have hoped for and I always have wanted to tell you that. Tell you that I am so thankful you are King of my people… They deserve someone so great," she breathed over his cheek and he pulled back to stare at her, their eyes locking. That was possibly the greatest compliment she could have ever given him. It shook him to his core. "I have to go. Please stay away from me," she whispered trying to move away from the wall.

"I cannot," he whispered brokenly and she bit her bottom lip, her fingers clenching.

"You did," she hissed at him and he turned to her a bit shocked.

"You refused to see me… would not take my letters," he bit back and she sucked in a deep breath.

"I wanted more than letters Endymion. I wanted to be more than a duty to you…" She shuttered out and Endymion stilled in his tracks towards her. "I wanted you. I wanted you to come for me because you knew I was yours and not because of some damn prophecy but because I loved you and you loved me." The broken words fluttered to his ears as he felt everything within him crumble. In less than two steps he had her in his arms and her hands readily went around his neck as his lips drank from hers happily and greedily. His hands clutched to her as she put everything she had in the exchange… all her pain at missing him, all her longing, all her agony at her current situation… without him. She pulled away suddenly and yanked at his coat trying to rid him of it. "Endy take me… one last time. Please, let me have this memory," she breathed against his skin and he shivered. He had never heard her so vulnerable, so broken… his strong brave Serenity. He bent down and scooped her off of her feet carrying her to the dark bed overshadowed by moonlight. Her kisses trailed up his neck and he felt her shiver. He stilled as a thought suddenly occurred to him and their eyes met.

"Seren… has he?" He whispered quietly and Serenity sat up and scooted against the headboard. Immediately she was defensive.

"Has he what?" She breathed and the answer shot through her mind and she hissed a cruse as she turned away from him. His eyes widened in horror at the image he received and she crawled towards the end of the bed trying to escape but he stopped her, her face turning towards him in a bit of fear. The look on his face made her heart crumble and all her defenses fall. "Do not tell them please," she whispered, her voice choking on a sob and he released her. Her frame rolled into a fetal position as her world came crashing down upon her and the horrid nightmare it had become. She felt she had to justify it… she didn't want to be seen as this before him. "It will bring peace…" She began and suddenly felt a finger press against her lips.

"Do not delude yourself any longer Serenity. This is not bringing peace. You are not a tool to be used by greedy Princes for their delight!" He suddenly bellowed and she shrunk from him. "Your body is not a gift for peace," he hissed into her ear and she let out a whimper.

"Endymion," she cried as he pulled away from her.

"I love you," he suddenly confessed and her eyes widened as her jaw slightly fell. "I have always loved you and not because of some prophecy Seren. You are not my duty I was forced to take on. I fell for you so hard. You are everything I've always wanted and never knew I needed. You are it for me and I will not let you ruin everything you've worked for Serenity… I cannot. I have to save you," he whispered and she stilled as he pulled her to him. Gently he cupped her cheeks, his thumbs gently wiping at her tears as her fingers wrapped around his wrist holding him to her. "Marry me," he breathed out and his eyes bore into hers and conveyed more than she could have ever asked for from anyone. "Marry me because no one will ever love you like I do Seren," he confessed and a few tears trickled from her eyes down her cheeks as his words hit her deep in her heart. but was as if she had been waiting her whole life to hear him say that…

"I cannot," she mumbled painfully and he shook his head. "It will send us to war. You cannot go to war over me Endy, I would hate you forever if one person died to try and save me from my own folly," she said heatedly and he felt tears prick his eyes.

"Would you if you could?" He demanded and Serenity smiled sadly at him as her fingers rose to trace his jaw line. Something glittered out of the corner of his eye and he gently grabbed her hand turning it over. He stilled seeing the ring upon her finger as a few tears spilled down Serenity's cheeks and he looked at her with a bit of awe. She was wearing it… his ring.

"Yes. Very happily. I wish I would have done it so long ago. You are the only one I have ever wanted to marry. Forgive me for my pride Endy… for doing this to us," she whispered brokenly and he pulled her securely into his arms.

"I would have done the same thing," he hissed and her eyes lifted and caught his and she let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. Than she groaned happily when his lips descended lovingly on hers. They attacked each other greedily as memories of familiarity only sparked their passion more. The way she smelled, the touch of her fingers upon his skin… she was perfection and he had missed her desperately. It took everything in him to try and disentangle himself enough just to get her attention.

"We have to leave," he breathed against her lips and she looked at him completely taken aback.

"Excuse me?" She whispered and gently he cupped her cheek as his eyes dug into her own.

"You are the only woman I have ever loved and will love in my existence… Forgive me for being so foolish," he breathed painfully and her jaw dropped open a bit in shock. "Know that everything that happens next though it was the right thing to do… I do because I love you. Because you are mine to protect," he said against her lips before claiming them. He pulled them up from the bed and quickly tired to re-adjust their clothing to make them presentable.

"I… I… I do not know what you are speaking of," she said brokenly as she tried to keep her hold on him. "Please don't go…" She whispered and he took her hand, moving her towards the door.

"Serenity, we have a meeting to get to," he breathed and she looked at him confused.

"A what?" She whispered and shook her head. "Now?"
"Do you still trust me?" He asked gently and she glanced up at him and her eyes glazed over a bit.

"I…" She stuttered and he nodded a bit miserably. He deserved that. Gently he kissed her forehead.

"One day may I earn it back…" He breathed than in two seconds vanished through the door leaving her dumbfounded. She blinked a bit horrified at his departure.

"A meeting?" She whispered with confusion.

An aide fussed over her skirt once more and Serenity stepped away from her meddling hands. The door to her chamber opened and the Princess of the Moon gulped as her fiancé strut in.

"Darling," the word was snapped at her and she winced a bit. "We are being summoned to a meeting of the Alliance," he hissed closing the distance between them. His hand scooped her elbow and she dutifully followed as he half dragged her out of the room. "Do you know anything about this?" He growled and she shook her head honestly.

"My lord I do not. I can only assume it is their desire to get to know you?" Serenity tried yet even that was grasping at straws. She heard Jupiter snicker behind her and she gulped. That wasn't a good sign.

"How does the leader of the Alliance not know what is going on with her own organization?" He growled at her and she let out a breath and held her face high.

"My lord… as I said I do not know what is going on. My Alliance has dwindled greatly since our engagement… with any hope they are suddenly returning and not all jumping out," she spat and he stepped close to her and she felt his anger start to rise.

"With any hope," he repeated and kissed her cheek sweetly. "Let's go find out what they want pet…" He cooed grabbing her hand and she winced painfully as he squeezed, the ring on her finger digging into her fingers as he drug her from the room.