XXXIV

"Why are you packing?" Serenity demanded when she walked in a few weeks later to see a carrying case out and Endymion shoving clothes into it in haste. She didn't know about any trip.

"I have to go to the troops and discuss matters with Malachite directly, he needs my advice."

"I wish I had advanced warning, I don't know how much I can pack this early."

"You're not coming with!" He said shortly and winced when Serenity had stared at him hurt. He forgot about his packing and came up to her. "I told you, it's just a political strategy meeting, I'll be back before the moon is full."

"The moon is full in three night's time."

"Hopefully it won't take me that long, but if I take longer, I am sorry." He rest his hands on her shoulders and gave her a deep kiss.

The truth of the matter was that Malachite wrote to say he was coming home in a week. Endymion had to be galvanized to leave his wife and child. He didn't ever want to leave her side, and only a close few knew about her pregnancy. Ami had told him that the first three months were peak months for something to go wrong.

He rested his hands on her belly, still flat, but soon would be rounding. He smiled at her as her eyes caught hold of him and wouldn't stop her calculating look. "I promise Sere, I'll be back, and it's nothing dangerous, I just can't bring you with me, at least not in this condition, right now."

"You promised I could go to Russia." She narrowed her eyes. "I will be even more pregnant by then."

"But more out of the woods." He said gently. "You look absolutely radiant right now." He kissed her again and then dropped to his knees to kiss her belly and rested his cheek against it. "I love you too sprite, whatever you are, I just know you'll be a good kid, now take care of your momma while I'm away." He stood up again and made to turn but couldn't dare to and kissed Serenity once more. "I've really got to finish packing."

Serenity folded her arms and didn't respond, allowing him to move off and work. When he was closing the case, she finally spoke. "Were you even going to warn me or say goodbye?" She demanded, angered at him.

"No." He admitted. "I had planned to tell you just before I left, it wasn't a thought out decision, more spur of the moment, I need to go. But I would have said goodbye, and the proper way." He took her into his arms and made to move her towards the bed, but she held her ground and he satisfied himself for the time being with a kiss.

"When are you leaving?" She asked softly, her resolve to stay mad slowly disappearing.

"Tonight, my horse will be waiting." He replied. "I sent in the order this morning, I told you, I haven't had time to think this through beyond what I need to do to keep the peace."

"Oh all right." She pouted and stood up on her tip toes and opened her arms wide. "Just give me a kiss." He made good on her request and tilted her backwards to deepen it even more.

They did end up landing on the bed and satisfied their need for a goodbye loving, even if it was only for a short time. Endymion and Serenity dressed and Serenity saw Endymion to his ride. "Be safe, love." Serenity told him.

"I will, and stay out of trouble while I'm gone." He teased, she hadn't been in any dangerous settings since she arrived, what he'd told Adam true, that the only forces to worry about where those outside his keeping. Even after the words left and the teasing tone was evident, he looked at her with worry, he didn't think anyone would dare touch her, but he feared leaving her in this condition, she was pregnant and this was bound to be rough on her. "Get plenty of rest, and don't overwork yourself."

Serenity laughed lightly at his concern, it wasn't like she was going to fall and break her neck or anything like that. "I'll be fine. Take care of yourself. And hurry back."

"I love you." And he spared her one last kiss before boarding his ride and he was off. The faster he left and rode, the faster he'd be back.

She watched until she could no longer see the dot in the distance moving and she turned to go back inside, she was cold and disheveled.

"Ah, the king has left us." Damon said standing behind her. Serenity jumped and almost screamed. "Hello Serenity, how are you?"

"Good Damon, what are you doing here?" She asked him and ignored how his eyes took in every feature of her and where everything was. "Why didn't you tell me you came out behind me?"

"I had seen the two of you slipping through the palace, I was curious what the bag was for, I was hoping Endymion wasn't going to send you packing." Damon's eyes enlightened on her chest.

"No, he's just gone off to the border to talk with his generals."

"I see, speaking of talking, I would like our meeting this week to be in a few days, half of the time you owe me will be made up then." She didn't like that he ordered her about when he wasn't even a soldier but a mere noble and she was his Queen.

"We'll see." Serenity sidestepped him and he let her go. His eyes trained on her behind as she walked away and he had to fight his desires for her.

"Have you decided then?" Sapphire asked, coming to stand next to his brother.

"Ah yes, Endymion couldn't have given me a more perfect opportunity."