Ties That Bind
Chapter 38
Foolish Acts
Author's Note: I would like to thank all those that sent in there reviews and thoughts. I enjoyed hearing all of your feedback and I hope that you will continue to enjoy the story. To respond to a review I got stating it could have been Diamond instead who saved Serena. It's true it could have been interesting with Diamond or another character from the SM universe enter as a rival for Darien, but in the end I decided to not get to over developed with the character and developed Kevin, not to take away from the main storyline. I hope you will all enjoy and continue to follow along with the characters growth. Please continue to send your reviews and thoughts. Thanks mars Light
Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!
Serena sat there frozen seeing him walking down the rest of the steps, she knew what it must look like having Kevin standing there beside her with his hand down on her leg.
She felt his eyes lock onto hers the moment he stepped down and gave her a dangerous look as he stepped closer to where she sat. She felt her breath hitch in her throat and gently removed her leg away from Kevin's hand telling him "I have it from here, you should probably go"
Kevin looked to the man that entered the room feeling the overbearing weight he gave off just standing still, then looked down at Serena seeing her tense up in front of him asking "will you be alright"
Darien looked over to the stranger standing at her side watching him put his hand onto her shoulder with a raised brow waiting he looked to Serena for her reply letting her know without a word spoken not to cross him.
Serena sat all the way back in her chair nervously feeling his intense stare on her she gently reached back and rubbed the side of her bottom knowing what would soon follow she nodded her head telling Kevin "yes I'll be fine"
Darien gave her an approving nod reassuring that her thoughts were correct and her punishment would soon follow her behavior when Molly stepped forward and looked to Darien seeing the controlling hold he had over her friend, but also seeing standing next to her another guy that was good looking, polite, and helpful.
She had a delightful gleam in her eyes and stepped between Serena and Darien trying to put a little distance between them telling her good friend "Serena wasn't it kind of him to help you all the way back here after your fall. He's a good man to have around isn't he?"
Serena felt a knot forming in her stomach hearing Molly's meddling words knowing her friends way of helping only made it much worse she glared back at Molly telling her "yes Molly his assistance was appreciated"
Kevin looked down at Serena with a glow hoping he might still have a shot with her he looked to her with a pleasured smile stating "it was my pleasure to assist you Serena. I am glad we just happened to fall into each other"
Serena nodded her head silently feeling with every word spoken it was just digging a bigger hole to her grave, she looked over to see Darien standing behind Molly his face was unreadable, but he stood calmly too calm.
Darien stood there watching while some young pup move on what is his feeling a rage building up inside seeing her sitting there with him at her side, he clenched his fists together trying to keep his tone neutral asking "maybe I missed it, but how exactly again Serena did you just happen to fall into his arms" putting the emphasis on fall.
Serena could see the anger welling up in his eyes and laughed nervously telling him "it was foolish really"
Darien nodded his head affirming it was foolish for her to get caught with another man, he crossed his arms in front of him and looked to her daring her too choose her words carefully telling her "I'm sure it was tell me anyway"
Serena gulped knowing she only had this one chance to explain before he would finally explode she tried to explain carefully "I woke up early and went out for a walk and came across the large oak tree Molly and I use to climb as kids"
Molly smiled happily and nodded her head telling her "I remember that tree"
Darien looked over to Molly with a warning to keep quiet not appreciating the interruption. Molly quickly got the hint feeling less than an inch tall and took a step back.
Darien turned his full attention back to Serena with a subtle glare telling her "go on"
Serena sat there speechless watching without a word spoken how Molly got the full knowledge of the power and control he had. She gulped and continued telling him "I wanted to climb the tree again feel the carefree days of my youth once more. I know it wasn't the right thing to do" She looked over to Molly telling her "I wanted to hold onto my younger days a little longer"
Molly felt a ping of guilt and gave her friend a reassuring nod letting her know they were still friends and always would be no matter what. Darien looked between the two friends seeing the connection between them and his tension settled a small amount when Serena continued telling him "I got all the way to the top and had a view over the whole village, but then realized it was getting later in the morning and came down when I lost my footing and I fell, but Kevin was there to catch me"
Darien's anger returned in full force he looked down at her with a raised brow at the informality of the name questioning "Kevin?"
Serena nodded her head yes hearing the challenge behind his voice, she could tell he didn't believe her story, or that she and Kevin had just met, even though it was true. She went to open her mouth to speak further, but with one look from him she closed it back up.
Darien looked between Serena and the man standing there at her side listening silently to her story that they just accidentally fell into each other, wondering how long she actually has known him. How long she has been keeping him a secret? He shook his head telling her "wasn't it convenient for you Kevin happened to be passing by at just the right time"
Serena slunk lower in the chair knowing it all sounded rather improbable as Molly watched the scene unfolding and walked over and stood at Kevin's side then looked to Darien with a challenge of her own telling him "it was a good thing Kevin was there being at the right place at the right time, so the two of you could meet"
Serena's mouth was gapping open hearing Molly's implication, she turned to give Molly a dirty look then looked back to Darien shaking her head no, but saw his attention was no longer on her as he looked over at Kevin daring him to answer asking "what were you doing there?"
Serena looked over to Kevin curious of the answer herself that he just happened to be there when she needed him, but saw his male pride taking over watching as he walked up in front of Darien with his shoulders straight telling him flatly "I was curious, it's not every day you see a girl in her night dress climbing up a tree"
Darien looked back over to Serena, realizing he had been so taken back when coming downstairs to find her sitting with another man's hands on her. He did not take notice that all she was still wearing was her night dress from the evening prior that currently had a few small tears in it. He pointed upstairs ordering out loudly "go upstairs and put something decent on"
Molly and Kevin stood there silently as they heard the commanding tone he ordered her in.
Serena could feel his eyes locked on her, and knew defying him right now would not help anything. She slowly got up to her feet and hobbled towards the staircase unable to put pressure on her right foot.
Kevin watched her hobbling along and stepped forward reaching out his arm to help her but, Darien stepped forward between them with a warning to his voice he told him "don't' touch her"
Kevin stood there looking at this cold man in front of him and shook his head telling him "she's hurt"
Darien was ready to show this man who she belonged to once and for all, when Serena called out from behind them saying "Kevin, please go I will be fine, but thank you for your assistance you're a good man to have around"
Despite Darien's deadly glare towards him. Kevin walked over to where Serena stood and took her hand in his placing a kiss on her hand telling her "it was my pleasure Ms. Serena. Hopefully we will run into each other again soon"
Darien kept his shoulders tight and shook his head telling him "I wouldn't count on it" as he pointed up the stairs telling Serena "go"
The room went silent waiting to see who would make their next move in the human chess game they played to see who would capture the queen when Mrs. Sawyer kindly walked over and put her hand on Kevin's shoulder telling him kindly "thank you again for your assistance. We are all pleased to see Serena has returned safely"
Kevin looked to Serena feeling unsure about leaving her with him, but saw her give him a reassuring nod and then Darien stepped forward staring him down with an unspoken challenge between them. Kevin backed away towards the door with a nod of his head telling Mrs. Sawyer "thank you I am glad I could be of assistance today"
Mrs. Sawyer walked over and opened up the door for Kevin to leave and he did so quietly with one last look to Serena. Mrs. Sawyer closed the door behind him and turned to look back on the room feeling the tension rising she spoke aloud "what a nice gentleman"
Serena looked over to Darien feeling his fury within telling him "I will go get changed so we can be going" Darien gave her a nod to his head letting her know this wasn't over when the door reopened and Mr. Sawyer walked into the inn.
He looked to see Serena going up the stairs and smiled brightly telling her "Serena I heard you had come to pay us a visit how nice to see you again" then turned his head seeing the man standing to her side, his face dropped and he quickly rushed over to him saying "Lord Montgomery I am sorry I did not realize you were here. What brings you to our establishment?"
Molly stood there finally left speechless, realizing the man she just stood up to and shared a table with last night and saw Serena... She looked to her father shaking her head asking "he's Lord Montgomery?"
Darien turned towards the room seeing everyone's silent stares his way, after the scene they had just witnessed he stood up tall and announced to everyone "Serena and I thank all of you for your hospitality, but we will be continuing on shortly" then turned and gave Serena a look that yelled don't even think of trying to dispute me.
Serena kept her head lowered and slowly started to go up the stairs one step at a time telling him "I will go get my things"
Darien watched as she hobbled up the stairs taking it gingerly knowing her foot really was injured he let out a sigh then walked up the stairs and stood beside her. To her surprise he reached down and placed his arm around her waist telling her "put the extra weight on me"
Serena looked to the man at her side feeling his warm strength, knowing at times his caring nature would shine through, she put her arm around his waist and they slowly went up the rest of the stairs together.
Molly stood at the bottom watching the way he took his time helping her up the steps then turned to her father asking "that's really Lord Montgomery"
Mr. Sawyer looked to his daughter and nervously nodded his head asking her "yes what is it that I missed today"
Mrs. Sawyer watched from the bottom of the stairwell seeing Serena with Lord Montgomery as they turned the corner down the hall no longer in her view. She smiled to her husband and put her hand on his arm with a knowing look she told him "nothing important dear, come sit and I will get you your breakfast"
Darien helped Serena to the room they shared last night and opened the door as they walked inside. She let go of his waist and hobbled forward to the bed and began to start collecting her things when she heard the door slam shut behind her and he ordered "turn around and face me"
She let out a small gulp knowing he wasn't going to wait until the manor to do this and slowly turned around as he slapped her hard across the face.
She put her hand up to her sore cheek, then looked up to face a very angry Darien. He reached over and grabbed tightly onto her arm demanding "explain yourself"
Serena looked up to him seeing no trace of the man who was there a second ago, the tears started to run down her cheeks she cried shaking her head begging him "please believe me nothing happened. It was just as I said I saw the tree and wanted to climb it, but when I came down I slipped and he caught me. Would you rather I had just fallen to the ground"
He grabbed tightly onto her other arm also his face like stone telling her "I would rather you not do something so foolish to begin with"
She nodded her head knowing it was not the right thing to do telling him "I won't" then felt him grab onto her arms a little tighter she looked up to him with her eyes begging "please Darien"
He heard her use his given name from her lips and those eyes of hers again staring back at him, he quickly turned her around and pushed her up against the wall keeping his body pressed against her back and shoulders telling her "you will not do something so reckless and foolish again. I will make sure of it"
She cried out scared and frightened by his roughness telling him "I won't, I promise, please don't" He held her up against the wall and whispered by her ear "tell me Serena what foolish thing are you promising never to do again, climb a tree or let me catch you with another man's hands on you"
She shuttered at the angry tone in his voice and cried out telling him "both"
Darien could feel her body quivering under his hold, he raised up her night dress ready to teach her a lesson she wouldn't forget as he started to undue his belt. She raised her hands up against the wall and closed her eyes tightly ready for whatever abuse he had instore for her as she heard his hateful words spoken "a promise coming from you unlikely"
He reached out ready to hit her hard with his belt, to mark her as his and no one else's forever more, but stopped when he saw her bottom was still all red fro before. He could still see the indentation marks from where he belted her the other day. He held her up tighter against the wall and took a deep breath he dropped the belt to the floor and told her "Serena every rule I have set for you. You have deliberately disobeyed me"
She shook her head no then felt when he hit her bottom with his open palm, she cringed feeling his touch it was not as bad as before, but it still stung, he came up closer whispering by hear ear telling her "I have told you I expect complete obedience from my girls, but especially you is that understood"
She nodded her head and felt his hand come and make contact once more on her bare bottom feeling the sting she told him "yes…but"
Darien was in no mood to hear her excuses and it only fueled his rage inside more to hear her trying to make excuses for her irresponsible behavior. He spanked her bottom again harder hearing her cry out, and then quickly turned her around to face him and grabbed onto her chin to look up at him telling her "no buts, you will never see that man again"
Serena nodded her head unable to speak further. He released her arms satisfied she learned her lesson and took a step away taking a deep breath of his own ordering her "get dressed"
She closed her eyes tight and took a deep breath telling herself "such is life now" and hobbled over to the bed to follow his orders. Darien squeezed his fist together tighter trying to act as though he didn't hear her comment and then suddenly turned around angrily telling her "you will not conduct yourself in manner that would draw other men's attention, unless that man is me is that clear Serena"
She didn't move hearing his comment, reminding her about the men from earlier that stood by the tavern, the ones she had been running from. The ones who really started all this making her feel uncomfortable in her own skin. She stood there shaking her head feeling the rage and frustration building up she yelled back at him "look at me"
He turned around flabbergasted to hear her give him an order to see her standing there with her cheeks all red and the tears that were beginning to dry up on her face, she shook her head telling him strongly "you don't want me to draw other men's attention, but you dress me as your whore. I cannot be in a room without attracting every man's attention"
He didn't pay attention to her outburst telling her plainly "you are my possession to do with as I please"
She closed her eyes tight and turned around to face the wall to aggravated to face him right now, but hearing still after everything they had been through together and shared. The way he still acted towards her saying "you are my servant and will act as such. I do not want to treat you as a prisoner, but if I must keep you locked away to prevent you from running off with some other man then so be it"
She stayed facing the wall clenching her fists tightly hearing him threaten her again saying "Serena you will never see that man again or any other is that understood"
She didn't answer him
Darien looked to her waiting for her reply, but getting nothing as he became more enraged he yelled out "is that understood"
She didn't answer him
He stood there seeing her back turned towards him in no mood to deal with her defiance he yelled at her "answer me"
She stayed facing the back wall and nodded her head yes without a word spoken, he was becoming tired of her games and took hold of her arm roughly telling her "I will deal with your antics when we get back to the manor"
She didn't turn around, but asked him quietly "why?"
He let go of her arm and looked back while letting out a huff saying "you can't be serious for the way you have been acting, shamelessly flirting with other men and deliberately trying to disobey me"
She turned around to face him, all tears that remained now gone. Her face like stone she told him "I have no interest in Kevin I am glad he was of assistance to me, but that is all"
Darien shook his head not believing a word she spoke he told her "yes that's right, he just happened to be passing by at the right time, that was the story you told, isn't that right Serena"
She looked to him hearing the mocking voice he used and shook her head angrily telling him "I know you do not believe me, but he is not the one that I…" she stopped herself realizing she admitted too much, but it was already too late. Darien looked to her possessively his eyes turning red with rage asking "you what?"
She shook her head hoping to just bypass it telling him "it's nothing"
Darien had no intention of just letting it go as he grabbed her arm tightly ordering her "tell me, you what? Have feelings for? Is there another?" She stayed quiet as she could feel his rage building up ready to explode, while his hand squeezed tighter onto her wrist yelling out "answer me now, damn it Serena"
She kept her eyes lowered feeling the pain throughout her wrist, but would not answer him. So he grabbed onto her shoulders with both of his hands shaking her hard he yelled out "who is it tell me?" Then hit her roughly across the face.
She lost her balance and landed hard on the floor, he looked down at her trembling form telling her "you are mine and no one else's" then kneeled down and put his hand on her leg.
She looked to him knowing he was about to prove to her his words and picked herself up enough to sit up on the floor next to the bed and lowered her head telling him just above a whisper "you are right I am foolish, you treat me cruel, you only want me for my body and you will not take the time to listen to me, but still"
She looked up to see his blank face watching as he backed away slightly she told him "still I find myself caring for you. I don't want to feel this way after all you have done. I shouldn't, but I do"
He stood back up to his feet hearing her words shaking his head impossibly while she told him "I am never enough for you am I Darien" and waited for him to say something in reply.
He took a few steps back from her shaking his head incredulous looking down at her as if she has a disease he could catch. She stood back up finding her footing and looked towards him seeing the cold hard stare in his eyes. She had told him and admitted to herself her feelings for him which only complicated things. He doesn't do complicated.
Darien finally found his voice and told her "I will send Molly up to help with your belongings" and quickly left the room slamming the door closed behind him.
Serena stood there looking at the closed door he had just retreated out of, feeling like a fool. She had opened up and told him and herself too that she really did genuinely care and had developed feelings for him and he responded by shutting her out. She shook her head telling herself repeatedly "never again, never, never again"
Author's Note: Okay everyone I want to hear your thoughts. Serena just admitted out loud she has feelings for him! Please send your reviews and thoughts.