Ties That Bind

Chapter 49

In the Way

Author's Note: I would like to thank all those that are following along with the story. I hope you are enjoying it so far and especially my readers who are sending in their thoughts and reviews on the story. I love to hear from all of you and your feedback gives me great ideas on how to better the story so please keep them coming. Also for anyone that is being effected right now with the Corona Virus outbreak be well and stay safe everyone. Thanks for reading and following along and please continue to send your thoughts and reviews on the story. Mars Light.

Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did never will, nor do I own Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Serena woke up startled in her own bed after experiencing a bad dream, she looked towards her window seeing the stillness of the night, and then reached back over to cuddle back up to Darien where she felt safe and protected, but soon realized he wasn't there beside her to keep her warm.

The thoughts of all that happened yesterday both the good and the bad quickly went through her mind like a picture book. She looked across from her to her bureau and saw that in the shadow of the darkness, stood the small ballerina statue he had given to her by far the most thoughtful gift she had ever received and then the thoughts of what followed afterward, the sweetness of his touch and the tenderness of his kisses invaded her mind.

She sat up in her bed and looked over to the adjoining door knowing it had been her choice to leave his bed last evening even though she regretted her actions right after her door closed shut.

She stood up from her bed and walked back and forth a few times in her room deciding what she should do. If she should just go back to bed or go over there and knock and grab his attention.

Finally she took a deep breath and let it out realizing for herself. The truth behind her actions last night and that there were still too many words left unsaid between them, as much as she chose to deny it part of her needed to have him close by.

She walked over to the adjoining door and took a deep breath to ready herself, then knocked on his door twice as she heard him call out "come in"

She opened the door slowly ready to see him still lying in bed at this early hour, but instead his bed was empty and she looked around the room quickly to find him sitting in the corner fully dressed putting on his boots.

She walked in the room slowly seeing he was already up and dressed at this early hour and felt an uneasiness in her stomach, but what was more upsetting was the queasy feeling she had rolling around inside her that perhaps he hadn't slept in the bed at all.

She tried to swallow down her pride and say what she came to say, while trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but seeing him sitting there looking perfect without a hair out of place. While she stood feeling at a loss for words and probably looked lost and confused in his room with large bags under her eyes from not sleeping well.

Darien looked over to the doorway to see her enter into his room with her body all flushed from where his hands trailed over every inch of her last night, and her hair tossed around where he ran his hands through it, and those swollen lips of hers where he kissed her as he took a deep breath wanting desperately to kiss those lips of hers again, but knew now was not time time as he questioned "was there something that you wanted Serena"

Serena stopped still and stood there for a moment looking at his hard chest and was not able to put two thoughts together as she questioned "what I wanted" and her eyes drifted back to his bed where they lied together, before she was foolish enough to pull away from him.

Darien watched seeing where her thoughts went to and stood up from his seat and sauntered over to where she stood putting his hands around her face and gave her a quick good morning kiss telling her "I wouldn't mind waking up to this sight each morning"

Serena looked up to him surprised hearing him admit in his own way that he was answering her unspoken question, that he had missed her last night just as much as she did he.

She went to reach for his hand to eliminate some of the distance that was put between them, but looked over by the door and saw he had a bag packed and looked up to him questioning "where are you going?"

Darien had a small smirk cross his face seeing the apprehensive way she looked towards him and ran his hand slowly down her long arm and then back up again, reaching up higher behind her neck while holding her nearer to him as he let out a sigh wanting desperately to delay his departure a little longer and then pushed a stray hair back behind her ear as he placed a kiss on the back of her neck.

He heard her let out a pleasurable moan in response to his caress while he told her "I have business to take care of. I will be away most of the day, but will return in the evening"

Serena could feel with just the slightest touch of his fingertips, the want in him and the need within herself as he held her body close to his own and continued placing kisses up behind her ear and then back down to her neck again she asked him hopefully "do you wish that I join you?"

Darien smiled pleased at how her body responded to his touches and felt his own manhood rising up while he moved his hand up along her chest, not ready to let go of her smooth skin he told her "it is a most tempting offer, but I must decline"

Serena's face dropped not expecting to hear him decline her offer as she felt the longing inside of her grow further.

He could see the disappointment look on her face while his own head was beating on him for it as well. He placed his hand down between her legs for a parting gift telling her "I will not have time for us. I will be kept busy the entire day, but when I return" then placed a finger inside of her as she gasped aloud he whispered into her ear "just a small sample of what will be"

He moved his finger around in a circular motion leaving her legs feeling like jelly as she put her hands up to his shoulders to be able to remain standing while he stretched her very core.

Darien looked upon her seeing the way she bit down on that lower lip of hers again, then removed his finger from inside her knowing he had to do so know or would not be leaving this room for several more hours.

Serena looked up at him disappointed by the sudden loss of his touch, then watched while she felt a bit neglected when he took a step back from her and she knew he wouldn't being doing more than that as she watched him lift up his hand and lick off his finger that he had inside of her.

She stood there watching him and didn't know why, but seeing him put his finger into his mouth like that caused an uncontrollable urge within her as she walked over to him and threw her arms around his neck then kissed him deeply.

Darien's eyes opened up wide feeling her lips upon his own as he wrapped his arms around her feeling the kiss she gave him was even better then in his thoughts. While he fought the urge he had to pick her up and carry her over to his bed to continue his exploration along her soft skin.

Instead he reached up and took hold of her arms then slowly lowered them down as he pulled away with a deep breath telling her "I must be going, but get some rest you will be needing it when I return" and then walked back over to his bureau to complete what he was doing without being tempted any further.

Serena stood there for a second watching him with a steady breath, knowing the heat between them was still unbearably there, but there was still so much left to be said between them also.

She stood by his bedpost watching him prepare to leave with his back turned to her and knew now was not the time to bring up other matters and then turned around to slowly walk back to her own room alone.

She stepped through the doorway and turned around once more seeing him standing there fixing his belt and let out a small sigh then wished him with a little grin saying "safe journey" as he looked up towards her with those deep blue eyes of his. She walked back into her own room closing the door behind her.

She went back into her own room and felt a longing inside her pulling her backwards as she looked around the large space seeing how empty it felt and didn't know how it was possible, but knew she would be missing him something fierce while he was gone.

She went and took a seat back down on her own bed and reached up placing her hand on her neck feeling where his mouth just was and knew it would not be possible to get any rest now.

She lied back on her bed breathing in his scent from last evening thinking of the way he just sat and listened to her read and then smiled remembering there common interest of poetry and most profound of all was how she found herself missing him before he was even gone.

She stood up from the bed and knew it was crazy, that she was crazy for feeling this way about him, but she had only a moment left to get this right as she took hold of the straps of her night dress, dropping them down from her shoulders as the dress slowly drifted down her hips to the floor. She quickly stepped out of it and pushed the discarded material to the side and then walked right back into his room without knocking.

Darien turned around surprised to hear her enter again, only to see her standing there in his doorway completely nude as she walked towards him slowly, all while taking one of her breasts in her hands circling her nipple with her index finger telling him seductively "maybe you could be a little late"

Darien looked over to her with his eyes open wide and a shake of his head telling her "you keep this up and I may be more than a little late" then let all concept of time move away and in 3 quick steps he was in front of her as he grabbed her by the arms and pushed her back down to his bed.

Serena let out a small giggle knowing so far things were going as she wanted them too as he looked down on her perfect body and shook his head telling her "you don't know what you do to me"

Serena looked up to him with a pleased smile having a pretty good idea, but teased him back saying "why don't you explain it to me than"

Darien looked down at her knowing he was getting caught up in her spider's web, but with a body like hers he would let her catch him anytime, then put his mouth down to her breast as he told her "with you I think I better be more on guard"

Serena looked back at him as she let out a small moan of pleasure feeling him finish what she had started by putting his mouth around her nipple and questioned back "how so?"

She didn't get an answer back from him when she watched him sit up then grab her by her ankles and raise her legs up high so her bottom was off the bed and then suddenly flipped her over so she was lying onto her stomach as he entered himself into her quickly from behind.

She felt him pushing inside her throbbing, pulsating, as she felt his manly power filling her up completely he told her through deep breaths "for starters you are my drug and my cure I need all of you" as she felt him give her a slight pat on the ass as she suddenly cried out "oh Darien"

He quickly finished inside of her and then exited out as he stood there for a second looking down on her lying on his bed with her skin all flushed then let out a deep breath, and pulled up his pants while he told her "get rest now I mean to continue this on my return"

Serena let out a deep sigh knowing that she had come to speak with him about what at the moment she couldn't recall, and rolled over to her side to face him again with a simple nod of her head telling him "yes"

Darien looked to her seeing her starting to sit up on the edge of his bed and felt the need to rectify a situation as she began to stand up ready to walk back to her own room again he called out "wait"

Serena turned back to look at him remembering why she had come here in the first place. What she wished to speak to him about and was unsure why he stopped her from leaving now asking "yes"

Darien looked to her watching her step towards her own room and knew he didn't get any sleep last night and the reason for it also then told her casually "why don't you just stay here in my bed? Actually I would rather you not go back to your bed at all"

Serena looked back at him surprised that he would tell her to do so before she had the chance to ask him for the same thing and walked back over to his bed and lied back down against his pillow breathing in his scent as a small smile crossed her lips telling him "if you insist"

Darien walked over to the bed seeing her lying there comfortably, knowing he never wanted anyone else ever to share his bed before, but with her everything was different and reached down placing a kiss to her forehead telling her "this is where I would much prefer leaving and coming back to find you here"

Serena looked to him with a smile, knowing it was not the same words she would hope to one day hear from him, but it was a start then nodded her head telling him "then this is where I shall be"

Darien took one more look at her naked body lying there in his bed and with a shake of his head he forced himself to walk to the door and turned to her with a small warning telling her "get your rest now for tomorrow you will need it" then walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. While he kept his hand on the doorknob for one extra second before finally releasing it and walking down the hall.

Serena awoke sometime later that morning and realized where she was in his bed alone. She smiled remembering the surprising turn of events on how she came to be there and turned to his pillow breathing in his scent once more.

She held his pillow close to her getting the closest thing she could to his warmth for now and let out a small giggle thinking of his warning before he left and the enticing things that would come to her with his arrival, when she heard a loud bang come from just outside of the bedroom followed by another and another.

She quickly got up from the bed to go investigate the noise and grabbed one of Darien's long shirts out of his draw then put it on to cover herself up as she heard the sound again and walked towards the door to find out what the noise she heard was coming from.

She walked into the hall and just outside the door between her and Darien's bedrooms was Rei on a high ladder trying to hammer a nail into a wall. She looked to see the ladder that she was standing on was rickety and did not seem that safe then curiously asked "what are you doing?"

Rei looked down from the ladder she was standing on to see Serena below her wearing nothing, but one of Lord Montgomery's long white shirts and looking like she had just rolled out of bed, then apologized telling her "Serena I'm sorry to have bothered you. It's just that Constance told me I had to hang this picture up here. She was rather insistent that I do it right now"

Serena looked over at the picture leaning against the opposite wall that Rei spoke of. Seeing it was a terrible picture that she would be forced to look upon each day with it hanging just outside of her bedroom door.

The portrait was dark and very creepy with the face of a woman that had blood running down from her eyes, while there was a man wearing a dark cape that covered most of his face standing behind her. Just looking at the picture made Serena feel a chill run down her spine as she heard Rei ask "can you pass me the picture Serena?"

Serena looked down at it not wanting to even put her hands on such a picture, but did so anyway and picked it up handing the picture up to her as Rei hung it on the wall asking "is it straight?"

Serena looked up to the portrait once again and felt the woman's eyes almost starring down into hers, then turned away quickly not wanting to look at it again she told her "yeah it's straight"

Rei came down off the ladder carefully and then looked up at the painting herself telling Serena "what an awful picture"

Serena looked to her and let out a small laugh feeling relieved that she was not the only one to think so and hoped Darien would feel the same way too as she told her "I am glad I am not the only who thinks so"

Rei looked back up at the portrait again and shook her head wearily telling her "certainly not although Constance said this used to hang in Lord Montgomery's study, but he insisted that it be moved here, personally I don't understand why?"

Serena looked up at the portrait once more and couldn't understand his choice either as she felt a shutter run through her while thinking to herself, that she couldn't remember seeing this particular portrait hanging in his study before. She would have remembered a painting such as this one, but if he insisted it remain here she would not argue.

She turned her head looking away from the painting, but could still feel the woman's eyes following her, then let out a little sigh and told Rei "I supposed I will get used to it"

Rei nodded her head looking up at the picture of the woman, then with a shake of her head she told her "I'm not sure how" and grabbed the ladder back in a hurry telling Serena "I must be going I have a whole list of other chores I have to see too before lunch preparation, but maybe I'll see you later"

Serena waved good bye to her friend seeing her rush off, then took one last look up at the picture on the wall and saw the name of the painting on the frame 'He walks in the night' then shook her head telling herself "it's only a picture" before going back into Darien's bedroom to try to get a little more rest.

She took off his shirt and dropped it down to the floor then went back to his bed, where she lied down warm under his covers to try to get a couple more hours of sleep. She barely had her eyes closed when there was a knock at the door.

She held the blanket up high to wrap it around her cleavage to try to cover herself up some and then sat up on the bed saying "come in" as she saw Mina walk in the room holding clean linens.

Mina looked over to the bed surprised to see Serena was lying in his bed alone as she apologized telling her "I'm sorry Serena I didn't realize you would be in here. Constance sent me in to change the bedding"

Serena wiped the sleep out of her eyes knowing no one else knew of the new sleeping arrangements between them and told her with a friendly smile "of course Darien I mean Lord Montgomery left early this morning. He insisted I stay here in his room while he is away"

Mina looked to her with a simple nod of her head, while holding in the pleasure she felt from this new grouping and told her back "I am sorry to have bothered you, but it's just that I have a whole list of other chores to still be done and well"

Serena looked to her knowing what Mina was having a hard time asking of her and nodded her head knowing that Constance would become aggravated with her if the list of chores assigned was not completed to her expectations and made a mental note to speak to Darien of it when he returned, then reached down and picked up his shirt from the floor and put it on herself while telling Mina kindly "I will go back to my room to get some rest so you can do as you wish to in here"

Mina looked to her feeling a sense of relief and gratefulness for her understanding and told her "thank you Serena"

Serena simply nodded her head in response as she stood up from his bed and walked back to her own room not bothering to take off his shirt this time as she lied down in her own bed once more and pulled up the covers around her, but this time it wasn't the same it was missing his scent.

She tried to lie down and relax as she thought of his tender touch and the way he would wrap his arms around her holding her close as a small smile graced her lips. She closed her eyes about to drift back to sleep when she heard another knock at her door she called out a little too loudly "what is it?"

The young girl Sarah quietly opened up the door embarrassed to see Serena still lying in her bed as she told her apologetically "I am sorry to bother you Serena, but Constance insisted that I come in now and change the linens on your bed"

Serena looked to her having a pretty good idea of what was going on here and that she would not be getting anymore sleep today as she replied back "she did, did she"

Sarah nodded her head slightly with a small quiver and Serena could tell that Sarah was afraid to disobey Constance's order that once again she was over using her power over this girl too as she sat up from the bed and grabbed her robe to put around her.

Sarah looked to her with a small blush to her cheeks after learning through different means what Serena's duties were here and apologized again telling her "I'm sorry Serena. I do not want to disturb you at your duties, but I mustn't go against my orders. Constance would be very angry and I have a whole list of other chores that Constance has stated I need to do" as she quickly went ahead changing the linens on her bed.

Serena nodded her head knowing the kind of list Constance would have her doing and the control she used on others especially in Darien's absence and decided her best course of action would be to head out of her bedroom for now and hope to avoid contact with Constance herself at all costs until his return.

She walked over to her bureau to get dressed since sleep was now obvious out of the question and she would not be spending the day in one of his shirts, then picked out a simple peach colored dress.

She quickly removed the robe and his shirt she wore and put the dress on instead, then looked at herself seeing the dress like all the others showed off all of her curves very well. She assumed that was why Darien had chosen this particular dress for her as she heard Sarah speak up from behind her saying "I hope you don't mind me saying so, but that dress looks nice on you"

Serena turned around and looked to Sarah with a little nod of her head, knowing that this particular dress was not as revealing as some of the others that he had chosen for her and nodded her head telling her "yes I agree thank you Sarah"

Sarah continued on with changing out the bedding as Serena carefully stepped out from her bedroom watching carefully to make sure Constance was not around for whatever devious thing she had planned for her to do today.

She headed down towards the kitchen hoping to get something to eat after working up an appetite with Darien from last night and then again this morning. While a small grin crossed her face at the memory of it as she walked into the kitchen and called out "Lita" but surprisingly she didn't show.

She looked around the kitchen herself seeing it was empty and hoped to find something to have as a snack, when she didn't see anything on the counter, she headed down towards the pantry and looked where Darien had told her Lita hid all the best goodies.

She looked behind the large sack of flour and saw some danishes hidden away when she heard a cold voice say behind her "what do you think you are doing in here?"

Serena turned around slowly knowing the only person here who would speak with such a cold demeanor to her and saw Constance standing behind her at the doorway to the pantry with her arms crossed.

Serena let out a long sigh knowing whatever explanation she would say now would not end up well for her and replied back "I was hungry and I was hoping to get something to eat"

Constance looked to her unpleasantly as she scoffed "you should not be in here, the other girls around here actually have work to be done. All there chores have to be done before the lunch preparation is started. They don't have time to be staying in bed all day and lolli gagging around here like you do. Now be going on your way. Lita has other things to worry about other than making your breakfast"

Serena looked to Constance surprised that she would not try to order her around as she usually did with Darien's absence, but it was obvious she would not be making it easy on her either with his absence and told her back "I was not trying to be in anyone's way. I was just looking for a snack. I will be gone in a moment"

Constance stood with her arms crossed over her chest and made a sour face telling her "be gone now and look elsewhere"

Serena took a deep breath deciding it better to try to keep the peace between them or at least in her case, then nodded her head and walked out of the pantry still feeling hungry, but knowing she wouldn't get even a crust of bed with Constance still hanging around and walked over to Darien's study hoping she could at least try to sit and read a book without somehow being in someone else's way.

She walked into his private study seeing how quiet it was now without him being there and walked over to his chair by the fireplace seeing he had a book placed out on the arm that at one time he must have sat and been reading. She picked up the book in her hand and read the title Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad.

She looked over the book seeing he was only a few chapters in and was careful not to lose his place where he left off, then skimmed over a few pages seeing what the book was about, than sat down in his chair to get herself comfortable hoping maybe when he returned they could share some more book discussions.

She opened up the book to the first page and began to read "the Nellie, a cruising yawl, swung to her anchor without a flutter of the sails, and was at rest" when she heard a light knocking at the door and let out a small sigh ready for the next interruption to come and put the book down on her lap to see Ami walk into the study as she looked to see Serena inside telling her apologetically "I'm sorry I didn't know you were in here. Constance sent me in to dust and clean lord Montgomery's study while he is not here"

Serena sat back in her seat frustrated then placed the book as she had found it knowing she would not be reading anytime soon either while saying back "of course she did" and quickly realized where ever she was in the manor somehow she would end up always being in someone's way Constance would be sure of it.

She stood up from the chair and checked to be sure all was as Darien had left it, then turned around towards Ami telling her "the room is yours I am going out to take a walk" hoping at least in the surrounding woods Constance couldn't find a way to disturb her.

Serena left his study and walked towards the front entrance to grab her cape before finding herself in someone else's way then wrapped it around her shoulders.

She opened the door and stepped outside seeing the sky had dark clouds above and it looked like rain may soon come, but she hoped there was still time enough for just a short walk to pick some wild flowers for Darien's return. Seeing how it would be better to deal with some rain drops than staying here with constantly being disrupted and in the way of others due to Constance's orders.

She walked out the door closing it behind her and pulled the hood up on her cape over her head and felt the wind picking up and blowing through the trees, as she followed the path towards the woods, hoping to maybe be back before the wind picked up much harder.

Evening approached when Darien opened the door to the manor, and quickly forced it closed behind him to keep out the strong winds and heavy rain that followed him.

He took off his soaking wet cape and hung it up on a hook nearby to dry as Ami rushed over with some dry towels she told him relieved "glad to have you back Lord Montgomery the storm out there is getting much worse"

Darien grabbed one of the towels to dry his hands telling her relieved "yes it is I am glad to be home. I was unsure for a time with the way the roads are getting heavily flooded making them unpassable"

Ami stood there with fear in her eyes hearing his words confirming what she already had known and looked to the door behind him concerned.

Darien did not wish to dwell on any other concerns at the moment other then what waits for him upstairs as he finished drying his hands and arms then passed back the towel to Ami, seeing how he had another serious matter that had been on his mind all day and would get his full attention now he asked her "where is Serena?"

Ami stood there nervously knowing that would always be his first request and let out a loud gulp as she looked to him questioning "Serena my lord?"

Darien nodded his head angrily after not getting a direct answer from her saying back frustrated "yes Serena where is she? I would be amazed if she is where I told her to be for once"

Ami looked down to the floor trying not to make eye contact with him knowing Serena was definitely not where he requested of her to be and told him quietly "she's not here my lord"

Darien looked to her not sure if he had actually heard right, that Serena would disobey him and leave the grounds in his absence as he grabbed Ami by the shoulders roughly demanding "say that again"

Ami looked up to see his angry eyes, knowing she had chosen the shortest stick and now would have to tell him of the situation and deal with his wrath, then told him a little louder again "she's not here"

Darien released her shoulders and took a step back then walked away calmly. Ami stood there shaking inside knowing it was just the calm before the storm; and then saw him suddenly turn around and speak out in a dangerous tone as he yelled out "well where the hell is she?"

Ami stood there ringing her hands together nervously and knew the moment had come that she dreaded speaking of and swallowed down the lump in her throat with a loud gulp as she told him "we don't know my lord"