Kingdom of Treason: Fall of the King
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon
Author's Notes: Thank you to all my readers! Reading your reviews has been amazing. Here's a new chapter to keep things going. More to come very soon!
Serenity was shaken. She was trembling all over, feeling like she couldn't take a steady breath. He'd sent her away. Nephrite and his guards had escorted them, unfeeling, from the palace, and just left them. She was standing with Kunzite outside the heavy doors of the palace, staring at the near empty courtyard.
"What just happened?" She asked breathlessly.
Kunzite took a breath, reaching out to take her hand. It wasn't in affection. She realized suddenly that he was comforting himself.
"Kunzite?"
He gulped hard, and turned to look at her. "Don't worry. I'm going to make sure nothing happens to you."
She looked at him in concern. "Kunzite, he just sent us away."
He didn't say anything. She saw the worry in him, the pain of what was happening to his friend. She held his hand tightly, both because she was afraid, and because Kunzite was obviously in pain right now.
"This isn't him," Serenity said softly. "We have to remember this isn't him."
Kunzite took a breath and looked at her. "You can't leave him."
"Kunzite, I would never leave him. But he's locked us out. What can we do for him from out here?"
He looked around, but the courtyard was deserted. His eyes glanced up and around, but there was no one to be seen.
"Where is everyone?"
She frowned, following his gaze. They'd been locked in the palace for days, but it was mid afternoon. There should be people around. She felt a flutter of fear as she realized just how much trouble the kingdom was in.
"We can't leave him," Kunzite said again, shaking his head. "Serenity, I know a way back into the palace. It will be cold and awful. But we have to stay near him."
She was already nodding. "I don't care if it's the worst place imaginable, I won't abandon him."
He turned away from the door, pulling her with him. She went, feeling shaky and disjointed, like her body didn't understand what was happening, and it made sense, because her mind didn't either.
Endymion could feel that he was shaking. What he needed to do frightened him, and without Serenity, he couldn't immediately feel the warmth of her light. But he forced himself still, forced himself calm, so that he was looking at the others in the cold, emotionless way that told them he was in control. Only he wasn't sure anymore that he was.
"Where is my army," he said, his voice not quite his.
Jadeite was looking at him in anger. His jaw was tightly clenched, his chin held high. But he was a servant of the king, and he answered in a clipped way.
"Just outside the city, your majesty," he said. "As you requested."
"They should be inside the city," Endymion said. "That was the plan."
Jadeite breathed in hard. "We thought it best not to frighten your people."
"Your assumptions are ignored. Do your job."
Jadeite might hit him. Of all his men, Jadeite was the one most likely to lash out. Endymion wondered for a moment what he'd do if Jadeite actually did hit him. In his current state, he wondered if he would kill him.
Yes, you would kill him.
He didn't react to the voice. He kept himself perfectly still. And finally, Jadeite bowed low, in an angry way, like it was mocking more than respectful, and then he turned to walk out of the room.
"Nephrite."
Nephrite had his arms crossed, but he looked at him calmly, with only a hint of worry and uncertainty in his eyes.
You see how they doubt you.
"Open the palace," he bit out the order like a bark.
Nephrite looked at him evenly. "My king, I thought you commanded that we should protect the people from what's happening in here."
"I changed my mind. The kingdom will feel that we're fighting for them."
That's it. Put them in their place.
Nephrite looked at him evenly, not in the anger Jadeite had, but it had the same affect. Instead of a low mocking bow, he nodded his head, almost too curtly, and then turned to walk out of the room, waving his guards to go with him.
Endymion turned to Zoisite, who seemed to be anticipating being asked to do something he didn't want to do. His arms crossed, he looked at Endymion wearily.
He doesn't trust you.
"Make the announcement," he said. "I am to marry the Queen."
All the colour ran from Zoisite's face, and he went pale.
"What?"
Endymion levelled a look at him. "What part was unclear."
Zoisite swallowed hard, and nodded. "I am happy for you, my king. Our Queen will make you a strong heir."
Endymion was surprised at his words, and looked at Zoisite evenly. Was he infected? The wiseman was affecting Raye, maybe he was also affecting Zoisite.
But Zoisite looked back at him evenly.
Endymion nodded. "Thank you. I believe she will."
Zoisite stood, watching him, and Endymion did everything in his power not to move, not to react. Jadeite reacted out loud, Nephrite with long looks. Zoisite had always been calm. Always perceived more than all of them.
"Your loyalty has always been important to me," Endymion said carefully.
"And you will always have it, my king," he responded.
He was shaken. He couldn't tell what side Zoisite was on right now.
"How is the lady Amy doing with her pregnancy?"
Zoisite didn't soften or relax. He stayed steady and calm. "She is strong and healthy, my king. Your concern is very much appreciated."
He still couldn't tell. He furrowed his brow at his friend, and hoped he was fighting in the same way he was.
Unless he never loved her.
Endymion didn't move. He knew without a doubt how much Zoisite loved his wife and his growing child.
But in that moment, he realized what was happening. Zoisite, unlike the others, thought he still had control of his mind. He was trusting him.
It relieved him more than he could say.
"In these hard times, it is advisable for you to protect her."
"I have already seen to it, my king."
He nodded. Good. He still had an ally in this, and it made him feel better.
Until I take him from you.
Endymion turned quickly, and left without another word. Zoisite might think it strange, but he didn't say anything.
It was dark and dingy in the worst way. Serenity knew from the many books she'd read from Amy that the palace was built on top of old dungeons and catacombs, lost a thousand years ago. Some historians had mapped out the passages and tunnels, but most got lost, or gave up long before they finished. She never thought she'd be down here.
But Kunzite knew what he was doing. They'd crawled through dirt covered tunnels that Serenity had felt trapped in, paniced at being buried alone under the palace. They'd slopped through inky black water, which shimmered like oil. It took hours; it felt like days. Her hands were scuffed, her knees raw, and her body trembled.
Finally, he reached back to pull her out into a larger room. One only slightly cleaner, cobwebs everywhere.
She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling small and afraid. "Where are we?"
Kunzite looked around. "Under the stables, I think."
That was away from the palace, and she hoped it didn't mean they'd have to crawl the length to the palace the same way they'd come here.
He untied the torch from his belt, where he'd tied it so they could crawl in the dark, and after a few moments he had it lit. After a brief glance around, he put it in the wall.
Serenity realized it was some sort of crypt. She forced herself to watch Kunzite, so she wouldn't see the bones of the long dead resting in carved out shelves.
"Here," Kunzite said, apparently finding what he was looking for. "Serenity, give me a pin."
She looked at him. "A pin?"
"A hair pin."
"My hair pins fell out miles of tunnel ago."
He looked at her, and saw that her hair was falling around her in waves, dirty from the crawl. He looked sad at the state of her, but nodded.
"Something long and thin. There must be something down here. These were people of nobility. They'd be buried with their wealth."
She gulped hard, glanced to her right, seeing the shape of bones lying on the shelf.
"It's okay," he said, coming towards her, gently brushing his hands down her arms in a comforting manner. "Just wait here while I look."
She shook her head. "I can help."
He gave her a soft smile, and then turned to start looking.
Serenity took a deep breath to steady herself, and took the few steps towards the ledge. Her hands trembled when she reached forward, and carefully ran her fingers along the ledge of the shelf, through dust and cobwebs, looking for something.
Kunzite picked things up and sort of threw them back on the shelf. The sound of gold rings rolling on stone tinkled around her. She found a few gold and silver coins, a long dagger that was too thick, judging by the way Kunzite shook his head at it.
When she didn't find anything, she went to the next one.
"I've never missed my hair pins so much in my life," she said softly.
He breathed a laugh and looked at her. "Mina manages to drop them all over the house. I've jabbed my foot or hand into so many now, I'm surprised I haven't bled to death."
Serenity smiled sadly. "She did the same when we were young. Not just with hairpins. She was always losing everything."
He kept going, but his shoulders relaxed. "She's told me so much about what it was like growing up there. How strict the lady was, how your stories kept her hopeful."
She moved to the next one. "It's funny, I always thought of her as the one who gave me hope. Mina believed so strongly in love, it kept me going."
He sighed, stopping to look at her. "She's worried about you."
"I know," she said, stopping to look at him. "Of all the people in my life, Mina is the only one who understands what dreams were crushed from me as a child. Endymion gave me a life so much bigger than I ever expected. He's taught me to hope for things I never thought to hope for."
"Like children."
She stopped, crossing her arms around her again. "Everyone keeps telling me the same thing. Endymion loves me, with or without children."
"He does."
"I know he does. But Kunzite, I want a child. Me. Not for him, not because of him, but because I want one for myself."
He smiled softly. "You don't often admit the things you want for yourself."
"Because there's hardly anything left. He's given me everything. Being close to him is all I've ever dreamed of. But he created this perfect, safe world around me. And because I felt so safe, it gave me the time to imagine, to hope."
He nodded slowly. "Then don't give up."
She shook her head, turning away again. She reached up to the ledge, and this time her fingers slid across something sharp, and she hissed in pain, blood oozing from the fresh cut.
He came over, tall enough to look over the ledge and see what cut her. He pulled it up, a long slim gold stick encrusted with diamonds. She didn't even know what it was, but he looked relieved.
"This will work," he said, and went back to the center of the room. He climbed up on the tomb in the middle, and she felt a tickle of guilt at the disrespect for the dead. But she hoped they'd be forgiven for this because it was for a good cause.
Kunzite reached up to the ceiling, tracing the lines of stone, until he found something. He took the long gold stick, and slid it between the cracks.
At first nothing happened. She looked at him, and he looked at her.
And then there was a sound like sand.
"Yup, that's done it," he said, jumping suddenly off the tomb and grabbing her hand. "Come on we gotta go."
"What did you just do?"
"This whole place is about to collapse."
She looked startled. "What?"
"Just hurry," he said, and they were rushing through a narrow passage just as she heard the sounds of rock falling on rock, and then the walls started to shake.
He pulled her into an alcove as it all came down, pulling her to his strong chest to protect her as dirt and debris pushed harshly past them.
It only took a moment, and then it was over.
She coughed, the air thick with dust. She had a surge of fear. Were they buried alive?
But he looked at her calmly. "We're fine," he said. "These tombs used to have fail-safes in them."
She frowned, going back with him into the hall. They were cut off from going back the way they'd come. Heavy stone and dirt blocked their way.
"Why would you need fail-safes in tombs?"
"To trap those coming back to life," he said teasing.
She looked up at him in fear. "What?"
But he laughed, taking her hand. "Come on. That was only step one."
She didn't say anything else, just went with him down the narrow tunnel, feeling shaken and afraid.
Endymion was beginning to forget what it felt like to be warm. As the cold seeped into his bones, he breathed out a cloud of icy air, and he knew what it felt like to be dead, he was sure of it.
The sun shone down on them, the palace open once more, but he couldn't feel it. He knew it should be hot, but it wasn't. When he looked down at his hands, the tips of his fingers seemed blue, and when he saw them, they tingled in pain.
There's no reason to wait for the wedding. Your heir could be growing in her womb right now.
He didn't move. He stood still.
You're not listening again.
Endymion spun his ring slowly on his finger, taking a breath.
Endymion.
"I'm listening," he said softly.
Then go find her. She's waiting for you, ready to be your wife.
He didn't move.
The wiseman shimmered to life a little ways from him, looking at him with those dark pools of anger.
Endymion looked back at him calmly. "I know you are just a man," he said. "Once I figure out how to kill you, this will be over."
The wiseman watched him evenly.
Endymion looked away again, trying to find the calm he'd always felt, trying to keep his mind focused. He heard her laugh, the soft sound of her happiness.
She just left you. She promised she'd stay, and she left.
He had to close his eyes, feeling the cold shiver of his words, because they were true. She'd been devastated, but she'd still left.
She's living with your closest friend, with him, in his home. She is a woman who knows how to keep a man in her bed.
Endymion pushed himself off the rail and turned to head towards the stairs. He felt cold like ice, and he wasn't sure at first why he was moving. When he started down the stairs, Nephrite turned to look back at him, and then moved to head towards him.
"My king."
Endymion could always tell how unhappy his men were by how they addressed him. When they called him king like that, it usually meant they were not thrilled with his decisions. Nephrite had been furious to be the one taking Serenity from the palace.
"What's your report?"
Nephrite crossed his arms, keeping his posture serious. "All is as you instructed, your majesty. The army is in the city, the palace open, and the announcement out."
He insults you with his actions. Look at him. You need to show him who's king.
Endymion turned away from Nephrite oddly, wrapping his arms around himself as he shuddered. In his mind he spoke back, because he didn't trust his words.
'You will not turn me against Nephrite.'
We are the only thing you can trust. Your only ally. Accept us and you will be stronger.
He clenched his teeth hard, struggling against the grating words that tried to force themselves into his heart. How could words sound true when he knew they weren't?
When the wiseman spoke again, he seemed annoyed.
I grow tired of your fight. If you will not give in, it will get worse.
Nephrite looked at him, his gaze concerned. "Will you not ask about her?"
Endymion looked at him confused. "Who?"
Nephrite closed his eyes, and took a breath. "I'm sure Kunzite took her to his home to be with Mina."
Endymion looked at him, his brow furrowed. "Kunzite?"
Nephrite gulped hard. "Nevermind," he said.
Endymion nodded, and then turned to leave.
"No matter what, I won't abandon you."
He stopped, turning to look back at him. Endymion couldn't help but let himself soften a little. "Nephrite, my faith in you has never wavered."
Even though it was a compliment, Nephrite didn't look relieved. He just nodded.
A guard came up to them quickly. "My king, there has been a cave in, in the stables."
Endymion just looked at him, not even comprehending what the words meant.
But Nephrite seemed confused. "A cave in?"
"It's perfectly round," the guard said, looking at Endymion with a frown. "The size of a horse."
Nephrite looked at Endymion, but Endymion wasn't even listening, not really. He was distracted by a shimmering in the air down the hall towards the old throne room. The wiseman glimmered to life, but then away again. And when he turned, Endymion could swear he changed shape.
"I'll deal with it," Nephrite said. "Let the stable boys know to fill it in."
"Do you want to see it first?"
"No need, I think I know what it is."
Come and see.
Endymion went to walk towards it.
"My king?"
He stopped, looking at Nephrite. But Nephrite didn't say anything more, so he turned to walk away again, listening to the wiseman laugh in his head. Nephrite just watched him go, his brow furrowed in concern.
He went like always to the throne room, ignoring Zoisite as he passed, knowing Zoisite would follow him and watch with that worried frown for a little while. Endymion went to stand in the middle of the big room, cold all around him, and turned to face the sun, and imagined he could feel the warmth even when he couldn't.
Endymion just took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
"Did you infect my brother?"
At first there was no answer, and Endymion felt the usual pull of sadness when he thought of his brother. He closed his eyes, seeing that moment he'd killed him. His brothers wide eyes, the pain, the betrayal.
"I'm sorry," Endymion said, not realizing he'd said it out loud. "I never meant to hurt you."
And like a bad dream he'd had before, he heard his brother's voice, grating and cold in the wind.
You could have saved me, but you wanted the throne.
Endymion sobbed, opening his eyes, knowing before he did what he would see. Shimmering in and out like a ghost, the image of his brother glimmered at him like something out of his nightmare.
Diamond's eyes looked at him, angry and full of pain.
You could have saved me.
Endymion fell to his knees, gasping in ragged breaths now, the sight of his brother haunting him.
"Diamond," he sobbed. "I had no choice."
You failed, brother. You failed me, you failed this kingdom, and you will fail her.
"I'm sorry," he gasped, just before Nephrite got to him, grabbing him hard, hauling him to his feet.
But Endymion couldn't stop trembling, shaking so hard his teeth rattled.
"My king," Nephrite said, pushing him back. "Endymion!"
Endymion finally looked at him, holding Nephrite so tightly it had to be hurting him.
Nephrite looked terrified, his eyes wide, watching him come apart.
He convinced you to kill me.
Endymion shoved Nephite hard at the icy voice of his brother. Nephrite stumbled.
"If you ever lay a hand on me again, I'll end you," Endymion hissed.
Nephrite took a breath, and nodded slowly. "Forgive me, your majesty."
My death is his fault. Avenge me, brother.
Endymion turned and raced from the room so fast Nephrite barely had time to register before he moved.
Endymion burst out of the room, startling the guards. But he didn't stop to look at them. He just kept going. They saw the pain on his face, and they were afraid. He stumbled at the sound of his brother's voice.
Run, brother. It's the only thing you ever did well.
He couldn't fight it. So he pushed himself to run, hearing the cold icy laughter in his mind. Laughter he knew, recognized, because he'd heard it before. His brother's mad laughter echoed around him, and the cold was so icy he couldn't breath.
Serenity had been trained for many things and endured many things in her life. She'd grown up small and afraid, with only Mina to fill her with warmth. She'd believed in love as hard as she could, and that belief had brought her to Endymion. What she wasn't prepared for was crawling through cold and dirt, passed bones and bodies, until her teeth chattered and her skin crawled.
Still, she tried to be brave. Kunzite knew the palace unlike anyone else. And when finally they got to another sort of tomb, she did her best not to cry.
Kunzite came to her, wrapping his arms around her tightly, pulling her against his chest. She wasn't used to being touched by anyone other than Endymion, but she was desperate for the warmth, and she let him comfort her.
"It shouldn't take long now," Kunzite said softly.
"Are you going to tell me why you caved in someone's resting place?"
He smiled softly, but didn't answer. Finally he sighed. "I keep thinking of something. It goes round and round in my head."
She shifted to look up at him.
"It's a series of things more than one, but I hear it the same way. He said it to you often."
"He said many things to me often," she said quietly.
He nodded. "It was a year ago, at the summer ball for the solstice."
She smiled at the memory. "That was a wonderful night."
"Yes, it was," he agreed. "It was the night Mina told me she was carrying my child. I swear I have never been as happy as I was that night. We couldn't help ourselves, we stole kisses, found areas to be alone. Late in the night, we thought to get some air, and happened upon you and Endymion in a dark part of the terrace."
She blushed softly.
"I think you suspect, but you don't really know what he was like before he met you."
"He tells me he was lonely. Not in search of a bed companion, but he felt dark, and sometimes small."
"Yes he did," Kunzite said. "I worried about him. I would lay awake in bed, hoping that he was asleep, and not awake to think about the pressures on his life. I worried that he was sad, and that I would watch someone as strong as him break. But he never broke. Not once."
"He's stronger than anyone I've ever met," she said softly.
"Yes, he is. But strength alone does not win, Serenity. When we realized what had to be done, he said nothing. He wouldn't talk about it. We were crushed that the responsibility would fall on him."
"He survived it," she said softly. "Every day he found a way to be happy."
"I know. You have no idea what it was like the first time he smiled. I'd forgotten how beautiful he was when he smiled. It broke my heart, and I realized I'd given up on it."
She smiled softly. "He is beautiful when he smiles."
"After Diamond was gone, he smiled every day. He smiled when you came into the room, he smiled when Raye winced at the baby kicking inside her, he smiled when another peace treaty was signed. Every day he smiled, until he looked so light I hardly recognized him."
She took a breath, seeing the sadness in his eyes.
"That night on the balcony was the first time I saw why."
"He was affectionate with me often before that."
"You don't realize how often he takes you out of the room. He's not afraid to show you affection, but he keeps it to himself, something you share, something that makes it possible to be just a man when he's with you. That was the first time I watched him look at you, I saw the love take him over, and he kissed you so sweetly, I thought my heart would break." Kunzite shook his head. "The reason I brought up that night was not to remind myself of how he loves you. He made you promise him."
She nodded. "To never leave him? He liked to hear me promise him that."
Kunzite looked sadly down at her.
"I won't leave him Kunzite. No matter what happens."
He brushed her tear away softly. But at the moment, there was a sound, and he pulled her quickly behind him as someone appeared at the edge of the room.
Kunzite breathed out in relief.
"Nephrite, you're late," he said.
Nephrite looked at them, and Serenity saw him soften, coming into the room fully. "You're lucky I even remember what those cave-ins mean. It took me forever to find the entrance in the palace. We blocked it off years ago."
Kunzite nodded, but he looked at Nephrite seriously, holding Serenity behind him protectively.
"The lady Lita, think about the last time you kissed her."
Nephrite rolled his eyes. "Is nothing a secret in these walls."
Serenity smiled at him softly. "She told me herself."
He shook his head. "I am myself. He's so focused on Endymion, he hasn't spoken to me."
Serenity's heart fluttered at his words. "Is he okay?"
Nephrite gulped, and shook his head. "We should move fast. He's forgetting people now. And somehow… it's including his brother."
Serenity felt fear grip her hard, and she held on to Kunzite too tightly.
"We can't go directly to him," Kunzite said. "If the wiseman can convince him to send Serenity away, she can't just show up again. It's too dangerous."
Nephrite looked at her again, worried. "He's announced his intention to marry the Queen."
Serenity was stunned, blinking back at him confused. "He did what?"
Nephrite shook his head. "None of it makes any sense. I keep watching him, trying to figure out what he's trying to accomplish. He asked me to open the palace again, so the kingdom doesn't feel abandoned, but no one comes near. The army is in the city, doing nothing, getting antsy. It's like everyone is just waiting."
"We have to make sure he can't hurt the people he cares about," Kunzite said. "If he does, it'll unravel him. Serenity is safe for now, but his niece…"
Nephrite shook his head. "Lady Amy already took the king's niece into the city. She did it days ago; no one noticed. Zoisite was worried about her and asked me to sneak them out. In her condition, we didn't want her in the way of danger. Lita was supposed to reach the city yesterday. Amy was going to try and intercept her and hopefully get them to the safety of the council."
Serenity was heartbroken. "Are you sure that's necessary?"
"I couldn't risk it. If he's lost enough of his mind to dismiss you like he did, then I feel justified in our actions."
Kunzite nodded. "Did Raye not notice?"
But Serenity felt sad. "A few days ago, I noticed she wasn't making sense when she spoke."
Kunzite looked upset, but said nothing to that. It was impossible figuring out who was infected and who was still on their side. The wiseman either didn't have the power to infect everyone at once, or he was being purposely picky about who.
"What about Andrew," Kunzite said. "We can get him out as well."
"Andrew is ready to go. He's stronger than he was, but I took the guards off him when I realized they thought to kill him again."
"So he's been defenseless?" Serenity asked.
"I gave him a knife. He's fine," Nephrite said, and finally pushed himself off the wall to walk in front of them.
Serenity felt how worried he was, and she reached out to put her hand on his arm. He looked at it, and softened. Then he looked at her sadly.
"Nephrite, you're unhappy with all of this. We know you are."
"He's my king," he said, but his voice was sad. "This feels like it did before, sneaking into the castle after a king going mad. It's my job to protect him, not sneak around in the darkness beneath him."
"This is not the same, Nephrite," she said softly. "We're here to save him, not kill him."
He looked at her sadly, and then shifted, taking his belt off around his waist and handing his sword to Kunzite so he could slide out of his uniform jacket and give it to her.
Serenity softened at the gesture, feeling in that moment just how truly protected she was by these men. He helped her put it on, and then took the time to do up the buttons for her, and then slide his sword off his belt, so she could have that too, because the jacket was big on her.
"Thank you," she said softly, and let Kunzite take her hand.
Nephrite nodded. "He needs you," he said softly.
"I'm never going to leave him," Serenity said. "Don't worry about that."
"Go through the lower grates," Nephrite said to Kunzite. "Wait an hour, I'll make sure the hatch isn't locked. Get Andrew, and stay somewhere down here. Make sure after I leave, I can't find you again unless you give me another signal."
Kunzite nodded. "Be safe, Nephrite."
Nephrite gave Serenity a nod, almost like a bow, and then turned to go up the stairs.
Kunzite held her hand tightly. "Come on, we have a ways to go to get to Andrew.
It had been a long time since Endymion had gone to bed alone. Years. But now that she was gone, he found himself standing in his room, staring at the bed. It felt like he hadn't slept in weeks. He was weary down to his soul.
She just left.
He let out a frustrated breath. "Go away."
But then the voice came again; it was his brother.
You already sent me away. You sent me to hell.
Endymion sunk to the floor, putting his head in his hands, feeling himself coming apart. He pressed his back against the bed, starting to tremble. He couldn't fight this.
Give up, brother. Give in to the darkness. You know it's what you deserve.
He couldn't take it. The cold around him penetrated deep inside him, like icy fingers, sliding against his bones. He let out a sob, and wrapped his arms around his chest.
"You won't win. Whatever you want, I won't give in."
You've already lost. Look at you. You've always been weak.
"You're trying to trick me," he said, but his voice came out shaky and weak. "I know you are. None of this is real."
Real. What's real is she left you. They've all left you. You guards, your friends, and your family. You have no one left.
He frowned. Family. He had family.
He opened his eyes again, looking into the shimmering shape of his brother. For a moment he just looked at him.
Where is she? Diamond asked. Where is my daughter?
Endymion felt fear surge through him, and Diamond smiled slowly. And then he started laughing as Endymion launched himself back up, slamming out of the room in a blind panic.
His servant jumped in shock, knocking his chair over.
"Where is she?"
The servant looked surprised. "Who, your majesty?"
Endymion felt fear grip him, and as the cold icy laughter of the wiseman surrounded him, he took off at a run.
A few guards saw him, and shouted at him in surprise. But Endymion sprinted. He went as fast as he could, barely breathing, so afraid. He rounded a corner so fast he almost slid, and then nearly collided with Nephrite.
"Endymion!" he said in surprise, too surprised to notice his lack of title. But Endymion didn't care. He grabbed Nephrite hard, and when he spoke, his voice was like darkness, gravely and strong.
"Where is she?" he demanded.
Nephrite looked worried. "Endymion, you sent her away."
"Not Serenity. My niece."
He took a breath and gulped, looking around.
He's betrayed you. Look at how guilty he looks.
Endymion reacted before he could think, pushing Nephrite back hard against the wall and reaching out to grab Nephrite's sword. It slid through the sheath, which Nephrite dropped, and the metal was at his throat.
"If you don't answer me, I will kill you," he hissed.
Nephrite looked at him with wide eyes, and Endymion could see the fear. As guards came around the corner, they drew their swords, looking confused, worried.
"She's safe," Nephrite finally said, holding his hands up in surrender. "Endymion, I swear to you. She's safe."
"Where is she?"
But Nephrite gulped. "I'm sorry, but I won't tell you that."
Endymion shifted hard, and when Nephrite gasped in pain, the metal digging into his collar bone, Endymion was startled.
Like he'd been stabbed with a white hot poker, Endymion suddenly stepped back, letting the sword clatter to the ground. He stumbled, taking another step back, watching as Nephrite put his hand against his collar, blood streaming out smoothly, pain on his face.
"Nephrite," he gasped.
Nephrite gulped hard, his gaze focused, his jaw clenched tight. But when he spoke, he was still in control.
"My king," he said slowly. "Your niece is safe. That is all you need to know."
He's lying.
Endymion spun around, because the voice was so close. But he didn't have the sword in his hand anymore, and when he moved it was jarring, so that the guards looked at him with worry.
Look at him. Why is he here? Why isn't he wearing his uniform?
Endymion looked at Nephrite again, taking him in for the first time. His jacket was gone, his belt, and his sword had been in his hand.
"Where were you?" He asked angrily.
Nephrite took a breath, looking at him focused, direct. "My king, I am loyal to you. Always."
Lies.
But Endymion shook his head hard, and turned to shout. "You're the one telling lies!" His voice echoed over the walls, and the guards stepped back, looking at Nephrite in fear.
But Endymion groaned, running his hands through his hair.
"Nephrite, promise me she's safe."
"I give you my word."
Endymion felt fragile. He thought he'd been fighting, thought he could handle this. He tried to breathe, tried to find his calm, the icy cold of the wiseman all around him.
"He's your friend," he said to himself, forgetting the other people in the room listening to his strained, shaky voice. "You've always trusted him."
Where has he been, dressed like that.
"You trust him," Endymion said to himself, not realizing in his struggle that he'd started to cry, holding himself tightly. "He won't betray you."
He already has. Look at him. He's afraid of you.
Endymion clenched his eyes shut tightly, refusing to look. He forced himself to breath, forced himself to know that the lies were coming from the wiseman, and not Nephrite. His friend, who he'd just about run through with a sword.
He looked at the guards, and they looked terrified.
Endymion took another breath, and then turned to look at Nephrite. Why was he dressed like that? He let out a pain filled sob, pushing himself back.
"Endymion," Nephrite breathed in fear.
"I'm sorry," he said shakily.
Nephrite nodded, but his jaw was still clenched. "Hold on, Endymion," he said. "You just need to hold on."
"I'm not sure I can," he admitted in barely more than a whisper, as the wiseman laughed in his head.
"Yes you can," Nephrite said. "Even if he's made you forget that, it won't change how strong you are."
He took another breath, and nodded. And without another word, he forced himself to move. He pushed passed the other guards, still watching him in fear, and went back to his rooms. As he got close, his breath came out in frosty gusts, and he trembled in cold.
You will know what it is to fear.
End of Chapter Eight. Please review! We're getting close to the end.