Blueeyeddevil06 thank you for being my beta!
Serenity stood up on a raised platform in front of her people. She was incredibly nervous. She had spent her whole life keeping this secret. She looked to Endymion for comfort. He mouthed the words "Trust your people." to her, and she instantly calmed. She looked over those gathered and reminded herself that they all chose to be there, risking their lives to put her back on the throne.
She spoke loudly, and a hush fell over the crowd. "People of Luna, before I lead you in battle, I have to tell you our kingdom's biggest secret." She paused and made eye contact with people. "My mother was correct. My father left on his journey and intended to return. He never abandoned her. My father's true name was Heliollo, god of fire and battle. My identity was hidden to protect my mother. Zeubis planned to kill her. Hathus, my Aunt, hid her from his sight. The journey my father left on was to try to protect my mother from his father, Zeubis. Heliollo was captured, and locked away in the cavern of death. My mother has now joined him. Hathus just visited her and told me they are together now." She paused again and let her transformation take hold. "I am a demi-goddess and swear to use my powers to help defeat Diamond and all who threaten our way of life."
Endymion tried to focus on the crowd. She was stunning, and he had trouble taking his eyes away from her. Her wings were spread wide, and they almost glistened in the sun.
All of a sudden, the sound of cheering went up. They were shouting her name and smiling.
Mina smiled up at Serenity and nodded. Serenity flapped her enormous wings and rose up in the sky. She then drew her sword, and it seemed to be made of flames. She then stepped back down on the platform and dropped her transformation.
Endymion watched as the whole camp dropped to one knee. They yelled, "Long live the Queen!" in a chant over and over. Serenity's eyes misted up, and she smiled at them all.
She stepped down from the platform, and Endymion escorted her to the tent where they were preparing battle strategies. Inside were beaming members of her council. "Well, that went incredibly well." Sir Moore declared. "Not that I expected any problems." Everyone agreed.
They spent the next two hours finalizing their departure and route for the next day. After that, it was a full day of Serenity speaking with her people and making sure they were comfortable with her.
Serenity was lounging on her couch that evening when Endymion appeared. She smiled at him, "Hello, darling."
He walked over and said, "I was thinking about something Hathus said. When I leave you, I have to think of where I want to be. What if I was able to transport all of the way to my father? I would be able to tell him about mom, our engagement, and about you being a demi-goddess. If you'll permit me."
She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. "Go. Tell them I love them. I'm relieved they'll know about your mother. You may also tell them about me. It's too bad that I can't go too."
"May I… may I come back and sleep in your bed with you tonight?"
"You have to come back to me anyway. It would be a shame for me to not be able to enjoy it." She caressed his cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too." He closed his eyes. "I have to go, or I will never want to leave."
He stood, and pictured himself in his father's study back in the castle.
"Shit!" The King jumped and placed his hand over his heart. "How are you here, Endymion?"
"That's a long story." He walked over and sat down in a chair that faced his father. "One I am going to tell you right now. Can we call for Arcas first?"
Arcas sat by Endymion. His arms were crossed, and he was irritated. He was angry when he discovered that his brother was in the castle. He was supposed to be protecting Serenity.
They both looked at Endymion, and he realized that he didn't really know how to start. He figured he should just tell them the easiest part to explain first. "I'm engaged to be married to Serenity. Her people all accept me, and her council approves."
Arcas whooped, "Thank goodness! I thought I would force you into proposing when she was still in the castle, and it didn't work! I'm glad you have now."
Endymion was confused, "What in the world are you talking about?"
"I asked her to marry me. My intent was for you to step up and demand she marry you instead. You were supposed to make a romantic plea for her to choose you." Arcas pouted. "I had it all written in my head too. It would've been awesome!"
The King laughed. "I thought you had him when you did that too. I was just relieved when he went running after her."
Endymion looked at his father and his brother in shock. "It was a ploy? I almost had a heart attack! I didn't know she liked me then."
Arcas rolled his eyes, "Of course she was already in love with you. It was obvious."
"Well, yea. But I didn't know that!"
The King was beaming. "The important part is that you're marrying her. She is a special woman." He smiled and tapped on his desk. He had gotten the daughter he wanted and would get to see his oldest son marry the woman that was perfect for him. He was elated.
"You have no idea how true that is. Also, I have a message from her. She loves you both."
The King said, "We love her too. And, she will be my daughter. I'm thrilled!"
Arcas nodded. "I was hoping you would one day marry her before you even got back and met her. I'm excited to have her as a sister."
Endymion smiled at them and then said. "There's something you both need to know about her. It was kept from people to protect her mother's identity. She just told her whole army this morning. Her father is Heliollo."
"Her father is named after the god Heliollo?" Arcas asked, confused.
Endymion laughed, "That was what Kunzite asked! No, her father is the god Heliollo. She is a demi-goddess." He went on to tell them how her parents met and why the secrecy was needed.
His father was stunned, "You're marrying a demi-goddess, the only daughter of Heliollo. She's even more amazing than I thought." His eyes were wide with the implications.
"She's also my soulmate." He saw by the look in his father's eyes that he knew how rare that was. "There's more. Her Aunt is Hathus. I've met her."
Arcas paled, "That's really not good."
"Why? What's wrong?" Endymion asked.
"I've heard the stories. She's beautiful, and they say no man has ever resisted her. Serenity doesn't deserve that." It was obvious that he was upset.
Endymion smiled at Arcas, "I did. I resisted her. She showed up in my tent, and I told her to leave immediately, threatening to tell Serenity about her. I didn't know who she was at the time."
Arcas looked stunned, "You resisted Hathus? That's even possible?! Wow."
"And, she didn't punish you?" the King asked.
"She was pleased that I was faithful to her niece. She gave me this." He held up the black stone. "It was how I got here. I can teleport to Serenity to protect her at any time. I can also teleport away from her. That got me here."
The King gave him a rather unimpressed look. "You better be treating her respectfully. I don't like the idea that you could teleport to her at any time."
Endymion decided he should have left that last part out. He tried to change the topic quickly. "There's more."
The King just said, "That has all been a lot to take in. How can there be more?"
"Hathus visited Serenity's parents and brought her a short message. She also spoke to mom."
The King's eyes immediately misted up. "And?" His hands trembled.
"She's proud of all three of us." Endymion had to clear his throat. "Dad, Hathus told her about your continued love for her. Mom was overwhelmed by that. Hathus promises that you will be reunited, and mom is under her protection now."
Arcas sniffed, "Mom's proud of me?" Endymion nodded. "I never thought I would get to hear that in my lifetime. I…" he wasn't able to go on. Tears were sliding down his face.
His father placed both palms flat on his desk. "I… I'm so pleased she knows that I still love her. You have no idea what this means to me. She's being protected when I can't protect her myself. Thank you, son. This is a very, very good day."
Before Endymion left, they both sent their love to Serenity. The King also told him to let Serenity know he was still taking his medicine every day.
Serenity laid in Endymion's arms that night while he told her how his meeting with his father and brother went. She was smiling through the whole story. Well, except for the times she choked up over their joyous tears.