THANK YOU so much for your reviews *locks each one away in a box* I love you all ^_^ n hope you enjoy this chapter. Took me forever to figure out the last part, I didn't want to get all bogged down in pointless palace details forever…

Newyaz! Here's my gift to you!

~Galene

Chapter One III

Red with embarrassment I glared darkly at his back as he sauntered out of the room. What an ass I thought just because he paid a few marks for me doesn't mean that he owns me. Well… I guess in their sense he does, but he doesn't own my mind, or my heart, and he never will. I affirmed before turning to look at Rei where she lay gasping for air upon the over-large bed's pure white silken duvet.

"Gosh Sere, that was too funny… just going and dropping your towel?" she gasped "anyone would think you were just begging him to take you"

"Be quiet" I growled still mad at myself for not noticing my state of undress, and now at her for teasing me about it. "It's bad enough having him on my case, I don't need you on it as well" I finished bending to pick up the white rectangle before wrapping about me once more.

"I'm sorry" the girl replied her voice thick with sarcasm as she tried not to laugh, "but you have to admit it was pretty funny, don't you agree Mina?"

"Huh? What? Uh… I don't know, I wasn't paying attention" Mina replied wisely keeping out of the disagreement.

"See, she thought it was funny too!"

I glared at the girl on the bed one last time before deliberately ignoring her laughter as I diverted my attention back to the matron.

"May I have something else to wear now?" I questioned once again, smiling slightly as she walked over to a large wooden cabinet, but my smile soon faded as she pulled out a light blue tunic. Just by looking at it I could tell that it was cut to show off the wearers figure, and from the look of the material, it was also some-what transparent.

"Here you go dear" she commented laying the garment upon the bed, I was about to open my mouth to protest when of all people, Rei beat me to it.

"Get her something a little less revealing would you? I was going to show them around." She ordered, glaring slightly in displeasure, sending the matron rushing back to the closet, only to reappear with an even darker blue colored dress, which was obviously too big.

With a shrug I took the dress before any other objections could be raised. After all, I'd rather go out in public in a sac than in that piece of sheer that the matron tried to pass of as a dress. Once the garment was coving my body I allowed the towel to drop to the floor, and moved to look at myself in the mirror.

A little baggy, but otherwise not too bad I thought to myself, turning to face Rei, whom had gotten off the bed and was coming towards me.

"What?" I asked, as she swatted motioned for me to stand with my arms held out to the side. I glared at her as she began to rummage in the folds of the over-sized skirt.

"Here, silly. You're supposed to tie these at the back" she commented trying the two ribbons she'd found, pulling them tightly causing the dress to mould better to my figure.

"Much better" Mina commented from where she had been watching the exchange.

"Well, let's go!" Rei ordered already half way out the door.

With a small shrug I followed with Mina trailing after. I was curious about what was going on in the palace, as we had heard a lot of rumors about some new form of power having been discovered, and unleashed.

~*~

Rei led us down a long marble corridor which ran along the upper edge of a vast courtyard. Peering down, we could see Darien and his friends practicing their swordsmanship, tanned golden muscles shimmering lightly with a coating of sweat as they pared and thrust in their deadly, yet graceful dance.

I felt my breathing quicken, forcing myself to look away. I didn't like these feelings that I was experiencing. The sexual attraction I felt for him was muddling my thinking, something I most definitely couldn't afford. 

"Rei, are we allowed to go near the area where the research is being conducted?" I asked

"Uh... no, but we can look at the new temple if you like, and watch the noble-women."

I shrugged my assent, "I guess it's better than nothing." I muttered, following as she lead a reluctant Mina and myself away from where the men were practicing.

"This way" she called from ahead, before turning a corner, leading us onto yet another walkway which surrounded yet another courtyard.

"What is this place?" Mina asked, shuddering slightly, even as tingles crept up my spine. The evil of the place seemed to surround the area, spreading outward from the large central disc of black stone.

"This is the latest addition to the palace" Rei informed us "a lot of mages have left the palace retreating into the highlands rather than work on this new project."

"Do you know what it's about?" I questioned, wondering if this was where the mages were looking for a way to eternal life.

"I'm not sure… all I know is that it isn't anything good."

I nodded, determined to ask Darien for some answers when I saw him next.

"Can we go?" Mina whispered, holding her head in her hand. "This place gives me the creeps"

"Had enough Serena?"

"Yea…"

"Come on then, I'll take you to the gardens. Then we'd best be heading back."

I nodded my agreement, anything to get away from there. I shuddered as we made our way down the walk, glancing into the courtyard below, only to find yellow-almond shaped eyes staring back up at me.

Goddess, help me I thought as I felt myself sink towards the floor, and the blissful dark of unconsciousness,  That woman below is powerful, and by the vibes she is giving off I just know she's up to no good.

~*~ ~*~

I looked around, startled to find that I was no-longer within the palace, but instead upon a flat grey plain. I looked around me in wonder, wondering how I'd gotten there, when I heard a voice resound in the silence.

"Hello moon-child, I see she's sent you back again."

"Who are you?" I demand looking everywhere for the source of the voice until a woman appears before me, her long red hair falling below her knees.

"Come now Serena, you must remember me. Darien's rightful bride! The one you stole him from"

I stared at her, and suddenly I felt the memories rushing back, "Beryl"

"Yes Serena, every-time, I've been so close to having him all to myself. Then you just have to show up and steal him away."

"He's mine" I stated "as his ancestor Endymion was my ancestors lover, so to is he mine"

"Brave words child, but Darien is only mortal… and as such the fates control his destiny"

"So was his ancestor, as are you and I. forever living in a mortal body, only our souls are live on"

"That's what you think child. Soon I will be immortal, and your so-called love with me" she cackled, "all men long to satisfy three things: Power, Lust, and Greed. I will grant him satisfaction in all, binding him to me with a bond that not even you and your so-called love can break"

"Never, he is mine, as I am his. You will never have him, not until the light in my soul fades and dies"

"Oh don't worry moon-girl, that can be arranged, but for now… I warn you. He is mine this time whether you wish it or not"

~*~ ~*~

Authors note:

Please Review *puppy eyes*

The plot is thickening! *cackles with glee* Ah yes… the little bit at the end, will soon be explained!