Sorry it's been Forever… but school work has been taking over my life. I will be updating this as much as possible b/w now and Jan 12th I'm actually hoping I'll be finished, or just about by then…
~galene
Chapter VI:
I spent the remainder of the day in prayer, asking Selene to give me strength, to resist this man's charms. Along with trying to explain to the matron why I needed rose scented incense, and a whole slew of other plants which were necessary for the making of the traditional drink. The silly woman just couldn't seem to comprehend why it was so important, but then again she didn't know that it had always been burned on this night in respect for Endymion whom was said to have cultivated a vast garden of roses for his beloved. It was to the site of this garden that I was secretly hoping I would be going to tonight, to celebrate the declaration. I smiled then, as I lifted the incense to my nose, inhaling its sweet fragrance before setting it aside. I had just enough time left to bathe, before he would be here.
I had finished brushing my hair, and putting it back up in its twin buns when the matron informed me that Darien had arrived. Standing, I gathered the white blanket, candles, silver dagger, and incense in my arms, walking across the carpet to deposit them in a basket, which I had left open upon a stool, before gathering the handles and leaving my room for the main entrance.
As I pushed aside the curtain, Darien turned to face me, his eyes widening minutely as he took in the plain white robe which hung about my slender figure, with it's low cut v over my breasts in the style of my people's priestesses.
I decided to ignore his prescience, and passing by him, I picked up a shawl before going to the door, prepared to exit when suddenly I felt his palm resting lightly upon my shoulder.
"Let me carry that for you" he stated reaching for the basket.
I shrugged letting him take it, "you should lead, as I don't know the way" I stated calmly once he shut the door behind him.
Darien smiled lightly, offering an arm "this way then m'lady to the grove of ancestors"
I just looked blankly at him, until scowling slightly he dropped the offending arm and took off, striding down the hallway, as I followed behind.
Once outside, I was very glad I had decided to bring the shawl, the breeze was chilly that night, and scent of moisture was heavy in the air hinting at rain.
We walked silently down the candle-light path, the same one that Rei had lead Minako and I down earlier, before Darien turned left and paused before a cast iron gate.
Glancing at me, he pulled upon a string, and a few moments later an elderly man appeared on the other side.
"Your highness" he greeted his voice filled with awe, as he opened the gate for us
"Good evening" Darien stated, "see to it that no-one disturbs us"
The man bowed respectfully, before turning to look at me a smile ghosting over his lips as he looked me over.
I glared back at him, "is there something wrong?" I demanded causing him to jump
"No miss" he stated meekly as Darien stifled a chuckle, his hand coming to grasp my wrist.
"Come Serena, you insisted on coming here, so why don't we do what we came here for, rather than bothering an old man for admiring beauty?"
I turned my glare from the old man to Darien hissing, "don't touch me" as I wrenched my arm away.
A frown crossed his handsome features, but he said nothing. Instead he turned on his heel, and began to walk away, forcing me to run to catch up with him.
We spent the remainder of the journey in silence, I trying to clear my mind, and settle all my thoughts of the rite that I had come there to perform, while Darien… well… thought of whatever arrogant princes think of.
As we neared the grove I could sense the changes. She was close, so very close, and as we entered I felt that if I looked hard enough I would be able to see her, sitting upon the grass. Of course she was not, and so I took the basket from Darien, motioning him to go and settle himself near the edge of the circle of trees.
Walking to the exact centre, I spread the white cloth out in a circle, placing the pair of candles, along with the incense stick standing upright in a small bowl of stones in a line across the middle of the cloth. Near these I lay a small silver flask, and the dagger, careful not to alert Darien to its prescience. I then took the basket, and carried it to where he sat leaning against the trunk of the tree. That done, I returned to the blanket, and light the candles, and the incense, inhaling deeply of its cinnamon-rose fragrance before kneeling, raising both arms, and face to the sky.
"Selene, goddess of the moon hear your daughters prayer this night." I began, in the traditional manner, "come to me, rejoice with me this night of affirmations." Then bending I picked up the small flask, removing the stopper, and swallowed its contents, before turning my attention to the blade, "come sweet goddess, drink of my spirit, as the earth from which I was born drinks of my blood eternal link of I to you most ancient ancestress." With those words, I drew the blade across both my wrists, and stood feeling the effects of the drink as I made my way to the outer edge of the cloth. Strugelling to remain upright I closed my eyes, warm blood trickling from wrists to fall upon the earth as a wordless song tore itself from my lips, and the dancing began. My body moved as if with a will of it's own, twirling round and round, feet tapping out an unknown rhythm, round and round I went, letting the goddess guide my motions. I had no idea of how long I danced alone, Selene's joy expressing itself in my wild movements, but I felt the knew the instant she became away of his presence, my eyes flew open, and I was looking upon him, from a great distance. I watched as he stood, and my healed arm, which was not my arm reached to him. The words, no please no crossed my mind, only to be replaced by
yes daughter, for he is Endymion
I was helpless with in my own skin to prevent what Selene did next,
"come love, celebrate with me this night"
and Darien's voice came, yet I knew it was not him speaking. "it has been so long …"
"too long dear-one" my voice which was for now Selene's replied, as her/my lips came into contact with his, and I felt like an intruder as I felt him touching my body, and whispering sweet words. Words that were obviously meant for her, ones that I wish I was not there to hear…
It did not last much longer, as the effects of the drink are short-lived, and as Selene slowly left me, Endymion left Darien, until we were standing before one another.
I gazed at him, my dislike for this man diminishing in my heart as Selene's eternal love threatened to consume it. I gazed up at him, as he gazed back at me, and as he reached out a hand, fingers moving as if to trail down my face, as they had only moments before I pulled away. Voice harsh as I reminded,
"I am not Selene, and no matter how she may feel, I hate you"
He recoiled, as if burned, and turned away. "I'm sorry" he murmured, and I felt guilty.
He was not directly responsible for the death of my people, it had been his father whom had ordered it… not him.
"I'm sorry, but I will not wait forever" he stated, and I saw that Darien was back, fully as he pinned me with his dark-blue gaze.
I gulped, as he advanced towards me, a feral smile playing on his lips.
My heart pounded faster in my chest, I was terrified, terrified of what he would do… and yet deep inside me wanted him to try something. Yes, I wanted him to do something so that I would feel less guilty about hating him, this man whom my goddess so obviously loved.
He came even closer, his hand approaching my face yet again, fingers trailing down my cheek finishing the gesture he had started earlier, before he withdrew once more.
"Are we sleeping out here? Or shall we return to the palace" he demanded
I gulped, still stunned by his erratic mood shifts. "Either, it no-longer matters" I told him
"I see, and then let's at least go to the garden pavilion… I believe there are some blankets, and cushioned chair in there for those whom enjoy napping in the garden.
I nodded my agreement, and followed after him as he led me down another garden path, to where the pavilion stood.
Inside we found all that he had suspected, and laying down upon a cushioned lounging chair, with a simple blanket thrown over me to protect against a chill, I fell asleep, with thoughts full of my goddess, and the dilemma of her feelings, and my changing ones towards the man whom the rest of the world recognized as my Master.
TBC
~*~
well… there's the ritual…
Please Review…. and let me know how you feel about this story
~galene