Ch3-In the Shadows of the Night
When Sunlight meets Moonlight

Ch.3: In the Shadows of the Night

The shadow slowly turned around as the moonlight moved from the melancholy clouds above. The iridescent white rays struck the tan chest. The young man was wearing loose khakis, brown leather shoes, and seemingly nothing else. Serena just couldn't take her eyes off the chest. It was tanned to a golden bronze with well-defined muscles. As Serena's eyes traveled up the body, she saw the face. A very familiar face. An annoying, smirking face.

" Enjoying?" Darien smiled coyly.

Serena blushed. Then she remembered her goal. She shifted her eyes downward and slowly looked up at Darien through her sooty lashes. " I am. Were you enjoying your view too?" she replied with a slight smile.

Darien returned the smile. " Even though I'd hate to admit it because it'll boost your high esteem, but I enjoyed the view." He said. " Enjoyed it very much." He whispered in Serena's ear, sending shivers down her spine.

Trying to hide her blush, Serena looked around at the scenery. It was stunning. It was so stunning it held Serena's attention. It held her attention so much, she forgot about the young man besides her. Slowly Serena twirled in a circle with her face in the moonlight, so that she could see the tall rose bushed all around her.

Darien stared mesmerized. He had never seen a girl so content in a garden. Serena looked so sweet to him. Her gown was just like what he'd imagine a princess would wear to meet her prince in the garden. He smiled slightly at his little private joke. Her flaxen hair was streaming in waves around her as she twirled around. There were beautiful white flowers and buds caught in the torrent of gold.

Serena feeling the hard stare, stopped and blushed once again. She felt silly being caught acting so juvenile by Darien. She coughed slightly, catching Darien's attention, who realized that his princess had stopped twirling. " Sorry about that. I kind of got caught in the glory of the moment. What are you doing here?" she asked, as the situation finally dawned on her.

It was Darien's turn to cough and blush. "Well, not blush. Darien Shields does not blush," Serena thought as an afterthought.

" I always visit the gardens during nighttime. Especially the rose gardens." He replied, waving his hands at his surroundings. " I saw you sitting under the willow and I was trying to think if I should wake you up or not. You looked so peaceful." Darien said. " You looked beautiful too." He thought to himself.

" Oh. Well, I was just standing in my balcony when I saw the garden. It looked so mysterious and I couldn't resist coming here for a little visit. I guess it was so passive that I just fell asleep." Serena said, trailing off. " I guess I should go back. It's getting late." She looked up at Darien's face. It didn't seem to be listening to her. Trying to hold back the sudden tears in her eyes, she turned quickly away.

A warm hand grabbed her arm. Serena turned around, questioning with her eyes.

Darien looked up in deep thought. " Serena, have you seen the fountain in the middle of the maze?" he asked softly.

" No." Serena said with a little smile and a cock of the head.

" Well, lets go." Darien said pulling her out of the rose garden.

Serena stood firmly on her feet. " Did you ask or imply?" she teased.

Darien smiled mischievously. " I implied." He growled.

" Well, ask or you'll have to drag me because I'm not going." She smiled, tossing her head up.

Darien chuckled. He circled Serena slowly. " Well, dragging you might ruin that white gown you have on. So…." He trailed off, sneaking behind Serena and scooping her up in his arms.

" Hey!" Serena cried, giggling.

Darien took no heed, and continued his fast-paced walk to the beginning of the maze. Feeling quite comfortable and content in his sturdy arms. Serena wrapped her arms around his neck, and rested her head on the crook of his shoulder. With a pleased sigh, Serena nestled closer in his arms.

Darien smiled as he saw the comfortable look in Serena's arms. He nearly gasped in pleasure when she snuggled closer. Wrapping his arms more firmly around the girl, he continued on.

Somewhere in the darkness of the night, a figure stood on her balcony. Her face was impassive as she looked at the couple so intimately together. Her face broke into a small smile as she realized whom exactly the couple was. Widening her smile, she walked back into her room. Her auburn curls bounced in the moonlight as she took happy steps back to her room.

Another stature stood in the shadows of the hours of darkness. Her face was not impassive. It held vivid emotions. Her graceful hands clenched in unrestrained anger, as she viewed the couple. With a toss of her purple ebony hair, she flounced back into her room. She was not going to observe this any longer. She will not stand by and let this happen. Lying in her bed, she dreamed up of ways to bring this closeness to a halt.

Serena and Darien walked hand in hand, in the darkness of the maze with only the moonlight to guide them through. Darien's attention was caught by two shadows in the hedges. Motioning Serena to be quiet, they crept closer to the whispering bodies.

" Why, hello there." A voice murmured behind them.

To be Cont'd…………….

AN- How is it my reviewers? You know why I call you my reviews, because you're supposed to REVIEW!!!! So do so now, instead of listening to my boring comments. ^_- love ya all! ~ Jo [ oh yea! Also check out When the Sun's Rays Dance across your face and Through Ice and Betrayal.