Chapter Six:

Chapter Six:

The Past

"You are so bad, Hellewise!" Selena Chimes exclaimed, feeling strangely excited and nervous. "If we get caught we could be killed!"

"They're your people!" Hellewise said with a mischievous smile, usual wise brown eyes teasing.

The two young women hid by the pillars of the First House, spying for the Prince of Dragons. Rumor had it that he was beautiful, an elegant creature, wise and formidable. Very few had ever seen him though. He didn't make it a habit of wandering out into the villages and gardens without an escort.

Selena was not feeling comfortable in the least. She glanced around cautiously, a strange prickling in the base of her spine. Something was amiss and it wasn't just the intrusion of the two young women.

The whole situation was an accident waiting to happen.

For one thing, Hellewise was a witch. If they got caught they would either be killed or made slaves of. The dragons didn't tolerate witches. They barely tolerated their own shape-shifters.

And Selena was a half-breed. They would both be killed.

"I just want to see him." Hellewise said excitedly, her eyes on the beautiful gardens and the sparkling pools of water. If given the chance she almost seemed like the kind to hop up and down and squeal in impatience. "Just once, one look, a glimpse-"

"I don't." Selena said shortly. She rose away from their spot, rubbing her hands up and down her arms to ease away the goosebumps that had risen. The feeling was not going away. In fact it seemed to be growing stronger. Seemed to swoop down on her, like a breath across her shoulders. She shivered against her will. "I'm getting out of here." She said quietly, tapping Hellewise on her back. "You're free to fol-" she continued as she whirled to walk away.

And promptly rammed into someone.

Selena staggered backward in surprise, lifting her head back. And even further back. He was tall, the person she had walked into. Tall, lean and…not happy. There was such a dark look on his face that Selena's first instinct was to run. He was not going to be thrilled with this, especially not with their being curious about his Prince.

"Identify yourself." He ordered crisply, frame rigid, face stern.

Hellewise whirled around at the sound of his voice, jaw falling open in shock.

Selena swallowed, feeling the need to back away further from the Guard. But Hellewise was directly behind her and for a moment she almost believed that the witch was cowering behind her slightly taller figure. She was trapped between the two. In a strained voice she choked out, "Half-breed."

The boy's amber eyes narrowed a bit before he turned to Hellewise. "You."

Hellewise blinked rapidly, eyes wide. "Witch." She said in what seemed to be a gasp.

The boy's eyes almost made it back to Selena. Almost. Then he seemed to hear Hellewise's answer because he snapped his head back to stare at her venomously. "What-"

"It was my fault." Selena cut in, stepping further between them and cutting off his line of vision. His amber eyes flew to her face as she went on, narrowing into slits, and she rushed on futilely. "I made her come with me. Please forgive me," She said rapidly.

But the look on his face did not lighten and he seemed unaware of her pleas. Her excuses became all the more frantic, terror surging through her stiff body. This was it, they were going to be arrested for trespassing and to add to their sentence of death as it was their carcasses would be hanged to dry in the sun. The vision made her gag a bit but she shoved it down, realizing that she was still pleading with him to forgive her.

The boy took a step forward, ignoring Selena's very existence and his eyes were now on Hellewise.

Selena shook her head, suddenly shouting, "Helle! Run!" and she reached up without thinking, clamping a hand over the boy's mouth. There was an explosion of pink behind her eyes, a strange fog of magenta mist and a moment later they were both on the floor, limbs tangled, Selena struggling to maintain a firm grip on him until she was sure Hellewise was gone.

The boy struggled, his strength overwhelming her and he pulled her hand from his face, teeth bared angrily. He managed to pull free, shoving Selena aside and off him and when he rose to his feet Hellewise was nowhere in sight. He spun, looking off in all directions and his face was dark and dreadful with his anger. "Damn it!" he cursed loudly.

Selena rose onto wobbly knees, blinking. What had that strange haze been? She shook her head and the after images lifted away, the garden coming back into full color focus. She looked up slowly and met the Guard's furious eyes, a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"She was a witch, damn you!" he raged down at her, amber eyes burning with unholy fury. "Isn't it bad enough that you're a half-breed!? Do you have to further disgrace the First House by associating with the enemy?" There was disgust in his eyes, on his face and it hurt her more than any wound she had ever had.

Her jaw dropped open as she heard his words. "Disgrace?" she echoed in disbelief. Rather ungracefully she sprang to her weak knees. "I have disgraced no one!" she shouted up into his face and they both breathed heavily, fighting for the same breath. "But you…" she shook her head in contempt, "You disgrace yourself." It came out in a hoarse whisper and her anger pushed her along, Years of resentment were rising inside her, years of being the half breed, the scorn and shame of her mother because of her father. "You work under a prejudiced ruler, you yourself a miserable wretch. Look at me! Look at my neck!" she pushed her hair aside but the gesture was lost as she did not turn to show him her horns. "I am one of you!"

The boy turned away from her, impatience working its way onto his face. "You're an idiot." He mumbled with a weary shake of his head. He looked toward the First House distractedly and said, "One day she will betray you because of what you are."

Selena stared at the back of his head in confusion. Her eyes shifted over to the First House, seeing through its immaculate pillars and springs into the heart of the Dragon House. The Guard seemed to be doing the same thing, hands on hips, breathing deeply to calm his racing pulse. It was awkward, their silence. And for a moment she let herself believe that he had forgotten her existence, that she could just turn away and wander off quietly and he would be none the wiser.

But then someone was calling to him. "Endymion!"

And all thought flew because she suddenly knew who he was, what he was and of course what he stood for.

Rayne Endymion. First guardian to the Royal House of Dragons. One of the Personal Guardians to the Prince of Dragons. He was well known. For his respect. For his loyalty to his prince. And for his arrogance.

As another guard came up to them she whispered faintly to his back, "You're Rayne Endymion?" The surface under her was wavering a bit and she felt unsteady at first. Then she merely wanted to sink into the ground and cease to exist.

He turned slightly and slanted a glance her way before sighing in resignation and defeat. "Go home to your witches, Selena. Pray we never meet again." He said in a soft almost gentle voice. It was obvious whatever conversation they had had was now over with.

And as he left to join the other guard she was left wondering how he had known her name.

The Present

"You lived in such a lovely time, Chime. Selena." Thea said in a soft tone, her peaceful voice bouncing around the blackness in between Chime's memories. "Where in this time do you see such beautiful gardens? Such beautiful and peaceful gardens?"

Chime was still dreaming but her mind spoke to her nonetheless. "Things were still beautiful back then if not pure." She said wistfully. "If you could've lived there, in that time-"

"I am." Thea whispered. "Through you."

Chime smiled in her sleep, her dreams carrying her away.

The Past

"They're coming. That's what Mother says." Hellewise said into Selena's ear as she bent to help the half-breed. Her blond hair fell in lovely waves around her shoulders, bouncing and full of life while her fingers worked to dig up soil.

"Who is?" Selena asked absentmindedly, frowning at the work. So much more needed to be done before spring set in and the days grew longer and hotter. Her own fingers were patting the soil, planting seeds that would grow strong with a little help from witch magic.

"The dragons." Hellewise's voice came to her faintly.

Selena's movements slowed until they stopped altogether. Then she raised her head and stared at Hellewise, blinking. "What?" she asked dumbly and then quickly, "Why?"

"To check up on us." Hellewise answered, leaning to the soil once more and reaching out. Her hand came down upon the grounds and she whispered words of magic before returning to the conversation at hand. "They'll be here later today." She said with a shrug, brown eyes watching Selena's reaction to her news.

"Actually, we're already here." A masculine voice said from behind them. "Surprise."

Surprise indeed. Selena was on her feet seconds before Hellewise, standing between the witch and the First House Guardian that stood before her. This was beginning to feel all too familiar. She lifted her gaze to his face and his amber eyes met hers, staring at her nonchalantly. "Hellewise." she whispered to her friend, swallowing a sudden ball that had formed in her throat, "get out of here."

Rayne Endymion's hands were clasped behind his back under his cloak and he stood tall, attentive to them and to the environment all around. "Yes, Hellewise." he agreed with a dismissive nod and a bored tone. "Please do, I need to speak to Selena."

Selena narrowed her eyes at him. "How is it you know my name, Guardian?" she hissed, motioning to Hellewise behind her back at the same time. If Hellewise would just leave, things would probably turn out a whole lot better. After all, the last time, Endymion had let her live and continue on. Maybe he would be as kind this time around.

The witch however was not moving. "No. I'm staying this time." She said firmly, brown eyed adamant. "Last time I was a coward but not this time."

Rayne slanted a glance her way, finally leaving Selena's straightforward gaze. "I'm not going to hurt her." he said to the witch with a sigh. His blackness seemed to grow with his impatience, blocking out whatever sun the cloudy day had missed. "I just want to speak to her."

"And if I don't want to speak to you?" Selena countered with her own bit of arrogance. It almost made her feel bigger, stronger.

The dragon paused, amber eyes thoughtful. Her response almost seemed to have surprised him. Selena tried to read him, read what he was thinking through his expressions and body language but he gave away nothing, almost folding in on himself. He blinked after a moment and finally nodded to her. "Then I won't force you." He said, shrugging calmly. And he turned gracefully and began to walk away.

"Selena." Hellewise hissed in her ear.

Selena scowled, feeling herself stiffen. She didn't want to talk to him, didn't Hellewise understand that? The further he was from her, the better. She wanted nothing to do with him, didn't want to see his face or hear his voice. His very soft and melodious voice…

"Selena!" Hellewise whispered again.

Selena cursed to herself. "Endymion." She called out after him and she realized she liked the way rolled off her tongue. "Rayne" she said as well. "Wait."

The dragon paused and looked at her over his shoulder, expression not one of happiness.

Selena glanced at Hellewise almost as if asking for a reason not to go to him. Any reason, any at all, she pleaded. But the witch nodded to her instead and turned away, striding off cautiously. Selena watched her, yearning to go with her but the dragon was waiting for her, waiting to speak to her. And so, with a sigh, she floated toward Rayne.

Rayne's dark expression was not lightening as she slowly came to him. "If it pains you so much Selena, you don't have to bother." He growled at her, amber eyes narrowed into slits. "I do have duties." He looked off to the side but Selena knew the truth. This was his duty, today. Making sure the witches were doing as they had been instructed and were not rising up. Besides this there was nothing.

Selena stared at him and she felt a hot redness inside, knew her temper was flaring. "How do you know my name, damn it?" she demanded impatiently. "I never told you."

The dark dragon smiled as she crossed her arms over her chest and sent him an icy glare. His smile transformed his face, actually brightened his whole brooding atmosphere. "I know a lot about you, Selena. I know who your mother was. I know who your father is. I know you're nineteen years old-"

"You…know my father?" Selena whispered, dumbfounded into near silence.

He nodded, expression neutral. "Yes. I've worked with him before." He explained, his hands meeting behind his back in that stance she found herself liking more and more. But it had nothing to do with the fact that it made him more appealing to her, she thought. That it made him taller, and made him seem leaner. None at all.

Selena stared at him, frowning slightly. She had to focus. Focus on him. No, not on him. On his words. She had to stop thinking about how good he looked and start thinking about her survival. And that thought snapped her right back to reality. "How…how do you know all this about me?" she asked. Then she placed her hands on her hips defiantly, lifting her chin. "And I thought you said you never wanted to see me again!"

He was gazing back at her and his voice grew softer. "I was angry, Selena." He said to her. "I said some things I didn't mean."

Selena's lips tightened into a line as she smirked. She shouldn't trust him. She didn't trust him. She couldn't afford to. For her sake and for Hellewise's.

He bowed his head, pausing, amber eyes searching her face, her expression.

He was wary, she realized. He had no need to be. It was beyond a doubt that he was stronger and faster than her. She couldn't hurt him. "And?" she demanded after a moment, continuing on nonetheless. "How do you know all about me?"

Rayne shrugged at her. "It's easy." He said. And then, "Hold up your hand."

Selena frowned at him. "What?"

Endymion arched an eyebrow. "I don't bite unless you want me to." He said in a mischievous tone, that taunting smile spreading across his lips. She could almost say it was endearing if she weren't thinking of ways to hurt him. Of ways to make him cry out. And maybe not in pain.

Her cheeks flamed.

And Rayne was smiling impishly still. "Do you want me to?" he asked innocently, tilting his head. The amber of eyes seemed to grow hotter, flaming with life.

Selena scowled before finally raising her hand with a sigh.

His smile softened. "Close your eyes." He ordered quietly, voice gentle enough to lull a baby to sleep. In fact it was having serious effects on her and all she was doing was having a conversation with him.

Selena forced strength into her suddenly weak knees. Strength, she said to herself. Stay focused. And she clenched her jaw. "No," she replied stiffly, still holding up her hand to him. "I won't. I don't want to-"

"Is it because you're scared of me?"

She swallowed. No weakness. She would show him none. She was vowing it to herself, repeating it over and over in her mind. For some reason she knew one moment of weakness would ruin things. She didn't know why, she just knew.

"Selena?" he persisted.

She shook her head to shake his voice from her muddled mind and she spoke before she thought. "Yes." She answered, and she was shameful of the truth she had so easily spilled. "Yes, I am. Are you surprised?" she continued on in a hard tone, feeling the need to cover up her humiliation.

He paused, amber eyes hooded. "Hurt actually." He said thoughtfully. "But not surprised." He lifted a hand toward her cheek. "You don't have to be afraid of me anymore, Selena. I don't want to hurt you."

Selena's eyes caught on his hand as he brought it toward her face. She reflexively cringed, turning her head away and shutting her eyes tightly.

His hand instead caught hold of hers and she cursed herself for playing right into him. But all her hard-worked focus melted away as, under her eyelids, she saw the pink haze explode around her once more. She was suddenly very warm, feeling a gentle heat spread upward from her toes to her face. And a faint tingling rose through her limbs, as if she had been sitting too long with her legs crossed. Under the haze and prickling she heard a faint pounding, a muffled beat to a familiar melody. A dull thump-thump. Over and over.

It was only then that she realized it was his heart. It couldn't be her own. She knew instinctively that her heart would not be beating so calmly.

Selena settled slowly into a state of awe. There were so many things happening at once. The thumping of his heart faded away into the background of the haze as she began to appreciate her surroundings. Her physical body was numb to the outside world but it was different inside. Inside there was a rage of emotions and pictures. Whirlwinds of images struck her, too quickly for her to pick any out but something told her they would eventually resurface. In a dream or on a lonely day, she would remember. What frightened her, however, was that the visions, the memories, weren't hers. She didn't recognize the tall, dark imposing figure in them. Nor the gentle smile of the petite woman beside the dark stranger. But she recognized the cut of the man's hair. And the lean figure. She also recognized the amber of the woman's eyes, the jet blackness of her long silky hair. And the uniform of the Royal House she wore.

She saw the happy smiles they turned on her. A pang shot through her. When had she seen such smiles? Even the tall dark figure shed his blackness when he reached down to pick her up. His lovely grin spread across his face, another familiar characteristic that had been passed down, and his eyes would shine with a tender inner glow. And the woman would lean over his shoulder, reaching down to ruffle her hair or plant small loving kisses on her nose. They were all she knew, all she could see. And the visions were happy, so very happy.

They remained light and carefree, fluttering all around her like butterflies. She basked in their warmth, remembering that the only time she had felt this happy had been when her mother had been alive. It was all so comforting and she knew if she had been given the chance she would have stayed in those memories indefinitely, would have let them protect her from harm.

But then a single vision streaked the entire sunny atmosphere black. A dark vision of death and of all that could have been and would never be again.

And then, finally, she settled into the darkness and there was nothing.

A breeze woke her, brought her physical body back into being. And she sucked in air as if she hadn't been breathing the whole time. She blinked to clear her hazy vision and Rayne Endymion came into view before her, eyes shut tightly. She blinked at the sudden brightness of the day, the clouds almost as blinding as the sun and she staggered backward feeling uncharacteristically weak. Her hands were wrenched from his and he instinctively reached out, lifted a hand back toward her, toward her cheek. To revive that pink haze.

"Oh, no!" she gasped, throwing up her hands reflexively. The back of one of her hands came into contact with her cheek and she felt a strange wetness along her face. She came to a stop, touching her cheeks hesitantly, her eyes trained on him.

Streaked with tears. Her face was streaked with tears.

Rayne merely gazed at her, cloaked in his blackness. But his honey-colored eyes watched her intently, a muscle working in his jaw.

Selena wiped at her face, the backs of her hands erasing the evidence of shame. "What is this?" she whispered and then demanded in a hard tone, "What…was that?" she rubbed her cheeks, rubbed until she felt as if they would be scraped off.

Rayne's hands met behind his back under the cape. "That was our bond." He answered her quietly, and he seemed to have collected himself. "And those were my memories."

Selena pulled her hands away from her face slowly and glared at him. "Our bond?" she asked and she laughed harshly but she saw no humor in the situation. Nothing but shame that he was always catching her off guard and making her feel weak in the knees. She shook her head at him. "Why did you do that to me? Why did you show me that?"

He shrugged elegantly. "You are my soulmate. I felt an urge to share." He answered her simply.

Selena blinked at him. "I'm your what?" she asked in disbelief. When he opened his mouth to repeat his sentence she shook him off. "No. No. Forget it. I don't want to hear it." She ran her hand over her cheek once more to make sure no more tears had fallen in her absentmindedness. "Just…stay away from me, Endymion." And she turned away.

Half of her wanted him to come after her, to not let her walk away. She wanted it badly, needed it because it would prove that she was feeling something and that she wasn't the only one feeling it. But she knew that another few powerful visions like the ones she had just witnessed and she would be a mass of quivering nerves on the ground. She didn't want to relive those memories of his. They were in the past, his past, and there they would remain. So she was happy he didn't come after her.

However, a part of her forced her to pause. She came to a stop and gazed at the ground, summoning strength to speak to him once more. With a deep calming breath to soothe her nerves she called to him over her shoulder, seeing his lean figure in her peripheral vision. "Endymion…" And she turned slightly, feeling the need to look at him, pass her eyes over him.

He was still watching her thoughtfully.

"You had a…" she bowed her head, eyes closing, "Lovely family…" Then she knew it was the right time to leave him and she did so, no longer aware of herself. Her mind and body seemed numb, scorched.

And she didn't question the use of her tenses as she walked away.