hey kiddos! well it took forever it seems like but it is finally here...chapter 4 of "lady moon." yippie for me. i want to thank my darling editor rosey for letting me bounce ideas off her and wading through all my million drafts. :) don't forget to review and tell me what you think of this because i don't write if no one reads.
:::special note::: www.moonromance.com for some reason has been refusing to publish my chapters. i will try a few more times but if it continues to be bitch then i will simply stop publishing there. it's hard enough to write without worrying about that site's tempromental system.
Lady Moon
Chapter 4
Violet Goddess
She was going to hurt him, SEVERELY, that is if she survived the end of this day
from hell. Had she ever thought riding a pleasurable activity? Her sore backside disagreed
thoroughly with that former assessment. Straightening with a grimace Serena glared into
the broad back of a certain stupid prince who felt he just HAD to set a pace as though
demons were nipping on their heels. They had been riding since dawn and as Serena
watched the sky slowly darken she felt resentment slowly begin to rise within her. Still she
continued, valiantly she might add, to resist the nearly overwhelming urge to punch him in
his oh-so-perfect face. Shifting the heavy cloak, which that morning had seemed such a
blessing but which had quickly become little better than a personal furnace, she again
wondered with irritation why he had looked so horrified when she had tried earlier to
throw the infernal thing off. He had clenched his jaw in that now familiar show of anger
and snapped at her to "keep the damn thing on!"
Shifting the folds of the "damn" cloak Serena tried in vain to alleviate the heat that
was slowly roasting her alive but soon gave up that endeavor after one frosted look from
Endymion. Gods' truth that man was difficult! Master Androis had never been so adamant
about keeping covered, truth be told he was apt to ignore as many edicts as she had. The
unbidden thought of her beloved friend, now lost to her to those savage flames, caused
sudden tears to glitter dangerously in her eyes. Swallowing against the lump of grief
suddenly clogging her throat, Serena pushed past the natural instinct to force the
memories of that life away and made herself extract and examine the precious memories of
those people she had loved, and lost.
She remembered Abbess Celeste, the silver haired matriarch of the temple, who
had seemed so stern and hard but who's soft heart had practically shined through her eyes
no matter how hard she tried to hide it. She remembered Abbess desperately trying to
show anger rather than amusement when Serena had been caught practicing some more
colorful curses the stable hand, Bailey, had been only been to happy to teach her.
The memories of running across fields that now lay blackened and ravaged came
next. She could still feel the sun warming her skin pleasantly as her friends trailed only a
step behind, yelling and laughing in a carefree spirit that none of them ever considered
might end. A silent sob escaped then, muffled against the back of a hand as she thought of
those extraordinary girls who had been both her protectors, but more importantly her
friends. Gods she missed them! She couldn't stop herself from wondering if they were safe
but as soon as the thought arose she dismissed it easily.
Endymion might be an arrogant ass but he kept his word that much was obvious
about him from the start. If he had said he would provide them safe passage home then she
had not a doubt in her mind they were safe wherever they might be. Still she missed them,
wished she was home with them, laughing and joking again instead of lumbering through
what appeared to be a deserted valley and watching the horse's ass in front of her, and his
steed.
Once again she turned her attention to the darkening sky, watching the spreading
colors with an awe that she's felt every night since she'd come to earth. The colors were
so intense, like everything here, the blues and purples, the reds and oranges mixing
together in a kind of exotic picture that fired the blood and brought longing to the soul.
She remembered watching each sunset from the temple grounds, occasionally escaping
notice and slipping out into the evening. Sitting there quietly, amid tall grass waving gently
in the warm breeze and the soft hum of insects she had truly believed she had never seen
anything more beautiful in her life. And then she had watched the sun fade away and the
moonrise and a strange mixture of homesickness and peace had washed over her. She had
wanted to watch the earth rise over the horizon so much that it was nearly painful but at
the exact same time she had never wanted to move from that spot, feeling as if she was
staring into the loving face of Selene.
That was when she had heard the bells; their pure tones had rippled through heated
air and sent Serena scrambling back to the temple. It had been time for devotions and she
never.... The thought trailed off as a sense of horror enveloped her. Dear Goddess how
had she forgotten?! She screamed to herself. With a now stricken look at the sky she
kicked her horse into a trot and pulled up beside Endymion who was listening patiently to
a man with light brown hair and a quick smile, one of his generals she assumed. Though at
that particular moment couldn't have cared less what the man's status was, she needed
Endymion's attention. For a moment she just sat there, unsure exactly what to do. She
couldn't just tackle him off his horse and demand he listen to her. Could she? Opting for a
subtler approach she gently cleared her throat hoping he would catch her hint. She wasn't
so lucky. When he continued to stolidly ignore her after her third attempt she cast an
apprehensive look at the sky and gave up all thoughts of subtly. Leaning over slightly she
did the only thing that came to mind. She pinched him.
A small grunt of surprise escaped him and then suddenly she was staring into a pair
of intense blue eyes filled with something that looked very like astonishment and definite
amusement.
"Did you just pinch me?" Yup, there was definitely quite a bit of amusement there.
"Well, umm, yes." Serena's hands began to twist together nervously underneath the heavy
cloak but she met his gaze without flinching. Well without flinching much.
"May I ask why?" A strangled laugh reminded them of their audience and Endymion
immediately turned back to the brown haired man, dismissing him with one hard glare. He
rode off with a smile on his face. Turning back to her Serena was hit with the full force of
his undivided attention.
"Well?"
"Well what?" He sighed in exasperation and then frowned as he realized her hood was
slipping back and quickly reached forward to pull it down.
"Well why did you pinch me if it doesn't inconvenience you to much to answer." Serena
blushed at the obvious censure in his words but then remembered her original purpose and
suddenly her words rushed out.
"We have to stop!" The words came out more urgent that she had intended but she
couldn't help it. She had to stop before the stars fully appeared in the sky.
"Oh we do, do we? And why exactly is that? We aren't scheduled to make came for
several more hours, we need to cover as much ground as possible tonight."
"No, no we have to stop now, before it gets dark!" She sputtered out absently as she cast
another apprehensive look at the darkening sky. Too late she realized that if he knew how
badly she wanted this he could use it against her and groaned silently when she saw the
same realization light his face. Sighing in defeat she looked at him, her face serious, and
laid her dilemma at his feet.
"I have to perform devotions." The simple phrase hung heavily in the evening air and a
pensive look overcame the slightly mocking one on his face.
"Devotions?" Though Endymion knew some of the ancient religion of Selene his family
had been near fanatical in their devotion to the Great Spirit, shunning any who questioned
their beliefs and forcing their views on their children. It was because of them that
Endymion had lost faith in any religion. What God or Spirit or even Goddess made a small
boy lie naked against cold marble for days on end in penance for innocent pranks? What
deity would make that boy watch his brothers and sisters slowly die as disease ravaged
their bodies while he alone remained healthy? And what so omnipotent Spirit would watch
as his world was being so casually dragged towards war? No, Endymion didn't believe in
religion or their Gods but Serena did and he found he respected her for it. Here she was
surrounded by men who would kill her for that simple fact and still she clung to the
traditions of her faith, foolhardy as it was, that took a kind of courage that few had.
"Yes devotions." Her soft voice broke through his thoughts and he opened his mouth to
deny her, though as gently as possible but found himself asking her instead what exactly
devotions were. A strange look crossed her face at his question as if she were trying to
find the hidden trap in his words, as if she could not imagine anyone not knowing of them.
"Really I want to know. I grew up in a house that shunned Selene remember?" He coaxed
gently when she wouldn't answer him.
"It's a kind of.... welcoming!" She finished triumphantly. It was hard trying to put into
words something that was so personal, something that she had known since birth. She
remembered the temples on the moon, how they would ring with voices every dawn and
dusk raised in joyous thanks to the Goddess. It seemed almost magical the way the
melodies would float through the sweetened air, never seeming to dim until the last note
would ring out just as clear and true as the first. A wave of homesickness swamped her
but she ruthlessly pushed it aside, now was not the time to feel sorry for herself.
"What the...? That doesn't explain anything!" He watched as the wistful expression on her
face was instantly replaced with one of annoyance. She turned what he assumed was
supposed to be a hard glare on him but the effect was ruined by those childlike eyes.
"Listen just stop for a few minutes and allow me to perform my devotions." At his
king-of-the-manor look Serena added a "please" but was only rewarded with one of those
mocking smiles she was coming to hate.
"Oh and what do I get if I do?" His smile had turned wolfish then but by now Serena was
oblivious, time was waning quickly and this conversation was going nowhere.
"I'm sure you can think of something." He nearly groaned at the innocent invitation. Oh
yes could think of any number of things she could do to offset the inconvenience of
stopping. Just the thought of things he wanted her to do made his body harden at a speed
that frankly astounded him.
"Very well Serena I'll call a halt for your devotions if.... you sleep with me tonight."
Serena's gasp of indignation only made his smile widen as her head whipped around, her
eyes flashing in outrage.
"Why you, you...! Ugh!" The grunt of frustration caused an ensuing bark of laughter,
which only added fuel to her temper.
"Relax priestess I'm not demanding your virtue or anything,"... yet, he silently added
"I'm simply suggesting that we share the same pallet, it will be less trouble that way." He
didn't tell her that it really would be no trouble. He was the prince of Earth for God's
sake. He had hoards of servant whose sole purpose was to see to things like bedding but
he wasn't about to enlighten her to that little fact.
She looked absolutely adorable with her face scrunched up in thought as she
considered his proposal. He wondered how important her ceremonies were to her. Would
she really share his bed, even if in a purely platonic way, just so she could perform her
"devotions?" Thinking of having her lush little body next to him each night, knowing he
could reach out and touch her satin skin made him nearly groan. He half hoped she would
scream at him and refuse for all the sleep he would get with all the lustful thoughts he
knew would be tormenting him.
"Well priestess? I don't have all day." She threw a worried glance at the rapidly darkening
sky as she worried her bottom lips between her teeth. Endymion found his gaze riveted on
her mouth, that small act arousing him more than he thought possible. His entire body was
tensed against the need to lean down and kiss her abused lips; he ached to trace the curve
with his tongue. And then she would open for him, allowing him.....
"All right." At first he wasn't sure he'd heard her correctly. Her voice was no more than a
hoarse whisper.
"What was that priestess?" His eyes sparkled with amusement as he leaned towards her,
their thighs touched as their horses pranced beside each other.
"I said ALL RIGHT. I agree to your stupid bargain!" She was shouting now but he didn't
think she was even aware of it. Her cheeks were flushed with color as she glared at him.
He felt like laughing at the disgruntled expression on her face but merely nodded his head
towards her in acknowledgment.
"Glad we could come to an agreement." He couldn't stop the smile that sprang to his lips
at her annoyed snort.
"Anywhere in particular you're wanting to do these little 'devotions?' I am as always
accommodating." He ended with a florid wave of his hand instead of the bow which being
on horseback prevented.
"Umm." Looking back at the train of men that stretched off into horizon she felt shyness
creep upon her.
"I need somewhere somewhat...private." Endymion raised one black eyebrow at her
words.
"Well my lady I would gladly build you a temple but we ARE short on time. How long is
this thing going to take anyway?"
"Oh umm not long. And I don't need a temple, thank you. Just somewhere away from
prying eyes." She tilted her head back to indicate Endymion's army riding hard behind
them. When he turned around and realized that whatever she was going to do would be
performed before all those men a dark scowl spread across his face.
"Right. Go there." He ordered pointing towards one of several corps of trees that littered
the small valley. Serena nodded her head in agreement and kicked her mare in towards the
small cluster of trees and Endymion called a halt.
Serena felt her heart race in panic as she eyed the darkening sky for the millionth
time. Were those damn trees getting farther away?! It wasn't until she was standing
beneath the towering oaks, their leaves filtering the late evening sun into near darkness
that she felt safe. Taking several soothing breaths she willed herself to calm down, for her
heartbeat to slow and the outside world to fade away.
Endymion was staring off toward the horizon, mentally drawing the path they
would have to take to detour around various passes that were simply to small for the
number of men he had. They had only three days to reach the small mountain village of
Orea where the spring festival would be held and the rebels were mostly likely to strike
next. The people of the Taryn Mountains were a harsh breed who valued lived life with a
kind of joy that always awed him. He knew they would aid the rebels for they had no love
for Earth's government. They were fiercely loyal but Endymion's reign was new and he
had yet to earn their loyalty in their eyes. What would it take to bring them into his camp?
It was the sounds of angels singing that snapped his mind from the battlegrounds
that lay in their path. Snapping his head around Endymion sought the sound that was
tugging his heart apart with sweetness. It only took his a few short moments to realize the
heavenly sound was coming from the corps of trees Serena had disappeared into. Dear
God it was Serena! Her voice flowed out like liquid silver in the still evening air. Every
other sound had faded away as if in deference to the magic of her words. Even his soldiers
were silent. Their ears pricked towards the song floated around them. Each man held a
look of awe on their face though it seemed tinted with....peace? Yes even he felt the
contentment stealing through him, sliding smoothly into his blood and even his bones. His
chest felt tight as if unshed tears were bubbling to the surface but the pain and remorse he
always felt weighing his shoulders was gone. For one sweet moment it was gone.
Endymion couldn't understand the words she was singing but he felt the meaning
clear enough. She was welcoming the moon just as she had said. Her voice was peace
itself, welcoming and offering comfort. It was like being embraced by one's mother when
you were a child or perhaps a long forgotten lover. It was sweet, so infinitely sweet.
Endymion his breath catch in his throat as Serena's voice rose and fell in a final crescendo
of notes and then fell silent. No one spoke even as she emerged from her hiding spot, twin
spots of pink coloring her cheeks. She kept her head down, refusing to look at him until
she reigned her horse up beside him.
"Why is everyone looking at me?" Goddess knew she didn't know.
"I told you I had to do devotions. You can't get mad now!" She hissed, becoming angry
when he refused to answer her. In truth he couldn't. Looking back at the line of men
stretching behind him, he realized no one else was fairing any better. Everyone was staring
at his angel; even his commanders were gawking at her unrepentantly.
"Put your hood back up!" He snapped, his anger high at the thought of other men seeing
her. It was irrational he knew, this seething possessiveness he felt towards her but he
couldn't seem to help it. He had only just found her, his chest tightened painfully at the
thought of losing her now. She was still looking at him, questioning his odd behavior with
one golden brow arched in a silent query.
"Well, now that you're done we need to move. We have significant ground to cover
before we make camp." He eyed his men meaningfully but it was till several moments
before they snapped out of their daze and obeyed him. Horses were kicked into motion
and the formidable army of Earth moved forward, their minds still lingering on the sweet
memories one heavenly voice had so effortlessly called forth. Endymion could only scowl
as he realized his lady moon was going to be trouble, he knew it with a certainty that
boded ill for everyone involved…
:::special note::: www.moonromance.com for some reason has been refusing to publish my chapters. i will try a few more times but if it continues to be bitch then i will simply stop publishing there. it's hard enough to write without worrying about that site's tempromental system.
Lady Moon
Chapter 4
Violet Goddess
She was going to hurt him, SEVERELY, that is if she survived the end of this day
from hell. Had she ever thought riding a pleasurable activity? Her sore backside disagreed
thoroughly with that former assessment. Straightening with a grimace Serena glared into
the broad back of a certain stupid prince who felt he just HAD to set a pace as though
demons were nipping on their heels. They had been riding since dawn and as Serena
watched the sky slowly darken she felt resentment slowly begin to rise within her. Still she
continued, valiantly she might add, to resist the nearly overwhelming urge to punch him in
his oh-so-perfect face. Shifting the heavy cloak, which that morning had seemed such a
blessing but which had quickly become little better than a personal furnace, she again
wondered with irritation why he had looked so horrified when she had tried earlier to
throw the infernal thing off. He had clenched his jaw in that now familiar show of anger
and snapped at her to "keep the damn thing on!"
Shifting the folds of the "damn" cloak Serena tried in vain to alleviate the heat that
was slowly roasting her alive but soon gave up that endeavor after one frosted look from
Endymion. Gods' truth that man was difficult! Master Androis had never been so adamant
about keeping covered, truth be told he was apt to ignore as many edicts as she had. The
unbidden thought of her beloved friend, now lost to her to those savage flames, caused
sudden tears to glitter dangerously in her eyes. Swallowing against the lump of grief
suddenly clogging her throat, Serena pushed past the natural instinct to force the
memories of that life away and made herself extract and examine the precious memories of
those people she had loved, and lost.
She remembered Abbess Celeste, the silver haired matriarch of the temple, who
had seemed so stern and hard but who's soft heart had practically shined through her eyes
no matter how hard she tried to hide it. She remembered Abbess desperately trying to
show anger rather than amusement when Serena had been caught practicing some more
colorful curses the stable hand, Bailey, had been only been to happy to teach her.
The memories of running across fields that now lay blackened and ravaged came
next. She could still feel the sun warming her skin pleasantly as her friends trailed only a
step behind, yelling and laughing in a carefree spirit that none of them ever considered
might end. A silent sob escaped then, muffled against the back of a hand as she thought of
those extraordinary girls who had been both her protectors, but more importantly her
friends. Gods she missed them! She couldn't stop herself from wondering if they were safe
but as soon as the thought arose she dismissed it easily.
Endymion might be an arrogant ass but he kept his word that much was obvious
about him from the start. If he had said he would provide them safe passage home then she
had not a doubt in her mind they were safe wherever they might be. Still she missed them,
wished she was home with them, laughing and joking again instead of lumbering through
what appeared to be a deserted valley and watching the horse's ass in front of her, and his
steed.
Once again she turned her attention to the darkening sky, watching the spreading
colors with an awe that she's felt every night since she'd come to earth. The colors were
so intense, like everything here, the blues and purples, the reds and oranges mixing
together in a kind of exotic picture that fired the blood and brought longing to the soul.
She remembered watching each sunset from the temple grounds, occasionally escaping
notice and slipping out into the evening. Sitting there quietly, amid tall grass waving gently
in the warm breeze and the soft hum of insects she had truly believed she had never seen
anything more beautiful in her life. And then she had watched the sun fade away and the
moonrise and a strange mixture of homesickness and peace had washed over her. She had
wanted to watch the earth rise over the horizon so much that it was nearly painful but at
the exact same time she had never wanted to move from that spot, feeling as if she was
staring into the loving face of Selene.
That was when she had heard the bells; their pure tones had rippled through heated
air and sent Serena scrambling back to the temple. It had been time for devotions and she
never.... The thought trailed off as a sense of horror enveloped her. Dear Goddess how
had she forgotten?! She screamed to herself. With a now stricken look at the sky she
kicked her horse into a trot and pulled up beside Endymion who was listening patiently to
a man with light brown hair and a quick smile, one of his generals she assumed. Though at
that particular moment couldn't have cared less what the man's status was, she needed
Endymion's attention. For a moment she just sat there, unsure exactly what to do. She
couldn't just tackle him off his horse and demand he listen to her. Could she? Opting for a
subtler approach she gently cleared her throat hoping he would catch her hint. She wasn't
so lucky. When he continued to stolidly ignore her after her third attempt she cast an
apprehensive look at the sky and gave up all thoughts of subtly. Leaning over slightly she
did the only thing that came to mind. She pinched him.
A small grunt of surprise escaped him and then suddenly she was staring into a pair
of intense blue eyes filled with something that looked very like astonishment and definite
amusement.
"Did you just pinch me?" Yup, there was definitely quite a bit of amusement there.
"Well, umm, yes." Serena's hands began to twist together nervously underneath the heavy
cloak but she met his gaze without flinching. Well without flinching much.
"May I ask why?" A strangled laugh reminded them of their audience and Endymion
immediately turned back to the brown haired man, dismissing him with one hard glare. He
rode off with a smile on his face. Turning back to her Serena was hit with the full force of
his undivided attention.
"Well?"
"Well what?" He sighed in exasperation and then frowned as he realized her hood was
slipping back and quickly reached forward to pull it down.
"Well why did you pinch me if it doesn't inconvenience you to much to answer." Serena
blushed at the obvious censure in his words but then remembered her original purpose and
suddenly her words rushed out.
"We have to stop!" The words came out more urgent that she had intended but she
couldn't help it. She had to stop before the stars fully appeared in the sky.
"Oh we do, do we? And why exactly is that? We aren't scheduled to make came for
several more hours, we need to cover as much ground as possible tonight."
"No, no we have to stop now, before it gets dark!" She sputtered out absently as she cast
another apprehensive look at the darkening sky. Too late she realized that if he knew how
badly she wanted this he could use it against her and groaned silently when she saw the
same realization light his face. Sighing in defeat she looked at him, her face serious, and
laid her dilemma at his feet.
"I have to perform devotions." The simple phrase hung heavily in the evening air and a
pensive look overcame the slightly mocking one on his face.
"Devotions?" Though Endymion knew some of the ancient religion of Selene his family
had been near fanatical in their devotion to the Great Spirit, shunning any who questioned
their beliefs and forcing their views on their children. It was because of them that
Endymion had lost faith in any religion. What God or Spirit or even Goddess made a small
boy lie naked against cold marble for days on end in penance for innocent pranks? What
deity would make that boy watch his brothers and sisters slowly die as disease ravaged
their bodies while he alone remained healthy? And what so omnipotent Spirit would watch
as his world was being so casually dragged towards war? No, Endymion didn't believe in
religion or their Gods but Serena did and he found he respected her for it. Here she was
surrounded by men who would kill her for that simple fact and still she clung to the
traditions of her faith, foolhardy as it was, that took a kind of courage that few had.
"Yes devotions." Her soft voice broke through his thoughts and he opened his mouth to
deny her, though as gently as possible but found himself asking her instead what exactly
devotions were. A strange look crossed her face at his question as if she were trying to
find the hidden trap in his words, as if she could not imagine anyone not knowing of them.
"Really I want to know. I grew up in a house that shunned Selene remember?" He coaxed
gently when she wouldn't answer him.
"It's a kind of.... welcoming!" She finished triumphantly. It was hard trying to put into
words something that was so personal, something that she had known since birth. She
remembered the temples on the moon, how they would ring with voices every dawn and
dusk raised in joyous thanks to the Goddess. It seemed almost magical the way the
melodies would float through the sweetened air, never seeming to dim until the last note
would ring out just as clear and true as the first. A wave of homesickness swamped her
but she ruthlessly pushed it aside, now was not the time to feel sorry for herself.
"What the...? That doesn't explain anything!" He watched as the wistful expression on her
face was instantly replaced with one of annoyance. She turned what he assumed was
supposed to be a hard glare on him but the effect was ruined by those childlike eyes.
"Listen just stop for a few minutes and allow me to perform my devotions." At his
king-of-the-manor look Serena added a "please" but was only rewarded with one of those
mocking smiles she was coming to hate.
"Oh and what do I get if I do?" His smile had turned wolfish then but by now Serena was
oblivious, time was waning quickly and this conversation was going nowhere.
"I'm sure you can think of something." He nearly groaned at the innocent invitation. Oh
yes could think of any number of things she could do to offset the inconvenience of
stopping. Just the thought of things he wanted her to do made his body harden at a speed
that frankly astounded him.
"Very well Serena I'll call a halt for your devotions if.... you sleep with me tonight."
Serena's gasp of indignation only made his smile widen as her head whipped around, her
eyes flashing in outrage.
"Why you, you...! Ugh!" The grunt of frustration caused an ensuing bark of laughter,
which only added fuel to her temper.
"Relax priestess I'm not demanding your virtue or anything,"... yet, he silently added
"I'm simply suggesting that we share the same pallet, it will be less trouble that way." He
didn't tell her that it really would be no trouble. He was the prince of Earth for God's
sake. He had hoards of servant whose sole purpose was to see to things like bedding but
he wasn't about to enlighten her to that little fact.
She looked absolutely adorable with her face scrunched up in thought as she
considered his proposal. He wondered how important her ceremonies were to her. Would
she really share his bed, even if in a purely platonic way, just so she could perform her
"devotions?" Thinking of having her lush little body next to him each night, knowing he
could reach out and touch her satin skin made him nearly groan. He half hoped she would
scream at him and refuse for all the sleep he would get with all the lustful thoughts he
knew would be tormenting him.
"Well priestess? I don't have all day." She threw a worried glance at the rapidly darkening
sky as she worried her bottom lips between her teeth. Endymion found his gaze riveted on
her mouth, that small act arousing him more than he thought possible. His entire body was
tensed against the need to lean down and kiss her abused lips; he ached to trace the curve
with his tongue. And then she would open for him, allowing him.....
"All right." At first he wasn't sure he'd heard her correctly. Her voice was no more than a
hoarse whisper.
"What was that priestess?" His eyes sparkled with amusement as he leaned towards her,
their thighs touched as their horses pranced beside each other.
"I said ALL RIGHT. I agree to your stupid bargain!" She was shouting now but he didn't
think she was even aware of it. Her cheeks were flushed with color as she glared at him.
He felt like laughing at the disgruntled expression on her face but merely nodded his head
towards her in acknowledgment.
"Glad we could come to an agreement." He couldn't stop the smile that sprang to his lips
at her annoyed snort.
"Anywhere in particular you're wanting to do these little 'devotions?' I am as always
accommodating." He ended with a florid wave of his hand instead of the bow which being
on horseback prevented.
"Umm." Looking back at the train of men that stretched off into horizon she felt shyness
creep upon her.
"I need somewhere somewhat...private." Endymion raised one black eyebrow at her
words.
"Well my lady I would gladly build you a temple but we ARE short on time. How long is
this thing going to take anyway?"
"Oh umm not long. And I don't need a temple, thank you. Just somewhere away from
prying eyes." She tilted her head back to indicate Endymion's army riding hard behind
them. When he turned around and realized that whatever she was going to do would be
performed before all those men a dark scowl spread across his face.
"Right. Go there." He ordered pointing towards one of several corps of trees that littered
the small valley. Serena nodded her head in agreement and kicked her mare in towards the
small cluster of trees and Endymion called a halt.
Serena felt her heart race in panic as she eyed the darkening sky for the millionth
time. Were those damn trees getting farther away?! It wasn't until she was standing
beneath the towering oaks, their leaves filtering the late evening sun into near darkness
that she felt safe. Taking several soothing breaths she willed herself to calm down, for her
heartbeat to slow and the outside world to fade away.
Endymion was staring off toward the horizon, mentally drawing the path they
would have to take to detour around various passes that were simply to small for the
number of men he had. They had only three days to reach the small mountain village of
Orea where the spring festival would be held and the rebels were mostly likely to strike
next. The people of the Taryn Mountains were a harsh breed who valued lived life with a
kind of joy that always awed him. He knew they would aid the rebels for they had no love
for Earth's government. They were fiercely loyal but Endymion's reign was new and he
had yet to earn their loyalty in their eyes. What would it take to bring them into his camp?
It was the sounds of angels singing that snapped his mind from the battlegrounds
that lay in their path. Snapping his head around Endymion sought the sound that was
tugging his heart apart with sweetness. It only took his a few short moments to realize the
heavenly sound was coming from the corps of trees Serena had disappeared into. Dear
God it was Serena! Her voice flowed out like liquid silver in the still evening air. Every
other sound had faded away as if in deference to the magic of her words. Even his soldiers
were silent. Their ears pricked towards the song floated around them. Each man held a
look of awe on their face though it seemed tinted with....peace? Yes even he felt the
contentment stealing through him, sliding smoothly into his blood and even his bones. His
chest felt tight as if unshed tears were bubbling to the surface but the pain and remorse he
always felt weighing his shoulders was gone. For one sweet moment it was gone.
Endymion couldn't understand the words she was singing but he felt the meaning
clear enough. She was welcoming the moon just as she had said. Her voice was peace
itself, welcoming and offering comfort. It was like being embraced by one's mother when
you were a child or perhaps a long forgotten lover. It was sweet, so infinitely sweet.
Endymion his breath catch in his throat as Serena's voice rose and fell in a final crescendo
of notes and then fell silent. No one spoke even as she emerged from her hiding spot, twin
spots of pink coloring her cheeks. She kept her head down, refusing to look at him until
she reigned her horse up beside him.
"Why is everyone looking at me?" Goddess knew she didn't know.
"I told you I had to do devotions. You can't get mad now!" She hissed, becoming angry
when he refused to answer her. In truth he couldn't. Looking back at the line of men
stretching behind him, he realized no one else was fairing any better. Everyone was staring
at his angel; even his commanders were gawking at her unrepentantly.
"Put your hood back up!" He snapped, his anger high at the thought of other men seeing
her. It was irrational he knew, this seething possessiveness he felt towards her but he
couldn't seem to help it. He had only just found her, his chest tightened painfully at the
thought of losing her now. She was still looking at him, questioning his odd behavior with
one golden brow arched in a silent query.
"Well, now that you're done we need to move. We have significant ground to cover
before we make camp." He eyed his men meaningfully but it was till several moments
before they snapped out of their daze and obeyed him. Horses were kicked into motion
and the formidable army of Earth moved forward, their minds still lingering on the sweet
memories one heavenly voice had so effortlessly called forth. Endymion could only scowl
as he realized his lady moon was going to be trouble, he knew it with a certainty that
boded ill for everyone involved…