Passion for a Prince
Chapter 2

By: Silent Moon

Mail: silentmoonstar@yahoo.com

Rated: PG 13 (some chapters may be R)

Disclaimer: standard


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Pale September, I wore the time like a dress that year
The autumn days swung soft around me, like cotton on my skin
But as the embers of the summer lost their breath and disappeared
My heart went cold and only hollow rhythms resounded from within
Fiona Apple
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Sere shook as she stood before the grand oak doors.

No guards had led her, she'd come of her own accord.

She straightened now, coaching herself to be strong, indifferent...but her legs
refused to cease their trembling.

And as she heard footsteps from within she feared for one tremulous moment that she
might fall.

But no, she would not!
She thought of her kind, strong-hearted father...her beautiful mother....
~For them...~

But as the doors swung open to reveal Prince Endymion she could not prevent her mouth
from falling open--her body from taking a step back.

No longer in his formal attire but soft cotton clothes, his hair was tousled casually,
his eyes tense but mild.

And he was tall. Very tall up close.

He glanced around the hall to see if anyone had brought her, and then stood aside
for her to enter.

And she did. Walking straight forward without stumbing--without looking up.

He closed the doors and was slow in turning round--but he caught a sudden fear in her eyes
that hardened his resolve.

He walked over and took her gently by the shoulders, pushing her back into a plush
chair,

"Here, sit."

There was a knock at the door and he breathed a relieved sigh,
"I suppose you are hungry." He more stated then asked.

Molly stood at the door with a tray of soup.

He took it from her and nodded, "Thank you Molly." He said softly--surprising Sere that
he knew her name.

He brought the food over to her and sat it on her lap, "Here, eat."

She stared blankly at him.

"I know you must be hungry..." He prompted.

~How could he know..??~ She thought wildly.

"I know how my father works his servants." He said as though guessing her thoughts,
"He's been working you hardest--punishing you--trying to break your spirit."

Now she met his gaze and a small smile played defiantly at her lips, "If hard work
broke spirits your staff would not sing while they cooked."

Endymion nodded in response.

She ate the soup gratefully then and looked up, "T-Thank you for this--and for...for tending
me last night...I apologize for my reaction....I just--I--why did you--?"

"Because you needed it and my Father forbade the servants to."

She nodded slowly.

He stood suddenly, "I've had you a bath drawn, I imagine you'd like to wash up as well."

Once again she stared speechlessly at him. She was a mess ofcourse, cooking and cleaning
all day left her already battered body blistered and filthy.

She nodded slowly and stood.

He gestured her to the adjacent room, "Through there--I laid a robe out for you."

And now her stomach tightened. Now reality crashed back in. Her real purpose here--no
matter if he was kind or tended her.

She swallowed hard and left the room.

The tub was filled with steaming warm water and it helped sooth her aching body-but not her
heart.

And her fingers stumbled tying the plush robe he'd left for her. But she breathed deep,
caught a glimpse of her own pale face in the mirror and focused her eyes.

And then she walked out...as ready as she'd ever be. Her chin tilted rebelliously, her
eyes flashing dangerously, her posture strong.

She walked to the bed, her long hair trailing down in endless golden waves again.
Endymion stood from his chair as she walked by and opened his mouth to speak when she
used the last of her courage and slipped off the robe, sitting back on the bed expectantly.

And for one long, tense moment their eyes met, blue to blue, frozen.
Her face burned into his memory for all eternity at that moment, wide eyed but determined,
innocent and strong.

And she watched something flicker in his eyes like a flame--just briefly before it was
overwhelmed by an expression of shock and grief.

"Oh no! No no no!" He cried, making her jump.

He futily gathered up her robe and tried to cover her.

"I did not mean for you to--"

She matched his surprise with her own, eyes wide as he covered her
looking--could it be--embarrassed?

She gathered the robe in front of her and pulled back,
"I do not understand my Prince...?"

He paused at that a moment. This girl who called her father no kind of King but Murderer
and his brother swine....now she lent him his title?

He managed to collect his nerves--shake himself free of the vision she had made just moments
before--and his voice was soft and kind again when he spoke,
"I apologize. When I told my brother and father I took you for a Mistress I was lieing.
I did not want Andrew to take you for he is cruel."

He looked earnestly at her, "You are beautiful, and so he wants you...."

"And you do not?"

His eyes flickered a moment but then he sat down beside her, "I promise you sanctuary
in this room. I will not harm you nor will anyone else so long as I say you are mine."

She seemed to consider this a moment. She thought of his horrible brother...that hungry
look in his cold eyes and shuddered. She nodded to Endymion, he was right,
"Thank you."

He nodded and then gestured for her to lay down, "I'm sorry I cannot offer you more
modesty--but will you let me tend your back?"

She lay down obligingly on her stomach and let him pull back the robe to tend her lashes.
He was careful and deliberate, pausing whenever she flinched.

Finally he spoke, "You no doubt know I am Prince Endymion, but I do not yet know your name?"

She turned her head, "Sere."

He smiled slightly, "That's very pretty but...it must be short for something. What is
your full name?"

Her voice turned bitter, "It was once Countess Serenity...but no more."

His face tightened with sadness, "How came you to be here young Serenity?"

He knew he would regret asking but he wanted to know--needed to....

"Are you sure you wish to hear?" She asked as though guessing his thoughts.

"Yes."

"My father was Count Reuben of Silverwood, and I his only daughter. He was a
fair and kind man..." Her voice became strained, she thought of the delightful summers
she spent at home....the wide open fields....the walks and the laughter....

"He disagreed with your father's cruel reign and said so. He planned to take my
mother and I and leave your kingdom--but he never had chance. The King found out of
his views and rode in with his guards."

She paused a moment before continuing, "He killed my father and mother and brought me
back here....stripped me of my title and made me a servant."

She sat up then as he finished bandaging her back and faced him.

There was genuine sorrow plain across his face, "I am so sorry."

And sitting there, young, wide eyed, robe clutched carefully against her ivory skin,
she spoke with an old voice, "So am I."

He watched as she bit back the pain and anguish that threatened to overwhelm her.
With a shudder she regained her composure.

He tended her other wounds and even rubbed salve on her swollen feet.

"Why did you refuse the shoes and salve from the other servants?" He asked curiously.

"Because I don't want anything from--" She stopped her heated outburst suddenly and replaced
it with another, "How would you know that unless you were....watching me?"

She snatched her feet away and glared accusingly at his blushing face.

"I-I have been....I saw the way my father treated you when he first brought you here...and
your reaction surprised me. I've never seen such courage...or such spirit as I have in you.
I admire it. Besides, I can tell by the condition of your feet that you did not take them."

She looked at him strangely, "It is you that provides them for the servants isn't it?"

He looked away and would not answer.

"It is!" She moved closer to him, "You tend your servants and provide for them? Why? I
do not understand--I--"

"You thought I was like my father and brother."

She nodded mutely.

"I am not."

And there was something in his tone that warned her this was not the time nor the place
to discuss this with him.

"That is obvious." She said carefully and then changed the subject gently, "Thank you
for saying you admire me. I have tried to be brave and strong for the honor of my parents...
but I must confess...I am frightened of this place." She confided....knowing somehow that
he was trustworthy.

He looked into her eyes then and took one of her hands in his own, "I promise I will let
no harm come to you....Lady Serenity." He added with a faint smile.

She returned the smile, "You honor me with that title. Thank you my Prince."

He gazed levelly at her, "You honor me with mine."

Her smile became a grin, "Friends then?" She said, lifting there joined hands and squeezing
his.

"I would like that very much." He replied with such a beautiful sincerity in his eyes
she caught her breath.

Who was this gentle Prince with the mild blue eyes?

He stood and retrieved a long cotton night shirt from his dresser.
"Here." He offered and she took it.

He turned around obligingly and she nearly giggled at his manners.
Even after seeing her with nothing on at all!

"Done." She said gently when she finished slipping it on.

He turned to find her tying up her hair loosely, slender legs dangling over the bed's edge.
He sighed, his brother wouldn't give up. Both because he was angry and because this girl
was probably the most beautiful he'd ever seen.

And then her eyes met his and she smiled. He almost toppled over backwards.
That smile was too much. Her lovely face lit up like a star and her eyes flashed a kindness
he'd only ever seen in one person.....his mother.

She watched the play of emotions across his face. He glanced from her to the chair and
back again and she raised her eyebrows,
"You aren't seriously considering sleeping on that CHAIR are you?"

He looked startled a moment and then nodded, moving to speak when she cut in,
"I will NOT steal your bed you goose! Come get in this INSTANT!"

And she was surprised how he fairly lept over to obey her. She felt a little guilty but then
straightened. It may be awkward, but at least they would both have a comfortable sleep.

He sat on the edge of the other side of the bed and leaned over to blow out the lamp.
Her eyes adjusted to the darkness and she turned to see him pull off his shirt and lay
back stiffly, pulling the covers up. She sighed and snuggled down into the plush
pillows.

"These pillows are heavenly." She murmured softly and heard him chuckle a bit.

She smiled as he let out the breath he'd been holding.
Her voice was a gentle whisper as it reached him,
"It's good to meet you....Endymion..."

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