AN: I am sorry it took me so long to update this story. I have been going through some things in my personal life which took time and energy away from writing. I have also been busy with my other stories. This is a short chapter, but I will update sooner with the next chapter. Please enjoy and tell me what you think.

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Chapter Four

"I am curious as to how you ended up here in my room," he asked one eyebrow raised at her.

She flushed at the tone of his voice, suddenly aware that she was alone with this disturbingly handsome man. This was certainly new. She had never been alone with a man before. Visits with anyone of the opposite sex had always been properly chaperoned by her guardians on the Moon and even those had been rare since the Queen had been very protective of her only daughter.

"I was searching for a way out and I came into your room by mistake," she said.

Endymion's gaze sharpened as he looked at her more intently. "You were free to wander this place?" he asked.

Serenity nervously gripped the folds of her dress. It was slightly unsettling the way his eyes pinned her on the spot, completely focused on her. Sharp and alert, his blue gaze seemed to penetrate to the depths of her, making her very flustered. "No, I escaped from my room," she answered unable to look away from his penetrating eyes.

Endymion's eyes widened in amazement and he felt a kernel of hope flaring to life in his chest. This timid little Princess managed to escape from her room? The logical part of his mind warned him to temper his hopes before he set them up for disappointment.

A few long strides brought him just an inch in front of her and he grasped her by her shoulders firmly. He was so quick that she did not have time to step away. Serenity found herself looking up into his steely midnight eyes, riveted by their intensity.

"How? I have searched for a way but found none."

"Well I-"

"Were you not sealed within a room by that witch also?"

"Yes, but- "

"Then tell me how you did it," Endymion demanded impatiently, his grip tightening on her shoulders. The possibility of escaping this hell brought his mind and body to sharp attention but also dried up any patience he might have had.

Serenity felt a flicker of annoyance at his impatient tone which dispelled any alarm she felt at his touch. Bracing her hands on his chest she pushed him back with all her strength. "I will tell you if you stop interrupting me," she said crossly. The sensation of his firm, smooth chest seemed to be burned into her palms even though she touched him for just a brief moment. Serenity focused on her annoyance to help ignore these unsettling feelings that he was able to evoke within her.

Endymion staggered back in surprise. She had been able to push him back so easily because he was caught off guard by her sudden show of spirit. So the princess was not always so timid after all. His surprised expression was replaced by an amused grin. He smiled and acknowledged to himself that she was justified in her annoyance at him.

Despite her efforts to be stern with him, Serenity could feel her annoyance melt away at the sight of his first genuine smile. Eyes which lightened with laughter erased the formerly stern expression completely. The boyish grin revealed a younger man and she could not help smiling back in response.

"Excuse my impatience Princess, it was very rude of me," he said, bowing in apology.

Serenity said in her most serious voice, "You are forgiven this time Prince."

They both looked at each other for a moment before breaking out into laughter at their own mock seriousness.

Endymion felt the tension of the past few months ease just for a brief moment as he shared this laugh with Princess Serenity. Her laughter rang as clear and pure as a bell and he was struck by the beauty of her eyes which sparkled in amusement. Smiling at her, he offered his arm to her which she took and led her to the nearest armchair.

Serenity felt a flutter in her chest at his polite gallantry. She wondered if all men from Earth were as beautiful as he or if it was just the Prince who could take her breath away. Her guardians had visited Earth a few times but had refused to talk about what they saw or what they were doing there except to say that the Earth's people were primitive and coarse. Seeing this man, Serenity could only wonder at how wrong her guardians had been in their judgements.

Endymion settled in the chair opposite Serenity and she explained how she had managed to escape her room. At first Endymion felt a bit of scepticism, but he could not dispute her presence in his room. He even wondered if she was some trick of Beryl's, to lull him into trusting this innocent looking Princess before having her stab him in the back. Looking at the Princess' clear, unguarded eyes that revealed her every emotion, Endymion dismissed his suspicions as unwarranted.

The feelings of tension were coming back to him and Endymion stood up from his chair to walk it off. Running his fingers through his hair as his usual habit whenever he was frustrated, he growled with further aggravation as the chain on his arm swung and slapped the side of his face. He could see that the cuffs of the chains were beginning to chafe his wrists and the sight of the red welts seem to awaken the stinging pain that accompanied them.

Serenity felt Endymion's frustration over the bonds and stood up, unsure of what to do. Seeing the pain on his face, an equally painful feeling bloomed inside of her for his struggle. She walked over to him and took the hand with the offending the chain. He looked at her, his face still an angry mask over the humiliation of being chained like an animal, but he did not pull away.

Looking up into his stormy eyes, she tentatively brushed the cuff of the chain. "Let me try and take it off," she said softly, still unsure, but willing to try anything to ease his pain. She took his silence as permission and concentrated on forcing the clasp of the cuff to open. A dark energy glowed from them, she could feel that clearly now. She had to dispel it. Her brows furrowed with concentration, Serenity sought to nullify the dark energy but without success. Refusing to give up, she rubbed the cuff and concentrated again.

Endymion looked down upon the silvery head of the Princess, studying her face that was deep in concentration. He was unsure of what she was trying to do, but her gentle hands touching his skin soothed his anger for the moment. A hint of lilies mixed with her soft scent teased his nostrils and Endymion found himself inhaling deeply to savour more of her sweet smell.

Even as she concentrated, she could not dispel the energy that held the clasp. Before she could feel despair over her failure, a new idea shaped in her mind. She knew how to shift herself from one space to the next, maybe she could apply the same principal and just shift his hand so that it was outside of the link. Once again renewing her concentration, Serenity gathered the energy necessary and channelled it into her hands.

Endymion watched in amazement as a slight glow radiated from where she held his hand and the next moment the sound of chains hitting the floor greeted them. His hand felt lighter without the heavy chains weighting it down and he marvelled at Serenity's power.

"It worked," said Serenity, looking up at him with a bright smile, elated with her success.

"Yes," whispered Endymion with awe. The people of the Moon had such astounding powers and even though he was seeing it with his own eyes, it was still unbelievable. Endymion felt a surge of happiness at the thought of escaping his bonds. He pulled Serenity in a tight embrace in his joy and was further rewarded by the feel of her soft flesh and silk gown pressed against the full length of his body. Endymion felt a surge of desire for the beautiful Princess who was also his liberator.

Serenity stood frozen in Endymion's embrace, looking up into those deep blue eyes which were filled with turbulent emotions at the moment. She was sure her own reflected her confusion and her desire. The two stood together in an embrace for what seemed like an eternity before the sound of chains unlocking and falling to the floor broke them apart.

Endymion looked at his freed hands and legs in amazement. He touched his neck and found that there too, the chain had been removed. "Serenity, your power is astounding," said Endymion amazed.

Serenity shook her head, her eyes wide with disbelief. "No...., I... It was not me. I did not do this," whispered Serenity, fear filling her.

"If not you," said Endymion, his whole being tense and alert of danger. The sound of footsteps just outside drew both of their gazes towards the door.