A/n: I would like to say thank you to all reviewers and in response to some of the statements made, this story was originally made with the Sere/Endy plot only, the Rei/Jed was only an add-on that happened along the way. It was even supposed to be a Lita/Jed in the beginning. So I apologize if that storyline was faulty. Among other things, CAN'T do a LEMON, not that I know how, FF.net don't allow NC-17 stories so I'll only keep this R-rated.
Chapter 8 – Be This Be Love?
She appeared to him like a dream, all silk and fragrance, all woman.
"Serena." He murmured, hands grasping her waist and pulling her closer.
"Wait…" She managed out pulling aback. His hand clenched as he resisted the urged to grab hold of her and never let go. She silently undid the strapping of her gown, fashioned in virginal white. Her eyes spoke nothing, unwavering, but the tremble in her hands betrayed her nervousness.
"Slowly. Do it slowly."
She swallowed.
Ridding herself with the rest of her clothing, naked she came to him. She kissed him desperately and he returned the kiss with as much force. Hands traveled all over, seeking to familiarize, to claim, to possess.
As they both draw closer to the edge, Serena begged for forgiveness in her heart.
Outside the tent, the heavens seemed to rumble in fury. The wind howled with rage and denial. Serena then knew that no potion or spell could stop her mother from knowing.
"Mother. I'm sorry."
She felt a stab of pain, and tears burned her eyes.
"Did I hurt you?" Darien asked, kissing the tears away worriedly. She shook her head gently. "Not much." She whispered slightly. He resumed on kissing her, moving lower still locked together. They both reached for released, gasping, and panting… lengthening the intimacy, till they exploded like stardust against each other.
***
Artemis gasped, as she felt the wrongness in the air. Pain clouded her eyes as well as sadness, disappointment, anger. "No…" She whispered. "NO! NO!" She cried in denial. The moon cried with her and a blanket of darkness covered the light of the moon.
***
Time doesn't exist in the heavens. "Eris! What lies have you told my daughter?!" Artemis demanded with seething coolness as she stormed the lair of Eris, goddess of discord.
Eris sat undaunted in her chair facing off the usually calm goddess. "It was not I who seek her out." She stood up, walking down the steps to stand face to face against the goddess of the moon.
"She came to me asking for a way so that you'll not know that she had given up her heritage." Eris looked at Artemis squarely. "For a human." She sneered.
A shock look crossed Artemis' face. "No it can't be true. It can't be!" Artemis whispered. Eris gave her a triumphant look. "I did you a favor not granting her request." Eris smirked.
Controlled fury radiated from Artemis. But it was not lost in her voice. "Impudent. You think any of your silly potions and spells could stop me from knowing? You know nothing of a bond between a mother and a daughter." Artemis spoke coldly. "If it's a favor you've been aiming to do, then you should've informed me when she came here!"
Eris gave a little cynic smile.
Artemis' eyes narrowed. "If you're asking for war Eris, you should've just asked. There was no reason to involve my daughter." Artemis spat.
Eris laughed mockingly. "What a better way to hurt a mother than through her daughter? Remember, she came to me. It was her choice in the beginning. I just saw opportunity, and I grabbed it."
"You'll pay for this." Artemis turned and huffed disappearing as she wishes.
The goddess of discord watched the empty space, the empty threat lingering in the air. Her eyes narrowed into slits and she answered the threat in a cold cruel voice. "This is just the beginning. Your slut of a daughter has given me a way for my revenge. Soon, I'll have your seat in Olympus Artemis. And you'll be cast off, neglected and forgotten." She gave an evil cackling laugh.
***
"Hip-Hip. Hooray! Hip-Hip. Hooray!" A resounding cheer vibrated off the crowds as Endymion and his troops rode back into the boundaries of their kingdom.
The sun was setting in the horizon and it was still about 2 day's ride till they would reach the heart of the kingdom, Pegasus Castle, Endymion's home.
At that moment, Jadeite was heading back to Elessar as well.
"We'll stay here for the night." Endymion murmured to Serena as he cradled her face in his hands and stole a kiss from her while the rest of the soldiers were busy loading off their carriage.
That night, they made love repeatedly, cherishing their stolen moments. In their heart they vastly remember the huge oceans that separate them.
In the middle of the night, Serena awoke with a start. Finding Darien's arms around her, she gave a little smile but ignored the lull of staying in his protective embrace. Someone was calling her.
A ray of moonlight seeped through the open window of the inn. Artemis then appeared, a silver glow bathed all around her. She was translucent, a whisper against the silent night. "Serena, what have you done?" She asked with tears in her voice. She held out her hands in an embrace.
Serena ran to them and cried. "I'm so sorry. So sorry Mother." Serena wept.
"Hush." Artemis murmured, stroking her daughter's golden locks. They were a magnificent sight to be seen. But there was no one to witness it, as Darien lay unmoving on the bed.
"I'll take care of everything." Artemis promised.
Serena shook her head. "No, mother. I'm sorry." She breathed and took a step back. "I'm in love with him." She whispered in ache, head bowed in sorrow.
Artemis hands reached out to her daughter. "What are you doing Serena?"
"I am no longer a virgin." Serena spoke the truth in a barely audible voice.
Artemis gave a harsh laugh. "Yes, I know. I'll fix everything. Come here Daughter. Love is for mortals, you are a goddess!"
Serena took another step back. And another. And another.
"You will regret this." Artemis swore, her eyes hardening. "No mercy for you. I treated you as my daughter. I loved you as my daughter. Therefore, you will be punished as my daughter. I am no longer your mother." Artemis decreed with anger. "Live in this filthy earth. Weep and suffer for him. He will betray you. It's in their nature." Then she disappeared, filling Serena's heart with pain.
She then turned to look at Endymion's sleeping form. "Why do I have to love you?" She asked desperately, hating and loving what she was feeling. While Serena made the choice of foregoing everything to be with her mortal Prince, Darien still has a secret that he haven't yet told.
***
In another part of the world, heading at the same direction though. Rei was having her dreams, again and again.
"Elessar. In Eelessar. Go to Elessar and all will be revealed." Apollo's voice commanded in her dream.
Rei awoke. "I need to go to Elessar." She whispered to herself with conviction.