Chapter 9 – In Elessar
Princess Mina sat at the wooden stool near the window, overlooking the cheery garden below her room. She sighed with boredom. It's been 15 months and 7 days since she was sent here, betrothed to the heir of the kingdom, Deamando. Her parents thought it was a marvelous match, since Elessar was such a prosperous kingdom. Unfortunately, she loathed the man at sight and she had been in love with Darien, the younger much nicer Prince.
*knock knock knock*
"Who is it?" Mina asked her heart leaping hoping that it was her love.
"Princess."Mina rushed through the door, primping herself up before opening it. She took a deep breath, a calm steady smile on her lips. She can't stop what she was feeling however as she took in the pleasure of seeing him. Her eyes lighted.
"Kunzite." She breathed, her lashes sweeping down with self-consciousness uncommon to her.
He grinned at her chucking her chin lightly upwards. "I thought you'd be bored and since I have nothing to do…how would you like another rare tour at our exciting village?" He asked still smiling, looking into her eyes. He loved watching it lighten up with pleasure and then bubble with suppressed excitement. Only with him it wasn't suppressed.
"YAY!" She clapped her hands in glee like a child and gave him a hard hug. "Thank you! Thank you!" She babbled. "I'll get ready right away." At which, she promptly pushed him to the door and gave him a friendly peck on the cheek.
Running to her closet, she took out 3 of her new best dresses. She thought only for a minute before deciding on the pale blue dress, which was her favorite. She had been saving it for a special occasion but this was special enough even more!
"How I wish I could tell him what I feel." A pained look crossed her features.
A month after she arrived, the Princes left to conquer more lands. With Prince Darien out of the picture, slowly, almost magically, she fell in love with her personal bodyguard Kunzite. He was so kind and so handsome and so gallant! Her heart welled up in love; fantasizing and wishing every night and day that he might feel something for her.
Having been shoved outside in haste, Kunzite chuckled. He touched his cheek lightly pleased. He then went to make sure everything was ready for their little trip. He wanted it to be perfect. Then she would smile at him and look up at him with adoring eyes and… Kunzite shook his head off his fantasies. "Foolish dreamer." He muttered to himself with a sad smile.
***
Darien awoke finding pleasure in the arms wrapped around him tightly. He thought it was again a dream; every morning after they made love, he thought it was so. It was just so right and so perfect that Darien feared that the perfection of it might slip through his fingers unnoticed.
The covers had ridden low and her breasts peeked out free for him to ogle. The slight coldness in the room cause it to harden and Darien's mouth watered. The length of her naked body was pressed to his side and he could feel every silken inch of it.
With no idea of what she was causing, Serena slept peacefully snuggling closer now and then.
She was having such an erotic dream and even in sleep she felt the pleasure coming in waves. Can't shake the odd excited feeling she was having, Serena opened her eyes. She blinked in surprise as she found Darien atop her.
"Hi." She spoke with brightened surprise.
"Hi." He responded huskily.
She looked down and saw her exposed breasts, his hands full with them and she realized what he was doing. She felt her face redden. He grinned wickedly.
"Kiss me?"
"With pleasure."
He moved down and gave her a quick deep kiss on the mouth, before moving lower and kissing every inch of her.
After awhile, satisfied and satiated they lay against each other in silence. Serena took the cloth by the table and wiped Darien's face with it. "You're perspiring. Was the exertion too much?" She teased.
"Course not." He responded with mock wounded pride. "Want to do it again?" He asked teasing back while running a hand up her calf.
She laughed and pushed him back. "I want a bath. It's so hot." She murmured.
"That's not a bad idea. I'm feeling hot too. Let's make it a cold bath." He suggested.
Eager servants rushed to serve the prince, though they themselves were perspiring as well.
"Is it always so hot here?" Serena commented to herself as she lowered her self to the cold water. "Ahh, this feels so nice." She murmured. She scooted over to make room for him.
They lay there quietly wrapped in each other arms when something outside the window caught Serena's attention.
"Look! Smoke!"
Darien quickly got out of the tub and put on some clothes. "A fire must've started in town. The men and I will help put it out."
"I'll come with you." Serena got out of the tub as well.
"It might be dangerous. You stay here." He gave her a quick kiss and was out of the door.
"Dangerous he says." She muttered as she dressed up and went out anyway.
***
It was the town library that had caught fire. It was a modest sized building that suited the town's needs. It had glass roofs however on one part, and that was where the fire started.
"Darien!" Serena rushed to him. "Are you alright?" She looked him over worried.
He scowled. "I thought I told you to stay at the inn."
"But the fire is gone now right?" She asked looking around.
"Yeah. We managed to put it out on time."
"What started it?" Serena wondered trying to move closer. Darien grabbed her arm. "Don't go in. It might still be dangerous." He took her hand and pulled her away. "We suspected that it's this uncanny heat that's starting the fire." He wiped his brow. "I swear I haven't experienced this kind of heat except maybe after we left that last city."
"Your highness! Another fire has started at the stables." A man came running from the left.
"Fire! Fire! At the inn! Somebody please help us!" The innkeeper yelled coming from the right.
Darien swore. He turned towards Serena touching her cheek. "Stay safe."
She nodded, her eyes glassy and far away. Something about what he said struck her. She walked to the middle of the path towards the direct light of the sun. She held out her palms facing upwards. Though she felt no pain from the heat, she knew how hot it was.
"Apollo's punishment." She realized with worry. Serena walked half-walking, half-running affected by the chaos surrounding her. It seems as though fire was starting everywhere and the villagers got more than they could handle.
"I started this." She thought grimly. "And now it must end."
***
Serena worked in haste finding a place to work some magick.
Something of earthSomething of air
Something of fire
Something of water
And something of Apollo's…
Serena clutched the sun necklace in her hand. It was an impressive piece of jewelry. A large stone embedded in the center that glittered like the sun, as well as other gems surrounding it representing the elements of nature. It was a fortune by human standards and a great piece of talisman to those who understood magic. It was a gift from Apollo himself given to his sister's only child.
Nearing the roads leading out of town, Serena found the best place she can find on a deserted cottage with an untapped forest backyard. Instead of chanting, she played the lyre instead, a sure attention-getter of Apollo's presence if he was anywhere near. She closed her eyes and played from the heart willing the god to appear soon.
With her eyes closed, she felt a response to her tune. Her prayers were answered.
When she opened her eyes, Apollo in all his shining glory was standing in front of her just a meter away.
She smiled. Apollo scowled.
Serena curtsied.
"I am busy Serena. Why have you called me?" The god asked looking around. "It seems my fury hast not reached this part of the town yet." He mused.
"Uncle!" Serena protested. His gaze flitted over her. "Yes, what is it?" He asked impatient.
"You need to stop this. The people in this town don't deserve this."
"My people did not deserve to have their lives taken from them either. Taken as slaves, humiliated and beaten. I am their protector. It is my right to avenge them." Apollo spoke in a cold voice.
"Yes, but-"
"So it is true." Apollo spoke with cynical amusement giving her a look. "My sister is now backing me in my revenge and I had wondered why." He waited for her response. When she didn't say a word, he continued. "You once were behind me as well. Wasn't it you who brought down this curse in the beginning? You who invoked it? Death for all." Apollo reminded. "Now, just because of love," He spat the word out. "You forego everything. How disappointing." He shook his head.
"It's no about what I feel or what I don't. These people don't deserve to have their lives taken from them. There's no reason now. The past cannot be undone. There's only the future. You should think of the lives of those who have survived." Serena spoke thinking of Rei and wondering how she was.
Apollo gave her a mock smile. "You tell me what to do?"
"Please don't be offended." Serena spoke softly head bent.
"What reason you say? My revenge is reason enough. But you mean well and I see your point." He said condescendingly.
"I take back what I invoked." Serena began her voice trembling a bit. "Deamando is dead. Darien is a good man. He won't be raiding any other city now."
"Be he your lover?" Apollo asked out of curiosity.
Her blush confirmed it.
"You are still my niece in my eyes and I always did have a soft spot for you. I will forget the curse you invoked…" He began.
"Thank you!" She bowed grateful.
"Something about what you said gave me an idea though. I will give them a chance. A trial, a test whatever you might call it. If they succeed, I shall forget my revenge. But if they fail," He paused for dramatic effect. "My vengeance will come thrice fold."
Serena brows furrowed. "What kind of trial? What kind of test?"
"Time shall tell." Apollo said cryptically giving her a mysterious smile. He then thus disappeared.
She felt the heat presence of the sun lighten and gave a sigh of relief. As she ran back to town, the fire was still there however. Serena mentally groaned. "Damn tricky gods."
"Serenity." A voice whispered in the air. The wind gently blew and Athena's transparent figure appeared. "Zeus has given us his permission to do some damage control. But I'm glad that Apollo has let go of his revenge. I shall help you my dear, don't worry." She then disappeared before Serena could thank her.
Serena ran back to where Darien left her and as she was running, rain fell from the sky gently like a blessing.
***
"Where have you been!?" Darien demanded.
"Saving you all." She thought wryly. Instead, "I hid in a safe place." She smiled at him then looked around. "Is everything okay now?"
Darien took her hand in his as though he took strength from her presence alone. "Yes. Thanks to the rain mostly." Darien signaled for his horse to be brought to them. "We shall help out here a bit but by nightfall we shall start heading back to Pegasus Castle. I hope you're not too tired." He spoke concerned.
"It's alright. It's your men that must be tired."
"They can handle it." He spoke with conviction.
***
Rei was filled with curiosity as she walked the busy streets of Elessar. Truth be told, she had never set foot out of her home city before it was attacked, but she had always wanted to. Such a shame that she had only gotten her wish due to the fact that her city is now in ruins.
Jadeite was glad to be back home. He nodded and smiled at a familiar face. Turning to his right, he came to a halt as he came upon another familiar face. The same face that has been lingering in his mind since they last met.
She appeared to be lost. She was halfway facing him, staring at road sign most likely.
"Lost m'lady?" He sneaked up behind her. That wasn't probably such a good idea remembering how she fled from him since their last meeting.
She gasped. "You again!?" She asked in disbelief.
"Good, she's not outrage merely incredulous."
"It seems we are fated to meet." He spoke. "Are you lost?"
She scowled. "I am not lost. I am merely…observing."
"Our most interesting road signs?" He asked eyebrows raised.
"It's a big city." He heard her mutter.
They stood there looking at each other.
"Well, aren't you going to help me find my way?" She asked at last.
***
Author's note: Sorry for that bland end. I realized that the last chapter was a bit short so I tried to make this longer. I have this new idea for a new story; I'm working on it now. It might be out after I uploaded the next chapter of Spoils Of War. If you want me to email you if I update please leave your email address. Review! *smiles*
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