Author's notes: I thought you guys might've guessed what Darien's secret was during the first paragraph of the last chapter. But if you haven't you'll find out soon enough.
To aquaprincess1: Serena doesn't have a father or mother. Artemis is her adoptive mother. I think I've mentioned it in the prologue.
"-She was Serenity, made from earth, fire, water and air, and adopted daughter of Artemis the Huntress, protectress of women, animals and children."
As for other questions, all will be revealed in due time.
-- Which reminds me…I can't believe I goofed up. There was this little detail I inserted in the prologue that I've forgotten. If you haven't noticed, forget about it. I'm just feeling glum about it. Hope you like this new chapter
Spoils Of War
Chapter 10
They walked side by side in the silence of the night. It was such a romantic evening. She would remember this forever! True, she was a princess of a kingdom nearly as prosperous as Elessar, yet she was still no more than a pawn to seal off loose ends. To further solidify the alliance of two prosperous kingdoms, a marriage between children was the most likely solution.
"Did you enjoy your day Princess Mina?" Kunzite asked as they stopped at a bridge's railings.
"Oh yes." Mina nodded enthusiastic. "I can't thank you enough."
"Your welcome." His response was humble. "Are you feeling a chill?" He asked pointedly, since her shoulders were bare.
She looked surprised. "No, actually…" She caught his look. Flustered, "Yes. I am." She looked down blushing.
"Let me help…" He whispered putting his arms around her. People walked past them, the guards, strangers, merchants… Kunzite did his best to keep her face hidden from those who might be curious enough to stare at them and recognize them.
"Kunzite…" Mina's voice was muffled. Kunzite released her gently. She looked up to him. Their eyes met…passion blaze maybe even more, and it was futile to ignore it.
"Gods…this is wrong…but damn it." Kunzite muttered cursing to himself, before he gave in to the feeling and lowered his head to hers. Mina felt her insides melt. "I love him. And he loves me. Oh…" She lost herself to the sensation oblivious to everything around her.
*** Light shone on her face and sweet scents of her favorite flowers filled her senses. "Oh." Serena woke up feeling light headed. She sat up slowly frowning. This was more than a dream. She had been summoned.
"Born of earth, born of water, born of fire, born of air"
"Young goddess, moon child…"
"Listen carefully."
Three heavenly voices whispered from the air around her. Three beams of lights encircled her. Their faces weren't revealed, but she could make out some features.
"We come bearing a warning. Your immortality is at stake. Are you aware?" The one in the center asked, her voice pleasant enough. A round feminine voice that echoed around her.
Serena nodded her eyes serious.
"Good." This time the voice came from the left; the voice was a bit sharper.
"Your actions invoke consequences. We do not hesitate." The last one spoke, her voice melodious yet stern. "Serenity. We do not make this decision. You do. Please…"
Serena felt tears sting her eyes but she held them back. "I am sure." They left her then to her own thoughts…
***** She felt somebody kiss her head. Dazed, she was greeted by Darien's gaze. He smiled when he looked at her, but they still looked grim, tired and weary. She touched his brow. "Are you okay?" She asked softly, burrowing closer to his warmth. They were riding nonstop for hours.
"We'll be there soon." He promised not answering her question. The moonlight trailed after them as they galloped across the countryside. Suddenly Serena tensed.
Eris stood, her eyes narrowed as she looked at the vision in her cup. "Go, shadows of the night." She declared. The water in her cup darkened and blurred red.
"WAIT!" Serena shouted by instinct. Just as she did so, a blur of black flew right in front of them coming from the side just missing them. The horse panicked. Darien tightened his hold on the reins. Serena flung herself off the horse and landed on her feet.
"Serena, what are you doing?" Darien roared, as he glared down at her at the same time trying to regain control of the horse.
"Doing what I must!" She answered back running towards the darkness.
"Serena!" Darien shouted going after her. "Everyone, don't move. Protect yourselves." He ordered to the rest of his troops.
The wind picked up speed around her as she ran faster. She wasn't exactly sure what was after her, but she had a strong hunch. She knew Darien's troops wouldn't be able to handle it.
She stopped running. She couldn't see it, but she could feel its dark aura coming closer. "In the name of Zeus! And all of the gods and goddesses." She started. "Hekate, hear my plea. Protect your daughter and banish this evil to the shadow of the moon."
The evil aura stopped a breath from her face. She then slumped to the ground, tired.
Darien found her on the ground unmoving. He gave a wild cry as he kneeled down on her checking for a sign of life. Her quiet breathing gave him the assurance that he needed. Picking her up gently, he headed back.
*** Serena woke up confused. The air smelt perfumed and the mattress reminded her of the clouds she used to lie on when she was in the heavens. "Darien…?"
"Prince Darien is speaking with the king and queen, m'lady."
"I see…" Serena murmured.
Meanwhile, Darien was pacing. After the talk with his parents, he considered his options.
"Your highness, Princess Mina is here."
Darien nodded. "Mina, you look well." Darien complimented. She reminded him of Serena somewhat, that long golden hair, and they seem to be about the same height.
"Thank you." Mina bowed.
"My brother, Deamando is gone." Darien started.
"Yes, I heard the ill news." Mina spoke. Inside she was giddy with relief. Of course she didn't exactly want the Prince to die, but she sure wanted their engagement to be broken off.
"Then I assume you know what's going to happen next…"
Freedom. Freedom from this palace. Freedom to marry whom she chooses. Kunzite's image entered mind.
"As the new heir, we are now engaged to be married, Lady Mina." Darien spoke shortly. "And my parents are in a panicked mode, they want us to get married in a week." Darien spoke in monotone, drinking from a goblet.
Mina's dreams crashed before her. She blinked. "This cannot be." She walked coming closer to Darien. "This cannot be!" She cried out. Tears blurred her vision. Darien grasped her arms. "Hush, Mina." He ordered. "I will talk to my parents again. Let them see reason. I will put the notion in their heads that you were in love with my brother…and I would not take second place. Is that okay with you?"
Mina nodded blindly. "I don't care what you say. Please, Darien. We cannot get married." Mina rushed off to her room. As soon as she was in the sanctuary of her room, she wept. She had been so happy. She had started to hope. Oh how cruel life is. Full of ugly twists and turns.
*** That night, Darien once more tried his luck.
"Mother, father, with all due respect. I will not get married to my brother's cast off." Darien mustered all the pride he could muster at the moment and tried to sound disgusted. "Let me pick my own queen."
"Like the one occupying the room at the left tower? That girl you brought?" Her mother asked with raised brows. Darien looked at her defiant. "Really, Darien you can't be serious! This is preposterous!" Queen Isabella flung her hands in exasperation.
"Darien, my son. Remember. You would be king! Why don't you marry that princess, give the kingdom a couple of heirs and then you can marry whoever you wish." His father suggested, trying to compromise.
Darien was silent. He looked at his parent's determined faces and gritted his teeth. They were over this for more than hour and still they were stuck at square one. "As you wish. Father. Mother." He sarcastically bowed.
"As you wish."
Mina's heart sank as she heard the words. She hid in the shadows and watched until they let. She then quietly tiptoed back to her own room. She stared desolately at the full-length vanity mirror and stared at her tear strained face. She had been quietly crying, she hadn't even felt it. "Kunzite." Her heart thought breaking. She has to tell him soon…tell him that they have to flee.
*** The next morning, Mina strolled along the castle's gardens knowing that Kunzite would be there. She had been walking for a while. She knew that he was already late. She was about to leave when she saw him a short distance away.
"Kunzite." Mina practically ran to him, no longer caring who saw them.
"Princess Mina." Kunzite took a step back and bowed to her politely preventing her to throw her arms around him.
A flash of hurt crossed Mina's eyes but she ignored it. "Endymion and I are engaged." She whispered softly her eyes searching his. He looked away. "I know."
Mina nearly became undone at his indifference to their plight. "I see." She lifted her chin. She was still a princess after all. If he doesn't care then she can pretend…pretend even though it hurts. "I just wanted to tell you." With no more words, Mina turned and walked away.
Kunzite stared at her, his stance rigid, his eyes indecisive. He looked as though he was about to call out her, but then he shook his head and turned away.
Mina disappeared behind a big shrub and let out a few tears. She didn't think she'd make it back to her room. Behind her, she heard Kunzite speak. Peeking, she watched.
Serena strolled the unfamiliar gardens feeling at home among the variation of flowers and greenery. She turned and found a man looking so lost and sad that Serena's heart went out to him. "Good day." She greeted warmly.
He looked up then and regaining his wits murmured, "Good day milady." Kunzite greeted with courtesy. He looked at her curiously. "Are you the guest Prince Darien mentioned?"
Serena nodded. "Are you alright sir?"
Kunzite looked away for a minute, his expression familiar to Serena.
The man was in love. Serena knew since she was in the same condition as well. This made her sympathize with him more. They chatted for a bit, smiling and laughing as they set the pace of a conversational banter. Suddenly, Serena felt woozy. Kunzite steadied her. "Maybe you should head back to your room, Serena." Kunzite suggested. They had become friends, in the short duration of their chat.
"Maybe I should." Serena agreed. "I hope she loves you as much as you love her." She murmured as her parting remark. Kunzite's eyes looked started for a bit, before he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
"What an insightful woman." Kunzite thought. "She reminds me of Mina a bit. I now understand why the Prince is taken with her. Yet…"
Mina was in a rage. Oh, she controlled it of course as she passed by some of the people along her path. She smiled and nodded but her eyes were bleak and blood was roaring in her ears.
She watched them, as they smiled and laughed. Hadn't they meant anything to each other? Or course it was that tramp's fault! She must've bewitched him….She has to pay.
*** Eris laughed. Oh this was just splendid! Absolutely splendid! Hell hasth no greater fury, than a woman scorned. This was going to fit perfectly in her plans. "You'll not escape this time, Serenity…I will crush your spirit." Eris thought smug at her new plan.
Author's notes: I apologized since it's been like a month since the last update. I've been busy finishing my fanfics and preparing them for my website, a compilation of my SM fanfics. Unfortunately, I don't know a thing about creating websites so I'm starting from scratch and kept getting this persistent writer's block. Hope you enjoyed the new chapter. Receiving reviews gives me such pleasure.