Chapter 3
"No, Ferinx. Down girl. That is enough." Serenity commanded, standing in front of the animal and scolding it.
Once she had escaped the incoming family, she immediately took off to the gardens, knowing that the young Canandri was also fond of the other animals Serenity also kept. Two large eagle-like creatures and an animal, which was like an alligator, only it had a smaller mouth and two antennae at the top of its head.
They had only been under Serenity's care for about a year or so, staying until they had recovered from their injuries. Ferinx would sit outside their confined area and watch them play, acting like a mother towards them. Up until now when a guard had come along with his spear, fully intending to herd her back into her cage.
Unfortunately for him, Ferinx thought it was all some sort of game and began playfully attacking him. It was all physically harmless until she became a little too rough and bit his arm, which led to the chaos it was now.
Serenity ran to her confused pet, settling her and did not notice when her mother and the royal family of the Earth entered the scene in haste.
"What the hell did you think you were doing?" She yelled at the guard, who was whimpering over his injured arm.
"I was trying to get that stupid animal back into its cage." He answered in outrage.
"That stupid animal is twice your size and most probably contains three times your intelligence. Did you honestly think that you were going to get her back in her cage by waving a stick around like some raving lunatic? If anything, she most likely thought you were playing games with her." She said angrily.
Ferinx could feel the tension running like a live wire through Serenity and in response she growled quietly at the back of her throat towards the offender. The princess put a calming hand on top of her furry back.
"I was intending to scare her into her cage." He said nervously, eyeing the animal cautiously.
"Are you always this stupid or are you making a special effort today?"
"Serenity! That is enough." The silver-haired youth turned in surprise at her mother's voice, also noticing the rest of her audience. She glared one last time at the wounded guard and then pasted a big smile on her face.
"Nothing happened. Ferinx was just playing." She said innocently, stroking Ferinx's smooth fur.
"Is that so?" The queen replied, contempt laced within her words. Selene sighed heavily. Why me? She asked the heavens silently, shaking her head in bemusement.
Strands of Serenity's hair had escaped from her sophisticated ponytail, due to the struggle with finding Ferinx and settling her, revealing her as a sort of fierce beauty taming a beast.
"Yes it is." Serenity answered brightly.
"Is this the lovely daughter I have heard so much about?" Asked a low male voice from behind Selene breaking the tension.
The queen sighed in despair as she replied, "I am afraid so." The young princess frowned at this. "Come here, daughter."
Serenity sighed and signaled for Ferinx to stay where she was. I might as well get this over and done with. Pushing a small tendril of hair behind her ear, she straightened her shoulders and strode forward.
When Endymion finally reached the gardens just after his family, he was not surprised to find that the princess was the cause of the problem. What did shock him to the core though, was the princess herself. His mouth dropped open in wonder at the vision before him.
Never in his life had he seen a more breath-takingly beautiful woman.
Her long silver hair flowed in streams behind her. He imagined waking up in bed covered in the silky strands. Her modest pink gown did nothing to hide the beautifully sculpted body beneath it. His hands itched to caress her creamy skin, to trace the veins of her body with his tongue to every end. And her face, her face was an artist's dream. She had bright blue eyes that could make any mortal man quiver with desire and a mouth that begged to be touched, kissed, tasted.
His loins tightened at the thought. Never before had he felt for a woman at first sight, what he did now.
She was magnificent. And with that giant animal at her side, she looked like some wild jungle goddess whom had wandered out of her abode by accident. Never had he been so ready to take a woman.
"And I you, Majesty." Endymion snapped out of his bewitched gaze at the princess's voice, which to him sounded like the coolest breeze; both musical, yet chilly. Her blue orbs alighted on him and his heart stood still. What magic is this? His confused mind wondered.
"And this is my son, Endymion." The king said, gesturing towards the enchanted prince.
Silence.
The two heir's eyes locked and stayed. Both oblivious to everything but each other.
The king, two queens and general watched in amusement as seconds ticked by and none of them made any movement. Awkwardness made them shift uncomfortably, except Vienna who fumed at the sight. How dare he look at her like that! The young queen thought in anger.
Serenity was frozen. After being introduced to the King and Queen of Earth, she nodded and replied politely as she was supposed to, taking on the tedious procession with as much patience and tolerance she could muster and was about to greet the introduced prince when her breath caught and held at the sight of him. Her words died in her throat at the animal magnetism of his gaze. She looked into his intense blue eyes and felt drawn in deeper. Her heart pounded, her knees were weak, and her face grew warm.
Her eyes dropped down to his knees and slowly journeyed upwards unabashedly. His body, even covered in such fine clothes, was hot. His face was, in a word, gorgeous. Never before had she seen a man so beautiful. She felt an overpowering urge to reach out and touch him, taste him.
His gaze swept down her and she felt as if he had stripped her naked, as if he were about to eat her alive.
She did not know what was wrong with her, and, wrenching her head aside, she tore her eyes away from his. She looked down in confusion. What was that? She wondered around about the same time it registered in her head that their audience was fidgeting awkwardly.
"Your Highness." She nodded in greeting to the staring prince, refusing to meet his gaze.
He smirked at this and took her hand in his, jerking the princess out of her confused stupor. "It is a pleasure to meet you, princess. Your beauty astounds me." He raised her hand and left a lingering kiss on the back of it, keeping his eyes on hers.
With his words the moment finally shattered, which pleased Serenity enormously, to her great surprise. The roles were once more in place, as the flattering, unwanted prince and the annoyed, vengeful princess.
"Right." She said sarcastically, which raised his eyebrows in amusement.
"Serenity." Her mother scolded, frowning with disapproval.
The princess rolled her eyes and sighed in resignation. "I mean, thank you, prince. You flatter me." She said flatly. Allowing a false smile to grace her lips. "I must take Ferinx back to her cage. If you will excuse me." And without permission, she turned and left, signaling for her pet canandri to follow her leaving a sputtering Moon Queen and an amused royal family watching after her.
The queen shook her head and sighed in frustration, "I deeply apologise for my daughter's behaviour."
The king chuckled at this. "Please do not Selene. I find her extremely charming and she is truly beautiful. I can not wait to get to know her properly."
"Nor can I." Said a scheming Endymion softly.
The queen smirked. "I assure you, soon enough, you will both regret those very words."
Later that evening, after the Earth family was shown to their rooms, Endymion was free to do as he pleased for a few hours before dinner. He was left to ponder over his feelings for the princess.
She was more beautiful than he could have ever imagined. The mere thought of her made his body flare with desire. He could not wait to have her. She would be a hellcat in bed. That much he knew for sure. His lips curved in a smile full of mischief. She would also be a challenge. And, oh, what a challenge! He could tell she did not fall for wimpy compliments and pathetic pick up lines, and that pleased him greatly. Therefore, he would have to appeal to her, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. He would have to get to know what she likes, what her take on life is, blah, blah, blah. For once in his life, he would actually have to work at something.
This was going to be fun, and as frustrating as hell.
He found himself wandering in the gardens. He walked into a particular area where suddenly, he found himself face to face with his future conquest.
"What are you doing in here?" She asked incredulously.
She had on an apron over her pink gown, which was splattered in paint, and her hair was tied back from her face. She held a paintbrush in her hand and blue paint stained her rosy cheek. Her eyes held fire as she dropped the items she was holding onto a nearby table, and fisted her hands on her hips, pulling the apron tighter over her chest.
His blue eyes darkened a shade as they followed the movement.
"Well?" She demanded.
"I was just exploring." He stated, glancing away from her bust and up into her eyes.
"Nobody is allowed in here. So get out." She declared, and pointed towards the way he came.
"Now is that any way to speak to a gentleman?" He asked, walking around her.
She folded her arms across her chest. "I would not know, I have not met one." She turned to face him. "How did you find this place anyway?"
He smirked and continued wondering around the area curiously.
Good God, he was irritating! She thought in annoyance. He was looking particularly delicious at the moment. Practically good enough to eat.
Bloody marvelous, she would have to think of that now wouldn't she?
"Can you please leave?" He turned towards her. His blue gaze was focused on her like a laser.
"Am I making you nervous, Serenity?" The way he said her name was like a caress down her spine. A deep drawl which lingered in the air. He stalked slowly towards her.
"No, you are making me angry." She lied, stubbornly holding her ground.
Of course he was bloody well making her nervous. Never before had she felt like this around a man. Never before had she wanted so badly to reach out and touch him, which she was certainly able to now, since he was only inches away from her.
"Angry?" He questioned softly, taking those last few steps that would bring them together.
"Yes, angry." She answered breathless.
He reached up, and with a tissue appearing from nowhere, gently wiped the paint off her cheek. The tissue fluttered from his hand to the ground. Their gazes locked together as his fingers trailed lightly down her jaw line and across her lips where they traced their rosy softness, which opened on a shaky gasp.
The desire to taste his fingertips was so strong, she could not resist, as her tongue ever so gently touched the tips.
His eyes flamed with desire, darkening to the shade of midnight. As he lowered his head to taste her lips, a female voice broke through, shattering the spell.
Serenity leapt back away from the prince as if burnt at the sound of Mina's voice. Endymion cursed softly under his breath at the intrusion. He did not know what he was doing, but hunger surged through his loins at the sight of her. He just had to touch her. It was a movement driven by desire. He felt as if he would explode if he could not taste her lips.
He tried again, only to send the princess scuttling back even further away from him than she already was, which was much too far for the prince's comfort.
"Coming." Her voice cracked, causing her to have to repeat herself, "Coming." She called out raggedly as the prince sighed in anger. If Mina ever found them alone in here together, she would never let her live it down. She had to get away from him. She did not know how he did it, but each time she stared into his eyes, her breathing quickened and she was powerless to resist him. When he touched her, all thought flew from her mind and her body grew limp.
They could never be alone together again.
"Stay away from me. If you ever touch me like that again, I shall make you regret it, do you understand?" She did not wait for an answer and she refused to meet his eyes. She turned and walked towards the door but hesitated at his quiet reply.
"I do what I please, princess. And if I wish to touch you, I will." She closed her eyes at his seductive tone; silently wishing it would not have the effect on her as it did now.
"That is called harassment, sir." She could feel his eyes burning into her back.
A short silence followed. She became confused when he did not reply. Was he at a loss for words? It was unlikely that a man of such stature could become silent at a whimsical jest. Temptation got the better of her and she glanced over her shoulder to find herself face to face with him. She did not even hear him coming.
Her eyes met his once more and the intensity in his gaze made her chest tighten. Her eyes drifted to his lips as they formed words.
"When I touch you, it will be because you want me to. I can assure you that." His husky reply made her breathe in sharply.
The foreign feeling in her chest floated down to her stomach and she grew warm. She quickly turned her head away. She tried to move but her legs would not obey her.
Behind her, the prince smirked and brought his mouth and nose just behind her ear. He inhaled deeply as he breathed in the scent of her, and exhaled on a shuddering sigh of contentment. Her smell filled him with desire leaving his throbbing groin aching for release. He had to have her.
She closed her eyes and bit her lip at his actions but was violently thrown out of her rapture when in a more commanding tone Mina called her name.
Serenity's eyes snapped open and she jerked forward. She turned and looked at him; hunger in his gaze, confusion in hers. Then she turned and ran leaving an aroused and frustrated prince staring after her.
And it had only begun.
"No, Ferinx. Down girl. That is enough." Serenity commanded, standing in front of the animal and scolding it.
Once she had escaped the incoming family, she immediately took off to the gardens, knowing that the young Canandri was also fond of the other animals Serenity also kept. Two large eagle-like creatures and an animal, which was like an alligator, only it had a smaller mouth and two antennae at the top of its head.
They had only been under Serenity's care for about a year or so, staying until they had recovered from their injuries. Ferinx would sit outside their confined area and watch them play, acting like a mother towards them. Up until now when a guard had come along with his spear, fully intending to herd her back into her cage.
Unfortunately for him, Ferinx thought it was all some sort of game and began playfully attacking him. It was all physically harmless until she became a little too rough and bit his arm, which led to the chaos it was now.
Serenity ran to her confused pet, settling her and did not notice when her mother and the royal family of the Earth entered the scene in haste.
"What the hell did you think you were doing?" She yelled at the guard, who was whimpering over his injured arm.
"I was trying to get that stupid animal back into its cage." He answered in outrage.
"That stupid animal is twice your size and most probably contains three times your intelligence. Did you honestly think that you were going to get her back in her cage by waving a stick around like some raving lunatic? If anything, she most likely thought you were playing games with her." She said angrily.
Ferinx could feel the tension running like a live wire through Serenity and in response she growled quietly at the back of her throat towards the offender. The princess put a calming hand on top of her furry back.
"I was intending to scare her into her cage." He said nervously, eyeing the animal cautiously.
"Are you always this stupid or are you making a special effort today?"
"Serenity! That is enough." The silver-haired youth turned in surprise at her mother's voice, also noticing the rest of her audience. She glared one last time at the wounded guard and then pasted a big smile on her face.
"Nothing happened. Ferinx was just playing." She said innocently, stroking Ferinx's smooth fur.
"Is that so?" The queen replied, contempt laced within her words. Selene sighed heavily. Why me? She asked the heavens silently, shaking her head in bemusement.
Strands of Serenity's hair had escaped from her sophisticated ponytail, due to the struggle with finding Ferinx and settling her, revealing her as a sort of fierce beauty taming a beast.
"Yes it is." Serenity answered brightly.
"Is this the lovely daughter I have heard so much about?" Asked a low male voice from behind Selene breaking the tension.
The queen sighed in despair as she replied, "I am afraid so." The young princess frowned at this. "Come here, daughter."
Serenity sighed and signaled for Ferinx to stay where she was. I might as well get this over and done with. Pushing a small tendril of hair behind her ear, she straightened her shoulders and strode forward.
When Endymion finally reached the gardens just after his family, he was not surprised to find that the princess was the cause of the problem. What did shock him to the core though, was the princess herself. His mouth dropped open in wonder at the vision before him.
Never in his life had he seen a more breath-takingly beautiful woman.
Her long silver hair flowed in streams behind her. He imagined waking up in bed covered in the silky strands. Her modest pink gown did nothing to hide the beautifully sculpted body beneath it. His hands itched to caress her creamy skin, to trace the veins of her body with his tongue to every end. And her face, her face was an artist's dream. She had bright blue eyes that could make any mortal man quiver with desire and a mouth that begged to be touched, kissed, tasted.
His loins tightened at the thought. Never before had he felt for a woman at first sight, what he did now.
She was magnificent. And with that giant animal at her side, she looked like some wild jungle goddess whom had wandered out of her abode by accident. Never had he been so ready to take a woman.
"And I you, Majesty." Endymion snapped out of his bewitched gaze at the princess's voice, which to him sounded like the coolest breeze; both musical, yet chilly. Her blue orbs alighted on him and his heart stood still. What magic is this? His confused mind wondered.
"And this is my son, Endymion." The king said, gesturing towards the enchanted prince.
Silence.
The two heir's eyes locked and stayed. Both oblivious to everything but each other.
The king, two queens and general watched in amusement as seconds ticked by and none of them made any movement. Awkwardness made them shift uncomfortably, except Vienna who fumed at the sight. How dare he look at her like that! The young queen thought in anger.
Serenity was frozen. After being introduced to the King and Queen of Earth, she nodded and replied politely as she was supposed to, taking on the tedious procession with as much patience and tolerance she could muster and was about to greet the introduced prince when her breath caught and held at the sight of him. Her words died in her throat at the animal magnetism of his gaze. She looked into his intense blue eyes and felt drawn in deeper. Her heart pounded, her knees were weak, and her face grew warm.
Her eyes dropped down to his knees and slowly journeyed upwards unabashedly. His body, even covered in such fine clothes, was hot. His face was, in a word, gorgeous. Never before had she seen a man so beautiful. She felt an overpowering urge to reach out and touch him, taste him.
His gaze swept down her and she felt as if he had stripped her naked, as if he were about to eat her alive.
She did not know what was wrong with her, and, wrenching her head aside, she tore her eyes away from his. She looked down in confusion. What was that? She wondered around about the same time it registered in her head that their audience was fidgeting awkwardly.
"Your Highness." She nodded in greeting to the staring prince, refusing to meet his gaze.
He smirked at this and took her hand in his, jerking the princess out of her confused stupor. "It is a pleasure to meet you, princess. Your beauty astounds me." He raised her hand and left a lingering kiss on the back of it, keeping his eyes on hers.
With his words the moment finally shattered, which pleased Serenity enormously, to her great surprise. The roles were once more in place, as the flattering, unwanted prince and the annoyed, vengeful princess.
"Right." She said sarcastically, which raised his eyebrows in amusement.
"Serenity." Her mother scolded, frowning with disapproval.
The princess rolled her eyes and sighed in resignation. "I mean, thank you, prince. You flatter me." She said flatly. Allowing a false smile to grace her lips. "I must take Ferinx back to her cage. If you will excuse me." And without permission, she turned and left, signaling for her pet canandri to follow her leaving a sputtering Moon Queen and an amused royal family watching after her.
The queen shook her head and sighed in frustration, "I deeply apologise for my daughter's behaviour."
The king chuckled at this. "Please do not Selene. I find her extremely charming and she is truly beautiful. I can not wait to get to know her properly."
"Nor can I." Said a scheming Endymion softly.
The queen smirked. "I assure you, soon enough, you will both regret those very words."
Later that evening, after the Earth family was shown to their rooms, Endymion was free to do as he pleased for a few hours before dinner. He was left to ponder over his feelings for the princess.
She was more beautiful than he could have ever imagined. The mere thought of her made his body flare with desire. He could not wait to have her. She would be a hellcat in bed. That much he knew for sure. His lips curved in a smile full of mischief. She would also be a challenge. And, oh, what a challenge! He could tell she did not fall for wimpy compliments and pathetic pick up lines, and that pleased him greatly. Therefore, he would have to appeal to her, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. He would have to get to know what she likes, what her take on life is, blah, blah, blah. For once in his life, he would actually have to work at something.
This was going to be fun, and as frustrating as hell.
He found himself wandering in the gardens. He walked into a particular area where suddenly, he found himself face to face with his future conquest.
"What are you doing in here?" She asked incredulously.
She had on an apron over her pink gown, which was splattered in paint, and her hair was tied back from her face. She held a paintbrush in her hand and blue paint stained her rosy cheek. Her eyes held fire as she dropped the items she was holding onto a nearby table, and fisted her hands on her hips, pulling the apron tighter over her chest.
His blue eyes darkened a shade as they followed the movement.
"Well?" She demanded.
"I was just exploring." He stated, glancing away from her bust and up into her eyes.
"Nobody is allowed in here. So get out." She declared, and pointed towards the way he came.
"Now is that any way to speak to a gentleman?" He asked, walking around her.
She folded her arms across her chest. "I would not know, I have not met one." She turned to face him. "How did you find this place anyway?"
He smirked and continued wondering around the area curiously.
Good God, he was irritating! She thought in annoyance. He was looking particularly delicious at the moment. Practically good enough to eat.
Bloody marvelous, she would have to think of that now wouldn't she?
"Can you please leave?" He turned towards her. His blue gaze was focused on her like a laser.
"Am I making you nervous, Serenity?" The way he said her name was like a caress down her spine. A deep drawl which lingered in the air. He stalked slowly towards her.
"No, you are making me angry." She lied, stubbornly holding her ground.
Of course he was bloody well making her nervous. Never before had she felt like this around a man. Never before had she wanted so badly to reach out and touch him, which she was certainly able to now, since he was only inches away from her.
"Angry?" He questioned softly, taking those last few steps that would bring them together.
"Yes, angry." She answered breathless.
He reached up, and with a tissue appearing from nowhere, gently wiped the paint off her cheek. The tissue fluttered from his hand to the ground. Their gazes locked together as his fingers trailed lightly down her jaw line and across her lips where they traced their rosy softness, which opened on a shaky gasp.
The desire to taste his fingertips was so strong, she could not resist, as her tongue ever so gently touched the tips.
His eyes flamed with desire, darkening to the shade of midnight. As he lowered his head to taste her lips, a female voice broke through, shattering the spell.
Serenity leapt back away from the prince as if burnt at the sound of Mina's voice. Endymion cursed softly under his breath at the intrusion. He did not know what he was doing, but hunger surged through his loins at the sight of her. He just had to touch her. It was a movement driven by desire. He felt as if he would explode if he could not taste her lips.
He tried again, only to send the princess scuttling back even further away from him than she already was, which was much too far for the prince's comfort.
"Coming." Her voice cracked, causing her to have to repeat herself, "Coming." She called out raggedly as the prince sighed in anger. If Mina ever found them alone in here together, she would never let her live it down. She had to get away from him. She did not know how he did it, but each time she stared into his eyes, her breathing quickened and she was powerless to resist him. When he touched her, all thought flew from her mind and her body grew limp.
They could never be alone together again.
"Stay away from me. If you ever touch me like that again, I shall make you regret it, do you understand?" She did not wait for an answer and she refused to meet his eyes. She turned and walked towards the door but hesitated at his quiet reply.
"I do what I please, princess. And if I wish to touch you, I will." She closed her eyes at his seductive tone; silently wishing it would not have the effect on her as it did now.
"That is called harassment, sir." She could feel his eyes burning into her back.
A short silence followed. She became confused when he did not reply. Was he at a loss for words? It was unlikely that a man of such stature could become silent at a whimsical jest. Temptation got the better of her and she glanced over her shoulder to find herself face to face with him. She did not even hear him coming.
Her eyes met his once more and the intensity in his gaze made her chest tighten. Her eyes drifted to his lips as they formed words.
"When I touch you, it will be because you want me to. I can assure you that." His husky reply made her breathe in sharply.
The foreign feeling in her chest floated down to her stomach and she grew warm. She quickly turned her head away. She tried to move but her legs would not obey her.
Behind her, the prince smirked and brought his mouth and nose just behind her ear. He inhaled deeply as he breathed in the scent of her, and exhaled on a shuddering sigh of contentment. Her smell filled him with desire leaving his throbbing groin aching for release. He had to have her.
She closed her eyes and bit her lip at his actions but was violently thrown out of her rapture when in a more commanding tone Mina called her name.
Serenity's eyes snapped open and she jerked forward. She turned and looked at him; hunger in his gaze, confusion in hers. Then she turned and ran leaving an aroused and frustrated prince staring after her.
And it had only begun.