Chapter 6
"Why are you walking so fast?" Endymion asked politely as they headed over to the Animal Wing. Serenity was unconsciously walking in fast paces, while the prince strolled comfortably beside her.
"What?" His question jerked her out of her contemplations as to what the situation was between her and him, and what to do about it, when all of a sudden, the answer came to her....
Amnesia.
Of course! She would develop a swift and severe case of amnesia and forget any events, which occurred between the day he arrived and today. It seemed the best solution, and hopefully, the easiest.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" His elegant eyebrow rose in question as he stared amused at the bewildered young princess.
Ok, so maybe this might be harder than I thought, she mused miserably, as she could not ignore the fact that he was so entirely mouth-watering. But that was just natural. Every girl would feel this way when looking at him, so it was not as if it was an uncommon disease. No female being would blame her. Therefore, this was just a grave case of Lust. Something, which her adolescent hormones were bound to undergo sooner or later. It was just biologically natural. She would get over it. In time. Most certainly.
Satisfied with that explanation she nodded happily to herself, and then scowled, since it was the appropriate expression to display at the time. "Because." She replied, before picking up the pace even more. Just to unease him. As one does.
By the time they did reach their destination, it was obvious that Serenity was officially in her element. Her scowl was replaced by an air of pure content. Her rigid stance was replaced by one of tranquility and comfort. And the air between the two royals was less tense, and less trying. In fact, both their identities were primarily forgotten for the princess. These creatures were her children. Her babies. Another world all its own.
Her joy at seeing them was enthusiastically returned. "Hello Darlings." She called to their happy greetings. She reached for her feeding apron and the one behind it. She slipped hers on first, tying it firmly around herself. She then turned to the prince who was taking in his surroundings in amazement.
"Quite overwhelming, huh?" She said with smug knowledge as she observed the different emotions fluttering over his face. For this indeed was a whole other world. A beautiful, picturesque dome, which kept out the harsh reality of life. Which allowed you to consume another identity and lose yourself in the entire splendor of its magnificence.
This represented what the world would look like if the humans lived in harmony with the animals and their surrounding nature. If they were not destroyed by greed. It ingeniously portrayed all four seasons, Winter, Autumn, Summer and Spring, dividing into four sections where in the middle, they all merged into one. Each division was scenic and intricately designed to give an observer or owner, as was the case for the animals, a sense of paradise.
Most were confined in their own cages. It was easier that way for them to be fed and properly cared for. Some animals were in pairs, or more and some were just by themselves, taking time to recover what injuries led them to this place or just until they were trained to be released into the outside world. It was basically a training school for those animals abandoned at birth, or a hospital for the injured. Either way, they all were under the authority of Serenity, because she was their loving mother whom was loved in return.
Endymion looked at the silver-haired minx beside him in wonderment. To be so devoted to any creature was alien to him. And yet, here was this disarming, young woman doing her very best to ensure the safety and well being of these animals. She created a blissful habitat for these creatures, so that they may live and live comfortably. She was truly amazing. And that fact added to the list of her other desirable characteristics was very unsettling for the prince.
Serenity took in his speechless disposition cheerfully. She was glad that he was as much in awe of this place as she was. In this world, they could be equals. The outside did not exist.
"Here." She reached up and placed the apron over his head. She did not even notice their closeness and the feel of his breath fanning over her cheek as it did, or when her chest brushed intimately against his own, or when her hands scraped the back of his neck gently as she tied the two pieces of string together, or even when her hands wrapped around his waist so that she may tie the apron at his back.
All this she did with unconscious sensuality and unknown eroticism that Endymion's body burnt an inferno of lust within him. He gritted his teeth and shut his eyes at the temptation of taking her right then, right there. This just proved that these alluring advances of hers were undoubtedly accidental and done in such a way that he was overcome by her purity and innocence to the real world. But he was not going to be the one to teach her the way life really was. And how women really were.
Not here. Not yet.
When her hair touched his cheek as her arms wrapped around him, he thought he would explode. His fists clenched at his sides with the ache to seize a hold of the tempting lushness of her body, yearning to let his hands explore each and every curve, which would then be followed by his mouth. Though his loins were loudly protesting otherwise, he regretfully settled himself with inhaling the scent of her, long and deep. Her sweet aroma filled his nostrils and he was soothed with pure.....serenity. Good God, could she not feel the evidence of his arousal poking her in the stomach?
Totally oblivious to the frustration she was causing the prince to experience, she turned and picked up the feeding pail. She then turned to the prince and motioned for him to follow her. "Come on then. Let me introduce you."
Endymion counted to twenty, settling himself and then followed. "Why must we wear these garments?" He asked, fingering the piece of clothing that forced him to endure such uncomfortable lust. But at least with it he could hide.... certain things.
"It is called an apron. It is just in case of any....accidents. Although I was mighty tempted to not give you one, but I am afraid I would never hear the end of it if we returned with your clothes stained." She replied half- teasing, half-serious. She first led them to a cage filled with birds. Birds whose feathers was every colour of the rainbow. Some large and intimidating, some small and meek. All, spectacular.
Serenity reached over to where the birdseeds were contained and filled her feeding pail with the required amount. As she did so, she explained, "This is, obviously, the Bird Cage. In it we have twenty-seven birds. Most are all a different species; the rest will be in groups of three or four. About half of them have been injured somehow, the rest were abandoned. As is the case with most of the other animals here."
All this was said to the bewildered prince who was studying her with amazing intensity. Watching as she bent to each feeding bucket, tipping in birdseeds. As she did so, birds gathered around her, impatiently attempting to get at their food. He crept slowly up behind her so he would not disturb the scene.
"Will you let them go?" He asked quietly. Startled, she jumped, showing that she did not hear him approach. She let out a shaky breath disturbed by his nearness. He was close enough that she could feel his breath feathering the hair at the back of her neck. She inhaled the scent of his cologne as it drifted to her in the slight breeze. Oh, but he smelled so good.
"Eventually." She let out slowly. Inwardly telling herself to get a grip. "When they have recovered."
"I suppose that will be painful."
Serenity sighed sorrowfully, thinking of the day when all the animals will finally be healed and she will have to release them. "Goodbyes are always painful." There was a small hitch in her throat as she thought about her father. Not saying goodbye at all hurt even more. She shook herself and turned to the prince. "Hold out your hands."
Endymion blinked in confusion. "I beg your pardon?"
"Your hands. Hold them out." She ordered, scooping out a handful of birdseeds.
The prince frowned and raised an eyebrow, but then did as he was told. She pushed them together so they would make a cup shape and then emptied the birdseeds into them. She then crouched and motioned for him to do the same. Flattening his hands out so that the seeds were visible they sat and waited. Not too long after, birds cautiously began edging nearer. Endymion held still, watching as two birds that both looked the same came closer and closer until they jumped onto his hands and began pecking at the seeds, thus causing more birds to be brave and gathered nearer in anticipation of food.
Serenity sat there and watched his face. For once she witnessed from him a true smile of happiness. Not one of sarcasm, not one of lust but a full- blown smile of boyish excitement and it tore at her heart. She was then hit with the epiphany that Endymion had never before experienced any of this. That his childhood was not as any other child's. That he had never climbed trees to observe birds in their nests, or played in the snow and made a snowman.
Had he ever just been a boy?
"What kind of birds are these?" He asked, snapping her out of her musings. "We do not have them on Earth." His eyes were, fortunately, still focused on his new made friends, who were increasing by the minute, so he did not see her contemplating so deeply over him.
"We call them Manu. We found them in a nest left on the ground. Either their mother died, or just left. They have been here for maybe a couple of years." She waited till the last of the birdseeds diminished from Endymion's hands and then stood up while at the same time all the birds took to the air. Above them soared a plethora of colours.
"Now, I suggest we take cover." She said grinning, before walking outside the cage. Endymion shook his head in incredulity at the true beauty of her smile. It certainly was a weapon to use on men to make them grovel at her feet. Yet, what was alarming was the fact that she did not seem to know this. She seemed to be completely naïve to how truly stunning she was.
Not now, but soon he would show her exactly how a man feels when she looks at him like that.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" She said, staring at the coloured wings of the birds at flight. Lost in their graceful movements.
"Absolutely." Endymion replied, not taking his gaze away from her.
Serenity started at the huskiness of his voice and made the mistake of looking at him. The hue of his sapphire coloured eyes had deepened as he stared at her. Unconsciously, her eyes fell to his mouth. The memory of their kiss came flooding back to her as the form of a small tingle in the pit of her stomach. It seemed impossible that his eyes could get any darker, but it was almost as if they turned black in their intensity. It was then she realized he meant to kiss her. And what was worse, she could not find the means to stop him. She watched in silent dread as his lips neared. I have to stop him, she thought in a panic. I can not let him kiss me again, otherwise.... She did not want to think of what might happen otherwise.
"Don't kiss me." She said breathlessly, swallowing her unease. He halted only inches away, raising his eyes to her in what looked like amusement.
"Pardon?"
Serenity leaned back ever so slowly, her brain struggling with her hormones so that she may pull away. "Don't, uh....kiss....me." She let out slowly. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, hoping the oxygen might let her brain function once more. Her eyes then opened and she put on a composed face.
Endymion smirked at this, knowing full well that should he lean forward and capture her lips with his, she would not resist. How could she? "And why not?" He asked not giving an inch. He wanted to see how far she would go.
"Because I do not want you to!" She retorted angrily. Amazing. To think he could get whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it. Well not this time.
"Could have fooled me." He replied smugly, leaning back and watching in fascination as she spluttered in disbelief. Her eyes lit up in fury and her body grew taut, as if she were about to strike out at something. Endymion did not think he had seen anything more beautiful.
Serenity narrowed her eyes in anger. 'That damned arrogant bastard, who does he think he is?' "Listen here you egotistical swine, you may indulge yourself with the fantasy that you are every girls wet dream, but know that there are those females out there who actually have brains, and who can resist anything you throw at them."
Endymion kept his features cold and harsh. He did not know whether to be impressed or pissed off at her words. Nobody talked to him like that. Nobody. Who the hell did this prissy little brat think she was?
"And know this Endymion," she continued, moving closer to him so that she was right in his face, and so when she spoke, her breath stirred his hair, caressed his cheek as she finished in a seductive tone, "you were never very original anyway."
The insult hit him hard. The urge to strike out at her was overwhelming. Strike at her with what, he did not know. But the impulse to retaliate in a physical sense was consuming. He could not bare the thought of other men staring at her like he did, touching her like he did, tasting her. He wanted to murder any man that even thought of caressing her sweet skin.
"Who?" He asked in a strangled rasp. He was enraged to the point of homicidal.
Serenity stepped back at the pure fury she saw in his eyes. They had darkened to a deep black and he looked about ready to kill her. Yet deep within the sub-consciousness of her mind, she knew he would not lift a hand to hurt her. She felt safe with that knowledge and therefore held her ground. "What?" She asked in confusion.
"Who?" He repeated, this time strongly. And when he began stalking towards her, his intimidation led her to be backed up against the wall behind her. He did not stop until they were only inches apart, and their bodies touched ever so slightly.
"What are you talking about? Who what?" She shook her head in a daze. She had no idea what he was going on about. It was just her luck for him to turn crazy now. Or crazier, as might be the case. He was too close for comfort, and with this wall behind her, even more so. Ha, stuck between a rock and a hard place, go figure. She thought irrationally.
"Who has touched you?" Who would be stupid enough to put their hands on his property? If he could be at all honest with himself, he would realize that right now, he was behaving quite stupidly himself. He did not know what had come over him. But at the mention that there was any men before him that could have possibly tarnished her in any way made him want to hunt them down and torture them very, very slowly.
It was not jealousy. Of course it wasn't. For it to be jealousy, he would have to actually feel some emotion for her, and there was no way that was possible. No, jealousy was completely out of the question. It was just plain and simple anger. Anger at anyone who thought that they had his permission to touch what was his, look at what was his. That was all.
Serenity gave out a bark of laughter, incredulous at his question. "You mean who has tried?" She asked with a smile full of malice. "Honestly Endymion, who do you think? Any man who is unattached and has a title to his name, I have been flaunted to. Any man who is willing to overtake the kingdom. Any man who wishes to parade me around as his prized possession, mocking those who could not win me. Who do you think?" She paused as she looked into his dark eyes, which were staring back at her silently. She smirked at his speechlessness. "As I was saying Endymion, you are not very original. Men like you have come and gone," she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away, "and so it shall continue."
She went to move away but his hand caught hers and spun her back. The inertia made her slam back into him. He grabbed the back of her head with his free hand, his fingers diving into the silken strands of her hair, and holding her head immobile. His breath came harshly. "You bitch." He breathed out fiercely, the cold chips in his eyes coming alive. "I am nothing like your little lackeys!"
Serenity snorted, "Right. Keep telling yourself that." She struggled against his grip. "Let go of me." She might as well have been talking to a tree, because he would not give an inch. In fact, he made himself more comfortable by pushing her back against the wall, and trapping her in his arms. She stared up at him in indignation and confusion, wondering what his deal was. She knew she had angered him; that was the point. But she had finally been given the chance to tell a prince what she truly thought of him, of them all, and who better than the man who nearly made her want him.
Nearly.
Endymion pushed his face close to hers. "How about you keep telling yourself this. I am here to win you, make no mistake. And I am willing to overtake your kingdom. And as for being a prized possession that I will happily parade around, as you so delicately put it, I will do also. Yet, one difference that I promise you," he stepped up closer and pushed his body into hers, relishing the small gasp she let out, "I will not fail." He whispered into her ear, and not being able to resist, licking the lobe. "I shall have you begging for me." He said into her other ear, nibbling it. "And we will both enjoy every minute of it." With a smirk, he pushed back from the wall and turned to walk out of the cage, while Princess Serenity was left there staring at his retreating back.
Wait a second; he did not get the last word. Outraged at the fact that he so easily dismissed her, she stalked after him. When she reached ahead of him, she stopped and pushed him back. "Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you insult me by insinuating that I could ever fall for someone like you? If there were ever to be anything between us, it would be because you wanted me. YOU were begging for MY touch. Not the other way around. Never the other way around." She stated angrily.
"I do not deny wanting you. How could I not? You, my little temptress, could keep even the strongest man awake at night with lust." He replied complacently, his eyebrows raised, a twinkle of amusement mixed with something else in his eyes. "Yet I am surprised at your denial of wanting me."
"That is because I do not want you." She seethed, glaring at him with vehemence. Pushing back strands of hair that had blown into her face.
Endymion smirked, making Serenity want to punch him. Hard. "And if you believe that, minx, you will believe anything."
She narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists. "What makes you think that I could ever want you?"
He smiled and stepped up closer to her, leaning his face only inches away. "I kiss you, you'll kiss back. If I start anything, there is no doubt in my mind that I will also be the one to finish it."
Serenity chuckled "You seem to think that is some great feat, prince. Do not flatter yourself, you have not been the only one."
Endymion's features stilled. His eyes grew cold as he stared at the princess and asked, "What did you say?"
Quite smugly she answered, "What? Did you think you were the first? Do not be so naive Endymion. Day in and day out princes come. What makes you think that during that time, I would be waiting for you to be my first? What gives you the gumption to believe that you would be anything special to me?"
Once again he looked about ready to strike. But instead, pulled her to him and kissed her harshly. His lips pressed against hers with brutal force, almost bruising them in the process. Punishing her for these emotions that he was feeling. His hand snaked through her hair pulling her head back so that he may push harder. His other hand pressing her waist against his groin as he grinded into her, swallowing the small moan that escaped her.
He then stopped and pushed her away; wrenching Serenity out of the pleasurable trance she was in, pulling her back to the cruel reality in his cold smile. They stared at each other in silence, her anger boiling below the surface, his simmering down to a cool intensity, both waiting to lash out and use it against the other.
Endymion stepped back so that he could take in the whole of her. "You talk a lot, little girl, but that is all you are: talk. You say you have been kissed, touched before, yet you shiver with excitement at my caress. Quake with longing at my kiss. So either they," he said vehemently, "were not man enough for you, which I," his glance raked down her body as if he were stripping her naked, "entirely understand, or you really are just, a little girl." He shook his head in mock despair. "When you are ready to grow up, I am more than willing to help." He finished, turning to move away.
This comment was a huge insult to Serenity. Him being four years older than her and more experienced was no excuse to dismiss her, even if this was the perfect opportunity to turn his attentions away from her. She was not going to allow him to be the one to refuse her. That was just not the way it was played.
"I'll show you little girl." With that, she shoved him against the wall, cupped his head in her palms and kissed his mouth. Not soft, not chaste, this kiss. She used her tongue as sexily, masterfully, boldly and possessively, as she knew how. She pressed her body full length against him, tempting him with all her being.
Endymion may have been shocked at first, but was quick to respond as; in reply, he grasped her waist and pulled her in even closer. He then proceeded to trail his hands down to her hips, gripping them tightly. Possibly bruising her in the process.
Serenity was no less gentle. Her hands clenched and pulled at his hair as her tongue unrelentingly tangled with his, biting harshly into his lip, not hard enough to bleed, but hard enough to hurt. She constantly found herself pressing against the hardness gouging her middle, seeking that unattainable contact. Pain was most definitely balanced with pleasure in this act of intimacy.
As response to this, the sound that issued from Endymion's throat was feral. Then, exercising no subtlety, he changed their positions, pushed her against the wall, settled his hands on her derriere, and lifted her, which caused her legs to wrap around him as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
What was meant to be a kiss to simply prove a point, turned out to be one of the most carnal exploits either of them had ever experienced, pushing away any outside distractions and focusing on only one thing....
....each other.
With their mouths still fused together, and her body held against the wall, his hands were free to roam. So when he pushed his hardness against her intimately, his hands swept up, passed the sides of her breasts and into her silken mass of hair. He then let one hand trail slowly down to her thigh, bunching the skirt up, and out of the way, so that he may revel in the smoothness of her skin.
She moaned at the simultaneous contacts, causing sparks to shoot throughout her body. She wrapped both arms around his neck and shamelessly ground her middle against the strength of his desire.
He growled deep within his throat at the pleasure it produced, reveling in the carnality of their kiss. He drew on her like a man starved, craving for her very essence. He sent his tongue deep, penetrating her mouth and saturating her with lust.
When finally they both figured they needed a hefty supply of oxygen, they slowly pulled apart from one another. Serenity's hands were still clenched; arms wrapped firmly around his neck while one of Endymion's hands was fisted in her hair, and the other was just under her thigh. His head fell down to the hollow between her neck and shoulder, then taking the skin in between his teeth, biting gently, making her moan his name to the sky. Once he pulled away, he licked the spot once, pleased with the red mark that appeared, and then took a breath.
When finally he lifted his head his eyes fixed onto her lips, while Serenity's eyes were still closed. She pulled her lips inwards and opened her eyes. By that time, his features became unreadable. She looked from his lips, and then into his eyes.
They stared at each other silently.
Endymion took in her flushed face, swollen lips and expectant eyes, and immediately uncertainty swamped him. "God...." What the hell was he thinking?
He quickly released her, settling her upon her feet and abruptly withdrew his hands. He stepped back and wiped at his mouth. He turned away, disgusted at himself. How was this little enchantress able to make him give into temptation like that? She may be beautiful, but he had experienced beautiful and desirable before, and hell, they were not as alluring as this one. Nobody had made him lose control like that before. Nobody.
Serenity stared at his back in confusion. She knew he desired her, as she had known before. It was physically evident now. In fact, the feel of his lust for her was what made her mind so incredibly hazy, that she was unable to control her reactions. Though, it was entirely mystifying to watch him turn away in disgust. Had she done something wrong? She frowned at his lack of response. Now what was supposed to happen? She had proven her point. She had personally verified that he no longer thought of her as a little girl, but what he did not realize, was that this girl still wanted more and that was the most disturbing fact of all....did Serenity actually want him? She reeled back in horror at the notion.
Good God no!
Do I.... like Endymion?
With that thought lingering in her mind, she turned around and ran.
"Why are you walking so fast?" Endymion asked politely as they headed over to the Animal Wing. Serenity was unconsciously walking in fast paces, while the prince strolled comfortably beside her.
"What?" His question jerked her out of her contemplations as to what the situation was between her and him, and what to do about it, when all of a sudden, the answer came to her....
Amnesia.
Of course! She would develop a swift and severe case of amnesia and forget any events, which occurred between the day he arrived and today. It seemed the best solution, and hopefully, the easiest.
"Why are you in such a hurry?" His elegant eyebrow rose in question as he stared amused at the bewildered young princess.
Ok, so maybe this might be harder than I thought, she mused miserably, as she could not ignore the fact that he was so entirely mouth-watering. But that was just natural. Every girl would feel this way when looking at him, so it was not as if it was an uncommon disease. No female being would blame her. Therefore, this was just a grave case of Lust. Something, which her adolescent hormones were bound to undergo sooner or later. It was just biologically natural. She would get over it. In time. Most certainly.
Satisfied with that explanation she nodded happily to herself, and then scowled, since it was the appropriate expression to display at the time. "Because." She replied, before picking up the pace even more. Just to unease him. As one does.
By the time they did reach their destination, it was obvious that Serenity was officially in her element. Her scowl was replaced by an air of pure content. Her rigid stance was replaced by one of tranquility and comfort. And the air between the two royals was less tense, and less trying. In fact, both their identities were primarily forgotten for the princess. These creatures were her children. Her babies. Another world all its own.
Her joy at seeing them was enthusiastically returned. "Hello Darlings." She called to their happy greetings. She reached for her feeding apron and the one behind it. She slipped hers on first, tying it firmly around herself. She then turned to the prince who was taking in his surroundings in amazement.
"Quite overwhelming, huh?" She said with smug knowledge as she observed the different emotions fluttering over his face. For this indeed was a whole other world. A beautiful, picturesque dome, which kept out the harsh reality of life. Which allowed you to consume another identity and lose yourself in the entire splendor of its magnificence.
This represented what the world would look like if the humans lived in harmony with the animals and their surrounding nature. If they were not destroyed by greed. It ingeniously portrayed all four seasons, Winter, Autumn, Summer and Spring, dividing into four sections where in the middle, they all merged into one. Each division was scenic and intricately designed to give an observer or owner, as was the case for the animals, a sense of paradise.
Most were confined in their own cages. It was easier that way for them to be fed and properly cared for. Some animals were in pairs, or more and some were just by themselves, taking time to recover what injuries led them to this place or just until they were trained to be released into the outside world. It was basically a training school for those animals abandoned at birth, or a hospital for the injured. Either way, they all were under the authority of Serenity, because she was their loving mother whom was loved in return.
Endymion looked at the silver-haired minx beside him in wonderment. To be so devoted to any creature was alien to him. And yet, here was this disarming, young woman doing her very best to ensure the safety and well being of these animals. She created a blissful habitat for these creatures, so that they may live and live comfortably. She was truly amazing. And that fact added to the list of her other desirable characteristics was very unsettling for the prince.
Serenity took in his speechless disposition cheerfully. She was glad that he was as much in awe of this place as she was. In this world, they could be equals. The outside did not exist.
"Here." She reached up and placed the apron over his head. She did not even notice their closeness and the feel of his breath fanning over her cheek as it did, or when her chest brushed intimately against his own, or when her hands scraped the back of his neck gently as she tied the two pieces of string together, or even when her hands wrapped around his waist so that she may tie the apron at his back.
All this she did with unconscious sensuality and unknown eroticism that Endymion's body burnt an inferno of lust within him. He gritted his teeth and shut his eyes at the temptation of taking her right then, right there. This just proved that these alluring advances of hers were undoubtedly accidental and done in such a way that he was overcome by her purity and innocence to the real world. But he was not going to be the one to teach her the way life really was. And how women really were.
Not here. Not yet.
When her hair touched his cheek as her arms wrapped around him, he thought he would explode. His fists clenched at his sides with the ache to seize a hold of the tempting lushness of her body, yearning to let his hands explore each and every curve, which would then be followed by his mouth. Though his loins were loudly protesting otherwise, he regretfully settled himself with inhaling the scent of her, long and deep. Her sweet aroma filled his nostrils and he was soothed with pure.....serenity. Good God, could she not feel the evidence of his arousal poking her in the stomach?
Totally oblivious to the frustration she was causing the prince to experience, she turned and picked up the feeding pail. She then turned to the prince and motioned for him to follow her. "Come on then. Let me introduce you."
Endymion counted to twenty, settling himself and then followed. "Why must we wear these garments?" He asked, fingering the piece of clothing that forced him to endure such uncomfortable lust. But at least with it he could hide.... certain things.
"It is called an apron. It is just in case of any....accidents. Although I was mighty tempted to not give you one, but I am afraid I would never hear the end of it if we returned with your clothes stained." She replied half- teasing, half-serious. She first led them to a cage filled with birds. Birds whose feathers was every colour of the rainbow. Some large and intimidating, some small and meek. All, spectacular.
Serenity reached over to where the birdseeds were contained and filled her feeding pail with the required amount. As she did so, she explained, "This is, obviously, the Bird Cage. In it we have twenty-seven birds. Most are all a different species; the rest will be in groups of three or four. About half of them have been injured somehow, the rest were abandoned. As is the case with most of the other animals here."
All this was said to the bewildered prince who was studying her with amazing intensity. Watching as she bent to each feeding bucket, tipping in birdseeds. As she did so, birds gathered around her, impatiently attempting to get at their food. He crept slowly up behind her so he would not disturb the scene.
"Will you let them go?" He asked quietly. Startled, she jumped, showing that she did not hear him approach. She let out a shaky breath disturbed by his nearness. He was close enough that she could feel his breath feathering the hair at the back of her neck. She inhaled the scent of his cologne as it drifted to her in the slight breeze. Oh, but he smelled so good.
"Eventually." She let out slowly. Inwardly telling herself to get a grip. "When they have recovered."
"I suppose that will be painful."
Serenity sighed sorrowfully, thinking of the day when all the animals will finally be healed and she will have to release them. "Goodbyes are always painful." There was a small hitch in her throat as she thought about her father. Not saying goodbye at all hurt even more. She shook herself and turned to the prince. "Hold out your hands."
Endymion blinked in confusion. "I beg your pardon?"
"Your hands. Hold them out." She ordered, scooping out a handful of birdseeds.
The prince frowned and raised an eyebrow, but then did as he was told. She pushed them together so they would make a cup shape and then emptied the birdseeds into them. She then crouched and motioned for him to do the same. Flattening his hands out so that the seeds were visible they sat and waited. Not too long after, birds cautiously began edging nearer. Endymion held still, watching as two birds that both looked the same came closer and closer until they jumped onto his hands and began pecking at the seeds, thus causing more birds to be brave and gathered nearer in anticipation of food.
Serenity sat there and watched his face. For once she witnessed from him a true smile of happiness. Not one of sarcasm, not one of lust but a full- blown smile of boyish excitement and it tore at her heart. She was then hit with the epiphany that Endymion had never before experienced any of this. That his childhood was not as any other child's. That he had never climbed trees to observe birds in their nests, or played in the snow and made a snowman.
Had he ever just been a boy?
"What kind of birds are these?" He asked, snapping her out of her musings. "We do not have them on Earth." His eyes were, fortunately, still focused on his new made friends, who were increasing by the minute, so he did not see her contemplating so deeply over him.
"We call them Manu. We found them in a nest left on the ground. Either their mother died, or just left. They have been here for maybe a couple of years." She waited till the last of the birdseeds diminished from Endymion's hands and then stood up while at the same time all the birds took to the air. Above them soared a plethora of colours.
"Now, I suggest we take cover." She said grinning, before walking outside the cage. Endymion shook his head in incredulity at the true beauty of her smile. It certainly was a weapon to use on men to make them grovel at her feet. Yet, what was alarming was the fact that she did not seem to know this. She seemed to be completely naïve to how truly stunning she was.
Not now, but soon he would show her exactly how a man feels when she looks at him like that.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" She said, staring at the coloured wings of the birds at flight. Lost in their graceful movements.
"Absolutely." Endymion replied, not taking his gaze away from her.
Serenity started at the huskiness of his voice and made the mistake of looking at him. The hue of his sapphire coloured eyes had deepened as he stared at her. Unconsciously, her eyes fell to his mouth. The memory of their kiss came flooding back to her as the form of a small tingle in the pit of her stomach. It seemed impossible that his eyes could get any darker, but it was almost as if they turned black in their intensity. It was then she realized he meant to kiss her. And what was worse, she could not find the means to stop him. She watched in silent dread as his lips neared. I have to stop him, she thought in a panic. I can not let him kiss me again, otherwise.... She did not want to think of what might happen otherwise.
"Don't kiss me." She said breathlessly, swallowing her unease. He halted only inches away, raising his eyes to her in what looked like amusement.
"Pardon?"
Serenity leaned back ever so slowly, her brain struggling with her hormones so that she may pull away. "Don't, uh....kiss....me." She let out slowly. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, hoping the oxygen might let her brain function once more. Her eyes then opened and she put on a composed face.
Endymion smirked at this, knowing full well that should he lean forward and capture her lips with his, she would not resist. How could she? "And why not?" He asked not giving an inch. He wanted to see how far she would go.
"Because I do not want you to!" She retorted angrily. Amazing. To think he could get whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it. Well not this time.
"Could have fooled me." He replied smugly, leaning back and watching in fascination as she spluttered in disbelief. Her eyes lit up in fury and her body grew taut, as if she were about to strike out at something. Endymion did not think he had seen anything more beautiful.
Serenity narrowed her eyes in anger. 'That damned arrogant bastard, who does he think he is?' "Listen here you egotistical swine, you may indulge yourself with the fantasy that you are every girls wet dream, but know that there are those females out there who actually have brains, and who can resist anything you throw at them."
Endymion kept his features cold and harsh. He did not know whether to be impressed or pissed off at her words. Nobody talked to him like that. Nobody. Who the hell did this prissy little brat think she was?
"And know this Endymion," she continued, moving closer to him so that she was right in his face, and so when she spoke, her breath stirred his hair, caressed his cheek as she finished in a seductive tone, "you were never very original anyway."
The insult hit him hard. The urge to strike out at her was overwhelming. Strike at her with what, he did not know. But the impulse to retaliate in a physical sense was consuming. He could not bare the thought of other men staring at her like he did, touching her like he did, tasting her. He wanted to murder any man that even thought of caressing her sweet skin.
"Who?" He asked in a strangled rasp. He was enraged to the point of homicidal.
Serenity stepped back at the pure fury she saw in his eyes. They had darkened to a deep black and he looked about ready to kill her. Yet deep within the sub-consciousness of her mind, she knew he would not lift a hand to hurt her. She felt safe with that knowledge and therefore held her ground. "What?" She asked in confusion.
"Who?" He repeated, this time strongly. And when he began stalking towards her, his intimidation led her to be backed up against the wall behind her. He did not stop until they were only inches apart, and their bodies touched ever so slightly.
"What are you talking about? Who what?" She shook her head in a daze. She had no idea what he was going on about. It was just her luck for him to turn crazy now. Or crazier, as might be the case. He was too close for comfort, and with this wall behind her, even more so. Ha, stuck between a rock and a hard place, go figure. She thought irrationally.
"Who has touched you?" Who would be stupid enough to put their hands on his property? If he could be at all honest with himself, he would realize that right now, he was behaving quite stupidly himself. He did not know what had come over him. But at the mention that there was any men before him that could have possibly tarnished her in any way made him want to hunt them down and torture them very, very slowly.
It was not jealousy. Of course it wasn't. For it to be jealousy, he would have to actually feel some emotion for her, and there was no way that was possible. No, jealousy was completely out of the question. It was just plain and simple anger. Anger at anyone who thought that they had his permission to touch what was his, look at what was his. That was all.
Serenity gave out a bark of laughter, incredulous at his question. "You mean who has tried?" She asked with a smile full of malice. "Honestly Endymion, who do you think? Any man who is unattached and has a title to his name, I have been flaunted to. Any man who is willing to overtake the kingdom. Any man who wishes to parade me around as his prized possession, mocking those who could not win me. Who do you think?" She paused as she looked into his dark eyes, which were staring back at her silently. She smirked at his speechlessness. "As I was saying Endymion, you are not very original. Men like you have come and gone," she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away, "and so it shall continue."
She went to move away but his hand caught hers and spun her back. The inertia made her slam back into him. He grabbed the back of her head with his free hand, his fingers diving into the silken strands of her hair, and holding her head immobile. His breath came harshly. "You bitch." He breathed out fiercely, the cold chips in his eyes coming alive. "I am nothing like your little lackeys!"
Serenity snorted, "Right. Keep telling yourself that." She struggled against his grip. "Let go of me." She might as well have been talking to a tree, because he would not give an inch. In fact, he made himself more comfortable by pushing her back against the wall, and trapping her in his arms. She stared up at him in indignation and confusion, wondering what his deal was. She knew she had angered him; that was the point. But she had finally been given the chance to tell a prince what she truly thought of him, of them all, and who better than the man who nearly made her want him.
Nearly.
Endymion pushed his face close to hers. "How about you keep telling yourself this. I am here to win you, make no mistake. And I am willing to overtake your kingdom. And as for being a prized possession that I will happily parade around, as you so delicately put it, I will do also. Yet, one difference that I promise you," he stepped up closer and pushed his body into hers, relishing the small gasp she let out, "I will not fail." He whispered into her ear, and not being able to resist, licking the lobe. "I shall have you begging for me." He said into her other ear, nibbling it. "And we will both enjoy every minute of it." With a smirk, he pushed back from the wall and turned to walk out of the cage, while Princess Serenity was left there staring at his retreating back.
Wait a second; he did not get the last word. Outraged at the fact that he so easily dismissed her, she stalked after him. When she reached ahead of him, she stopped and pushed him back. "Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you insult me by insinuating that I could ever fall for someone like you? If there were ever to be anything between us, it would be because you wanted me. YOU were begging for MY touch. Not the other way around. Never the other way around." She stated angrily.
"I do not deny wanting you. How could I not? You, my little temptress, could keep even the strongest man awake at night with lust." He replied complacently, his eyebrows raised, a twinkle of amusement mixed with something else in his eyes. "Yet I am surprised at your denial of wanting me."
"That is because I do not want you." She seethed, glaring at him with vehemence. Pushing back strands of hair that had blown into her face.
Endymion smirked, making Serenity want to punch him. Hard. "And if you believe that, minx, you will believe anything."
She narrowed her eyes and clenched her fists. "What makes you think that I could ever want you?"
He smiled and stepped up closer to her, leaning his face only inches away. "I kiss you, you'll kiss back. If I start anything, there is no doubt in my mind that I will also be the one to finish it."
Serenity chuckled "You seem to think that is some great feat, prince. Do not flatter yourself, you have not been the only one."
Endymion's features stilled. His eyes grew cold as he stared at the princess and asked, "What did you say?"
Quite smugly she answered, "What? Did you think you were the first? Do not be so naive Endymion. Day in and day out princes come. What makes you think that during that time, I would be waiting for you to be my first? What gives you the gumption to believe that you would be anything special to me?"
Once again he looked about ready to strike. But instead, pulled her to him and kissed her harshly. His lips pressed against hers with brutal force, almost bruising them in the process. Punishing her for these emotions that he was feeling. His hand snaked through her hair pulling her head back so that he may push harder. His other hand pressing her waist against his groin as he grinded into her, swallowing the small moan that escaped her.
He then stopped and pushed her away; wrenching Serenity out of the pleasurable trance she was in, pulling her back to the cruel reality in his cold smile. They stared at each other in silence, her anger boiling below the surface, his simmering down to a cool intensity, both waiting to lash out and use it against the other.
Endymion stepped back so that he could take in the whole of her. "You talk a lot, little girl, but that is all you are: talk. You say you have been kissed, touched before, yet you shiver with excitement at my caress. Quake with longing at my kiss. So either they," he said vehemently, "were not man enough for you, which I," his glance raked down her body as if he were stripping her naked, "entirely understand, or you really are just, a little girl." He shook his head in mock despair. "When you are ready to grow up, I am more than willing to help." He finished, turning to move away.
This comment was a huge insult to Serenity. Him being four years older than her and more experienced was no excuse to dismiss her, even if this was the perfect opportunity to turn his attentions away from her. She was not going to allow him to be the one to refuse her. That was just not the way it was played.
"I'll show you little girl." With that, she shoved him against the wall, cupped his head in her palms and kissed his mouth. Not soft, not chaste, this kiss. She used her tongue as sexily, masterfully, boldly and possessively, as she knew how. She pressed her body full length against him, tempting him with all her being.
Endymion may have been shocked at first, but was quick to respond as; in reply, he grasped her waist and pulled her in even closer. He then proceeded to trail his hands down to her hips, gripping them tightly. Possibly bruising her in the process.
Serenity was no less gentle. Her hands clenched and pulled at his hair as her tongue unrelentingly tangled with his, biting harshly into his lip, not hard enough to bleed, but hard enough to hurt. She constantly found herself pressing against the hardness gouging her middle, seeking that unattainable contact. Pain was most definitely balanced with pleasure in this act of intimacy.
As response to this, the sound that issued from Endymion's throat was feral. Then, exercising no subtlety, he changed their positions, pushed her against the wall, settled his hands on her derriere, and lifted her, which caused her legs to wrap around him as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
What was meant to be a kiss to simply prove a point, turned out to be one of the most carnal exploits either of them had ever experienced, pushing away any outside distractions and focusing on only one thing....
....each other.
With their mouths still fused together, and her body held against the wall, his hands were free to roam. So when he pushed his hardness against her intimately, his hands swept up, passed the sides of her breasts and into her silken mass of hair. He then let one hand trail slowly down to her thigh, bunching the skirt up, and out of the way, so that he may revel in the smoothness of her skin.
She moaned at the simultaneous contacts, causing sparks to shoot throughout her body. She wrapped both arms around his neck and shamelessly ground her middle against the strength of his desire.
He growled deep within his throat at the pleasure it produced, reveling in the carnality of their kiss. He drew on her like a man starved, craving for her very essence. He sent his tongue deep, penetrating her mouth and saturating her with lust.
When finally they both figured they needed a hefty supply of oxygen, they slowly pulled apart from one another. Serenity's hands were still clenched; arms wrapped firmly around his neck while one of Endymion's hands was fisted in her hair, and the other was just under her thigh. His head fell down to the hollow between her neck and shoulder, then taking the skin in between his teeth, biting gently, making her moan his name to the sky. Once he pulled away, he licked the spot once, pleased with the red mark that appeared, and then took a breath.
When finally he lifted his head his eyes fixed onto her lips, while Serenity's eyes were still closed. She pulled her lips inwards and opened her eyes. By that time, his features became unreadable. She looked from his lips, and then into his eyes.
They stared at each other silently.
Endymion took in her flushed face, swollen lips and expectant eyes, and immediately uncertainty swamped him. "God...." What the hell was he thinking?
He quickly released her, settling her upon her feet and abruptly withdrew his hands. He stepped back and wiped at his mouth. He turned away, disgusted at himself. How was this little enchantress able to make him give into temptation like that? She may be beautiful, but he had experienced beautiful and desirable before, and hell, they were not as alluring as this one. Nobody had made him lose control like that before. Nobody.
Serenity stared at his back in confusion. She knew he desired her, as she had known before. It was physically evident now. In fact, the feel of his lust for her was what made her mind so incredibly hazy, that she was unable to control her reactions. Though, it was entirely mystifying to watch him turn away in disgust. Had she done something wrong? She frowned at his lack of response. Now what was supposed to happen? She had proven her point. She had personally verified that he no longer thought of her as a little girl, but what he did not realize, was that this girl still wanted more and that was the most disturbing fact of all....did Serenity actually want him? She reeled back in horror at the notion.
Good God no!
Do I.... like Endymion?
With that thought lingering in her mind, she turned around and ran.