A/N: See the end of chapter for answers to review questions. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed reading your wonderful reviews. To those who reviewed, this chapter is especially for you. Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Helena's Secret

"…it is therefore his Majesty's great honor to beseech upon this providence his protection and allegiance; to bind Infer and it's master in this sole treaty."

In the great hall of Infer Manor, lined with Irish and strictly Gaelic art, an authoritative voice boomed in the ancient room. The voice held an air of power and supremacy that brought attention to those few in the room who needed to hear the message the most.

Wearing a golden trimmed uniform that easily signaled him out as royalty, made of intricate designs of the house of the King of England, Lord Arthur Kensington stood at the center of the opulent hall surrounded by an armed force that could easily take over a piece of any nation that would stand in its way. Guards posted at either side of the lord wore unemotional masks; deadly and unwavering, ready for an attack.

Kensington was a man not so powerfully built physically, his strength lied in his diplomacy and mental prowess. He, in other words, was a man of logic. In his thirty years of being alive, Kensington was still young by his looks; dark black hair that when in the sun would give a bluish tint. And eyes so indigo, they could be deemed murky.

The group of men comprised of Endymion, Marcus, Byron, Gaeth and Alan, stood headfast and prepared; all with their own unemotional diplomatic eyes.

Marcus smirked, laced with natural authoritative haughtiness before replying first, "So, you expect us to believe that you came here with a legion of his Majesty's army, and a fine looking one if I may add, to deliver this message yourself?"

Lord Kensington grinned, "Still ever weary, Marcus?"

Marcus came up to the man who dared insult his composure and before any of his armed guards could react, dragged him by the collar of his shirt. Then, with a little laugh set the man on his feet before helping mend the slight crease he caused.

Marcus smiled a true genuine smile for the first time in…let's say awhile, "Still ever trusting, Kensington?"

"Only you, friend. Only you,"

(A/N: If you haven't figured it out…this is the man Marcus saved in battle).

Clasping arms in a show of camaraderie, both men faced one another as equals.

"It has been a long time, I thought my letter would not reach you in time, Kensington,"

The man nodded, "It almost did not,"

Endymion looked on the scene with nervous-boredom. Taking the initiative he walked up to Kensington and asked, "It is nice to know you are still friends and a champion for this providence, Lord Kensington. But why has this war been…what's the word…averted? I was under the impression it was unstoppable,"

Kensington stared at the man before him, Marcus's older brother…Endymion. Yes, he had heard of him. A man who held a high position in the economic and political courts. Yet he has never met the man in the personal realm.

"It is a story that demands time, if we may please adjourn to more comfortable surroundings, it would be easier to tell,"

Nodding, Endymion motioned the men to follow him through the hall and into an adjacent room. Finally out of sight of the strangers they had come to show intimidation to, a legion of men were finally now able to sigh in exhaustion...

Emotion of the tired.

In the Room:

"The King had thought that a war with this providence would not be a tremendous endeavor. However, there are always two sides to the story," Kensington began as he courtly reclined in an oversized chair.

"And what exactly is this other side that made him change his mind so," Alan questioned, he too happily comfortable in an identical chair; another drink finding its way into his hand.

"France,"

Byron let out a chuckle, "What is it with you English…of course its is always France,"

"What doe this exactly mean, I still do not understand why the King would want a peace treaty now," Endymion asked, a perplexed expression marring his usually self-assured features.

Kensington sighed, "The newly crowned Prince of France and my King are in battle over a land between Germanic and the Mediterranean. Who ever controls this land will have easier access to traders in the East, and a certain monopoly to exercise tariffs. The King simply cannot afford a two front war, it would diminish his resources; even if they are great,"

A hush fell around the room as the only sounds were that of slow breathing and the clicks of the Father clock in the corner. War was a very pricey game. Extremely so. If this war would have occurred Endymion knew he would need to call upon every connection he had to ensure a certain victory; and even then the cost would be catastrophic. Ireland was going through a famine. The people were poor and could easily be influenced by the high King in England. Maybe this was a blessing.

Breaking the silence, Endymion took it upon himself to ask, "This treaty, if I acquiesce to it. What does this King require from me? What does he guarantee?"

Kensington smirked mentally at this young man's indecision, many would have easily aligned themselves out of fear of retribution from the high King. But not this one. For a matter of fact, none of these men seemed easily swayed by promises other than the security of battle and war. Good, he thought. He did not wish to associate with an infant playing lord.

"This treaty," Kensington began, "would guarantee that if you were to need the King's assistance, he would consent to lending his aid. All that he requires is that you, and your province, do not become an enemy, or aid them,"

Endymion understood.

He owned vast amounts of influence in the economic markets, controlling food supplies all over Europe and the East; as well as authority in the political ring. Either this King had just realized that detail, or he was told he would be making a formidable enemy not a moment too soon.

Marcus, sitting silently next to his brother, came down and muttered, "It is a good deal, brother. One that would save your hands from being soiled by blood,"

Coming back to Kensington, Marcus stated unreservedly, "So old friend, I take it that the King had some help in realizing that going through with this war was a mistake,"

Kensington grinned, "If you sir, think I may have manipulated the King's judgment…of course,"

"I would be honored if you stayed tonight," Endymion began, "my servants can-"

"No, please. I thank you," Kensington stated as he stood up, "We still have important business to attend to tonight, I thank you for your hospitality but if there is nothing else I will take your word to the King immediately,"

"As you wish,"

Turning one final time before departing the room, Kensington looked straight into Endymion's eyes, it was not a showdown of authority or power, just a connection between two people.

"Be well," Kensington wished, then turning to Marcus, "All of you,"

After the man left the room, a servant of the house leading him to his men, Endymion turned to Marcus and the others, "I say it is time to say goodnight, I have servants waiting outside this door to escort you to your rooms,"

Walking out the door Endymion turned, "Oh by the way. This time do not interrupt my evening. I have to inspect a new possession"

He failed to notice Marcus lock his jaw.

Moira slowly scrubbed the length of Serenity's hair into the scolding bath trying valiantly to get the knots out in time, for her lord would be coming tonight.

"Ouch! That hurts!"

Sighing in amusement, the old woman poured a bucket of hot water on the girl. "Now lookie here, girly, I have things at do and sleep at get so the faster we clean ya up the better off we both are of each other!"

Serenity laughed, "Come on, admit it, you are enjoying yourself,"

Moira let out an unfeminine snort. Truth be it she was fast becoming fond of the blond menace in the tub. So what if she tried to kill her with her own scissors, the girl was confused at the time…or so she says. It was nothing that the girl said that made Moira take a liking to her, for Moira was not one to entangle herself personally in people. But this little pint of a girl had a light that many people didn't have nowadays, a certain pure essence that made people around her happy. And Moira was happy.

Looking down at the girl once more, Moira noticed the calming of her breath, while shampooing her hair the girl had melted into oblivion, "Don't go fallen asleep on me, girly. We're almost done,"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Serenity looked up at the old woman, and nervously bit her lip. Moira ever the one to pick up on people's feelings stated, "Out with it, what da ya wanna ask, girly?"

Pondering for only a moment, Serenity asked, "What is he like?"

Cheerfully, Moira substituted the "he" for Endymion and answered to her heart's ease, "I've known the young fella since he was a lad in his cradle. He wasn't raised like most children here…ya see he was sent off to Infer to learn how at be a lord when he was only nine summers. He never knew his parents real well and so sometimes I don't think he knows what love…really is.

"He is very smart and clever, he truly is. And kind too, but only to the people he takes a liken' to. Ya see, he is very lonely. At least that's why he is so damn aloof at times. But generous to his people nonso," She ended.

"Thats horrible! Not to know love...he is so complicated from what I saw of him. He changes faces ever so fast," Serenity whispered out.

Nodding, Moira began to brush her hair before replying, "He's just like…a little boy sometimes. Charmin', funny, and just carefree. Ya should see him with his horses…he's so boyish. But his other side, is a bit gloomier. He tends at be intimidatin' and cold…but from what I saw not at ya,"

Serenity blushed a soft rose pink before stating rather seriously, "He scared me at first, but his eyes…they are so very warm. Like honey. I feel as though I saw his life through his eyes and he saw mine…that we are somehow the same…maybe in a past life,"

"Ah, now don't be doin that on me, girly. It's obvious ya both seem at have a connection. Like me and my last husband, Bern,"

"Do you miss him, your husband I mean?" Serenity said softly, afraid to trespass on personal ground.

Wrapping a town around Serenity's hair and then moving across the room to get a robe, Moira hesitated then spoke, "No, I can't miss him. It would be wrong of me at miss him when I know he's in a better place. I just hope he misses me,"

Serenity stood in the center of the room, a quiet tear making it's way down her cheek, "That is beautiful, I hope I find a love that would make my soul sing so poetically,"

Walking carrying a bounty of soiled cloths, namely Serenity's, towards the door, Moira stated, "I think you might have,"

With those last words that would keep Serenity's mind in deep thought, Moira made her way out the room and into the hallway.

Alone at last, Serenity nervously awaited his presence. The man was a mystery to her...but something pulled her to him that she could not explain. Even as she awaited, she knew one thing: whatever was to happen tonight would be because of something greater than her.

Looking in the full vertical mirror next to the bath tub, she eyed her face. What she saw was him...staring from across the room, next to her reflection.

In the darkness, a lone figure soundlessly made their way through the hypnotizing halls, unable to find their bedroom for the night. The man in the shadows knew not why he could not concentrate as to something so easy as finding his room; especially since he used to live here.

Marcus leaned on the wall for a moment and realized that his mind throughout this entire journey to Infer was on one person, a person who had stung him so deeply it hurt to think about her, and even more so not.

Unnoticed by him, another figure, this time smaller made her way through the same hall. As they crossed paths, both heads turned to each other's faces; shock.

Helena tore herself from the arms of the man who collided with her, moving as though she was scalded, "Marcus…"

She breathed his name so softly that if he was not searching for her voice he would not have heard it. This man who she had feared for months, the man that in her dreams she would cry out his name and ask for forgiveness now stood before her, still as beautiful as the day she last seen him.

"Marcus…I-"

"Don't, don't you dare" he viciously cut her off before turning to walk away; his eyes now ablaze with dilution.

Quickly grabbing his arm as he turned, Helena let out a soft whimper. The touch was so bold and filled with so much desperation, she had not known what had caused her to act out.

Speaking with unbridled emotions that wanted to rip through her very soul, Helena started, "Please, don't turn away from me. Let us just-"

"Just what Helena? Pretend this never happened and live happily ever after…huh?"

Shaking her head she slid down to her knees and reached for his limp hand at his side. Cradling it in a show of past intimacy, Helena let out a plea, "I never wanted this to happen, I never dreamed it would turn out this way. That I would hurt you…"

"No Helena," Marcus said, gently caressing her cheek with the hand she held to so desperately, "You hurt me more than any blade if not any torture could possibly…you killed someone who was innocent in your selfish desire,"

Tearing his hand away from her cheek and her hand, he kneeled down and spoke as someone would talking to a child, "I would have given you everything," he began, choking down the emotion that threatened to tear through him, "…but you had to go and destroy my child…our child because it did not fit your scheme to marry a bloody lord!"

"I had no choice, you were going to fight a war and leave me with the chance you would never come back!" She declared, "I took that tonic because I was desperate to survive. Think of the shame…you said you would marry me, but you might have died in battle…"

Letting out a bitter laugh, Marcus rebuffed, "…and how noble of you, my lady. Destroy and innocent child in your haste to fortune. And when the younger brother goes to war, seduce the older brother,"

"No…"

Turning away from her one final time, he walked a few meters not looking back as he ruthlessly stated, "I never wish to see you again, from this moment I will forget you. From this moment you do not exist in my life. May whatever gods you pray to forgive your sin, for I will not,"

Alone now in the darkness of the hall, Helena shivered in absolute misery. Whispering to herself she began to pour out her heart to the wind; the only one able to carry such a agonizing message to the gods…

"My baby…I am so sorry…my baby,"

Tender hands gently roamed unblemished shoulders, mapping a trail of light touches. Tender hands reveled in the waves of silky, now clean and groomed, golden hair, leaving the faintest---

"Serenity…"

---sensations of being treasured, and…

"Serenity? Are you alright?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, a small blush rose into her cheeks as she nodded. Endymion stood before her now only millimeters away as he lightly stroked her hair; a gesture used more to sooth nerves then entice. It was night and the room was lit only with a few wax candles that cast shadows into corners and only illuminated at the will of the wind; dancing when a slight breeze came through. Serenity recalled the moment when he first came into the room…a feeling of uncertainty, yet not dread, grew in her chest before then.

She knew why she was bought. She was not obtuse…

But even when he came towards her, a man so untamed with eyes that bore into her like steel sapphires she felt a sudden yearning in her heart. She knew she was his; and she basked in it. Maybe Moira was right…a love here and now.

He touched her cheek, the first place he touched her, was so soft and yet so possessive; and when he took her to his chest to wrap his arms around her his scent filled her with the desire that now coursed through her so strongly.

She was so taken by his presence she failed to notice that she was still immodestly nude before him, and if she did notice she did not care. Only when he began to dress her in a night-shift gown did she break out of her thoughts.

"I'm fine,"

"Tonight, you don't have to if you don't-"

Placing her delicate finger over his perfectly chiseled lips, Serenity realized how lucky she was to be here…with him. He had given her a choice, when so many in her station were not even graced with the concern he had when he came to her this night.

Shaking her head, Serenity began to caress his cheek; soft-hypnotic circles that were innocent in their touches, however ignited a passion that connected two people by more than just fortune.

"I want to,"

With those three words, Endymion reached behind her head and crushed his lips against hers, unyielding to stop for even the tiniest of breath, both rejoiced in their union.

And as they traversed towards the corpulent bed, the moon peeked over the night sky camouflaging the lovers in an array of pale shades, save only for the wax candles whose addition of a more striking flushed-glow, symbolized their soaring passion.

A/N: lol...I know this chapter may have seemed emotion ridden or depressing at times, but I like complex characters and the secrets they try to hide. Lady Helena is not the enemy...they are yet to be shown...

To Lady of Enchantment: The romance that has entangled Sere and Endy (that you will see begin to form stronger in this chapter), is something like Helena and Demetrius from A Midsummer Night's Dream. This is their romance though and as you will begin to see, there will be power players who will try to deter them from their joining. Thanks for the review!

To Tiffany: More Endy/ Sere interaction just for you…-

Baby Love. KLG: Sorry for the short chapter, I hope this makes up for it.

RabbitTsukino: Thank you for your kind words! I hope you enjoy this chapter and the direction its going!

Reviews are most welcome!