Falling Away

Chapter 4

MarshAngel

watsonma@hotmail.com

Rated: R  (sexual content; mature language)

This version for fanfiction.net has been modified from the original to remove some sexual content. Whatever's left should comply with an R- rating…on my terms anyway. There is certainly less in here than in any popular romance novel. The original version (with only slight changes) can be seen on my Website.

She had managed to avoid seeing Endymion for most of the day so far. Yesterday, after their 'incident' at the cottage, she'd had to sit through dinner with him and it had been a draining event with her constantly glancing over at him and then trying to pretend she hadn't while keeping up conversations with everyone else. She'd been relieved when it was over but it hadn't helped her sleep the night through. She'd gotten up in the middle of the night and peeked through her balcony curtains wondering if he was awake too. He obviously had not been cursed with the same affliction because his room had remained dark.

Unfortunately she couldn't rejoice in her ability to avoid a man that part of her wanted to see and it wasn't quite past midday yet. There was much of the day left and many more opportunities for mistakes.

She was alone in her room only because her remaining senshi, Lita and Rei, had arrived early this morning and after seeing them briefly they had had duties to attend to, which at the moment included practice. She, on the other hand, had nothing to do. She was going to have to speak to Aahe about starting up her schedule again. Her duties may have left her with little time for herself but they kept her occupied and perhaps they would take her mind off the inappropriate thoughts that kept running through her head, thoughts that invariably involved Endymion.

She glanced at the large, unusual, carved metal clock that stood against the wall of her sitting room. The girls had already begun their practice and she was bored being by herself; perhaps she would go watch them.

When she entered the training room by way of the balcony above the large open area, she was stunned. Amy and Malachite stood back to back joined in a battle against two separate teams of Rei with Endymion and Mina with Lita. What in the name of the goddess were the two men doing down there. Didn't they realize that the girls could hurt them easily?

She didn't dare interrupt however, knowing she could easily cause more trouble with her interruption. Were they using magic or was it merely hand-to-hand combat?  She could see two swords lying abandoned on the ground. Perhaps they'd decided to make the fight a fair one.

She wondered how fair it was to have Mina and Lita on the same team. Both were very skilled in hand-to-hand combat and Lita, the taller of the two was as strong as many men. Then of course there was Amy and Malachite; from their conversations yesterday she had gathered that the handsome white haired leader of Endymion's guard was very intelligent, possibly a brilliant strategist. The two had the advantage of brainpower. The team of Endymion and Rei was a mystery. Rei was unpredictable, fast, and she fought dirty. Endymion was obviously physically imposing, beyond that she knew nothing of his fighting abilities.

She watched as they battled, her eyes wandering back and forth between each group, invariably settling on Endymion before she reminded herself to look away. He was better than she'd expected. He was fast, rather graceful for a man, and more than a match for anyone in the room. She winced as he landed a kick to Lita's ribs. She supposed it was only fair; Lita had punched him in that same spot only moments before and had gloated triumphantly at having finally penetrated his defenses. She wasn't gloating anymore.

She hadn't seen a fight this exciting in a while. She peered over the balcony excitedly. She really shouldn't enjoy such violent displays but the girls seemed to be enjoying themselves. They hadn't had such a challenge in a while. The addition of two unpredictable players allowed them to exercise a range of skills they couldn't with each other, knowing each other too well for their practices to be truly challenging.

The battle took a turn and came to surprising end when Mina reflexively used her senshi abilities, and sent a beam of hot light speeding towards Rei and Endymion. The ultimate surprise however, was when Endymion and Rei disappeared from view and Mina's beam hit the wall behind them. The two reappeared a few feet from where they had stood.

Rei was visibly surprised, as was everyone else except Malachite. Mina rushed towards the two apologizing fervently.

"How did you do that?" Rei demanded when she'd gotten over her surprise?"

"You don't know?" Endymion questioned, confused by their surprise. "I was under the impression that all senshi could teleport."

"But you're not one and we need transport enhancers to do it on our own. Serenity can and so can the Queen but none of us, except Mina, and it's difficult for her, can do that without transport enhancers," Amy informed.

Endymion merely shrugged. "I guess that makes me very talented then," he commented casually.

Serenity was surprised. She hadn't been aware that any of the Terrans possessed magical abilities and she supposed everyone else had assumed the same.

As if he sensed her presence, he glanced up at the balcony, looking directly at her for a second and like a coward she left the room in a hurry.

"We really should talk, you know."

She nearly stumbled as she walked down the hallway wondering how he had caught up with her so fast. 

"I walked very quickly," he replied to the question she hadn't spoken aloud, his icy eyes twinkling humorously. Her eyes widened at the realization that he was very talented indeed. He'd just picked the thought right out of her head.

"What did you wish to discuss?" She questioned politely as though she had no idea.

He grabbed her arm, bringing her to a halt. "Yesterday..."

"Was an accident," she finished. "I've already forgotten it."

"I doubt that," he replied dryly. "Believe it or not I don't accidentally kiss women."

"I believe it," she replied. She was sure he kissed many women quite purposefully.

He smiled. She wasn't anything like he'd expected. He'd expected to find an uptight cold princess, one he'd have had no interest in speaking to let alone spending time with, and perhaps she was a little of that, well uptight anyway, but he hadn't expected her to be at all as vibrant, beautiful, and unconsciously sexy. He hadn't expected it but he was more than willing to take advantage of it. It struck him momentarily that he should probably be avoiding her like a plague but he ignored the thought.

"Endymion."

Endymion turned to face the intruder, annoyed at the interruption. A tall man with dark hair and dark eyes approached them. Serenity noticed for the second time his resemblance to Endymion, in height as well as expression. Endymion's uncle, Prince Mikhail gave a polite nod and greeting to Serenity before turning to his nephew. His features were more solemn and harsher and his face held what Serenity could only describe as a grim expression.

"We must speak," Mikhail stated simply.

Endymion understood the expression on his uncle's face. It was important.

"I hope to continue this conversation later," Endymion said as he excused himself, his words laden with intent. Despite his obvious determination however, Serenity was firm in her own determination not to speak to him. She wasn't denying his attractiveness anymore and acknowledging it meant avoiding his presence at all cost.

Serenity made her way back to her quarters and much to her surprise her mother fell into step beside her.

"You came back early," Serenity noted. Her mother and her guests hadn't been due to arrive until tomorrow.

"Yes. The Duke decided he'd seen enough after we had a brief visit on Venus. It was unfortunate that we arrived amidst a celebration to the Goddess Selene. They counted my arrival as auspicious and the Duke naturally assumed that I received such glorious treatment regularly."

"And he assumed that the same would be expected of the people of Earth," Serenity recognized. Her mother nodded in acknowledgement.

"He is unwilling to accept that we do not demand, encourage, or make efforts to inspire any kind of irrational devotion to ourselves. He called the people weak-minded and brainwashed'." The queen sighed wearily with a touch of frustration in her voice.

 "The council is considering cutting off trade with Earth."

"But we can't do that!" Serenity declared in shock. "Even if we can get by on our own without it's resources, that would damage the economies of all the planets, including Earth."

The Queen nodded in agreement. "I know. But as the Duke predicted, anti-alliance sentiments have continued to grow on Earth. A Venusian merchant was attacked last night. The council is demanding that something be done."

Serenity was silent in her concern. Earth wasn't part of the alliance so even if authorities on Earth were willing to find and prosecute the perpetrator of such a crime, there would be little chance of real justice since any persecution would be carried out according to the laws of whatever country on Earth the crime happened in with no consideration to alliance laws whatsoever and undoubtedly with a bias in favor of the criminal.

After today's events on Venus, any chance of Earth joining the alliance seemed distant. Duke Mikhail Rose would report back to his brother and things would continue as they were. The divide between Earth and the rest of the solar system would continue to grow and the strengthening movement on Earth against the Serene Alliance would gain momentum and might even become a threat to the entire alliance.

Things would be so much simpler if the people of Earth thought less of their individuality and autonomy and more of themselves as a cultural unit, a part of something greater than merely their individual countries. Serenity had a hard time understanding how one could equivocate joining the alliance with a loss of identity, but then perhaps that was merely a cover for their true concern, power. They were unwilling to acknowledge a sovereign greater than themselves and with the patriarchal system that existed on Earth it was even worse to cede that power to a woman.

The queen smiled wryly. "It's probably not a good idea to admit that I don't know what to do. The council isn't just thinking of trading; they're thinking of cutting off contact altogether. On the other hand, if we do that, then we can't protect Earth or ourselves from the darkness I can feel building. Something is happening on Earth and I have a feeling it will affect us all if I can't put a stop to it."

Serenity smiled. "No one expects you to be perfect Mother."

Queen Serenity smiled with irony. "That's just it. They do."

As she lay awake in bed, Serenity's mind ran once again to the conversation she'd had with her mother earlier in the day. Her mother and the Serene Alliance had been trying to convince Earth to join The Alliance for months now. King  Endymion II had finally sent his brother, Duke Mikhail Rose and his son Endymion III to speak with Queen Serenity but she could see now that they really weren't ready to accept the rule of the alliance.

The people of Earth saw the Serene Alliance as the enemy, a powerful kingdom ready to swallow up their own, and purge them of the sense of individuality and the vast array of cultures they valued so much. Given their understandably great sense of self-worth they felt they deserved to become more than another Venus or Mars, just another planet in the belt of the Moon Kingdom. Their obsession with their individuality and self-importance was part of what kept them warring with each other.

The move to ask Earth to join the alliance was initiated by Queen Serenity on the basis of the 'feeling' she had about growing dark powers on Earth convincing many Terrans that the Moon Kingdom was a threat. There were of course other benefits but it would also be easier to gain knowledge and protect the planet as well as the rest of the system if they would simply allow her to intervene, which as things stood didn't seem to be likely. Now there was evidence that the people of Earth were already beginning to think of the Serene Alliance and particularly the Moon Kingdom, not as an ally or protector, but as nothing short of a powerful bully that wanted to control Earth and its vast resources. With the attack on the Venusian merchant, it seemed those sentiments had finally grown violent.

Instead of encouraging Earth's joining, which would give the alliance the opportunity to show the people of Earth that they weren't the enemy and win them over with all the benefits the alliance had to offer, the council of the Serene Alliance wanted to withdraw their offer and end relations with Earth altogether. Serenity trusted her mother's feelings. Queen Serenity wanted to intervene, to the benefit of Earth, before something terrible happened. And she could see by the expression on her mother's face when she mentioned it that she believed something terrible was going to happen. Perhaps it was destined and it was out of their hands but it wasn't fair not to try to stop it.

Unable to sleep, Serenity got out of bed. She had left her balcony doors slightly open to let in the rare warm breeze. The white curtains billowed in the wind. She pushed them aside and walked through the doors. She could hear the birds chirping in the garden and the night was clear and beautiful with the Earth shining beautifully and brightly above. She couldn't help but wonder if there was someone on Earth looking up at the moon too.

She concentrated and felt the shift as she willed herself to teleport down to the garden. It was slightly more tiring than walking around through the palace halls but this way no one would see her. She enjoyed taking these walks on warm nights. The grass was damp beneath her toes and she enjoyed the sensation she rarely got to feel.

"We seem to have an amazing sense of timing don't we? Always finding each other."

Serenity jumped and squealed in fright at the sound of Endymion's voice.

"Didn't mean to startle you," he said, getting up from the ground where he'd been sitting against a tree.

"Of course you did," she reprimanded. "What are you doing out here?"

"Same thing you are."

"And how do you know what I'm doing out here?"

"Well you don't have the equipment to go fishing or swimming and you don't seem to be dressed for hunting either. Given those limited possibilities, I'm guessing you couldn't sleep and came for a walk."

"You are as brilliant as you look."

Was that a compliment he wondered? He doubted it.

"You are your mother's daughter he returned."

"Whether you meant that as a compliment or not, thank you."

He hadn't. "Queen Serenity struck him as particularly uptight, but there was hope yet for her daughter.

"I'd thought to be alone out here but I can't say I'm not pleased to see you." His eyes took in every detail of her figure, looking her up and down intently in the way only a man could. He smiled and seemed very pleased.

Serenity flushed red as she realized that in the Earthlight he could see right through her thin silk nightgown and there was nothing underneath. She shivered.

"Cold?" he questioned.

"No," she snapped. She was quite hot actually.

"Good. Then I take it you're just very happy to see me," he said looking at her breasts. Her nipples were peaking even as he stared at their soft inviting roundness. He felt like a little boy dying to touch something but knowing his mother would slap his hand if he did.

She crossed her arms over them, growing even hotter.

"You are turning out to be the most obnoxious man I have ever met."

"But you like me anyway."

"I do not," she muttered in annoyance, knowing it was a lie. She didn't know him particularly well enough to decide just how much she liked him. She certainly liked looking at him however, but that was an affliction she guessed most women succumbed to.

"Then explain this." He reached out a hand, settled it on her hip and pulled her up against him in one fluid motion. She might be innocent but she wasn't ignorant; he was very aroused, and she could feel him pressing against her. It was in her mind to protest but it never quite left her lips because he covered them with his own and things got out of hand, or out of hers anyway.

His tongue invaded her mouth and she tasted wine, warm and sweet. The sensations she was becoming too familiar with lately flooded through her body and she fell against him, her legs refusing to hold her properly. She moaned in pleasure.

He pulled away from her a moment, staring at her swollen lips.

"We shouldn't" she began but he kissed her again and she forgot everything she'd intended to say and he was making love to her. She had never experienced any feeling like this and she certainly would never have imagined herself disgracefully positioned against a tree with her leg wrapped around a man, particularly this one. So it must actually be happening; she couldn't have dreamed this kind of pleasure was at all possible.

It only occurred to her that perhaps things had gone beyond the point of no return when she felt the pain of him pushing into her. Her body went stiff and her mouth opened in a pained imitation of a scream that came out as a hoarse dry whisper.

"No, we can't" she whispered, to herself but it was past that point.

"Shit! I'm sorry," he whispered. Which part was he sorry for she wondered, realizing he'd taken her virginity, the pain, this whole situation that should never have happened?

The pain faded and she couldn't think clearly and once again she climaxed but this time he was with her.

Reality was slow to return but when it did, it came crashing in. He'd rolled away from her and they lay side by side staring up into the night sky as if stunned by what had just happened. When her senses had nearly returned to her completely, she sat up, pulling her nightgown from under him. It was grass stained and spotted with her blood. She held it against her body, to cover herself and stood up.

Her mind was running so fast she could hardly sort through her thoughts. What had she just done? What had possessed her to throw all caution to the wind and give her virginity to this man she barely knew?

She had a fiancée. She was getting married. What would her mother think if she... oh goddess what had she done."

"Stop panicking," Endymion sat up and spoke calmly.

"Stop panicking?" she screeched hysterically. "Do you have any idea what we just did?"

"A very good one, yes."

"Then how can I possibly stay calm? I can't marry you! My mother.... it's not even an option, I'm already engaged and you're a Terran!"

His jaw clenched angrily. Not that he had asked or considered marriage as an option for them but it angered him that that was the basis of his unacceptability. Too many things came down to that simple fact. He decided to allow for the fact that she was a bit hysterical at the moment, which although not the reaction he'd hoped for, was certainly not outside the realm of reason.

"This never happened," she stated tersely, seeming to have gotten a hold of herself. "And it can never happen again. If anyone were to find out about this the political fallout would be devastating."

She had a point, he realized. Strange how the consequences had seemed unimportant when he was absorbed in his desire for her. And of course when he'd touched her and her skin seemed unnaturally, seductively, hot, there had been nothing else in his mind but his need for her.

She was engaged and he was certain his father was at this moment plotting his own demise. Her engagement was tied up in business and political affiliations just as his would be and, not that he had for even a moment considered it, a marriage between them would be a disaster. His own Royal council would be in an uproar if they would ever even allowed such a travesty to go forth.

She was right. What the hell had he been thinking? She wasn't exactly one of the ladies of the court on Earth who all but threw themselves into his bed. They were completely different species. She was the princess of nearly an entire solar system and the heir to power that exceeded any he'd ever known.

He'd been impulsive, seeking to satisfy his own lust for an irresistibly beautiful woman without thinking of the consequences.

"Shit," he muttered.

"Don't you dare apologize to me," she snapped, her eyes flashing.

He was stunned but he understood. She regretted the consequences but not the actions. They both needed time to think.

"Serenity..." He wanted to say something to make everything right and simple again but it was too late for that.

"We should go before someone notices us out here," she said, seeing a light go on in a distant window.

With that they both disappeared, back to their rooms.

*********

I'm not objective enough yet to know how well this is going so do let me know.

In case you were wondering about the strange mix of Japanese, and American names as well as the use of the word senshi… don't overthink it. It's not a mistake, just makes more sense to me this way given the setting and it suited my purposes.