Falling Away
MarshAngel
http/angelmoon. Rated: R

I apologize for taking this long but life has been... complicated. I
finally got a new computer and approached this story again with the
intent to finish it once and for all and be nice to those who still read it.
It surprised me that I was as close to being finished as it turned out.
This will probably be my last fanfic and I know it's not the most
exciting thing I've ever written but I still like it and I hope you guys
like it too. Thanks for reading.

LAST: This feels more personal. I just feel…" his voice trailed off
again. "I can't explain it but I know something momentous has
happened. I just don't know whether it's a good thing or not.

Chapter 11

Serenity stared down at the infant in her arms. Her baby; hers. At first

her mother had refused to let her see her but she'd eventually given in

when Serenity had begun to climb out of the bed despite her

weakness.

She was devastated. Perhaps if the baby had been ugly or deformed

this would have been easier but she was beautiful. Big blue eyes

stared up at her and wispy black curls didn't quite cover her tiny

head; a little angel.

Serenity could sense her mother and Marila closing in on her like

overwhelming shadows. They didn't want her to get attached but that

seemed silly. She'd been attached for nine months and now that they

were separate beings that hadn't changed. The idea that she had to

give her up seemed insane now. She was so tiny, surely she needed

her mother.

Marila reached over to take the baby but Serenity made no move to

give her away.

"Serenity you must," her mother assured.

Serenity didn't respond.

"Serenity," her mother repeated.

"I heard you the first time," Serenity snapped. Did they think it was

easy?

Eventually Queen Serenity leaned over and took the baby away.

Serenity didn't resist. There was no point. She'd known it was going

to be this way. She just hadn't known it would be this hard.

"Where will you take her?" Serenity asked.

"You know we can't tell you that," her mother replied softly. "Just

know that she'll be safe and she'll be happy. Whatever we must do to

assure that we will."

Serenity turned to Marila, her expression sorrowful but determined.

"Promise me, whatever happens, that you'll make sure she's safe?"

The Queen was offended that her daughter didn't trust her but

it would be quite some time before their relationship was repaired.

But she doubted it would ever be the same. Although she knew

Serenity didn't blame her, she represented a great deal of pain that

would never go away.

"How are you doing," Luna greeted spreading her skirt neatly as she

sat down on the stone bench.

"I'm fine," Serenity replied woodenly.

Luna ran her fingers through the soft blonde curls cascading

down Serenity's back. Somehow, though it seemed no one else has

noticed, the color wasn't quite right. Something about the golden

color seemed faded and not at all right. But then, nothing about

Serenity seemed right.

Ever since she'd returned from Pluto she seemed a mere shell

of herself. In fact, everything had changed. There was tension and

deep sadness in the royal family and it seemed to have spread

throughout the palace. It was not the way it should be with a wedding

swiftly approaching. What really hurt was that there was a secret and

she wasn't in on it.

"Serenity…"

"Don't ask me what's wrong Luna."

"Rena, what happened?

Serenity grimaced. It had been several weeks since she'd left

Pluto and it all seemed like a dream. That is, she felt like she was

walking in a daze; a milk-colored nightmare in which life happened

as normal and no one but her could see the world was falling apart.

"It's nothing," she replied quietly. She sighed and rested her

head on Luna's shoulder. "How did life get so complicated Luna?"

Luna put her arms around Serenity's shoulder. "It's all a part

of growing up.

"Things just aren't at their best right now." She paused,

contemplating what she could say to get serenity out of the daze she'd

been in for the last few weeks. I know it's hard with all the talk of

war and your wedding approaching so quickly but try not to dwell on

it all. I promise you, it will be better than you think."

"I hope you're right Luna. I really do. I just…" Serenity

paused. What could she say? She felt empty without Lily and she felt

weighted down by the pressure of just going through each day.

Luna got up and pulled Serenity with her. "Come. I have

some errands to take care of. Come with me." She didn't give

serenity any chance to object.

In a few minutes they were together in Luna's office looking

at seating charts and decorating plans.

Serenity looked over the long list of names handwritten on a

sheet to help with the organization that Luna didn't really need her

help with. She looked at first, not really paying much attention until

she came across a name that made her freeze in shock.

"Endymion," she whispered to herself hardly believing it.

"What was that?" Luna asked overhearing the whisper and

coming over to peer over her shoulder.

"Prince Endymion. Why is he invited?"

"It's a mere formality. An olive branch of peace if you will,"

Luna replied. "I doubt he'll actually come."

"Isn't there risk involved in inviting an enemy to a wedding

attended by the royal houses of the entire system?"

"Only if he shoes. Besides, to be quite honest, the risk

remains whether Prince Endymion attends or not." She glanced at

Serenity's face, shadowed by worry. "The danger goes well beyond

him.

"Don't worry so much. Prince Endymion has been most

helpful these last few months of your absence. Though not much

progress has been made finding the culprits," she said bitterly, "he

has been forthcoming with information and aid even at his own risk.

Serenity frowned. There was no chance of focusing on the

seating charts now. All she could think of was Endymion and the

possibility of seeing him again. She excused herself and left the room,

leaving Luna even more worried than before.

Serenity ran through the hallways of the palace holding her

skirts high above the floor trying not to trip. She could hear the noise

ahead of her. She stopped abruptly and the crush of bodies before her

cleared automatically. She took as deep a breath as she could in her

confining dress in an attempt to compose herself. She was late but she

could maintain her dignity.

As she swept into the ball room, dark blue satin trailing

behind her, all eyes turned to her and amid numerous bows,

murmured greetings and smiling faces she joined her own

engagement party.

Crossing the room in stiff, lengthy strides, Mael stopped

before her, bowed, and immediately swept her into the opening

dance.

"I'm sorry. I lost track of time," Serenity apologized softly.

Mael nodded a response but said nothing. But she hadn't

really expected him to. She suspected he knew as well as she did that

she'd only lost track of time because she'd been staring off into space

while sitting before her vanity dreading this event.

Their wedding was less than a week away and this was the

first of a week of celebratory events. There was nothing for either of

them to celebrate however. Their relationship had disintegrated into

cold formality. They'd do their duties but nothing more.

She was surprised when he spoke again. She could barely

hear him above the sound of music and chatter. The room seemed to

be buzzing with excitement and gossip.

"I didn't expect there would be Terrans here given the

situation."

Serenity stiffened in his arms in shock and missed a beat in

her dancing. Her face had turned visibly pale, even her lips seem to

have lost their color.

"You didn't know?" He asked. "Surely you went over the

guest list?" His voice held a note of reprimand.

"I glanced at it, yes. I thought the invitation was a formality. I

didn't expect them to actually attend. My mother thought it was a

good idea and Luna agreed. I saw no reason to object."

"My aunt was injured in that attack on Mercury and your

mother invites those responsible to our wedding?"

Serenity could say nothing. She was still stunned. Why hadn't

her mother told her that they'd accepted the invitation? But then

maybe she had and she had been too busy shutting everyone out to

hear anything important.

She knew she was going to have to take control of her life at

some point but in the months since Lily's birth she barely found the

energy to get out of bed and face each day let alone deal with

anything really important. But she didn't understand how she could

have missed a detail that important.

"Why is he staring at us so intently?"

"What? Who?" Serenity asked before realizing Mael hadn't

said anything out loud. She could 'feel' his annoyance.

She looked away from him and her eyes met two familiar

ones across the room.

"Demon, what do you think?"

"What?" All he'd heard was his name and he hated the sound

of it coming from her. Beryl had recently adopted the nickname his

father and Zoecite commonly used. Somehow from her it seemed... he

couldn't quite understand why but it irritated him.

Beryl's face tightened in response to his inattention. "You

aren't listening," she responded tersely. She followed his gaze to the

dancing royals in the center of the room.

"They are an attractive couple I suppose." But she was quite

sure she and Endymion made a better match and she intended to

make her wedding a much grander event than this.

She tried to get Endymion's attention once more but his eyes

were focused on the moon princess who'd clumsily missed another

dance step and stopped completely in the dance floor.

"Clumsy little thing isn't she?" Beryl commented as the

Prince guided Serenity off the floor. Endymion still said nothing. She

frowned and glared at the retreating couple who had all of

Endymion's attention.

She was beginning to regret coaxing Endymion into accepting

the invitation. She had reminded him of the importance of

maintaining peace with the Moon Kingdom. Queen Serenity's

invitation was essentially an olive branch; an attempt to ease, if only

temporarily, the tension in the system. To reject it would have been

an insult to the Lunar Queen's good will.

Of course, that was all for Endymion's ears and soft heart.

She'd simply wanted to come here to look into the face of the enemy

before she destroyed all they held dear. She wanted to see with her

own eyes all that would some day be hers.

And from what she could see, they could all use a good old

Earth-styled war. They were boring her to death with their endless

chatter about politics and trade. Everything about these people was

dull. Their beloved princess was a skinny, pale, withdrawn twit. It

was no wonder her fiancée looked so bored. The child could barely

dance without tripping over her own two feet.

She was certain the trip would have been much better if

Endymion weren't so distracted and quiet. She had thought he would

have been the one to insist on going since he seemed to enjoy cozying

up to these pathetic peace-lovers. Instead, he'd been wary and

withdrawn since receiving the invitation. It was ruining any fun she

might have had.

Serenity knew she was making a spectacle of herself. One

dance with Mael, which she hadn't even finished and she left the

ballroom. She just didn't understand how her mother could do this to

her. Knowing what was between them how could she have invited

Endymion here?

She wrapped her arms around her silk-clad arms. The air

outside was a bit chilly but it was much easier to breathe. The idea of

having to go back and face Endymion and the crowd of well-wishers

made her stomach churn. She wasn't in the mood to celebrate the end

of her life and the continuation of the lie it had become.

There was no point in delaying, however. As Rei often

reminded her, it was time to stop wishing things were different and

start dealing with the way they were. She breathed in deeply willing

herself to be calm and headed towards the steps that led back to the

ballroom.

When she turned around however, Endymion was standing

there, looking at her. For several seconds, that seemed an eternity,

they simply stared at each other.

"Go away Endymion," she muttered when her eyes began to

tear up despite her desire to remain in control. "I can't talk to you."

That wasn't what she'd intended to say. She'd been sure she

would be calm, say hello, offer condolences on the death of his father,

a few more social niceties and then they would go back and pretend

nothing had ever happened. But as usual, when it came to him, her

mind betrayed her. She dropped her head and tried to get around him

but he held her hand to prevent her from leaving.

"Please don't do this to me," she begged. "These past months

have been awful. I never thought I'd see you again, and I think it

would be better if I hadn't. Everything connected to you is painful.

He wiped a tear from her cheek. "I'm sorry Serenity, for

everything."

She smiled bitterly through her tears. "You have nothing to

apologize for. I'm the one who should be sorry. Falling in love with

you was a mistake."

Endymion was silent taking a bittersweet sort of pleasure in

knowing he hadn't been the only one.

"I don't have any regrets," he replied. "I miss you."

"Why are you torturing me?" she snapped. "I don't want to

see you. I don't want to be reminded of us. You know I actually

thought for one crazed moment that if I let myself fall in love with

you I could handle it and it would just be a life changing learning

experience, my little secret.

"I naively thought the old saying was true but it's not. To love

and lose is far worse than never experiencing it at all. And worst of

all I know now what should have been plain as day; we were never

meant to be together. What we've done together has done far more

damage than loving you was worth."

"You don't mean that."

"Yes, I do."

Endymion couldn't help feeling he was missing something.

Something besides their long ago argument or the discord between

their kingdoms. He didn't understand it but his gut was telling him

something important had happened between them and somehow he'd

missed it altogether.

"Serenity please. I know that what we have - had, is over as it

has to be but I was hoping we could somehow put a close to our

relationship without..."

"Pain?" She finished. "It's too late for that. Too much has

happened."

He frowned. "I feel as if I've missed something. Is there

something you're not telling me?"

Serenity looked away, avoiding his eyes. Endymion took her

chin and forced her to face him.

"Tell me," he demanded. He didn't like insisting when her

eyes were filled with tears and she looked so lost, tired, and pale, but

he had to know.

"I can't." She looked beyond his shoulder to the ballroom.

"We should go back inside before people start to..."

"Tell me."

Serenity was torn. Her resolve not to tell him about Lily was

being severely tested. She hadn't expected to see him again, or at the

very least, not for many years. Telling him the truth had never been

an option until this moment and she wanted to tell him, if only to

share the burden of the secret with the person she'd trusted with her

heart.

"Promise me you want share this with anyone, not even

Malachite, no one," she entreated.

"You know you can trust me. He felt a tinge of annoyance at

the idea that she couldn't trust him with whatever secret she held.

"No, I don't, not with this. If I share this with you, you have

to promise not to attempt to do anything with the information. Your

life and possibly countless others depends on it."

"What is it?"

She looked terrified and anxious.

"Promise me," she demanded.

"I promise," he replied not quite sure if he should have, given

her obvious distress.

Serenity glanced around making sure no one was around to

overhear. It was silly. If anyone saw her standing in his arms there

would be trouble anyway.

"We have a daughter," she whispered. "Her name's Lily. I

couldn't keep her but... I wanted to tell you so badly when I came

back from Drue but so much was happening, is still happening. It

wasn't safe." Her voice trailed off as she realized he hadn't heard her.

"Endymion?"

That wasn't at all what he'd expected to hear, not that he'd

really known what to expect, but the news that he was a father, that

they'd had a child, was stunning.

"Lily? Where is she?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"My mother sent her away. I don't know where but she's

safe."

Endymion was still having trouble taking it all in. It was all

so unbelievable. How was he supposed to feel about this?

"Your mother sent our daughter away and you're ok with

this? How could you let her do this?

"Let her?" Serenity snapped indignantly. "I didn't exactly

have a choice. What did you want me to do, announce it to the public

that I gave birth to the illegitimate daughter of the Prince of Earth,

the planet that just attacked us? And destroy the alliance with Drue

as well as my own credibility?"

"I had the right to know you were pregnant."

"And now you do."

Endymion ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "I want

to see her."

"Are you insane? Even if I knew where to find her you can't

just demand to see your daughter."

"She's my daughter! Your mother will tell me." He would

insist on it.

"Endymion you promised. You cannot tell her that you know.

If only one person finds out about this it could be a disaster, surely

your realize that. This is not something to risk your life over. She's

safe, be happy with that."

"Are you happy with it? Is that enough for you?" He was

caught between shock and anger, unsure what to feel, what to do.

"No," she replied quietly. "But my happiness is secondary to

the safety of this kingdom." It had taken her too long to realize that.

Endymion sighed. She was right. It only took one whisper, a

single rumor to destroy them both. He pulled her into his arms and

held her.

Two minutes had turned into five followed by another five

and despite not wanting to seem pathetically attached, Beryl decided

to look for her fiancee rather than wait for him to return to her. She

turned down several darkened hallways before giving up and

deciding to return to the ballroom.

As she got closer to the ballroom a set of floor to ceiling

windows revealed the image of the Earth looming large in the sky.

Down below, a couple stood together in the enclosed courtyard, the

perfect romantic image.

Were she a romantic, the image might have pleased or

amused her, but it made her sneer. And when the two people stepped

apart and she recognized them, her sneer turned first to shock and

then quickly to outrage.

Beryl seethed. Blood pooled in her palm where her nails dug

deeply into her flesh as clenched her fist tightly in rage. She didn't

even feel the sting.

Her dark magic came to her in an instant, covering her with

its warm protective power. It didn't calm her, or dull her pain. It

nurtured her anger and fed her need to lash out.

When she'd first arrived on this boring little moon she'd been

inclined to save its best for herself when she saw all its wealth and

beauty. She'd planned to sit on Serenity's throne herself and enjoy the

bounty of silver, gold, crystal, and marble. She'd thought to make

their aristocrats her servants and enjoy every moment.

That pathetic little moment had passed. Every last man

woman and child would die. She'd raze every pillar, every rock. It

would burn long and hot and when she was done there'd be nothing

left but dust.

But her revenge wouldn't be complete until she had the

skinny bitch of a princess' neck in her hands. She would destroy their

hopes and their future and she'd let them watch when she killed the

little slut who'd dared to take what was rightfully hers.

She'd given Endymion the opportunity to forget his whore but

he'd clung to her memory like a child to his mother's skirts. Just when

he seemed to be getting past his obsession it would seem that faithless

tramp thought she could burrow her way back into his life. She had

the world at her feet and yet it wasn't enough. If only the people of the

moon knew their beloved princess was nothing more than a whore for

the planet they despised.

Beryl smiled bitterly. She'd take pleasure in destroying

everything the little bitch held dear.

Rei sat up in her bed, her body drenched in sweat, her heart

racing erratically and her face was stiff with terror. She threw off the

heavy covers from her bed, grabbed a robe and hurried out her room

and down the hall. She ignored the guards at the door who though

well trained to be stoic, stared at her in surprise as she banged on the

Queen's door.

She didn't have to wait long before the door was thrown open

revealing Queen Serenity, wide awake and looking as if she had been

up for hours.

"What is it Reimi?"

"Don't you feel it? Something terrible is coming. We have to

cancel the wedding."

Queen Serenity stepped aside to let Rei into the room. She

wasn't surprised by Rei's outburst. She'd awoken in the middle of the

night with the same feeling of dread.

"I had this terrible dream that we were all fighting and dying

and everything was being destroyed and you..."

"Slow down." she gently led Rei to a small couch.

"I can feel it. It's going to happen soon. Maybe tomorrow

during the wedding."

"You don't know that for sure," Queen Serenity said calmly.

"I know something's going to happen."

"Do you know enough to stop it?"

Rei's brows furrowed in concentration as she tried to recall

the details of her nightmare. She shook her head, unable to come up

with a clear image. The sense of terror was still there but no detail.

"We can try to be prepared but there's no stopping it. Calling

off the wedding can only serve to panic everyone." Besides, the queen

thought to herself, there was no escaping what was coming. She didn't

know the details but that much she was certain of. Even if Pluto

hadn't hinted at it when they'd last spoken, she could have guessed as

much on her own.

This wedding would hardly be the happy event she'd hoped

for as things were. The ceremony itself would be a lie, one she felt

tainted by and guilty for perpetuating. Given the pending disaster

however, she couldn't help feel that perhaps Reimi was right.

A stray thought had her wondering if perhaps what was to

happen was a punishment for the wrongs she and her daughter had

committed. She quickly pushed the ridiculous thought aside. The

universe would hardly punish one for falling in love... lying about it

however? There was little point in thinking about it.

"Security's already as tight as it can be with all the royal

houses in attendance. I think I will request more troops to guard the

capital and all major cities. It's all we can do at the moment without

causing a disaster of our own."

Rei nodded in agreement. "I'll let the other senshi know so

they can be alert."

"Don't say anything to Serenity. This day will be difficult as it

is. She'll have her hands full just getting through the day.

As Rei turned to leave, the Queen stopped her.

"I need you to speak to Marila. Have Lily and her nurse

ready to be transported at any moment."

Rei paused, stunned.

"If what happens..." Serenity's voice trailed off unwilling to

voice the rest of her thought. "Lily is the last of the Serenity line. She

must be protected at all cost."

Rei slipped out of the room quietly her heart pounding in her

chest as though she'd just run a mile. She was terrified of what would

happen and what it all meant. The not knowing was the worst. If only

she had an idea what to prepare for, how to fight, maybe then she'd be

able to get her stomach to settle.

Serenity slipped her arms into the closely fitted embroidered

sleeves of her overdress as Mina held it out. She hooked the tight

bodice into place herself. Her last opportunity to breathe deeply

passed as the confining outfit left no room for such luxuries.

She stepped over towards the mirror to look at herself. This

was no picture of a pretty, innocent, and happy bride. She forced a

smile for her audience of friends and family. Her room was filled

with her senshi, and soon to be in-laws; all gathered to dress the

bride.

"You look absolutely beautiful," Mael's Aunt said taking

Serenity's hands into her own. Queen Ara-El came up behind her and

without a word she slipped a necklace around her neck. Serenity

couldn't help but gasp. Resting in the middle of her chest was a large,

shimmering, elongated teardrop amethyst surrounded by sparkling

diamonds.

Ara-El beamed with delight at how perfectly it suited. Her

eyes seem to pick up the purple of the jewel and between the

diamonds at her ears and neck and the tiny crystals all over her gown,

she looked like a crystal doll, beautifu and fragile.

"Absolutely perfect," the queen proclaimed with tear-filled

eyes. "You look simply amazing."

Serenity smiled. Mina had done a wonderful job of making

her appear well-rested considering she had woken in the middle of the

night terrified and unable to go back to sleep.

"I only hope I can walk under all this weight," Serenity

complained lightly. The dress had to weigh no less than thirty pounds

and in all likelihood, more.

"Beauty hurts," Mina admonished as she cruelly pinched

Serenity's cheeks for more color. Serenity slapped her hands away.

Queen Serenity entered the room and as if on cue everyone

else withdrew quietly leaving them both alone. It was time for 'the

speech'.

Queen Serenity stepped between her daughter and the mirror.

She smiled softly but her eyes were sad and serious.

"I believe this is where I'm supposed to tell you something

important and reaffirming about life and marriage. But I don't think

you need to hear that.

"How do you feel?"

Serenity sighed, grateful a brief respite from playing the

character of happy bride. "I'm terrified," she admitted bluntly.

Something terrible is going to happen isn't it? I can feel it mother."

Since they'd long since given up on lying to each other, even

for comfort, Queen Serenity nodded. "I feel it too, but there's nothing

I can do about it."

"I can't help feel that whatever comes I'm responsible for it. I

doubt I'm being irrational or melodramatic. I've been such a fool."

The queen took her daughter's face in both her hands. "We all

make mistakes, me included. But we can't wallow in guilt and self-

pity. We are Serenity. We have the strength to face whatever

tomorrow brings. This kingdom wouldn't have survived this long if

we didn't."

"I am sorry mother," Serenity said tearfully. "I wish I could

have been a better daughter, a better princess. If I hadn't been so

selfish and silly I..."

"Stop. I love you Serenity, that has not and will never change.

Regret serves no purpose. If I were free to make the decision, you

would be facing Endymion on that altar today.

"You were brave to risk so much for the love of one man."

"I wouldn't call it brave. It was foolish, we all know that."

"Perhaps. But I can feel from you, when you're at you're

saddest, some of what you feel for Endymion and knowing that what

I've felt is a mere fraction of what you've experienced makes me

wonder if I wouldn't have risked it myself."

"You could never have done anything so foolish mother."

"Maybe you're right, but then I've never experienced what

you have."

Serenity looked at her mother with surprise. What do you

mean? What about..."

"Your father? I loved him yes but not in the way you love

Endymion. Ours was the kind of love you grew into; a marriage

between friends. Our marriage was arranged and we were compatible

but to compare it with what you and Endymion have experienced..."

Her voice trailed off.

"I think I'm supposed to tell you to forget about Endymion

and focus on Mael, but I know that's impossible. What you've shared

with Endymion you should always treasure. But today is the

beginning of a new life, one you have to face with no regrets, it can

only serve to destroy any possible happiness you may have in the

future.

"I suppose my advice for you today is don't look back. Don't

be afraid to face tomorrow. Being paralyzed with terror cannot help

you. No matter the possibilities for disaster, there is also always the

possibility for happiness. There's always hope."

Serenity smiled through her tears and hugged her mother.

"Now," Queen Serenity began as they separated, "you've

made a mess of your face. You can't go out there looking like you've

spent all night crying."

With a bit of effort they managed to make Serenity look as

she had before. Serenity breathed in as deeply as she could and

steeled herself for the most important day of her life.

"What is going on here?" Khassan demanded as he entered

Beryl's chamber slamming the door behind him. "What are you doing

here? Shouldn't you be on the Moon with Endymion? Is he here too?"

Beryl didn't reply, nor did she turn around. Her back was

turned to him, her concentration devoted on the book before her. Her

room was a mess. Clothes lay all over the floor and an overturned

chair lay in his path.

"Beryl," he yelled louder.

When she turned around and faced him he was shocked. She

had a wild look about her with her hair in wild halo around her head.

She looked right through him almost as if she didn't see him at all,

not that he could tell since her eyes had turned inky black, and her

face was so pale he could see the blue veins beneath her thin skin.

"I've been patient too long but that's all about to change,"

Beryl hissed.

"What the devil are you talking about? What have you

done?"

"Today we take the Earth, tomorrow the moon. I've waited

long enough.

"Are you insane? We have a plan," Khassan sputtered. She'd

quite obviously lost her mind. "If you rush things we'll fail."

"I won't fail."

She seemed to be bigger somehow, even though he was quite

certain she couldn't have grown.

"Calm down, Beryl. This is no time for hysterics. You'll

wreck everything

I've worked so hard..."

Suddenly Beryl laughed, a harsh humorless sound that made

him shudder. "Don't underestimate us."

"Us?" A realization dawned on him. "Beryl what have you

done?"

"Only what I had to." She smiled, a happy sweet smile that

was disturbing in combination with her black eyes. She glanced over

at the book.

Khassan recognized that book; it was one even he feared. It

contained the oldest and darkest magic including spells to call

demons from the Earth and beyond. He had a sick feeling that that

was exactly what Beryl had done.

"Who are you?" he questioned warily taking a step back.

Again that sick, sweet smile. A voice, deeper than Beryl's

responded.

If such a thing were possible, it sounded wet and dark.

"Metallia."

He didn't recognize the name but he could feel the darkness

and power coming from her. A chill ran down his spine; hard to tell if

it was fear or disgust. He wondered if his eyes weren't fooling him.

He was quite certain he'd seen a form shift within her, writhing. He

was revolted.

"You fool! How could you do such a thing?"

"I needed the power uncle. Endymion and his whore must

pay. I wish you could feel it; it's glorious." She threw her head back

as if in ecstasy.

"I warned you about your obsession with that fool. Now look

where it's led you. That demon will take over completely. You think

you're in control but I promise you soon you'll be trapped in your

own body. You think you're the first to want power? It will destroy

you just like it destroyed those before you."

It happened so quickly he never even felt himself move before

he found himself pinned against the wall, struggling for breath as

Beryl held him by the throat.

"You're the fool, Uncle. I know exactly what I'm doing. I will

get my revenge on Princess Serenity and her kingdom and I will have

everything I've ever dreamed of. Endymion will watch his whore die

and he'll join me or he'll suffer the same fate. A fate you will share if

you get in my way."

She let him go and he fell to the floor. He'd lost control of his

own bowels. It reeked. He was dead, she realized, looking down at

his sightless eyes. She frowned. She hadn't meant to do that.

There was no use worrying about it however, he was of more

use to her dead anyway. She trapped his soul even as it escaped his

body. Added to the hundreds of thousands of others, it would animate

the army of half-living monsters she and her uncle had gathered in

secret.

The creatures had been built from the Earth itself but they

were unlike any creature to have walked the planet before them. She

was proud of her army, they were easily controlled and they struck

fear in the heart of the people, compelling them to do as she

commanded, had it ever occurred to them there was another option.

She kicked his legs out of her way and went in search of the

council members. She had a message for them: surrender their

countries and their armies to her, or die. She almost giggled in

anticipation. This was all so very exciting.