Endymion chuckled at Serenity's shriek of surprise. Reflexively, she tried to break his hold on her, but only succeeded in forcing him to hold her tighter to keep her from escaping him.

"Poor little Princess," he 'tsk'ed softly, "did you imagine that you could get to me undiscovered? I'm sorry to tell you this, sweetheart, but I am the most well protected man in the Universe. You made it this far only because I wished it to be so. I ordered my guards to let you make your way here unharmed."

"I would have made it this far through my own skill, even had you not called off your guards. I'm far more skilled than even your best fighter. You of all people should know I speak the truth." Her lively blue eyes nearly glowed in the pale moonlight.

"And yet I triumph here, Princess." Endymion's condescending grin infuriated Serenity far more than his words.

"Don't call me that." Her teeth were tightly clenched, as though she was forcing herself to rein in her temper.

"What, Princess? Oh, I see. It is Queen, now that I have claimed you as my wife." Endymion shrugged as if he did not care.

"I don't care to be called princess or queen of anything. I do not choose to be associated with you and those treacherous, conniving bastards you call courtiers." Serenity's words were seeped in venom, as though she couldn't contain her hatred. Endymion 'tsk'ed lightly again, shaking his head as though she amused him.

"For shame, Serenity. It is wrong of you to speak so poorly of the man who sheltered you these past years. What would Lord and Lady White say if they knew the bend of your thoughts? They are my courtiers as well, as you know."

Endymion was satisfied when she started in shock. Her beautiful face, now drained of color, was too expressive, and her thoughts raced openly across them. At once he felt unsure as to whether she was suitable for court life. Serenity did not seem to possess the artifice necessary to survive the hostility that abounded in the palace.

Serenity realized the mistake she had made in showing her shock.

"What will you do," Serenity asked hoarsely.

"Do?" He sounded confused.

"With Artemis and Luna. They have a daughter. You cannot mean to jail them. Who would care for Diana?" Serenity's voice dropped to a weak whisper.

Endymion gave a short bark of laughter.

"Why would I jail them? Lord and Lady White have served me well these years. Even without my knowledge, they have kept my bride safely for me, and now that you are returned to me, I believe I shall reward them for their time and troubles. An Earldom would be fitting. Perhaps a Dukedom. God knows you cannot have been an easy charge," Endymion said thoughtfully. Pain exploded in his shin, and he was startled into releasing Serenity to grab his injured leg.

"Ouch! You little she-demon!" He let out an oath that burnt Serenity's ears. She dove for her dagger, but Endymion reached it first. She turned for her satchel and had it in her hands for a few precious seconds before Endymion wrestled it from her. He tucked the dagger into his breeches, held the satchel firmly under one arm, and reached for Serenity. She managed to avoid him for a few minutes, but there was nowhere to run, and she was nearly defenseless without her dagger. The few blows she managed either didn't faze him or were blocked. He slung her over his shoulder like a bag of grain, and made for the balcony. Once out into the cool night air, he tossed the dagger and satchel over the balcony to the courtyard below, and strode back into the room. She shrieked for assistance until Endymion tired of her noise and thrust a hand over her mouth. She bit down promptly, and Endymion tossed her unceremoniously onto the rumpled bed.

Serenity scrambled over the edge of the bed, poised to run. Endymion was still between Serenity and the door. Even should she manage to effectively navigate her way through the abundant furniture in the large room and make it to the door, it would certainly take more time for her to fumble with the heavy door than it would for Endymion to catch her. Instinctively, she looked towards the balcony.

"It's three stories up," Endymion said, sensing her train of thought, "you'd never survive it."

Reluctantly, Serenity relaxed her stance. There was no way for her to escape now. She'd have to wait and hope she could lull him into a false sense of security, and make her escape then. But where was she to go? He knew Artemis had been harboring her.

"Don't brood."

Serenity started at the sound of his voice.

"I wasn't brooding," Serenity snapped, irritated that she'd been off guard, lost in thought long enough for him to move across the room without catching her notice. He stood by the grand fireplace, and reached for a woven cord on the wall. He pulled it gently, and a moment later a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," Endymion said, without taking his eyes off Serenity. A servant entered the room, bowed to Endymion, and then, to Serenity's surprise, bowed to her.

"Her majesty and I wish to have coffee and cake, if you please. Also, would you send for a maid to build a fire," Endymion asked, taking a seat on the low sofa before the fireplace.

"At once, your majesties." The young man bowed to the both of them again, and quickly left the room.

Endymion looked out of place on the sofa. It was small and almost feminine; it looked soft and inviting. Endymion was anything but that. Serenity was mind-numbingly aware that Endymion was all male, hard and muscled. He was certainly handsome enough, even with the light stubble that shadowed his chin. His black hair was tousled, as if he had been abed before she'd come into his chamber. He was a fine specimen of a man. It really was a pity he was so bad-tempered.

"Would you stop staring at me and come sit down?"

Serenity bristled. How arrogant this man was!

"I was merely thinking. I wasn't staring," she lied glibly. "And you would do well to choose your words wisely. You'll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, sire."

Endymion only laughed and patted the sofa next to him.

"Come, child. I promise not to bite."

Serenity would have made a sharp retort, but another knock on the door heralded the return of the servants. The young man placed a silver tray on the table set before the sofa, and the maid carefully lit a fire. They did their work quickly, made their bows and curtsies, and quietly left the room.

"I am not a child," Serenity bit off furiously. She fisted her hands at her sides, her nails denting tiny crescents into her palms.

"You were a child when last I met you, and I see no difference now. Perhaps you are a little more ill-tempered than you were then." Endymion shrugged.

"If I am ill-tempered, it is because you make me so!" Serenity's control broke, and she reached for something to hurl at this stupid man, this arrogant fool she was forced to call 'husband'. Only cushions came readily to her hand, but she flung them with all her strength, as though they were deadly missiles. Endymion laughed as though her display of temper was purely for his amusement. Finally, a worthwhile object came to Serenity's hand – a pitcher of water on a nightstand near the bed. Endymion's amusement fled when he saw she meant to throw it. He bounded across the room, wrestling the pitcher from her.

"Turn about is fair play, lady," Endymion said after he'd reclaimed the pitcher. Without a second thought, he emptied the contents – a rather large amount of water – right over her head. Serenity had the good grace not to scream. But her furious eyes alerted him to her intentions – too late, she'd grabbed the full glass still on the table, dashing the contents into his face. Water dribbled down his front, soaking the white shirt he was wearing. Surprise was etched into every line of his face. He wiped water from his face with one hand, and, curiously enough, began to laugh.

To Serenity's utter amazement, he just laughed. He didn't rage and storm as she might have expected. He laughed heartily, and jerked his wet shirt over his head, tossing it over the back of a chair. He was still laughing as he approached Serenity once more. Serenity no longer knew how to react to this man. He was like a puzzle, some mysterious riddle that she could find no answer for.

He reached behind her and untied the strip of leather the bound her now wet hair. It slid down her shoulders, over her back like silk, wetting the back of her shirt. The heavy fabric of her shirt clung to her breasts and stomach, cool already and getting colder. Endymion looked down at her and frowned.

"I'll get you a new shirt, I can't have you looking like that when the servants return for the tray." Endymion led the way into his grand closet, picking through shirt after shirt to find something suitable for Serenity.

Finally, he tossed her a black shirt that looked as if it would be several sizes too big for her. It was silk, a finer garment than any she'd owned since she'd escaped to Earth. In his hands, Endymion held a pair of pants that looked to match the shirt Serenity held, and she understood at last. It was the top to a pair of men's pajamas.

"I can't wear this." Serenity thrust the garment back towards him.

"Why not? We're married. Your home is here now." He caught and held her eyes. "Don't mistake my meaning, Serenity. You will not be leaving this palace."

"We're not married. Neither of us wants to be married, Endymion, it's foolish to keep this charade going. It can easily be annulled, since it was never…never…" Serenity hesitated over the word, and Endymion arched a brow.

"Never consummated? That can be rectified." He laughed as she blushed brightly enough for it to be evident in the darkness. "Honestly, sweetheart, I would never have guessed you'd be shy."

"I'm not shy," Serenity insisted. "I'm just not used to speaking so blatantly of such things. You forget yourself. I was brought up a princess, first and foremost. Princesses live notoriously sheltered lives. I've been out of captivity only three years now, and I have no desire to step back into that which made me miserable."

"Serenity, we both spoke binding vows. To break them would destroy the fragile peace between our people. You cannot imagine that we can forget that it has ever happened and move on. Nor can you believe that you would be allowed to do as you have been doing, robbing my noblemen and spreading chaos. If you were to be apprehended and without my protection, you must know that you would be executed at once. If I had not discovered your identity, you would have been hanged for a thief. The person you seek to be does not exist. The only you who can exist peaceably in this world is the girl who was princess; the woman who will become queen." Endymion pulled her close to him, firmly grasping her chin in one hand to force her to meet his eyes.

"You must understand this, Serenity. You are my wife. It no longer matters if we wish to be wed or not. We are, and there is nothing that can change it. You will stay with me in this palace and you will conduct yourself as is fitting of a queen. And I swear to you, if you attempt to disobey me in this, if you attempt to escape me, I will have you held in the dungeon until you are of a more agreeable mindset." Endymion did not miss the way her eyes narrowed at his threat.

"You dare much, Endymion." Her anger was obvious.

"You misunderstand me, Serenity. It is not my intention for you to go against your nature. It is not my intention even to see that you obey me in all things, though God knows you could use a bit of discipline. My intention is that we attempt to live as we are sworn to, as husband and wife, models to the people that we will rule. I do not ask you to deny your feelings and your thoughts; only that you bring them to me at the appropriate time and place. You cannot live apart from me while it is known that we are wed, Serenity, it places you in great danger. I have many enemies who would not be above using my wife to achieve a purpose."

Serenity blinked in surprise, as if the thought had never occurred to her before.

"I will not be an obedient wife, Endymion. I was raised a princess, I was born to rule my people. You will not find me amenable to your every whim. There will be times that I will disagree with you, and I daresay I will argue with you often. I was not raised to sit idly by and let someone else do what I should be doing. I am a princess in my own right, and I will rule my people as I see fit. If I have no say in your court, you shall have no say in mine. This is something I will not argue over, Endymion. I bring far more land and resources than you to our union, and I will not be overlooked." She looked him squarely in the eyes, raising her chin proudly.

"I will agree to that. We will consult each other in matters that concern us, and I will make a place for you on my counsel. If it your wish to try to change the way the kingdom is run, I won't deny you. But together we must present a united front. You must control that wretched temper of yours until we are in private."

"Wretched temper!" Serenity gasped, her hands twisting the fine silk shirt angrily. Endymion laughed and kissed her forehead.

"Peace. It was not meant offensively. I like your spirit. You amuse me." He released her, and backed a step away.

"Are we in agreement, Serenity?" Endymion asked as he bent to retrieve the pajama bottoms he'd dropped on the floor. Serenity hesitated only a moment longer.

"We are in agreement," she finally replied.

"Good," Endymion said drolly, "I believe it is to be the last time we are in agreement for a long while."

---

Serenity emerged from the bathing chamber, wrapped in a soft linen towel, only to find the same black silk shirt she'd refused waiting for her. Accepting that this was one argument she was not going to win, she toweled her hair as dry as she could and donned the garment. It was smooth and sleek, cool against her bare skin, but it didn't cover nearly as much as she thought it would. It left a startling amount of skin above her knees bare, stopping at mid-thigh. Her discarded clothes were nowhere to be seen. Probably Endymion had had them burned. Endymion would probably want her to only wear dresses.

She reentered Endymion's bedchamber to find Endymion abed, a small oil lamp offering only enough light for Serenity to see that he was propped up against the pillows, a book in his hands. Muted light flickered across his bare chest. Serenity chided herself. Of course his chest was bare. She was wearing his shirt. He looked up as she entered, his cool gaze drifting lazily over her. Serenity had the sneaking suspicion he found her lacking. Her chin came up a notch, defiantly. His lips curved into a smile, and he patted the bed next to him.

"Save your venom for later, little one. The hour is late. I've no desire to argue all night. Come to bed."

Serenity hesitated.

"I would have another room," she said, carefully. Endymion arched a brow.

"You are my wife. You will sleep in my room." His voice was firm; his tone brooked no argument. Serenity placed her hands on her hips.

"I will not sleep in your bed! I don't know you at all!" In a fit of pique, she pulled a chenille throw from the back of a chair, and stalked over to the sofa. Endymion was treated to a nice view of long, slender legs as she whirled away from him.

"If I cannot have a room of my own, I will sleep on the sofa!" With those words, she plopped unceremoniously onto the sofa, curled up, and pulled the chenille throw over herself. Endymion struggled against laughter for a moment. He could not seem to resist teasing her. She was so very lovely when her temper got the best of her. In truth, he imagined he would probably bait her often as he'd done this night. She really was a marvelous little thing. No woman had ever dared to speak to him as Serenity did, and he found her lack of restraint rather refreshing. He wondered if she would be as passionate and fiery as this in other ways.

As silently as he could, he left the bed and crossed the floor. He reached the sofa, and lifted Serenity into his arms. He heard her indrawn breath, and her hands clutched at him for a moment, as though she were disoriented.

"Easy, Serenity." He strode across the floor quickly, and set Serenity – chenille throw and all – gently on the bed. He sat beside her, removing the throw from her tight grasp and tossing it across the room. He pulled the sheets and down coverlet over her, and kissed her forehead.

"You have nothing to fear from me. You will never have cause to fear me. I have never struck a woman in my life, and I will not start with my wife, however much you may tempt me to do so. I will never touch you in anyway you do not permit. You will share my bed, Serenity, but I will not make you my wife in truth until you wish it. Do you understand?" Endymion brushed the damp, silky strands of hair from her face. Serenity nodded, clutching the covers to her chin. Endymion went around to the other side of the bed, and got in next to her. He put out the lamp, and the only light in the room then was the dying fire across the room. Serenity heard Endymion turn onto his side, and an arm smoothed over her waist. Gently, he pulled her against him, curled into the curve of his body. His lips found her ear in the darkness, and brushed softly over it, whispering,

"You do please me, Serenity."