I'm gonna try to make this one way longer than the others cuz, well, it'll be easier then having to go back and start a new chapter again and again. So, hope I don't disappoint.
Don't own crap, so don't waste time.
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Serenity trembled with fear as his hand kept their tight grip on her jaw. Even before he uttered those words, Serenity knew she was in big trouble. Would he have her whipped? It was not uncommon, especially for a royal to another if they were disrespected on their own lands. Princess or not, she was in deep shit. Endymion, on the other, reveled in her fright and wanted to see how long she could go before it tore her down.
"Beat me, kill me, but I'll never give you what you want," she again spat. Nothing would make her give up the only salvation she had left in the world.
With the King and Queen dead, the country depended on her but it was too much to ask of a 19 year old princess still learning the laws of government. However, she still had one thing she had control over. This one little thing that belonged to her and her only. Nothing would make her submit her last remnant of the life she had before tragedy struck her family and took it away in one fell swoop.
"Pity. Oh well, more fun for me. I'm going to love seeing the brave little princess stand tall but watch as she dies inside everyday she's away from her safe palace walls," he pulled away from her and walked toward the candle that still shone brightly like an angry dot in a sea of black.
"Why do you pursue after this?" Serenity's voice quivered as her hand encircled the knob but found it locked. From the outside.
"My reasons don't need to be explained to you. I have no use for you except for what you have. Give it to me now or you'll forever be barred from the world and your country. Just think of it; burned to the ground by wannabe kings and desperate knights fighting for who they once were. Do you want that, a country torn apart between its faithful soldiers and a king, your cousin, who earns for a chance at glory even at the cost of your people?" Serenity shivered at his words and brought her arms around her, shielding herself from his verbal attack.
"I've given you my answer," she spoke the words, regretting them for they'd bear with them a punishment her diminutive self might not handle.
"Fine. Here's my answer. Stick with your decision and you'll never see the outside ever again!" he yelled at her. Even from afar, she could see the anger in his face, as his eyes showed the cruel punishments he had planned for her.
In a quick manner, he picked her up in his arms and opened the door with a skeleton key (A/N for all you readers who don't know what it is, it's a key that can open all the locks in a house, etc). Walking in large strides in the dark hallways carpeted with blood red flooring. With her arms, by mistake, wrapped around his neck, her carried her with ease into her room and softly but urgently placed her on her bed.
"Please…," started Serenity but was cut off with Endymion's deep voice that made her tremble all over again.
"You've lead me to make a choice I did not want to make. Say goodbye to all that you loved. This is your new home," giving her one last, dark look; he left the room, leaving a trail of sorrow and the feeling of forever.
They had locked the door so she wasn't able to get out. Yes, periodically, Maya would come up accompanied with a guard as she laid down her food and then would leave, shooting Serenity a look of sadness. Weeks of this resulted in Maya coming in alone. It seemed Endymion realized that Serenity wouldn't attempt to leave so precautions were no longer needed. That was what she hoped for.
Fall turned to winter and snow had grabbed a hold on the earth, coating the land with its soft crystals and blanketing the sky with starless nights. Even with the cold weather, Serenity had no choice. Her people depended on her. Did they even know what had happened to her? Who was keeping order in her country, that bastard of a cousin?
Incompetent since birth, Jadeium was useless to even the farmers that tended the land her parents had besotted his as a gift of his birth. But since her parents had but one child, the line of succession named him next in line. Though good natured, it was no secret he longed to prove his worth. With an invalid father, his determination doubled when the news of her parents' death reached his ears.
Serenity couldn't fault him though for he knew not what lay ahead when the prince of the western lands came to ask for Serenity's hand. Not only would this secure her position on the throne but pushed back Jadeium even further from his goal and from the line.
But no matter how good his intentions were, he knew nothing of governing a country, let alone a palace.
"Your Highness?" squeaked a whisper at the door. Serenity readied herself as she approached Maya and slowly took away the tray of food from her tired hands.
"Thank you, Maya," no matter how grateful she was of this girl and her kindness, Serenity had to leave her. If she was successful, she would try and come back for her.
With a quick smile, Maya turned and headed for the door. She never made it. Dragging her limp body, Serenity placed Maya on her bed and dropped the broken oil lamp on the floor. No blood flowed from her head, nothing but a headache would result from her assault.
That didn't help Serenity through. The broken glass cut angry slits onto her palms and crimson fluid dripped sickeningly on her lavender nightie.
"I'm so sorry about this, Maya. But don't worry, I'll send for you," whispered Serenity into the flaccid girl's ear, smoothing down her hair away from her still face.
Footsteps rumbled through the halls and Serenity's heart was gripped in fear as it came closer and closer. Going up to the door, she pressed against it and listened.
"Maya are finished in there?" shouted an angry voice. It was one of the guards. Thinking quickly, she fixed her voice and spoke back.
"No, Her Highness needs me to tend to her right now," she said in a whimpering voice, all too familiar of the unconscious girl sleeping on her bed.
"Alright," he stomped away, leaving Serenity grasping her chest in relief.
The sky darkened as Serenity got dressed, slipping on a dark blue dress that was casual and would help pass her off as a native of the lands. Hastily tying her hair in a bun, she wrapped herself in a black, hooded cloak.
Taking the butter knife, she hid it in the folds of the cloak, knowing danger was commonplace in this country. At the same time, Serenity crammed as much food as she could for she knew not how she would be on thro ad towards her country. With thieves at every bush, nothing was certain. She might not even be able to escape at all. But she couldn't help but try. Try for her people.
Slowly turning the door knob, she slipped out and quietly closed the door behind her. Though dark, Serenity found her way through the halls, feeling her way with her hands on the wall and the other feeling for the knife near her ribcage.
After trying many doors that lead to bedrooms, studies, etc, she finally found the stairs that lead down to the main hall, exposing the front door from which she entered her Hell. With timid steps, she descended like a bird upon undisturbed water. With the cloak flowing like breeze behind her, she stood at the bottom of the steps, glancing around for more guards. Everything was dark. No maids were scurrying around, tending to the needs of others. No, this kingdom acted like no other. It was like no life inhabited here, royal or not. How did Nikil stand to reside here? He seemed to be the cheery type, lighting a room wherever he went, from what she could tell from that first glimpse from the courtyard.
With her feet tapping lightly on the marble floor, she inched her way to the large doors until she was able to find a latch and opened it with all her might. Nothing. It was locked. One thing they got right.
Fumbling in the dark, Serenity made her blindly until she was in the kitchens, pans hanging from hooks banging her on her forehead.
"Ouch!" screamed Serenity. She stamped her hand over her mouth as the sound echoed in the kitchen. Tiptoeing away, she remembered her own kitchen and how they had a backdoor to deposit the wastes. Stopping herself from running, she felt around when her cold fingers found the metal knob of a door. Her salvation. Swinging it open, her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Woodsy foliage greeted her as she ran for life.
The smell was intoxicating and almost distracted her to where she was headed. That was the problem, where was she going? She had never visited the country, not even in her youth when it was mandatory for her to visit neighboring countries. But with the wars never ceasing, it was advised by her parents that safety was questioned on coming here.
She had no problem. The less she saw of the ill rumored prince, the better. Now, she wished she had. Where her land was a metropolis of shops and big businesses, his was of forests that stretched for miles and claimed many travelers in its death trap.
Collapsing onto the grassy ground, Serenity sobbed, bringing her open palms before her face.
"Oh Goddess, I need your help. I've been captured in his dark grace and deliverance is but a breath away. Help me go back to my people, for they await my guidance. Help me defeat the one feared by all," her last word brought on my tears. Ripping her hair from its restraint, Serenity slumped back against a tree and closed her eyes.
Alone, all alone. Nowhere to go, no one around for help, taken away to die. She could not even consider the alternative. Nothing would make her resort to the ultimate betrayal of her heart. No, he could never get his filthy hands on it. Never, never give in.
"This way. The trail is here!" yelled a man. It was him. How did he find her? Princes were trained in the art of hunting; no doubt seeking her out was child's play.
"No, no!" Serenity harshly whispered as the men came nearer. Crawling behind the tree, she watched as they walked past, the darkness cloaking her into the night.
"Where did she go?" he yelled again, but this time to no one.
"I'm here, you evil bastard," Serenity mocked under her breath as she peered at him stalking away, losing the trail.
"Don't think I won't find you, Serenity! I'll always find you!" he threatened to the cold air. Steam exuded from his mouth and Serenity feared that if she were to breathe, she'd be seen. Covering her mouth with the cloak, she waited for their exit with patience.
From the moonlight's glow, she could see his form, giving off the impression of a Viking. Dressed in hunting clothes with a bow strapped to his back and a sword on his waist, he gave off a powerful aura that many seemed to fear. His dark hair fell over his eyes, briefly masking his eyes, two dominant dots illuminating blue against the ebony night. One might think him a sinister god, put on earth to capture many for torture. Is that what he planned to do with her?
"Let's go back. She won't be able to get far. Do you hear that Serenity? You'll never be able to escape my land, I'll make sure you don't!" he thundered away on his horse, the others following behind.
Waiting for a few minutes, Serenity stood up and ran. Wildly pushing away branches scratching her cloaked body, she found the only barrier keeping her from freedom: the whole castle was protected by an iron gate, tall enough to touch the sky and strong enough to withhold the force of a full army.
"No!" Serenity screamed. Griping the metal bars with injured hands, she shook them, barely moving them an inch.
"You can never escape me," someone said huskily behind. Not even having to turn around, she knew who it was.
"I hate you," she slid down, her hands still on the bars. She would never give in.
"Enough to give me what I want?" he stooped down low, his knees grazing the ground and his hand lifting her chin. Turning her face towards his, he spoke in an inaudible breath that Serenity barely heard him.
"I am willing to let you go, just give me what I want!" he said roughly as he leaned closer to her.
"Don't touch me!" she shrieked. Her chest was heaving from her weeping but she held up a brave front, only enough to show he couldn't break her down.
"Afraid I'll do what you've been dreaming of?" his mouth was a mere inch away. His breath tickled her lips and Serenity had the sudden urge to move up a little, only to kiss those lips that plagued her dreams and threatened to spill over every time he came near.
"You know, when they realize I have you here, people are going to start thinking some things, some unsavory things. I just might let them," he smirked, knowing the comment would affect her.
"You wouldn't," she whispered in a pained voice.
"Of course, there are two ways to prevent that. Give me what I seek or we marry, and give them no reason to think otherwise,"
"I'd rather die!" Serenity cried in disgust. She, marry him! It was laughable. Many sought after her hand, why would she submit to this one man who holds her against her will?
"Oh, now that wouldn't really work. How else am I going to make you wish you never denied me," he stroked her chin, dropping a kiss on her forehead.