It's been like a day since I posted da 12th chapter that I'm in da mood to write da next so…
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That night, her nightmares kept her up. Sleep was like an elusive enemy that fought to keep its face from being seen. If only Endymion was like that.
Her betrothed was due to arrive to the kingdom the next day when word was sent that he was needed. Wedding preparations were being made quickly before Endymion made promise on the next full moon. Dread filled Serenity as she gazed upon the moon. Tightening her robe around her, she stood in the open balcony, hoping that the Goddess took pity on her and shed some sort of grace on her.
Serenity knew deep in her heart that if her marriage to Endymion came to be, she'd have no choice but to kill him; and this time, she'd succeed. Even as she stood, a soldier was sharpening her dagger, enough to split a strand of hair.
The sun was due to rise soon and the earth would again be glazed in its brilliance. Serenity tried to keep her mind on something miniscule, anything to keep her from the dreams. Dreams of Endymion touching her skin and kissing her begging lips.
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The castle had become a gray pile of stone, molded together to form something not many wanted to live in. That was how Endymion saw his home when he realized that Serenity might never be his. His crushed the glass goblet in his hand, feeling the encrusted jewels digging in his palm. Crumbling to the floor where they winked rainbows on his leg armor from the light of the candles dotting the room.
Kicking the shards away from his feet, he stripped from his armor that he had worn to Serenity's land plunged himself in the lukewarm bath one the maids prepared for him. Dismissing the maids away, he set scrubbing himself with the perfumed soaps, hoping the memory of Serenity's skin would get off.
The news of her betrothal to another threw Endymion off his track and had no way of retaliating except to yell his claim on her. Some good that did. He could feel the growing anger she had for him, fueled more by that miserable visit.
"Sire, I bring news from the palace of Vaneri," spoke a man by the open door.
"Yes," his ears peaked up, straining to hear any news of his beloved.
"Her betrothal has arrived at the palace and the wedding is due to commence in a matter of hours," the man said in fear, knowing the King would fly into a rage at the news.
"What?" Endymion thundered. Jumping out the bath and adorning a black robe, Endymion stormed down to the soldiers' quarters.
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Serenity twisted her wedding dress in her fingers, making tiny wrinkles on the side of the white silk dress. Her nerves were grating against her skin, awaiting the bell toll that would signal for the wedding to start.
"It'll be alright. I've seen him, he's very handsome," soothed Maya, cooing to her baby who was fussing about in a basinet.
"Well? Can you elaborate to that effect?" pressed Serenity to her calmed friend.
"Um… he has the attributes of a sailor?" Maya offered in jest.
"Maya!" Serenity's face broke in a smile.
"Finally the Queen looks happy! Now we're all saved. Okay, okay, he has the proverbial blonde hair and blue eyes. But war, war had made him a hard man. His family consists of no one except his future bride,"
"How sad," muttered Serenity, knowing they had something in common.
"Don't worry; I doubt he's much of a drill sergeant since he used to be a writer before he had to fulfill his duties of Dukedom,"
"Death makes everyone act the opposite," the Queen said in sorrow.
"That it does," Maya said, laying a hand on top of Serenity's and kissing her cheek.
"Come, no more of this moping. Today is your wedding day; we must make sure you are a vision of pure beauty and grace,"
"I don't think anyone will be thinking of that when the reason for this rushed marriage hangs over us while the vows are being read," Serenity sighed, standing up to stretch out her back; made stiff when her hair was put up in intricate designs.
And no matter how hard she tried, Serenity couldn't get the image of Endymion out of her head. His strong, sinewy body over hers, lips that ravaged as if parched and his eyes, eyes that saw deep into her like they belonged to her, to her only.
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White, crystal-like flowers were strewn around the pews, all of which were filled to the hiltwith the royalsfrom every kingdom. One in particular was absent, not that many minded. Madiri rarely participated in anything that others did.
Gabriel did not mind either. The man had no respect, no sack when he used Maya as a device against Serenity. A sharpened sword was at his side, for he, as well as all the other soldiers, knew that Endymion was poised to attack if the news of the wedding reached his ears.
The organs started to play the second the bell from the cathedral pounded, sending loud waves to Serenity's mind as she peered down her window. The sun was hanging in midday and soon the sky would be stained with pinks and purples.
"Serenity, come on, it's time to go," Maya tapped her shoulder and led her down the marble stairs; stopping at the closed doors that opened to the awaiting faces.
"Okay," Serenity's breathed one last breathe and walked forward, the door swinging open, Liam at her side acting as her father.
"Ready, Your Highness?" Liam asked as they proceeded down the aisle, the blood red carpet contrasting with her snow-white slippers. The diamonds sewed on winked at her with every step she took. She groaned with fear as their descent came to a halt. With her veil over her face, it was hard to see her fiancé clearly.
"If I said no, do I still have to get married?" he smiled at her and she smiled back.
Turning to Liam, he kissed both her cheeks and went to stand next to Gabriel.
"Let us begin," said the priest in a soft voice.
His words went right passed her, especially when he spoke in Latin. Her mind was too busy thinking about the two men in her life. Her too-short lover and the man who would forever be called her husband, her king.
That's when it happened. That feeling. At first it was like a prickling at the back of her neck, but that couldn't be it. Everyone was watching her, it was normal. But her stomach was churning and her senses, her senses were wired as if the whole church were on fire. What was going on?
"Silly, silly girl. Did you really think I would let this abomination of a marriage take place without my interference?" bellowed a deep voice.
Everyone turned their heads toward the church doors and there standing, in blue and gold glory, was King Endymion.
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"Please, let me go!" screamed Serenity as Endymion pulled her along outside.
After they had stormed in, Endymion commanded all to stay in their seats; none could stop him as he took the protesting Queen away from her betrothal.
Her fiancé stared at her in fear, knowing he should do something but law dictate that he don't.
The carriage was ready to take them away when Serenity took out her dagger and sliced his shoulder, making only a little blood trickle down.
"You bitch!" that was enough to let her run. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to run except the darkened western woods, a place where wild animals roamed.
"Serenity, no!" screamed Maya, who had snuck past the soldiers and watched in horror as her friend escaped to the deadly woods.
She had no choice but to ask her enemy for help.
"Well? Go after her. Dangerous animals and thieves reside in those woods. They'll kill her before she even finds a place to breathe," she eyes showed the worry that Endymion felt as he heard her words.
He bounded after her in fury, knowing that if one part of her was scratched, it'd be his fault.
"Serenity!" he yelled.
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Ok, I'm sorry if dis is short, but it's only cuz da next chapter will have our little lovers back into each other embraces again (though, ahem, it'll be KINDA rough at first) when he tries to find her. I wanted that part of the story to only have their "meeting" and nothing else.
And don't worry, it's gonna be spicy, well I think………………
K, well, I'm off to Garden State Mall to find my perfect prom dresss, ( hence the short chapter, well partly becuz of dat reason) hehe.
Thnkx mich 4 da reviews. U know I luv ya:)