Okay, I must admit, after da last chappy, I couldn't leave ya dangling dere so I rushed to my computer and wrote dis.
I forgot to do dis on da last chappy, but I wanna give aBIG thnx to a reviewer who actually gave me da idea of Serenity and Endymion's betrothal contract: KiwiKol
I'll be honest; I had no clue on how to bring them together again and was waiting for inspiration to hit when I read KiwiKol's review. It was like a bolt: hit me fast and the words just came pouring out.
Now, I might draw dem out, but I ALWAYS write wat the audience wants, dats why u should always review any story u read: dey just might listen 2 ur suggestions.
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Her eyes had widened and her mouth was dry. What could she say? Really, what did anyone expect her to say in a position like that?
"Serenity?"
She opened her mouth but there was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" she called, not wanting to see the look on Endymion's face.
"Sere, why haven't you come down for breakfast, it's getting-" Maya stopped short when she took in the sight before her.
It didn't really surprise her but still, the thought of seeing Serenity in bed with a man would make her queasy at the thought.
"Oh, sorry!" she trampled down the stairs speedily. She left the door open.
Serenity wrapped sheets around her and went to close it before anyone came across them and peeked in.
"Serenity," he was waiting for an answer but Serenity didn't have one.
"I need to get ready. The counsel is meeting for the proposed taxes," she hurried into the washroom and locked the door.
"What am I going to do?" she asked herself, her mind racking for an answer.
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He watched her in awe as she handled the elderly men with confidence. Like a Queen. Her eyes keeping contact with theirs, her calm composure why her face showed emotion. It was brilliant.
Endymion opted to stand behind the curtains by her throne, surveying all.
Victor had to leave for business in Malcromby so Serenity left by herself to deal with the men.
Endymion yearned to go in and help her, to save her from the stress and solve all her problems.
"I don't think my country is ready for another tax raise. They have enough problems as it is feeding their children," she argued, passion in her eyes.
They were hesitant to continue for they saw that their Queen would not waver from her decision.
"We understand, Your Highness," they all bowed and filed out the room, leaving Serenity to her thoughts.
"Are you alright?" Endymion stepped out and came before her, like a subject.
"Yes, I'm fine. It's just these delegates who think they know what's best for my people, my kingdom. Greedy bastards, they are," she cursed under her breath, not really caring that she was talking to Endymion.
"Is there any way I can help?" he stepped closer, until he could see the lines by her eyes, showing the strain she was enduring.
"Unless you can solve the problems that trouble my people and satisfy the men of my court, I don't think there's anything anyone can do. No one, except maybe me."
"And what, pray tell, will Her Highness do?"
She looked at him and smiled sadly. Her eyes were tired, shouldering all the burdens of a country that didn't realize how fatigued the new mother was.
"I don't know."
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He was laughing. She hadn't seen him laugh in a while. It was a soothing scene, watching him laugh with their son.
Tristan, as they had decided to call him, was now 3 months old. His eyes became a nice, cobalt blue, but he inherited his mother's blonde hair and fair skin.
The sky was clear, just like that morning so long ago, with the grass soft and smelling new.
"Serenity, come see!" called Endymion from under the willow tree.
Everyday, Tristan did something new and it excited Endymion more and more. Serenity laughed as she watched her son picking up one of those fuzzy weeds and blowing them into the wind. (A/N Yeah, I don't know what they're called)
Serenity took one last look then went inside. Spring had brightened up Vaneri, bringing with it fresh starts, and new business.
She took this as the perfect opportunity to reintroduce Endymion as her husband. The public was still reluctant, but nonetheless, they trusted their Queen. Victor took the news well, knowing it would've come to pass anyway. Everyday, he said, he had felt the love she had for Endymion become more and more evident. He had long readied himself for the day when she would return to him.
Yes, he was still sore at Endymion for kidnapping him and keeping him away from his family, from the world.
But, after seeing the love in Endymion's eyes when Serenity was around, it was enough for him to bow out gracefully.
Unfortunately, Victor could still see in Serenity's eyes that her heart could not forget it all. He hoped, for the sake of their son, she would forgive Endymion and start their new life together.
She had watched Victor depart Vaneri, his things packed up but a smile still on his face.
He reassured her that he had no hard feelings and promised to visit them when summer came around.
It made her miss him even more. None would've taken the news this easy; none would smile at her and kiss her goodbye.
Though that day had been the only time they'd made love, she was growing comfortable with his presence again. Soon, maybe with more time passed, she can be assimilated with his role in her life.
Time made her a better, though not the best yet, Queen. Decisions were now made with the help of her husband, her King.
But knowing Vaneri was her mother country, Endymion basically agreed to let Serenity be the main ruler for her country. Endymion couldn't deny the need to protect one's land.
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Maya had taken the boys out to the countryside, to a small cottage she owned over there. Gabriel was out in the courtyard training the new recruits. Serenity had given the maids the day off, so all was empty except for the presence of Serenity and her husband.
Tristan reached his 5th month, and was growing like a bull. His features became outlined, especially when looked at up close. His round cheeks, his pudgy little fingers; Serenity memorized every little thing on her son. He had grown to be more beautiful than when he had been born.
"Serenity?" he came into her sitting room without making a sound.
"Yes?" she looked up from her sewing.
He was dressed in riding clothes; he was wearing the breeches she had made for him when she was bored one day.
"I'm going out for a ride, would you like to join?" he offered, gazing at her eyes deeply.
"Yes, I would like that very much."
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The sun still hung in the sky when they set out. Serenity packed a small lunch for them and left a note for anyone who asked for them.
They rode west for a while then stopped when they came to an area in the woods densely packed with tress.
Serenity spread everything out for them while Endymion tethering the horses to a tree.
By the time they got down to eating, the sun was down, warning travelers to stop their treks.
"We should be getting back soon," asserted Endymion, taking a bite of treacle.
Serenity nodded, wiping her mouth with a napkin. She wanted so badly to spend more time with Endymion, since all their hours were spent everyday taking care of their kingdoms and being with their son.
"And, I think I should be getting back to Madiri. I had planned on staying for at least three months, and I don't want my kingdom to think I've abandoned them," he laughed a little, trying to hide the edge in his voice. He didn't want to leave Serenity and his son.
"Oh," she uttered softly, averting her eyes from his face.
She didn't want him to see the tiny tears in her eyes.
"I, uh, I'll be there for a month or so, then I'll return," he looked away too; his face riddled with anguish.
"He'll, uh, miss you," she said.
"Hopefully, he won't notice I've gone," he threw away a pit and wiped the juice from his hands.
"Hopefully," she repeated.
She stood up and hooked the bed on the horse and smoothed out her dress and the twigs stuck to it.
"Sere," he said and when she turned, he was right in front of her, her nose hitting his rock hard chest.
"Ow," she rubbed her nose, not wanting to catch his eyes.
His hand went under her chin and lifted her face until she finally looked at him.
"Sere," he said again.
When she nodded with confusion, he smiled…and kissed her.
He kissed her softly, hugging her with his strong arms.
Breaking away, he nuzzled her throat and whispered to her.
"I'll stay if you want me to," her resolve was breaking and she couldn't hold her silence any longer.
She kissed him in response and he went with it, stroking her face. Serenity's hair became tangled in his other hand as he wound it around his fingers to bring her closer to him.
"Endy-" she tried to say but he kept capturing her lips, his own drench with lust.
He wouldn't let another breath of air as he pushed her against him tightly, his arms around her waist.
Her world was spinning, her senses were heightened but she could barely grip on things as her soul was crashing. His hands touched every part of her, his mouth played soft games on her face and all she could think about was wanting him, needing him.
"Endymion?" she said again, when she got the chance.
"Hmm?" he was too preoccupied to even care that she was talking. He had other uses of her mouth at the moment.
"I…I forgive you," he stopped and turned to her.
He smiled and kissed her. On her cheeks, her nose, and finally her lips. It was reminiscent of that soft, sweet kiss long ago.
Serenity felt a surge of feeling go through her and she wanted to tell him, wanted to shout to him her love.
But he knew already, by the way he kissed her, he knew what she felt.
Then, silently, he picked her up and put her on her horse, then jumping on his.
They rode home, with their hands intertwined.
She couldn't stop smiling all the way home.
And he couldn't stop gazing at her, his cobalt blue eyes simmering with love.
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Now, I got a bit of a problem.
Should dis be da last chapter(WITH AN EPILOGUE ADDED NEXT)or should I write more, like 2 or 3 more?
FEEDBACK ON CHAPPY AND QUESTION WANTED!
Majority will rule it……….