After another day of failed negotiations, Endymion was exhausted. And yet as he laid in his room, he couldn't sleep.
It was heartbreaking, really. What should have been a day's worth of conversations, followed by the reverie of renewed partnership, had turned so sour. Emotions on either side were far too high, and despite his several pleas to his father to just let things be, the Moon Kingdom's attitude toward diplomacy only galvanized the king. Endymion barely touched his food and slogged to his bedroom, first attempting to sleep, then attempting to read and then finally watching as the stars burned in space.
It was well past midnight. Outside, a sliver of the new moon was peaking against the midnight blue sky. The air was warm and smelled of honeysuckle from the gardens. He thought about lying back down, to force his eyes closed as he prepared for a final day of what was sure to be pointless talks between the Moon and Earth kingdoms. Instead, he continued to stand at his window watching fireflies drift aimlessly above the garden.
Images of Beryl filled his mind, her wet clothes clinging to her body, her thumb grazing his lip. The hot springs had been such a surprise. Yes, he knew he was attracted to the mysterious princess from the north. He had been attracted to many women. But something about her was so different.
The way she spoke to him was not like that of the ladies at court. It was as if her years masquerading as a peasant had dulled his princely influence. She saw him as a man, not a prince, and sitting with her in that spring had been a highlight in an otherwise grim week.
If Jadeite hadn't interrupted, what was going to happen between them? What did he want to happen between them?
Outside, the night air sang to him. Maybe Beryl was out there, waiting in the spring for Endymion to come, this time all alone. He pictured her rising from the water, unbuttoning his shirt and dragging him in. It didn't seem like a good idea, but neither did war and that now seemed inevitable. He wanted to see her again. He wanted her alone. Something wild and feral in him needed to touch her.
He threw on a pair of shoes and a shirt before quietly making his way down the stairs, through the hall and out to the back terrace. From there, he weaved a path through the shrubbery maze, the only light guiding him was a torch he managed to snatch off a post against the castle walls.
While he started off quiet and slow, trying to keep himself from making too much noise, he was now almost in a frenzy. An indescribable pull was tethering him to something out there in the garden, perhaps Beryl standing in a portico or up against a tree, waiting to be ravaged by the prince.
He turned a corner and collided with something–or someone–and went flying back. The torch, thankfully, was still firmly in his grip and had not managed to singe the mysterious figure creeping in the dark. Immediately, he jumped to his feet, prepared to attack, only to be met by two big, blue eyes filled to the brim with tears.
"Ouch!" She grabbed her head and rubbed. "That really hurt!"
Serenity. It was Serenity. He sucked in a long breath.
"Princess Serenity," Endymion scrambled to his feet and offered her a hand. "Are you hurt?"
She grabbed his hand, stood up straight, brushed off her long flowing gown and frowned as her fingers found her head once more. Despite being just laid out on the ground, she was absolutely stunning. Her golden hair curled around her body and her flowing white dress was so innocent and delicate. He fought the urge to reach out and let the silk fabric dance on his fingertips.
After assessing herself, she let out a sigh.
"I'll survive," she bit back her pain and offered a half smile.
"What are you doing here?" He was stunned. "I thought you didn't come."
"I didn't come with them, I sort of made my way here by myself. No one knows I'm here," she said sheepishly. "I kind of came on my own accord."
How could it possibly be? The gate between the two kingdoms was highly protected. A guard would have let her pass through the portal–both coming to and leaving from–and that would be nearly impossible without someone from the Moon Kingdom knowing.
"But the portal–"
"Yes, that is where my plan fell a little short." She frowned. "Bribing the Moon Kingdom for safe transport was easy, but I didn't quite think through how I was going to get back on the Earth side. I tried to talk to the guards but they thought I was lying to them, and I didn't want to send any alarm bells, so I just sort of retreated back to the castle."
What a strange creature she was. She came here on her own, something that seemed so dangerous and completely stupid, but something that also seemed adventorous and wild. Endymion envied that kind of bravery.
"So you're just waiting for day break to reveal yourself to your mother?" He smiled playfully at her. She nodded her head.
"Unfortunately, yes." She said softly. "That is the plan."
"Won't she be angry with you?" His father surely would've been apoplectic.
"Yes, but I just wanted to see the Earth Kingdom for myself." She looked up to the castle looming in the distance, torches illuminating the stone walls. "Thought maybe if I tried to talk to my mother, maybe there might be a better way to settle this issue."
Beryl had convinced Endymion the two were working together against the interests of the Earth Kingdom, but by the sounds of it, Serenity was much more aligned with the prince. He, too, wanted a peaceful action among them. Maybe if they joined together…
"That's very noble of you, Serenity." The firelight danced on her face, making her blue eyes sparkle. "Quite irresponsible and stupid, but noble nonetheless."
"Hey, now!" She swatted at him. "That's not very nice to say."
"I only tease." Warmth filled his belly, just like it had the moment they first met. "I wish there was something more I could do to convince my father to not pursue a plan of war."
She sighed. "If only it was that easy."
Insects buzzed in the hot and humid summer air. A bead of sweat ran down Endymion's neck. Was this the thing beckoning him outside? This feeling simmering between them was so powerful, almost as if it had been predestined. How he wished they had more time: To talk, to get to know one another. For being only the second time they had met, he felt like they had known one another forever.
"Well, I can escort you to the portal if you'd like," Endymion said. "They won't say no to me, but they will be sure to talk."
"Talk of what?" She cocked an eyebrow. He laughed cautiously.
"Me and you. Alone late at night. Secretly escorting you to the portal." His gazed fixed on her. "There's a lot to talk about there, don't you think?"
Her eyes became intense and her lips parted. She sucked in a breath and blinked, anticipating the thing she might say next. All the while Endymion was completely transfixed.
"Well, they can talk all they want," she said softly, watching his lips. "It's just rumor and conjecture."
"Right," he said slowly. "Rumor and conjecture."
How badly he wanted to reach out and touch her. Beryl was so far out of his mind now. Maybe he had been fantasizing about her because he believed he could never get this. It was a cruel thought to both of the women. A young man driven by hormones and lust, his body longing to be with a beautiful woman. If Endymion had heard any other man feel this way, he would've admonished their rakish behavior.
She took a deep breath. "What I was really curious about seeing here was where you lived." Her admission shot through Endymion. "I… couldn't stop thinking about you since we met at the ball."
Yes, he thought. I couldn't either. Instead, he stood there in silence, watching her struggle for words.
"I was hoping I would run into you," she continued. "I just didn't think it would be like this."
"Is this such a bad way to run into each other?" He didn't mean to sound desperate for her, but he did. She blushed.
"I suppose it's not." She examined the space around her, possibly checking for others nearby, Endymion thought. She bit her lip. "What are you doing out here so late at night?"
His stomach sank. He didn't think admitting to her that he was hoping to meet Beryl in the cover of darkness to do inappropriate things was the right play. He decided to keep that secret close to his chest.
"Couldn't sleep," he offered instead. "Sometimes I like to get out of the castle for an evening stroll."
"Not exactly a safe plan," she teased.
"I like to live dangerously."
Tension was growing. He wanted to kiss her and he could tell she did, too. The way her body leaned into his, the way she licked her lips out of nervousness, possibly imagining him leaning down and tasting her. His head spun.
"Well, I'm glad we did run into each other–no matter how strange the circumstances." She clasped her hands behind her back and rocked on her heels. "But I do need an escort, and I'd love it if you could give me one."
She offered out her hand and he took it. A powerful jolt shot up and down his spine and goosebumps crawled along this arm. Her skin was so smooth and supple. What started as a chaste grip slowly turned, and Endymion dragged his thumb across the top of her hand. There was no denying this: This feeling of want, this feeling of love and of destiny.
He pulled her in close, using his other hand to grip around her waist. He was considerably taller than her, but she fit perfectly right into his chest. They both let out a heady breath. He leaned in, his lips grazing hers and fire burned through every inch of his body.
She tasted so sweet. Her arms reached up and grabbed his face, cupping the curvature of his jaw as their mouths pushed together. This was the most intoxicating thing he had ever experienced. Thousands of nerves lit up in his body, and even though his eyes were closed, he swore he could see light dancing all around them in a beautiful kaleidoscope of color. All of his life, he would remember this moment just like this. He inched his tongue inside, her teeth grazing his bottom lip…
"Princess!"
A voice rang out and shock flooded him once more. The two jumped away from one another. From down the path emerged Venus, whom Endymion had only gotten to really know for a matter of minutes. She was always tailing the queen so closely, never speaking to anyone unless it was to offer pleasantries or gratitudes. Now, she looked positively pissed off.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed, grabbing Serenity's wrist and pulling her close. She shot an angry glare at Endymion.
"Nothing!" Serenity protested, but Venus huffed.
"This is so dangerous, Serenity." She pulled the princess in closer. "We don't know what kind of people we're dealing with here."
"Excuse me," Endymion interjected. "What kind of people do you mean?"
Venus clamped her jaw shut and ground her teeth.
"It's okay, Venus," Serenity reassured her friend. "This isn't what it looks like."
"This is precisely what it looks like," she seethed. "I can't believe you would sneak off to the Earth Kingdom and kiss him like this! Did he hurt you? Did he force himself on you?"
Indignantly, Endymion stepped forward but Serenity outstretched her hand.
"This is all a misunderstanding," Serenity pressed on. Venus backed down, but only slightly. "You can take me to the portal back home, okay? We can discuss when we get back to the kingdom safe and sound."
Venus shot a menacing glare to Endymion before returning her gaze to the princess. She shook her head, a frown now burned into her face, and nodded her head. Without saying goodbye, Venus turned and started walking down the path, her grip still on Serenity's arm. Serenity turned back to look at Endymion, her eyes apologetic. But in her expression was something light and full of hope.
Endymion stayed behind as they made their way through the garden, listening as their footsteps ground against the gravel. As soon as he started making his own way back though, he heard another voice: One he recognized all too well.
"Venus," Kunzite said sharply. "What are you doing out here…and why is she here?"
Endymion inched backward, kneeling behind a shrub. By his estimation, they were only a few yards away. If Kunzite caught him out here, especially with the princess, his father would have a field day.
"My apologies, General Kunzite." Her voice was curt. "The princess was just leaving."
"Have you seen Prince Endymion?" Kunzite asked, his voice carrying over the shrubbery.
"No," Venus said quickly. "I haven't. Now if you'll please excuse us."
Two pairs of footsteps tore off toward the side of the castle, most likely taking the long way around to the gate that sat at the front. Not too far from there was the portal, sitting under the protection of royal guards. Endymion waited several minutes for the heavier set of feet to retreat–or to move forward–but a long, tortuous silence hung in the air.
Finally, without saying a word, Kunzite went back toward the castle. It was another 30 minutes before Endymion followed, and by the time he got the nerve to move from his spot, he crept slowly and carefully to not make a sound.
It was nearly 3 a.m. when Endymion finally made his way into his bed, diligently checking his room to see any signs of Kunzite. He laid his head on the pillow, his heart still racing from the excitement of kissing Serenity and being caught, and again he begged for sleep but nothing came. Instead he lay there, remembering the feel of her lips on his and praying with all his might that Kunzite was none the wiser to his late night stroll.
Even if he was, Endymion wasn't worried about it for now. He was more focused on the incredible feeling surging through his body. He was in love with the Moon Kingdom's princess.