Storms Upon the Heart

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Chapter Three

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Serenity walked into her bedroom and leaned against the door for several moments, her eyes closed. Shaking her head, she pulled herself away from the door and lay down on her bed, sighing deeply. She laid her head on a pillow and stared out a window at the setting sun, the orange and red streams of color swaying in the sky.

Closing her eyes softly, she fell into a restful sleep, thinking of the morrow.

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Morrow came, with bright sunlight streaming through every room of the Fellotinhan palace.

Motoki stood in the great hall, pacing tediously across the marble floors, his boots scraping against the floors. Mutters escaped his mouth on the occasion, and he stared sourly at the floor.

Minako sat on a sofa against a high wall giggling at him, her head following his footsteps. She smoothed a wrinkle that had come upon her soft pink, frilled dress. "Motoki, you're very antsy today."

Motoki stopped his pacing to stare over at his cousin, a sour expression on his face. "If you were me, and about to introduce your sister to her future husband AND about to see your future bride for the first time in WEEKS, you would be doing just the same."

Minako pursed her cherry lips together. "Good thing I'm not you then, eh?"

Motoki frowned and turned back to his pacing.

Minako clutched at her flat stomach, gasping out giggles.

Clicking footfalls came from the high staircase, and Minako and Motoki ceased the laughter and pacing to look up at Serenity's frail form descending the stairs. She clutched at the silky fabric of her white dress with one hand, lifting the dress high enough to help her from tripping, revealing satin slippers.

Minako smiled widely. "Sere, you look so pretty!"

Serenity muttered a soft 'thank you' and sat beside her cousin on the sofa.

Motoki resumed pacing.

Minako pouted. "You both are so worried. Ya shouldn't be!"

Serenity shook her head and patted the young girl's hand. "You don't understand, Mina…"

Minako bit her lip at her cousin's sad eyes. "Sere…"

The high door Motoki stood before opened and an officially dressed guard entered and bowed, stopping Motoki's continuous pacing. "Your majesty, the Hershim carriage approaches."

Motoki nodded. "Thank you." He turned to Minako. "Mina, go find Mother and bring her. Serenity, come with me. We greet them as they arrive."

Minako nodded and jumped off, running away happily, her short heels clicking merrily.

Serenity inhaled sharply and stood shakily. "Oh, Motoki, I'm so nervous…"

Motoki smiled and held out his arm for her. "Don't be."

She took his arm and leaned against him as he led her out the wide doors. They walked to the middle of the long bricked path, where the carriage would stop as it approached.

Mina came forth out of the palace moments later, wheeling the queen's chair beside the prince and princess. Melodine, looking frail and anxious, sat timidly wringing a cloth in her hands.

The grand carriage of Hershim, pulled by eight strong white horses, stopped just feet away from the royalty of Fellotinhan.

A horseman approached and opened the door, and a tall, gentle brunette reached out her hand to him, descending the steps. She shielded her bright green eyes against the sunlight, gazing out at the people she encountered. A wide, happy smile crossed her face as she noticed Motoki.

Motoki smiled brightly at her in return and released Serenity's arm, rushing to the girl.

"Makato!" He swung her into his arms, twirling her gently before setting her laughing back on the ground.

She held fast to him, leaning up and kissing his lips gently. "Oh, Motoki! I've missed you so much!"

He grinned widely. "And I you!"

Two more figures descended the carriage steps. Motoki released Makato gently and turned to them.

He bowed to the first: a tall, broad-shouldered, salt-and-pepper gray haired man with sharp, yet warm green eyes. "King Dermius."

The man smiled kindly, and reached out to embrace Motoki. "Dear boy, we're family now." He laughed, his eyes twinkling.

Motoki smiled and turned to the other. "Endymion. It's great to see you again."

Endymion happened to be much like his father. Tall and broad-shouldered, he seemed to tower above all that approached him. His hair was as dark as onyx stone, and each strand seemed to shine as he turned in the sunlight. His eyes were a dark, stormy blue, and seemed to be piercingly stern.

He smiled warmly at Motoki. "It's good to see you, too, Motoki."

Serenity, who had been standing beside her mother and Minako quietly, staring at the ground, finally lifted her eyes to look upon her future.

She gulped, her face white. She felt herself becoming faint and she gripped Minako's arm. Minako raised an eyebrow, shrugging.

Serenity dug her nails into Minako's arm, bringing a small yelp out of the girl's mouth. She reached out and smacked Serenity hand away gently. "Cousin, calm down!" She released Melodine's chair and grabbed her cousin around the waist, holding her still. "Calm down!"

Serenity nodded, choking on air. "R-r-right…"

Motoki shook hands with Endymion. "It's going to be some week."

Endymion grinned, his eyes dark and glittering. "That it is." His voice was deep and warm, kindness apparent in him.

Serenity was still grasping Minako's arm as Motoki came forth with Endymion behind him.

"Serenity…" Motoki started, taking her arm away from Minako and pulling her towards him. "I would like you to meet a dear friend of mine. I believe you've heard of him."

Serenity took in a sharp breath and timidly let Motoki pull her forward.

"Sere, this…is Endymion."

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End Chapter Three

Chapters will be very slow…gomen!