Chapter 5: No Interruptions
Serenity's cerulean eyes blinked rapidly taking in the scene. She was still unaccustomed to mornings in the capital. Deep purple and red streaks cast through the windows dancing on the gilded ceiling. She lay beneath her warm coverlets shrugging off the last traces of sleep as she yawned and stretched, curling her toes.
Her quarters smelled sweet like a bouquet. "That's strange," she thought to herself. "I don't remember having flowers." She began to look around her surroundings for the first time truly observing the space. It was regal she supposed, but cold like Nemesis. There was no warmth in this vast suite. To her satisfaction, Serenity soon found the source of the aroma- jasmine. A gorgeous display of white tulips, gardenias, and jasmine flowed off the entry table just outside her bedroom.
"How lovely," she commented as she inhaled the blooms. Beside the vase a creamy envelope with cursive script waited for her. Delighted, she turned it over and broke the royal seal, removing a handwritten note on thick parchment.
Please join me for dinner this evening. No more interruptions- Yours, Demande
"His majesty will be with you shortly. Please wait here." The maid curtsied and hurriedly exited the drawing room. Serenity sat nervously waiting in a winged back chair, her hands fidgeting in her lap. She was excited yet nervous to see Prince Demande again, and spend some time just the two of them, uninterrupted just as the note intended.
Uncharacteristically, she had spent much of the day studying and reading in an attempt to glean as much knowledge as she could about the capital. After the success of the previous evening, she didn't want to disappoint Prince Demande. She had to practically beg Emerald for a lesson.
"The capital has 200,000 residents… or was it 2 million?" Serenity ticked off her fingers trying to recall the figures.
"There's no way I'm going to remember everything," she chastised herself. "Why did I waste my time with those books. I should have just taken a nap instead." She lamented with a huff crossing her arms.
Frustrated, Serenity could no longer contain her nervous energy and jumped to her feet. Her eyes began to wander taking in the room, desperately looking for a distraction. Anything to keep her from bolting and running away; an idea that exceedingly seemed enticing.
Along the far wall were neatly spaced portraits that she made her way to. Serenity walked slowly giving attention to each painting imagining what kind of person they once were. One image in particular caught Serenity's attention. In it a regal woman with kind eyes stared back.
"She's so beautiful," remarked Serenity, as she reached out to the woman, her violet eyes seemingly following Serenity. The subject wore a deep velvet gown and her navy hair was delicately weaved into a platinum and obsidian crown.
I wonder who she is?
"Jade Alexandrite, the last Queen of Nemesis," answered Prince Demande to her unspoken question.
Serenity whirled around, her heart beating wildly in her chest, unaware that Prince Demande had entered the drawing room, as she never heard a door open or approaching footsteps.
"Your mother?" she inquired, taking a step towards him. All formalities between the couple evaporated, as Serenity failed to curtesy. Neither party noticed.
There was a long pause before Demande replied, his body stiffening. "Yes."
"You look just like her." Serenity smiled softly.
"I don't see it." He looked away wistfully, a sea of emotions battling to stay hidden on his usually indifferent face.
"Your hair color may be different but you have the same thin nose and elegant lips." she said, turning back to point out the shared features.
Demande nodded slowly in agreement taking a step towards Serenity and the portrait. "I suppose with Sapphire being her match in nearly every way I brushed off any likeness. But perhaps you're right."
"I'm sure you share some traits with her. Do you like any of the same foods?"
Demande stared blankly at the portrait.
Serenity blushed coming to her senses. "I'm sorry that was so forward... All of this conversation was so forward. Not courtier like at all."
Demande shifted looking back to Serenity. "Not many are so forward with the monarch, courtier or not. I quite admire your confidence."
"I wouldn't call it confidence, more stupidity than anything else." She confided. "I'm slowly learning that I don't know when to keep my mouth shut." She hung her head, staring at the marble floor with flushed cheeks. It had been another rough morning learning etiquette with Emerald and now she had just embarrassed herself with Prince Demande talking about food. Why did every conversation always come back to food with her?
"Serenity," Demande closed the space between them and lifted her chin making eye contact, "Don't be ashamed of who you are. Your conviction is what makes you so attractive."
"Attractive?" she stammered. Again, those intense violet eyes were directed only at her. When they looked at her, it's like she's all that mattered.
"Most certainly. You are a breath of fresh air. So different from all the courtiers and royals that I've met. You say what you think, what you feel. Your honesty is refreshing." Demande said, holding her gaze.
"Thank you," she whispered, her inhibitions melting away.
The couple stood there in silence each soaking the other in.
Serenity's stomach growled, making the most unbecoming noise. She paled, then seeing the smirk Demande attempted to hide, began to giggle. "Apparently my inner conviction is quite hungry."
"Then come my lady, I've invited you to supper and your stomach is clearly in need."
Serenity breezed in to the dining room on Demande's arm admiring the gilded walls. Candles lit the space giving it an intimate feel. Her nose was immediately assaulted with the most delicious smells. A buffet with steaming dishes was the source. Roast tenderloin, fingerling potatoes, and a vegetable medley were laid out on the mahogany table.
"It's just us tonight. I was serious about no interruptions," he boasted proudly as he pulled out her dining chair with a flourish. "No staff."
Serenity giggled as she took her seat. "I'm looking forward to it. No people and more importantly, no emperors!"
"Agreed!" Demande professed,
"I've instructed Sapphire to handle everything that could possibly interfere."
Demande retrieved a wine bottle and two glasses. Uncorking the bottle Demande expertly poured two glasses of wine. The plum liquid whirled around in the crystal settling silently without a drop being spilt.
"This is a Merlot," he remarked handing one of the glasses to Serenity, "Approachable yet sensual. Much like you, my dear."
"A toast," Serenity blurted out, shakily raising her glass. "To no interruptions."
Demande nodded, eyeing her longingly as he took a swig. "No interruptions."
Serenity inhaled the liquid and immediately wrinkled her nose. It smelled like cedar and not the tart of grape that she had anticipated. Tentatively she took a sip as Prince Demande looked on. Unsurprisingly, it tasted like it smelled; bark. She tried to hide her distaste, not wanting to hurt Demande's feelings.
"Wine is an acquired taste," he encouraged seeing through her facade. "We can always try something sweeter like a Grenache next time."
Relieved, she set the glass down and turned her attention to the waiting meal, serving each of them a hearty helping of the entree.
"Serenity, I know so little about you since you only recently joined the court here in the Capital," Demande noted cutting in to his steak. "Really only what I observed at the party."
"I only know so much myself," she twisted her napkin in her lap. "It's like I'm a child again, learning what foods I like, what skills I have, what makes me happy."
"Tell me something about yourself that you know to be true then."
Serenity furrowed her brow contemplating the question. She had never put much thought into what she had; just what she had lost. She paused lost in thought.
"Something you've just learned, perhaps." He encouraged, after her continued silence.
"Promise not to laugh," she asked. "It has to do with food again."
"I promise."
"I discovered at the annexation celebration that I love chocolate," Serenity beamed. "It's the most divine treat I've tasted thus far." Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Ah yes chocolate." He mused. "I must say I prefer my chocolate dark- I like the bitter taste."
"There are different types?" Her face lit up in amazement as she leaned forward wanting to hear more.
"Oh yes. There's white, dark, and milk chocolate. But that's just the beginning," Demande winked. "It pairs well with red wine, which I particularly enjoy."
"I can't wait to try them all," she giggled. "I've got quite the confectionery education in front of me!"
"I hope you won't be disappointed with tonight's dessert as it's a poached pear," he shared, feigning concern.
"I am finding that I like most sweet desserts. I suspect you'll be safe with the pear." She ventured,
Serenity dug in to the meal and consumed both her entree and dessert with equal fervor. Just as predicted, her favorite part was the dessert.
"Your majesty, now that you've conquered Earth, what do you want to you plan to do next?" she said as she scooped a second helping of the poached pear onto her plate.
"As I've reminded you, my lady, my name is Demande. And as for my plans. It's hard to say. When you spend your whole life planning for one purpose, one goal, it's hard to see beyond that once you've achieved it."
"I can imagine. But you strike me as a planner," she teased.
"I suppose," he said with a sly smile, "That I've already begun. Attaining my personal happiness, is my next goal."
"How do you plan to go about that?" she asked.
"Spending time with you."
Serenity's mouth dropped, her lips forming a silent O. The directness of his comment caught her off guard, but she supposed her question warranted it. She took a deep breath, not wanting to ruin the moment but remain honest. "I must confess, I enjoy spending time with you too. It's easy."
"Unmistakably so." Demande agreed, taking her in.
The couple continued finishing their dessert until a glimmer of white caught Serenity's attention from the corner of her eye. "Is... is that snow?" Serenity's face brightened as she stood from her seat mesmerized by the falling ice crystals outside the palace's walls.
"Yes. In the Winter, the Capital does receive some accumulation." Demande answered, unimpressed by the snow.
Serenity floated to the windows hypnotized by the flurries. The snow fell gently from the sky transforming the landscape and creating a sense of tranquility in the Capital. It was as if life had stopped and everything froze in place by the storm. Nemesis had been reborn with the snowfall.
"Do you remember it?" Demande asked, cautiously following her to the window, observing the snow as it descended, gently kissing the landscape.
"Not specifically. I feel like I've seen it before but never like this," gestured excitedly. "I saw a picture of it in a book."
Demande forced a smile, unclenching his jaw and relaxing slightly. "Has Sapphire gotten to you to? He's always trying to get me to read more."
"Well to be honest I'm not much of a reader but I like the pictures. "It was from a manga," she admitted sheepishly.
He chuckled genuinely in response. "We'll both have to expand our literacy tastes in the future if we're ever to please Sapphire."
"Can we go outside? I want to touch it." Serenity marched determinedly toward the French doors, ready to take on the storm.
"Absolutely my dear," Demande quipped cutting off her path. "But first lets get some cloaks and boots. Snow is stunning in more ways than one."
Soon the pair was outfitted appropriately for the outdoors and prepared to take on the fresh snowfall. Serenity's enthusiasm was infectious; Demande took her hand and smiled broadly leading her out on to the veranda. "As you commanded, my lady. I give you snow."
Serenity tentatively stepped in to the powdery accumulation. "It's so quiet," she whispered, taking in the placid scene. She held out her hand carefully inspecting a snowflake that landed gently in her palm. "And so stunningly beautiful."
"Indeed." Demande lost himself in Serenity watching her take in the wintery scene. Serenity stuck her tongue out to catch a descending snowflake. More flakes fell on her lashes and hair giving her the air of a winter fairy. Demande stared awestruck by her natural beauty. Everything came so easily when they were together. As if it were meant to be.
"Come on," she pulled him along further into the courtyard. "I want to see more."
"It's not going anywhere anytime soon, Serenity. With this amount of accumulation, it should last for three days or so," Demande surmised.
"Do you ever go for sleigh rides or snowshoeing?" she asked.
"I don't really have time for such things." He commented dryly, kicking at the snow.
"You should make time. You only live once after all. You never know when circumstance will change things. If there's one thing I've learned from my recent experience, it's to take nothing for granted. For example, imagine if this were your last snowfall."
A bright smile spread across her face and she turned back towards the palace. "I'm going to help you make the time."
"How?" Demande shouted to Serenity.
"We're going sledding!" she answered back.
"What?!"
"Just trust me," she giggled, hopping through the powder with glee. "I'll be back in a minute."
Serenity quickly returned with a shield from one of the palace guards, trampling through the snow enthusiastically.
"Here. We can use this as a sled." She flipped over the shield and placed it in the snow overlooking the hill that crested the capital city.
"You've thought this all out." Demande suggested, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Maybe," she grinned mischievously. "Now, hop on!" She patted the shield with a resounding thump.
Demande awkwardly sat down on the shield as Serenity held it in place. She gave Demande a hard shove and he whizzed down the hill, fishtailing at the bottom in spectacular fashion. Eventually, the sled came to a stop, with Demande hanging on for dear life.
Serenity flew down the hill on her own shield screeching the entire way. She spun out not far from Demande and immediately began making snow angels with her body in the thick powder.
Demande watched Serenity in silence marveling at how fortune had truly smiled upon him. Serenity was falling for him all on her own.
"That was delightful." Demande shared pulling Serenity up from the ground, "Truly."
"See. Isn't it important to live in the moment?" she asked, out of breath.
Leaving Demande to ponder that thought, Serenity walked slowly further out taking in the vista. She bent down and began swirling her gloved hands in the snow, creating an ethereal scene. Serenity sketched out stars creating an unnamed constellation.
"I love the stars," she sighed when Demande joined her. "I wish we could see them more often. But you were right, the night sky here makes for poor star gazing." She looked up at the overcast sky with a frown, twilight looming on the horizon.
"You remember?" Demande asked, gingerly stepping past her creation to view it from another angle.
"I remember everything you said that night," she blushed. "How could I forget? It was the best night of my life."
"The Best?" he asked with a raised eyebrow in lighthearted jest.
"At least from what I can remember." Serenity answered softly, gazing at Demande.
Demande was looking at Serenity intently, when his eyes softened and an idea bloomed in his mind. "Close your eyes."
Serenity looked up at him and wrinkled her nose. "What?"
"Do you trust me?" he pressed, stepping toward her with an outstretched hand.
"With my life," she breathed.
His eyes flashed, "Take my hand."
Serenity reached out to Demande and grasped his extended hand firmly. Demande pulled Serenity in close, her head now resting against his chest.
"Do not let go of me until instructed," Demande's voice echoed in Serenity's ears as he readjusted her body slightly. It was then she could hear the soothing beat of his steady heart. She inhaled his scent soaking in the closeness as he wrapped his arm firmly around her waist.
"Now close your eyes," he directed again, resolutely.
Serenity looked up to Demande and he nodded reassuringly as Serenity's eyelids fluttered shut one final time.
Serenity felt a rush of frozen air and her feet leave the safety of the palace grounds. Adrenaline flooded her veins, panic set in, and her stomach churned with fear. She felt like she was falling and clenched Demande's body tightly, a gasp escaping her lips as she burrowed her head into his chest. It was as if the atmosphere was changing and her lungs struggled to inhale. Serenity was going to be sick and ruin whatever spontaneous moment she had just coaxed out of Prince Demande.
Then just as quickly the strange sensation began, it dissipated and her legs once again found solid footing.
"Serenity." Prince Demande spoke softly, as if not to frighten her.
"Yes?" She said taking in a deep breath in a feeble attempt to compose herself and settle her stomach.
"Open your eyes," his voice calmly commanded.
An ocean of ebony greeted Serenity, disorienting her, further. Where was the snow? "It's so dark, Demande. I can't see anything."
"Take a moment to let your eyes adjust," he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Then look up."
Serenity did as instructed, focusing on the horizon slowly counting to five with each exhale. Then she cautiously looked up and gasped; the Heavens above were alive. A sea of stars and cosmic haze greeted Serenity in a symphony of resplendence. The cosmos were dancing like millions of diamonds against a curtain of black and navy satin weaved in the most exquisite tapestry. The scene was stunningly beautiful.
"This," Demande said pointing to the night sky with her hand clasped in his, "Is the core of the Milky Way Galaxy. Dust Lanes, Nebulas, and Star Clusters make it look like a celestial river."
The couple viewed the starry night in stillness for a few minutes neither breaking the silence. It truly was a piece of heaven seemingly made just for them.
Serenity looked to Demande who was admiring the scene laid out before them. He was so in incredibly handsome in the starlight. His silver hair blew in the gentle breeze highlighted by the stars. There was no doubt about it; Serenity was falling for him.
"I thought you didn't like star gazing." She turned to Demande with a raised eyebrow, trying to mask her sheer delight.
"Only because the climate is so poor on Nemesis." He conceded with poorly hidden grin.
"Where are we?" she twirled around, the stars reflecting off her snow-covered cloak.
"Aglaea. We conquered it a generation ago. It's in the heart of our galaxy on the edge of our solar system."
"How did we get here?"
"I spirited you away." Demande's eyes were dark on Serenity, drinking her in. Goosebumps prickled her skin at the response. She nodded slowly, attempting to understand but not knowing what he implied. Only that they were once on Nemesis and now they were no more.
"Demande, it's even more gorgeous than I could dream." She gazed in to his violet eyes, once again loosing herself to him. He fixated on her so intently; like she was the only one who mattered. Those eyes; they hid so many secrets. "I will never forget this. Thank you."
Demande brushed a loose whisp of Serenity's golden hair behind her ear. He leaned in and Serenity could feel his warm breath on her cheek.
"I know you'll never forget this." He whispered in her ear, seductively.
Her heart thudded violently in her chest and adrenaline once again surged, increasing her shallow respirations. She swallowed unevenly.
Demande was her king and her sovereign. But he was so much more than that formal entity to her. He was a man that she had real feelings for; a man that she could give her heart to. A man that she could love.
Serenity knew that once they kissed, she could never go back to what was before; an invisible barrier would be crossed that could never be undone. A barrier she had danced along; one that she had denied at times even existed. But here she was about to cross the definitive line that would forever change their relationship.
"What am I to you?" Serenity probed trembling, finally asking the question she had feared.
"What if I show you." Demande pulled Serenity close, his arm snaking possessively around her waist.
Serenity yielded, color blooming on her cheeks.
Demande's lips brushed teasingly along her cheek bone, moving south. Serenity closed her eyes in anticipation of what was to come, trying in vain to calm her breaths. She swore she could hear a soft chuckle.
Demande tilted her chin and enveloped Serenity in a passionate embrace. There wasn't any hesitation in his actions. The kiss was deliberate, strong, and as worthy of any of his planetary pursuits.
Yearning, desire, and need flowed from Demande into Serenity, weakening any resolve that she had preserved. It was as if years of want were all pent up into this one moment, this one kiss. Serenity's mind dizzied as she failed to make sense of the ardor drowning her defenses.
Serenity's hands fumbled as they made their way to Demande's snow covered hair, pulling his body flush with hers. Responding to her enthusiasm, Demande parted Serenity's lips and deepened the kiss, taking the hitch in her breath as an invitation to continue further.
Demande's embrace was nearly hypnotizing as if he were stealing her very being. All Serenity could do was float away beneath the Milky Way and surrender to Demande's advances.
Demande was the first to break the kiss, drawing Serenity back to reality. His eyes roamed possessively as he inquired with a smirk, "Did that suffice?"
There was no going back now; Serenity had fallen for the White King.