Title: Kingdom of Treason
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon
Authors Notes: Thank you guys so much for your reviews. Thank you 'little brown sumo' for being my 100th review!
It has been brought to my attention that I spell Jedeite/Jadeite wrong. I apologise and promise that for my next story I'll spell it right, but I'm too far in now to change it. Sorry, but for this story I'm going to have to stick with this spelling. But thanks so much for pointing that out to me. I'll make a point to change it in all my future works.
Hope you guys like this chapter!
The next day Endymion roused early and kissed Serenity gently before silently leaving the room. He wished he could be there for her when she woke up, but he had to get out of the courtyard before the other ladies woke up and he had to walk through them all to get back to the main area of the palace. It was not usual for someone to stay the night there. Women were called, they weren't sought after. He wanted to make sure Serenity had nothing to explain later. That way she would be able to grieve in her own way, without anyone else interfering.
The guards let him out, and he quickly made his way back to his rooms where he bathed and changed, and got ready for the day.
He had hardly finished when he was summoned by the King.
When he entered the room, he was surprised to see Raye sitting gently down a short ways away from his brother. The look she gave him told him everything. She had read the letter, she had understood, and she was ready for his move.
It comforted him, even when he saw the angry eyes of his brother.
"Sit down Endymion."
He sat. "What's the matter your majesty?"
"When did you stop calling me by my name?" Diamond demanded.
There were so many ways to answer that question, but thankfully Darien wasn't forced to answer at all. Diamond started quickly.
"You haven't informed me of the armies position."
Endymion looked at him confused. "I told you yesterday that we are beginning to prepare. You asked me to inform you when we were ready, and we are not yet ready to move in."
"This is unacceptable Endymion, the army should be ready to move at a moments notice."
"My king, Endymion and the army only recently returned from your last successful battle. They would have dispersed to see their families. It will take time to call them all back again," Raye said slowly.
Diamond seemed to fume. "It should not take so long to raise my army."
"We are not simply raising on Army your majesty, you're also preparing for war. The preparations take time."
"We have the finest army there is anywhere. We do not need so much preparing."
Endymion suddenly feared that Diamond would send them to war now. They were not ready. To go to war now meant that they would not have time to set up their negotiations, and the Kingdom they were fighting had defenses that would slaughter them if they weren't prepared.
"We do have an army that could rival any," Endymion said. "But even a great army could be beaten if they are unprepared."
There was such a thick tension in the room.
"Why are you so eager to fight?" He asked.
Diamond looked at him. "You have not heard the talk then? Well my brother, it seems that our kingdom is dissatisfied with the state of things. They are always banging for more, and yet they are impatient to get it."
He was so far off the mark it was almost comical.
"They will follow you in your decision your majesty," Endymion said.
"Yes well, they have no choice now do they. We will win this war and then see what they have to say. They can not argue when we are the largest and most prosperous Kingdom in all the land. Once we rule over everything, there will be no one left to argue."
"Perhaps you might think of hearing what they have to say," Endymion suggested.
"What does it matter, it will all be gibberish anyway."
Endymion wanted to sigh in frustration, but there wasn't any point.
"Well, we will hold a ball to make sure that they have something else to talk about," the King said.
Both Endymion and Raye looked at him startled.
"A ball my King?" Raye asked.
"Yes, a ball. It is to distract them while Endymion is preparing the Army."
"But…." Raye started, but seemed unable to go on.
"Are you sure that is the best coarse of action?" Endymion asked. "It might be obvious that it is nothing more than a distraction."
"It doesn't matter if it is," Diamond said. "In fact, we can make it nothing more than an obvious distraction. We will make it the theme. That way, nobody can say that we are trying to capture their attention while we sneak around behind them."
Endymion clenched his teeth.
"We will hire women of all shapes and sizes to please everyone. I will have slaves bought at once and brought here. If it can work to distract you my brother, then it can work to distract anyone."
Suddenly Endymions mind took a turn, and he quickly glanced at Raye before addressing the King again.
"I suppose you are right, Serenity has proven to be very well taught."
Diamond smiled and laughed. "Ah brother, you have finally found a woman to satisfy you carnal lust. She must be quite the woman indeed."
"She has many talents," he said feeling Raye's gaze on him. "Where did you find her?"
"Looking for another?" Diamond said darkly.
"If there are more like her out there, I might want as many as I can handle."
The King laughed and it made Endymion feel almost sick.
"I will have my man tell me where he found her. There is a school in the city somewhere. They adopt young girls that have been abandoned and train them to skillfully pleasure a man without sullying their names. They are clean when they are bought and yet have all the skill of an experience whore. That I believe you have found out for yourself."
Endymion faked a smile, knowing that Raye probably saw how fake it was. He hated being crude in front of her, but sometimes it was the only way to talk to his brother.
"Well, then I suppose we have preparations to make," Diamond laughed and turned to Raye. "Of course by us I mean you," he said shortly. "Find out where this Serenity came from so that my brother might find himself another woman."
Endymion hated how he treated her.
"Of course my King," she said bowing and standing up.
Endymion watched her leave, and then stood to leave himself. "I also have work to do in order to prepare your majesties army. I will not neglect to inform you of our progress in the future."
Diamond nodded. "Good. While you're away, send the servant in. I feel the need for a companion."
He was disgusting.
Endymion bowed and then walked out of the room, relaying the message to the servant. Then he went on his way. Nephrite had given him the time of the meeting and he needed to send word to Jedeite and Kunzite. He left the palace and called for his horse, then made his way to the edge of the city where the army was beginning to gather. Jedeite was not back yet, but he had to send word.
He found the young boy that was Jedeite's trusted man and took him aside.
"This note if for your masters eyes alone, and it is important that he receive it the moment he returns."
The boy knelt in respect. "I understand your highness."
With that done Endymion went about the encampment, making arrangements and organizing their latest war. It seemed like only yesterday he was marching back from battle, longing for home and shaking from the gruesome sight of mass murder. And now part of him wanted nothing more than to go back out there with his men, where they trusted one another and fought together in complete unison. All around him were friends. Brothers in battle. Some he knew by name, and some only by sight. But all knew him, and all seemed almost happy to see him.
In a strange way, this was where he belonged. And yet, he would never be able to bring Serenity with him here.
The thought saddened him. No matter what decision he ever made, he would always be giving up a piece of himself. But he knew that he had completely forfeited himself to the kingdom when he had decided to commit treason and go behind the King. Not matter what, he no longer had a future so it didn't matter at all where he wanted to end up. At least for now, he could feel comfortable surrounded by his own men.
Serenity sat listlessly in the sunny courtyard, hardly hearing the idle gossip of the women around her. She hadn't felt better this morning, but she had been distracted by Endymion. Why he had stayed with her the whole night was almost unthinkable, and even though he had left in the morning, part of her knew that it had been to long.
Why had he come?
He said he was afraid he had gotten her into trouble. Why? Why would it matter if he had? She was his to use as he wished, and yet he never asked anything of her. He had given her so much freedom and forced nothing upon her. Why?
Emotions swirled within her and she could hardly make sense of them all. Last night, lying in his arms, she had felt safe and protected. She had felt him there with her, comforting her even though he didn't have to. He didn't even have to look at her if he didn't want to. Did he feel guilty? Did he think it was his duty?
But that was ridiculous because it was not his duty and he would know it. He was the Prince, and she was his slave.
She sighed as she looked back down at the open book in her lap, still showing the same page it had almost an hour ago.
He was such a mystery to her. What was he doing that was so dangerous? She had honestly thought him sort of apart from the life of the palace. He never seemed to speak of anything at all that happened. The ladies around her kept her completely updated to his whereabouts on a daily basis, and it seemed he worked most of the day. He was quite and refined, and yet now he was in danger because of some action he had taken that involved the Queen. Had they been lovers?
It was not impossible, but somehow she doubted it. Raye would know better.
She was worried about him. Despite what was going on in her own life, the idea of him being hurt bothered her. In fact, it dam near terrified her.
Something one of the ladies said captured her attention and she looked over to where they were talking.
"The King is furious. He wants to attack immediately and blames the Prince for holding up the army. Apparently the Prince has said that he needs time to prepare, but everyone knows that he was able to call the army within three days and prepare a victorious war when the King decided to overtake the northern Kingdom. It seems to be taking him a lot longer now."
"Why would he be stalling?"
"Nobody wants another war. Maybe he's trying to make the King see that."
"Another war would be devastating. Even if the Prince won, the kingdom would turn on itself and there would be an uprising for sure. Especially because of the way the king tricked the foreigners to come into the palace for negotiations, and the forced them out before they even managed to talk."
"The Prince would never do something so devious. If only he had been the first born, then he would rule the kingdom and I feel sure everything would have turned out right."
"If he doesn't get the army ready soon, the King will surely punish him. He is the Prince, but that might not save him."
"Surely you don't think the King would turn on his own brother."
"Who knows? He's turned on the Queen, why not his brother."
"I hear they have not been together in months. The King has stopped trying to produce on heir."
"That can't be good. The kingdom must have an heir."
"He can't have a son with anyone but the Queen."
"I hear he's looking for a new Queen."
"What about lady Raye?"
"There are ways to get rid of a Queen. I just hope she's able to have a son before something awful happens."
Serenity sat completely still, letting the information soak through her. There were so many things wrong with this conversation that she could hardly count them all. Endymion was in trouble, Raye was in trouble and the King seemed to be getting more and more angry with the whole situation. If Serenity knew anything of life, it was that no matter how tyrannical the King was, he was still the King and he would get his way.
She looked back at her book, still not really seeing the words. The conversation had turned back to the men of the castle and she simply wasn't interested. She was to distracted by the news to think straight at all. She needed to tell Endymion what she had figured out.
And then it occurred to her. She was in a position of information. The ladies around her held more knowledge of the palace than anyone else in the city. If Endymion was doing something, she could help him. She could find out what exactly was going on and inform him so that he would not be caught somewhere he didn't expect.
She knew he couldn't tell her exactly what he was doing, especially if he was behind the back of the King, but that didn't mean she couldn't help him.
Her heart seemed to stop at the thought of him committing treason. Surely it would not come to that. And yet anything the King didn't approve of was considered treason.
No matter what, she had to help him.
So from then on she had a job. The thought of what Mina was going through still plagued her, but now she had something to focus on. She had to help Endymion.
Endymion walked quietly into the small pub that was half crowed with people. He was disguised, but almost nobody looked up when he entered. Still, he couldn't help being nervous. His palms sweat and his whole body felt uncomfortably warm. He took a deep breath and walked up to the bar, ordering a beer casually. He would sit for five minutes as Nephrite had told him to, and then he would casually move back to the back room where people went to relieve themselves. Of course instead of entering one of those tiny smelly rooms, he would take another door.
He followed the instructions to the letter, and made his way into the back storage room where a man stood looking through stacks of bottles.
Endymion recognized him as a guard by the little waved salute he gave him.
The man bent down and opened a small square in the floor and Endymion lightly lowered himself in.
And there was Nephrite.
"Did everything go as planned?" He asked. "You are a little late."
"I had trouble getting away. The King called me for another meeting right before I was to leave and detained me. I came as soon as I could."
Nephrite nodded and lead him through a short winding mud hallway into a dimly lit room where three other men sat waiting for him.
Jedeite stood up quickly and embraced him.
"When I got your note I was terrified," he said. "This is a bold move, even for you."
Endymion sat down across from Kunzite.
"This is Zoicite," Kunzite informed him.
"Yes I know," Endymion answered. "Advisor to the King. I believe you have important information to share with us."
Zoicite nodded and looked around. He was a pale man, with blonde hair that hung in waves around him. He was delicate, almost to the point of being frail, but he had knowledge swirling through his eyes and with it he had more strength then the average man could hope to possess.
"The King is very much on edge," he said.
Endymion nodded. "He's been calling me in for updates nearly every day. It's getting harder to calm him."
"Yes, but it is not the army he fears. While you were gone there was a small commotion in the city late one night. A few of the Kings men were killed. They were secret agents sent out to spy on the people of his Kingdom, and when they were found out, they were killed."
"That's impossible," Nephrite said. "My guards would have heard."
"The King told almost no one, and the situation was kept secret."
Endymion leaned on the table. "That just proves that the people do no like being spied on. I'm not sure how much the information will help."
"There is more," Zoicite said. "The group that were spied on were very specific. The King heard of them through one of his mistresses. They call themselves the moonlight knights and they have become larger than anyone might expect and they have secretly sworn themselves to your honor."
Endymion looked at him surprised. "My honor?"
"Yes. The Kingdom has become unsettled by the King and now they look to you. I am not sure what their ideas are, but it seems clear that they mean to rebel against the King and hope that you might one day have the throne."
Endymion was speechless.
"That's extraordinary," Jedeite said breathlessly. "But honestly I'm not surprised. You've had complete command of the army for years now. They will follow you to death before they obey the King. As long as you stand in front of them, they might even go against him."
Kunzite nodded. "The same goes with the nobles. I put together information on the four families that appose you, and the rest all pledge allegiance to you." He put a small stack of papers on the table in front of them. "Lord Byron heads the Kings followers, and with him only parts of his family. Most have slowly tried to move away from him. Lord Grey follows the King, but it's by force. The King apparently has information on him that holds his attention. And then there are the descendants of Queen Beryl who still follow the King. Both families under her name. They are large, but might be quickly overpowered. They are also known for being completely spineless, and I don't think they would cause much trouble. It seems the Kingdom is simply waiting for action to be taken."
"We need to find out who these moonlight knights are," Jedeite said. "Perhaps it would be beneficial if you met with them."
Endymion shook his head. "I do not want the throne."
All the men in the room looked at him in surprised.
"But Endymion," Kunzite said. "If we're not going to overthrow the King, what then is your plan?"
"Honestly, I don't know," he said. "Something needs to change, I think we can all agree on that. But how we're going to do it I have no idea. Diamond is my brother and although I know we're betraying him, part of me still thinks that perhaps if enough happens, he'll come back to the light."
"That's idiotic," Jedeite said.
Endymion looked at him wearily. "I don't want to be King."
"I understand that," Jedeite said. "And I understand you wanting to save your brother, but it's to late. If we don't do something the Kingdom will fall, and if we do something you know as well as I that the King will become hell-bent on revenge. There is no other outcome. If we do something, he will have to be de-throned."
"General Jedeite is right," Zoicite said. "The King was furious at the idea that his people were looking to you for answers. This newest war seems to be the Kings newest conquest, but really he is trying to get you out of his way."
"I met with the dignitaries of the Kings newest enemy and they told me something extraordinarily interesting," Jedeite said. "Apparently, while they were guests in our palace the King called them for a secret meeting and explained to them that they were to attack. He said that the war would immediately be stopped if his brother the prince was killed. If they made that their goal, he would call the army off in mourning immediately and then enter into negotiations of peace."
"What?" Endymion breathed.
"That sounds like an order of assassination," Kunzite said surprised.
"They were very weary of the meeting, and when I explained our plans to them, the agreed whole heartedly and would like to arrange a meeting with Endymion as soon as the war begins. They do not think the King will keep his promise."
"That's because he wont," Nephrite said.
The four men sitting at the table looked at the guard standing a few feet away.
"How do you know for sure?" Zoicite asked.
"The King has ordered me to place guards throughout the castle and update him on Endymions whereabouts. I have done what he said, mostly, and have also gathered information on his own whereabouts. He has been meeting with one of his mistresses daily and she has taken messages to an outside contact. His mistress is afraid of what the king might do so she has been showing the messages to one of my guards, who is her brother. He's giving orders to his spies, to make sure that your followers are being killed. He plans to destroy everyone who would follow you, and that includes your army."
Endymion felt like his body had become dead weight. His brother was doing all this just to be rid of him, and he hadn't even truly done anything to deserve it, until now.
"Set up a meeting with these underground society claiming to be loyal to me," he said softly. "We will see how many there are and what they can to do aid us. Nephrite, find out who the Kings spies are. We need to make sure none of them see what we're doing. Jedeite, continue setting up our war as we have already arranged, and tell the enemy kingdom that I will meet them on the first day of battle to discuss what is to be done."
"I will find the moonlight knights," Zoicite said. "I think I know who they are."
"Kunzite, we need to start rallying the nobles. We have to let them know what I plan without giving them any details, so they are prepared. If they need to, they should send their children to relatives to neighboring kingdoms so they remain safe."
They all nodded their agreement, taking his orders easily.
"Diamond has started this war," Endymion said. "But he can't know what we can win. If he thinks he can get rid of me so easily then we'll show him how wrong he is."
"And what if we win?" Kunzite asked. "You must see now that he cannot stay King."
Endymion sighed. "I have no desire to be King," he answered softly. "But when this is all done, if the Kingdom elects me, I will take on the responsibility."
He hated the idea of ruling. He had never wanted it. He would do anything for the Kingdom and his friends, but the idea of being put into that kind of power was overwhelming. What if he turned out like his brother? Diamond had been good once. He had laughed and played as a child, and taken on the responsibilities as King with a pure a gracious heart. What had changed him?
"The Army will head out in a week," he continued. "We must be quick to prepare the rest. When the war starts, everything else will also need to be put into action. This must happen all at once, or not at all."
Then they were quite. All seemed to have been said, and now a heaviness seemed to have settled over them. What they planned was serious. They were trying to overthrow the King and if they were discovered, they would all be killed with their entire families behind them. It would be a disgrace, and the King would make matters worse when they were all gone.
At this moment, it was both hopeless and necessary.
"What about Serenity?" Kunzite asked.
They all looked at him.
"Who's that?" Zoicite asked.
"It's a private matter," Endymion answered.
"Do you think she can be trusted?" Kunzite continued.
Endymion looked at him surprised. "What do you mean?"
"Now don't get angry Endymion. I know you like her and I'm truly happy that you've found someone to finally be open with, especially now. But she was a present from the King and with everything that's happening, we have to assume that she's also working for him. The timing is a little suspicious."
They all looked at him.
"Diamond would have known that I would have let her go without letting her close. It would have been a stupid risk on his part."
"Or one of many, and this one happened to take," Jedeite said.
Endymion shook his head.
"You have to consider it," Kunzite said. "Just don't speak with her about this."
"Has the King heard of the letter I sent Raye?" Endymion asked.
Zoicite looked surprised. "Not as far as I know."
"Then she gave the letter to the Queen as I asked, and didn't show the King."
"That doesn't mean she's innocent," Kunzite argued.
"That girl could be dangerous," Jedeite agreed.
"She's not!" Endymion said loudly. Then he sighed. "I'll deal with her."
"No offense your highness, but you're blind when it comes to her," Kunzite said.
Endymion glared at him, hating that he had used his title. It meant that he meant it as seriously as possible, and Endymion had to agree that as much as he didn't want to, Serenity might be the enemy.
"I'll deal with her."
"I think we have been here long enough," Nephrite said softly. "We should begin our departure. Perhaps we should meet once more before the war starts."
"Arrange it," Endymion said. "And continue your services. They are very much appreciated."
Nephrite bowed gently.
One by one they left, staggering by as much as possible until only Endymion remained.
He walked out into the night air, breathing in deeply. Things seemed to be spinning around on him, and he began to see how dangerous this was. Even though he squared his shoulders and walked proudly back to the castle, he knew that somewhere inside he was scared. Scared of what the King might do if he found out. Scared of hurting those friends that had proven to be more loyal than anyone might ever hope to have. And scared of loosing Serenity. The idea that she might be the enemy made his stomach twist and his breathing quicken.
He made his way back to the palace, watching it loom in front of him higher and higher as he neared it. Solid marble walls made it impossible to penetrate, unless you specifically knew it secrets.
Endymion found the small grate that opened into a tunnel and climbed in, looking briefly at the guard who stood a couple feet away. The guard bowed ever so gently, signally is cooperation. Nephrite has planned this perfectly.
The tunnel was dark, lit with only a few dim torches. But it was enough to see by. It crept under the palace, sometimes branching out in different directions. But Endymion knew where he wanted to go.
When he got to a wooden ladder, he quickly climbed up, knocking three times slowly at the roof above him.
For a moment there was silence.
And then three knocks came back at him.
He climbed higher, pushing at the ceiling, and he was in the palace in a very small room crowded with bottles of wine and great crates of beer. A guard stood waiting for him, giving him a small bow.
"The coast is clear your highness," he said handing him clean clothes to put on so that no one would see the mud covering his legs. "The King has retired for the night with one of his ladies, and the guards are scarce."
"Thank you," he said softly before swiftly moving out into the kitchen and the quickly up to the main part of the palace.
It was late, and he knew it, but it still seemed oddly silent.
He was at his room within a few minutes, and ignored the servant who stood there waiting for an order. Endymion wondered if the servant was one of the Kings spies. He would report the late hour to him, but he already had that explained.
He opened the door and walked in.
It was dark.
Endymion moved silently through the outer room into his office, but there was nobody there.
He sighed defeated and went to his bedroom. He really had wanted to her to come to him tonight. For some reason, it felt as though he needed her in order to calm down. But the darkness of the bedroom loomed in front of him. She hadn't waited for him.
But when he walked in, he realized that there was someone in the bed.
His breath caught in his throat when he saw her, so perfect and pale against the dark sheets. Her blonde hair sprawled all around her and her small form almost completely absorbed by the blankets and pillows.
Endymion smiled down at her. Just by looking at her, he felt like a weight had been lifted and everything seemed possible. He couldn't believe that she was an enemy. To do so would be devastating.
He realized then that he truly did need her. He was completely under her control, and if she truly was going to betray him, he would let her. Because at this point it wouldn't matter. Either way he would be dead.
He silently pulled of his clothes and crawled into bed behind her, wrapping his arms around her and pressing himself against her back.
She sighed as she snuggled into him.
Endymion kissed her shoulder, tasting her petal soft skin. He breathed her in, letting her wash over him.
"You're very late," she said softly.
"I'm here now," he whispered back as he continued to kiss up her neck.
She slowly turned around to face him, pressing her body firmly against his, feeling how aroused he was. He kissed her softly, slowly. Until now he had never taken control with her. But today he wanted her. He wanted to be with her.
So he kissed her and ran his hands along her thin soft body, feeling her every curve pressed against him. And then he kissed down her neck, licking her skin softly, hearing her breath deeply in pleasure. Everything about her seemed to captivate him and his desire for her continued to grow.
She gasped slightly at his touch, allowing him to suck gently on her pert nipples, sending ripples of pleasure through her.
And then he rolled smoothly on top of her, covering her with his body, feeling her pressed against him.
She wrapped her legs around him, holding him gently to her as they moved. He gently caressed her breast, moving back up to kiss her lips passionately as he slowly slid into her. She felt tight and warm around him, and he moved in and out of her slowly. With each slow thrust he heard her moan, and the sound seemed to vibrate through her and into him.
The slow motion stimulated him into the need for more and he moved faster and harder.
He lifted her into him, keeping her as close as possible as that every moment he could completely feel her body against his. He kissed her more and more passionately, letting her taste cloud his senses. Her moans became louder and her breathing became more ragged and he could feel her start to tighten under him.
Her pleasure filled screams suddenly filled the room as she arched under him as she seemed to go tense. Her sudden released spurred his own and he felt it rocket through him and he groaned loudly as he released into her. All the muscles through his stomach and back clenched tightly at the unexpected power of his climax and his whole mind seemed to explode into bright lights.
He all but collapsed on top of her, breathing hard. He could feel her breathing hard under him, so he rolled off of her only slightly, burying his face in her hair and keeping her wrapped in his arms, as close to him as possible.
They didn't say anything for awhile, just lay together regaining their composure.
Endymion was close to falling asleep, but he knew he needed to talk to her and this was the time to do it. He probably should have done it before this, but that couldn't be helped now.
"Are you in trouble?" She asked softly.
The question caught him off guard. He wasn't sure what she meant, but the seriousness of her tone made it clear that she needed to get an answer from him.
"Why do you ask that?"
She hesitated. "The ladies of the palace sit around and do nothing but talk all day and mostly it bores me stupid, but sometimes there is no way I can avoid it. Today, they talked about you and the war."
Endymion stayed as quiet as possible.
"They said that the King is angry with you because you're stalling for some unknown reason and he doesn't believe it's taking you so long to set things in motion."
Tonight seemed to be a night for bad news. He pulled her closer to him. Despite what Kunzite had said, he trusted her. He knew she wouldn't betray him. But taking her into his confidence was a risk that was not necessarily a good step.
"You don't have to tell me what you're doing," she said softly. "But those ladies seem to know pretty much everything that's going on between them. They're saying that the King is looking for a new Queen, and that he will find a way to get rid of Raye so that he can have a son with someone else. If he does, she'll be ruined."
"You shouldn't worry about Raye," Endymion said softly. "She's stronger than most men I know, and she'll know of her situation."
"Is that what your letter told her?"
He didn't answer.
"The ladies talk about the King as if he's failing. They say that if you had been born first, the Kingdom wouldn't be in the state it is now. Are things really that bad?"
"Yes," he said softly.
"And you're trying to fix things?"
He hesitated. "Yes."
For a moment there was nothing else to say.
"I'm here for you," she said softly. "If you need me."
He finally shifted so that he was looking at her in the dark light of the night. Her blue eyes were only just seeable in the shadows, but he could see the pure and innocent worry that he saw there. She wouldn't say it, but he could see that she had decided to love him.
The idea that she loved him made things so clear and real to him.
"Serenity, I hope that I never have to use you," he said. "You're the one thing that I have apart from it all. When we're together, I don't have to think about it. You're the first person that has ever made me forget and I desperately want to keep that somehow."
She nodded slowly.
"If I involve you, there is a chance you'll get hurt. There already is a chance that you might get hurt just for being with me."
She propped herself up on her elbow to look down at him. Her blonde hair draped over her shoulder to slightly cover her naked form.
"What your doing is very dangerous?"
"It is," he answered honestly.
"Then I will be careful. But if I hear something that concerns you, I will tell you about it."
He nodded. "Alright."
"And if Raye is in trouble, I will try to warn her."
For the first time he got a glimpse of how stubborn she could be, and it made him smile. "You have to make sure to be careful. If the King is as suspicious as you say he is, he'll be watching everyone carefully. I might not be able to protect you if you're discovered."
She nodded with wide eyes. She was scared.
"Serenity, promise me you won't do anything unnecessary."
She hardly moved. "I will only do what I think will help you."
He sighed. "Kunzite thinks you might be one of the Kings spies. He says your timing is suspicious. The king gave you to me when all of this started."
She looked at him confused. "But I had never met anyone in the palace before."
"You were trained to give a man what they wanted, and not become attached. It is possible that all this time you have been playing a roll, and that you're secretly informing the King of my actions."
"Do you believe that?" She asked him.
"I don't, but you can see how someone outside of our situation might think so."
She nodded, trying to stay calm. "I lived my whole life with the lady and her girls. We hardly ever went out into the world unless something of great significance was happening. We weren't even taught to read or write. I learned through one of the cooks, and in turn I taught Mina. I lived that way, waiting for the day I would be sold to, hopefully, a very wealthy and kind noble who would be to old to use me more then a few times so that I would live free and happy."
Endymion couldn't help but smile at that. "Instead you got me."
She breathed out a short laugh and nodded. "Yes, you were very far from what I was expecting. But there is only one fate that is worse than being sold to Lord Byron, and that is being sold to the King to entertain his guests. It means that we will be passed from man to man and used for nothing but pleasure. When our job is done, we will be worthless. The only thing we might have in our future is to find employment in a whore house somewhere in the lower city. Once that life is lived, you can only hope to survive a few years before disease or depression finally consumes you."
"That sounds awful," he said softy.
"I was lucky enough not to endure it," she said. "But the other four I was brought in with will."
"And your friend Mina?"
Serenity looked down, obviously fighting back tears. "She will live a few years in complete and painful misery before she dies."
Endymion nodded, hating to see her upset.
"When I was told the King bought me, it was the morning of your party. By the time I arrived it had already started, and we were quickly washed and dressed to be presented to the guests. Then I was with you, and since then I have been. There was no time for the King to recruit me into his war."
"I believe you," he said. "But then the danger is he'll see that you have become close to me and try to use you now."
"I wouldn't allow him."
"That is why I warn you to be careful. If he uses you against me, I won't have much of a defense."
She nodded. "If he tries to contact me I'll tell you."
"Good," he said.
"What about when you leave?" She asked.
He looked at her confused. "Leave?"
"The war," she reminded him. "As I understand, you'll lead the army when the war begins. That means you will leave, and I will be left here."
He hadn't thought of that, and now that he did he felt almost sick. While he was gone, there would be nobody to protect her.
"I'll figure something out," he said.
The air felt tense between them, so she leaned over and kissed him lightly to try and calm him. At first he didn't move, but slowly he reached up to cup her face lightly, kissing her back passionately. Somehow the danger made him want her even more and the fear seemed to spur that feeling on until it was almost overwhelming.
End of chapter six!
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