Title: Kingdom of Treason
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon.
Authors Note: Hey everyone! Thanks so much for reviewing. I'm glad you're all liking the story so much so far, and we're really close to being done. After this chapter, there's only going to be one more! (I know some people won't be happy about that, but I'm always eager for the ending). I'm going to try and answer all your questions in the next two chapters, so try and be patient. I will address some of the concerns you guys had with parts of my story line. Hope you like it!
Endymion tiredly pulled the gold rings off and placed them gently on the tray a servant was holding out in front of him. His belt was draped over the side both carelessly and delicately. He nodded softly and then the servant bowed and left.
"You seem tired," Jedeite said behind him.
"It's been a long night," he answered.
Jedeite nodded. "But now everything has been set in motion and there's no guess work. We're on our way to peace and it should be a smooth and straight forward path."
"That doesn't make it easy," he said running a hand through his hair.
Kunzite stepped in with Zoisite who was blushing a deep red.
"What's with you?" Jedeite asked smiling.
"He seems to have captured the special interests of our own lady genius," Kunzite laughed. "The lady Amy has asked him to accompany her to the library tomorrow."
Zoisite just remained a deep shade of red.
Endymion smiled. "And he agreed of course."
"Oh yes he did," Kunzite said with glee. "He told her that he would love to and he was already looking forward to it."
"Well well, seems now that things have settled down Zoisite has decided to settled down."
"I have always respected the lady and am delighted at her company. Nothing more," Zoisite said.
"Right," Kunzite smiled. "Well good luck."
Nephrite walked, his emotions masked with seriousness.
"Nephrite, we have some news for you," Kunzite said happily as Zoisite rolled his eyes.
Nephrite nodded. "I have some news as well," he said in an even, low voice.
His tone stopped them all and they looked at him as one.
"What happened?" Endymion asked suddenly alert. He was panicked for a moment. Things were supposed to be good right now. They were moving towards peace and the war was over. He was terrified that Nephrite was going to tell him that one of the guests had done something, or that the army had invaded, or that anything had gone wrong. He was sure he couldn't take it right now.
"Before I tell you what happened, I need you to promise me that you're going to let me finish the whole story without storming out of here to set things straight. If we work this right, things could greatly be in our favor."
Endymion felt his heart beat loudly in his chest. "You have my word."
Nephrite nodded. "I've found Serenity."
It was like lightning had crashed through the room and Endymion was so suddenly in front of him that Nephrite flinched. Endymion grabbed him roughly.
"Where is she? Is she alright? Who has her? Is she hurt?"
"Endymion," Nephrite tried to pry himself out of his grip.
"No, tell me where she is," he said almost crazed.
"I will not until you remember your promise to me."
Everyone in the room stood perfectly still, not really sure how to react. Nephrite seemed calm, Endymion seemed almost frantic and they rest were silent with shock.
"Nephrite, I order you to…."
"I will not tell unless you listen to me," he said. All pretenses were gone. In this moment Endymion was not the King, he was just a man and Nephrite needed to be firm with him.
"Endymion, hear him out," Kunzite said gently, but his eyes were afraid.
Every muscle in his body seemed clenched but he tried to force himself into calm. He could see clearly that Nephrite would stay firm, but he still had adrenaline pumping through him. Ever so slowly he released him.
For a moment all he could do was try to breath.
"I have seen her," Nephrite said. "She is being held, very much against her will right here in the palace. For the moment I believe she is safe."
Endymion breathed out. She was alive.
"The men who had here were wearing the colors of the council."
Endymion looked at him confused. "They said they hadn't found her."
"I know," Nephrite said. He could feel the unease of everyone in the room. "I believe at this moment they are plotting to use her against you, to turn this into a treaty of their own terms. If they succeed, they will try and bring about a dominance over the people instead of a peace."
"They could undo everything we have accomplished," Zoisite breathed out.
"If this gets out, the kingdom will be up in arms. The army sitting within our walls will be attacked, and they will be treated as the enemy," Jedeite said.
Endymion could only stand there as his mind swirled in confusion and disappointment. He had trusted them. He had thought that to start the negotiations with them would be easy as they had already agreed to peace. Without that first step, others might not follow.
"We can get her tonight," Kunzite said nervously. "If we sneak in and grab her, we might be able to avoid….."
"If we do, they will retaliate," Nephrite said. "We cannot make the first move."
He could hardly think of anything besides how close she was to him at this moment. If he tried, he could almost imagine that he felt her, somewhere in the palace. So close, and yet so far.
But they couldn't get her. If they refused the negotiations, there could be another all out war. If things went bad this soon, nobody would have the faith to continue fighting for it. He clenched his jaw, trying to control the sudden anger that sprang up inside him. How was it possible that he hadn't seen something like this coming? This was not how it would end up.
"Why did you not try and free her?" Endymion asked finally.
"It would have proved fruitless to start a fight so close to the celebration you were holding for peace." He stepped forward so that he was standing directly in front of Endymion and looked at him evenly. "If we move even slightly the wrong way on this, everything we have spent the last months fighting for will be lost and we will once again find ourselves in the time of war. Endymion, you need to think about your people first, and Serenity second."
He didn't answer. How could he answer? Had he been anyone but the king, he wouldn't be put in this position. He could choose Serenity above everyone and nobody would question him.
He felt all four of them watching him. Their eyes weighed heavily and his new responsibility reflected there.
She was so close.
"Arrange a meeting with the Lady Lita," he finally said. "Ask Raye to call her, and make sure I'm available at that time. I need to find out what's going on. She wanted to tell me tonight so we'll give her the chance."
Nephrite nodded.
"Send your best guards to figure out exactly where she is, but secretly. We can't let them know that we're aware of their plans. Otherwise they could move to extremes."
"And if they managed to use her against you?" Zoisite asked. "It could come to it."
Endymion felt the tension in his back muscles pull, making him feel as if he were still in the small bunker under the palace. The war wasn't over yet.
"It would make quite the statement," Kunzite said softly. "If you chose peace."
He looked up at him. "What?"
Kunzite looked like he had just figured something out that had been bothering him for months. His eyes lit up, and he smiled slowly. "Endymion, this could not have worked better if we had planned it."
"I assume you have a point," he said angrily.
"You have to deny her," Kunzite said.
There was complete silence.
Endymion could only stare at him.
"Don't you see?" Kunzite said stepping forward. "They know somehow exactly how much she means to you, and they know you'd go to great lengths to get her back. They're expecting you to give up your peace and bow to their will. If you deny her, it will prove that your ideals of peace are more important than absolutely anything else."
Nephrite's eyebrow rose in understanding and Zoisite nodded softly beside him.
"No," Endymion said harshly.
"Endymion, think about it," Jedeite said. "Nobody would doubt you after this."
He couldn't believe what they were asking of him. "No, I will not give her up. You can't ask me to do that." He could fell his heart pounding in his chest. The only thing he wanted in life was her. The only thing.
"This could work," Zoisite said gently. "If we do it right, this could work."
He felt his world collapsing on him and he started breathing harder. They had already decided around him, his friends. "No," he whispered.
Kunzite walked up to him, putting his hand on his friends shoulder. "Endymion, if this works, you'll get her back."
"And if it doesn't?" He asked.
None of them answered.
"I can't believe you're asking this of me."
Kunzite sighed. "You are my king, and no matter what happens in our future I will follow and respect you, but in this I am afraid you can not have a clear head. Trust me Endymion, I am still your friend and I still want you to be happy."
He could hardly look at him.
"Endymion, tell me you understand," Kunzite said softly.
He closed his eyes, trying desperately to steady himself.
"I need to know you're not going to do something," Kunzite tried again.
He couldn't breath. The one person on earth he loved more than anything else, and he was going to have to sacrifice her. It felt like his chest had started bleeding as his heart was being ripped open.
He felt the pressure of tears against his eyes.
"Peace, is the most important thing," he said in a whisper.
Endymion watched from his hiding place as Raye moved to sit softly on the cushions beside the small table holding a few different types of food. He could tell she was nervous by the way she kept smoothing out the invisible crease in her crimson red dress. Her black hair shone in the sun streaming through the windows. Servants moved into their spots around the room as they finished their appointed task, ready to move if needed again. A few guards stood at the front of the room with hands on the hilts of the swords, ready to defend her at a moments notice.
A servant came in, followed softly by the tall woman he had seen before. Her beautiful green eyes looked around her eagerly, like she wanted to memorize every part of the room. And then she saw Raye and bowed deeply.
"Your majesty," she said in a smooth voice. "Thank you for your interest, I am honored to be able to speak with you."
The servants that had come in with her did not move, and he knew she was under guard. She wasn't allowed to say anything.
He looked around, frustrated. Raye would not be able to talk to her about Serenity.
"I have heard a lot about you," Raye said pleasantly. "I thought that perhaps you might like to meet some of the ladies in our palace that are of your age. I heard that you are the only one of the council members children of your age and do not have many ladies to converse with."
Lita nodded. "I would love that. I was actually hoping that once the peace treaty was negotiated I might be able to take residence in the palace in order to further my knowledge."
Raye looked surprised. "We would be honored to have your I'm sure. Are there any you already know in the palace?"
Lita looked at her wide eyed.
Endymion clenched his fists tightly.
"A few I have heard of," she said carefully. "But I'm not sure who I might have already met in passing."
This wasn't doing any good, he needed to talk to her. Endymion gave a signal to one of the guards who tapped his hand lightly on his breastplate. Raye looked a little startled, but he could see her start to get up.
"Perhaps now would be a good time to show you some of the palace," Raye said. "Would you accompany me on a little tour."
Lita looked at the servants behind her and nodded. "Of course your majesty."
She laughed easily. "Please, call me Raye. I've never liked when people use my title, it's so formal. If we are to be friends, we should act like we are."
Lita smiled.
Raye looked towards Endymion, and he could tell that Lita was confused at the look. Her green eyes shifted from calm and peaceful to confused and a little cautious.
Raye turned back to her and smiled. "I wish that I might introduce you to my brother in law. I'm sure you two would have plenty in common."
Endymion tried not to move.
"Yes, I believe we would," Lita said slowly.
"Maybe we should find him and see if he has time to talk for a moment," Raye smiled easily.
Lita nodded, but glanced at the servants behind her. "I wish I could, but it may be best to wait until after the negotiations take place. I wouldn't want to be accused of manipulating his decision."
Raye nodded.
"But I would if it would not seem improper," Lita said seriously.
"Perhaps you would not mind going into my sitting room and getting my book on the table. We should go to the library and meet Amy, and I might as well return it while we're there."
It was strange, the request. But it would also be strange for Lita to deny her. The servants looked at each other unsure.
Lita half curtsied. "Of course your majesty," she said.
The servants didn't move.
Endymion quickly moved away and easily wound his way between the curtains and the wall. He clicked on the side of the wall and a small door opened. He quickly stepped through, and then near sprinted to another small opening.
He was just in time to step out and see Lita walk into the room.
She looked at him in surprise.
"Quickly," he said grabbing the book on the table and walking up to her. "What were you so anxious to tell me?"
Lita stood there in shock for a moment before she was able to shake herself. "Serenity is with us and the council plans to use her to force you to agree with their terms in the negotiation. They're not trying to be hostile, they just want to make sure the peace works for them. I think they will try and give you outrageous terms to try and coax you into settling somewhere in the middle."
Endymion felt like snarling. "We will see what it is they're really up to."
"What do you plan to do?"
He didn't answer her question. "What are they doing to her?" He demanded.
Lita took a step away from him at his angry tone. "Nothing, I swear to you, she's safe. They have given her to me as a personal companion, and I have been trying to keep her calm. But she keeps trying to escape, so they've put guards on the both of us. They're not hurting her, they're just keeping her."
Endymion felt relief at her words. She was alright.
"Go now," he said in a softer voice.
"Are you going to try and get her?" She asked.
"If you're much longer, your servants will tell that you have spoken to someone."
"Please, can I tell her that you're coming for her?"
He looked at her evenly for a moment. It killed him in that moment to admit that he wasn't going for her. In fact, he was going to leave her there and then deny her. He swallowed hard as he tried to accept it, but he couldn't. He couldn't make himself believe that he was alright with the situation.
"I just hope she still trusts me," he said trying to contain his emotions, and then he all but pushed her back out into the room and once again made his way into the hole in the wall. This time however, he did not go back to his hiding place to watch them, instead he went the other direction and all but ran through the winding dark hallways until he found himself back in the old throne room.
For a moment he stopped to look around. He could still see the spot Diamond had bleed out onto the floor, and he felt a cold shudder go through him.
"Your majesty, are you alright?"
He looked at one of the workers who was standing close to him and nodded. "Yes, thank you," he said. "Your men are doing far better then I could have imagined. It is starting to look nothing like the room it was."
The man smiled at the compliment. "Thank you, your majesty. I hope you will be pleased with the end result."
He made his way quickly through the room and out into the hallway where Nephrite was waiting for him patiently.
"What did she say?"
"Serenity is safe," Endymion said quickly. "Set up negotiations. We will get this over with quickly."
Nephrite went the other direction and Endymion walked quickly down the hallways. He couldn't help but be angry. This is not what he wanted to do. He didn't want to sneak around his own palace and deceive people. The whole point of peace was to live without all this secrecy. He didn't want to fight anymore.
He wanted to believe that things would work out, but just because Diamond had died, that didn't mean all his evil had died with him. There were still people who would crave more land and more wealth. It simply made his blood boil. They had been in peace for not even a month and already there were those that were causing it to fall apart.
And yet all he wanted, was her.
Endymion had to force himself to stand still. Every fiber of his being wanted to move in that moment, in some way. Even tapping his foot might help, but he had to stay still. One by one the council members walked into the room, serene and careful. The smiled at him and greeted him, as if nothing was wrong. Endymion wanted to kill them. He could feel the sour taste in his mouth of calm before the storm.
"We are honored that you chose us to be the first in your peace negotiations," one of them said bowing low.
Endymion forced himself to smile. "I am a man of my word," he said evenly. "You aided us in our war and I promised that we would agree on a peace. I intend to keep that promise."
"We are glad to hear it."
Endymion had to clear his throat before speaking again. "Shall we discuss the terms?"
He had honestly thought that this would take hours of avoiding what was really happening until they felt they had a bargaining chip. He was surprised when the man came right out and abruptly started speaking.
"I believe we should start," he said. "We'd like our way of thinking to be adopted by every kingdom of the land."
Endymion couldn't have stopped the startled gasp of the crowd watching if he had wanted to. He regretted in that moment the idea that these meetings should be open to the public. He felt the heat from his people that had shown up digging suddenly into all of them.
"We also demand that the land sitting between your kingdom and ours be given to us with your respect and good will."
Endymion saw Kunzite put his hand on his sword from the corner of his eye, and a murmur had started in the crowd.
"Our army will be allowed to come and go in your city as often as they need to re-supply and our people in your boarders will not be called foreigners."
He gritted his teeth.
"If you agree to our terms, then we will have no problems signing your treaty."
How could one answer that. It was simply outrageous. Even if they were starting extreme in order to find an agreeable medium, this was so far out that there was no way back from it.
"That is madness," he heard Jedeite hiss.
The council members all sat looking still and calm.
"So," he tried to say calmly. "Even if there is more than one man sitting together in a room, greed still resonates within it."
"We will be frank with you," the man said. "Your ideals of peace are unachievable. We would like to believe in the idea as much as you, but we've discussed it and it cannot work. There will always be men eager for more land, as your brother was."
"And as you are," Nephrite said.
The council glared at him, almost as one.
"We do not agree to your terms," Endymion said almost cautiously. He couldn't help being afraid in that moment. What was there next move going to be? He was afraid for Serenity.
"I think you will agree," the man said.
"What makes you say that?" Zoisite asked casually.
"We have something that you very much want."
Endymion sighed. "You think there is something in this world more important than our peace? Fine, if you show it to me, we will discuss what we are to do about it."
The man smiled, and Endymion wanted to hit him.
"Bring her in."
He pretended to be surprised, but really he was on the edge of his seat. The last time he had seen her was so long ago that it felt like a lifetime.
It happened in slow motion.
She was led in by two men, one holding either arm, and she was breathtaking.
Endymion felt his heart stop beating in his chest.
For a moment their eyes met.
There was a startled gasp behind him.
Someone yelled in anger.
Endymion heard swords drawn.
"No!" She said startled.
"Hold!" Nephrites voice shouted over the crowd.
He couldn't move. All he could do was look into her frightened eyes. She shook her head, trying to stop this all from happening. Her blond hair shone in silky curls around her, and her skin was bronzed from the sun.
He had never seen her look so frightened.
He stood.
The room went silent.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't tear his eyes off of her.
Slowly he stepped forward. "Peace cannot be attained through bribes."
The council man smiled. "We have given you are terms. If you agree, she will be returned to you."
"I had thought you were men of honor," his voice was low.
All around them people watched, to afraid to move.
"We are men who will do anything for their people," he said.
"You are not fighting for you people now," Zoisite said. "You're fighting for more power."
"You can't possibly…." Kunzite started.
"I agree to your terms."
Everyone turned to look at Endymion in shock, but he only looked at Serenity. His steady gaze was unwavering, and his stormy blue eyes showed everything he was feeling and yet you couldn't read the mass if emotion all at once. He stood tall and proud, intimidating in a room full of people.
She looked devastated. Her eyes became sad and her shoulders sank. She stared at him, shaking her slightly, with tears in her eyes. He wanted so badly to go to her in that moment, to comfort her.
"Endymion, you can't……" Nephrite started.
"It's simple really," he started slowly, cutting him off. "If you give up your kingdom to me, your terms will automatically be met. You wanted your people to wander freely in my city, well they will be welcome when they are our subjects. You wanted us to replenish and hold housing for you army. When they are my army, their needs will be met. As for adopting your way of thinking, this kingdom has seen so many years of the greed for power, that I'm sure it has not completely been bleed out of us completely. In some ways, we are already on the same level."
The council was quiet.
"Those are not the terms……" The man started.
"You really thought that you could come in here and bully us?" Endymion demanded angrily. "You think we would have rolled over and bowed to you after everything we've gone through to get where we are?"
"If you don't agree, then we'll be forced to……."
Endymion finally looked away from Serenity, eyes blazing. "Do not threaten me!" His voice echoed through the room, silencing everything else. "If you think that you can come into my kingdom and force me into giving up my people to you, then you obviously have no idea who you're dealing with. We will negotiate for peace, and if I have to sacrifice my own life to do it, then so be it. You have no power here, so I suggest you either pack up and leave and become the only enemy to the entire land, or re-collect yourself and start again."
He sat down again, letting his anger simmer.
He motioned for a servant to bring him some wine, simply because it was the only thing he could think of doing that would make him seem like he had already started calming down. He tried not to look at her.
Slowly the council sat down in front of him again, looking at one another.
"Now," he said with an edge to his voice. "We should probably start these negotiations by setting out our terms for peace. Would you like to go first, or shall I?"
Endymion felt the tension in the room, and his senses were hyper aware. It was the feeling he had those moments before a battle.
Nephrite and Kunzite quickly sat in the row beside him, following by Zoisite and Jedeite.
The council members looked nervous suddenly.
"I'll go first," Endymion said. "We have argued long and hard about our terms and have decided that we will offer them to every kingdom that wants to negotiate, with no exception. Our armies will be disbanded. Trade will be opened completely between the cities. Each kingdom will be free to adopt whichever method of religion and government they choose without fear of being discriminated for it. A line of communication will be opened at all times between cities and we will always be open to negotiations for improvement."
He could feel Serenity looking at him and it almost made him lose his control. He swallowed, trying to steady himself.
"If you agree to these terms, we will discuss each of them further. They in themselves are to broad to leave as they are. But the general idea is the same. Shall we continue?"
The man who had done most of the talking in the council only nodded.
"Then I suggest you do something about your bribe so that I might forget it ever happened."
He couldn't look at her. He couldn't look at the horror in her face of being rejected. He didn't want to. He didn't want to see his betrayal in her eyes. He felt his heart give out on him, and it was like he couldn't breath. But he couldn't look at her. And therefore, he didn't see the smile on her face as she was lead away.
Serenity ran quickly and wrapped her arms around Lita.
"Did you hear him?" She asked with tears streaming down her face.
Lita laughed. "Any other woman who had just been denounced would be upset, and here you are, practically celebrating."
"You don't understand," she said pulling away softly. "He didn't denounce me, he simply refused to take me as payment. I can't be angry with him for not allowing me to fail him. He stood up for what he believed in, no matter what the cost to his own personal happiness."
Lita looked confused. "And that makes you happy?"
"He said that he hoped I still trusted him right?" Serenity asked. "Well I do, and I believe that what he did was right. He'll find another way to get to me if he wants to."
Lita nodded. "But Serenity, what if he doesn't?"
She couldn't affect Serenity's happiness in that moment. "I trust him Lita."
She rolled her yes. "You're hopeless aren't you?"
"This is what I am Lita," Serenity said. "I am here to please him if he wants me, nothing more. Whether or not I admit that I love him is besides the point."
"But I don't get it, you'd be happy if you never saw him again?"
Serenity faltered. "Well……no……but."
"Then how can you be happy about him not trying to get you back?"
"Well……" how could she answer that? "It's not that he didn't try to get me back, it was that he didn't…….it's……..he still might."
"I'm sorry," Lita said gently reaching out to touch her blond curls. "I just don't think you've totally grasped the situation Serenity. I'm glad that you're in this moment proud of him for not giving up everything for you, but if you look at it another way, he also gave you up for his kingdom. You are not his anymore. In this moment, you belong to no man at all. You are nothing more than a pleasure slave, prisoner to the council."
Serenity shook her head solemnly. "I will always belong to him."
"Not according to his own laws," Lita said. "You have been given freely to the council. They can now do with you what they want."
Serenity sat down. "But…….he didn't say……."
"By not saying that you were his, he said that you were no longer with him."
"No," she said shaking her head. "I can choose then what I am, and I would not give him up for the world. Whether or not he chose me, I will not leave him."
"Serenity…"
"No Lita, as of now I am your companion only, but I will never denounce him as my king or the man that……." She couldn't finish the sentence. She didn't know what to say.
"That you love?" Lita asked.
She didn't answer.
"Come on," Lita said. "At least now you are free to move around the palace as you want with me. Why don't we go and see the Queen. I know that she was your friend and you'll be happy to see her."
Serenity didn't move.
"This doesn't have to be the end," Lita said. "But you might have to learn to live without him."
Lita pulled her with her to walk through the room, but Serenity pulled against her.
"Lita?"
She stopped and looked at her.
"Am I really alone now?"
Lita smiled sadly at her. "You'll never be alone Serenity. I'm here."
"I trust him," she said softly.
"Then trust that he would not have done this unless he had no other choice, but it is still done. Now come on, if you don't want to see the Queen, I'm sure we can find a way out of the palace to explore the city. We'll have another adventure, just like in my city."
All she could do as Lita pulled her out of the room was whisper to herself., "I trust him."
Endymion signed his name on the thick parchment paper in front of him, sealing the peace that he had finally achieved with the first neighboring kingdom. Each member of the council signed their name carefully on the same document.
It seemed to take forever.
When it was finished, they crowed behind them cheered.
It was the first step.
He tried to feel as happy as he should, but he felt defeated.
Serenity rolled over in bed, trying to sleep. The moon shone through the window softly, and she felt like it was trying to soothe her, but she couldn't be calm. Her mind was agitated, and although Lita had spent the whole day trying to distract her, she couldn't get her mind off of what had happened today.
It was frustrating, being in the palace but being unable to go to him. If only he'd call for her.
Serenity sat up suddenly in her bed.
After the first night they had spent together, he had said that he would never call her, but always hope that she'd come.
She threw her blankets off her and went quickly to her door, opening it slightly.
A guard sat there, half sleeping on a chair.
She closed the door just as silently, trying not to notify him. Since their plan to use her at failed, they had stopped watching her as closely, but she figured that they would still stop her from running.
She went to the window and stuck her head out, looking around.
"Serenity?"
Her heart nearly ripped right out of her chest in surprise at the soft voice behind her. She spun around to see Lita looking at her curiously, obviously she knew what she had been planning to do.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to thwart your efforts of escaping, but I think I might have another option for you."
"What other option?" She asked confused.
"My father and the council are a few rooms away, discussing what happened today. They're not happy about it, but they're finally willing to give Endymion's peace a try."
Serenity nodded. "That's good."
"And that just leaves you," Lita said. "What did you think we were going to do with you if this happened?"
She thought about it, but she really hadn't considered the future. "I'm not sure."
"Well, they've given you to me."
"What?" Serenity asked confused.
"I know that you don't entirely understand the ways of the council Serenity, but one of the things I managed to grasp hold of was that they always allow the people to voice their opinions. They have open meetings a few times a week where you can speak with them and they'll take your ideas into consideration when they deliberate."
"Well that's.......I mean.....it seems like a good way of doing things," Serenity said, not seeing where this was going.
"They let me speak," Lita said. "I am just a woman, but I'm the daughter of a council member, and my voice can be heard. I argued with them at length about your status, and I managed to gain sole control over you."
Serenity just looked at her.
Lita rolled her eyes. "At this moment, I'm your only master."
"But, I don't understand what difference that makes. I'm still here, held by your people."
Lita took her hands. "Alright, I'll spell it out for you Serenity. In a sense, you are still a servant. You're my servant, and the council wishes that you will be a companion to me so that I might not be so alone in my adventures. But they don't know that I've already asked your Queen to be a guest in the palace, to further my studies and lean from some of the greatest tutors in the world. While I'm here, you'll be here with me."
Serenity nodded.
"And I'm not actually going to treat you as a servant," Lita finished.
Serenity looked at her wide eyed. "You're going to let me........be free?"
"Sort of," Lita said. "I'm going to allow you to go to him, whenever you want and if ever he should call. It's a little bit improper when you think about it, but something tells me that neither of you are going to care about that."
Serenity couldn't move.
Lita just smiled and shook her slightly. "Well? Are you going to go to him?"
"I......"
"You were going to run escape anyway, by climbing through the window apparently. What did you think you were going to do once you got out?" Lita said seriously. "You said that he never called you, but always hoped you'd come to him. I have a feeling he's still hoping you'll come to him even though he doesn't believe it will happen."
"Lita, I......" She couldn't speak.
"I know," Lita said. "You'll find a way to think me, I'm sure. Just go, I've dismissed the guard."
Serenity nodded and followed Lita out of the room. When she saw the vacant chair, she nearly choked in with the sudden need to run. She looked at Lita again briefly, thanking her with her eyes, before taking off out of the room and into the long dark hallways of the palace.
She remember everything about it. The marble beneath her feet was cool and smooth, and the smell of the nighttime air drifted through the windows. It was so late that nothing moved.
She sped towards his room, feeling every second pass her as if it were the longest she'd ever lived. His rooms seemed so far away.
When she got close, she stopped and stood hidden in the shadows, looking at his door.
The servant had returned.
Serenity looked at him, wondering how she would get past him. Usually she just surprised him and he didn't follow her, but he wouldn't be expecting her this time.
Her heart froze when the door opened.
His tall lean frame leaned against the door slightly as he talked in a low voice to the servant, giving him orders. His black hair seemed to blend in with the shadows. She watched as the servant nodded and he closed the door, and then the servant ran quickly down the hallway to fulfill whichever request he had been given.
She came out of her hiding place quickly.
For a moment, with her hand on the doorknob, she hesitated. Lita's voice sounded in her head, telling her that Endymion had denounced her. But she trusted him. He had said that he hoped she still trusted him.
She took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
The sitting room was empty.
All she could do was stand their and listen to her heartbeat as the soft glow of a candle caste shadows around the room. Nothing else moved. She knew she had to do something or else the servant would come back and she would be caught. But no matter how hard she tried, she suddenly couldn't move.
All she had to do was go into the room and figure out if he was in his bedroom or his office. Both were only a short distance away. She had already come this far, she just had to go a little bit farther.
She took a step.
Endymion walked casually out from his office with a document in his hand.
She froze.
For a moment he didn't notice her. She watched him walk up to the table that held the small candle and add the document to an already overflowing pile. He ran his hand through his black hair and looked up.
He stood very still, looking at her as if she were a ghost. His stormy eyes wide with surprise.
"Serenity?" His voice was so low, almost a whisper.
All she could do was breath out.
He stepped towards her, slowly at first. His long legs carrying him around the table in his way. She watched every movement as he moved towards her, slowly, to come stand in front of her. She could almost feel him again, and her heart pulled painfully towards him.
"Are you a dream?" He asked softly.
She reached out a shaky hand and touched the silk fabric of his dark shirt. It was so thin. She felt the heat of his skin on her fingertips and it almost seared her.
He breathed out at her touch in almost a sob, and then suddenly stepped forward and kissed her.
Serenity felt herself suddenly pushed against the door she had entered through almost harshly, and he kissed her passionately. Every doubt she had ever had about him left her with his kisses, and she completely gave into him. In the whole time they had been together, he had never been this forwards with her.
She could feel how much he wanted her in that moment. She ran her hands over his back, feeling his muscles flex when he moved. His body was pressed against her, and it felt firm and familiar. She wanted to cry.
He might have taken her right there, frantically and urgently.
Serenity was absorbed with him. His presence, his sent, his taste. It was all around her. She wanted to give into him. But she could feel the tension in him. She could feel how close he still was to breaking, just like when she had first met him. He wasn't relaxed. She could make him relax. It took all of her will power not to just break down and become completely absorbed with him. She had dreamed of this for so long, having him this close to her again. She had imagined his lips on hers and his stormy blue eyes filled with lust. In this moment she almost feared that it was indeed a dream.
She tried to do it slowly. She ran her hands up his chest, shivering with delight at touching him again. She held on to his kisses longer, trying to slow him down. She pushed him away, ever so slightly, ignoring the part of her that screamed at her to let him take her.
He looked down at her, with a gaze dark with lust. He breathed raggedly.
"You don't want me like this," she whispered softly. She kissed him softly. "You want me the way I was." She kissed him again, pushing him back into the room. He followed without questions, letting her push him back without taking his hands off of her. She could feel the desperate beating of his heart. "You want me to make you feel the way you did before."
His calves bumped the closest couch, and she continued to push him until he had no choice but to sit down. She put her legs on either side of him, pressing her chest gently against his as she kissed him slowly. She pulled away only long enough to sensuously lift her nightgown over her had and toss it to the side. His hands move smoothly over her skin, caressing her gently as she undid his shirt and kiss down his neck.
He groaned. It was a low sound, and she could feel it through his chest. She tugged his shirt off of him completely, exposing his upper body. She reached down to undo his pants.
"Serenity," he breathed.
She reached down to touch him. Her small hands gripped him, feeling how hard he was. She kissed him again, slowly, teasing him with her touch. She could hardly contain her own desire, but she focused on him. She could always focus on him. And right now he was here beneath her, giving in to her completely, allowing her to control him. It made her want him even more.
Part of him didn't believe what was happening. She could tell by the way he held his breath, and then let it out with a gasp. He was trying to stay in the dream, not allowing himself to wake up.
"Do you want me Endymion," she breathed. She kissed him just below his ear, letting her breath tease him. She ran her hand up his chest, lingering for a moment on his nipple and hearing him inhale in pleasure.
"Yes."
He said it so softly, so covered with lust that it was almost inaudible. She moved over him, kissing him again as she slowly moved down and took him inside of her. She couldn't help leaning back, arching her back slightly as a ripple of pleasure washed through her. She gasped out into the open room, feeling her body heating up even more.
He leaned forward and kissed her chest and pulling her hips so that she had no choice but to take him fully inside her. She moved, pulling away from him slightly so that he moved slowly out of her, but his hands on her hips pulled her back to him. His lips on her drove her mad as his hot breath teased her skin. She put a hand in his hair, wanting him somehow close to her.
They moved together.
With every smooth and slow thrust she moaned and gasped, feeling the hot sensation in her growing and growing until she was sure it would overtake her.
He held her against him. His body was hot against hers.
She could only grip his hair tightly as her muscles started to tense. She cried out, throwing her bed back as the wave of pleasure crashed through her. His strong hands held her tightly as he thrust into her again sending another wave through her.
She heard him groan loudly and he thrust again. She clenched around him tightly as she felt him release into her. Her whole body throbbed and hummed with pleasure.
It took her a moment to start coming down from it. She pulled in her breath, trying to steady it.
When Endymion leaned back against the back of the couch, all she could do was fall on top of him. His heart thundered in his chest and she could feel it.
For a moment they just stayed like that, breathing hard. He kept his arms around her, holding her tight against him.
She wanted to stay there forever, just like this. Wrapped in his arms, with nothing between them.
She pushed against him gently, propping herself up on his chest so she could look at him. His blue eyes gazed at her, filling with so many different emotions she could hardly count them all. His black hair was in complete dishevel making him look almost wild. She couldn't help but smile at how beautiful he was.
He reached up to gently smooth her hair away from her face. "You are so beautiful," he said softly.
"I was just thinking that about you," she said.
He smiled gently. A smooth, real smile, just for her. It made her shiver with delight. She rested against his chest again, tucking her head against his neck as he caressed her back.
"How did you get here?" He asked softly.
"Lita let me go," she answered. "The council gave me to her after what happened today, and she's asked Raye to let her come and live in the palace. Technically I belong to her now, but......"
He hesitated. "I thought you would be angry with me, for what I did today."
"What did you do?"
"I chose the peace negotiations, over you."
She laughed at him. "Endymion, I was afraid you were going to choose me. When you didn't I was so glad I could hardly speak."
He caressed her face gently. "Say it again," he whispered.
"Say what?" She asked.
He bent down to kiss her gently. "My name."
She hadn't realized she had used his name. She felt a sudden fear go through her at having addressed him so informally. He was the King now. But his eyes were not angry with her. Instead, she could see happiness forming there.
"Endymion," she said softly.
He kissed her again, this time more passionately. Serenity could feel his emotions swirl around her and they were both beautiful and intense. As he kissed her, everything seemed right in the world.
"Nothing has to be different then it was before," she said easily. "I can still come whenever......"
"Serenity," he looked down, letting his hair fall forward into his eyes. She reached up and gently brushed it away. His blue eyes drifted back up to hers, looking at her steadily. "I love you," he said softly.
She froze.
"When I got you letter, telling me that you were leaving, it broke my heart."
She couldn't move. All she could do was look up at him as he opened himself up to her.
"Your other letter reached Kunzite, and he sent a note to me, but it never came. And then I found out that you were gone and I….."
She watched him struggle in front of her. His eyes looked almost tormented, battling so many emotions that she was afraid he might not be able to calm them down. Her heart beat loudly in her chest. The king had just told her that he loved her.
She swallowed, feeling her years of lessons telling her to stay quite and let him speak, but not get to deeply into it. She caressed his jaw, feeling the strong muscles lose some tension under her touch. But this wasn't the King she was sitting with. This wasn't even a noble man. She could see in his eyes that he just wanted to be himself, without a title, and she wasn't afraid of him.
"It doesn't matter anymore," she said softly. "It's all over. You don't have to struggle, all you have to do is live. And….." she hesitated. "And live knowing that you have my love, forever, no matter what happens. I won't leave you, unless you send me away."
He kissed her hand gently, letting her caress him.
"I wish I could offer you everything," he said gently. "I wish I could offer you marriage and nobility and a life free of what you've experienced."
"I don't want any of that," she said smiling softly. "I don't care that we can't get married, or that I'll never be a Queen. I don't care what I've had to endure to get to this moment. All I care about is being here, with you. I just want to make you happy."
"I won't ever marry anyone else," he said seriously. "If Raye gives birth to a son, he will be raised as the next in line to the throne. If not, then when I die, the position will be put up for election once again."
"Endymion, we can only ever live one day at a time. Don't worry about the future until we get closer to it. When the time comes, you'll know what to do."
There was a soft knock on the door and Serenity froze.
"It's just Kunzite," he said. "I asked the servant to get him."
"Should I go?"
"No!" He said almost desperately. He took a breath. "Please, stay here. I don't want to spend another night without you."
She couldn't help but smile, and despite herself, she blushed slightly. She couldn't help it.
"Will you wait for me?" He asked.
She nodded. "I will be in your room." She kissed him lightly, standing up and walking easily through the room. She could feel his eyes on her and purposely looked back at him before dissapearing into his bedroom.
Endymion felt every tension he had ever had in his whole life drift away until he couldn't feel anything but an even calm throughout his body. He smiled at nothing, and then quickly put on his clothes. He went to the door where Kunzite stood.
"I changed my mind," Endymion said. "I don't want to talk about it now."
Kunzite looked at him bewildered. His hair was messy from sleep and he wore only a robe. "Are you serious?"
"Yes," Endymion couldn't help but smie.
Kunzite looked angry for only a moment before he took in Endymions smile. "What's going on?" He asked.
"Nothing," he answered easily. "Everything is as it should be."
"You're not doing anything we should be worried about, are you?"
"Apparently, we don't have anything to worry about anymore."
Kunzite smiled slowly. "Alright, then I'll leave you to.....whatever it is you're doing in there.....with whoever you're doing it with."
"I'll talk to you tomorrow," Endymion said.
"Sure," Kunzite said walking away. "Just try not to ware the poor girl out, she's been through a lot."
Endymion laughed. "Goodnight," he said before going back into the room.
He looked at Serenity's nightgown, still drapped over the side of the couch. The silky white fabric rippled ever so slightly in the breeze, and he smiled before walking towards his bedroom.
End of Chapter Fourteen!!!!
Please review!!!
There's only one more chapter coming out, and it's going to be more like an epilogue than anything else. Hope you liked it!!!