Chapter 6 – Emerald

The necklace was still clasped around my neck as I closed the large door. Wearing the snug jewelry made it a bit difficult to eat, but I dealt with it. I walked into the bathroom and sat at the vanity mirror to see it. The diamond was huge, catching the dim light of the room. I was going to need glasses if I stayed in this place any longer. My eyes were straining to see in the darkness. The necklace hung from my neck, mocking me. Reminding me that I was trapped in this place, being kept away from everyone I loved. My focus was on the beautiful gem when the sound of someone coming up behind me caught my attention.

I rolled my eyes; why wouldn't Diamond just leave me alone? I needed to think. That energy attack I did on Emerald and those evil thoughts going through my head weren't me. I didn't move until their reflection was in the mirror. My body jumped up from my seat, "Emerald!" She looked at me; her eyes glaring and arms folded across her chest. A strand of her green hair hung down her face and a bruise was coloring the corner of her mouth; disheveled from my attack. My heart raced while she looked at me. With the wave of her hand, she could destroy me right now; the perfect revenge. Emerald's eyes stared, then they suddenly widened. Her gaze fell on Diamond's necklace around my neck.

She inhaled deeply, "You don't belong here." Her voice was low, just above a whisper. I blinked once, "I couldn't agree with you more." She continued to glare, "Then leave." Her response clipped, with a bit of life in her voice. I leaned against the vanity, "And how would I do that? Walk right out the front door? You know, as well as I do Diamond won't let me go. I had to promise I'd stay and become his princess. He's in love with me."

Her eyes bulged, "No, he's not!" she screamed. My head fell to the side, the evil nature setting back in, "What do you want? A second helping of my new power. I'm good at it but I could use more target practice, old woman." Her eyes hardened and Emerald walked toward me, stalking like a cat, "I wanted to see for myself. What is so fascinating about you? The counterpart of the sleeping queen of a dying planet." I tried to remain calm as she made her assessment, my lips curving into a smirk, "A planet you and your people are killing. Is this what you really wanted? To see the woman you can never measure up to. The one that has your prince falling all over himself to keep."

Emerald and I stared at each other, when something came to mind. This was going to be fun. I walked past her, back into my bedroom, "Now, Emerald, I do want something." My main finger pointed to the door, "You to leave. Get out." She followed after me, "You don't talk to me like that." She walked by me, stepping onto the platform to look down on me; a move of authority. Her gloved fingers grazed across the white coverlet. My eyes narrowed; I like that bed. The surge of energy was returning to my arm, setting charges between my fingers.

I sighed an annoyed breath, stamping down the desire to blast her, "Emerald, get out of this room!" She folded her arms, "This is my home. You have no authority here." Holding the skirt of my gown, I stepped up to the platform to look at her, "I have authority in these chambers. Get out now before I send you flying off the balcony!" She laughed once, "Try me, Princess. You won't catch me off-guard this time," she snared. The energy moved down my arm, growing in my palm. I was going to hit her again and this time, I wasn't going to hold back.

"Emerald," Diamond's voice boomed, filling the room. He appeared a few feet away from the platform. His violet eyes fixed on Emerald, making her cringe back. His stare was hard as glass and his voice dropped to a low tone, "Serena said for you to leave. Now go." Emerald's voice dropped to a hushed tone, "Prince Diamond, I was just..." "Out! And never set foot in this room again!" he barked and she jumped.

The command rang through his voice at the exact moment lightening crashed outside. Emerald shrunk back away, stepping off the platform, her shoulders hunched. I held up a hand, "Wait a moment. Emerald, I owe you an apology. She arched a brow, hiding it from Diamond. I kept my face call, "I shouldn't have called you 'old woman.' That was wrong." Her lips puckered into a pout, trying to hold back her rage. I blinked, letting the words flow out of me, "Truthfully, I am older than you. Quite possibly, I am the oldest person in this castle. I am over two thousand years old. So, I'd like to change 'old woman' to 'little girl.' Remove yourself and your childish ways from this room."

Squaring her shoulders, Emerald took on step in my direction, but Diamond moved to stand between is. Looking up at him for a moment, Emerald bowed her head, then faded away. The energy within me died away, making me feel disappointed. I wanted to hurt her again. This negative energy was taking a stronger hold on me and this time, I was letting it.

My lips pursed as Diamond looked at me, "Thank you. I didn't want to hurt her again." Yes, I did. Diamond sighed, putting a hand in his pant pocket, "I'll speak with her. She must learn to respect you." I shrugged, "I don't think it'll help. She doesn't want me here." Not that I want to be here either. "It doesn't matter. I want you here." Diamond moved to stand in front of me, taking my hand in his. Fingers brushed along the necklace to hold the heart shaped gem, "Soon, Emerald won't be able to protest. This is your home now and soon, you will rule at my side." Diamond suddenly pulled me into his embrace, making me gasp. I could feel his heartbeat against my chest. "Serena, please don't be afraid of me. Just love me." His voice was low and kind, almost pleading.

I exhaled slowly, "I don't know if I can." I couldn't when I loved someone else. Diamond curved his hands to my face, making me look at him, "I ask for so little. Just let me rule you and you can have everything you want." His face was very close to mine and a small smile curved his mouth. My lips pursed for a moment, "But you're my enemy. You destroyed my planet." He sighed in frustration and brushed his hand along my face, "Serena, I did it for my family and people. We belong here." "You may belong here," I countered, "but that doesn't mean you should have come the way you did. There were so many more options." He released me, "Serena, please let's not discuss this again. Look what I am offering you." His finger curled around the diamond heart, then curved his hand under my chin, tilting my head up, "Just fear me, love me and do as I say and I will be your slave."

It was clear that Diamond was genuinely in love with me, but I couldn't be with someone I didn't love. He wanted more from me than I was ever willing to give and I feared what being exposed to all this negative energy would continue to do to me. Already, I was gaining powers that the Black Moon Family had and evil thoughts were taking over my mind. A cool breeze came from the balcony doors and I went over to them, walking out of Diamond's hold. Something was changing me and I didn't like it. I had to get back my Silver Crystal. Thinking of my Crystal, I looked up to see the Crystal Palace. It seemed so far away from beyond the balcony. Diamond came to stand with me, placing his hand on mine, resting on the banister. His fingers grasped mine, raising my hand to his mouth; the move caused goosebumps to raise on my skin.

My eyes were fixed on the white palace in the distance, only thinking of Darien. "If you wish, we may leave this place." I looked at him, "What?" Diamond smiled at me, "We can leave. I'll take you anywhere you want to go. Somewhere where we can be in the sun. It could just be you and me." The thought danced through my mind. Walking on the beach with the sun bright in the sky. The seawater breaking on my feet and my fingers wrapped around someone's hand. I was with Darien again. The sun was lightening his dark hair while we walked on the beach. The image changed, but not much. We walked hand in hand with Rini ahead of us, running with two older children with her; all of them smiling and laughing. The memory wasn't mine and yet, I felt like I've seen this before. Darien, no, Endymion was holding my hand while we watched our children.

That wasn't my memory, but it ran warmth over me, like I lived it before. Was it the Queen's memory? Something what will happen when I'm older? How did her thoughts reach me? Thinking about Darien, there was something I needed to do and it had to be done tonight.

"What did you do in your time?" I blinked, coming out of my fantasy, "What?" Diamond turned his back to the Crystal Palace and leaned against the banister, "What did you do on Earth? In the 20th century?" "Oh," I blushed, "mainly school. And I spent a lot of time with my friends." Diamond listened intently to the things I did with my friends and family. To anyone else, I would have been boring, but Diamond was very interested in everything I said. From me and Molly buying ice cream, gossiping and pretending to study, while Amy actually did. While listening, Diamond's arm pulled me into his chest. Our faces were close, but Diamond only stared into my eyes. He seemed almost hypnotized. My shoulder jerked in a jolt from being this close to him. He blinked, "Please, continue." I tripped over my words as we stood close to each other.

Fingers brushed through my hair. Diamond drifted his cape over my shoulders when I shivered from the cold. My teeth began to chatter from the chill setting in. "Come inside," was all he said. Sitting on the lough chair, Diamond kept me talking for hours, asking for details when I visited the flower nursery with my mother or go to the park with Rini and Luna. These everyday things seemed so fascinating to him. I realized that Diamond and his family never had this while they were growing up. It showed me that I took my life on Earth for granted. He dreamed of walking in the sun, among flowers and trees, while I did it every day and never appreciated it.

Diamond ordered Garnett to prepare my dinner and to bring it to my room. He had several questions and I noticed his eyes would harden when I try to not mention Darien. I caught a glimpse of a bottle of wine on the end table, with two glasses; where did that come from? Diamond caught me looking at it for a moment, "Would you like to try some?" I shook my head, "I've never had wine before." He turned to pour some into a glass. "There's a first time for everything." I took the glass from him and stared at the red liquid. "I don't know," I said. Diamond huffed a laugh, "It's not poison. I wouldn't do that to you. Just try it."

I raised the glass to my lips and took a brief sip. The taste was bitter and burned in my throat. I coughed once from the strong flavor. Diamond gently took the glass from me and drank from the same place my lips touched, "You'll get used to it. Maybe this is too robust for you." My lips patted together as he offered me another glass, "Would you like more?" I shook my head, "No, thank you." Diamond half smiled, "Maybe you'd prefer white wine. It has a sweeter flavor." He set the glass on the nightstand, "I'll have some of that brought with your dinner."

Diamond stood up from the lounge chair, "I'll leave you now. Good night, Serena." I nodded to him, "Good night." His eyes lingered on me for a moment, "Serena, I know I still make you uncomfortable. But there is something I want from you. I want you to say 'yes' or 'no.' The choice is yours." His fingers drifted over my lips; I had an idea of what he wanted. I still had to play my part. Shutting my body down, I nodded slowly. Darien's last kiss was already erased by Diamond's.

Diamond's hand held my back and the other curved to my neck as he leaned closer to me. Shutting my eyes, I placed the image of Darien at the forefront of my mind. I was kissing my prince again. Lips pressed down on mine. My arms remained at my sides, until the tingling came back. Diamond was controlling my body again, making my arms wrap around him; so much for waiting for my permission. Against my will, I was locked in Diamond's embrace and he wasn't letting go. His lips parted mine. I tried to get out of the kiss, but he was too strong. His body pressed into mine, pushing me down into the seat. This was getting out of hand. His arm tightened around me and his other hand moved up and down my back. Diamond's lips were hard and demanding against mine and his arms bounded me to him. I wasn't ready for what I thought he wanted. I was leaned backwards against the chair. My fingers curled, digging my nails into his back, trying to make him stop, but he only moaned; was he enjoying the pain? Half his frame was on mine and I couldn't escape.

Someone cleared their throat and broke Diamond's concentration. He released his hold on me and stood, leaving me on the cushions of the chair. My breathing was slowly, while I waited for my heart to slow down. I was scared of what more he would do to me. Diamond glanced down at me, brushing his thumb along my lower lip. Tears threatened to spill out, but I held them back. He kissed me once more, "I love you." Diamond turned and left. I didn't move, still frozen.

Garnett set the tray with my dinner tray down and rushed over to me side, taking in my shocked composure. She held my shoulders, "Princess?" My body began to tremble. I couldn't stop thinking about that kiss; Diamond's mouth was hot against mine. It felt so wrong to kiss another man. Why did I say yes? I should have told him to leave, but that could have led to Diamond forcing himself on me. My hands trembled as I held Garnett's wrists; she was helping me to stand, "T….thank you."

She nodded once, reading my face, "I will let his Highness know that you do not wish to be disturbed for the rest of the night." I half-smiled at her gratefully, "Tell him I went to bed early. Thank you, Garnett." She bowed her head, "Good night, My Lady." Before she left, there was something else I needed, "Um, Garnett, is it possible to have a clock? I don't know what time it is." She smiled and waved her hand. On the nightstand, a small face clock appeared, showing it was just after 8. I had to wait a few more hours to what I had to do.