Chapter 8 – Confession
Death was oddly peaceful, less frightening that I thought it would be. There was no more fighting the Negaverse, but I was alone. No Rini, Luna, Artemis, Amy, Raye, Lita, Mina. No Darien. Darien. No, no, I couldn't die. I promised I would be with him; that I would find my way back to him. I've done it before, I could do it again. Death would not separate us. Darien and I belong together. Death would be too easy; to just give up. I had to survive and fight. If I died, Darien wouldn't survive.
The world needed us and we needed each other. No, death wasn't an option; not for me. My daughter… my children needed me. Rini, she needed to be protected from our enemies. "Rini," I whispered. Warmth touched my cold skin. "Rini, I'm coming." Warmth lightly pressed my forehead, "Serena, wake up." I couldn't open my eyes from the nightmare.
Rini's panicked faced reaching out to me, Mommy! My hand reached for her, but I was being pulled in another direction, No, Rini. Rini was fading into the dark. Tears formed in my eyes, "Darien... she needs us." There was a long exhale near me. My eyes blinked slowly, but I couldn't see clearly. Where was Rini? "Serena, can you hear me?" I sighed, trying to see clearly. My head was a jumbled mess. Looking around, I was back in my bedroom. How did I get here? I tried to move, but my body was very weak. My arms and legs felt so heavy, even the quilt over me felt like a ton. My head fell to the side and saw Diamond.
My eyes closed quickly, seeing him sit on the edge of the bed without a shirt. He only wore pajama pants, while leaning over me. His hand brushed my face, "How do you feel?" I moaned quietly; the low light in the room stabbed my eyes, sharpening the pain in my head, "What happened?" It felt like I was looking down long tunnels at Diamond's face. Everything was so disorientating. The crystalline walls were playing tricks on me, appearing as if they weren't really there. "Where's Rini?" Diamond gently brushed my hair, "Small Lady isn't here. She never was. It was Emerald, she tricked you."
I stared, remembering the last thing I saw. Emerald holding me down with her foot on my chest. The Dark Crystal hovering above, draining the life out of me; that was where she led me. I felt relieved that Rini was still safe. "Where is she?" my voice weak. Anger glinted in Diamond's eyes, "Emerald has been sent back to Nemesis. She's forbidden from returning to Earth until I order her back." I laughed weakly and it hurt, "She must hate that."
He shook his head, shaking out his pale hair, "I can't believe she would do this. After I told her to leave you alone." I sighed slowly, evening breathing hurt. In my head, I knew that quilt wasn't as bad as I thought it was, but right now, it felt like I was going to be crushed. "I can," I whispered. Diamond touched my cheek, moving my face to look at him, "You're not our enemy." I scoffed lightly, "That's not why she did this." Was he so blinded by what he wanted that he couldn't see what was happening right in front of him? Diamond stared, "Then why?" I rolled my eyes, "Because she's in love with you." I saw it easily when she looked at him. Emerald hated me as Beryl did. Diamond's eyes narrowed, clearly in denial, "No, she isn't." My eyebrows pulled together, "Yes, she is. It's so obvious. She practically throws herself at you. She wants to be your Princess." And she should be. Anyone, except me.
Diamond stared off for a moment. I sighed, trying to get up. His hand rested on my shoulder, pushing me back down, "You're still too weak." His hand moved down to my waist, underneath the quilt, "The Dark Crystal took all of your energy and part of your life force. You're not going anywhere tonight." He leaned down to kiss my forehead, then lightly touched his lips to mine, "I'll be here in the morning." "How did you know where I was?" He shook his head, holding his hand to my cheek, "In the morning." Tingling returned, making my eyes close. They couldn't be opened under my dwindling strength.
Sleep, deep sleep felt good; normal. Faces passed in my dreams, but I didn't know their names. A girl with pink hair and an older girl with long raven hair. They were holding hands, standing in front of a temple. Another girl with golden hair was there, with two cats; one black, the other white, sitting on steps, reading a book full of pictures. They were all happy, sitting under the bright blue sky.
I don't know how long I slept. If I woke up, things would be bad again. But in sleep, they weren't right. I was forgetting things in this place. Standing with Darien, he held my hand, both of us happy. Raye and Rini walking together, while Mina read with Luna and Artemis. How could I forget who they were? The Dark Palace was bad for me.
Waking up, I felt a little better. My head still felt heavy, but at least it wasn't pounding painfully. My teeth chattered from a chill running through me. The quilt was still over me and it felt normal again. There was something else heavy, but once I got up, that would go away. The heaviness was warm, draped over my body. The warmth made me feel safe. Beyond the safe warmth, there was rhythmic beating. Thump-thump, thump-thump, a hypnotic beat that didn't stop. Along with the beat, there was a coming and going, making its own rhythm. Nothing was making sense.
I turned over to my side, the draping warmth still held me, holding me in place. The feeling of coming and going was moving against my back. My eyes were blurry as they opened. I looked down and made out an arm over my body. I breathed in a long breath through my nose. The rhythm I was hearing and feeling against me was breathing. Moving slowly, I looked behind myself. My eyes widened seeing Diamond fast asleep behind me. My hand clamped over my mouth before a scream could escape.
Diamond put me to sleep, only to sleep with me. His heavy arm was draped over my body, keeping me against his. I can't believe I actually felt safe; how could I be so stupid? Something solid pressed into my lip and it wasn't my fingers. I pulled my hand back to see a gold band around my finger. Turning my trembling hand over, there was a large diamond and sapphire ring on my ring finger; a large diamond cut into the shape of a long rectangle with sapphire side stones. No, no, no, this is an engagement ring.
The tears fell off my face. Too late to realize it, Diamond's arm was underneath my head. My tears fell on his skin. When was this nightmare going to end? I came to the future to help Rini, but now I was kidnapped, held prisoner, tricked and now, I slept with a man I didn't even know. My breathing increased from fear; I had to get it under control. I was on the brink of losing my mind.
Diamond exhaled deeply, waking up. I closed my eyes quickly, pretending to still be asleep. My breathing slowed to a steady pace, getting myself under control. He quietly cleared his throat, "Serena?" he whispered. I didn't move; not even letting my eye twitch. Diamond's weight shifted, making the bed move and my body slid further into his. Things got darker behind my eyelids. Something drifted under my eye, wiping away my tears. There was a gentle pressing to my closed eye. His breath blew on my forehead. I don't even want to think about this. "Soon, you will be mine. You will forget the Earth prince and you will only love me." Diamond kissed my cheek, my neck down to my chest. A hand was under my back and his weight was pushing me down into the mattress. "You belong only to me," lips moved down my chest and my eyes opened when I felt the tip of his tongue moving up my skin. Goosebumps rose on my skin, feeling uncomfortable. I exhaled deeply, letting him know I was awake.
Diamond moved back into my line of sight. He smiled and his fingers caressed the side of my face, "Good morning, my Princess." I blinked, making another tear fall down my face. He brushed it away with his thumb, "Why are you crying? What's wrong?" I blinked several times, trying to come up with an excuse. Diamond didn't move away from me, "Bad dream. I always cry in my sleep when I have them." It wasn't so far from the truth. He kissed me, holding the side of my face. His lips parted mine, pulling me tightly into his chest.
I breathed slowly, trying not to scream. Diamond didn't notice my effort, "They will not hurt you." He was getting too comfortable kissing me. Half his body still rested on me, making it difficult to breathe. "Serena," he brushed his cheek against mine, "you know I love you." The words were a breath against my ear. Arms curved around my body, holding me completely against him, "I can make you so happy if you let me. When we're married, you'll have everything fit for a queen." My head rested against the pillow, looking up at him. I tried to slow my breathing, doing anything I could not to press my own chest into his.
Diamond took up my hand in his, showing the ring, "This is another token of what I will give you." I inhaled, pretending to see the ring for the first time. He smiled taking in my expression, "I hoped you'd like it." While he spoke to me, I felt part of Diamond's body pressing hard into my thigh. My body stiffened when I realized what it was. My eyes looked away from him and my heart sunk, seeing that I was wearing a thin white nightgown. Where did this come from?!
I had to get away from him before it was too late. Diamond was ready to take me and I doubted that I was strong enough to fight him off. He was a man in love and ready to marry me. Diamond promised he wouldn't make me do anything I wouldn't want to, but he was still a man and warned me that he wasn't going to wait for me much longer. I noticed his lust growing when his eyes raked over my body. His knee pressed between my legs, slowly parting them. My heart squeezed in my chest; I couldn't let this happen.
I escaped from his grasp, moving to the edge of the bed. Diamond moved slowly, getting to his knees, "Apologies, my princess, I couldn't help myself." My breathing was rapid, putting space between us. The nightgown I was wearing was very short and thin. The outline of my body could be easily seen through the material. Diamond continued to stare at me, "Garnett will be here soon." He disappeared from the bed. Blood coursed hotly through me, painfully pumping through my veins; that was intense, but it was over. My eyes closed in relief. A chill ran down my spine from shock. Hands caught my shoulders, pulling me off the bed.
Diamond stood, keeping his fingers wrapped tightly around my wrist. No, we were standing in a grand bedroom, half dressed and alone. He was already tempted enough. I began to turn away from him, but Diamond pulled me quickly into his chest. His arms were tight around me, lifting my chin to look into my eyes, "If only things were different. You wouldn't want to get away from me." At least he wasn't that blind. His arm tightened around my waist, then his fingers drifted down my back, toward my leg. I pushed away from him, "Stop it!" My eyes were angry as I glared at him. Enough was enough; I wasn't going to let Diamond win this way. I wasn't going to let him do whatever he wanted. At first, I was so afraid, thinking Darien was still hurt, but now, I was mad. "Diamond, I know what you feel for me, but I just don't feel the same way. You stole me from my life."
Diamond huffed, "I took what I wanted." I shivered from the cold, "I am not a thing you can just claim because you felt like you should have me. I'm a person with a life; a full life." His eyes turned to glass, "Your precious life. Tell me, what is your mother's name?" My head fell to the side, "My mother? Her name is…." My eyes casted down slowly, trying to recall her name. What was my mother's name? What about my father? I bit down on my finger trying to remember. This is silly. I know my mom's name. I could see her face, but I couldn't place her name. She was my mother; how could I forget my own mother?
Diamond laughed quietly, "Serena, last night you absorbed so much dark energy, your memories are fading. In time, you won't remember the Sailor Scouts, the weakling prince or Small Lady." My body slumped onto the bed, "What?" A robe rested on the bed next to me, appearing from thin air. Diamond was wearing one now too, "You've been as strong as you have because of the energy of the Silver Crystal in your body, but now it's gone. The Dark Crystal absorbed it from your body. Soon, they will all be nothing but faint images, like shimmers in water. You will know that I am your husband and you love me." My heart felt like it was caught in a vise, squeezing the life out of me. I felt like I was going to drop dead. He stepped off the platform, "Do not despair, Princess. I will always be kind to you. I love you."
Diamond left, just as Garnett came in. She greeted me as she did and selected a gown for the day; a floor length red gown, placing it on the bed. She rested my breakfast tray, but I didn't touch a thing. "Garnett, I think I will dress myself this morning." She curtsied, "Of course." With a wave of her hand, the bed was made up. The breakfast tray remained on the nightstand. My mind was pulling up memories of the girls in my dreams. Their names were just beyond my mind's grasp; I knew them. I cared about them, but I couldn't remember them clearly.
I tried to control my breathing as I put on the selection. The gown hugged my body and spanned out to a swirling skirt. I sat on the bed, thinking; remembering. If the Sailor Scouts don't move soon, I'm afraid of what might happen. I was losing my memories. The Sailor Scouts, they are those girls! My life, my home, my family; they were slipping away. I have a brother, a little brother. No, I was an only child. My mother with silver hair only had me. I fell back on the bed. No, I have a brother. I have a mother and a father and another mother with long hair like mine. I have a cat named Luna, who was my mother's advisor. But my mom doesn't know that Luna can talk. How can Luna be an advisor, when she doesn't talk to my mom? My head buzzed like angry bees. The memories I had were connected to the ones of my past.
The morning went by in a blur. Garnett appeared after a few hours, "His Highness would like you to join him for lunch." I shook my head, "I'm not hungry." Garnett paused, "Oh, Princess, the Prince said that you should come. He'd like to speak with you." Diamond was not getting his way anymore, "No, please inform him I'm busy and I do not wish to be disturbed." Garnett bowed her head, "As you wish. I will let the prince know." Diamond was not going to be happy about this, but I was done playing the captured princess.
I moved to the chaise, thinking, remembering Molly and Melvin from school. Melvin had a crush on me, but then he moved onto Molly and they were dating. There was a man with dark blue eyes like mine. He had dark hair, but he was my enemy. We didn't get along. No, he was in love with me, but I was engaged to Diamond. No, that wasn't right. I shook my head, "Come on, think!"
"Having trouble, Your Highness?" I looked up to see Sapphire standing by the doors as they were drifting closed. I drew a long breath, "Sapphire? What do you want?" He had dark blue eyes just like the man….. Darien. The man in my memory was Darien and I loved him, not Diamond. Sapphire crossed his arms, "I was only concerned for my brother's princess. After learning of your attack last night, I was merely checking on you." My eyes narrowed, "I don't believe you. What do you really want?" I couldn't trust any of this Black Moon people, let alone be alone with them. Sapphire breathed, "I speak in earnest. My brother was worried for you and Emerald is being severely punished for attacking the princess." I folded my arms and rose from the chaise, "Wonderful," being sarcastic, "But I still don't believe you. Why are you here?"
Sapphire disappeared and reappeared right in front of me, glaring, "What have you done to him?" I lifted my chin, "I don't know what you're talking about." Sapphire blinked, "Diamond! He's become a love-sick fool because of you." I glared right back, "That's not my fault. He chooses his own actions. Trust me, I'd rather be in the….." I lost the name for a moment, "Crystal Palace than here." Sapphire began to smile, "So it's true, you are losing your memories. This might be advantageous yet." Energy coursed through me again, down my arm. Sapphire stepped away, "You should know, I heard what you said when the Wiseman was speaking. You do not believe him, do you?"
I blinked from the direction this conversation went. My eyes followed Sapphire as he paced away, "The Wiseman is misleading my brother and I believe you are the only one who can reach him. Make yourself of more use, besides being an ornament." I scoffed and walked over to the balcony, "Go to hell. If you're that concerned for Diamond, why do you need me? You're his brother. You talk to him." Sapphire inhaled, "I've tried, but he won't listen to reason." My head shook, a thought coming to me that made me sick to my stomach. What Sapphire said about me being an ornament brought something to mind, "Dammit." I paced away, then looked at him, "That's why I'm here. To be a distraction."
Sapphire looked for a moment, "What do you mean?" My eyes hardened, "In the game of chess, you always send out the pawns first. And to the Wiseman, he's running out of pawns, so he encourages Diamond to come for me, Diamond's goal. I am to distract Diamond from seeing what Wiseman really has planned." Sapphire grasped his own chin, "It would make sense. With you here, Diamond is less focused and will trust the Wiseman to act in his stead. If you know all this, say something to him, woman." My angry surged and the balcony doors slammed opened and I walked outside, my hands grasping the banister. For the briefest of moments, I thought I had an ally in this place, but that was over now. My anger rolled with the thunder; this sudden mood change catching me by surprise. Sapphire stepped out onto the balcony, "Now, you will listen to me." I turned toward him, my hand raising of its own accord toward him, "Do not test me. I owe you nothing. I gave you a viable plan to talk to Diamond about. I want nothing to do with this. The only thing I care about is getting back to where I belong. Not being your brother's princess. I am here to save my planet. To bring it under the rule of Nemesis."
I turned away quickly, "No, I mean…." My head fell into my hands, feeling confused, "What is wrong with me?" A hand rested on my shoulder, making me face Sapphire, "If nothing else, remember this, Neo Queen Serenity, if anything happens to my brother because of you, I will personally kill you. I won't be like Emerald, a spiteful jealous woman. You will know it's me and I will be the last one you see alive. Diamond is the only family I have left and if he dies, you die." He pushed me backwards, banging my back into the banister, shooting pain all through my body. Disappearing from sight, tears streamed down my face. My mind was confused, but one thing was clear; it was too dangerous to stay here.
