A/N- Another quick update, but yet again, please don't get used to it. I am writing two other stories right now, one being updated and another being handwritten. So anyways, glad everyone likes this story. It's getting more reviews that P&P got in its first few chapters.

Coreagurl- Thanks! Glad you like the chapter.

Sunny38- I like adding twists to characters like this, but what she is (the main twist if you haven't already figured out) comes out in this chapter… well at least for some of the characters.

cosmoscrystal96- Thanks for the review! Glad to see some of my readers from P&P returning. Here's yet another whirlwind adventure…

supersaiyanx- Darien is kind in the last chapter, but he sort of changes at the beginning of this chapter and then once more at the end. Don't worry, Serena and Rei make sure he knows what he's done…

nancy n- Thank you! Updating as soon as possible.

s16- And you get to learn about Serena in this chapter…

serenity11287- It's here and it came in as soon as it could.

Allison- Thank you!

Silver Moon Goddess1- Glad you like it!

Brucasforever- Part of who Serena is, is revealed… now! Read on and find out!

Mooshii- Thank you!

Melody87- Glad you luv it!

raye85- You wonder if anything is going to happen between them? You wonder? I think you can answer if they get together or not… here's the next chapter for you to read!

The next two weeks flew by for Serena. She was meeting a lot of people, but still only talked to Rei, Mina, Lita, and Ami. She heard some of the other women of the court gossiping how she was a mute, but she did not care because her mother had raised her to not worry what others think, but what you think.

One day at dinner king Darien approached her and asked if he could see her outside, which she agreed to. "I know you are talking to my sister and her friends. Your first night here I heard all of you talking and didn't recognize a voice. I have lived with this group all of my life and know each of their voices so I came to the conclusion that it was you."

Serena just nodded for him to continue, still keeping her mouth shut and looking down the balcony at one of the fountains.

"I do not know why you keep silent from the rest of us though. Has someone done something to you or have we not gained your trust even though you have not been thrown in the dungeon as most that are caught in the forest usually are?" Darien's voice had become a sneer at the end. Serena's head shot up at the accusation and her eyes were wide with surprise.

"I have seen women come and go trying to find a way to ensnare me so they can become Queen. Although I do not wish to think this of you I do not know what to think. You befriend my sister and her friends and one of my generals. I have had women do this to me before, but the thing that has made you interesting is your vow of silence. Are you quiet in hopes of ensnaring me by curiosity? It will not work my lady." Darien said. His voice had darkened and his eyes were sharp and untrusting. Serena did not know what to do, but believed there were two things that would do.

She slapped him. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him, she pulled her hand pack, and slapped him. "I do not know what has happened to you in the past to make you so untrusting, but everything I have done is because of who I am. I am not trying to get a title or power, I am just being me. This might not be the first time you have heard me talk, but it seems that it will be the last. I will leave as soon as possible. Thank you for your generosity and hospitality." Serena turned on her heals leaving a shocked Darien behind her.

"Darien Endymion Terran what have you done now!?" Rei shrieked from behind the column. Her eyes held a mixture of surprise and hatred that was aimed towards Darien.

"I didn't know… I.. I thought…"

"You thought? You're right you didn't know anything! How can you be so stupid? Let's hope Mina or one of us can get her to stay, no thanks to you!" Rei screeched before stomping off to find her friends so they could hopefully get to Serenity in time.

"Rena, can I come in?" Mina asked after knocking on the door. Serena walked over and opened the door for her friends with a smile. "Thank you. How are you doing? You left quickly after the dinner and did not join us on our normal walk through the gardens. Then again, I do not blame you after what Darien did. You have to understand, being King women have throne themselves at him in hopes of gaining the crown and some lie to him as well. He has grown hard to those who he does not know."

"I am doing fine. Your King should not act that way. Anyways, I have just been tired lately and I was going to rest." Serena explained.

"You look pale, are you sick?" Mina asked, changing the subject. Serena looked at the woman hoping she would figure it out on her own that she was not sick, but it was something else. "Wait, since you are a… ya, um, well do you have to die or something?"

"I don't have to die, but I get pale looking and I need to sleep for a while. It takes a lot out of me and it seems as though I have died, but my heart still beats. I will be fine by tomorrow night hopefully." Serena explained. "Please do not send Molly in tomorrow, I do not want her finding me like this."

"Do not worry. I will tell everyone you are sick and I will take care of you. Mal had to leave for some army thing after dinner anyways." Mina said. "Let me help you to bed so you can get to sleep." Mina helped Serenity change into a white nightgown and then into the bed. "I can't believe I was right though. I mean, your kind is supposed to be a legend."

"So are fairies, unicorns, werewolves, and griffins." Serena said with a smile. "There are not a lot of us left and our species have come to live together in a quiet village in the mountains where no other human realm has traveled."

"So you mean, everything in the stories our parents told us is real? Including dragons and vampires?" Mina asked with wide eyes.

"I am not sure about vampires and most dragons were killed off before I was born." Serena explained.

"I see, well I hope this isn't too painful for you. I will come see you in the morning." Mina got up from Serena's bed and quietly made her way to the door after blowing out the candles that had lit the room.

When she reached the dinning room the group was still together, except Mal and Neph had to go out with the soldiers for a patrol. Mina explained Serena had not been feeling well and had gone to sleep early. Darien's eyes and widened and Rei was surprised at first before she started scowling over her brother's actions.

"I will go see her then. It is after all my fault." Darien said.

"No, she has asked for no visitors, but I insisted that I should be able to care for her. Anyways, she is currently sleeping. I will inform you if her condition need a healer or not." Mina said, stopping Darien as he tried to make his way to his visitor. Darien merely nodded and joined the group of generals that had assembled in the center of the room.

The next day Darien was still worried about the blonde girl that slept in one of the guest halls. Mina had come in to get herself breakfast along with some fruit for Serena. Darien decided that after he held court for a few hours he would go visit his guest to make sure she is alright and he was not the cause of this sudden change.

The court seemed to pass longer than usual. Darien did not know if there were more problems with the threat of war or if it was the fact he was waiting for a time to escape to see Serena. When the council decided they were done for the day Darien quickly ushered everyone out and nearly flew down the hall to the guest room.

When he reached Serena's door her stopped and listened. He could hear Mina talking, but that was it. Instead of knocking on the door like he should have and usually did he just opened the door and walked in.

"Darien!" Mina gasped. She got up and tried to block his view of Serena, but Darien's height allowed him to look over the blonde woman's head. What he saw scared him to death. Serena was looking deathly pale, almost as though she was dead already.

"Mina, what's wrong with her? I thought you told us you would come get us if her sickness became drastic! She's close to death if not already there." Darien said, his voice rising.

"Darien, you need to leave." Mina tried to push him out of the door, but he would not budge.

"Mina, close the door." Serena's weak voice said. Mina just nodded and stepped around Darien so she could close the door. "He should know now because he's seen me in my weakest stage."

"Weakest stage? What are you talking about?" Darien asked.

"Serena, you can barely talk right now. You need to rest until this is over, not try and explain yourself." Mina said. She returned her seat next to Serena's bed and wetted Serena's head.

"It is alright Mina. Darien, I'm not human if you have yet to guess. I'm a phoenix. I'm in a regenerating cycle right now and will be better by tonight. I will be out tomorrow and will be out of your way by tomorrow night." Serena explained. Darien just stood there shocked. The woman who had stumbled into his life, who he had practically insulted the night before was a phoenix.

"You will not need to leave. What I said last night was wrong and I misjudged you. You are welcome to do as you wish." Darien said. Serena just nodded and smiled before she closed her eyes and looked as though death had claimed her. "She looks so…"

"I know Darien. Do not tell the others. This is her secret and one she does not one leaked. Her kind is nearly extinct due to prejudices of our race and so she is worried about her life." Mina pleaded.

"Her secret shall be safe. I will send you dinner so you can stay here and I will come when I am done." Darien said. He patted Mina's shoulder and left the room trying to digest all of the information he had just received.