'What do you mean a date hasn't been set yet?' As usual his father's voice boomed across the vast stone chamber.
Several weeks gad passed since their return from the moon; from the moment Diamond's screams could no longer be heard they had whisked Princess Serenity away with, returning to Earth. Some saw the isolation as punishment for the princess, others believed it a chance for her to forget the forbidden romance. Even fewer desperately hoped it would provide the young prince and princess an opportunity to found some sort of relationship. Yet from the moment Diamond was torn from her arms Serenity promised herself that she would love no other.
'Serenity still refuses to speak with me father...'
'Speak? Why my dear boy you are too soft.' He seized Endymion's hand and roughly pulled him from the chamber. He pulled him through various hallways and corridors until he abruptly stopped outside Princess Serenity's door. All he grunted was 'Here' before shoving him through the door. Endymion spun round to object but the door slammed in his face.
The bedchamber was still. Too still. He expected a shriek, a cry or even an angry objection to his presence yet the chamber was so quiet that the breeze through the window seemed piercing. Gingerly he turned and observed the bareness of his surroundings; Serenity had refused to bring anything personal or decorate the room. This had not seemed unusual at first, believing that after a swift marriage she would enjoy a permanent residence with him. Endymion's heart twisted as he knew the real reason was because she wanted no reminder of the life before filled with unfulfilled hopes and promises.
She sat slouched by the window, the gently breeze stroking her pale cheeks. It seemed to play with her lustrous hair, unfashioned and glowing golden in the blazing sunlight. He sighed again as he wondered when the last time those blues eyes, once filled with laughter and innocence, were no longer red-rimmed and dark.
From his position he whispered her name. There was no response from her. He took a few paces before calling her name again. Still no response came. The third time he gently placed a hand on her slender shoulder. The response was instant. She slapped his hand away. Serenity's eyes narrowed but never turned to him. A white hot pain pieced his heart.
'Serenity I know you hate me...but...but what is done is done. We are to be married. We should at least try to get along. We should...'
'There is and never will be...we' she hissed.
Through gritted teeth Endymion continued, 'fine...me and you should...um...maybe we...ah...'
If he didn't know any better he'd sworn she was a statue. Somehow he had to reach her. Anything was better than the bitter rejection.
'Princess' he ran a hand through his thick, ruffled hair, 'I never apologized for...for...separating you and Prince Diamond. But I feel that you may not believe that. Even so, please believe that it was not my attention to...force...um propose, this marriage on you.'
Her response was barely audible, barely a whisper. He only caught it on the breeze as it caressed his cheek, her elegant fragrance teasing his senses.
'I'll be honest princess,' honest, about what? Till that moment he still didn't know what motivated his actions on that evening he caught them, 'I don't know.' In the end he had to be honest, she deserved nothing less.
Little by little the princess twisted round, facing him for the first time, eyes wide with conflicting emotions. Her pale lips were pressed tightly together as if she was forcing herself not to speak. After an age of staring at one another, of biting lips and sweating palms, Serenity finally spoke.
'Set the date for six months time. I suppose a summer earth will be nice for a royal wedding. The date will be here soon enough.' There was little conviction in the words.
More than anything Endymion wanted to make her smile then and within a blink of an eye he swore to do anything just to bring joy to those lips again.
When he'd left the chamber Serenity found herself gazing into the gem once more, longing for past days to return; she wanted to be anywhere in the galaxy, just as long as he was there too. Why was it he refused to come when she summoned? Was he dead? Certainly she'd feel it if he was. Was he too far away, suffering the same agony on Nemesis? Since he was ripped away all she felt was the talons of duty shredding her heart; the pain never eased.
She knew no hope, no way to feel anything but loss, to mourn the life she knew deep down she couldn't have but dared to hope. Now Prince Diamond suffered that same fate. Serenity closed her eyes tight, the image of her beloved etched eternally in her mind. At least that was still allowed.
All of a sudden the darkness shifted and Diamond's image vanished. A different image now presented itself; two bodies entwined on a bed cover in red satin. She recognised her slender form instantly, her golden locks flaring behind as she lay, eyes closed, whilst the over form devoured her. Passionately he kissed her head, her ear, her neck. An intense heat consumed Serenity's limbs as she witnessed her image form arch its back, relishing in the man's attention. But bile gurgled in her throat.
The man was not her beloved prince whom she'd been wishing for only a moment before. The shimmering dark hair identifying the male as none other than Prince Endymion.
Serenity physically ripped away from the mental vision, forcing her eyes to blink several times. Daylight filtered through narrowed eyes. Why had she seen that? She assured herself of how much she hated the earth prince. Then she swore never to let the vision become a reality.
The ring clattered delicately to the floor. Endymion mentally pinched himself. What had he just witnesses in the gem? Something impossible; they'd never be together. Was it possible? Did he dare hope?
The next morning Serenity's eyes were overwhelmed at the castle's sudden transformation. Evergreen foliage covered every bare beam and corner. Bright red and gold balls, beads and bangles dazzled the high ceilings, stars twinkling in-between. No fire, torch or candle was left unlit now, keeping the stone interior cosy at all hours. When questioned a puzzled maid stated how these decorations were customary for the Yuletide festivities.
Then at breakfast the next morning, before the sun had even awoken Prince Endymion passed her the small box wrapped expertly in simmering blue paper, a shade matching those which captivated him immensely nowadays. The surprised expression brought a slight grin to his lips.
'At this time of year it customary to exchange gifts. This is mine gift to you.'
Serenity's whole frame tensed. 'I asked for nothing.'
Before she had chance to slip away Endymion grasped her wrist, placing the box tightly into her hand. 'I know Princess. Nonetheless I wish for you to have this. I too ask for nothing in return.'
Reluctantly she tugged at the wrapping and flipped open the lid. Inside was a gold star. It glistened under the multitude of surrounding lights. Serenity snapped the box closed.
Endymion swore he witnessed the faintest curl of her rosy lips. But only the faintest. No other words or glances were exchanged between them. All too often he watched as her dress flared hastily behind her.