Princess Serenity leant on the stone balcony listening to the faint merriment of the annual Yuletide Ball. It was a night of a new moon, the first since her arrival, and she couldn't remember a time when she felt completely isolated. How was she to survive such loneliness each and every day?
On returning to her chambers she'd wanted to throw the box as far away as possible, yet only succeeding in flinging onto the grand four-posted bed. Her heart raced as she cursed inwardly at the earth prince. Why did he have to be so charming? It made it very difficult to remain furious at him. For the rest of the day she stomped very un-princess-like across the stone floor, trying and failing to forget the prince.
All too soon the maids entered to prepare her for the ball, to fashion her hair and attire for the joyous evening. At first Serenity thought that by refusing to go that would spite the prince the most. It would be worth the disapproving gossip. Whilst the maids protested feverishly she caught glance of her reflection. She observed how much her features had matured over a couple of weeks. A daring thought crossed her mind and se allowed herself a quick smile before informing the maids of her change of mind.
So now she stood regretting her decision immensely. Dancing and chatting with numerous people throughout the night, particularly handsome bachelors did nothing to entice Prince Endymion. One of the palace guards informed her had informed her that he would not even be attending, being caught up with some official state business at the last minute. Her plan to agitate Prince Endymion by ignoring him was wasted.
So now she stood all alone on the balcony, waiting for the singing and laughter to end.
'Are you not cold Princess Serenity?' Prince Endymion's voice jolted her heart.
He emerged from the folds of the velvet curtains. She wondered how long he'd been hiding.
'You forget Prince Endymion that Lunarian blood flows through me...I do not feel the cold like you. Only the heat of the stars.' She stole another look into the frozen night, thousands of stars winking at the couple below.
He leant beside her, his arm radiating warmth. For some reason she felt cold next to him, a strange sensation. His sigh puffed a white mist into the air before vanishing.
'You look beautiful tonight if I may be allowed to say so princess.' Sucking in her breath she nodded slightly. After a short silence he turned to her, 'I don't know why I did what I did that night but I do know that it was never my intention to harm you princess. I want you to know that.'
A warm glow embraced her heart at his words, spoken so softly. She gazed into those eyes then, the darkest shade of midnight. His ebony ruffled black hair was a chaotic mess, so un-princely. Somehow though it subtracted years from his chiselled features; only the hint of an evening shadow gave him away. Serenity couldn't help think how attractive he was even though he was the complete opposite of Prince Diamond.
'Can we at least be friends?'
She snapped away from his touch. 'How dare you suggest that our acquaintance be anything other than a matter of formal obligation? You ripped me away from everything I ever cherished. My hopes, my dreams, my future is nothing now, thanks to you. And my marriage to you is nothing but an eternal punishment for thinking I could ever be allowed to love freely. No Prince Endymion, we can never be friends.'
For weeks the moon princess resumed her isolated state within her chambers; only at evening dinner did she present herself, always dressed to perfection, hair styled up in a prefect messy bun that emphasised her slim features. And even though she smiled in the presence of others, the sadness was always dominant in her red-rimmed eyes.
Fed up with his father's insistence, Endymion yet again found himself outside the moon princess's door. The door heaved open after his first knock. He nearly stumbled forward into her.
Impatiently she cocked an eyebrow up. 'Um...Princess Serenity.' He composed himself with a quick breath, 'I was hoping that you would accompany me on a ride this afternoon, on this the first fine day of spring.' Doubt flashed across her eyes; maybe she thought it time to escape her chambers as well. 'The King would enjoy your presence too.'
And so a couple hours later the engaged couple rode with a small royal party across the castle grounds, the grass wildly lush, until they reached the edge where the entered the thick ancient forest. By this time the sun was beginning its descent and most of the group were tired and hungry. The King commanded they turn back. In the corner of his eyes Endymion saw Serenity's eyes lower. He sensed the silence of her despair.
In one swift motion he flashed a quick grin at his father before cantering beside Serenity.
'Princess you are an elegant rider I see.' She nodded her head in agreement. 'I wonder if you can keep you elegant pose and control of the horse whilst racing.'
'Are you challenging me to a race Prince Endymion?' there was a hint of amusement in her tone.
'Last one back to the...' Serenity and her mare broke into a hasty gallop. Endymion grinned. He egged his stallion. Rays of the pink sunset filtered through their eyes as leaves and branches dashed across their faces. Endymion's heart pounded to the rhythm of the stallion's gallop, determined to keep ahead. One glance at Serenity and his heart nearly stopped; she had never seemed so alive. Rosy cheeks teased her features, her eyes wider than her laughing grin.
'Is that the best you can do princess?' he taunted.
She cried at the four-legged beast to run faster still. Leaves and branches whooshed past her in a mixed blur; caught up in the race, she lost all concept of time and space. When was the last time she felt so free.
Just as the sun winked its last goodbye, Endymion realised how far they'd become. Suddenly he heard a deep crash, splash up ahead. Serenity shrills sliced through the air. Endymion blood froze.
'Princess? Princess Serenity?' no answer came.
A few yards ahead he stumbled across a river, the mare standing still and Serenity. Her body was submerged in the water but her head rested against a large boulder. He waded through the river towards her still form, cursing under his breath. How could he have forgotten the lay of the land, the various hidden ditches and rivers? Bile rose in his mouth at Serenity's tangled hair and dress, her features icy once more. What had he done? He held her wrist. He waited. A faint pulse greeted him. He finally allowed his breath to escape. He pulled her limp body into his arms, surprised at her lightness. For a moment he wondered how much she had actually eaten since her move to earth.
There was no blood or visible bruising. But she was soaked through, and so was he now. Darkness had already begun to embrace their surroundings. All too soon the cold night would turn deadly if he did not find them heat and shelter. They had travelled too far away from the castle grounds, too far into the depths of the forest wilderness. Then Endymion saw a memory from his childhood; nearby was a swallow cave he had come across by accident. In his arms Serenity's body began to shiver. To the cave, Endymion determined.
Serenity's unconscious mind took her back to the happiest moments of her short life, back in the arms of her beloved prince as they spent lazy days curled up under the Venus sun. The sun's blaze on that planet was always intense; it ignited her deepest passion as a maturing female.
How many hours did they kiss, touch and caress one another, slowing teasing and exploring on another. She loved how her limbs melted into her prince's touch, as if her body was made just for him. His smell was intoxicating, arousing her senses to new heights and his taste would make her drunk like a fine wine. If she could die in his arms like this, they bodies tangled, breath hot and heavy, body alive with pure ecstasy, she would die happy.
Serenity moaned as she snuggled deeper into the warm and cosy depths embracing her. A fire crackled nearby, releasing a pleasant fragrance she had never witness before. She nuzzled into her pillow, no wait! That was not her pillow.
'So you are awake at last princess. I was so worried.' Endymion squeezed her tighter to him.
Serenity's limbs tensed as reality hit her. Memories of dashing through the forest, relishing in the freedom, in the euphoria of the race flashed before her. And then all of a sudden the river, the mare rearing up, the boulder! And now she was in some sort of cave, only the glow of the make-shift fire allowing her some vision. And now she rested in Endymion's lap, the man she detested most in all the galaxy, from what she could tell, completely naked!
Words stumbled on her lips. Endymion brought a hand up from the fold of the blanket that enveloped them to brush a few drying stands hair from her face. To him her normally silvery locks glowed with a golden sheen, almost like a goddess. Whilst she lay unconscious he could not help but drink in her beautiful unearthly features. He wished to always hold her like this, peaceful and full of love; in her slumber she had smiled.
Serenity still fumbled for words so Endymion placed a finger on her red lips to still her. 'You hit your head hard when you fell into the river. You were soaking wet and I got wet pulling you out of the river. I had to get us both warm. This was the best way.' Serenity's heart hitched a beat at his boyish grin, 'do not worry princess, I kept my eyes closed.'
Serenity's cheeks burned. Never had she been naked with a man before, not even Prince Diamond. On Venus it was always in her fore mind how anyone could catch them. All kissing and embracing had been fully clothed. Several times they had yearned to explore one another further, to bring new heights of pleasure to the other. And now it would never be. Serenity tried to swallow away the thick lump lodged in her throat caused by her memories of her dear prince.
To her complete her discomfort it was extremely difficult, no impossible, not to notice the firmness of the other prince's skin, the smooth contours of his chest that gleamed pleasantly in the firelight. Without thinking she placed a hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. It was almost as if she could take it from him. She gasped as his heart began to race. She turned her face away, scared by the new thoughts invading her. This was the man who destroyed everything, who took her from the man she loved. So why had she began to admire him so openly?
As if sensing her weakness, Endymion tilted her head up. Her mouth became dry as she found herself lost in his eyes, darker than the all that surrounded them, yet at the same time filled with a spark of love. Gently he caressed her cheek with his thumb before lowering his lips. At first it was a question, his lips barely touching hers. Then he pressed against her, hot firm lips seizing her own. Serenity moaned, her body igniting with his kiss. Both hearts fluttered. Endymion savoured the tastes of her lips, sweet and delicate against his own. For a moment he felt her hands push against him and then it stopped. A groan rumbled deep within him as she seemed to be stoking his chest instead. How could that be? He knew he should stop, that Serenity did not love him. However his lower half was doing the thinking for him. Shifting slightly he tilted her head back to deepen the kiss, devouring her luscious lips. Serenity responded by combing and massaging her fingers through his hair. Oh goddess, how she was made for him.
The feel of his firm lips seizing her in a passionate kiss excited Serenity. A white light exploded deep within her. It was as if her body had a mind of its own, responding to Endymion's taste, touch and smell. A mixture of sweat and burning passion. Somehow she had uncurled herself from his lap, to wrap her legs around his waist. The feel of her breasts against his chest drove her senseless. Hot hands slid down her back, sending even hotter tingles across her body. From deep within a sensation began to build, a sizzling wave of something she had never experienced before, an immense pleasure she never thought existed. Never had she and Diamond gone this far before.
Serenity suddenly gasped. Diamonds pained eyes flashed before her. Forcefully she pushed away from the man she had shamefully latched onto, losing the covering of the blanket in the process. Endymion only gained a swift glance at her full nakedness, mouth agape at such beauty before he remembered to turn his eyes away. Once more his chest constricted with longing.
Swiftly the moon princess wrapped the blanket around her slender frame. She turned her back to the man sitting naked in the firelight; afraid of her face might betray her thoughts. For a few moments she fumbled with her garments, now dry and cosy before he touched her tenderly on the shoulder. Serenity knew it was meant to be a caring statement, but she was enraged at herself, for forgetting her love for Diamond, for forgetting herself as a princess and moreover, for ever letting the man she hated ever touch her in such a way.
'Do not touch me every again!' Endymion could feel the venom drip with each syllable she pronounced. Eyes flared with anger and agony she turned on him, 'Prince Endymion. I hate you!'