Hello everyone,

Sorry for the extremely long break in this story. There are no excuses. But, I'm getting back into the flow of things, and hopefully the next chapter will be up quite soon.

Also, I'm working on a new story for this fandom. It's quite a bit different from this one. If you're looking for a new read, please keep a look out for that, or you could follow me as an author and you'll be informed when that story is published. It should be up within the next few weeks.

Thank you for bearing with me. As always, please leave a review or message if you like the story. It really makes writing easier. Enjoy!

Chapter 11

The shadows from the setting sun played across Serenity's face as she crossed a window in the palace hallway. Giving the window a quick glance, she noticed the beautiful purple, pink and gold colors in the evening sky.

She estimated that it was probably around 7 o' clock in the evening. The day had been a long one. She had gone through a myriad of emotions in just one day.

She realized she was tired. Emotionally drained. She had never felt so many emotions in such a small span before.

Her boots made clicking noises as she rounded a corner in the never-ending hallway. She kept her focus on keeping her limbs moving to her destination, when all she really wanted to do was sit down in some corner, and throw her head in her hands.

What was she doing here?

This isn't her home. She doesn't even quite know where this is.

But she understood one thing clearly now. She was disposable here. She wasn't one of their own. She didn't' belong there.

The only reason they hadn't killed he yet was because they saw a certain potential in her. They believed she was a healer.

But if they were wrong about her abilities, or if Serenity remained unable to harness her powers, she would easily become disposable.

She meant nothing.

Serenity shivered involuntarily, and wrapped her arms around herself.

She was lost somewhere in the continuum of time, and she needed to go home. She needed to prioritize. She couldn't let her emotions control her, as she had so many times in the past.

No, she was done thinking with her heart. She needed to rely solely on her mind and reasoning now.

So how could she leave this place?

Would they let her go voluntarily or would she need to force their hand?

Maybe she should start exploring the castle to look for potential exit points. She knew there that were guards posted everywhere. But, she would just have to be careful to not linger for too long so as to draw suspicion.

Yes, she needed to get home.

From a distance, Serenity heard the distinctive bells of the clock.

Ah, it was 7 o' clock.

It was time for her evening training sessions with the devil.

She didn't want to go. She didn't want to face him.

But she knew she would have to. She had to behave perfectly until she found her one chance to escape. She couldn't arouse suspicion or cause any disturbance that may limit her accessibility to the castle grounds.

Besides, Serenity had the upper hand, didn't she? Unbeknownst to Endymion, she know understood his very nature. He was just playing with her. There was nothing more.

Maybe she could even pry some information out of him.

Serenity stopped short of running into a door. She had been so consumed in her own mind; she hadn't realized that she was standing right outside the massive library doors.

With her strengthened resolve, Serenity knocked on the wooden doors.

Silence.

She knocked again. And nothing.

'I guess he's running late. Must be running around with a maid somewhere,' she muttered to herself.

Serenity let herself into the library. No point in waiting outside. Maybe she could take a brief nap on those massive armchairs inside.

Once inside, she took a deep breath. She was always taken aback by how beautiful this library was. Antique wooden floors and bookshelves, with comfy chairs and luxurious carpets. It was heaven. Now more so, since the asshole wasn't ruining her view.

As Serenity made her way to the chairs, fully intent on taking a nap, the bookcase to her right, caught her eye.

The bookcase that housed all the books on healers.

She walked over to the bookcase that towered over her tiny frame. She ran her fingers over the books directly in front of her.

'An Introduction to the Art of Healing', 'Healing Remedies and Potions', 'The History of Healers…'

But there was one book in particular that drew her attention. Well, it wasn't technically a book, it seemed as if it was a journal.

Serenity pulled out an unmarked book. She ran her hand over the brown leather bound cover.

It wasn't like the other books on the shelf. There was no title, no author. It was an unmarked, plain covered book.

Intrigued, Serenity opened the book to the front page. She drew a sharp breath as she read the sole sentence present on the page.

'This journal belongs to Rose Beauchamp', was engraved in gold cursive.

Grandma Rose? This was her grandmother's journal?

Sleep far from her mind, Serenity clutched the journal as if her life depended on it. Rose Beauchamp.

Beauchamp.

Beauchamp? But her maternal side's family name was McAdams. Her grandmother's name was Rose McAdams.

Who was Rose Beauchamp? Why would her grandmother have a different last name?

Confused, Serenity leafed through the book, and realized it was indeed a journal. A journal full of notes on healing. There were diagrams of herbs, how to utilize them, where to find them, their potency, etc.

There were also lengthy paragraphs detailing the events of the day, along with her thoughts. It seemed as if this woman combined both her personal diary and her notes in one book.

As Serenity surveyed a page in closer detail, a sharp realization hit her. This was her grandmother's writing.

She couldn't forget it. She had just read the same writing a few days back, when her entire world turned upside down.

But why the hell was her last name Beauchamp?

Was it an error in printing? Maybe…

"Serenity?" called a voice, from behind her.

Serenity squealed and nearly dropped the book in her hand. She whipped around to see Raye standing a foot away from her.

"Geeez, Raye! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Serenity whispered, depositing the book on the table in front of her, to clutch her rapidly beating heart.

"Sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to frighten you. I thought you would have heard me come in," Raye cried apologetically.

"It's alright. I guess I was a bit preoccupied."

"Ah, you're looking at the books we have on healers. I guess you're curious after all," Raye said with a pleased smile. "Endymion will be happy to hear this news," she added.

'Endymion can kiss my ass,' Serenity voiced internally.

"Yeah, I was a bit bored," Serenity smiled sheepishly, as she felt her heart finally return to its normal state. "Speaking of your brother, where is he? We were supposed to have a training session at 7..."

"Ah, yes. I need to talk to you about that." It was Raye's turn to act sheepishly.

"I'm taking his place for your training session today. He is otherwise occupied."

"Wow. Skipping out on his responsibilities. You know he's forcing me to do this. Why force me, if he can't be bothered himself?" Serenity cried out in frustration.

This annoyed her more than it should have. She should be relieved. But she found herself irritated.

'He's probably not done shagging that maid yet,' she thought.

"It's not like that. He was planning on instructing you today. But there have been some"-she paused, searching for a word, "-some disturbances lately. He's had to look into some serious matters," Raye stated. She had a grave look on her face, and was looking at the floor, contemplating something that etched her face into a frown.

This wasn't the Raye that Serenity was used to seeing. She was used to the playful, gleeful Raye.

"Are you alright Raye? Is everything okay?"

The concern in Serenity's voice seemed to break Raye out of her stance.

She put on a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes and responded, " Oh yes, I'm alright. Everything's fine. Everything's absolutely peachy. At least for now," she mumbled the last part under her breath.

It seemed as if she was trying to convince herself more than Serenity.

Serenity was about to further question Raye, when Raye, quite blatantly, changed the subject.

"So were you able to discover anything interesting in those books?" she asked, with a gesture at the healer books behind her.

With a sigh, Serenity let the subject go. "No, I had only just begun looking at them."

"Some of them are quite interesting. You should spend some time and become acquainted with them."

Well, she wanted to. She definitely wanted to become better acquainted with the book on table in front of her.

But would Raye let her? Serenity didn't know whether she should trust Raye. In strenuous circumstances, she would definitely align herself with her brother.

But did Serenity really have a choice?

She wanted to read her grandmother, or well this woman's, journal. This journal could potentially be the key to her freedom.

If this journal did indeed belong to her grandmother, it could allow Serenity to discover how it was that her grandmother travelled between two worlds.

And maybe she would be able to do it herself and leave this place, once and for all.

Serenity surveyed Raye. She looked distracted today, not as sharp as her usual self. Serenity knew this was probably cruel, but this might be her only chance at freedom.

"Raye, could I ask you something?"

"Mhm?" Raye mumbled, obviously preoccupied with her thoughts.

Serenity picked up the journal from the table in front of her and prodded, "I found this journal in one of the bookcases. I think it belonged to my grandmother…"

This seemed to have pulled Raye out of revere, as she gazed down at the aforementioned book.

"That's possible. Your grandmother spent quite a lot of time, from what I have heard. She could have stored her writings and such in here," she said nonchalantly.

"My grandmother has been here, in this very room?" squeaked Serenity.

"Oh most definitely. I've heard that she used this room to research her craft and devise treatments for ailments."

She was unsure why that thought startled her so much. But it did. Serenity looked around the vastly impressive room. Her grandmother had walked and worked in this very room years ago.

And, now here she was, standing in that very room, many years later. It was eerie.

Her grandmother had lead two lives. And that was just the beginning.

Serenity looked down at the book she was clutching.

There appeared to be many things she did not know about her grandmother.

Serenity was pulled out of her thoughts, as Raye's words had caught up with her.

"Ailments? My grandmother tried to treat sickness? I thought she just healed the injured? " Serenity asked.

"Your grandmother was quite a gifted woman," Raye answered with a smile. "While, yes, her primary focus was on healing those injured in combat through her gifted powers, she had also begun researching ways to ease the suffering of people with long term illnesses."

Serenity stood in amazement. Her grandmother had acted as the old age variant of a physician.

She had tried to do so much for these people. She must have cared about them. But why? Why would she care about these strangers?

She was beginning to doubt whether she even knew her own grandmother.

A sudden thought jousted Serenity out of her pondering.

She eyed Raye and vocalized her thought. "Has anyone ever read this book?"

"No, I believe not. No one has touched your grandmother's belongings, out of respect for all she has done for this kingdom."

As an afterthought she added, "And besides, I doubt anyone would understand a word of all that medical terminology."

Serenity surveyed Raye's face. It looked like she was telling the truth.

This meant no body knew that this book was a medical textbook, but a personal journal?

Serenity felt the excitement build within her. She needed to take this book. This book could possibly be her only ticket out of this place.

She knew it was risky to ask Raye. If she refused, Serenity may never get another chance to read the journal.

But Raye was also her best chance.

"Raye, do you mind if I take this book to read? It helps me feel more connected to my grandmother." Serenity hoped the emotion in her voice would do the trick.

It did.

"Of course Serenity. Be my guest. You may take as much time as you'd like with your grandmother's work. In fact, it may help you develop your powers," said Raye, brightening with her last sentence.

It pained Serenity to see, what looked like hope, in Raye's eyes. Was a healer really so sacred to them? Did they need one that desperately?

Serenity knew that Raye truly believed in her. She believed that Serenity could become as good of a healer as her grandmother.

As much as Serenity didn't want to disappoint Raye, she wasn't interested in becoming a healer. All she was interested in was finding a way back to her own time. Back to home.

She was tired of this emotional rollercoaster. She kept feeling emotions that were alien to her.

Serenity was so caught up in her thoughts that she almost jumped when there was a knock on the door.

Raye didn't seem to notice. Serenity realized Raye had been lost in her own world today as well. She still seemed to be worried about something.

Serenity watched Raye's frowning face deepen, as she turned towards the door.

"Come in," she called tense.

'What was up with her?' Serenity wondered.

A maid opened the door, and immediately descended into a bow, her eyes never lifting off of the carpeted floor.

"I apologize for the interruption your Highness. I'd just come to inform you that dinner will be served in 10 minutes."

"Very well. Lady Serenity and I will be there soon. You may leave," Raye replied, with an innate authority only a Princess could manage.

"Yes, your Highness," the maid replied as she backed out of the room. The only time her eyes lifted off the ground were when she glanced at Serenity briefly before the door shut in front of her.

'Hmm, they still haven't taken a liking to me,' Serenity thought.

"I didn't realize how late it had gotten. I'm afraid we will have to end your lesson here for the day Serenity," Raye said, giving her an apologetic smile.

"I don't mind. I always enjoy talking with you Raye. But I do hope you're all right? You seem a bit out of sorts today?"

"Hmm, yes, well, no. I'm fine. Everything will be fine. But thank you for worrying about me."

It seemed as if Serenity had caught her off guard at the beginning, but Raye had regained her composure quickly.

Before Serenity could question her further, Raye added, "Shall we go down for supper?"

"Um, sure. But you can go ahead without me. I'd like to freshen up first," Serenity replied.

"Okay. I'll meet you in the dinner hall then," Raye said as she left the library.

Serenity breathed a sigh of relief. She hugged her grandmother's diary to her chest, as she left the library to walk to her room.

She had wanted to secure the book in her room, before having dinner. She didn't want to take the chance of someone other than Raye discovering the book in her possession.

She hoped this book would be all that she wanted. There had to be something in this book that could bring her freedom. Her grandmother must have written something that would help.

Grandma Rose…

That was another matter she didn't want her mind to dwell on too long. But here she was thinking about it. Her sweet grandmother Rose.

Beauchamp?

Beauchamp?

She clearly didn't know her grandmother as well as she thought she did.

One thing was for sure. There were secrets buried in this place. Deep, dark secrets. Secrets that were connected to her, a being from the 21st century, who was transported back to medieval times.

Her entire world had been turned upside down. Hell, her entire world had been taken from her. She didn't know what to believe, and what not to believe.

All she knew was the faster she left, the better.

But little did Serenity know, the story was just beginning to unravel, and her world would never be the same again.

Thank you for reading. Please, please, please review!