A/N: I know that I'm posting this chapter a few days early (as I usually update later in the week), however I'll be gone on vacation with my family during that time. I didn't want to leave you guys hanging without a new chapter. :)

So, now that we've gotten a glimpse into Endymion and Serenity's past and how they met, we'll be jumping back to present day in this chapter (specifically where the first chapter left off).

Also, I have a little surprise for you guys: the next chapter will be in Endymion's POV. I'm excited to share that with you guys!

Any feedback is loved and appreciated! Thanks so much to those of you who have commented, favorited, and followed—you guys are awesome!

Until the next chapter,

-Dev

P.S. Chapter 7 will be posted on 4/12/24.

"Deep in my soul
love so strong
it takes control,
Now we both know
the secrets bared,
the feelings show..."
—"My Only Love" by Jennifer Cihi

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Present Day...

.:Serenity:.

"I knew you were dishonorable!"

My heart pounded wildly at the angry glint filling Mina's expression as she glowered at Endymion, sword drawn. Fear encased me; I'd seen that look many times—prince or not, she'd show Endymion no mercy. For his part, he appeared calm, though apprehension filled his eyes as he eyed Mina's threatening stance.

"It's not what it looks—" he began, but Mina raised her sword, silencing his defense.

"Don't insult me by claiming something so ridiculous," she hissed darkly. "Not when I can clearly see that this is exactly what it looks like."

"But it's not," I protested. "I know you're thinking Endymion—the prince—is taking advantage of me, but he isn't. He and I—"

Mina's fierce glare cut me off. Further words failed me when she lifted her sword higher to rest its point directly above his Adam's apple. One flick of her wrist, a single nick at a crucial point, and it'd all be over.

Terror cinched my chest, slowly spreading to encase my heart in its icy grip. My friend wasn't ruthless and would never spill blood without reason, especially with the repercussions our kingdom would face for killing a fellow royal. But she was protective and I didn't know to what lengths she would go for me, especially when she undoubtedly believed was the prince doing me harm.

How I wished I hadn't taken this shortcut. If I lose Endymion—

"Mina, please." I yanked on her arm, but her rigid pose remained strong and yielding. "Mina!" My voice hitched as my emotions overwhelmed me.

"Stay out of this, Serenity."

I gave another futile tug, but her sword remained poised at Endymion's throat. My panic rose. "Don't hurt him, Mina. Please!"

Those words finally got a reaction. Her baffled attention shifted to me. "Don't hurt him? The dishonorable lout was attempting to hurt you, Princess. I knew their kingdom's claim of chivalry was nothing more than a lie!"

"H—He wasn't taking advantage of me." Terror and tears clogged my throat, making it difficult to speak. "Now, lower your sword."

"But—" In Mina's confusion, her careful stance faltered. Endymion hissed in pain as the blade slightly cut his throat, causing blood to drip from the wound. My panic escalated.

"Lower your sword!" I repeated shrilly. "That's an order, Mina."

Hurt filled her eyes, for I rarely ordered my good friend, but guilt was the furthest emotion from my mind, not with the whooshing relief that enfolded me as she obeyed. But her dark glare hadn't left Endymion as she maintained a firm hold on her sword, as if fully expecting to use it.

I immediately went to Endymion, my gaze riveted to his wound, oozing a steady trickle of blood. My breath caught in horror. "Did it—?" I could barely speak through my fear.

I held my breath as his fingers explored the wound, searching for how deep it was. If her sword and cut him at a crucial point...

His shoulders relaxed. "I'll be fine."

"A—Are you sure?" My sob nearly chocked my words. I pressed my lace handkerchief against his cut to staunch the flow of blood. He hissed in pain and I winced as if it were my own. "Does it hurt?"

"No, Serenity." But I knew his claim was solely for my benefit, for his eyes told a different story. He stroked my tear-streaked cheek, his touch soothing. "Your guard is very loyal."

His gaze flickered towards Mina, who scowled at us, even as her blonde brow furrowed at our interaction, so different than what was expected of two enemies. I couldn't blame her for her reaction, especially after the years Endymion and I had faithfully played the part expected of us, yet I resent it all the same.

"What's going on?" she all but demanded.

How could I possibly explain in a way to make her understand? Each explanation seemed entirely inadequate, especially in the face of the animosity between our kingdoms. As the crown princess I, more than anyone, understood the feud dividing our lands, but tradition had become meaningless the moment I'd met Endymion.

Yet ignoring it had not lessened its hold over my kingdom, nor would it allow me to escape the consequence of betrayal now that, after all these years, my carefully guarded secret had finally been exposed. I cursed my foolishness in taking this shortcut. No matter how much I'd missed Endymion, one stolen moment with the man I love was too high a price if it cost me him forever.

For one brief moment, part of me wished I could feel the same hatred my family did to spare me from the fallout I knew would come, until Endymion's fingers grazed my wrist. I met his gaze, soft and reassuring midst his own worry. A rush of warmth filled me, and in this moment I knew that no matter what came from my decision to break away from what was expected in order to love him, I couldn't regret that choice.

My fingers laced with his and I tightened my hold on him. Mina's eyes narrowed at our interconnected hands. "What's going on?" she repeated stiffly. "Princess." She used my title almost mockingly, clearly still offended that I'd ordered her about.

"Endymion and I are in love," I said in a rush.

Her mouth fell agape and she gave me as look as if I'd lost my mind. "In love?" She used the word like an expletive. "With him?"

I lifted my chin and evenly met her gaze. "Yes."

She stared in disbelief. I had no doubt she had a myriad of protests to give, but she seemed to have lost the ability to speak. I took advantage of her silence to explain.

"We met two years ago at the ball hosted in Nemeth—"

"I remember," she snapped. "The lout pretended not to know who you were in order to—"

"Will you just listen?"

Mina obediently fell silent, but her accusing glare didn't waver from Endymion. I took a steadying breath before continuing my explanation in a rush of words, but none seemed adequate for how special our story felt, nor where they strong enough to convey how much Endymion meant to me, or convince her that he wasn't the man the rumors had painted him to be.

"We didn't mean for this to happen," I finally concluded after several tense minutes later. "It just...did. We felt a connection from the very beginning, one that only deepened the further we explored it, and soon we were in too deep. Even though our feelings are forbidden, how could we ignore them simply because of others' prejudice and expectations?"

Mina's jaw tightened, but still she didn't speak.

"I know you don't approve"—she snorted at that obvious understatement—"but as my friend, I beg you to help me keep him a secret."

That got a reaction. Her suspicious gaze darted away from Endymion to narrow in on me. "You expect me to remain silent about you fraternizing with the enemy?"

"He's not the enemy!" But the protest came out weakly; I knew all too well how he was viewed in my kingdom.

"Regardless of your wishes brought about by your poor judgement, it is my duty to inform the queen."

My panic rose, clawing at my throat. I exchanged a worried look with Endymion, who appeared just as lost. Sensing my anxiety, he began playing with my fingers, a gesture he often did to soothe me, but I was too frightened to be so easily calmed. What would Mother do when she found out? Several possibilities filled my mind, each worse than the one before.

"Please, Mina." It was all I could manage.

Her expression remained firm, unyielding. "This is a discussion for after I've led you to safety." She wrenched me away from Endymion, keeping her sword aloft as if she suspected he'd fight her attempts to rescue me. Though he looked sorely attempted, he didn't resist.

"It appears we've both lost this round." But his usual teasing tone was absent, replaced by heartache. "I suppose this is goodbye, Serenity. For now."

"But not forever." In that I was determined. The tension between our kingdoms and my parents' fury might keep us temporary separated, but I cared too much for him to lose him completely.

But what if I did? What if, despite all we felt for one another and all our attempts to overcome the obstacles keeping us apart, we never saw one another again? Tears burned my eyes at the very possibility, and should it be true... No. This couldn't be our final goodbye. With a defiant look I tugged myself from Mina's protective hold.

"Serenity—"

But I'd already seized Endymion by the collar and pulled him into a kiss, one that unfortunately didn't last long before Mina yanked me away, her expression livid. "We must return." Her tone was dark, but nowhere near the look she gave Endymion that forbade him from following.

"You'll encounter difficulty should you return to your entourage," Endymion said. "My men expect me to take Serenity for ransom."

Mina turned her fierce glare onto me. "He was going to let me escape," I said defensively. "It's all part of the charade—"

"Princess Serenity isn't going anywhere near you," Mina said fiercely.

"But, if my Father learns I narrowly captured the heir of his greatest enemy, yet allowed her to escape, I fear the repercussions of his anger—"

"That's your problem, Prince."

The words I'd spoken teasingly to Endymion during our earlier game now sounded cruel and unfeeling coming from my guard. I knew enough about the heartless King Eldas to know he wouldn't be pleased with his son's misconduct. The anxiety squeezing my chest tightened.

"You misunderstand," Endymion said, worry finally penetrating his stoic calm. "It's not me who will suffer the consequences, but Clariness. I'm afraid my father will—"

"Save your breath," Mina hissed. "You think me a fool to fall for so obvious a trick? Serenity isn't going anywhere with you."

"Endymion will let me go long before we reach the capital," I said. "We have no other plan."

"You might not, but I do." Before I could protest, Mina whacked Endymion's head with the butt of her sword and he crumpled to the ground. I gave a little squeak in shock and hastily crouched beside him.

"Endymion?"

No answer. I gave him a little shake, but he was out cold. Only the steady rise of his chest assured me he was alive, just unconscious. I released a strangled sob.

"Oh, Endymion..." I stroked his face once before glaring at Mina, but I had no time to unleash my anger before she yanked me to my feet.

"We're leaving."

I stole one final glance at Endymion lying in a heap on the forest floor, keeping my gaze riveted to him until he was swallowed by the pines. This wasn't the last view I wanted of him.

Mina didn't follow a direct path through the thick trees, nor did she head in the direction where our entourage awaited, but led me deeper into the woods. Eventually we shifted directions and walked some distance parallel to the road before finally making our way back towards it. By the time we emerged from the trees, we were quite far from where the remainder of our party and Endymion's guards waited.

Mina whistled, and moments later her horse heeded the sound of her call, its trot accompanied by the sound of clanging swords in the distance as a fight broke out amongst the others after being alerted by the sound of Mina's signal that we were making our escape.

The thought of fighting made my stomach sour. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to get hurt, especially as a cost for my seeking a few minutes with Endymion. No life was worth that. If anyone dies due to my selfishness...

As if she sensed my unspoken thoughts, Mina turned on me. "I can't believe he is the reason we took this shortcut." Her disapproval was sharp but nowhere as piercing as my rising guilt.

I lowered my eyes. "I know it was a mistake." At least the shortcut had been; I wasn't wrong about Endymion.

Mina wasn't interest in my apologies, her focus was on escaping from Elderen Wood and returning me safely to Clariness. She helped me onto her white steed, Artemis, before climbing up behind me. I wanted to protest the arrangement and tell her I could ride my own horse—how mortifying to ride back to the palace with my guard like a child—but by Mina's dark expression, I knew she wouldn't hear any of it.

She gathered the reins and dug her heels into her Venus's flanks. We took off at a gallop through the winter-shrouded forest. Artemis ran with a speed that made me feel like my feet had left the earth and I was soaring with the birds above, the cold wind biting almost painfully at my exposed skin.

We rode on for nearly an hour in tense silence. Snow began to fall thickly, but it lessened the further we rode from Elysion's border; by the time we reached Clariness's capital, the land was entirely absent of it, leaving nothing to help alleviate the drought afflicting the kingdom.

My anxious thoughts kept me occupied throughout our journey, as did my nerves at what awaited me once we returned home. I spent the journey frantically trying to come up with a compelling argument that would persuade Mina to keep my secret, but despite my position as her princess, her fierce determination to protect me made her an opponent that would be nearly impossible to persuade.

I risked a peek at her expression. Her mouth was set in a firm, disapproving line as she rode as quickly towards home as the settling darkness allowed. "Mina, are you going to—?"

"You know I must, Princess." Her words were sharp and firm. Considering she called me by my title, I was definitely in disgrace, but her reaction would be nothing compared to that of my mother once she learned of my betrayal. Anxiety squeezed my chest.

The sun had nearly slipped beneath the horizon by the time we rose through the gilded palace gates, but instead of feeling as if we were finally home, instead I felt as if I'd arrived at the scaffold for my impending execution. Dread washed over me as I warily took in the palace, glistening beneath a fresh layer of frost, a sight that looked ominous rather than lovely.

As we neared the royal stables, Mina slowed Artemis and swiveled around to face me. "You have only yourself to blame, Highness," she snapped.

I met her steely glare with one of my own. "So, you will ruin something you don't understand without taking the time to hear my side of the story? Has it even crossed your mind that you could potentially be wrong in your assumptions?"

For the first time since she had caught me with Endymion, her firm confidence wavered slightly before she firmly regathered her resolve. "I'm only doing what is right."

"No, you're only doing what you think is right." I waved off the attention of the groom who'd stepped forward to assist me and slid off of Artemis, my haste causing me to nearly lose my footing.

But though the palace would offer refuge from the deepening cold, it offered nothing else. I turned away from the path that led to the doors and entered the garden, whose plants were covered in a layer of ice crystals. Mina followed close behind.

"Princess, we must get you inside before you catch a chill."

I ignored her and took a path that offered the longest route around the palace grounds, drawing my cloak more tightly around my shoulders to block out the biting wind. The air was so frigid I hoped it meant that we'd soon be blessed with snow, yet I knew better than to get my hopes up.

Mina released an annoyed huff as she hurried after me. "Princess—"

"My life is over the moment I step inside those walls," I said, scoffing indignantly. "Forgive me for choosing to delay it as long as possible."

"That is an exaggeration, Serenity." But for the first time in our confrontation, she suddenly sounded unsure.

"Is it?" I asked. "Your fury is nothing compared to my mother's. She will view my actions as treason to the crown."

"And for good reason; your involvement with the enemy goes against your kingdom's history, your traditions—"

"A tradition of hatred is a ridiculous one to follow!" I snapped.

"It's not a tradition for tradition's sake; there are reasons for it. They invaded our kingdom, destroyed our crops, business, lives—"

I was not in the mood for this oft-repeated history lesson. "I know, Mina. I'm not excusing their actions, but this took place dozens of years ago—"

"And what of the raid from Elysion last year?" Mina demanded.

My stomach knotted at the reminder, not just of the raid that had destroyed one of our most prosperous villages, but the dozen or so that had occurred within my lifetime alone. "Those actions were ordered by King Eldas, not—"

"They were done in the name of the crown of Elysion, of which your Prince Endymion is a part."

"He didn't—he wouldn't—he's not like that!" I could barely speak past the tears clogging my throat.

"You can't know that, Serenity."

But I did, though my evidence was useless considering it came down to feelings—the love and trust that had been forged between us, emotions which were meaningless against the rumors determined to condemn him. With no other defense to offer, I could only shake my head.

Mina took full advantage of my silence. "You don't truly know anything about him. A few stolen moments isn't enough to define someone's character."

We'd had more than a few stolen moments. I was tempted to tell her about our letters but didn't want to risk her searching for them; should she discover them, they'd only serve as incriminating evidence. I could only respond with, "Nor is a person's identity determined by the rumors about them."

"Yet rumors always begin with a seed of truth," she said. "You cannot prove that the prince isn't pretending to care for you in order to get what he wants. I fear he's using you to get close to Clariness, the crown—there are countless reasons other than love."

Her accusations attacked my heart, not because I believed them, but because I had no defense against them. Even if I did, her stubborn prejudice would twist my words and turn them against me. "You believe I'd be so easily fooled?" I finally managed when I'd found my voice. "I can tell the difference between a façade and something real."

"Or, perhaps, you're only seeing what you want to; entertaining his affections as a way to rebel against the match chosen for you."

I glared at her, insulted. "I thought, at the very least, my dearest friend knew me better than that. Apparently, I was mistaken."

Mina had the sense to look chagrined. She lowered her eyes, but only for a moment before lifting her chin with a defiant tilt. "If you're not being rebellious, then you're delusional, for nothing else can explain how foolhardy you're being involving yourself with such a man."

"You don't even know him; instead you're blinded by what our kingdom has twisted him into." But in the end it didn't matter, for no matter how Endymion's true character had been distorted, in the end that was the image my kingdom clung to, leaving me no defense to convince them otherwise, or to stop Mina from exposing the relationship I'd carefully kept hidden for two years.

My panic swelled. What would I do if Mina truly told? While the shortcut had allowed me to see Endymion again, if it cost me him forever... I couldn't bare the thought.

At the fear filling my expression, Mina's anger slightly softened. "I'm truly sorry, Serenity. It pains me to do it, but I have no choice but to tell your mother. I don't want to see you hurt."

My panic rose. I frantically searched for any means to dissuade her, but there was nothing. I slowed in my walk and glanced up at the palace, taking in the turrets jutting against the white wintry sky. "If my mother learns about Endymion, I fear she'll take the crown away from me."

Mina's eyes breath hooked sharply. "She wouldn't—"

I gave Mina a wistful smile. "Wouldn't she?"

My standing as the heir had become precarious the longer it took to find a relic, one of many mistakes in my performance. Mother's impatience with me only increased with each passing day, and though she had a tendency to spout things she didn't mean when she was in a disagreeable mood, I often saw a genuine disappointment in her eyes. Knowing I was fraternizing with the enemy would be the final strike against any hopes of my inheriting the crown, and with it my hopes of serving the subjects I care for. Losing the crown wouldn't only be devastating for me but also for my younger sister, Astraia, who'd be forced to inherit in my place; the social responsibilities that accompanied the throne alone would be crippling thanks to her shyness.

Mina had gone rigid, and a single glance revealed the inner battle warring within her. She, more than anyone, knew how important my keeping the crown was to me, and by her uneasy silence she, too, realized just how precariously close I was to losing it. If she told my mother about Endymion...

She bit her lip. "Princess, I—the last thing I want is for you to lose your throne, but what you're doing... How can I say nothing?" But she didn't sound as certain as before, causing my frightened heart to twinge in hope.

I had one final weapon in my arsenal, one I was loathe to use, but she'd left me no choice. "If you tell," I said slowly, hating myself for every word, the last I should speak to my dearest friend, "I will see to it that you lose your position as my guard."

Betrayal filled her eyes. "You wouldn't—"

My guilt deepened. I, more than anyone, knew how hard she had worked for her current position and how much it meant to her and her family, especially when she had a sick mother to care for. She'd only just recently returned from her several-month leave to tend to her before being forced to resume work in order to earn the income her family relied upon. Could I really take the job away from one who was not only my dearest friend, but who was practically a sister?

But my fear was stronger. It clouded my judgement and made me desperate. All I wanted was to keep Endymion, no matter the cost.

I nodded rigidly. "It seems a fair exchange if you steal not only the man I love, but my crown from me."

Mina and I had a silent stare-down for several long moments, her jaw set as if prepare to continue fighting me, before all at once her shoulders slumped in defeat, and I realized I'd done the impossible and won. I released a heavy sigh of relief.

Hurt filled her expression, an emotion that caused me to realize just how far I'd gone. But, it was too late to go back on my threat, especially when they had given me what I wanted.

Mina tucked her hurt away, but it lingered in her eyes. "You can't keep the secret forever, Princess. One day it's going to be exposed and, despite my temporary cooperation, I haven't given a vow of silence—I will only keep silent about your past involvement. Should you meet with him again—I don't care what consequence befall you or me—I will tell."

"By then, I hope to have found what Endymion and I are looking for." I stilled, realizing what I'd just revealed. I closed my eyes with a groan.

Mina stepped in front of me, moth agape in horrified disbelief. "Do you mean to say that you haven't actually been searching for the Relic of Abundance?"

I ached to snatch my words back or deny her assumption, but Mina knew me too well for me to get away with lying. "I may have become distracted by another..."

"And what, pray tell, is this other relic?"

"The Relic of Peace, in hopes of ending this feud once and for all." For if the feud were over, then a union with Endymion wouldn't be so impossible. My conscience prickled, whispering its reminder that peace wouldn't earn my mother's approval so easily, but I hastily dismissed the warning. I couldn't bear the thought of this path my heart had chosen not leading to the destination I desperately wanted.

Mina look disgusted. "As terrible as this feud is, Highness, what your people truly need is prosperity. Peace will do nothing to end the drought."

The guilt I'd been fighting to ignore since embarking on this quest returned anew. Once again I questioned my selfishness.

But despite how horrible the conditions of our kingdom, the hatred between mine and Endymion's kingdoms felt far worse than the drought afflicting the land. Stopping the feud would do more than fill bellies: it would heal hearts. And it would open up the way to being with Endymion.

Mina's frown of disapproval deepened. "Peace will do nothing, Princess. Even if it ends the feud, it won't improve the lives of your subjects, nor will it give you the man you think you desire, not when you're both in line for your own crowns. As such, a union is impossible. To think you're throwing away the well-being of your subjects for such an uncertain thing..."

My heart lurched. I'd never allowed myself to look that far ahead, not when the obstacle between our union still loomed before us, but she was right, and I hated myself for gambling with my peoples' lives for the sake of my own. The question that had haunted me for years returned: was I doing the right thing? I used to think no price was too high a cost for love, but for the first time I wondered whether it was truly worth it.

Perhaps I don't deserve the crown at all.

Sadness filled Mina's eyes as I turned away, signaling the end of our tense conversation. And even though I'd emerged as conqueror, considering I'd finagled her silence, I still felt as if I'd lost.

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à suivre...