Endymion wanted to feel something other than overwhelming grief. Especially considering he was on the moon, a step closer to Serenity. Yet, he couldn't. Right now, only sadness and sorrow swirled within him. Not even the magnificent throne room could distract him.
He'd only been in the Crystal Palace throne room a handful of times before. And as always, it was a marvel of ethereal beauty. Its grandeur was godly, as expected, immortals created this place after all.
Towering crystal columns lined the hall, each one catching and refracting the moonlight into a kaleidoscope of soft, shimmering colors. A painful stab sliced through his chest because they reminded him of the glittering golden columns of his father's throne room. The expansive polished silver floor, smooth as glass, reflected the delicate hues of the columns and the faint, luminous glow of the moonbeams, just like the glistening sunbeam marble of the Golden Kingdom.
Endymion was afraid to look at the throne. He feared he might see his father, slumped in death, blood staining the scene. He didn't want to look at that masterpiece, carved from a single, massive crystal and adorned with intricate patterns that danced and shifted in the light. The thought of seeing Queen Serenity there, lifeless like his father, terrified him. The throne, like home, was a symbol of stability and power, now tainted by the horrors he had witnessed. He couldn't bear the idea of losing more than he already had.
Endymion wanted to feel the hope and promise that the Moon Kingdom symbolized, but all he could see were the shadows of his grief. Of his loss. The crystal brilliance of the moon, representing purity and strength, felt like a fragile veneer over the profound despair that consumed him. As he stood in the heart of such magnificence, Endymion could only think of the broken and bloodied throne room he had left behind, and the king, who would never rise from it.
Serenity knew the moment he arrived on the moon, could feel the thrumming of the bond between them strengthen. The sharp emotions tighten. Their connection solidify. However, she hesitated. He'd been through hell, losing his father like that. She didn't know the state she'd be in if her mother… Should she go to him? Or did he want space?
Endymion bowed as Queen Serenity entered the room. Her graceful movements sent shimmering ripples down her pearlescent fabric dress. Everything about the queen was soft and serene. Queen Serenity truly was a goddess; there was no denying it. Accompanying her was the radiant power of the Legendary Silver Crystal. Its intense energy cut through the air with a precision that commanded awe. And it made him miss the Golden Crystal more. Where had it gone? Why had it abandoned him? Was he not worthy?
"Prince Endymion," Queen Serenity said with a soft smile.
"I'm no longer a prince of anything."
Queen Serenity paused. "You're mistaken, Prince. Despite the fall of your Golden Kingdom, you still hold a precious star seed within you. You're still a guardian of Earth and the protector of the Golden Crystal. You are still a prince, and will remain so until you ascend to the throne. Then you'll be king."
"The Golden Crystal has forsaken us."
"The Golden Crystal has forsaken nothing, but it recognizes the danger that seeks it. Therefore, it's chosen to protect itself. But do not fear, with the death of your father, it has chosen you as its protector. When time is right, it will reveal itself again."
Serenity paced back and forth in her room, unsure what to do. The agony inside her chest gnawed at her very soul. He was hurting tremendously, and all she wanted to do was ease that burden, if only a little. But did he even want to see her?
They'd been through so much, from denying his affections to risking everything to protect him. Would all he know is the heartache and struggle that she'd brought him?
"What if he sees me and tells me to leave? Could I stand it?"
"What are you waiting for?" Jupiter's voice startled her.
Serenity whipped around to see her friends and guardians standing in the doorway. They'd all suffered since the Heavenly Kings' betrayal.
"Yeah? What are you waiting for?" Mars asked, tapping her shoe on the marble. "A formal invitation?"
Mercury pulled out her tablet. "Perhaps she needs directions to the throne room."
"She needs a swift kick in the butt," Venus said, her voice breaking with unspoken sorrow. "We've all lost our fated soul-bonded mates. Don't lose yours."
Serenity didn't hesitate a second longer. She raced through the hallways of the Crystal Palace, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and anticipation. Her flowing gown billowed behind her as she moved, her steps echoing off the crystal walls.
Tears blurred her vision as she thought of Mars's words. Perhaps they were right—no matter what they chose, the Moon Kingdom might be doomed. But if that was the truth, she would spend every remaining moment with him, holding on to the love they shared. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him without trying to ease his pain.
"What is your plan, Endymion?" Queen Serenity asked, settling onto the throne.
He glanced at the door, expecting Serenity to come bursting through at any moment. The threads of their bond were quivering with her emotions. That potent mix of fear and anticipation.
"Protect Serenity. Protect the Moon Kingdom. To the best of my ability."
A soft smile spread across her features. "I expected that. Do you have access to Helios and Elysion?"
Before he could answer, the doors to the throne room burst open. Then Serenity was there, flying into his arms. Everything melted away as she collided with him, her embrace fierce and desperate. The sheer relief of feeling her warmth against him was overwhelming. He clutched her tightly, burying his face in her hair, the familiar scent of moon blossoms filling him completely.
Serenity never wanted to let go. Not when she felt so right wrapped inside his arms. Not when his warmth soaked into every fiber of her soul. She gripped him like the world would end, pressing her face into his chest, the familiar scent of leather and sunshine filling her completely.
Every ounce of grief, fear, and despair surged to the surface. His shoulders shook with the force of his sobs, and he held her even tighter, as if letting go would mean losing her all over again. The weight of the Golden Kingdom's fall, his father's death, and the betrayal of the Four Kings pressed down on him, yet in Serenity's arms, he found a glimmer of solace.
Feeling those emotions as if they were her own, Serenity couldn't hold back her tears. She squeezed him even tighter as he sobbed in her arms. There was no force in heaven or earth that could separate them now. There was no entity, god or man, that would tear them apart. She would remain by his side from this moment onward. Hot tears streamed down her face, and she did nothing to stop them.
"I'm so sorry, my love," she cooed. "I'm so sorry you have to taste this anguish."
Emotion choked his voice as he whispered, "everything is gone… everything except you." Each word was a raw wound, exposing the depths of his pain.
"I'm here. I'll stay by your side."
Amidst the intense relief, a flicker of embarrassment crossed his mind. Here he was, hugging the Moon Princess in front of the Moon Queen, the throne room of the Moon Castle. He pulled back slightly, his gaze darting up to Queen Serenity, but the throne was empty.
That small act of kindness only deepened his resolve to save the Moon Kingdom.
"Serenity," he murmured, his voice breaking. "I don't know how to go on."
She chuckled softly. "That's easy. We'll go on together. With you by my side, we'll defeat the darkness and with me by your side, we will fight."
Endymion gave her one last squeeze and stood, straightening his jacket. Serenity stayed tucked under his arm, and he made no move to send her away. Queen Serenity re-entered the room, her presence commanding and yet soft.
"Endymion, Serenity, there is much we need to discuss. The darkness grows stronger, and we must prepare."
Serenity didn't want to face the truth of those words, but she had to. The Dark Kingdom was growing stronger, and with the loss of the Golden Kingdom, would grow bold as well. Endymion still held her securely, an arm around her shoulder.
"I am at your command, my queen." He dipped his head.
"Mother, are we going to call Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto?" Serenity asked.
Endymion straightened at the mention of the outer guardians. He'd never met them before and had only heard them spoken of in hushed and reverent terms. All he knew was that they were powerful forces not to be trifled with.
Queen Serenity gave a brief shake of her head. "No, my darling. As you know, Pluto cannot leave the Door of Space-Time since she is the guardian of space and time. Neptune and Uranus also carry specific tasks and guard Silver Millennium from external threats."
"But we need help, Mother. Neptune and Uranus are guardians, like the others. They're even more powerful. Besides, they're supposed to guard against threats. The Dark Kingdom is a threat! If Silver Millennium falls, they'll no longer have a kingdom to protect."
"I understand your frustration," Queen Serenity said, her voice softening. "But the tasks assigned to Neptune and Uranus are crucial. Their vigilance in the outer reaches ensures that no greater threats breach our defenses. If they abandon their posts, we risk far more than just the Dark Kingdom. Their duty is to the entire universe, and their sacrifice ensures our survival."
"But Mother…"
"I also have to remind you that the Dark Kingdom has been here almost as long as the Moon Kingdom. Where there is great light, there is often great darkness seeking to extinguish it. The Dark Kingdom has always been a counterforce to our light, and their presence is an ancient one."
Serenity huffed and wanted to argue, but Endymion gave her a slight squeeze. "I understand, Queen Serenity. It must be painful for them, knowing that you're struggling and yet unable to help."
"I get daily requests from them to abandon their duties to help," the queen said. "But as you know, I cannot allow them. These roles and assignments are not arbitrary. They were determined by the Galaxy Cauldron, the source of all star seeds. It decided that Neptune and Uranus would be outer guardians, and their duties are essential to the balance and protection of our entire solar system."
Serenity nodded, new tears beginning to form. "And what of Saturn, Mother? What if her power is summoned?"
Endymion looked down at her, and their eyes met. If Saturn were to awaken, no one could stop the guardian of destruction. That would be the true end of the Moon Kingdom and all life on Earth.
A shadow crossed Queen Serenity's face. "Saturn's power is immense, and her awakening is a last resort. We must do everything in our power to prevent that. Her role, if invoked, is one of rebirth through destruction. It is a path we do not wish to tread. But with death also comes rebirth. A new era for the moon and Earth would begin."
"I swear to you, Queen Serenity," Endymion said. "I'll do everything in my power to ensure the continued prosperity of the Moon Kingdom and Princess Serenity."
Queen Serenity dipped her head. "Thank you, Prince Endymion. This conflict will be fierce, and I don't know what fate holds for us. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some matters to attend to. Serenity, darling, please behave. Endymion, keep her safe."
With that, the queen rose from her throne. Both Endymion and Serenity bowed as the queen swept from the room. Once the queen had vanished and her soft footfalls disappeared, Serenity looked up at him.
"Come with me."
Pulling him along, he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. Even with the heartache tugging at his soul, her youthful enthusiasm was infectious. Peeking around the corner of a side entrance, Serenity waited for a servant to pass before pulling him into the hallway.
Her hand in his felt cool and reassuring, like the first rays of dawn on a crisp autumn morning. He squeezed tighter, swearing to never forget the feeling.
His hand in hers felt warm and comforting, like the last burst of sunlight on a vibrant summer afternoon. She tightened her grip, promising to never forget the feeling.
A giggle burst from her lips as she pulled him behind a column as a group of guards passed. He pressed her up against the solid surface. She gasped, looking up into his beautiful blue eyes. They were so close, an electric bolt shot through her body. This is what her life could have been like if she wasn't a goddess of the moon.
Endymion knew he was pushing things too far. But she felt so delicious pressed up against his body. Her delicate figure fit so perfectly against him. They were so close, desire flooding his body with each passing second. It invaded his senses, making him forget he was forbidden to touch her like this.
In her presence, he could almost forget the grief swirling inside.
Time was lost as they stared at each other, trapped in the spell of passion and yearning. Bound in a cycle of desire and duty. He leaned closer, pressing himself into her more. She didn't move, didn't resist as her breathtaking blue eyes sparkled. If he were less of a man, he'd take her here, disregarding the gods.
"Endymion," her voice was barely there, the ghost of a breeze on a stifling day.
All he could do was smile, his face inches from hers, their breaths mingling. Slowly, he inched forward, feeling each hitch of her chest, each tremble coursing through her body.
"The queen has requested it prepared. See it done."
The voice broke the spell, and he leaned back. Serenity's entire being ached for him. She wanted to feel his lips on her again, wanted to feel his hands roaming her body. He took a step back, then another. The blue of his eyes somehow darker, more dangerous.
Serenity knew that she had to leave now, or risk everything. Taking his hand once again, she pulled him back into the hallway. "Hurry, Endymion."
Endymion clung to her as they wove through the corridors, dodging palace staff and avoiding guards. Every moment in her company seemed to heal his shattered soul bit by bit. Because when he was with her, everything was possible, nothing was forbidden. Love was theirs.
As they neared the garden, Serenity felt a mix of anticipation and trepidation growing inside her. They could finally talk, he could open up and share his burdens. And she'd be there for him. Pushing through the carved pearl door, she pulled him into her personal garden.
Moon blossoms glowed softly under the moonlight, casting a gentle luminescence over the foliage. The fountain at the center trickled softly, its soothing sound offering a brief respite from their worries. White cascaded everywhere. Pearlescent glimmer shimmered around every column and stone wall. This was her sanctuary.
Endymion took in the garden's beauty, entranced by how perfectly it fit her. Just like Serenity, this garden held a graceful beauty, a vibrant essence of life, a joyous spark. Serenity sat on a marble bench, pulling him down beside her.
Naturally, like the ocean finding the shore, his head laid on her shoulder. Then he couldn't stop. "I've lost so much, Serenity. My father... my kingdom... and my friends. The Four Kings, they were like brothers to me. Now they're gone, twisted by the darkness."
Serenity wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly. Once the soft coolness of her touch permeated the shattered remnants of his soul, he started to cry.
"I know. We've all lost so much. The guardians lost their fated soul-bonded partners. You've lost your friends and father. I can't imagine."
Now he cried freely. The hot tears coursing down his cheeks. Each drop of moisture seemed to carry a weight—the burden of his grief, the depth of his fear, the pressure of his despair. And as they dripped off his chin and splashed onto her dress, they seemed to lessen, bit by bit.
Serenity didn't judge or shush him, knowing that he needed this as much as she did. So she joined him, her tears flowing for the loss of the king, for the destruction of a kingdom, for the sadness of her friends.
He turned to her, his eyes still glittering with tears. "I can't let the Dark Kingdom destroy everything. Even if it costs me my life. I'll protect you, Serenity. I'll protect the Moon Kingdom. They won't win."
Serenity refused to consider the possibility of losing Endymion in this fight. It was impossible; he was a formidable warrior, a prince with a powerful star seed. "We'll emerge from this conflict, Endymion. We'll be stronger. We'll be together. Then the gods will see that love cannot be forbidden. The bond we share is more powerful than any immortal law. After we'll pray that the Heavenly King's star seeds are reborn and they can rejoin their fated souls for eternity."
They remained wrapped up in each other, looking out over the garden and the Moon Kingdom beyond. The soft essence of the moon encased them, quietly comforting them with words of success and strength and determination.