Princess Serenity didn't know where to look first. The Golden Kingdom Castle shimmered under the radiant sun, each polished brick singing praises to the beams lucky enough to land on it. Its towering spires worshipped the skyline. The lush gardens below were an ode to nature's splendor, each flower and tree bowing gracefully to the golden rays that blessed their leaves and petals.
The grand scene was almost enough to make her forget the fear that thudded in her chest. Almost. She was disobeying strict instructions from her mother, but she had to. As soon as she learned of the important meeting between the King of Earth and Queen Serenity, she knew she had to go.
So here she was, cloaked in moonbeams, slipping unseen through the majestic garden of the Golden Kingdom's Castle. The vibrant flowers and tantalizing greens were in a different league from the plants on the moon. With a last glance at the sky, she summoned more power from the moon. It would take extra effort on her part to maintain the moonbeams inside, a feat that would leave her tired and drained afterward, but it was worth it. She had to know what was being said, what would happen.
Endymion spotted the intruder moments after they passed through the garden. His hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, ready to call it to the defense of Earth. A strange essence followed this stranger, and that could mean only one thing. The rebels had infiltrated the palace. On today of all days.
"I don't care who you are, you'll face justice."
Silently, he promised that he'd do everything in his power to keep the King and the kingdom safe. That's what he'd do. He'd never failed before, and he wasn't willing to start now.
Easing into the palace, Serenity poked her head around an ornate marble column. While the stone under her hand was cool, it did nothing to calm her fevered flesh. Anything could go wrong, and being indoors, she didn't have the option to use the moon to escape.
"Don't hate me, Mother."
Closing her eyes, she focused on her mother's aura. That clear siren's call that sang so clearly for those who knew how to listen for it. After checking once again that the hallway was clear, she stepped out.
The corridors of the Golden Kingdom Castle were resplendent, with walls lined with gold and adorned with intricate tapestries depicting the rich history of Earth. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the polished marble floors.
It was almost the complete opposite of the moon kingdom. Where one was white, the other was gold. And she loved it. Serenity's footsteps were nearly silent, the soft padding of her shoes muffled by the luxurious red carpets that lined the hallways.
"What beautiful paintings," she whispered to the empty corridor.
As she moved deeper into the castle, her senses heightened. The scent of blooming roses and jasmine from the royal gardens mingled with the faint aroma of polished wood and old parchment. Every corner seemed to whisper secrets of ages' past, each turn bringing her closer to the throne room where her mother and the King of Earth were meeting.
Endymion followed at a distance. While the figure was hard to spot, he'd identified the flickering shadows and morphing colors. Now his eyes never left the cloaked figure ahead. He felt an inexplicable pull, a soothing aura that warred against the tension of the day's events.
There was something familiar about the way the figure moved, something that stirred a sense of familiarity deep within him. He shook off the feeling, focusing instead on his duty to protect the kingdom.
"They're just another enemy to eliminate," he muttered.
Serenity froze, swearing that she heard something. The pounding of her heart was deafening as that mix of fear and excitement coursed through her veins. The moonbeams cloaked her presence, but she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
She turned a corner and glimpsed the grand doors leading to the throne room. Her mother's aura was stronger now, a comforting presence that beckoned her forward.
"Mercury told me about the hidden alcove behind the throne. I can watch from there."
Endymion paused, his hand tightening on the hilt of his sword. As he suspected, this figure was up to no good. They'd gone straight for the throne room where the King and the Moon Queen were meeting.
Perhaps now his father would see the benefit of adding more guards. The intruder had gotten this far without detection. The cloaked stranger didn't hesitate before they turned past the throne room. His teeth clenched. Somehow, they'd learned of the hidden alcove above the throne.
This was quickly going from bad to worse.
Serenity took a deep breath, steadying herself. She could sense the gravity of the meeting beyond the doors, the weight of the decisions being made. She had to know what was happening, had to understand the secrets her mother kept. With a last glance around, she slipped through a side door, moving closer to the only place she knew answers waited.
The hidden staircase was carefully concealed behind a painting of the king and Endymion, and she had to stop and appreciate it. As expected, Endymion looked amazing being rendered in paint. The artist perfectly captured the noble color of his eyes and the perfect edge to his cheekbones.
"Excuse me," she said, easing the painting to the side.
Stars! This stranger must have had inside information because they knew exactly where the hidden staircase was located. Now instead of following, he'd seek to destroy. He didn't hesitate as he eased the painting aside.
The passage was dark, musty, and cramped, but he pressed onward. There were faint footsteps in the dust, and he noted they were small, dainty almost. But the size didn't matter because anyone with the power to conceal themselves was dangerous.
When Serenity settled down in the alcove above the throne, she let the moonbeams dissipate. It would be less tiresome to keep herself concealed. She took in the throne room of the Golden Kingdom for the first time.
The room was a stunning blend of natural beauty and regal grandeur. Tall, ancient trees with trunks as wide as castle towers formed a living colonnade along the walls, their canopies intertwining to create a vaulted ceiling of verdant green. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the marble floor below.
The throne itself featured masterful carvings from rich dark wood and intricate gold inlays that reflected the light with a warm, inviting glow. Ivy and blooming flowers twined around the legs of the thrones and the surrounding columns, their fragrance filling the air with a heady, intoxicating scent. Crystal-clear water flowed in gentle streams along the sides of the room, pooling into small reflective basins that mirrored the grandeur above.
Every detail spoke of the Earth Kingdom's deep connection to nature and its reverence for the land. Serenity marveled at the harmonious blend of the natural world and royal splendor, feeling a profound sense of awe as she took in the breathtaking scene.
The tiny gasps were the most enticing sound that Endymion had ever heard. There was something about the little noises that spoke to his soul. For the first time, he hesitated. They didn't sound like noises an assassin would make.
Yet he remained focused and refused to be distracted. This stranger broke into the palace and could be plotting to destroy his kingdom or the moon. He wouldn't let that happen.
A powerful hand grasped her shoulder, pulling her down and away. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" His whispered breath against her skin was tantalizing and sharp. The feeling of his hands on her arms was warm and enticing.
Pressed up against a solid chest, a delicious warmth exploded through her. She could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, each beat resonating with an unexpected intensity. The firm grip on her arms was both commanding and gentle, sending shivers down her spine.
His voice, deep and rich, vibrated through her, making her heart race. The scent of pine and earth surrounded her, grounding yet exhilarating. It was like she could feel every contour of his chest against her back, the strength of his body enveloping her in a way that made her pulse quicken.
The mystery of his identity only added to the allure, and despite the fear and tension of the moment, a part of her reveled in the intimate closeness.
As Endymion gripped her, he felt a surprising coolness under his touch, like soft silk. Her skin felt soothing against his fingers, a stark contrast to the tension in the air. As she rested against him, her cool presence was almost calming. Delicate tremors wove through her body as he pressed her closer against his chest, each movement sending a ripple of awareness through him.
An errant strand of hair brushed against his face, carrying a faint floral scent that mingled with a sharp cold. The softness of her form was both intriguing and disarming, making him acutely aware of every point of contact between them.
Her breath hitched, and he felt a surge of protectiveness mixed with curiosity. The coolness of her skin against the heat of his own was electrifying, a dynamic interplay of contrasts that left him momentarily breathless. Despite the urgency of the situation, he couldn't deny the magnetic pull he felt toward her, an unexpected connection that transcended the circumstances.
Everything froze as she faced her captor. Only to find herself staring into the eyes of Prince Endymion. Her breath hitched, her chest straining against the confines of her dress. His gaze was intense, filled with suspicion and a hint of anger. Their eyes locked, a tangible connection forming between them in that very second.
Time paused as she turned to face him. He found himself staring into the eyes of Princess Serenity. Her eyes sparkled, an alluring blue, as vibrant as the summer sky. Instead of malice or fear, they showed only an electric spark of excitement. For an instant, everything else faded away as their gazes met, an indescribable bond igniting between them.
It was in that moment that she knew there was no going back to before.
While he didn't know the future, it was completely clear that she was his destiny.
Without breaking eye contact, Serenity slowly pointed to the crescent moon symbol on her forehead. "I'm Princess Serenity."
Endymion didn't want to let her go; releasing her from his arms felt like the greatest sin. But somehow, he loosened his fingers, and she sat up, adjusting her dress. He cleared his throat and looked away. "I apologize, Princess. I didn't know it was you."
"Which is great! It's always good not to be recognized when you're royalty."
"You shouldn't be here."
She chewed on her lip, and he watched, fascinated, as the blood rushed back. What would she taste like? Like mooncakes and moonbeams? No, there were few laws that governed the interaction between mortals and gods. The first and most important was no relationships.
He was staring at her like he wanted to kiss her. She knew that look because several young men in the Moon Kingdom had looked at her that way before. Mars had schooled her on the expressions of young men many times so she could avoid these situations. But that was impossible. He was the indomitable prince of Earth. There were probably rows and rows of noble young women waiting for his favor.
"I shouldn't be here," she said. "I really shouldn't. But I needed to know what's happening. My mother refuses to tell me anything."
Of course, the queen wasn't telling her anything. Endymion saw the wisdom in that. From everything he knew about the moon princess, she was impulsive, irresponsible, and reckless. She'd do something ill-conceived and end up hurting herself.
The idea of her being injured brought a wave of something unrecognizable shooting through his chest. It was almost like fear or perhaps rage. But that made little sense. So he must be wrong.
Serenity adjusted her dress again, needing something to distract her from the intense feelings his gaze was evoking. Not to mention his proximity! The small alcove had barely enough room for the both of them, and here they were, smushed together. Breathing the same air, knees touching, only inches apart.
Yet he wanted to make her happy. "Here."
Pressing his thumb to a flower on the wall next to the gap in the wall. Serenity gasped as the voices below now sounded crisp and clear. She leaned forward, watching the scene below. The King and Queen sat at a table, papers overflowing and goblets sparkling.
She tried to listen. This was the entire reason that she'd taken this risk, but his presence was distracting. If it wouldn't have been incredibly disrespectful, she would have asked him to leave. Then she could listen in peace, but she really enjoyed having him close.
He didn't need to listen to his father speak. They'd already discussed what was going to be discussed during this meeting, and he knew his father would tell him what the moon queen said. But that meant an opportunity to study the princess.
Every detail of her presence captivated him: the way her silver-blonde hair cascaded like a waterfall of moonlight, the way her eyes sparkled with an alluring azure that seemed to hold the mysteries of the cosmos.
Her porcelain skin glowed with an ethereal light, contrasting starkly with the rich earthy tones of the alcove. He noted the delicate curve of her lips, the graceful line of her neck, and the subtle rise and fall of her breath. Each movement she made, no matter how slight, seemed to ripple through the air around her, creating an aura of enchantment that drew him in further.
His mind was a storm of curiosity and admiration, struggling to reconcile the impulsive, reckless girl he'd heard about with the serene, almost otherworldly beauty before him. Every instinct told him to protect her, to understand her, to be near her. And yet the impossibility of their connection loomed like a shadow, making the moment all the more poignant.
Gods, how she wished she could stare at him, study each line of his face, memorize the curves of his shoulders. But that would be awkward, especially because he was sitting behind her. So instead, she leaned against the cool stone and watched the meeting below.
Now the adrenaline was ebbing from her body, added to that the expense of using moonbeams inside, she was tired. And the meeting was almost as boring as lessons. No, strike that. It was more boring than lessons.
Drooping, she drifted further towards the cool stone.
"Tired, princess?"
She startled, smacking her knee against the hard stone. Hissing, she rubbed the spot. She glanced back at Endymion, who watched her with a mixture of concern and amusement. The intensity of his gaze made her heart skip a beat.
Before she could respond, the King spoke. "Yes, we've confirmed the rebellion is growing stronger. They've harnessed the Dark Kingdom's energy and have started altering mortals with it."
Serenity gasped and looked down. That was terrible news.
"I cannot stress the severity of this information, Your Majesty," Queen Serenity said. "The Dark Kingdom uses a particularly strong and powerful magic. It corrupts and morphs everything it comes into contact with."
"Yes, we've observed the destructive impact of this darkness on the land. Thankfully, so far Elysian is safe."
Endymion hoped that the case would remain the same because if that holy land became tainted, it would have a devastating effect on the power of the Golden Kingdom and the Golden Crystal.
"I hope Elysian stays safe," Serenity said. "For your sake. For everyone's sake."
"Unfortunately," Queen Serenity continued. "The Dark Kingdom has prevented the Silver Crystal from sensing it. I'm unable to locate the stronghold. We'll have to use other ways."
"The Heavenly Kings are at your disposal."
"Same with the guardians."
Serenity tensed with the mention of her guardians. The idea of placing them in danger made her frightened, but she knew that without them and their strengths, earth didn't have a chance.
"The meeting will conclude soon. We should get you back outside," Endymion said softly. "It's not safe for you to stay here. If you're discovered, there will be problems."
"But…"
Endymion's grip on her arm tightened. "We need to leave now."
She nodded, reluctantly agreeing. The weight of the revelation and the expense of using moonbeams inside pressed on her. Endymion eased from the alcove, offering her a hand. Without hesitating, she took it, wanting to feel his warmth once more before they were separated.
He was secretly glad that she placed her delicate hand in his because he didn't know when they'd be together again.
His grip was powerful and reassuring.
Her hand in his was soft and gentle.
They moved silently through the castle's hidden corridors, the weight of their shared secret heavy between them. As they reached the garden where moonlight pooled like liquid silver, he turned to her.
"Promise me you'll be careful, Princess Serenity."
She smiled softly, touched by his concern. "I promise, Prince Endymion. And thank you."
With a final lingering look, she stepped into the moonbeam and vanished, leaving him standing alone in the garden, the memory of her touch lingering like a whisper in the night. The ominous words of the king echoed in his mind, setting the stage for the battles to come.