Dear all! Here comes a new chapter and slowly but surely we are moving towards the end. I can't wait to see how you like it! Please let me know what you think?
Starbrellaaa: Thank you for reviewing here as well! The questions are rising now as the story moves forward. What is happening on the Moon? How long can a relationship be kept in secret when the secret is already out? Well let's see what happens next!
Chapter 16 - Until Dawn and Beyond
Endymion stepped out of the dimly lit conference room, the conversation with Kunzite still lingering in his mind. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders—his duty to Earth, his commitment to Serenity, and the tangled web of politics that threatened the fragile peace between their worlds. He had assured Kunzite that he would leave at dawn, a decision he still disliked but knew was necessary.
When he returned to the sitting chamber, Queen Liora and King Roderic looked up from their quiet discussion. Serenity, seated gracefully in her chair, lifted her eyes to him, her expression unreadable but searching.
"All is well," Endymion reassured them. "I have spoken to my council. I will depart at first light."
Serenity said nothing, but her eyes found his across the room. There was a quiet understanding between them, a connection only they could comprehend. No words needed to be spoken; the farewell already loomed between them.
King Roderic gave a solemn nod, evidently satisfied. "Then there is nothing more to discuss tonight. It is late, and rest will serve us all better than further words."
Queen Liora, however, studied Endymion for a moment longer, her sharp yet warm gaze searching his face. "You may not wish to leave, but you know it is the right course."
Endymion exhaled, inclining his head. "I do."
"And you will return?" she asked, though there was no doubt in her tone.
Endymion straightened. "Nothing will keep me from coming back."
A small, knowing smile touched Liora's lips. "Then let the night be kind to you."
A brief silence settled between them, and then King Roderic let out a quiet chuckle, glancing between them. "I'd say this evening has been rather enlightening for all of us. Though, for some," he added with a wry glance at his wife, "it has been far more revealing than for others."
Queen Liora lifted an eyebrow, an amused glint in her eyes. "Indeed. We have learned much, haven't we?"
Serenity and Endymion exchanged a subtle glance, understanding the underlying meaning behind the words. The royal couple of Eryndor had seen more than they had intended to reveal.
"But," Liora continued, her voice turning gentle, "the days ahead will not be easy. We should all get some rest while we can."
King Roderic nodded. "Rooms have been prepared. If only for a few hours, let us all find peace tonight."
Before they could part ways, King Roderic's expression grew more serious. "Your secret is safe with us," he assured Endymion and Serenity. "We will help you through this difficult time. All will be well."
Queen Liora, thoughtful as ever, added softly, "All will be as it should be."
Serenity and Endymion exchanged a surprised glance at the almost cryptic remark. Endymion frowned slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What do you mean by that?"
King Roderic chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't let it trouble you, my boy. Liora sometimes has a way of speaking as though she sees beyond what's in front of us. She comes from a distant lineage of Pluto, you see. Though she is far from the actual royal family of Pluto, every now and then, their tendency for cryptic insights about time and fate tends to surface."
Liora gave a small, knowing smile but said nothing, her gaze twinkling with quiet amusement.
Endymion smirked, shaking his head. "I see. I suppose we should take comfort in that."
Queen Liora's lips curled ever so slightly. "Perhaps."
King Roderic chuckled again, shaking his head in good humor. "Seeing how poetic my wife can be, perhaps there's a hidden connection to Venus as well. Better yet, considering how strategic she is, I sometimes wonder if Mercury's blood runs through her veins too."
The room filled with light laughter, Liora rolling her eyes as she shook her head. "You are impossible."
Roderic grinned, unabashed. "And yet you still married me."
They all shared a final laugh, a moment of lightness before the inevitable weight of the coming days settled over them again.
"We likely won't see you before you leave," King Roderic said, his voice turning solemn once more. "So allow us to wish you safe travels and good fortune now."
"Thank you," Endymion said, inclining his head in deep gratitude. "For everything."
"May the stars guide you," Liora said softly, and with that, they bid their goodnights and parted ways.
The conversation ended there, and within moments, everyone retired to their chambers. As expected, separate rooms had been arranged for Endymion and Serenity, the royal couple remaining blissfully unaware that the two lovers had no intention of sleeping apart.
The castle was silent as Endymion moved through the dimly lit corridors, his steps careful, measured. The moonlight spilled through the arched windows, casting silver streaks against the marble floor. His mind was not on caution, nor the risk of being caught. It was only on her.
He reached her door and, without hesitation, slipped inside.
Serenity was waiting.
She stood by the window, bathed in moonlight, her long silver hair cascading down her back in loose waves. The cool night air moved the sheer curtains slightly, sending a delicate ripple through the room. When she turned to him, her expression was soft yet tinged with sadness.
"You kept me waiting," she teased, her voice soft but carrying the warmth of familiarity.
"I would never," Endymion murmured, stepping toward her, his hands already reaching for her waist. "Not in this lifetime."
She smiled as she melted into his embrace, tilting her head up just in time for his lips to claim hers. The kiss was slow, savoring, the weight of their stolen time pressing between them. Her hands slid up his chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his tunic as she held him close, as if she could somehow keep him there forever.
"This feels impossible," she whispered against his lips. "We steal moments, but every one of them feels borrowed."
"We make our own time," Endymion replied, brushing his knuckles down her cheek before kissing her again, deeper this time, filled with everything he couldn't put into words. "And tonight, we have until dawn."
Her breath hitched at his words, and without hesitation, she pulled him toward the bed.
They lay together, wrapped in each other's warmth, speaking in hushed whispers between soft kisses. Serenity traced lazy patterns on his skin as he held her, memorizing the way she felt in his arms. They talked about the future, about the uncertainty ahead, about the challenges they would face. Serenity voiced her fears, her worries, and Endymion reassured her with quiet certainty, even though he carried his own unspoken doubts.
As the night stretched on, their words gave way to silence, but their hands never stopped moving—caressing, exploring, cherishing every inch of each other as if trying to imprint the memory of this night upon their souls.
When Serenity stirred, it was still dark. The warmth beside her had not yet left, and she sighed, burrowing deeper against Endymion's chest, her fingers tracing lazy circles on his bare skin. The sheets tangled around them, evidence of the night they had stolen together.
"You're awake," Endymion murmured, his voice husky with sleep. His arm tightened around her, anchoring her to him.
Serenity smiled against his skin. "I don't want you to go."
His fingers found her chin, tilting her face up so he could look at her properly. "If I could stay, I would. But you know why I have to leave."
She did. But that didn't mean she had to like it.
A hint of mischief flickered through her tired eyes as she traced a finger along his jaw. "It's almost poetic, isn't it?"
He raised an eyebrow in question, and she continued, a playful lilt in her tone, "A story of secret lovers from two kingdoms. A prince and a princess, their worlds divided, their love forbidden. They spend one last night together before dawn forces them apart."
Endymion let out a quiet chuckle, his breath warm against her skin. "If someone were to write it, I imagine it would make a rather tragic love story."
Serenity's smile faded slightly. "I only hope ours does not end the same way."
Endymion kissed her forehead, lingering there for a moment before pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. "It won't," he promised. "We are not doomed by fate, Serenity. We choose our own ending."
Serenity wanted to believe him. And for now, she would.
He kissed her, a slow, deliberate press of lips that carried all the love, all the devotion he felt for her. And she kissed him back as though she could imprint her very soul upon him.
Endymion let out a slow breath before shifting away, reaching for his tunic. "It's time."
She sat up, wrapping the sheet loosely around herself as she scooted closer. "I hate this part," she admitted softly.
Endymion turned back to her, his gaze drinking her in, as if memorizing every detail before he had to leave. "Me too."
As he finished securing his cloak, he turned back to her, reaching out to brush his fingers along her cheek. "I'll be back," he promised.
She nodded, though her throat was too tight for words.
Endymion kissed her once more—soft, lingering, full of everything left unspoken.
Serenity swallowed against the lump in her throat and nodded. "Go," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Before I beg you to stay."
Endymion hesitated for only a second longer before slipping out the door, vanishing into the shadows of the early morning.
The cool air rushed in the moment the door closed behind him, stealing away the lingering warmth he had left behind. Serenity shivered, suddenly aware of the emptiness in the room, the way the sheets felt colder without him beside her.
She sat there long after he was gone, watching as the sky slowly brightened, casting pale streaks of dawn across the floor. The silence felt heavier now, pressing against her like an unseen weight. Even the soft rustling of the curtains in the morning breeze carried a lonely hush, whispering of absence.
A day without him.
-0-0
The next two days passed in a quiet haze of uncertainty and waiting. Serenity remained on Eryndor, seeking ways to be useful while the weight of unspoken worries settled heavily on her shoulders.
The palace of Eryndor, though grand, lacked the ethereal elegance of the Moon Kingdom. It was a place of warmth and resilience rather than celestial grace, and in these days of stillness, Serenity came to appreciate its steadiness. Queen Liora, ever the poised and watchful monarch, made a concerted effort to include Serenity in her daily activities, giving her purpose amidst the uncertainty.
Serenity accompanied the Queen through morning meetings with her advisors, learning about Eryndor's political landscape, its alliances, and the delicate balance it maintained between neutrality and engagement. Though she wasn't asked to participate, Queen Liora did not object when Serenity occasionally offered insights from her own experiences. She listened, nodding with quiet approval, as Serenity suggested diplomatic approaches to trade disputes and commented on the subtle tensions between Eryndor and its neighboring planets.
Beyond the affairs of the court, their conversations gradually turned more personal, unfolding over shared afternoon teas in the Queen's private garden or during long walks through the palace halls. Queen Liora, a woman of both wisdom and kindness, had a way of drawing Serenity's thoughts from her in a way few could.
"You seem troubled, my dear," the Queen observed one evening as they sat together beneath the palace's westward-facing balcony, watching the sun slip beneath the horizon. "You have been strong, poised. But I sense your heart is not here."
Serenity lowered her cup of tea, fingers tracing the delicate rim. "I'm worried," she admitted softly. "Not only about the Moon, but about Endymion."
Queen Liora gave a knowing smile. "Of course you are."
Serenity hesitated, then finally voiced what had been pressing on her for so long. "It's not just that he's gone back to Earth. It's everything—our love, our future. What we are is… complicated."
Queen Liora studied her, then said gently, "Tell me."
Serenity exhaled slowly, glancing down at her hands before meeting the Queen's gaze. "We have kept our relationship a secret. Our parents do not know."
The Queen's expression did not change, but her silence encouraged Serenity to continue.
"The situation between Earth and the Moon has always been delicate," Serenity went on. "For centuries, our people have held mistrust. My mother and Endymion's parents work toward peace, but the wounds of history do not heal easily. We wanted to wait—to choose the right moment, when it would not cause more division."
Queen Liora took a thoughtful sip of her tea before replying, "That is a heavy burden for love to bear."
Serenity swallowed, nodding. "It is. But I would bear it a thousand times over if it meant being with him."
The Queen smiled warmly, a mother's understanding in her eyes. "And do you believe your mother would not want the same for you?"
Serenity's breath caught. "I…"
Liora set her cup down and reached across to take Serenity's hand. "You are her daughter. A Queen's duty may be to her people, but a mother's heart belongs to her child. Whatever weight you carry, do not carry it with the fear that she would not love you through it."
Serenity blinked rapidly, the Queen's words striking deep. She had spent so long worrying about duty, about the repercussions, that she had never truly considered the certainty of her mother's love.
Queen Liora gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Perhaps you should trust her with the truth sooner than later. Secrets, especially between loved ones, have a way of growing heavier the longer they are kept."
Serenity nodded, a small but genuine smile breaking through the cloud of uncertainty. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Liora chuckled. "I think we are past formalities, my dear. Call me Liora."
Their conversation left Serenity with much to think about, but it did little to ease her waiting. The hours stretched, the days passing in frustrating silence.
No word from the Moon.
No word from Endymion.
The only updates she received were the vague reassurances from Queen Liora's messengers that Eryndor had not received any distress signals from the Moon Kingdom. If something was happening there, it was being kept contained—at least for now.
As for Endymion, Serenity knew he would contact her the moment he could. But as the hours turned into days, the longing for his voice, for even the smallest message, became almost unbearable. She missed him. More than she could express.
She considered writing to her mother more than once. Several times, she even sat at her desk, pen poised over parchment, ready to pour out the truth in carefully chosen words. But each time, she hesitated. How would her mother react? Would she be hurt that Serenity had kept this from her for so long? Would she see Endymion the way Serenity did, or only as the Prince of Earth—the son of a kingdom that had not always been their ally? The fear of opening a door she could not close kept her from ever putting ink to paper.
The waiting gnawed at her patience. By the second day, her usual grace was beginning to fray at the edges. She found herself pacing the halls of the palace when she should have been resting, pausing only when passing servants cast her knowing glances. She struggled to focus in conversation, missing small details and having to ask Queen Liora to repeat herself—a mistake she rarely made.
At night, she lay awake, staring at the ceiling of her guest chambers, imagining his arms around her, the warmth of his breath against her skin, the way he would whisper assurances against her hair. Their last night together had been stolen time, precious and fleeting. Now she feared how much time they would have to steal before they could claim a future of their own.
She was not naïve. She understood that what lay ahead was uncertain, but not knowing anything—not knowing—was beginning to erode her patience.
Still, she held onto faith. She had to. For the Moon. For Endymion. For the love that neither of them was willing to let go of.
And so, she waited.