A man was astounded the Spartans' way of life and asked King Agesilaus how they could live this way. King Agesilaus replied, "Freedom is what we reap from this way of life."
Sparta
Serenity blinked back the tears that threatened to fall down her porcelain face. 'Why?' her mind chided repeatedly as she watched the man she loved bow his head in defeat before his people.
"This wasn't how it was supposed to end." Her mind screamed as her eyes suddenly dropped to Endymion's beautiful lips and watched as they tried to conjure Beryl's name from their depths.
Quickly, before Endymion stole the courage to choke out Beryl's name, Serenity stood. The sound of the chair sliding back against the floor seemed to echo throughout the room as Serenity spun on her heel to retreat from the crowd's inquisitive gaze and shocked expressions.
Endymion's head quickly snapped to the side, trying to find the source of the unexpected noise. To his utter shock and dismay, he watched as Serenity gracefully stood and turned to leave.
Without thinking about the consequences his actions would bring, Endymion took several long strides towards Serenity before catching hold of her petit wrist and pulling her to his chest. "Serenity," Endymion mumbled hoarsely as he turned his back to the crowd, creating a barrier between the crowd's hungry gaze and Serenity.
"Don't!" Serenity hissed as she directed her hurt eyes on his taller stature.
"Serenity, I have no choice." Endymion explained helplessly as if this explanation would keep her from leaving him.
"You made a promise to me!" Serenity said trying to keep her voice low so that no one could overhear. "And—And I believed you! I should have listened to Seiya. He—he told me that you would break my heart."
"Seiya?" Endymion's voice lowered in anger.
"Yes, he warned me—told me that you lie to women to coax them to your bed! Told me that you had already informed the council about your intended union with Beryl! But did I listen? No, because I believed your lies, your promises! He even offered to make me an honest woman by marrying him." Serenity whispered angrily as she pointed an accusing finger to his chest. "But I trusted you." Serenity spit out angrily. "How foolish I was!"
Endymion's eyes narrowed in anger towards Serenity's confession. "Seiya said this." Endymion said in a low murderous tone as he whipped his head around to find Seiya's gaze.
Those gleaming eyes were easy to find and Endymion sneered in anger as the burden of knowledge washed over him. Seiya did this, planned this. "That snake." Endymion uttered in a dangerous tone that sent a chill of terror down Serenity's spine.
Seiya met Endymion's gaze and smirked victoriously. 'Yes, Serenity, unleash your fiery temper. Embarrass our foolish Prince in front of his subjects.' Seiya thought mischievously as he sent the Prince a coy smile, his eyes gleaming evilly.
"Let me go, Endymion." Serenity's stern yet soft voice said, breaking through Endymion's thoughts.
Endymion turned back to Serenity and gazed for a long moment at her petite figure. "I will never let you go, Serenity."
Serenity stared up at Endymion's troubled face in confusion and anger. "How dare you! I refuse to be anyone's mistress." She snapped angrily, clearly misunderstanding Endymion's statement.
"I completely agree." Endymion said with a sad smile as he pulled her to him. Endymion felt his heart lurch within his chest when Serenity's body relaxed against his own. It was at that moment that he knew that he could never let her go. It was with this thought that Endymion turned to face the bewildered crowd and on an impulse bellowed, "Spartans! Your next Queen will be Lady Serenity!" As the words left his lips Endymion's eyes automatically locked with Seiya's. Endymion watched with slight satisfaction as Seiya's face fell with shock, his eyes narrowing in unspoken rage towards the unexpected announcement.
The crowd, on the other hand, jumped from their chairs and applauded happily as they left their bewildered state behind and started to celebrate. Even a few of the council member's jumped from their chairs and applauded before confusion and anger sunk them back into their seats.
Serenity froze in Endymion's protective embrace as she watched the crowd cheer happily, their eyes focusing on the couple. "Endy?" Serenity whispered hesitantly, confusion lacing her voice as her bright blue eyes swept the crowd of cheering faces.
Endymion lowered his gaze to Serenity, his eyes softening and a small smile finally coming to his lips. "Yes, my Queen?" Endymion whispered his voice thick with emotion.
"I don't understand." Serenity said as her voice trembled slightly in relief. "I thought—I thought."
"You are the only thing that has brought meaning into my life." Endymion interrupted. "And I will do anything, deny anyone, who tries to take you from me." Endymion said possessively as he glanced back up at the council.
Serenity followed his gaze as it landed on the angry glares of the council members. "The councilmen seem angry." Serenity said hesitantly as she tried to put the pieces together.
"Yes." Endymion said with a small sigh of dread. "But let us not dwell on that Serenity. For now you are mine and only mine, and all of Sparta knows of this truth." Endymion continued his eyes glistening with mischief as he leaned down and stole a breathtaking kiss from the golden haired goddess.
The crowd doubled in applause as their future rulers embraced passionately.
Endymion quickly broke the kiss and turned to the crowd with a boyish grin as he pulled a flushed Serenity closer to him. "Spartans, celebrate, eat, and be merry for this is my choice, my queen!" Endymion said as the crowd roared in response, commencing the celebrations.
Endymion turned around ushering Serenity to follow but was quickly halted by a forgotten and angry woman. "Beryl." Endymion said flatly as Serenity tensed by his side.
"How dare you!" Beryl seethed angrily. "You weren't supposed to choose that child over me!"
Endymion's eyes hardened in anger as he took a threatening step forward. "Watch your tongue woman! You are now speaking to the Queen of Sparta and should be extremely mindful of how you speak towards her!"
Beryl seemed to recoil as Endymion's words stung her pride. Her face quickly tightened as she closed her mouth sharply, rage glistening from the murderous depths of her eyes. Beryl dared not utter another word but only scowled with unspoken anger causing wrinkles to appear around her eyes, mouth, and forehead.
"I believe that since our marriage is official Sparta no longer has a place for you." Endymion said coolly as he tugged Serenity past Beryl.
Serenity exhaled the breath she was unconsciously holding as Endymion finally tugged on her arm to follow. Serenity quickly trailed behind him, a sick sense of joy settling in her gut towards Endymion's hash words spoken to Beryl. Serenity calmly pasted by Beryl's seething figure but not without hearing her quiet yet angry hiss, "Serenity, do not forget my first words to you, for you will see the truth in them come to pass."
Serenity's blood ran cold as she stopped in mid-step to turn back towards Beryl. Gazing up sharply, a chill of dread shot down her spine as Serenity watched Beryl's retreating figure head towards the group of councilmen.
Serenity blinked as realization swept over her.
"Child, the council has already informed me of my position as future Queen of Sparta… so if I were you I would start groveling at my feet or prepare yourself for the..duties that accompany being the Speaker of the Gods…"
Serenity gritted her teeth and responded, "The day you become the next Spartan Queen is the day Sparta will fall…"
Beryl laughed, the cruelty never leaving her voice… "Child…If by some mistake of the Gods… I don't become Queen of Sparta… I will make sure this city falls…"
Shaking her head, Serenity tried to clear the memory from her mind. "The council? Beryl?" Serenity choked out as realization washed over her entire being. "You weren't supposed to choose me, were you?"
Endymion heard Serenity's voice become overcome with grief and he quickly pulled her to him before it seeped into her lungs to drown her.
Feeling his body envelope her calmed her trembling nerves and made her body relax in his presences. "Why?" Serenity questioned meekly as her eyes still held the group who conspired against their happiness.
"I wish I knew." Endymion mumbled honestly. "Let us leave this place before misery engulfs our hearts, for it is a day to celebrate. You are mine, my queen."
Serenity nodded numbly and allowed Endymion to usher her out of the crowded banquet hall and into the quiet corridors of the palace. Confusion created a haze within Serenity's mind as all the events prior to this moment seemed to fall, like pieces of a puzzle, into place. Serenity had no idea why or how she had gotten caught in this web of events but here she was in the center of everything.
Endymion's voice seemed to draw her from her thoughts. "Do not allow anyone entrance into this room."
Blinking, Serenity broke out of her haze of thoughts and took in her surroundings. Serenity's cheeks flushed a beautiful shade of pink as she realized where exactly Endymion had led her. His bedchamber. Her eyes quickly scanned the room to find Endymion standing outside the chamber, his deep voice echoing through the open door.
"Again let me repeat myself—Do not let anyone disturb me tonight, for any reason. If by any misfortune you allow my peace to be broken, you will suffer the consequences." Endymion finished solemnly as he left the guards and entered the room.
The situation seemed surreal as Endymion closed the door with a soft click, blocking out the obstacles and problems that threatened to break them apart with a simple action. Serenity let out an uncertain breath as she tilted her head to the side in regret that she could not appreciate this moment as she had intended. "Endymion," Serenity said, worry lacing her soft voice. "We should not leave the council to contemplate your actions in defying them."
Endymion scowled, "Serenity, who is the ruler of Sparta?"
"I believe you are, Endymion." Serenity responded as her eyebrow rose suspiciously.
"And does the ruler of Sparta have to answer to anyone?" Endymion continued with a smirk as he slowly approached Serenity.
Serenity felt a shiver of excitement creep down her spine as she watched Endymion slowly stalk towards her. "I don't believe they do—" Serenity trailed off as her reasoning seemed to lose its logic.
"So, My Queen, I believe you are worrying for not." Endymion finished and encircled his arms around Serenity's small waist as he slowly guided her backwards.
"Endymion." Serenity whispered as she turned her eyes up to look into his own. "I am not blind and I am not mindless. I know that there will be consequences for your actions—and what those consequences may be, I do not know. If you are not honest with me then you are essentially feeding me to the wolves."
Endymion sighed as the truth of her words rang true in the very depths of his heart. He knew that the council was enraged over his actions. He knew that they were probably conspiring against him. He knew that there would be consequences and like Serenity, he knew not what they would be or how they would impact her.
Endymion looked down at Serenity's beautiful face and gently caressed her soft cheek with his calloused fingertips. "Then, if there are consequences to my actions and to our union, we shall face them as they come."
Serenity smiled sadly, "Endymion, I must tell you of Beryl's threat towards the city of Sparta."
"I do not believe Beryl will be much of a threat to anyone." Endymion replied as if dismissing Serenity's worries with his response.
Shaking her head in disagreement, Serenity continued, "No, Endymion, she told me that she had been informed by the council that she would be queen!"
Endymion sighed as he encircled his arms possessively around Serenity and drew her closer. "But that has not come to pass."
"But that is where her threat lies! She said that if by some mistake she was not to be made Queen, she would make sure Sparta would fall into ruins!" Serenity whispered hoarsely as she rested her head against Endymion's chest.
"I will make sure her threats are silenced, Serenity." Endymion promised solemnly as he gently brushed his lips against Serenity's forehead. "But for tonight, we will cast our worries aside." He continued as he slowly backed Serenity towards the bed. "And deal with the world tomorrow." Endymion finished as he brushed the stray hair from Serenity's face. "Tonight I wish to be with you, Serenity." Endymion whispered in a deep throaty voice, laced with underlying emotions.
Serenity's heart began to race when the back of her legs brushed against the bed. "I am yours Endymion." Serenity whispered, succumbing to Endymion's wishes to forget the world until the morrow.
Endymion slowly leaned down and brushed his lips against Serenity's nose, cheek, and neck as he whispered words that made Serenity tremble with anticipation.
"Oh, Serenity, how I have longed for you." Endymion whispered as he brought them to down onto the bed. He could not longer contain the desperation to have her, to touch her. Yet the more he touched her, caressed her, the more he burned for her. And he knew she would always be a craving that would never be quenched.
Serenity arched against his body as it hovered above her, just out of reach. "Do not taunt me Endymion. I have waited too long to have you tease me." Serenity's voice pleaded under his soft caresses. "I need to feel you."
Endymion's control dissipated under her soft pleas for more as he found himself doing the only thing he could, obliging her. No longer were his touches soft, filtering caresses, but now bold, passion-fueled touches that ignited something within their souls. A thought filtered through his mind and escaped his lips as pressed his body against hers, "You are mine now Serenity...My Queen."
As Serenity's bright blue eyes matched Endymion's, a flash of the same all consuming desire and need seemed to be reflected back at him as her whispered words seemed to stop time and his heart, "Make me yours and show me that you are mine."
I must sincerely apologize for the long hiatus! There is really no excuse that justifies my absence! What started out with losing my jump drive turned into frustration which turned into neglect.
I truly appreciate those of you who have stuck around or are still around to read this. I am going to honestly try to finish this like I promised in the beginning; however, I am not going to promise an update soon. I will write when I can and life's crazy! Nevertheless, I appreciated each review and your requests for this story to be finished have not fallen on deaf ears.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I enjoyed falling in love with my characters again through this process! SO I hope to keep up with this renewed momentum!
-Kat