Serena kicked the furs away in frustration, how could it be so hot? The tent was black and empty now even though she knew it must be nearly dawn outside. Endymion had stayed only long enough to point out a section of the tent divided from the rest by a small screen that shielded a large pallet, piled high with soft furs and then abruptly stalked out, muttering angrily under his breath. The make shift bed had looked like nothing short of heaven and she had barely waited for him to leave before collapsing in an undignified heap.

She’d never been so tired in her life. Gods the ache went to her bones as she thought of the days she’d spent hiding and running. She could still smell the smoke and hear the screams as the temple had burned around her. The temple of Nenet had been the last great shrine to Selene on earth and she had gone to train and learn from the scholars that flocked to it great libraries. She smiled slightly as she thought of the endless buildings housing ancient, irreplaceable texts. She could still hear Master Androis’ wistful voice as he recounted to her about the “treasures” of Nenet and how he wanted nothing more in life than to read every work, gleam every bit of knowledge from those tattered and worn pages. Androis was dead now, he’d died with his treasures as the library had burned but Serena knew he would of wanted nothing less.

She remembered the absolute shock that had snapped through the air at the sight of the royal army of earth surging towards the temple over the lush fields that had surrounded the pristine buildings. To bring any weapon on the consecrated grounds of a temple was the ultimate sacrilege but not a flicker of emotion had played across the harden faces of those soldiers. Not hint of remorse as they smashed the ancient doors down, no guilt in their eyes as they tossed their flaming torches onto the buildings and brought down her sanctuary, no they had remained stoic as they crumbled her world. The white stone had turned black quickly as the wood was consumed in flames she had thought absently, strangely detached as she listened to the crackling fires. Selene was the goddess of wisdom and women and so her temple had been filled with woman and scholars, none of which knew what to do against battle hardened warriors who felt no pity as they cut down any unfortunate soul that happened to stumble into their path.

Tears stung her eyes as she let the memories wash over her. Her senshi had been with her but they couldn’t do anything more than try to protect their princess. Hostilities between the moon and earth had escalated in the past decades, triggered by the ascension of a new ruling family as monarchs of earth. They were isolationists who felt that earth should not be “corrupted” by outside forces, namely the other planets of the alliance that had ruled the solar system peacefully for over a thousand years. None of the other planetary leaders had known how to take earth’s sudden withdrawal from alliance affairs. Trade had slowly begun to dwindle in the last few years as anti- outlander sentiments rose. Outlander had soon begun to be scrawled across offices and homes of non-Terrans. The hated word had quickly been refashioned to included anyone not from earth, lumping together billions of people into a faceless group that allowed hate to run rampant.

Tensions had been high when Serena had been sent to Nenet but it was a time honored traditions for Lunar royalty to spend at least one year training there and Lunarians were nothing if not obscenely protective of their tradition. And so Serena had bundled off in the dead of night to the temple, her senshi in tow with orders to be constantly on guard. No one had known she was heir to the Lunar throne, no one had known she there and after six months of peace they had all let their guard down a little and then the rebellion had started.

It had erupted so quickly there was no time for her to escape. The prince’s army had been tracking a large group of rebels when they attacked the temple, accusing them of harboring those rebels they sought and therefore traitors to the crown. Her guardians had quickly wrapped her in a coarse brown cloak and spirited her away, narrowing dodging the ensuing slaughter as they had pushed their horses into a hard gallop. It took two days of hard riding before their horses gave out and they were forced to continue on foot. Serena never asked where they were going, still to numb to think beyond placing one foot in front of the other. At every turn carnage had awaited them, forcing Serena to relive the memory of the Nenet massacre countless times.

They thought they’d found a haven in the small village high in the mountains but then the prince’s army had attacked and she’d watched everyone die all over again. Her senshi had again tried to protect her but escape was impossible and as they’d huddled in the small barn each had prepared to die. Rei had muttered several curses as she’d paced back and forth while Ami had calmly looked at the situation from every angle, trying desperately to find a way out. There had been no escape though. And now she was bound to a man with no soul until he tired of her and either killed or released her.

She let the tears fall then, what use was anguish if it wasn’t released?

* * *

The sun was just cresting the horizon when Endymoin finally made his way back to his tent. He had been purposely avoiding it for several hours now, not entirely sure how to handle the situation. He knew he wanted her, Gods the feel of her skin against his, the thought of tasting her had impeding all other thoughts, she was leading him to distraction and he hadn’t even known her for more than a few hours.

Muttering angrily he stomped into his darkened tent, absently pulling off his clothing. Naked he pushed past the small screen that was supposedly suppose to offer some privacy though he knew it was more for show than anything else. In the dusky darkness of the tent only a bundle of furs greeted him and he eyed them longingly, the endless day finally catching up to him in a suddenly snap that had his muscles aching and his eyelids dropping in fatigue.

One problem after another had plagued the day, the rebels were indeed remassing. His scouts had reported back on that at least though exactly WHERE they were remassing was still debatable. Several of his commanders insisted it was near the mountains while other vehemently shouted that that was absurd and that the near by valley would offer the most help as the people there were sympathetic to revolutionaries’ cause. The argument had quickly escalated as each man had supported a different plan of actions and feeling the need to expound on its merits in a shout that was only greeted with increasing tempers and more bellows of disagreement.

Endymoin rubbed his temples at the headache that was blooming just at the memory. He’d had to smash the table with his fist to gain their attention and a curt reminder that no action would be taken until they knew for certain exactly where the rebels were head-quartering, he did not take chances with his men. His commanders had been placated then, if only mildly and had left him in peace. His men still needed to be reassured and though he loathed to play nursemaid his men served him faithfully and it was the least he could do to allay their fears. So he’d walked past their tents and past the scattered camp fires with an air of confidence and a careless smile on his face and he’d watched his men relax slowly, fearing the dark a little less.

Now the only thought that protruded into his mind was one of sleep and how nice those furs were going to feel next to his skin. It was a small whimpering sound that grabbed his muddled attention and had him reaching for his sword until he saw the pale nymph laying next to his pallet. Her hair looked silver in the predawn light that was slowly filling the tent, her skin was like ivory but it wasn’t until he took a step closer that he saw the salty tracks left by tears. She’d been crying. That realization shook him and he felt guilt bloom inside him, something for which he was not at all accustomed to. He was a hard man, he faced that fact without flinching, any man in charge of other men’s live had to be. You had to be able to look a man in the eye and then blithely send him into battle knowing he was going to die, in war it is the few for the many and though it sounded cold and brutal it’s the hard faced truth. It never got any easier, but Endymoin did it all the same and his kingdom and endured because of it.

He firmly believed he was not a rash man, or did before that afternoon. Gods what had come over him? He had faced down armies of thousands, fought in the blood and mud of countless battlefields, all after weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the situation but that had all been ripped away from him in a single moment of lust. It had to be lust what the hell else could have made him throw away all his hard won discipline? He’d had women before, beautiful women who had come eagerly to his bed with a smile spreading on their crimson lips and a seductively sway of their hips but never had he felt the stirring he felt for the goddess laying before him in a simple robe, her pale skin gleaming and her hair flowing around her in a silver halo. His body ached just to be near her as it had since he’d first thrown back that abominable hood, he purposely left her for fear he’d take her then and there, pressed up against the table, maps falling to the floor as their bodies came together in a heated exchange of pleasure. Gritting his teeth against desire that image of her beneath him conjured he stepped towards her and sank down into the soft furs. His warmth drew her and she rolled towards him, throwing her arm across his shoulder and her leg across his. This was to much!

Her robe had hiked up to nearly her hips and her skin felt like heaven against his as she shifted against him restlessly, unconsciously rubbing her skin against his length. He tried, he really did, his hands were fisted at his sides to keep from grabbing her, to keep from ripping that damn robe off and running his hands across her back and up her spine. Gods knows he tried but he’d never had any good intentions to begin with and when she drew him close and place a small, chaste kiss against his neck the battle was lost. With a growl of frustration he gathered her close and ripped her garment off in the same movement that he rolled her beneath him. He groaned at the feel of her skin meeting him, he covered her from head to toe and nothing had ever felt so good, so right. He nuzzled her neck, causing her to sigh softly as he placed her hands around his neck. He didn’t know if she was even awake, even aware of what was happening but then she arched up against him as he caress her breast and he knew he had to have here there and then or go insane. His mouth slammed onto of hers, taking complete possession of her sweet lips as his tongue invaded at her startled gasp.

His knee was wedging her legs apart when her eyes snapped open, those blue orbs that shimmered with unshed tears looked at him with innocence, confusion and desire shinning back at them. Her hair lay around her like spun gold as the now strong sunlight fell upon it and he thought she had never looked more like an angel, or a goddess he amended. HIS goddess. He could feel her heat pressed against him and fought every urge in his body to shift just a little and then plunge as deep into her as he could, make her truly his in a way no one could ever deny, but it was the first tear followed another and then another that stopped him. She wasn’t making any noise but salty tears continued to trail down her flawless skin as she stared at him so stead fastly, stared into his eyes and he knew he could never take her like this. His body was taking a little longer to agree with his mind however, he was hard and aching to slide into her and taste every inch of her, but before he lost this battle with himself he rolled off her with a grunt and lay beside her panting.

She didn’t move, just turned her head to stare at him, her eyes questioning him silently. Damnit did she have to be so damnable irresistible?! Her lips were rosy and swollen from his demanding kisses and he wanted to kiss her again, hell he didn’t just want to stop with one kiss either. He wanted it all, but he wanted her willingly. He may have pulled the noble gentlemen this time but he was by no means a saint and was not used to having to deprive himself with women. If she could fire his blood when she was only mildly cooperative what would it be like when she was writhing in passion? He groaned at the thought as he felt himself harden even more. Oh he would have her and it needed to be soon because this was becoming painful.

He watched her turn away from him, the curve of her spine deliciously displayed for him and he gritted his teeth as he reached down for a fur and quickly covered her. Stiffly he lay back on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling as he formulated a plan to have his angel. If he could not just take her then he would simply have to seduce her, awaken her passions until she could only feel him, only want him and then he would take and she would be his. Smiling slightly he closed his eyes against the dawn and let the plan form in his mind, oh yes she would come and come with a smile on her lips.

* * *

Serena could feel the sunlight shining across her eyelids, demanding she wake up but she stubbornly refused, she didn’t want to wake up! She didn’t know exactly why but somewhere in the back of her sleep dredged mind she knew it was just better to stay in her dream world than face reality. But the day was not about to be denied and so reluctantly she propped open one eye and then the other, at first disoriented. This was not her room, there were no other postulates, no other cots scattered throughout the old stone room. Shouldn’t the morning bells have woken her for devotions? With a snap it all came back and she jerked to sit straight up and only then realized she was naked, and then that all came back to.

She woken up with him on top of her, desire running hot through her blood as his hands ran hot over her skin. He could have taken her last night and she wouldn’t have been able to stop him, she was certain about that but he hadn’t, why? She had seen the desire in his eyes, felt against her thigh but still he’d rolled away from her, something wasn’t adding up and she felt a shiver of unease snake up her spine. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she never noticed the audience that she held captive until a deep, husky voice spoke out.

“Not that it isn’t a beautiful sight, because believe me it is, but we are moving out in an hour or so, so you may want to get dressed.”

Serena’s startled gasp filtered through the stagnant air as her eyes snapped up to meet a set up of midnight blues ones staring back at her with amusement twinged with something else, something just beyond her reach that made her skin tingle and her breathing hitch. Quickly she grabbed a fur a clasped it to her chest in a death grip to rival any warrior’s. He stood next to a small table that looked collapsible that was only a few feet from her bed, the small privacy screen that she remembered from the night before was conspicuously absent.

Endymoin could only stare at her, every muscle in his body taut with the need to reach out and touch her skin, feel it slide beneath his fingers and yet he restrained himself, a more difficult challenge he didn’t believe existed. He had turned from his study of reconnaissance reports from the surrounding areas when he heard her whimper softly and then she had shot up in his bed and simply sat there with the sunlight pouring in from a small flap above his bed, the dust in the air gold flecks in the light that bathed her. She had seemed the embodiment of temptation itself, presented before him in naked flesh and blood. How innocently she sat there, completely unaware of her nudity or what it could do to him. He’d felt his loins tighten uncomfortably the longer he’d watched her and then finally he knew he had to catch her attention from whatever thoughts had stolen it so thoroughly or he was going to ravish her then and there. It sounded so foolish to say ravish but there was simply no other word to describe what he wanted to do to her, no other word to describe what she MADE him want to do to her.

Now she sat before him, only a flimsy barrier between them, her eyes wide in innocence that stirred his blood as much as the sensual temptress who had lain naked next to him the night before. Gods this was frustrating! No other woman had made him act like this, like some besotted school boy, and damn sure not in the course of only one night but Serena wasn’t just any other woman. His jaw clenched in anger then, what right did she have to have this power over him? Gods’ truth he could almost hate her for doing this to him!

“Wh-where are my clothes?” Her voice was meek and strangled, as if fear was tightening around her throat. He only then noticed the panicked look that had seeped into her eyes, the way she glanced around as if seeking an escape. She was right of course her robe was gone, he’d personally burned it with a great deal of enthusiasm.

“You’re robe is gone, new clothes will be provided. They’re over there in that chest.” He indicated with a wave of his hand to a small, intricately carved wooden chest that sat at the foot of the make shift bed. Serena didn’t know what to do then as an expectant silence fell between them. She felt awkward with only a blanket to shield her from his gaze and desperately wanted something to cover herself with but moving down to the chest seemed an impossible feat with him watching her so intently. She bit her lower lip in agitation and was surprised when she saw his body jerk forward sharply before he stopped and then stiffly turned so his back faced her.

She couldn’t stop the sigh of relief that escaped her lips that he was no longer watching her and quickly flipped the blanket around her shoulder like some extravagant toga. Tentatively she slid down towards the chest, wondering what type of clothing would be provided for her and asking herself if she really even wanted to know. For the past year she had dressed as a priestess of Selene, the simple robes were meant to humble a person, to teach them to look beyond worldly beauty and possessions. The bulky, coarse material had shielded her in a way she hadn’t realized until it was so unceremoniously stripped from her. She felt as if her soul was as naked as her body without those robes of ritual around her, without the thick hood hiding her fair hair and pale skin, it all felt so wrong. She felt so, so exposed.

Curling her legs beneath her, she easily pulled the box towards her, it wasn’t large, maybe the width of her outstretched arm and a little longer in the length. She took a moment to examine the engravings that were sprawled so imperiously across the lid and sides, running her fingers slowly across the carvings as if hoping they would come to life. Warriors fought with teeth bared and swords raised as the moon and stars twinkled above and a woman with no face floated in the sky with arms outstretched as if to encircle the world. With a start Serena realized it was the story of Selene’s revealing to humanity. She remembered the story easily, it was the one of the pillars of Goddess, a tale to be remembered every winter solstice as the anniversary of the inclusion of humanity as her children.

Humanity had always been at war with one another, each faction vying for dominance but none ever prevailing for long for no common ground could ever be found but that changed after the revealing. During the middle of a battle that had raged for three days and three nights the Goddess Selene appeared in the night sky, her arms outstretched as if pleading for peace and touched each human soul ever so softly with her light and so they knew compassion and so they knew the pain of their neighbors and enemy and so they knew each other. The wars had ended after that night and Selene raised in worship upon terran soil for twenty millennia until, slowly, factions of a new religion worshipping a deity they named only as “The Great Spirit” had begun to gain power and influence, and it had only been a matter of time then.

Tearing herself away from her dismal thoughts of legend and politics Serena wondered why this Terran prince had this object with a tale of Selene’s revealing and redemption of man so lovingly displayed on it when the Terrans had so rejected the Goddess? So many things about this man didn’t make sense, so many contradictions seemed to surround him and she realized suddenly that she was now entirely dependent on his charity towards her. Her shoulders slumped forward as she buried her face in her arms at the thought of being bound to him as she was and the realization of just exactly what she’d done weighed heavily on her soul but she had shed tears enough already and she would shed no more. By the Goddess he owned her by a bond that could only be broken by him, a bond that was sacred to her soul but, she thought with resolve, it had been necessary. She couldn’t have let her friends die, they had protected her through so much and though they had been her guard she would have done far more then simply swear an oath to that loathsome man to keep them safe.

Straightening her shoulders she sat up and glared at the box in front of her with a hard gleam of determination as she snapped the lid open sharply. The small act seemed petty but it did vent a little of her frustration however. A mass of blue, silver and red assaulted her eyes from the interior of the chest and seemed to sparkle like diamonds in the soft sunlight filtering through the tent. Reaching a hand out, an almost awed expression crossed her face when she felt the gossamer material, let it slide through her fingers lovingly. It was silk she knew that, woven so fine as to be nearly transparent she realized as she pulled one garment out blindly, its blue hue like the night sky with small, glistening stones woven into material that gleamed sharply as she shifted it against the sunlight.

He watched her, the pure astonishment and joy he saw in her eyes from such a simple act as giving her clothing humbled him. He felt his heart warm at her little gasps and the look of wonder that crossed her face again and again with each new bit of cloth she pulled out. He’d known she was beautiful, a body made to be touched and seen but it was only last night, after seeing her naked in the early morning light that he had realized how exquisite she truly was. It was then that he made the promise that that damn vile robe would never touch that perfect skin again and had quickly ordered more “appropriate” clothing brought.

It was no easy task to find a woman’s clothing out in the middle of country with only soldiers around, who could no more sew clothing then they could fly. There were camp followers of course, there always were, but Endymoin had quickly dismissed the possibility that Serena wear something one of those women had, those who sold their body with such indifference. No his angel would never touch something they did, she was everything their debauched lives had corrupted, she was pure and innocent. Thankfully there was also always a caravan or two riding his armies’ coattails, following along for the protection his soldiers provided their goods and workers. It had taken little persuasion, after gold had been waved brazenly in front of them, to obtain the chest of fine clothing. Endymoin had been specific to his messenger, something feminine and light, something that was a beautiful as she was, if that was even possible, and something that shone like the stars. His men had not disappointed him, after one look at the contents of that simple looking chest he had begun to imagine her in those garments, the silk clinging to her smooth thighs, her pert breasts.

Turning back to her he was presented with a view that very nearly snapped his haggard control. She stood with her back to him, the fur she had used to shield herself early lay curled around her feet and she was nude. The gentle curve of her back, the swell of her hips and thighs and most importantly the arch of her buttocks were all displayed for him shamelessly as she tried unsuccessfully to untangle a silver and blue garment into some semblance of order. Endymoin winced slightly at the painfully tightening of loins, Gods how could this woman keep him eternally hard? From the moment he’d awoken this morning he’d had to restrain himself from reaching for her, from taking her, but restrain himself he did for he remembered his promise, he would have her willingly and alive with passion. It did little to calm his blood now as he watched the delicate muscles of her back shift as her arms moved to pull the fine material over her head. He watched the gossamer silk slink down her back, running down her thighs and a small groan escaped his lips and his hands fisted at his side. Was she TRYING to kill him!

Her head whipped around at the sound of his strangled breathing filling the suddenly quiet air only to find him watching her with an intensity that set her nerves on edge and made her skin tingle. His eyes were darker than normal she noted absently, they looked almost black. His face had turned hard, his jaw clenched tight and indeed his whole body seemed tensed, taut like a bowstring. He seemed poised to pounce, she realized, like some predator regarding its prey, the thought had her stepping back as her hand flew to her throat. It was then that she felt her new clothing or lack there of, for her hand met only heated skin and the slight curve of her breast. Looking down with wide eyes she saw the scoop of the neck as it tapered from her shoulders to a point between her breasts, displaying more flesh than she’d ever thought possible to while still wearing clothing. Her scrutiny continued downward to the flowing skirt of the ensemble and was pleased to see it covered her to past her toes but that pleasure was short lived when she saw the two slits along each side that slide up to each thigh. Moving her legs slightly she saw each peek out from beneath the blue fabric. The dress or what resembled, however loosely, a dress was a beautiful show of artistry in workmanship, starting out a bold and glimmering silver only to taper to a lighter shade of silver and then work to a blue that ended at the hem of her skirt in color that was nearly purple.

It was exquisite, it was flawless, it was BARELY THERE! Her eyes flashed with anger when she swung her gaze back to Endymoin who was now openly gaping at her which only fueled her irritation.

“This is what you bring me?!” Suddenly his gawking stare vanished to be replaced by a knowing smirk as his lips curved up slightly at the corners.

“Personally it gets my resounding vote of approval.” He leaned back slightly against the small, map covered table and crossed his arms smugly across his chest, amusement clear in his eyes. She only glared at him before looking down once again at her outfit and sighing in disgust.

“I’m sure it does, but I wonder if it’s all that appropriate for traveling?” Her words dripped with sarcasm but when she saw the shock of realization cross his features and then a flash of anger and possessiveness? she couldn’t hide her surprise. She didn’t really expect him to care, thinking he would make her travel on horse the day in something that looked like it was out of some Arabian fairy tale.

At her words the thought finally occurred that she would be showcased before his men when they moved out. Her shapely form more teasingly hidden by the sheer dress she wore than covered. The thought of anyone else, let along thousands of men staring at his angel didn’t sit well with him and he felt a fierce possessiveness well up within him as well as an overwhelming need to protect this little innocent from a very jaded world. A fierce frown marred his features, the longer he thought about the situation the more unacceptable he found it. Turning sharply his boots nearly clicked together as he mulled over his problem and then with a snap of his fingers the solution was there, so simple he could only laugh.

She watched him, a little apprehensive at the sudden roughish smile that was now so proudly adorning his lips. He was up to something and she would bet her last gold piece that she was not going to like it. She frowned at him, hoping he would realize her annoyance but he only smiled brighter at her disgruntled expression and then walked to the far end of the tent. The corner was covered in shadow but she saw him shuffle through what looked like a saddle bad as he muttered to himself, cursing a few very inventive if not entirely appropriate expletives every now and again until finally his form snapped straight.

“Ah-ha. Here we go, problem solved.” He looked extremely pleased with himself though for the life of her Serena couldn’t figure out exactly why.

“Solved what problem?” She cocked her head slightly to the side as she regarded him, he had turned to face her now and was holding a small black bundle.

“Covering you up for travel.” He said simply as he threw the bundle at her, twisting it apart Serena was present with a dark riding cloak that boasted a ample hood and it would indeed cover her for the trip ahead, she doubted if a single inch of her skin would show. She smiled at him in thanks.

“Thank you. This will be much better.”

“Yes, I agree completely.” He knew she thought he had given her the damn cloak out of some chivalrous actions and that was fine with him just as long as his angel stayed his and no one but HIM saw her in that particular outfit. He turned towards the door, the flap blowing softly in the afternoon breeze, allowing brief glimpses of the guards he’d posted there and went to make sure his army broke camp within the hour. They needed to make it to the pass by the spring festival or they risked losing the rebels and falling and losing ground in this guerrilla war, ground that he would not lose.

“Be ready to leave within the hour. I’ll send an attendant, my Lady Moon.” The words were thrown casually over his shoulder as he proceeded on without a backwards glance. He never knew what possessed him to call her that, later he would