She was going to hurt him, SEVERELY, that is if she survived the end of this day from hell. Had she ever thought riding a pleasurable activity? Her sore backside disagreed thoroughly with that former assessment. Straightening with a grimace Serena glared into the broad back of a certain stupid prince who felt he just HAD to set a pace as though demons were nipping on their heels. They had been riding since dawn and as Serena watched the sky slowly darken she felt resentment slowly begin to rise within her. Still she continued, valiantly she might add, to resist the nearly overwhelming urge to punch him in his oh-so-perfect face. Shifting the heavy cloak, which that morning had seemed such a blessing but which had quickly become little better than a personal furnace, she again wondered with irritation why he had looked so horrified when she had tried earlier to throw the infernal thing off. He had clenched his jaw in that now familiar show of anger and snapped at her to “keep the damn thing on!”

Shifting the folds of the “damn” cloak Serena tried in vain to alleviate the heat that was slowly roasting her alive but soon gave up that endeavor after one frosted look from Endymion. Gods’ truth that man was difficult! Master Androis had never been so adamant about keeping covered, truth be told he was apt to ignore as many edicts as she had. The unbidden thought of her beloved friend, now lost to her to those savage flames, caused sudden tears to glitter dangerously in her eyes. Swallowing against the lump of grief suddenly clogging her throat, Serena pushed past the natural instinct to force the memories of that life away and made herself extract and examine the precious memories of those people she had loved, and lost.

She remembered Abbess Celeste, the silver haired matriarch of the temple, who had seemed so stern and hard but who’s soft heart had practically shined through her eyes no matter how hard she tried to hide it. She remembered Abbess desperately trying to show anger rather than amusement when Serena had been caught practicing some more colorful curses the stable hand, Bailey, had been only been to happy to teach her.

The memories of running across fields that now lay blackened and ravaged came next. She could still feel the sun warming her skin pleasantly as her friends trailed only a step behind, yelling and laughing in a carefree spirit that none of them ever considered might end. A silent sob escaped then, muffled against the back of a hand as she thought of those extraordinary girls who had been both her protectors, but more importantly her friends. Gods she missed them! She couldn’t stop herself from wondering if they were safe but as soon as the thought arose she dismissed it easily.

Endymion might be an arrogant ass but he kept his word that much was obvious about him from the start. If he had said he would provide them safe passage home then she had not a doubt in her mind they were safe wherever they might be. Still she missed them, wished she was home with them, laughing and joking again instead of lumbering through what appeared to be a deserted valley and watching the horse’s ass in front of her, and his steed.

Once again she turned her attention to the darkening sky, watching the spreading colors with an awe that she’s felt every night since she’d come to earth. The colors were so intense, like everything here, the blues and purples, the reds and oranges mixing together in a kind of exotic picture that fired the blood and brought longing to the soul. She remembered watching each sunset from the temple grounds, occasionally escaping notice and slipping out into the evening. Sitting there quietly, amid tall grass waving gently in the warm breeze and the soft hum of insects she had truly believed she had never seen anything more beautiful in her life. And then she had watched the sun fade away and the moonrise and a strange mixture of homesickness and peace had washed over her. She had wanted to watch the earth rise over the horizon so much that it was nearly painful but at the exact same time she had never wanted to move from that spot, feeling as if she was staring into the loving face of Selene.

That was when she had heard the bells; their pure tones had rippled through heated air and sent Serena scrambling back to the temple. It had been time for devotions and she never.... The thought trailed off as a sense of horror enveloped her. Dear Goddess how had she forgotten?! She screamed to herself. With a now stricken look at the sky she kicked her horse into a trot and pulled up beside Endymion who was listening patiently to a man with light brown hair and a quick smile, one of his generals she assumed. Though at that particular moment couldn’t have cared less what the man’s status was, she needed Endymion’s attention. For a moment she just sat there, unsure exactly what to do. She couldn’t just tackle him off his horse and demand he listen to her. Could she? Opting for a subtler approach she gently cleared her throat hoping he would catch her hint. She wasn’t so lucky. When he continued to stolidly ignore her after her third attempt she cast an apprehensive look at the sky and gave up all thoughts of subtly. Leaning over slightly she did the only thing that came to mind. She pinched him.

A small grunt of surprise escaped him and then suddenly she was staring into a pair of intense blue eyes filled with something that looked very like astonishment and definite amusement.

“Did you just pinch me?” Yup, there was definitely quite a bit of amusement there.

“Well, umm, yes.” Serena’s hands began to twist together nervously underneath the heavy cloak but she met his gaze without flinching. Well without flinching much.

“May I ask why?” A strangled laugh reminded them of their audience and Endymion immediately turned back to the brown haired man, dismissing him with one hard glare. He rode off with a smile on his face. Turning back to her Serena was hit with the full force of his undivided attention.

“Well?”

“Well what?” He sighed in exasperation and then frowned as he realized her hood was slipping back and quickly reached forward to pull it down.

“Well why did you pinch me if it doesn’t inconvenience you to much to answer.” Serena blushed at the obvious censure in his words but then remembered her original purpose and
suddenly her words rushed out.

“We have to stop!” The words came out more urgent that she had intended but she couldn’t help it. She had to stop before the stars fully appeared in the sky.

“Oh we do, do we? And why exactly is that? We aren’t scheduled to make came for several more hours, we need to cover as much ground as possible tonight.”

“No, no we have to stop now, before it gets dark!” She sputtered out absently as she cast another apprehensive look at the darkening sky. Too late she realized that if he knew how badly she wanted this he could use it against her and groaned silently when she saw the same realization light his face. Sighing in defeat she looked at him, her face serious, and laid her dilemma at his feet.

“I have to perform devotions.” The simple phrase hung heavily in the evening air and a pensive look overcame the slightly mocking one on his face.

“Devotions?” Though Endymion knew some of the ancient religion of Selene his family had been near fanatical in their devotion to the Great Spirit, shunning any who questioned their beliefs and forcing their views on their children. It was because of them that Endymion had lost faith in any religion. What God or Spirit or even Goddess made a small boy lie naked against cold marble for days on end in penance for innocent pranks? What deity would make that boy watch his brothers and sisters slowly die as disease ravaged their bodies while he alone remained healthy? And what so omnipotent Spirit would watch as his world was being so casually dragged towards war? No, Endymion didn’t believe in religion or their Gods but Serena did and he found he respected her for it. Here she was surrounded by men who would kill her for that simple fact and still she clung to the traditions of her faith, foolhardy as it was, that took a kind of courage that few had.

“Yes devotions.” Her soft voice broke through his thoughts and he opened his mouth to deny her, though as gently as possible but found himself asking her instead what exactly devotions were. A strange look crossed her face at his question as if she were trying to find the hidden trap in his words, as if she could not imagine anyone not knowing of them.

“Really I want to know. I grew up in a house that shunned Selene remember?” He coaxed gently when she wouldn’t answer him.

“It’s a kind of.... welcoming!” She finished triumphantly. It was hard trying to put into words something that was so personal, something that she had known since birth. She remembered the temples on the moon, how they would ring with voices every dawn and dusk raised in joyous thanks to the Goddess. It seemed almost magical the way the melodies would float through the sweetened air, never seeming to dim until the last note would ring out just as clear and true as the first. A wave of homesickness swamped her but she ruthlessly pushed it aside, now was not the time to feel sorry for herself.

“What the...? That doesn’t explain anything!” He watched as the wistful expression on her face was instantly replaced with one of annoyance. She turned what he assumed was supposed to be a hard glare on him but the effect was ruined by those childlike eyes.

“Listen just stop for a few minutes and allow me to perform my devotions.” At his king-of-the-manor look Serena added a “please” but was only rewarded with one of those mocking smiles she was coming to hate.

“Oh and what do I get if I do?” His smile had turned wolfish then but by now Serena was oblivious, time was waning quickly and this conversation was going nowhere.

“I’m sure you can think of something.” He nearly groaned at the innocent invitation. Oh yes could think of any number of things she could do to offset the inconvenience of stopping. Just the thought of things he wanted her to do made his body harden at a speed that frankly astounded him.

“Very well Serena I’ll call a halt for your devotions if.... you sleep with me tonight.” Serena’s gasp of indignation only made his smile widen as her head whipped around, her eyes flashing in outrage.

“Why you, you...! Ugh!” The grunt of frustration caused an ensuing bark of laughter, which only added fuel to her temper.

“Relax priestess I’m not demanding your virtue or anything,”... yet, he silently added

“I’m simply suggesting that we share the same pallet, it will be less trouble that way.” He didn’t tell her that it really would be no trouble. He was the prince of Earth for God’s sake. He had hoards of servant whose sole purpose was to see to things like bedding but he wasn’t about to enlighten her to that little fact.

She looked absolutely adorable with her face scrunched up in thought as she considered his proposal. He wondered how important her ceremonies were to her. Would she really share his bed, even if in a purely platonic way, just so she could perform her “devotions?” Thinking of having her lush little body next to him each night, knowing he could reach out and touch her satin skin made him nearly groan. He half hoped she would scream at him and refuse for all the sleep he would get with all the lustful thoughts he knew would be tormenting him.

“Well priestess? I don’t have all day.” She threw a worried glance at the rapidly darkening sky as she worried her bottom lips between her teeth. Endymion found his gaze riveted on her mouth, that small act arousing him more than he thought possible. His entire body was tensed against the need to lean down and kiss her abused lips; he ached to trace the curve with his tongue. And then she would open for him, allowing him.....

“All right.” At first he wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly. Her voice was no more than a hoarse whisper.

“What was that priestess?” His eyes sparkled with amusement as he leaned towards her, their thighs touched as their horses pranced beside each other.

“I said ALL RIGHT. I agree to your stupid bargain!” She was shouting now but he didn’t think she was even aware of it. Her cheeks were flushed with color as she glared at him. He felt like laughing at the disgruntled expression on her face but merely nodded his head towards her in acknowledgment.

“Glad we could come to an agreement.” He couldn’t stop the smile that sprang to his lips
at her annoyed snort.

“Anywhere in particular you’re wanting to do these little ‘devotions?’ I am as always accommodating.” He ended with a florid wave of his hand instead of the bow which being
on horseback prevented.

“Umm.” Looking back at the train of men that stretched off into horizon she felt shyness creep upon her. “I need somewhere somewhat...private.” Endymion raised one black eyebrow at her words.

“Well my lady I would gladly build you a temple but we ARE short on time. How long is this thing going to take anyway?”

“Oh umm not long. And I don’t need a temple, thank you. Just somewhere away from prying eyes.” She tilted her head back to indicate Endymion’s army riding hard behind them. When he turned around and realized that whatever she was going to do would be performed before all those men a dark scowl spread across his face.

“Right. Go there.” He ordered pointing towards one of several corps of trees that littered the small valley. Serena nodded her head in agreement and kicked her mare in towards the small cluster of trees and Endymion called a halt.

Serena felt her heart race in panic as she eyed the darkening sky for the millionth time. Were those damn trees getting farther away?! It wasn’t until she was standing beneath the towering oaks, their leaves filtering the late evening sun into near darkness that she felt safe. Taking several soothing breaths she willed herself to calm down, for her heartbeat to slow and the outside world to fade away.

Endymion was staring off toward the horizon, mentally drawing the path they would have to take to detour around various passes that were simply to small for the number of men he had. They had only three days to reach the small mountain village of Orea where the spring festival would be held and the rebels were mostly likely to strike next. The people of the Taryn Mountains were a harsh breed who valued lived life with a kind of joy that always awed him. He knew they would aid the rebels for they had no love for Earth’s government. They were fiercely loyal but Endymion’s reign was new and he had yet to earn their loyalty in their eyes. What would it take to bring them into his camp?

It was the sounds of angels singing that snapped his mind from the battlegrounds that lay in their path. Snapping his head around Endymion sought the sound that was tugging his heart apart with sweetness. It only took his a few short moments to realize the heavenly sound was coming from the corps of trees Serena had disappeared into. Dear God it was Serena! Her voice flowed out like liquid silver in the still evening air. Every other sound had faded away as if in deference to the magic of her words. Even his soldiers were silent. Their ears pricked towards the song floated around them. Each man held a look of awe on their face though it seemed tinted with....peace? Yes even he felt the contentment stealing through him, sliding smoothly into his blood and even his bones. His chest felt tight as if unshed tears were bubbling to the surface but the pain and remorse he always felt weighing his shoulders was gone. For one sweet moment it was gone.

Endymion couldn’t understand the words she was singing but he felt the meaning clear enough. She was welcoming the moon just as she had said. Her voice was peace itself, welcoming and offering comfort. It was like being embraced by one’s mother when you were a child or perhaps a long forgotten lover. It was sweet, so infinitely sweet. Endymion his breath catch in his throat as Serena’s voice rose and fell in a final crescendo of notes and then fell silent. No one spoke even as she emerged from her hiding spot, twin spots of pink coloring her cheeks. She kept her head down, refusing to look at him until she reigned her horse up beside him.

“Why is everyone looking at me?” Goddess knew she didn’t know.

“I told you I had to do devotions. You can’t get mad now!” She hissed, becoming angry when he refused to answer her. In truth he couldn’t. Looking back at the line of men stretching behind him, he realized no one else was fairing any better. Everyone was staring at his angel; even his commanders were gawking at her unrepentantly.

“Put your hood back up!” He snapped, his anger high at the thought of other men seeing her. It was irrational he knew, this seething possessiveness he felt towards her but he couldn’t seem to help it. He had only just found her, his chest tightened painfully at the thought of losing her now. She was still looking at him, questioning his odd behavior with one golden brow arched in a silent query.

“Well, now that you’re done we need to move. We have significant ground to cover before we make camp.” He eyed his men meaningfully but it was till several moments before they snapped out of their daze and obeyed him. Horses were kicked into motion
and the formidable army of Earth moved forward, their minds still lingering on the sweet memories one heavenly voice had so effortlessly called forth. Endymion could only scowl as he realized his lady moon was going to be trouble, he knew it with a certainty that boded ill for everyone involved…