Aurora Eos Rose auroraeosrose@heavensdawn.org http://heavensdawn.org Alternate Universe- Fantasy World PG-13 <> indicates thought [] indicates mind speaking A.S. = After Sealing AN: This chapter deals with attempted rape and suicide. Anyone who thinks they'll be offended don't read any farther. I don't want to hear about how it offended you, ok? On with the tale… +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Chapter 7 – Despair and Betrayal +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Aura paced back and forth in her bedroom. Aura stopped pacing. She noticed Sere running across the field below the window. Aura grabbed a cloak and swung out her window. Sere ran like the wind, as if she could simply outrun what had happened to her. Sere tripped on a hill and went tumbling. She tried to stand up, but her ankle collapsed when she tried to put weight on it. Aura hurried across the grassy field. She felt that somehow Sere was in trouble. Aura headed after the pull. Sere was sitting up ahead, her skirts spread out on the grass. "Having a problem?" Sere turned around at the voice. [Oh god, Aura, you have no idea how happy I am to see you.] Aura flinched. "What did you just say?" "I didn't say anything." Aura's eyebrows shot up. "I heard you, you said you were happy to see me." Sere grinned a little. [So you can hear me now?] Aura took a step back. "Your lips didn't move!" Sere smiled widely. Sere smiled and patted the ground beside her. "Sit down and we'll talk." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sophie sat in the library, watching one of the Star Princes. He seemed to be absorbed in a book he was reading. Sophie walked up behind him. "Did you find what you're looking for, Prince Garnet?" Cato turned around, surprised to see princess Sophie. She was leaning over his chair, her black hair falling like a curtain beside her face. Cato resisted the urge to bury his hands in that hair. "I'm finding everything, Princess." He looked into her eyes, and found himself caught. "Please, call me Sophie." She felt herself drowning in his gray eyes. His hair was short and white. Sophie let a finger brush against a strand. "Then call me Cato." Cato felt the air leave his lungs. He brushed Sophie's hair back over her shoulder. His eyes darkened. Cato leaned a little closer. Then he caught himself. "I need to go now, thank you, Sophie." He rose, kissed her hand gently, his lips lingering for a moment, then left the library quickly. Alex and Merri watched Sophie stare at the man leaving the room. "I don't trust them." "You don't trust anyone, Alex." Merri pulled Alex down the aisle. "I can't believe we're spending all day spying on them." "Well, someone needs to keep an eye on them. There is something going on Merri. Something more than what we see. I don't trust that King of theirs." Merri sighed and brushed a strand of hair off Alex's forehead. "I agree with you on that. Something about him bothers me. It's as if I know him from somewhere. As if something is telling me not to trust him." Merri wrapped her arms around Alex's waist. "I understand what you mean Merri. There is more to this than what we see. Cato, he looks so much like him." "I believe they're cousins or something. That white hair and those gray-violet eyes." Merri paused for a moment. "There are two more who come and go occasionally, but I've yet to see him. I don't know what to think of them." Alex growled low in her throat. "I'll tell you something, I don't know if I trust him with poor Sophie's heart." Merri rested her head on Alex's shoulder and the two watched their friend sit and stare in the silence. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ken watched the two sitting in the sunlight, one in white and silver, the other in orange and gold. Ken turned back to the table covered with maps. Fallon and Nolan had come to the Sun Kingdom today. "Everything is progressing according to plan. The supplies are ready and the spies have been inserted. We have details of what teleporters are guarded and by how many people." Nolan walked around the table and pointed to several locations. "The main troops will land here and here." "Nolan will be with the first army, and I will be with the second. As far as I know there has been no contact between the moon, sun, and earth kingdoms. The time is ripe." Fallon's voice rose in excitement. "Then we are prepared for the invasion tomorrow. Everything is prepared. I'm sending Cato back with you tonight. His work here is done. I've charged him with modernizing parts of my kingdom." Ken glanced out the window again. He frowned when he noticed the two weren't sitting where they had been a moment ago. "Everything will be ready your highness." Fallon and Nolan looked up as Cato entered the room. "How are things going Cato? Still designing that plumbing system." Cato looked up in confusion. His eyes looked slightly glazed. "I found what I needed in the library." Cato sat down and leafed through a stack of notes. "Still have that girl on your mind Cato?" Ken had seen the man watching Sophie whenever she was in a room. Cato narrowed his eyes and glared. "That is none of your business. I shall be ready to implement the new designs as soon as we leave, your highness." Cato turned his back and left for his room. "What's his problem?" Fallon leaned on the edge of the desk and watched Cato's retreating back. "I've never seen Cato so upset before." Nolan walked to the door and glanced thoughtfully at Cato's retreating back. "I wonder how strong those feelings for that girl are." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ken watched Serena sit on the blanket beside him. He had invited her on the picnic to try to get to know her better. She looked rather uncomfortable. "What things do you like to do?" Sere looked up at the young man. His eyes were very intense. "I enjoy sword fighting, and archery. I also enjoy horseback riding and hunting." Sere cringed a little at the very male list of hobbies. "Do you like to do anything else?" Ken looked down at the little girl. "I'm a king. I spend a lot of time dealing with squabbles, waging war, and making laws. I don't have a lot of time left to myself." Ken glanced up at the sun. "This is the first time I've taken time off in a long time." Sere looked at him thoughtfully. Serena picked at the sandwich in her hand. Being with him had taken away her appetite. Ken looked at the girl again. She seemed to be upset about something. "What's wrong, Princess?" Serena turned her face to look at him. Her eyes were very sad. "Why do you call me that? Is that all I am to, just a princess? A seal to bind the treaty?" Serena's eyes began to water. Ken felt anger build inside him. "Being royalty is more than just living in luxury and getting your own way. With the position come certain responsibilities. Everything is chosen for you, who you will wed, whether you wed, how many children you must sire. Grow up little princess." Serena felt tears gather in her eyes. He was too cold, too focused on duty and responsibility. She bowed her head and let the tears fall. "Don't try to control me with tears, little princess." Ken jerked her chin upwards. "I will not be manipulated." "But I'm not…" Ken silenced her with a rough kiss. Serena felt nothing. No spark, no attraction. It was awful. His lips were rough and chapped. All she could think about was getting away. She jerked away from Ken and ran to find her father. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The four girls watched Sere run away from the picnic. "She didn't even eat." Lita's voice sounded almost strangled. Ami turned a worried glance on the scowl Ken was wearing. "He doesn't look to pleased with her reaction." Mina patted the sword at her side. "I'm going to go follow her. I don't trust her alone any more." The girl took off after Serena. The other three watched her go. "She hasn't taken that sword off since the treaty was announced." Ami looked back at her friends. "I saw his face, and blood." Rae's voice was very quiet. Lita blanched. "Why didn't you tell anyone, Rae?" Rae shook her head. "My visions are just visions, not a foolproof glimpse into the future. There was another face in the fire. And the blood, it was the blood of war, not of an individual." Ami noticed the faraway look in Rae's eyes. "It's all right Rae." Ami gave her sister a hug. "Everything will work out all right." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The summons from King Adnan came late in the evening. Ken had just send Cato, Fallon, and Nolan home. He was feeling a little lonely when a quiet knock sounded on the door. A young maid handed a folded piece of paper to Ken and hurried away. Ken read the short message with trepidation. Ken walked to the King's private sitting room with a cold feeling in his heart. He knew that something had gone wrong between Serena and him earlier that day. He entered the chamber quietly. Adnan turned around, his eyes unreadable. "Please take a seat. Would you like something to drink?" Ken sat down in the leather chair and nodded. Adnan poured a glass and offered it to the young man. Ken accepted the offered glass of wine. Adnan sat down across from Ken, a glass in his hand. "My daughter came here to talk to me after the afternoon you two spent together. I think you're a fine young man, but for some reason you and my daughter just don't seem to be suited for each other. We spent a long time discussing the problem and I think she has some valid points…" Ken listened to Adnan spout off about how Serena had convinced him that she could never be Ken's bride. Excuses about soul mates and finding the perfect someone. A rock lodged deep in his soul and burned his heart away. "She doesn't think she could ever love me?" Ken felt his world falling apart. The treaty would fall, he would lose valuable allies, and he would never see Prince Aura again. Ken pushed the thoughts from his mind. Adnan turn to look at the young man's burning gaze. "She told me she couldn't imagine there being a time when she could love you." Ken felt the words hit him like icicles. "She couldn't imagine there being a time…She doesn't want to love me." The burning in his chest turned to a cold lump of ice. Ken closed his eyes for a moment, and then lifted his cold gaze to meet Adnan's. "I'm sorry, but I won't force her into a situation where she won't be happy." Ken cursed softly. "Thank you for informing me your majesty." Ken rose, threw the rest of the drink down, bowed, and then turned and headed off into the night. Adnan turned and headed off to his bedroom. Adnan remembered the look on her face when the treaty was announced. Cynthia was gone within the hour. She took the birds and snake with her, but left the two big cats. Adnan felt very alone without her support. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Serena brushed her hair slowly. She felt much better after talking to her father. She repeated the sentence over and over in her head. Serena remembered the glint in his eyes when he talked about war and battles. Serena looked around for Luna, and then realized that Luna was gone. Serena giggled at the thought. Serena set the brush down and headed for her bed. There was a knock at the door. Serena opened the door a crack. "Hello?" The door was thrust open violently. Serena backed away from the door quickly. Ken walked inside, slammed the door shut, and turned the lock. "We need to talk." His eyes were bright, too bright. They glittered dangerously in the dull moonlight shining in the window. "Get out Ken. You can't be in here." Serena's voice shook a little. She could see he was very angry and more than a little out of control. "You talked him into it, didn't you? You probably cried those pretty little tears and your doting papa bent to the whims of his spoiled brat instead of what was best for his kingdom." Ken took a step closer to Sere. She took a step backward. Her legs bumped into the bed. "What are you talking about?" Sere tried to keep her voice steady, but the quiver was still there. "You got him to break the contract, nullify the treaty. Because you couldn't imagine there being a time when you could love me." Serena's hands began to shake. Those were the exact words she had thrown at her father. "He talked to you?" "Well I won't let your inability to love me ruin the peace contract." Ken's eyes darkened. "I'll make him give you to me." He took another step forward. Serena was terrified by the wild look in his eyes. She tried calling out to her sisters, but there was a thick wall in place. "Don't bother little princess. I've put up a shield. They'll never hear you scream." Ken leaned forward and caught Serena's mouth in a bruising kiss. Sere wrenched her head away. "Please Ken, don't…" Serena's words were cut off as Ken pushed her back onto the bed. His legs pinned her down. One hand held both her arms above her head, the other tore at her nightgown. All Serena could do was scream silently. [AURA, MINA, HELP ME!] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Aura felt the scream echo through her soul, ripping her from sleep. She sat up quickly. In one motion she moved out of the bed, grabbed a robe, and took off down the hall. Aura reached Serena's door quickly. She tried to turn the handle, but the door was locked. "Sere? Sere let me in." Aura pressed her ear against the door and heard a muffled yelp. Her eyes narrowed. She took a step back. The door was too thick to kick down, but the hinges were on the outside. Aura quickly pulled the pins out and pushed the door open. Serena was on the bed, her nightgown torn. Ken was lying on top of her. Aura wasted no time. She burst into the room and grabbed Ken from behind in a chokehold. "Get out of here Sere, now!" Sere rolled off the bed and raced out the door. Ken growled and threw Aura over his shoulder onto the bed. She was stunned for a moment. Then her eyes narrowed. "You bastard." She kicked upward, catching him in the groin. She wanted to kill him, to grind him into dust. "You hurt her." Ken groaned and took a step backward. Aura scrambled off the bed. Then she threw a punch at Ken's face, catching him in the jaw. "Aura?" It was Mina. She stood in the door in her own nightgown, sword drawn. Her eyes narrowed at the disheveled bed, messy room, and Ken on the floor in pain. "Where's Sere. What did he do?" "She's all right, but she took off like shot. I think she was really shaken up. You better go take care of her. I'll deal with him." Aura aimed a kick at the man's back. Mina nodded and headed out to find Sere. Aura glanced down at the man still curled up on the floor. "Get up you baby." She could feel his remorse now, but blocked it from her mind. She leaned over to haul him to his feet. Ken's mind was numb. He had let his emotions get the better of him and almost hurt Serena. And then Aura came in the room in that robe. He winced as her foot made contact with his back. He grabbed Aura's arm and yanked her down onto the floor. Her robe caught on the corner of the bed and ripped off in the process. Then Ken rolled on top of her, pinning her to the floor. Ken's eyes narrowed. Aura cringed at the look in his eyes. Ken couldn't believe what he saw. Aura was wearing a nightgown, a woman's nightgown, and the body pressed against him was that of a woman, not a man. He looked down into her frightened eyes. "You're a woman." Aura felt the anger radiate from Ken. She closed her eyes against his accusing gaze. She had known he would find out sooner or later. "My name is Aurelia." She said in a whisper. Ken leaned closer to the woman underneath him. "You little bitch. You lied to me the whole time. You and your father." Ken grabbed her chin. "Open your eyes." Aura opened her eyes reluctantly. Ken was inches from her face. Then his lips came down on hers in a harsh, blistering kiss. Aura tried to pull away, but his hand held her firmly in place. Finally he pulled back. Aura's lips were swollen and sore. Ken slid off Aura and stood, pulling the girl to her feet. He twisted her arms violently behind her back. "Well, I think you'll just have to come home with me." Aura thrashed, trying to get loose. Ken sighed and brought his hand down on the back of her neck. Aura crumpled to the ground in a faint. Ken swung her over his shoulder and headed for the teleporter. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Mina could hear Serena's thoughts. They jumbled together into a mix of self-hatred, fear, and disgust. And lots of self-blame. She could hear Sere repeating the thought over and over again. Mina followed the pull of the thoughts. Then Mina realized where Serena was headed. The edge of the floating continent, just behind the palace. Mina saw Serena in the distance, a hazy figure in the mist that clung to the edge of the floating continent. "Serena! Please don't. Come back Serena!" Mina felt desperation tearing at her insides. She wouldn't make it in time. She couldn't make it in time. [Serena, please. Don't do this.] Mina pressed herself forward, willing more speed into her body. Serena heard the voice in her mind. She clutched at her torn nightgown. Serena took another step forward. She peered over the edge of the continent. All she saw was clouds. She closed her eyes. Mina could see Sere clearly now. Her heart was pounding loudly. "Serena, NO, DON'T" Mina's lungs burned, but she still managed to scream the words in her mind and aloud. "STOP!" [STOP SERE!] Serena whirled around, her eyes widening. Mina was racing toward her. Tears filled Sere's eyes. [I'm sorry Mina.] Sere closed her eyes and took a step backward. Mina's eyes widened in horror as Sere disappeared over the edge. "NO!" An extra burst of energy propelled Mina the last few feet. Mina flung herself partway over, grasping the girl by an arm. Sere turned her tear filled eyes up at Mina. "I want to die. Just let me go Mina." "I won't let you go Sere. You are the reason I live." Mina felt her grasp slipping. She scooted forward on the ground, trying to get a better grip. "If you fall, I fall too." Then the ground Mina lay on crumbled, and there was a rush of wind. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ All right, I'm utterly evil. This brings new meaning to the term cliffhanger, no? I want mail!! Or I won't tell you what happens to them for a whole chapter! (giggles evilly) See you next week, same time, same place.