Out of the Darkness and Into the Light: Chapter 6 by Selena rated: PG-13 Hi. Here's the next part. I'm keeping this short so enjoy the story! ******************************* Selena enters the great hall first, followed by her four friends. Butterflies flitter within her stomach. When she sees their guests, she is so taken that she nearly stumbles, once again tripping on her train. She looks at him and at the woman on his arm. 'She is so beautiful!' There beside the prince, stands a tall, slender, curvaceous woman of about twenty. Her hair is pulled into a bun with long auburn tresses falling from the center. Her face is long and oval shaped with high cheekbones and striking green eyes. As Selena nears, she falls into a low bow. "Princess Selenity of the Moon, I am Lady Beryllia of Nemesis." Then her gaze shifts to see him for the first time. The lights reflect in pools in eyes so light that they almost look clear. His hair falls in long, white waves to his ears. A lavish uniform accented with tassels at his broad shoulders makes him appear even more handsome. 'Oh Gods!' She thinks. "Princess Selenity, I presume." Demando bows low as he suavely kisses her hand. His smile is debonair and his air is perfect. Dressed in his best royal uniform, he walks and talks with all the grace of a superior being. 'So the rumors prove true. She is beautiful. What could be more suiting that I should obtain a wife of such beauty…and such power! Beryl doesn't need to find that pathetic nymph. All that needs to be conquered and tamed is standing right in front of me. This is one conquest I'm going to readily enjoy…'"Please allow me to escort you to the table." Selena nearly swoons at the sight of him. The lights from the chandeliers bounce off his light hair and pale features. The sound of his voice is music itself - gentle and inviting. He touches her hand as if she were a china doll. Dressed in a soft, pale pink satin and curls draping down the back of her head, all attention is focused on her presence. 'He seems so wonderful! And he's so handsome!' "Of course." She breathes, a warm blush rising to her cheeks, as she takes his offered hand. A large grin spreads across Mina's face. She whispers to the others, "They're perfect for one another! He so dreamy! I am totally jealous!" "I wonder I he likes philosophy…" Ami sighs. "Well, I don't like him!" Rei snorts. "There's something not right about him. He seems almost…too perfect…" "Oh Rei!" Jupiter scolds, exasperated. "You don't trust anyone! You don't even know him! Just give it some time. I mean, you didn't like Darien and he turned out alright." "That's questionable." Mars replies, her arms crossed. The other three girls groan. 'Still he is pretty good in a fight and what a looker too!' "Maybe you're right." She sighs and rolls her eyes. "I guess I can give him a chance…for Selena's sake only." She watches as Selena takes his hand and the elegant couple waltzes toward the banquet table. She narrows her eyes and she feels the warmth of the sacred fire blazing before them. 'Something's wrong here…I sense an evil presence…I don't like this…' Just then. Mercury taps her shoulder. "Come on. I know you're hungry. The Queen is waiting." Walking in pairs, Venus and Mercury enter the hall followed by Mars and Jupiter. They bow gracefully before Queen Serenity and take their seats at her side. Conversation is polite enough. Demando and his 'cousin' talk of the wonders of Earth and the grandeur of Nemesis. Beryl expresses his desire to transform Earth into a wonderful place and rid it of so many of its domestic problems. Serenity sits stone-faced, listening to every word and looking with a keen eye as to some hint of deception. 'They're good…very good. Who ever said the ancient art of diplomacy was dead? Well two can play that game…' Demando suddenly asks a startling question. "Your Majesty, I hear you now have a knight who serves The Silver Millenium." She raises a brow. "Yes. We do. Unfortunately, he is unable to join us this evening. His training is quite intense and he requires rest." She answers coolly. Demando smiles curtly and smoothes his sleeve. "He must be a fine soldier. I shall have to meet him." "Perhaps." Serenity says slyly. 'I'm no fool, young one. You're petty skills will get you no where in my presence.' Selena can sense the tension in her mother's voice. 'What could be wrong? I don't understand.' Mina shoots a warning glance as she shifts in her chair. Venus turns and flashes a radiant smile. "So, your highness, do you like music?" He returns her gesture. "I love it. It is often said, 'Music is the language of angels.' Perhaps one day, when you visit Earth, I will play for you." Venus sighs dreamily and breathes, "That would be lovely." The Queen struggles to hold in a chuckle as she watches the look in their eyes. 'Oh to be young again.' Then she sees her daughter. Selena sits quietly, watching his moves and hanging on his every word. She smiles sweetly and a blush fills her cheeks as he addresses her. Serenity's heart fills with worry. 'Be careful, my precious one. He is not what he seems. May you have the wisdom to see through his deception.' At the end of the evening Demando and his party bid their farewell as they walk toward the guest quarters. Coyly, he takes Selena aside and whispers, "Princess, would you allow me to call on you again? I shall miss seeing your beautiful face. There is no other like it." Again, he takes he hand and gently raises it to his lips. She smiles and stares at him as he kisses her hand. 'He thinks I'm beautiful! And he's so wonderful! Maybe…maybe this is the one! Is this the man I'm going to marry?' "Of course." She replies in an elegant voice. "Then you must save me a dance at the ball. Till we meet again, *my princess*. " Serenity narrows her eyes and whispers to Luna and Artemis, "Watch them." ******************************* The next morning, Selena and Mars sit at a small table in the library, enjoying their break form studies. "Well, you had better shape up if you want him to call on you again!" Mars snorts, her hands on her hips. "Mmm…what do you mean, Rei?!" Selena asks, a torte stuffed in her mouth and hand reaching for another on the silver tray. She rolls her eyes. "You know, it's a miracle you aren't a big cream puff already. If you keep eating that way you'll never get through the door let alone fit into the new gowns your mother just ordered for you. Besides, who would call on someone fat?" "Oh…" Selenity sighs and hesitantly fights with all her will power to return the torte to the tray. Rei smiles and pats her on the back. "I know it hurts but you did the right thing." She picks up the torte and quickly devours it. She sits with her mouth swung wide open. "Hey! You did that on purpose!" "No I didn't. You're the one with the suitors not me. Anyway, you asked for my help." "But…" "Selena?" Mercury calls as she enters through the Gothic archway. "Ami!" She beams. "Did you find anything out…err…I mean…any news?" "Yes. You'll never believe this, but you're going to have to read more books and increase your study hours so you can make decent conversation. He's so intelligent!" Horrified, she stares at her. "More?" She gulps. "*More* study time?!" Somehow this whole scheme seems to be losing more and more appeal every minute. "But, Ami…" Just then Jupiter scurries in behind Mercury holding a tray full of dishes. "Good news!" "About what?" Selena asks nervously, already regretting having asked. "I have the perfect solution! You need more practice with table manners!" "What?! W…w…Why?" She shrieks. 'I thought this was supposed to be good news.' She mumbles under her breath. "Selenity!" Luna scolds. "Don't do that! A true lady never raises her voice. She keeps a constant, serene tone. That's one thing he's sure to notice. If I can do it, so can you." "Not likely." Mars mutters. 'Who would want to in front of such a pansy?' Jupiter continues. "You nearly dropped your glass during dinner!" "But I was nervous. I didn't…" "Oh don't worry. After Darien, you ought to be a sinch!" Lita grimaces. "Now that was a headache! He broke 12 of my prized crystal, fluted glasses! Oooh…I could have killed him!" 'Speaking of headaches, I can feel one coming on now…' Selena flops into the seat next to her, nearly crushing Artemis. "Meeeeeoooooowwwww!" "I saw that!" Mina yells. "I'm sorry!" She wails. "I didn't mean to sit on…" "Really, Selena! You have to sit down gracefully all the time so it becomes a habit. Otherwise, you'll forget and when it really counts, you'll make a fool of yourself. Hmm…maybe we'd better work on your walk too. It'll never do if you fall flat on your face in front of him." "Nice to know I'm thought of." Artemis mumbles trying to fluff his flattened tail. Everyone ignores him. "I didn't fall last night!" "Still…" Mina says thoughtfully. "You can't be too careful. We'll start right away. Come on, balance this on your head." Mercury tilts her head sideways and holds out a philosophy book. "She should be reading instead." "I think manners should go first!" Jupiter interjects, teacup and spoon in hand. Selena holds her head in her hands, lets out a scream of frustration and runs out of the room. "See what you did!" Mars points an accusing finger at the other girls. "What *we* did?!" They chorus. Artemis rolls his eyes and quietly leaves, hoping to avoid the oncoming catfight. **************************** Running through the long halls, she heads for the gardens when she rams headfirst into her mother. "Selenity! You know better than to run in the corridors! What if someone had seen you? What would they think?!" She stops her chiding tone, when she sees her tear stained face. "Oh, mother, I'm sorry. I just…" She bursts into tears. "What's the matter, dear?" Serenity asks sympathetically and pulls her into a hug. She wails. "I'm having such a horrible day." "But you were having such a good time with our guests." She leads her daughter to a nearby bench in the long hallway. She tips her chin up and hands her a delicate silk handkerchief. "Tell me all about it." "Well, first Mars said that…" "Your Majesty?" "Yes, Artemis?" "You guests are waiting in the drawing room." She nods and Artemis walks back down the hall toward the room where their 'honored' guests are seated. "I'm sorry, Selena, but I have to go now." 'I don't trust them anywhere in this palace. The sooner they leave, the better. Something about them is not right. If one more thing happens this morning, I'm going to go insane.' She rises and smoothes her daughter's tousled bangs. She smiles warmly. "Why don't you come and see me when court sessions are over? We'll have plenty of time to talk then." "But that's not until after midnight!" Serenity sighs. "Selenity, you know how things work. I'm sorry it has to take so long, but everything is so hectic right now." "But I…" "Shh…don't worry. I'm sure what ever it is Mars said, she didn't mean it. Just give it a little time. Perhaps she'll apologize." She kisses her cheek and regally walks down the long hall. Selena slumps her shoulders in defeat. Luna sneaks up next her. "Are you alright?" "Why, Luna?" She sobs. "Why does she run every time I need to talk to her? She's always so busy!" The cat lets out a frustrated groan. "We've been through this a hundred times! She's the Queen and right now her duties come first. There's a visiting royal family - one we don't know much about. That's putting a tremendous amount of pressure on your mother. You can't expect her drop everything just because you didn't like what the girls told you. Maybe they were a *bit* forceful, but, Selena, to a degree they were right. You are a bright, warm, and caring girl, but sometimes you get lazy and careless. There is more to life than dresses, games, balls, and suitors! You're a princess and it's time you started taking your responsibilities more seriously! Please try and understand!" Every word sears as if she'd been burnt. "I don't want to understand!" She screams, trying to hide the hurt inside. "I just want to be left alone…to live some semblance of a normal life - one without people telling me how to walk, talk, and eat! And if I can't do that here, then I'll go where I can!" She turns and runs at top speed out into the gardens. She can feel hot tears brimming in the corners of her eyes and the lump in the back of her throat swells. 'Is that all you think of me? I can never be the person you want me to be! I'll never be good enough for anyone! I can't take this anymore. I have to get out of here!' She rounds the corner to head into a secluded part of the gardens and just as she raises her hand toward the heavens, a strong hand takes hold of her arm. Darien, dressed in worn battle armor and covered with dirt, bruises, and some minor injuries, eyes her carefully. "Where are you going?" He asks, raising a brow. Selena glares at him with narrowed eyes. "I'm not going anywhere!" She breathes through clenched teeth. She turns her head to hide her tears and issues a silent prayer. 'Please, just go away…I can't deal with you right now!' Darien looks at her skeptically. "I don't believe you. I know you better than that. Tell me what's wrong." He says warmly as he takes her hand. His touch alerts every nerve in her body and sends shivers down her spine. Turning to peer into his deep azure eyes, she feels knots form in her stomach. Her anger melts away into uncertainty and confusion. 'Why do you make me feel this way?' "Darien, please!" She begs. "Just turn and walk away…let me be!" Selena tries to cover her uncertainty with indignation. He had never seen her this upset before. He feels anger boil inside of him. 'Who would dare to upset her?!' Then it hit him. 'The tear stained cheeks…she raised her hand to…she's running away!' "Oh, Selena." He whispers. "You were going to Earth, weren't you?" She stares at the ground and reluctantly nods her head. "But you can't go alone. It's too dangerous!" She snaps her head up suddenly, all the anger from before resurfacing. Hot tears burn her cheeks. "Who are you to tell me where I can and cannot go?!" She screams. "I can't move around this place without someone watching every move I make or hearing every word I say! I need to get out! I can't stand this anymore! I just want to be alone! Can't you understand that?!" Darien gently takes her in his arms. She struggles to break free of his hold. "Let go of me! You can't stop me!" "You're right." She stops and looks into his eyes stunned. 'He…he's not going to argue with me?!' "What…what do you mean?!" He leads her to a bench resting in front of a large fountain. Misty sprays of water float in the air to form rainbows as the light hits its surface. Darien sits next to her and sighs before beginning. "I can't stop you from going…but…don't go alone. Don't ever wish to be alone. I know what 'alone' is, and believe me, it's not something you want. It's dark and ugly." "But, Darien…" She interrupts. "You don't understand. I won't be gone long. I just need to get away for a little while. Please, let me do this. I'll be careful. Besides, I'm going to go insane if I stay her another minute!" He sighs deeply. 'What am I going to do with her? I know her - when she makes up her mind, there's no stopping her…She'll only leave later when I'm not here to stop her. This isn't the first time she's tried. Hmm…there's only one thing I can do…' "Selena, what if I went with you?" She stares at him, shocked. "You…you mean you'll let me go." He forms a naughty smile and his eyes shine with mischief. " Sure, I'll help you. I know some good hiding places. But…only on two conditions." Selena grimaces and puts on a pouting face. She crosses her arms and mumbles, "I knew there had to be an ulterior motive!" "Hey, have I ever been that bad to you?" She opens her mouth to reply but he silences her. "Don't answer that question! I take you and you have to promise me that 1, you'll tell me what's wrong and 2, you stay with me no matter what happens! No wandering off! Then, when we're done, we come back together." She groans. 'You always know how to get me caught in a jam.' She bits her lower lip. 'Well, either I go with him or I don't go at all. Wait a minute…' "Hey, doesn't that make 3 conditions?!" He smiles devilishly. "Take it or leave it. We have to keep this a secret." 'I would be dead meat if the Queen found out! Then again, I will be when I get back.' He glances into her beautiful, innocent face. 'Oh well, she's worth it.' "Of course, I could always get Luna. I'm sure she'd love to take you!" "You wouldn't dare!" "Wouldn't I?!" "Ohhh you! Fine then." She huffs. "Good. Meet me here tomorrow morning. We have to leave early." "How early?" She cringes. "Very early." Darien turns to leave but she stops him. "Where are you going?" "I have to get back. Rei is going to kill me for leaving!" "Oh." 'That's funny. He never leaves training. He always works so hard.' "Darien?" "Hmm?" "Why did you leave? What made you come here?" At her words he stops, puzzled, his eyes fill with confusion. "I don't know." He shakes his head as he stares at the ground. "Something…told me I should be here…that's all." Selena approaches him slowly. "You mean that you felt like you were needed?" Darien gulps at her close proximity. "Um…no." He says nervously, backing away. "More like someone willed me to be here." "Oh." She says shyly as she stares into his eyes. Unable to do anything else he returns her intense stare. 'How is it that you always seem to know when I need you? You show up at just the right moment. Sometimes I wonder if…" "DARIEN?!!" Rei's voice screeches from the far side of the garden, snapping them both into reality. Selena's face flushes when she sees how close they were standing. "Oh no!" Darien mumbles. "She's going to kill me!" He turns back and smiles. "Looks like I better go." She nods sweetly, but refuses to look at his face. "Hey?" He lifts up her chin with his hand. "Are you gonna be ok?" "Yes. I think so." Enraptured by her beauty, Darien gently kisses her lips. Suddenly he pulls away. "I'm sorry I…I better go." He turns and runs from the fountain, back towards the gate. Selena stands in shock. Slowly she raises her hand to her lips. 'Did that really happen? Did he kiss me?! Or was it just a dream? Does this mean, he has feelings for me?!' Clearing her head she rethinks the incident again. 'No…don't be silly. He's just worried because you're upset. That's all.' Still a nagging voice in her subconscious tells her otherwise, but she dismisses it. A beautiful hue of pink caresses her cheeks and her lips unwillingly carry a sweet smile as she slowly turns and walks to her room to make preparations for the next day's trip. **************************** To be continued in Chapter 7… Ok, I know not much happened here, nut I had to split this into 2 parts. Chapter 7 is almost done. I just have to put in the romantic parts. I worked so hard on the action in that part, that now I'm behind with the other parts. Oh well! I hope you liked this one. Chapter 7 will be out in a few days. Thanks for reading and please send me all you comments, questions, or flames to: s2jemeko@atlas.vcu.edu ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]