Silently, she drifted through the abandoned hallways of her home, a tear sliding down her face to fall upon the floor as she passed. She was devastated, torn by grief that twisted her soul like a dull knife. It was consuming her soul.
His presence was everywhere; a brush against her skin, his scent calling to her. She knew it was an illusion, a trick of the mind, but her heart didn't seem to care. He had been her light, always a strong shield to wrap herself in. Closing her eyes, she could see for but a moment his image. Yet upon opening them, it faded to the empty hall; her home, or was it his home? She couldn't quite recall.
She was so tired, but sleep would not come. It hurt, a cruel reminder that she was so very alone. Her trembling hand brushed aside the never ending tears. They mustn't see; they always watched her. She wanted to scream, but her voice was silent. No one knew, say for two small companions. Did it really matter that everyone assumed she didn't care? That her husband's death had meant nothing? To those that watched, she was as cold as ice, unfeeling and without emotion.
'Why?' She wanted to cry. 'Sol, why now? I can't do this alone!'
"Queen Selinity!" For a moment, her vision blurred, as if Luna were nothing but a dream. Perhaps that's all this was, a never ending dream? Her feet drifted upon the bare tiles, as if they couldn't take her away from this place fast enough. The black cat of Mau called to her again, rubbing against her Queen's feet. "Please, Selinity, you must rest."
Luna stared at what remained of the once vibrant and carefree woman. Another tear slid down the Queen's cheek, to fall onto the cat's glossy fur. It pained her to see Selinity this way, always silent and never really crying. These were silent tears, unrevealed to those that wished to see Lunaria fall.
Unaware of the shadow that followed them, Luna continued beside her mistress, wanting to do or say something that would bring Selinity out of her depression. Nothing seemed to work and the little feline was worried that Selinity too would die.
Selinity, her eyes glazed over, found herself on the balcony. Would it be so wrong to give them Lunaria, to let it all fade away? She hated this place, the cold indifference she had no choice but to bare. Sol had been her life. Married less than a week, he had already been stolen from her.
He had been her only friend, and despite the objections against their marriage, he had chosen Selinity regardless. Selinity had been a peasant, an orphan, and nothing had outraged the other kingdoms more than to see one as powerful as King Sol marry her.
His mother had been the former Queen of Lunarian, having married the King of Solaria. The two kingdoms, after his parents death, had fallen upon the young man's shoulders. Alone he had created the Alliances of the inner and outer planets. His efforts had brought about the Silver Alliance, but it was so fragile, and in a flash, it would be destroyed.
Selinity couldn't bare to see everything return to the way it had been; the wars, the hate and the needless death. The battles always left behind a river of blood, the land crying its pain and suffering. Luna stared at the long drop, her red eyes flying back towards Queen Selinity.
"You mustn't, my lady!" Luna cried, tugging on the hem of her dress. Tears filled the feline's eyes, her teeth desperately trying to pull her away from the edge. "Selinity, please don't do this! Talk to us! Scream! Cry! Please, don't leave me!"
Luna had been her faithful friend since the woman was three, helping the young orphan adjust to the life as a Queen. Selinity had no knowledge of where she came from, only that she had been passed from one home to the other. Luna didn't understand why people were so against her being the wife of King Sol. She never had a mean word to say, but the cruelty of the other kingdoms had slowly changed her.
Selinity had become withdrawn and quiet, all of it fading for a brief moment when King Sol had finally agreed to marry her. It had shocked entire nations, but it didn't seem to matter to him. He loved Selinity with every fiber of his being. "Queen Selinity!"
The Queen didn't seem to hear, her feet moving ever closer. Luna watched in horror as she stepped off the edge, but before she could fall, a shadow blurred by and yanked the woman back. Selinity never knew what had saved her from certain death, or the face that dimmed in her fading vision. 'Sleep, that is what I want. Make it all fade away. I don't want to be here anymore.'
He couldn't believe how dangerously close she had been to dying. For an eternity he sat in numb terror, his eyes never leaving her tear stained face. Unlike everyone else, he understood how broken this woman truly was.
Silver hair pooled around her unconscious body like a blanket. She was too thin, dark shadows beneath her closed eyes. Gently, he brushed the tears away, a feeling of protectiveness washing over the powerful man. He had wanted to discuss urgent matters with Selinity, but she was no longer able to run the Silver Alliance or stop the growing darkness on her very doorstep.
A small form shifted by his feet, her anxious eyes searching for signs of injury. Her little tongue bathed the Queen's face, trying to give what comfort she knew how. "Fear not, little one, I will bare her pain."
"Your majesty?" Luna asked, confused by this man's offer. There was something about this man she should know about, but every time Luna thought that she was close, the memory would vanish. He smiled, picking her up and stroking her fur.
"Tell me of her," he whispered, his voice a soft command. Luna started to pull away, but strong arms held her. "Why hide her pain?"
"Did she have a reason not to?" Luna asked.
"Not everyone is an enemy, little one."
"Who are you?"
He gave her a mysterious smile, finding a spot behind her ear. Luna was appalled that he could so easily make her purr, as if he knew her hidden secrets and desires. "Saturn."
The man tightened his grip on the trembling feline, not giving her the chance to run. "You will tell no one of this."
"But..."
"I am seen only when necessary. That is why you try to recall what is a faded memory. I wish it no other way."
"I've heard of you, but they were only whispers. Everyone seems afraid of you. Why?"
"For one so small, you ask a lot of questions. I ask you again, tell me of her."
"Why?"
"Perhaps I should see and hear from another perspective. Granted, I've been curious about this one for some time, but never took the time to introduce myself."
"You're different," Luna finally said, trusting the powerful man. At fist Luna had thought him a King, but after hearing his name, she knew he was far beyond that status, a force to be reckoned with. She knew so little about him, only that people feared him. Should she not be afraid as well? "Selinity isn't a cold person. She loves life and everything around her. I remember a time when she smiled and laughed frequently. That all changed after King Sol showed an interest in her."
Saturn sighed, knowing he should have prevented the marriage. Her pain was unnecessary, but until now he had been too busy to prevent the events up to this point. Setting Luna down, Saturn gently lifted Selinity off the ground and carried her as if she weighed nothing. "Lead the way, little one."
Luna had always hated that nickname, but with Saturn, she didn't seem to mind. Perhaps it was the man saving her Queen's life. Luna led him through several corridors, finally stopping before a room that opened up to several chambers. Saturn placed the woman in bed, covering her with several blankets before he retreated into the guest room.
The feline was confused, frightened and exhausted. "Can you help her?"
"No one will question my place here." Luna was awed by his confidence, power clinging to this man like a second skin. He had been extremely gentle, but Luna couldn't help but sense a darker and deadlier aura around him.
Luna slowly relaxed, having to place her trust in Saturn. She knew so little about him, but she knew better than to pry. Saturn watched the feline leave Selinity's rooms, giving him the solitude he wanted.
He couldn't allow Selinity to continue with her reckless behavior, but on the same note he refused to allow the other planets to see how far she had fallen in a matter of days. Her collapse would be all they needed to strike, to take the Silver Alliance and destroy everything King Sol had worked for.
Only two planets remained out of the loop, but Saturn had very different reasons for not involving his planet. He could only see the alliance as a beginning to an end, and preferred his isolation. Saturn was capable of tremendous power, one with the shadows. His planet had few people and they rarely associated with one another.
Saturians were feared for a reason, the bringers of death. Yet here he was, sitting a room away from a woman he had saved. Unable to resist, he went to the sleeping Queen, setting his weight on her large bed. Slowly, ever so slowly, he leaned over her.
"You will forget," he whispered, chanting in an ancient tongue long forgotten. Saturn smirked; allying himself with Selinity was the perfect way to anger those that wished to harm her. A tear slipped past the spell he wove, her mind stubbornly refusing his command. "You're safe."
Selinity whimpered, struggling to pull away. Saturn was shocked by her mental barriers, never having met anyone that could resist his power. For a moment he almost gave into her desire to keep her memories, but an image of her trying to jump from the balcony was all he needed to slam her with everything he had.
Saturn was unprepared for the blast of silver light, throwing him into the hallway. He blinked, feeling a trickle run down the side of his cheek. Touching the pain on the back of his head, he was stunned to see red. He couldn't recall the last time someone had managed to wound him, yet she had done it in an unconscious state.
Painfully, he staggered back into the room, awed by the silver light around Selinity's power. It had a pink hue, as if it were angry. Saturn closed his eyes and concentrated, attempting to understand this strange and deadly power. It felt somehow strangely familiar, but it had been several centuries since he had seen anything like this sudden flare of power. "NO!"
Saturn almost fell to his knees at the surge of rage directed at him. It was a separate entity, yet a part of Queen Selinity. "I mean the Lunarian no harm."
"Why do you attack her?"
"I seek only to protect Selinity. She will die if I do nothing."
"Die?" The entity seemed confused by this concept, as if remembering something from long ago. "Why would she choose such a fate?" It seemed curious, like a child trying to understand the world around it.
"Someone she cared about has left her alone. Selinity is unable to deal with the pain."
"Death... No... I've been asleep a long time. People are different, strange. What is it you wish to do?"
"To protect her."
"I need her alive..." The entity said.
"What are you?"
"I can't quite remember," it said. "It's been so long... Something about your power awakened me. It reminds me of another similar to your own, but far more deadly. I thought you were an old enemy. Do as you will, Saturian; I will help you. This one's mind is far too powerful for you to change on your own."
Saturn didn't give himself time to think about the entity's words, combining all of his mental power with that of the silver aura. For a brief moment, Selinity almost broke free, her crescent moon blazing to life. Silver and gold battled, but in the end, she gave in and allowed herself to forget the pain. Had this not been what she wanted?
Selinity woke in a daze, finding herself in a large bed with thick blankets. "Where am I?"
"Safe," came a deep voice, a shadow hovering in the doorway. Selinity studied him closer, watching his every move. He was almost seven feet tall, with black hair and lavender eyes. Muscled arms strained at the sleeves of his black shirt and pant legs.
She trembled in alarm, finding herself strangely afraid of this man. Saturn watched in amusement as Selinity dove beneath her covers, hoping that he'd simply vanish or leave. Quietly he moved towards the bed, yanking all the blankets from the bed and tossing them towards the other side of the room.
Selinity backed away, finding herself cornered between the wall and Saturn. "Are you allowed to be in here?"
Saturn almost laughed, but she was frightened enough. "I go where I choose," he admitted. She seemed a different person, happier and carefree. Was this the girl Luna had spoken of, the woman buried beneath the hatred and prejudice of the other kingdoms. His eyes flashed, but her squeak of alarm quickly calmed him.
"Why do you fear me?"
She wanted to listen to his voice for hours, but at the same time she wanted to run. "You're a stranger."
The idea was so innocent and naive, that Saturn did laugh this time. It was so easy around her, and he found that he craved more of this strange emotion. "Are we not all strangers at one point or another?"
"Who are you?"
"Saturn," he replied with an elegant bow, having its desired affect. Selinity blushed, trying to find a reason to dislike him. Without her memories, she had no concept of who and what he was. He wondered if she would care. Saturn had yet to find a person that didn't run screaming in the other direction when he appeared. Strange, Luna had been the same way.
"Why are you here?"
"Are you always this way?" he teased, pleased to find a red blush creeping up her neck. "You were sad, and I came to help. Stop trying to send me away, it isn't going to happen."
"Why was I sad?" Selinity would never understand why she did what she did next; sticking out her tongue like a child. With lightning reflexes, he had it between two fingers, a glint in his eyes that made her shudder.
"Unless you want a lesson on how to properly use this, I suggest you not do that again." She almost decided to challenge him; it was written all over her face. Saturn was so tempted... "Someone close to you died a few days ago."
"Why can't I remember?" Saturn pulled the woman into his arms, stroking her silver hair until she was fully relaxed. She didn't even seem to realize her submissive behavior.
"You are not able to deal with the grief and pain."
"Who was this person?"
"A friend," Saturn replied, not wanting to give her the full truth. She gave everything to a person, her soul, mind, trust and friendship. Saturn wondered if she could possibly see him in that same light, the way she had done with King Sol? Sadly, he shook his head, unable to hope for such a gift.
"His funeral is in a few hours," he gently said. "Do you wish to go?"
"If I was his friend, then I would be expected."
He started to see her withdraw, the mask that had fooled so many start to appear. "NO!" He commanded. Saturn grabbed her chin and tilted it back, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Never again will you attempt to hide what and who you are! People will always watch for a weakness, but you give them more of a weapon by isolating yourself."
"But..."
"No," he growled, slightly furious that she was still wanting to hide behind a mask of indifference. "I will drive these silly thoughts from your mind."
Selinity couldn't have stopped him, an arm holding her secure as his free hand kept hold of her chin. He had no idea why he kissed her, only that he didn't want to stop. Suddenly he hated King Sol, hated the man that had possessed this beautiful woman. She had so much laughter and love to give, that by marrying King Sol, Selinity had been forced to bury those emotions. Selinity had come to depend on King Sol, so much that his death had nearly taken her as well.
"Shouldn't..." she whimpered, unable to say a coherent word.
"You will attend this funeral," he whispered, kissing her with each word. Saturn knew he was unfairly manipulating Selinity, but he couldn't stand the thought of her being unhappy. He liked the light and laughter in her silver eyes. "You will not fear what others will think or say." Selinity surrendered, knowing she couldn't win against him. He was wrapping her further and further into his spell, not needing much more before he would completely have her.
Saturn was aware that they should wait several months before he made his move, but he didn't have that kind of time or patience. Too much was at stake and he could make Selinity feel loved, happy, and safe. Reluctantly, he released her lips, wanting so much more from this woman. Saturn had only meant to propose an alliance with her, but found that he wanted all of her.
"I'm glad you came," she whispered, not sure why she wanted his friendship. "Was I alone?"
"Does it matter? You're not now." Selinity smiled, content to stay in his arms for a while longer. He had promised to keep her safe; that was enough for the confused Lunarian, her memories behind a hidden barrier.
There were a lot of people at the funeral, all members of the silver alliance King Sol had created. Selinity hovered close to Saturn, watching as they buried him beneath the ground. Her heart felt strangely heavy, and she almost begged that they stop.
She had heard the small talk; King Sol had been a good ruler, King and friend. He went out of his way to settle disputes without needless violence, but he had married a commoner. Were they referring to her? The presence of Saturn had caused an uproar, but none were brave enough to openly say it. Why had he come? He wasn't a member of the alliance and why did Selinity seek his strength?
All eyes were fixed on Queen Selinity and Saturn, the man hovering a few paces back, as if he were a part of the shadows himself. They judged her as she stood by King Sol's grave, two cats beside her feet. Only two saw something different, a woman that was far from being indifferent, cold and uncaring.
Selinity seemed lost and confused, her silver eyes watching the last of the dirt cover King Sol's grave. Saturn was watching her closely; did the Queen even realize who he was? Jasmine, the Queen of Mercury leaned over, whispering to her best friend Tasmir, Queen of Venus. "Should we approach her?"
"Why not? Although, with the way he's acting, I don't think it'll be an easy task. Plus, there are our husbands. They don't like Selinity."
"To hell with our husbands," Jasmine growled. "Does it really matter if she's an orphaned child? Perhaps she appears cold because no one has given her a chance to be other wise. Still, why is he here? Saturn hasn't been seen for several centuries, not since the death of his wife."
"He's really..."
"Shhh... Angering Saturn is not on my top priorities for the day!"
"She looks so sad; why would anyone think she doesn't care? Selinity can't possibly run the Silver Alliance alone, not without the other kings trying to take control away from her."
"What about the other woman?"
Tasmir shook her head, her expression sad. "They won't get involved, too afraid to challenge their husband's authority. I guess that leaves us."
"What are we waiting for then?"
When the service was over, the two women excused themselves from their husbands, saying they wanted to explore the beautiful gardens. They could easily return home in a few hours, giving them time to freely walk through the castle halls. They soon spotted the mysterious woman they had heard so much about, nothing at all like the kings had named her.
She was holding Luna in her arms, talking quietly with Saturn. "It hurts..." they heard her say. "...can't remember. My husband..." They caught only pieces of the conversation, but before they could move any closer, Saturn glanced up, his eyes a promise of death.
Tasmir hesitated, prepared to turn around, but Jasmine quickly grabbed her arm and dragged her towards Saturn. She refused to be frightened away, even if he could kill her at a glance if he so chose. No one angered Saturn, not if they wanted to live.
Saturn, if it were possible, crowded closer to Selinity. He appeared to be shielding her from the world, or from two possible threats. Perhaps it was a trick of the light, but they thought they saw tears sliding down her pale cheeks. "Greetings, your majesty."
"I don't know you," she whispered, wanting the safety of her room. Selinity didn't understand anything. Why couldn't she recall the people that looked at her with such anger and hate? These women seemed to be different, though. Were they concerned about her?
"Is there anything you need help with?" Tasmir asked shyly, still terrified of Saturn's darkening aura. He was becoming extremely hostile, but he had yet to say anything. His eyes never left their faces, waiting and watching. Was he protecting Selinity? Why would he choose to interfere now?
"I'm glad that you could come to the funeral, but I should really get some rest." Selinity started to turn away, but Jasmine wasn't giving up so easily. She knew she was taking a chance with Saturn's rage, but Mercury knew they were doing the right thing.
"Queen Selinity, please don't turn us away. You're always alone, with not a friend for support."
"Saturn is my friend," she said, trying to convince herself that it was true.
"You need female friends as much as you need a strong male for support, Selinity. Please, let us help."
Selinity rubbed the temples of her forehead, "I need to rest. If you wish, you may stay. I'll talk to you after..." she whispered.
Saturn glanced at the two felines, a warning in his angry gaze. "Take care of her."
Artemis didn't like the man, but Luna had immediately tried to claw him when he had said such. Selinity seemed different, but he had yet to figure it out. After she had vanished around the corner, the two women had his complete and undivided attention. "You're aware of who I am?" he growled.
Tasmir hid behind Jasmine, wishing to be anywhere but facing an angry God of Death. Even her friend seemed to tremble, but she kept her ground. Saturn had to admire her courage, he could almost smell their fear. Jasmine was not easily frightened away. "I'm aware, but we also know that she can't do this by herself. Our husbands have already been talking about taking the Alliance from her. If she doesn't prove that she can handle the entire Terran system, everything King Sol worked for will have meant nothing."
"You wish to help her?"
Jasmine took a deep breath, thankful that she was still alive. "We know how hard it is to never be heard, to never be seen. Our husbands do it to us all the time. All we're good for is babies and dinner parties. Everyone sets us on a pedestal, judging us on standards that should never exist. She may be an orphan, but does that make her any less important than us?"
"She's no peasant," Saturn said mysteriously. The women looked at each other, confused, but decided not to ask.
"Please, allow us to be her friends."
Saturn leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. "She doesn't remember anything before today." They gasped, but before they can ask a million questions he told them what he had done. "The death of her husband was more than she could cope with at this time. In order for her to meet the threat at her doorstep, I had no choice but to block the pain until she is ready to deal with it."
"Will you let us help?" Jasmine asked, truly wanting to reach out to the Lunarian. "No one deserves the loneliness she's had to face."
"Do not hurt her," he warned, heading in the direction Selinity had gone. "You may stay in her guest rooms, I will send her to you when she awakes."
"You're very protective of her," Tasmir finally spoke, working up the courage.
"She is worthy of it," was his only reply.
Saturn found her crying, her face buried in her pillow. "Selinity..." he called to her.
"I can't seem to stop," she cried. Saturn may have taken the memories away, but her heart still felt the separation of her husband.
Gently he brushed the tears away, tucking her into bed. "We will talk when you've rested."
She felt suddenly very tired, her eyes drifting closed against her will. The last thing she could recall was him holding her in his arms, her head in his lap. "The pain will fade," he promised her. "One day you will understand what you are and how much we need you."
The days passed in a kind of dream for Selinity, the three women becoming fast and good friends. Saturn was always in the background, never quite seen by those he wished to avoid. He knew the rumors spoken of Selinity and the close ties she now had with two important women.
Gradually he gave back her memories, but Saturn started with her happier moments. Surprisingly, they were as a child, before she had been exposed to the cruelty of royal life. King Sol had loved Selinity, but he had been so busy with the formation and problems of the Silver Alliance, that he had been unaware of his fiancé's growing depression.
He was always made sure she was asleep when he gave a piece of her past, watching her reaction carefully. If Saturn felt it was too much, he would immediately stop and wait a few days before beginning again. Selinity accepted his presence, still showing no signs that she recognized what he was.
Saturn was starting to wonder if she had any knowledge of the other kingdoms, their rulers and the Gods they worshiped. She seemed so carefree, innocent, and too his dismay far too trusting. After three months, he finally gave her the rest, holding her as she cried. "Saturn..."
Her hair was everywhere, his fingers brushing through its silky strands. Slowly she sat up, meeting his all too familiar gaze. He had been a constant in her life since the death of Sol, never asking anything of her. "Why can't I remember you before three months ago?"
He gave her a lazy smile, his eyes warm with affection. Saturn revealed a side of himself he could never afford with anyone else; he knew Selinity would never take advantage of it or his power. "You... It was you that pulled me from the balcony."
"Hai."
"Poor Luna; she must have been so frightened?"
Saturn easily pulled the Lunarian into his lap, moving her legs until she was cuddled close. "Life is precious, not to be taken lightly. Is your death what Sol would have wanted?"
"No, but..."
"Look at me," he whispered, impossible for her to ignore. "You will live; it is my desire and my command."
Selinity leaned her head against his shoulder, curious to why she felt so at peace with Saturn. Why didn't the loss of Sol hurt as much anymore? "I shouldn't feel this way," she whispered, suddenly ashamed of herself. Should she not be dressed in black, or in seclusion.
As if he could read her every thought, Saturn titled her chin back, still keeping it secure against his shoulder. "I care not what others think or want. Mortal laws mean nothing to me. If I choose to take you as my wife, then there is little anyone could do or say about it."
"But..."
"Perhaps this is too sudden, but I'm not well known for my patience. I have taken more care with you than I have any mortal in a very long time."
"Are you not mortal? Can you not die?"
Saturn suddenly laughed; "Why do you worry about such things?"
Selinity tried to glare at him, but it didn't work on a man like Saturn, his brow raised in amusement. "You're avoiding the question."
"Perhaps."
"Who are you, Saturn? Why does everyone seem to fear you?"
"They have good reason, but they fear not enough," he growled. To change the subject, he released Selinity and shoved her towards the door. "Were you not to meet those troublesome women?"
"They are not troublesome!" Taking a pillow, she threw it at him before she ran off, but not before she saw the hint of laughter in his eyes. If she only knew. He rarely smiled, and he couldn't recall a time when he had ever laughed before entering her life.
Selinity sighed, troubled by other events that she didn't want to upset Saturn with. She could never repay everything he had done for her; the least she could do was keep him free of the weight that pressed upon her shoulders. The Queens of Mercury and Venus were sitting in the royal guest chambers, sipping at their tea and looking at several documents that had piled up in the past few months.
Without them, Selinity was almost positive she would have lost the Silver Alliance to the other kingdoms. They greeted her with smile, setting aside their work. "Why do you help me?"
"It keeps us busy and gives us a sense of freedom. You have no idea how lucky you are, being born a peasant and then marrying a man like King Sol," Jasmine sighed. They both were aware that Selinity had her full memories now, the gentle Lunarian often telling them everything.
"What's it like being royalty?"
Tasmir gave her a bitter smile; "constant parties, never being able to speak your mind and a life that is never our own. We're expected to act and dress a certain way, that to do other wise is disgraceful and unbecoming of a princess or queen."
Selinity was silent for a long time, thinking about the way things had been and how much she hated the rules that kept them in invisible chains of slavery. "If you don't like it, then let's change it."
Jasmine and Tasmir could only stare at her in astonishment. They had never dared to think of such an idea, but neither could they refuse. The few months with Selinity had shown them a side of freedom that they needed and wanted.
"That still doesn't solve the problem I'm faced with," Selinity sighed.
"About what?" Jasmine asked.
"The outer kingdoms have demanded that I speak with them."
"What did you tell them?" Tasmir asked.
"That I needed more time to mourn the death of my husband."
"That won't last forever. Ok, here's what you need to do Selinity and don't you dare back down. My guess is it's the King's of Pluto, Neptune and Uranus that wish to speak with you, correct?"
Nodding, Tasmir continued; "The thing with them is that you must remain strong and in control at all times. One weakness and you're through. How do you feel about the silver alliance Selinity?"
"At first, after my memories had returned, I wanted nothing to do with it. Yet, in the past several weeks, I've seen why my husband wanted to created something so different, yet so needed. There's peace for the first time in several centuries, and I can't give up that dream. No one knows better than I about what my husband had intended, even if we were married only a week. We had been best friends long before he proposed to me. It won't be easy, but I know I can manage if I have the help of my friends."
"What about Saturn? Shouldn't you talk to him about this?"
Selinity looked away from them, confused about her feelings towards the man. "I don't want to trouble him; he's already done so much."
Tasmir gave her a knowing smile; "You did the same for King Sol, didn't you?"
"How..."
"You wanted him to succeed so much, that you never told him how alone and isolated you were. Saturn doesn't consider you a burden; actually he'd prefer if you allowed him to protect you."
"I'm afraid..."
"Saturn won't leave you alone, Selinity. Short of a war with all the Gods combined, he cannot be killed."
"Who is he?"
The two women glanced at each other, troubled and uncertain of how to respond. "You honestly have no idea, do you?"
"I've met so few people before I married King Sol, and it wasn't much better afterwards. The animals and Luna were my companions. Artemis belonged to King Sol, and I'm glad he chose to stay. I don't think he likes Saturn very much though."
"Selinity, we could tell you, but Saturn has chosen to reveal that information when he feels your ready to accept it. For now, all you need to know is that you're safe with him. I've never seen any man give as much freedom to a woman as he does for you."
"I can't love him! What would people..."
To the shock of Tasmir and Selinity, Jasmine was the one that exploded in an angry outburst. "To hell with everyone else, Selinity! All you've received from the other kingdoms was a cold shoulder and contempt. They're too afraid of Saturn to confront or challenge him. Even if they did have the courage, they wouldn't dare!"
"You want to change our lives, Selinity, then start with your own heart! Yes, King Sol is dead, and I'm sorry! However, he would never want you to remain alone and unhappy. I don't think that's what he ever wanted in the first place. Stop trying to protect a man that doesn't need it! Saturn is more alone than anyone can possibly imagine. You had Luna and Artemis, even King Sol. He had no one."
"Is he the King of Saturn?" Selinity asked. Tasmir laughed.
"He is far above the status of a king." She said nothing more, knowing how much the mystery was frustrating their friend. Selinity needed the distraction in her life, and Tasmir knew the Lunarian Queen couldn't fight the attraction between Saturn and herself; at least not for long. "So, how do you plan on keeping the Alliance together. With the exception of Saturn and ourselves, you have no allies. That has to change and fast."
"Tsmir is right," Jasmine calmly stated, "As far as men are concerned, our opinions mean nothing."
"Would Saturn stop me?" Selinity gasped.
Tasmir sighed, as if Selinity were a stubborn and insecure child. "You have no reason to fear Saturn. I'm more afraid of what will happen when you finally confront the outer kingdoms. Saturn had not exactly been in the spot light, and there's a reason for it. The Planet of Saturn is one of two that has not yet joined the Silver Alliance. Earth is the other. Saturn is trying to avoid a potentially violent explosion by keeping out of the affairs of mortals."
"Who has the most power of the Silver Alliance?" Selinity was facing the window, staring at the stars.
"You are as long as you don't allow anyone to take it from you. For the first time, a woman has power and it scares the hell out of the men. How bad are you willing to fight for this desire?"
"I've never fought for anything in my life, but..." A bright silver blaze of fire burned in her eyes, Selinity turning back around to face the two women. They stepped back, surprised at the sudden aura that sparked around her. Did her crescent moon flicker? "I was in the sidelines when my husband was taken from me by a heartless assassin. Saturn will not meet the same fate because I was too much of a coward to stand up and fight."
"They wish to take the Silver Alliance," she growled, "but we're not going to allow them! The Silver Alliance has fallen to my shoulders and I will carry the task. Will you, my friends, help me?"
"Sure." They were happy to see her taking control.
"I think it's time I threw a party, one where only the women of the different kingdoms of the alliance may attend. Can you spread the news to all of them, an informal invitation? I wish to make friends of these women, not flaunt my power and position in their faces."
"What did you have in mind," Selinity?"
"I'm not sure yet, Tasmir, but I hope it works. I'll tell you at the ball in two weeks. For now, I need to think things through first."
“Be careful my friend,” Jasmine told her. It was time that they returned to their homes and duties, bidding her farewell.
“What are you thinking about?” Luna and Artemis had been in the room, sleeping on the couch before Selinity had entered. They had heard everything.
"I'm going to form an alliance that doesn't consist of men, with the exception of Saturn if he chooses to help us."
Luna was deep in thought, "Saturn did come here for a reason, Selinity, but I don't think he wants any part of the Silver Alliance. He's allowed you to take control, protecting and guarding only you."
"Everything is changing so fast. I trust Saturn, but it's the other men that I fear. They'll try to take advantage of me, while the women would not. I need help, and those three are the only ones I can turn to for now. If I'm not careful, I can loose the alliance and watch it be destroyed."
"Be careful, Selinity. Your task is not an easy one," Artemis cautioned.
"I know, and thank you my little friend."