Author's Note:Well now,  Serena and Darien have already met, but he doesn't know who she is. Chapter 3.....      "My name is Serena."she said, lifting her chin, looking him square in the eye."And perhaps you were too busy with all the other women to notice me."      She smiled to herself when his eyebrows raised in surprise."Well, I sense some hostility in you....at least toward me."      "May I go now? I have to.....go."she said, hoping desperately he would let her.      "Hhhmmm...."he studied her and came to the conclusion that if he did let her go, he would never see her again.      "Darien?"Malachite approached them, looking from one to the other."Everyone is wandering where you went."      "How would you like to join me in my rooms?"Darien whispered to her.      She gave him a radiant smile, causing him to blink."I think I'll pass."she whispered back.      "Well I don't think I'll let you. Malachite!"he said sharply."Escort this beautiful young lady to my rooms and be sure to watch her. I don't want her escaping on me now."he leaned down and kissed her, shocking her so much she didn't protest."I'll be up in a minute."he turned and walked away.      She glared at his back, then snapped to attention when the other man, Malachite, moved toward her."What are you doing? Don't touch me!! I'm not going to his room!"she turned to run, but he grabbed her, dragging her into the palace.      "I'm sorry, but this is something you'll have to take out with the King."Malachite said, pulling her along.      She came extremely close to using her powers on him, but decided not too. I have to keep a low profile, she reminded herself. I'll just think of some other way to escape.      She glanced at a clock on there way up, sighing with relief when she read eight o' clock. She still had a couple of hours to spare.      She had only been in his room foer two minutes when Darien came in, nodding to Malachite and allowing him to leave. She watched warily as he removed his jacket, tossing it onto a nearby chair.      "I'm sorry Serena, but I couldn't just let you go. If I had then I'd probably never see you again, right?"he said, beginning to unbutton his shirt.      "I don't know. Why don't you let me go so we can find out?"she retorted.      He chuckled."I see your angry."      "Your so perceptive."      He laughed out loud, pulling his shirt tail out from his pants, then removing his belt buckle."Beautiful and spirited. I think you've already snared my heart."he stepped out of his trousers, wearing only boxers now, his strong, muscular body open to her view. He approached her, backing her up into a corner, his arms coming up on either side of her, his head lowering to hers."I'm serious you know. Don't you believe in love at first sight?"he whispered in her ear, his breath hot.      Her eyes were wide as saucers, her body beginning to turn hot despite the fact that she didn't want to be attracted to him."No....."she pressed closer to the wall,"no, I don't believe in love at first sight."      "Ah, thats too bad. You know, I didn't either, but now...."his hand came up to her neck, his thumb caressing her lips slowly."You have changed my mind about many things."      "Lets hope I've changed your mind about letting me go too."she could not let this continue....she had to escape somehow. She couldn't let him get to her....which he was beginning to do.      "How would you like to live here in my palace with me?"he asked quietly, his lips slowly trailing along her neck."As my-"      "Mistress?"she cut in, leaning into him.      He laughed softly."No....as my wife."      She jerked back, staring at him."What?"      "You heard me. As my wife, my Queen."      "Yea, I bet you say that to all the women."she put her hands on his chest and pushed him back a bit."I think its time for me to go."      "No!"he said fiercely, pulling her into his arms, kissing her with passion.      She lost herself in his kiss, her arms going around his neck, her body pressed to his. She knew she should leave, but she couldn't. A force she didn't understand was keeping her there.      I'll stay, she thought as his hands ripped the simple dress from her body. I'll stay because I've never felt this way before and no one will ever know. Just this once....just this once....     He layed her on the bed, climbing on top, his hands traveling down her waist and hips to her thighs, sliding to the soft inner flesh, gently spreading them. He continued to kiss her, his tongue playing with hers, the kiss becoming almost savage when he pushed into her hot center, her wet folds engulfing him tightly. He felt her stiffen and quickly reassured her, soothing her pain away with his gentle touch.      "Serena...."he whispered to her as his hips moved against hers, as her long legs came up to wrap around him,"Serena....please....say my name....I want to hear you say it....."      Her mouth was open, her head tossing from side to side, little moans coming from deep inside her."Oh...I.....I..."      "Say it."his lips caught hers, drinking from the delicious nectar she had to offer, his hand gripping her soft buttocks and lifting her to meet his thrusts."Say it Serena, say it."      "Darien....."she moaned, clawing at his broad back,"Darieeeeeeeeeeeeen!!"she cried, her head arching at a sharp angle, exposing her pale neck to his view, allowing him to apply his teeth.      He poured himself into her, his face buried in her neck, a flim of sweat all over his body and hers, his lips seeking hers. Once they were both calm again, he lifted his head, gazing down at her lovingly, his hands brushing her damp hair out of her face.      "Your so beautiful."he whispered, watching her eyes flutter open."Serena, I feel as if I've been waiting for you my whole life."      She felt completely drained of energy lying under him, drowsy and yet, sated."Perhaps you have."she ran her hand through his dark hair, amazed at how handsome he was. The rumors she'd heard didn't even do him justice.      "So now you'll stay and become my wife?"      She stared at him, startled."Your really serious about that, aren't you?"      "I've never been more serious in my life."      She looked up at him, then glanced at the clock on the wall, estimating she could stay until eleven thirty, then leave.      He nmade love to her for the next few hours, exploring every inch of her body, finally falling asleep holding her. She studied him quietly, touching his cheek gently, smiling at how young and innocent he looked in his sleep. It was so amazing....he wanted to marry her. And he'd only just met her, he didn't even know her.      She drew her hand back, reminding herself of all the rumors she'd heard, of the countess women he'd had, of the type of man he really was. He was probably lying to her, just trying to get her to stay and keep his bed warm until he got sick of her.      She disentangled herself from his arms, placing a pillow in them when he began reaching for her. He embraced it closely and sighed, accepting this replacement.      Quietly, she began to dress. Stay tuned for Chapter 4!