Author's Note: I noticed this fic hasn't gotten too many reviews, which is sad since I think its Anyway, here's the next chapter, to those coming out very good. very few who actually reviewed and e-mailed for it, thank you and I hope you guys enjoy.

Mina watched Selene standing at her balcony, gazing outside to where Ares trained with his Generals, all of them sweating, their muscles straining as they sparred with one another. The expression in her smoky eyes was dreamy, her heavy lashes veiling her eyes as she watched the man who seemed to have taken over her heart so suddenly. She struggled for calm, struggled not to shout at what Selene had just informed them of.

"You cannot marry him," she said evenly, her voice trembling with the control she was issuing to suppress the need to shout.

Lita shot her a warning look, one look that had her snapping her mouth shut. "Are you sure this is what you want? You've known the man for only five days and already you wish to align yourself, your future and planet, to him."

Selene absently fingered the front of her gown, her eyes remaining riveted on his form. "This is what I want."

Mina marched forward, gripping her Queen's arm and whirling her around, unaware of how Ares suddenly turned and fixed her with a murderous glare. "You cannot marry him! You cannot! He-"

"Mina!" Lita said sharply, her voice hard enough to cut steel. "It is the Queen's right to marry whomever she chooses." She only prayed to the gods this choice would be the right one.

"But him!" Mina hissed, than her expression sobered, taking on a smug look as her grip tightened painfully around Selene's slender arm. "You cannot marry him, not without my permission. I am head of your Guard, your protector and council above all others. You MUST listen to me in this." None of them saw Ares throw down his sword almost violently and start for the palace, his Generals all halting in there sparring to watch him go. Malachite, quick to assess the situation, started after him.

Selene's attention was finally on her guard, her gaze on Mina's furious one. "You're right. I cannot marry him without your permission," she acknowledged quietly. "Will you grant it to me?"

"No." Mina answered swiftly and without hesitation. "I believe this union to be a mistake and therefore will not give you my consent."

Selene shut her eyes a moment, then opened them, shining with tears and pleading with her guard. "Please Mina. I love him. You know I could never marry him unless you granted it to me."

Mina's own heart twisted in remorse, but she couldn't back down. Not with what they believed the two of them to be to one another. "No. I am sorry, but I cannot."

"Mina, please-"

"NO!" she suddenly roared, her grip on Selene's arm turning painful enough to have the her crying out just as Ares burst into the room. "You cannot and will not marry him!"

Ares advanced on Mina, his hand going for the dagger he had at his side, his face contorted in rage. Malachite came racing into the room just as Mina whirled on the King, her hand unsheathing the sword at her side and bringing it up swiftly to block the plunge of the dagger, the clash of steel echoing in the quiet room.

Mina's smirk was quick to come, her blue eyes glittering with challenge. "Do you think to kill me and rid yourself of the obstacle?"

Ares' own eyes were cold, violent and deadly. "I would kill you for bringing her one moment of pain."

Malachite brought a hand down on his King's arm at the same moment Lita placed one on Mina's. "Don't do this. She is head of Selene's guard. Killing her would pit Selene against you." Malachite warned softly.

Selene watched the scene take place before her, one of her hands going to cover her mouth in horror. "Oh God. Ares, please don't. Don't."

Ares' eyes slid to Selene's, taking in the horror and fear there before he backed off, resheathing the dagger at his side and turning to watch as Mina did the same. His eyes never left Selene's, but his attention was also focused on Mina and any sudden attack she might make.

"I wish to be left alone with Selene." He spoke calmly, but underneath was a hint of menace.

Mina stepped forward and between the couple. "No. Selene has much to discuss with us and this must be made private. She cannot marry without my consent and I have not given it."

His eyes whipped to hers, his body growing utterly still. "What?"

Lita let out a heavy sigh. "We apologize, your majesty, but it is a law that has been upheld on the Moon for centuries. Mina is her Head Guard, her advisor, almost like the replacement for Selene's mother. Mina must consent to Selene's choice before any union can be made."

Ares, horrified beyond belief, turned unbelieving eyes on Malachite. "Is this true?"

Malachite was silent a moment, his own gaze on Mina. "Yes." he finally confirmed softly. "It’s true."

"But....I love her!" he shouted it at Mina, who held her ground. "Neither you nor anyone else will keep me from her!"

"Ares." Selene was pleading with him. "It is law, tradition. I could not go against the moons laws."

He stared at her a moment before speaking. "Fine. I only hope for the sake of her own life, she consents." With that threat made, he turned and strode from the room.

Mina smiled, a flashing smile that brought about the brilliance of her beauty. "A threat. Well, well. We will see about that."

Malachite's hand whipped forward and caught her arm, a tight grip that brought her abruptly up against the solid frame of his chest. "You are playing with fire," he warned softly, his nostrils flaring slightly at the scent of her, as a male scented its mate.

Her eyes went from amused to dark and menacing, filling with warning. "Let me go," she said quietly, the loathing for him evident in her voice.

He stared down at her mouth another moment before releasing her, turning and leaving the room. He shut the doors with a solid snap behind him, the women all remaining still once he'd gone.

Mina turned back to find Selene watching her with wide, curious eyes. "What?" she snapped.

"Mina, I do believe Ares' Head General lusts for you." Selene whispered, a slow smile coming to her lips.

"Him? Bah! The man can only think with what’s between his legs!" Mina spat contemptuously, but her body was tingling from the heat his had given off to her. "And besides that, we have more important things to discuss."

Selene sobered at once. "Mina, I'm begging you. Please consent to this."

Mina was quiet, eyeing her Queen and the possibility of what news Raye and Amy had yet to bring her. "I will think on it. I cannot make any promises, but I will think of it."

Lita cleared her throat. "Perhaps it’s a better idea that Selene goes to calm Ares." When both women turned questioning eyes on her, she nodded her head toward the courtyard below.

They turned to watch as Ares fought ruthlessly with his men, narrowly missing causing them extreme damage. It was obvious his men were struggling to get away from him without getting hurt.

Selene gasped. "I must go to him." Without thought to her own safety, she ran from the room.

Lita rolled her eyes when she heard Mina cracking her knuckles. "We must wait for word from Raye and Amy before passing judgment on their marriage."

The moment the words left her lips Mina felt a tremble in the air, a whispering in her mind, and knew they were attempting contact. "It's Raye, she has word. Come on, we have to go somewhere private."

They quickly left the room and went to the one they were staying in, shutting the doors and making sure that this time the room was empty. Once done, they joined hands and concentrated their energies on touching Raye and Amy's, strong enough to make contact, but low enough so as not to alert Selene.

The connection was made and Raye and Amy shimmered into an image before them, Raye's dark eyes filled with sorrow, Amy's with grief. "I'm sorry Raye." Mina said immediately, knowing already what had happened.

Raye shook her head. "She's with my father now. She's in no more pain."

"She confirmed our suspicions of Serenity and Nemesis." Amy informed for them.

Lita hissed out a breath as Mina nodded once. "Very well. I will deny the marriage and explain to her why once we've taken her back to the Moon."

Amy held up a hand abruptly. "Wait. She also told me....before she passed on, she said to speak to an Anna. Before it can be denied or even made, we must find this Anna and speak to her. She'll know something."

Lita frowned, deep in thought. "Anna....but who's Anna?"

"That's just part of the mystery." Amy replied in her quiet voice.

"You want me to hold off the wedding until we find this Anna?" Mina's anger rose swiftly and before Lita could calm her, the rise of power came with it, causing them to almost lose the connection and alert Selene. But Mina quickly controlled her powers, lowering the level she was emitting until it was a quiet glow.

"Please Mina." Amy pleaded. "Selene is our Queen and her safety is always utmost, but what of her happiness? She deserves to have it, especially after what happened with Endymion."

Mina's eyes cut over to Raye's dark one's. "And what do you think?"

Raye was silent a moment. "I agree, for once, with them."

Mina let out a deep sigh. "Fine. I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you Mina. Thank you." Amy smiled at her. "For now, let’s separate again and find out about this. Anyone who goes by the name of Anna."

"All right. We'll see what we can do."

"What right does she have to deny you to me?!" Ares shouted as he prowled his chambers, Selene sitting in a chair by the fire crackling in the hearth, her expression calm. "I am King of this planet! I am more powerful then she could ever imagine and she-"

"Ares." Selene said his name only once, but the serenity in it had him halting. "Mina is my guardian. When my mother was killed in the Millennium Wars, Mina was almost like her replacement. But, other then that, it states in the laws of the Moon that in the absence of my mother, my Head Guard is to consent to my marriage."

"But why?!" He ran his hands through his dark hair, frustrated. "Your not a child, your a Queen! She-"

"Its tradition." Selene cut in, still speaking calmly and precisely. "Please try to understand Ares."

"Understand? This?!" He let out a growl that had her smiling despite his foul mood. "You ask for too much!"

"Ares, I love you. You know I do, but-"

"Then why don't we do it anyway? Damn them all to hell! You are a Queen by right and by power, as I am a King. We answer to no one and never will." He strode to her and knelt before her, taking her hands tightly in his. "Selene, I love you as I've never loved anyone in my life. I want you with me, bound to me completely, so no one may ever take you."

She reached out and cupped his cheek in her hand. "Ares, you worry too much that someone will take me. No one will. I love you and will always remain by your side."

He stood and turned his back to her, shutting his eyes tightly. He couldn't tell her this unease he'd had since she'd come to Earth, this feeling of immense power rising somewhere far, a vague tingling of warning. It had come to him on the night he'd held her, the night she'd given herself to him, the night they'd joined and released powers together. Almost as if their doing so had angered someone violently. How could he describe his need to make sure she became his for all eternity to her when he could barely describe it to himself?

She stood, distressed by the obvious sorrow in him, and stepped around him to stare up at his impassive face. "Ares, what is it? What aren't you telling me?"

His eyes, opaque and sharp, moved over her face in a slow caress. "I just want you to belong to me. What other way can I describe this need I have for you?"

Something in his eyes, in his manner, made her wonder, but what she saw utmost was the grief. "Ares, please don't do this to yourself. I just....I can't...." she bowed her head and shut her eyes at the thought that had come to her.

Why didn't she just marry him? She was Queen of the Moon, Ares being the only other person in the universe equaling her power. She could see the reason why Mina would object, but wasn't it time she made her own decisions? She was no longer a child, had stopped being one the moment her mother had died. She deserved her happiness, her own LIFE.

Could it be she was using this law, this tradition as an excuse to prolong the union? Could it be that deep down, she still waited, still hoped Endymion might return? That he had never actually died, but only been.....

Shaking herself of the thought, she looked back up at him, at the misery etched into his handsome face, and also the rage beneath he was attempting to conceal for her. He was a man who controlled power inside himself, a man who knew he could demand this of her, force her even if he wanted.

He was Nemesis' son, she thought inadvertently. A man who had been rumored to have immense evil inside him, immense hatred that he had put to use by means of war, of staking his claim on his own power. Could Ares have any of what his father had been inside him as well?

No, she refused to believe it. She was letting Mina's comments get to her and that wouldn't do. She had to remember he was his own person and was nothing like his father.

She made up her mind, in one reckless moment, the only she'd ever allowed herself in her life, she decided what she'd do. "All right Ares. We'll marry as soon as possible. With or without Mina's permission."

On a shout of laughter and joy, he swung her into his arms and kissed her.

Convincing Mina of this was another matter. Mina had powers that had been granted to her as the ruler of Venus and she'd used them well over the years. She'd become more powerful then her other guards, harnessing what she'd attained since birth inside her, measuring it and respecting it, as well as controlling it. If Selene made this announcement, this retaliation against her, Mina would also retaliate herself.

She only hoped Lita would be able to hold and calm her.

She had to do some lying of her own. She assured Ares she would wait for him to speak with Mina and Lita about her plans until he returned from the Southern regions of Earth. Problems had arose and he'd had to go out early that morning, but not before he told her to wait for him.

But even she knew she couldn't tell them when he was there. Mina would blow up, of that she was sure, and Ares' own temper would rise to match hers. The combination could start a war.

So she walked silently through the palace, sensing Mina and Lita outside in the gardens. She found them there conversing quietly, both there expressions pensive, there eyes troubled. She imagined it had to do with the fact that she wished to marry Ares and they were struggling to think of a way to prevent it.

She waited until they noticed her, both rising, Lita smiling, Mina measuring. She came to them, her own expression firm on what she would tell them. "I need to speak with both of you. It’s important."

Mina noted the cool tone she used, but also the way her hands were gripping tightly together. Selene had always been able to control the emotions in her face, but never her hands. "And what do you need to speak with us about?"

Selene glanced quickly over her shoulder to make sure they were alone. "It's about Ares. Me and Ares." She suddenly straightened her shoulders, her little chin lifting. "I don't care about the law of the Moon, or that I need your permission to marry Ares. I will marry him, as soon as the preparations have been made."

Mina didn't move, for once didn't speak or explode, and Lita watched in shock as the Head Guard regarded Selene in curiosity. "Selene, you know the laws. You cannot break them, no matter how much you love the man."

"I've always put everything before my wants for my people, my kingdom. But not this time. I love him!" she said fiercely, pressing her hand to her heart. "I love him more then anything and will not give him up. And since he and I have spoken, we will marry as soon as possible."

"You risk much." Mina said quietly, watching as Selene's eyes chilled a glacial blue.

"I risk nothing but your anger." Selene shot back, for once not attempting to calm her guard. "And I would risk even that for a lifetime of love with him."

Mina's own voice went from calm to hard steel, her eyes flashing. "And if I retaliate? If I take you from here?"

"Not even you could match me in power Mina."

It was Lita who turned to Selene with horror in her eyes and voice. "You would attack, actually attack Mina?"

Selene couldn't believe she'd said that, but her own life was on the line. "If I was forced too." She swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat.

"Fine." Mina shrugged, her eyes going from hot to bored. "Marry him. I won't stop you, but nor will I approve. I hope you realize exactly what you're doing."

She couldn't believe Mina had given up so easily, but she wasn't about to lose this opportunity. Drawing herself up, she nodded to her guards. "All right. Well....thank you." Still a bit confused, she turned and left them.

Lita turned on her the moment Selene was gone. "Okay, what the hell is going on with you?"

Mina smiled easily at her. "I can hold my temper when I want too. Losing it wouldn't have helped, would it? What we need to do is find this Anna much sooner because even I can't stop Selene. If it comes to it, I believe she WOULD attack me to stop me. Not to hurt," she quickly added when Lita's eyes widened in horror, "just to warn. But, either way, she would."

"Should we tell Raye and Amy?"

"Later. We'll contact them later."

In the days following the official announcement of Selene and Ares' wedding, preparations were made hastily, guests arriving in great numbers. All were joyous, envious of the happy couple, and eager to celebrate the union of the two most powerful beings in the universe.

Raye and Amy were scoring the galaxy for any person by the name of Anna who could have a connection to Ares' father Nemesis, while Mina and Lita remained on Earth, protecting Selene and watching as she grew more excited, showing them the dress she'd had brought from the Moon, the dress her mother and all past generations of Serenity's had worn.

Lita grew more apprehensive, nervous as time passed and the wedding was only two days away. Mina, for once, was the calm one, watching as servants scurried about the palace, preparing the feast and decorations, guests milling about freely on the grounds. They had settled into remaining in the gardens, away from the noise and women who surrounded Selene daily, hoping for peace away from the chaos.

Mina stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her blonde hair blowing gently in the breeze, dressed in the clothes of the warriors of the Moon, an outfit of silver, black, and white. She'd had several dozens of guards come to Earth to help see to security, not trusting Malachite's men in doing the job themselves. Malachite had been amused, grinning at her as she directed her soldiers on where she wanted them stationed during the day and nights.

Lita was pacing, trying to relieve the tension in her muscles. The days were dwindling and soon Selene would be bound to her own half brother. Unless they found this woman Anna, they would have to allow her to marry him.

"Mina, what are we going to do? Raye and Amy haven't found anything! There are two days left until the wedding!" She shouted it at the other woman, who merely cocked a slender brow in reply.

"I think you should calm yourself Lita. I'll need you thinking clearly for this."

"Are you actually going to allow this wedding to take place?! She'll be marrying her own brother!"

"Lower your voice. We're not alone." Mina snapped it at her, turning just as Malachite and the other three Generals came striding over to them. They had kept there distance from one another, Mina always pulling Lita away from them when they came near. Malachite had watched them from a distance, by Ares' command, but more to admire Mina as she walked about the palace, her posture always straight and proud as she kept an eye on her Queen and the guests arriving.

As they neared Mina narrowed her eyes, the usually soft blue turning ice cold. "What do you want?"

Malachite raised a brow at her tone. "A word with you, my Lady."

She studied him, sweeping his tall, muscular form in a quick glance, hiding the admiration she held for how powerful his body was. "Very well. Lita, I won't be long."

She followed him, deeper into the maze that swept along the outer regions of the gardens. Once they were inside and alone, away from the noise, he turned back to her. "I want you to tell me if you've been able to find out the truth concerning my Lord and his Lady."

She tossed her long, blonde hair over her shoulder, pleased when his opaque eyes narrowed, his nostrils flaring. "If I have, it’s none of your concern."

When she turned to go he reached out and gripped her arm, halting her. "It IS my concern. He is my King, my sovereign. I have sworn allegiance to him and also protection. He will be hurt immensely if the Queen is his....his half sister."

She measured him, looking deeply into his eyes and slipping past his guard and into his mind. She saw a deeply ingrained honor there, loyalty to his King, and the fear of having his Lord and friend hurt over the first woman he had ever loved. She pushed deeper, but stopped when he put up a sudden block against her, shutting her out.

The grip he had on her arm loosened, and when she blinked, she saw he was grinning down at her. "Curious? If you were, you could merely ask and I would be more then happy to tell you anything about me."

She jerked her arm from him, curling her lip. "I don't want to know anything about you! I was only searching for your motives."

"And I had heard the people of Venus were such a polite, kind sort. Yet here you are invading my thoughts." He titled his head, admiring the fire that had leapt into her eyes. "I can see you have a more passionate, rude nature."

He leaned down to her suddenly, his hands sliding about her waist and drawing her into him, shocking her so much she didn't fight him. "One day you will lie beneath me and you will cry out my name with a passion you will be unable to suppress. One day you will give yourself to me in every way, body and soul." He put his lips to her ear, felt the shudder that ran down the length of her. "One day you will love me above all else you hold dear."

She couldn't seem to push him away, couldn't seem to stop the hard, warm hands that were running up her back, one stopping and resting on the small of her back, the other tangling into her long hair. She couldn't stop him when he tilted her head, when his eyes met hers and he lowered to drink from the offering she was willingly giving him.

She felt his lips on hers, felt his tongue moving inside to touch hers, and moaned into him. Her arms, of their own accord, came up to wrap about his neck, to thrust into his hair and grip tightly, anchoring them both as the kiss deepened and his arms tightened even more about her.

His lips left hers, trailed along her cheek to her neck, then further down to part the shirt she wore, revealing the heaving swells of her breasts to his hungry gaze. She felt his tongue slide along her breasts, felt them rasp across a nipple and her knees buckled, his strong arms supporting her as he drew her into his mouth and suckled strongly, pulling and stroking her within the heat of his mouth.

He could hear her heavy breathing, could taste her like an addicting nectar in his mouth. Already desperate with passion, he suckled harder, savagely, imagining the hot core of her, the wetness and scent of her that called to him, the taste of her of there on his tongue. He couldn't stop himself as his hand moved down her body and cupped between her legs, one finger thrusting up and causing her to cry out against the sudden invasion.

"That's it." He murmured it, running his tongue torturously against her. "Give yourself to me."

It was his words, of claiming and conquering, that finally ripped through the red haze and into her mind. Suddenly horrified, she shoved at him, filling with rage when he refused to let her go.

"Let me go!" She hissed it at him, glancing about them and making sure no one had wandered into the maze. She realized he had led them into a secluded area, where no one would disturb them. "Bastard, let me go!"

"You want this." He nuzzled at her breast, soft and warm against his seeking mouth. "Don't deny it."

"My bodies desires do not rule over my mind." She bit back a groan when his tongue circled her nipple. "Stop it! I swear if you don't I'll-"

"You don't need to resort to threats." Reluctantly he straightened and fixed her clothes himself, covering her enticing breasts to his view. "I can wait a bit longer for you to realize how much you need me."

"I don't need you." Glaring at him, she paced to the maze's edge, then stopped. "I would appreciate if you kept this.....incident, to yourself."

He nodded. "I will. What passes between us is our business alone." When she opened her mouth to snap at him, he held up a hand. "Calm yourself. I really do need to know if you were able to attain any information on what I asked you before."

He studied her, suddenly intent. "And you will allow this wedding if you still haven't found any information?"

"I have to. It is my Queen's choice and even though our laws say the contrary, I must let her. She won't tolerate any interference on my part in this." She smoothed her shirt, where his hands had left her tingling. "Is this interrogation over?"

"It is. I have other things I must attend too." He walked to her, taking her by the arm and leading her from the maze." Her majesty, the Queen mother, arrives today."

Her brows raised in surprise. "And where has she been?"

"She doesn't wish to live in the palace. She never has." At Mina's confused look, he let out a heavy sigh. "Ever since her sons were five years old she's lived out in the country, on the other side of Earth. She used to keep the twins with her for half the year, then send them back to there father for the rest of the year. It was an arrangement they had. Until the King died, that is."

What an odd way of living, Mina thought briefly, not saying another word as he led her back to where Lita and his Generals waited. His hands slid from her arm to her butt and quickly squeezed before anyone saw, winking at her when she jumped and leaving her alone, his Generals following.

Flushed with both anger and desire, she turned to Lita. "I thought the Queen of Earth was dead."

Lita frowned. "Isn't she?"

"Apparently not. She's arriving today." she quickly told Lita what information Malachite had given her. "I want to be there when she arrives."

"Why?"

"I want to see this woman." She couldn't explain why it was so important.

At noon they hurried to the front of the palace, where Ares and Malachite both stood on the stone steps as a carriage came up. Slowly came to a halt before them and a footman rushed forward to open the doors. Ares moved forward and held out his hand, another smaller hand placing itself into his before the small figure of a woman emerged from the carriage.

She had the eyes of her son's, as blue as the sky, and as deep as the ocean depths. But her hair was a deep golden blonde, shining and catching the sun's light as she smiled up at her son, reaching a hand up to caress his cheek.

"Where's Selene?" Lita whispered to her as they watched Ares take his mother's hand and kiss it.

Mina glanced about quickly, not seeing there Queen anywhere. "She's not here." She was quiet, taking in that bit of information. "She doesn't know. Ares hasn't told her his mother's arriving today."

"Why wouldn't he?" Lita shook her head. "That doesn't make sense."

"I don't know. I think-" she halted when Ares turned, his mother's hand in the crook of his arm, his eyes, lethal and hard, cutting over to them as if he had known they were there the entire time. She felt his gaze, relentless and cunning, as he led his mother up the steps of the palace and inside, away from them.

"He really hates us Mina." Lita said it softly, bothered by the intense hatred she had seen in his eyes.

"There's something wrong with him. He must have gotten it from his father." Mina paced away, back into the deeper recesses of the palace, Lita following close behind. "It just doesn't make sense. How could they share the same father? Selene is so different, so pure and right. And him....."

"I'm not sure Mina. We can only hope that Raye and Amy will find something soon."

Ares led his mother into Selene's room, where she stood speaking with four women from neighboring planets, all of them laughing softly with one another. The moment he entered the room they quieted, all eyes flying to him. He could feel the women's desire, could see in there eyes the intent lust they had for him. Insulted they would feel this way right before his betrothed, he ordered them out, his tone and face harsh as they quickly made there exit.

When he looked at Selene he immediately softened, his eyes warming as he went to her and took her hand in his, bringing it up against his chest to rest over his heart. "My love, I have someone I want you to meet."

Selene looked past him, at the woman who stood gazing at her, the same eyes as her future husbands. "Is this.....?"

"My mother." Ares turned and grinned proudly, bringing Selene with him so the group stood close together. "Mother, I want you to meet the Queen Selenity, my future wife."

"She's exquisite Ares." The smaller woman stepped forward, her hand extended. "Much more beautiful then even her mother was."

"Thank you, your majesty." Selene was trying to hide her confusion and shock. She had been under the impression that the Queen of Earth was dead, as no one had heard or spoken of her for several years.

"Please, call me Emma. You will be my daughter soon, after all." She turned to Ares. "Could you leave us alone, my dear? I would like to have a word with her alone."

He nodded, bending to Selene and kissing her tenderly, his eyes full of love. He left them alone, shutting the door behind him.

"Let’s have a seat here." Emma motioned to the settee in the room, settling on it with her. "My, but you are beautiful. I'd heard that you surpassed your mother, but I had no idea."

Selene smiled. "Thank you. Did you know my mother?"

"We met once, long ago." She glanced away, obviously uncomfortable with speaking of the late Queen. "And you knew my late son, Endymion." She looked back at her, spotted the pearl hanging about her neck. "Oh....oh is that-"

"Yes." Selene reached up and touched it gently, watched as the older woman's eyes filled with tears. "He gave it to me."

"It was his treasure. I still remember the day he found it. I had taken he and his brother to the beach and they had gone swimming. They were excellent swimmers. Anyway, Endymion didn't return for quite sometime. Ares and I grew worried, and just when I was about to send Ares to go find him, he came out of the ocean." She pointed to the pearl. "He'd found it. He said it was his treasure, his to keep until he found a greater treasure for himself. When he found a greater one, he told me, he would give it to them and that person would belong to him for all time."

The story was endearing, brought on a wave of sorrow and joy, but at the same time unease. She remembered the moment he had given it to her, remembered the way his blue eyes had glowed, how they had turned fiercely possessive as he watched her.

"I'm sorry. I brought back painful memories, didn't I?" Emma reached out and clasped Selene's hand tightly. "Would you...would you mind if I asked you a personal question?"

"Not at all."

Emma was silent, looking down at their joined hands. "Did you love my son? My Endymion?"

Selene had thought she meant to ask over Ares. It surprised her that there mother would want to know if she loved a son she had lost long ago. "I did. I loved him very much."

Emma let out a shuddering breath, covering her mouth with her free hand. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, it’s just that.....he loved you too. Adored you. He came to me and spoke of you so often. His eyes were filled with love, his entire being radiated his joy."

"I felt the same way for him." She could feel the tears coming, but held them back. Endymion represented her past, Ares her future. She couldn't continue to feel pain and suffering for a love she had lost. "But it‘s Ares who holds my heart now."

Emma's eyes whipped up to hers, shimmering with unshed tears as she studied the younger woman. "Yes, I see that. Ares....he resembles his father very much." She leaned forward, her expression serious, so intense Selene was surprised. "Once you are wed to him, you are bound. He will not release you, he will never let you go. If you ever attempt to escape him, he will find you and bring you back. Are you sure you wish to marry such a man?"

Selene couldn't believe her ears. Was everyone against there marriage? Did no one want her to marry Ares?

She stood and wrenched her hand from Emma's, backing away from her slowly. "Do you not want me to marry him either? Does no one?! You are his mother! How can even you warn me away from him?!"

Emma stood and approached her quickly, her eyes glancing uneasily toward the closed doors. "I only wish for your well being. I-"

"What about Ares' well being? What about his happiness, his love, his hopes for our future?!"

"I'm sorry." Emma sighed deeply. "I'm sorry for upsetting you. I only wished.....he has so much of his father in him. He-"

The doors were thrown open, Ares striding in and halting to look between his betrothed and his mother. His eyes settled on his mother, cool and calculating. "Is anything wrong?"

Emma drew herself up, smiled warmly at them both. "No, nothing. I'll leave you two then." She quickly made her escape, not looking back to glance at either of them.

Ares went to her, enveloping her in his arms. "What did she say to you?" His tone was cold.

Selene shook her head, not wanting to anger him more. "It doesn't matter. We had a nice conversation Ares, that’s all."

His hand, big and dark, curved around her cheek and forced her gaze back to his. He studied her eyes for a moment, looking deeply, before bending his head and kissing her. She melted into him, surrendering to a love she had never thought to feel again.

He broke the kiss, breathing unevenly against her. "I love you." He covered her lips once again, holding her smaller body tightly against his. "By the gods, how I love you." He was kissing her brow tenderly, pressing his lips to her forehead. "Do you realize that you mean everything to me?"

She laughed softly, her arms wrapping about his neck, her lips moving to brush enticingly against his throat. She swirled her tongue there, felt his pulse jump, and laughed again. "Do you? How much?"

He allowed her exploration, enjoyed when she licked and nuzzled. "The world would have no light without you." He ran a hand down her silvery hair, stroking. "And I would murder any who dared to take you from me."

Her lips moved lower, to his chest, where she parted his shirt and kissed him softly, reveling in the steel of his muscles. "No one will Ares. Stop worrying, please."

He squeezed his eyes shut tight. "I can't help it. I love you Selene. I need you. Without you I'm no longer whole, without you I would cease to exist. The gentleness in me would disappear, replaced with a murderous rage." He suddenly bent over her, his larger body protective, his face burying itself into her neck. "Don't leave me, my love. Please don't ever leave me."

Worried, she hugged him tightly, trying to reassure him. "Ares, you have to stop this. I won’t leave you! I never will. I love you and only you. There will never be another for me."

"And there will never be another for me."

The day of the wedding dawned bright and early, with the sun shining brilliantly onto Earth to celebrate this joyous union. The guests milled about the palace grounds excitedly, all of them heading for the chapel to where the ceremony would take place.

Selene stood in her room with her four guards. Raye and Amy had arrived during the night, informing Mina and Lita that they had been unable to find any information or this woman Anna. Raye, Amy, and Lita were all worried for their Queen, but Mina calmed them, telling them they couldn't breathe a word of what they knew until they knew that it was the absolute truth.

She wore her gown, the dress her own mother had never been able to wear. Her mother had never married, much to Selene's surprise and confusion, but she'd never questioned it. She'd loved her mother with all her heart.

"You look radiant Selene." Amy said quietly, all of them in awe of her beauty.

"I wish my mother were here." She sighed deeply, shutting her eyes for a moment. "I miss her more then ever on this day."

"She is with you, standing beside you." Mina reassured. "Especially today."

Selene turned to them, went and stood with them. "I know how all of you feel about my marrying Ares. I know your all worried. But don't be. I love him, so much, as he loves me. We'll be happy together, I promise you guys."

Raye wiped at the tears in her eyes. "Everything's changing."

"It was meant too." Mina took Selene's hand. "I wish for you to be happy with him, I truly do."

Selene smiled, then laughed and hugged Mina hard. "You don't know how much it means for me to hear you say that."

There was a brief knock at the door, than Emma peeked her head inside. "Ladies? I'm sorry to interrupt, but its time."

They left the room, the four escorting Selene to the chapel, where everyone was seated and waited. Ares stood and the head of the chapel, his four Generals behind him, looking dark and handsome in his silver and black armor, his eyes landing on Selene and watching as she made her way to him.

And on that day, a union was made between the Earth and the Moon, a union of love and hope that all planets in the universe were witness to. It was a glorious day, a day of happiness and joy for all those who were there.

But it was the day a darkness was awakened, alerted to this union, and a hatred so black and evil was born in his heart. And taking up his sword and army of the dark, he made his way to Earth, intent on reclaiming the one woman he had sworn to love and keep above all others.......

Stay tuned for chapter 3!~sailorperfect@yahoo.com