Disclaimer:  (pokes her head out, looks around)
It's safe!  We finally lost those guys in the
white outfits!  Yes!  World domination here we
come!!!  (Dances around as CP watches Kii's
frantic eyes, her fingers pointing to the right)
CP: (gulps) I mean, did I say world domination?
I mean, uhh, disclaimer time!  Yes siree!  No
domination here!!  SM does not belong to Kii
or me!  That's why...we need...to eat...ice
cream!  Melts in your hands and in your mouth!
Hehehe...(men in white suits grabs her and Kii
as CP pouts) Aww...not again! Kii: This is all
your fault. You just couldn't keep our plan a
secret, could you?

A fallen dream
Of something so pure
Broken into pieces
With nothing but the shattered dust
Of a mirage


Desert Mirage
Chapter 3
By: Eternal Angel and The Rose Society
Rating: R
Email: usako9@hotmail.com
       etrlslrmn@aol.com
http://www.geocities.com/cherii_blossoms
http://www.geocities.com/the_rose_society

	Dizziness held her captive as she felt
as if she had been spun around in millions of
circles by his soft haunting words. They were
screaming in her mind over and over again.  His
announcement had caused her to regret the words
that she had thrown at him, but also made her
want to throw more words at him at how immoral
he was being.  Goodness, he was Sultan!  Sultans
shouldn't be going around buying mistresses in
the middle of the night.  Her mind continued to
spin as she could help but be stumped about what
to do.  Sultan...he was Sultan?  Why in the world
would he want her then, if he were Sultan?  He
could have anyone...so why did he choose her?  
	Serenity could feel confusion smile upon
her as she tried to calm herself and clear out
her mind. But despite her efforts, his words
still haunted her.  "What do you want with me,"
she asked him softly, a careless whisper as she
gazed down at the marble floor. Goodness, she
had slapped the Sultan. She could be killed for
such a crime! Had he brought her to the palace
only to have her killed for her insults? Fear
gripped her for, even though she had not had a
wonderful life, she still enjoyed being among
the living. She had not worked so hard to earn
her freedom only to have her life taken away
so early.
	Sensing her fear, Endymion gently cupped
her face, lifting it so her eyes met his. He
softly whispered, "Everything," before he dipped
down to kiss her. As he let her go after the
brief kiss, Serenity could feel herself wish that
it had lasted a tad bit longer..."I hope your new
home pleases you," his deep husky voice asked her.
She could feel a shudder run down her spine as he
turned away from her, heading for the door,
"because you'll be staying here for a long time."
	He slammed the door behind him as he
exited. Stunned, all she could do was sink into
the depths of the soft bed, letting it slowly
swallow her up. She gazed up into the ceiling and
started to contemplate her circumstances. Home...
Endymion said that this was her new home. So that
would mean that he did not intend to kill her as
she thought. But what did he want with her? And
would she be willing to play the role of a
mistress or choose to disobey her Sultan?

*************************************************

	She tasted like honey.
	The sweet taste of her lips against his
captivated him as he slammed the door behind him.
All he wanted to do after that short kiss was to
turn around, capture her in his arms and ravish
her. But he wouldn't do that, not now. It was
still too early.
	He let out a throaty laugh, as he
remembered how he had found immense enjoyment in
the frantic look in her eyes when he told her he
was Sultan. 'I'm demented,' he said to himself.
However, that did not stop the smile from
appearing on his lips.
	He began to walk away but froze in his
tracks when he turned to see the guards standing
nearby peering curiously at Serenity's door. He
frowned; he couldn't have this, not at all. He
didn't want anyone looking at her, no one but
himself. The thought of another man looking at
her beauty caused his anger to flame.
	He caught the guards' attention and told
them firmly with blazing eyes, "Do not let anyone
in that room.  No one can enter it except for
the maids that I'll issue to bring her meals. Do
you understand?"
	His icy tone demanded absolute obedience.
Meekly, the guards nodded as he began to walk
away, his blood still burning hotly in his veins.
He couldn't help but wonder why this newfound
jealousy was able to take control of him so
easily. Especially since he had been with more
beautiful and more seductive women before.
Serenity was only a gypsy dancer. What made her
so different? He didn't know and he didn't
understand his feelings. All he knew was that the
thought of any other man being able to see his
beautiful siren caused his blood to boil and his
body to shake with intense rage.  Lust, he told
himself, lust was the reason he was feeling this
way. The other women had been very willing to
succumb to his will but Serenity had been the
first to refuse. Her beauty coupled with her
passionate nature was a refreshing change from
the submissive women he was accustomed to.
This was what enticed him; the endeavor to
break her spirit and mold her to his own will.
	She belonged to him - and he'll be
damned before he'll let her free.

************************************************

	"Damn that women," he practically shouted
as he slammed his hand down onto the desk with a
loud thud. Sleep had not come to him easily last
night because of the thought of her so close to
him filled his mind. He could only think about
the beautiful silver haired girl that was
probably sleeping peacefully just a short
distance away...
	He let out a bitter curse.
	Damn her, damn her to hell.
	He shook his head as he willed himself to
gain control. It was an affliction, only an
affliction. He should have just bedded her
yesterday and be done with it all. But he
couldn't.  He could not and he would not...there
was no fun in that. No, his pleasure would be
when he had her in his bed, begging for him,
pleading to him, tell him that she desired him,
that he was her everything...
	He smiled.
	Breaking her would be a very satisfying
accomplishment.

************************************************

	He was wrong.
	Serenity was not asleep as he thought her
to be; instead she had as much trouble as he had
sleeping.  She was not use to sleeping on such a
luxuriously soft bed. Not only that, but thoughts
of him caused her mind to worry. She couldn't help
but wonder if he was going to come into her room
at night and have his way with her. She frowned
as the sun arose, finding that she had worried
about nothing; he had not approached her at all.
	Sighing, she sat at the vanity, combing
her hair as a maid scurried into her room, placing
a plate of luscious food down at a nearby table.
The maid's gaze was on the ground at all times and
she left as quickly as she came. Serenity did not
even have an opportunity to see what she looked
like or ask her any questions.
	Cautiously, Serenity took a bite of some
unknown and undoubtedly expensive fruit. The rich
sweetness filled her mouth and she closed her eyes
in ecstasy. With a contented sigh, she went to the
door and opened it, only to find two soldiers
standing in front of her, staring at her as if she
was an oddity that had appeared from the sky.
	"What are you doing here," she asked softly
as they leered at her, eyes gazing at her,
inspecting her...She let out a cough as one of the
guards remembered his manners and answered her.
"The Sultan had told us to watch the door. You are
not allowed to leave the room."
	With that, he closed the door in her face
as she started to protest. Incensed, Serenity
flounced back to the bed and plopped unhappily
upon the pillows. How DARE he? How dare Endymion
order her to be locked up in this room? What right
did he have?
	'He's the Sultan, Serenity. He has every
right to order you locked in here. Even if he were
not the Sultan, he has purchased your contract and
you now belong to him.'
	Making a face, Serenity cursed at her inner
voice. Damn it for being right.

**************************************************

	The day passed by slowly.
	His thoughts were all about her. As he
stared at some documents, the words reformed into
a painting of her face. The sunlight playing off
of some water made him think of Serenity's silver
locks. He couldn't help but curse loudly again. He
was unable to complete any work today. As the sun
set in the horizon, the approaching night began
to lift his sour mood. He left his work to
retire...to his siren's bedroom. He passed the
guards without a second look as he threw open the
door, making sure to close it behind him, hiding
his new treasure from any prying eyes. The girl
glared at him from her seated position on the
ground, her glowering presence indicating her
unhappiness.
	"What's the big idea, locking me in here
all day with nothing to do and no one to talk to?
And now, when I finally give up hope of doing
anything and decide to go to bed, you appear to
disturb me! Well, what do you want now," Serenity
finished, crossing her arms and looking at him
suspiciously.
	His eyes gazed at her as he pulled her up
from the ground and into his arms. He repeated
the same answer to her question as he had the
previous day, "Everything."  
	He released her and began to circle her,
his eyes looking at her slowly, examining her.
Serenity had the sudden feeling of being a camel
for sale and Endymion being a potential buyer.
	"You are a truly a great beauty...so
worth the money spent," he finally said, his
eyes still riveted on her body. "So beautiful..."
	His eyes then gazed at her lips as he
smiled, "I have had a taste of the sweet bliss
of your lips, and I find them quite enticing...
Are you a gypsy who put a spell on me? It
doesn't matter if you have. I find this spell
quite pleasing, my siren...so very pleasing..."
Pulling her against his frame, his dominating
lips covered hers, kissing her with a wild
passion that traveled from him to her. Serenity
could no longer think or move, she could only
fall into this magical spell of this beautiful
kiss...
	He was wrong; it was not she who had
placed a spell but him, only him. She fell into
his spell deeper with each passing moment,
letting out a moan of pleasure. Her
acknowledgement that she too felt his passion
caused his lips to leave hers. Opening her eyes,
she could see that Endymion was smirking at her.
She felt her face turn red from embarrassment;
she had behaved like such a wanton.
	"Did you enjoy the kiss, my siren," he
asked. Serenity could not lie; he knew that she
had enjoyed the experience. She nodded, still
avoiding his gaze. A feeling of triumph filled
his heart as he finally gave into the words that
had been on the tip of his tongue since he had
left her in the room. "Dance for me...Dance for
me habibattee..." His eyes to looked at her
expectantly. Without protest, Serenity did his
bidding, dancing to the melody of the sultry
desert winds. Her body slowly moved to the
seductive music able to be heard by them two
alone. Expertly, Serenity snaked her arms
as she enticingly swung her hips. Endymion
felt the rapturous call of her dance in every
movement, every gesture, every expression. She
danced around him so closely that she briefly
came in contact with him. The softness of her
touch left him burning for more. He could
finally stand no more of her taunting. Desire
burned within him, demanding to be heard.
Grabbing her wrists, he pulled her into his
embrace.
	Breathing deeply from her exertions,
Serenity stared at him, bewildered at his
sudden actions. Her beautiful, innocent blue
eyes were wide with surprise. "You did not
like my dance," she asked him, confused. The
soft hesitation in her voice and the
closeness of her body broke his control as
his lips forcefully met hers once again. He
fell into the moment, savoring her sweetness.
His desire called up an answering passion
within her, quickly spreading hot and fiery
through her veins. Serenity wrapped her arms
around Endymion's neck and pulled him closer,
deepening the kiss. She never felt like this
before. This simple kiss was more intoxicating
than wine and more exhilarating than a sand
storm.
	Breathless, they parted, both trying
to regain their breaths. His deep voice filled
the room as he spoke. "Your eyes are innocent,
yet your body speaks otherwise." His seductive
laugh that followed caused her to shudder with
pleasure. Never had she felt so feminine, nor
so sensual.
	She shivered as he lifted her into his
arms and carried her to the bed. Gently placing
her upon the bed, he slowly began to loosen her
clothing. As his nimble fingers began to undo
her clothes, he began to kiss her again.
	A low moan escaped her lips. Never had
Serenity felt such passion, such desire, for
anyone. A warmth coiled in the center of her
being, completely unfamiliar to her. What were
these feelings that raced in her heart? Deep
in her soul, something cried out for more,
even as her mind protested at being made a
mistress to man who most likely did not truly
care for her. Even if she wanted to, Serenity
was powerless to stop this chain of events.
	Endymion knew that no matter what he
asked of her, Serenity would do anything he
asked at this moment. Inwardly, he chuckled.
Already her walls were crumbling before him
and very soon, he was sure, she would belong
to him, mind, body and soul. 'Very soon,' he
thought, 'she will beg for my kisses. And
when that occurs, I will have triumphed.'
Pausing his actions, he looked at her, his
dark eyes glazed with passion. Huskily, he
asked, "I want you ... do you want me?"  
	Her mind clashed with her desire.
She could not help but feel ashamed of her
answer. Even now, she could feel the warmth
of her wanting deep within her. Blushing, she
turned her head away, nodding. Pleased, he let
out a throaty laugh.
	"My siren," he whispered softly into
her ear, placing a soft kiss upon the lobe.
"Beg for it. Beg for it and I'll give you all
the passion your heart desires..."
	She stiffened as his words brought all
her passion to a screeching halt. "What," she
asked. Fighting for control, she tried not to
tremble when his hand brushed against her.
	He thought that she had already melted
into a puddle of submission. "You heard me,
habibattee, beg for it," he whispered
seductively, trying to regain control of the
situation.
	She was speechless. Anger filled her
as he stared at her, his eyes giving hers a
challenging look. "I see...you still cannot,"
he stated as he shrugged. Standing up, he
began to walk towards the door, leaving her
in her ruffled state on the bed.
	Serenity glared at his retreating
figure.	Beg for it?  She would never beg!!
When the old man starved her for her
disobedience, she had not begged for food.
Even as she was being whipped, she had not
begged for him to cease. A wave of hot anger
that had been slowly building up in her,
finally crashed. If he thought that she was
going to degrade herself by begging him to
make her his mistress, he had another think
coming. Why, the man was the spawn of evil,
unfit to be Sultan!! Sitting up, Serenity
grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Endymion.
Striking its target, the pillow fell to the
ground as Endymion whirled around to face
her. Standing proudly despite her state of
undress, Serenity haughtily said, "I will
NEVER beg YOU!!! Nothing will EVER make me
ask YOU for anything."
	He laughed, "We'll see..." And with
that parting shot, the door closed with a
resounding thud.

Author Notes:

	Wow, this chapter came out sooner
than the previous one.  Aren't you guys
proud?  Here's to Kana who misguidedly thinks
that Waff is better than Taff. And to Lyssa
who pushes me and makes sure I'm writing
instead of goofing off. Emails are wonderful,
so (winks) you do get the point ne? Love ya
all!
-Cherry Pie

	To all my friends who helped me
through a difficult period and to all those
readers who are still reading this, my
deepest thanks. Your emails are a shining
ray of hope in the dismal darkness of
life.
-The Rose Society a.k.a Kii