Serena jolted up, pressing her hand to the back of her neck. She groaned, blinking slowly, her body stiff from having slept bent over a desk. Her eyes scanned the familiar walls of the library, then drifted to the opposite side of the table. That shock of red hair ca into focus, and her breath hitched slightly.
Darius was asleep, his head resting on his arm, the morning light turning his usually fiery hair into a softer bronze. Her gaze dropped to their hands, hers was tucked between his, his larger fingers loosely curled around hers. She swallowed and slowly, gently, slipped her hand free so as not to wake him.
She stretched upward, back cracking as her limbs protested the awkward sleep. A yawn escaped her lips before she could catch it, and she rubbed her face with both palms. Her thoughts were still tangled with the remnants of a muddy dream, her father, laughing as he played so childhood ga with her in the gardens of Silverstone. His face had looked younger than she rembered, his voice warm, but as he spoke, the words had blurred into muffled static.
She frowned slightly. Dreams were cruel sotis, she missed her father greatly. She shook her head free of it.
Turning back toward the table, Serena stepped lightly over to Darius. His features were peaceful, a soft crease between his brows the only trace of whatever burdens he carried in waking hours. She hesitated for a mont, then leaned down and touched his shoulder gently.
"Darius," she said softly.
He stirred, brows furrowing before his eyes blinked open. It took him a second, and then he smiled sleepily up at her. "Good morning," he murmured, voice still rough with sleep. "You survived the library."
"Barely," she replied with a small smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You fell asleep too, you know."
Darius sat up, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, soone had to make sure you did not dribble on the only draft of that treaty scroll."
She snorted. "I did not dribble."
"I stand by my concerns," he said with a grin.
They chuckled together for a beat before a quiet settled between them, not uncomfortable, but soft and familiar.
Serena stepped closer and leaned down slightly. "Hold still," she murmured, reaching forward.
He blinked. "What-?"
"Eyelash." She carefully plucked the tiny thing from his cheek and held it up. "There. Make a wish."
He gave her a look. "I’m more of a ’bite the eyelash and curse my luck’ kind of man."
"Of course you are." She rolled her eyes, but there was fondness in it.
Serena sat back down in her chair, tucking her legs beneath her. "I was thinking about Annamarie this morning. And Clara too," she said after a beat, her voice quieter.
Darius tilted his head slightly, his playful expression slipping into sothing more attentive. "Yes?"
Serena nodded, picking at a corner of the parchnt. "Clara’s probably chasing birds in the market by now. Did you see her hands that ti? Maybe chopping wood to get by. And Annamarie’s probably scolding Jack for ruining her new boots again." She paused, a faint smile ghosting her lips. "I miss them. I think... once this whole Dawnbreak ss is wrapped up, I want to visit them. Even if it is just for a day."
"You should," Darius said without hesitation. "Clara would probably demand stories and sweets."
"I hope she does." Serena chuckled, then exhaled slowly.
Darius was quiet for a mont. Then he leaned forward slightly, elbows on the table. "You will get a chance to see them soon. I have already sent word to Annamarie."
Serena froze. "What?"
"I thought you might want to see her. I figured having soone from ’ho’ around might... ease the weight a little."
Her mouth parted in surprise, and then she bead. "Darius... you really did not have to go through all that trouble."
"I did."
She let out a breathy laugh, reaching across the table to touch his arm. "Thank you."
He shrugged, though his eyes were warm. "It was nothing."
Serena looked him up and down before she flashed a grin at him, sotis he was the most adorable thing she could think about. She never once ntioned that she missed Anna badly but here he was already thinking about her and sending her ssage to co visit her.
"No," she said firmly, "it was not nothing. That was... that was thoughtful."
Darius looked at her, then gave her a sheepish smile. "Well, I try not to be completely terrible."
Serena tilted her head, studying him for a mont. "How have you been holding up, honestly?"
He looked away for a second, then back at her. "So days better than others. These talks with Dawnbreak feel like dancing on the edge of a blade. One wrong step, and everything we have built cracks." He paused. "But... seeing everyone coming together the other night, even if only for a while... it reminded why it matters."
She nodded slowly. "You are not alone in this, you know."
"I know." He smiled again, this ti more subdued. "I have got SIlas breathing down my neck, and Nana slipping herbs for my nerves, and now you, asking difficult questions."
Serena laughed. "It is what I do best."
"You are going to make a fine ambassador," he said, voice sincere.
She arched a brow. "So when exactly are you bringing in as the ’Ambassador of Crimsonclaw,’ hmm? You keep dodging it."
Darius chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "Soon. Very soon. The next round of talks will need soone with your beauty and poise."
"Flattery will get you everywhere," she quipped, though her smile was genuine.
They sat like that for a while, the library wrapped in early light, parchnt rustling faintly in the background. Serena’s heart felt strangely full. She was still tired, still unsure of what the coming days would demand, but at least, for now, she wasn’t facing it alone.
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