Serena pushed the cup of tea closer to Anna and then flashed her a tired smile. Her fingers curled restlessly against the rim of her sleeve, picking at a loose thread.
"I do get so tired sotis," she murmured, her voice low and almost lost to the crackling fire. "But... if I am to be honest, it is not as bad as before."
Annamarie leaned back slightly, letting her chin rest on her knuckles. "You an before you ca here?"
Serena gave a vague nod. "Yes. Lupine Hollow was colder in more ways than one. Even the few tis when I walked among my own, I often felt like a stranger passing through. Here... I do not always know where I stand, but there are monts when I feel seen. That counts for sothing."
Anna humd softly in agreent.
"Livia has softened so," Serena added, surprising even herself with the admission. "She still walks about like the gods carved her from marble, but there is... less venom in her tone. She speaks to now, not just barking out orders and questions. Small things, mostly. But I will take it."
It did make Serena feel like a giddy child who was presenting their mud cake monstrosity to her mother and waiting for approval.
Annamarie grinned. "That is a victory, then."
"A small one," Serena said, chuckling. "But victories co in all sizes, do they not?"
They lapsed into a brief silence, the kind that needed no filling. Serena’s eyes lowered to her cup, fingers wrapped around it for comfort more than warmth.
"There is a girl," she said at last. "Clara."
Anna tilted her head, brows knitting slightly. "Clara? That does sound rather familiar."
"She is a child I t not too long after I had that gathering in my na." Serena said softly, her voice growing distant. "A little thing. Wild hair. Big eyes like the moon. She reminded of-" She stopped herself, lips pressing together for a mont. "She is in Thornridge now. She lost her grandfather and she is all alone fending for herself. I only ever visited the village once, but... I hope to see her again soon."
Annamarie blinked, a gentle smile forming. "Would you like to go and visit her in your stead?"
Serena’s gaze snapped to hers, startled. "You would do that?"
"Of course," Anna said with a soft laugh, as if the question was absurd. "If you trust with her na, I shall find her. I have scouts who owe favours, and Thornridge is my ho and is not far."
Serena’s chest swelled unexpectedly, and she reached forward without thinking, embracing Anna across the table.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Truly."
Anna squeezed her back. "You have done more for us than most. Let be useful, I still owe you my life."
They pulled apart, and Serena wiped her cheek with a quick, embarrassed swipe of her hand. "Ugh. I did not an to cry. I am just... overly sentintal this evening."
Annamarie waved a hand. "It is the firelight. Makes everything feel like poetry."
Serena laughed. "That, or I have grown soft."
"I doubt that," Anna quipped. "You are still the woman who scolded when I was still delirious with a fever, I still rember it, nearly gave nightmares."
"That was hardly my proudest mont," Serena said, shaking her head.
"It was one of mine," Anna replied, her tone warm. "You know... people notice you here. They speak of you kindly."
"I try not to think too much of what people say," Serena said softly. "You know too much praise and it turns to poison."
The blonde looked down and sighed, it was obviously her speaking of Silverstone. The eyes of the people who ousted her out were still evergreen in her mory. It plagued her every waking mont.
"Maybe," Anna allowed. "But a little praise can remind you that you are more than what you have survived."
Serena smiled at that and leaned back. "You have grown wise."
"I have always been wise," Anna said with an exaggerated sigh. "It’s just that no one listens until I start shouting."
Serena gave a soft snort. "And how is your father? Still fussing over the scouts?"
"He is well," Anna said, her voice softening. "A little stiffer in the knees, but don’t tell him I said that. He will try to spar soone just to prove wrong."
"Sounds like Emtt."
"And scouting?" Anna continued. "It is... good. Challenging, now that Ironshade’s is trying to open its borders again. New trails, old trails, possible rogue tracks. We are always on the move. Jack’s been helping map the Eastern ridge. I think he is worried I will get myself lost without him."
"Would he be wrong?"
"Oh, completely right," Anna said, grinning. "But I would never admit it to his face."
Serena chuckled. "You too complint each other well."
"We are very good at it."
They shared another round of soft laughter, until finally, the hour began to settle heavily upon their shoulders.
Anna stood with a stretch. "I should go before I fall asleep on your carpet."
Serena stood as well, walking her to the door. "Thank you for coming, Anna. I am truly grateful."
Anna clasped her hands. "Always. And when the ti cos, when they call on the Crimsonclaw ambassador, I will be cheering the loudest."
Serena nodded, her throat tighter than expected. "I shall try not to stumble."
"You will not," Anna promised with conviction. "You never do."
With a final hug and parting smile, Anna slipped out into the dim corridors, her footsteps soon fading into the hush of night.
Serena stood in the doorway for a long mont, watching the shadows settle in around the quiet room.
Later, she retired to her chambers, undressing slowly, folding her clothes with care. The window remained cracked, letting in the cool breath of night and the occasional distant hoot of an owl.
She slid beneath the heavy covers, the linen soft and worn, and stared at the wooden beams above her bed. For the first ti in days, she felt a little lighter. And when she finally closed her eyes, her lips were curved in the ghost of a smile.
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