Serena’s eyes widened as she regarded the man. She looked down. Serena’s eyes widened, her gaze flicking down to the soft white cotton gown she wore now. It wasn’t the dusty blue dress she’d taken from the manor to Lunara’s shrine.
"Oh, I’m offended," he said dryly. "I had soone change you out of the dress since it was unusable. It had ripped when you tried to shift."
Serena rubbed at her temples, her fingers pressing into her skin. Of course soone else had done it. Still, heat crept up the back of her neck at the assumption she’d made.
Then again, she had been naked in her dream, so she assud sothing of the sort happened in real life.
She shifted uncomfortably. He had brought her straight to the castle, his bedroom no less, after making it clear that he wanted nothing to do with her. Even going as far as to apologise... was he trying to trick her?
"Why did you bring here?" she asked, her voice quieter than she intended.
"I thought it would be better to bring you here where you could be monitored," Darius answered.
Serena glanced around the room. The curtains were drawn halfway, letting in a bit of the afternoon light. The space was clean.
A modest desk sat in one corner, a neat stack of parchnt and a quill holder resting atop it. Nearby, a wall shelf bore a line of well-worn books.
But what made her stiffen was what sat at the far end of the room, multiple skulls. They were all laid out like trophies.
She brought her knees close to her chest. It was a reminder of what Darius could do, the Alpha of a cardinal pack. Serena turned to him, nodding slowly.
"Thank you," she said.
"But if you’d like, I could take you back to the manor-"
"No," she said quickly, lifting a hand to stop him mid-sentence. "I’m alright."
She could almost swear that looked relieved but he said nothing and nodded.
—
Serena humd to herself as she slathered ointnt on her skin. Darius had taken her to an empty room not too far from his. Most of the clothing she had left at Blackthorn Keep had been moved here, neatly folded in the large chest at the foot of the bed.
She had taken ti to herself to sit in the bath. She still felt as though mud was stuck to her skin. Serena inspected herself in the mirror. To think it had been only a month- maybe less, that it had taken her to look a bit like herself.
The person she had seen at the manor looked healthier; her cheeks had filled out. Serena smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
"Everywhere slls like him," Feyra comnted out of the blue.
Serena gasped. She looked up, silently offering thanks to Lunara and asking for the Moonseeker to be blessed. Feyra was really here, and she sounded like she was in better health.
"This is his ho, so yes, I suppose everywhere would sll like him," Serena said with a breathy laugh.
The two conversed for a bit, and Serena recounted the eting with Cullen. Serena slipped on a wine-colored dress. Her heart was heavy, but her mind felt lighter. It hadn’t brought peace, but it had brought closure.
"I should hold a candlelight service for him," Serena said.
Feyra huffed in agreent. "Yes, we should."
Serena tried to plan ntally for when to do it. It would have to be done discreetly, away from prying eyes. She found it easier to stay silent rather than lie all the ti.
She zipped up the dress and spun around. Again, the dress had co out beautifully. Serena would have loved to thank Livia despite her hostile attitude. She made a ntal note to bring it up with Darius.
She still wondered who Livia was. The woman seed fiercely protective of Darius. Serena’s cheeks heated up a bit. Perhaps she was his companion, that would explain his strange attitude toward her and not wanting a mate.
Serena picked up her brush and gently ran it through her hair. Still, a fated mate was a wonderful blessing from Lunara, so strong Serena broke things off with her companion for Cullen but things seed very different in Ironshade.
—
The window finally budged when Darius walked in. Serena turned around quickly, then exhaled.
"Darius," she greeted.
"Serena." His reply was just as neutral, but his eyes lingered on her face for a second too long.
The two stood awkwardly, waiting for the other to speak, Serena rubbed her palm with her thumb while Darius cleared his throat.
"Seeing as you’d be here for a while-" he began, only to pause when she gave him a pointed look, "well, until you get better. I wanted to know if you’d like a tour of the castle."
Serena nodded. Her gaze dropped to his outstretched hand. For a mont, she hesitated, then slipped hers into his. Just courtesy, she reminded herself. Nothing more.
His hand was cold, firm, rougher than she expected.
Darius led her through the hallways and soon down the stairs. Serena held up her free hand to block off the light coming from the sun’s rays.
Darius let her go and gestured to the castle. "Welco to Hawthorne Castle, Ambassador."
The formalities and everything brought a smile to her face before she laughed. Her chest felt light, and she relaxed.
"It’s my pleasure to be here," she said, playing along.
The sound of feet against the dirt drew Serena’s attention. Serena turned, squinting, as a young man sprinted toward them, waving frantically.
Darius stepped in front of her with his brow furrowed. "What is the aning of this-"
Serena gasped, stepping around him. A smile spread across her face. "Anthony, is that you?"
The man stopped, breathing hard before smiling and giving an awkward bow. "Ambassador, I wasn’t inford you were here."
"It’s nice to see you too," she said warmly.
Darius folded his arms and looked between the two. "I see you’ve been acquainted. Anthony, please control yourself."
Serena’s smile faltered at the look Anthony shot Darius. The look Anthony shot Darius was unmistakable, defiant, almost scornful.
In Silverstone, such a glare would’ve been t with punishnt, swift and public. It would’ve been unthinkable to address an Alpha with anything less than full respect.
She glanced at Darius, who didn’t seem to mind. Anthony gave him a once-over, then turned to Serena, smiled, and left.
How odd.
"Right this way," Darius said, rolling his shoulder. "I think the stables is a nice start."
Serena did not want to pry, especially if things were done this way in Ironshade, but the way Anthony glared at Darius openly was strange.
Sothing wasn’t quite right. But for now, she stayed close and let Darius lead the way.
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