Serena held her wrist in her hand and looked down and sighed. It had been minutes since she had left Livia’s side without another word being said. Today was a strange day for the woman, a lot of information to digest.
She wandered through the halls aimlessly until the ache in her legs reminded her that she hadn’t eaten since morning. Even then, she bypassed the kitchens and went straight to her quarters. Her hunger could wait.
Annamarie had found her way to Serena’s room not long after she had settled in. Serena lay on her stomach across the bed, still wearing her meeting attire. Her cheek was pressed to her folded arms, her face half-buried in the soft pillow. Anna perched at the edge of the mattress, fiddling nervously with a necklace, the chain slipping between her fingers again and again.
"Jack sent this for me," Anna said suddenly, a breathless sort of awe in her voice. "He remembered I wanted this particular one from a year ago. I can not believe my eyes."
Serena turned to look at the piece of jewellery Annamarie held up, it reflected the afternoon sunlight on its dark blue surface. It was simple but the precious gem in the middle told Serena all she needed to know about the value.
"You better believe it," Serena laughed, her voice muffled slightly by her sleeve. "It’s really beautiful."
"I know," Anna squealed, pressing the necklace against her chest with both hands. "I had actually forgotten that I asked for this."
Serena eyed the piece of jewellery, it fit her features so well that she was inclined to believe that Jack had spent more time than money on getting it for Anna. A smile touched Serena’s lips.
"But now I have to rack my brain trying to figure out what to get him," Anna exclaimed, her brows furrowed.
Serena hummed, stretching slightly before propping her head in her hands. "How about something he’s mentioned before?"
Annamarie exhaled and shook her head. "I would but Jack is as quiet as a temple mouse but... I think he would like new gear for scouting. He was never really good at the sort at first, I had to help so much."
Serena laughed as she listened to Annamarie speak. It reminded her of her older brother Theodore, she had taught Theodore how to use a bow and a sword. He had such terrible form that she had to drill it into his head every day.
My arms ache, he would say and she would frown and make him go another three rounds of sparring. He was cut out for heavy lifting and eventually went into blacksmithing, he loved his job. Serena found her calling with the healers and the two never had a sparring match between themselves again.
"... and that’s how Jack was found after morning. I was so scared but he just brushed it off like it was nothing."
Annamarie scoffed suddenly, pulling Serena from her thoughts. She jumped to her feet, the necklace swinging lightly from her hand, and began to pace. "Who did he think he was? Did you know I thought I’d never see him again?"
Serena sat up and shook her head slowly, her expression softening. Anna groaned, throwing her arms up with exaggerated exasperation.
"But that was four years ago. I’ll get him that knife he’s been eyeing for a while. I have enough saved up," she said with a laugh, the sound light and a little breathless, as if just speaking about Jack stirred something warm in her chest.
Serena smiled as she observed the younger woman, oh what was it to be unbridled in love. She perked up and pressed her lips in a thin line. Was it love? She was not so sure herself.
"I will help you to find it when you’re ready," Serena offered.
Anna stopped and her eyes widened, "Are you serious?"
Serena nodded and smiled. "Yes I will."
Annamarie practically launched herself across the room, throwing her arms around Serena and squeezing tightly. "Oh, thank you, thank you. It would’ve been such a long day checking out the towns."
"Please I would be happy to help."
Serena did mean it, hanging out with Anna would clear her mind and make her feel normal. Annamarie could convince Emmett to let her go, she wondered if the council would shackle her and keep her close. Had she sold her freedom in exchange for shelter?
Serena exhaled slowly and patted Anna’s back and forced herself not to dwell on the matter and to focus on the woman who was in front of her.
She had just blinked and before she knew it she was looking at Darius who was standing in front of her door. Annamarie must have felt the sudden shift in the air too; she froze, then slowly pulled away from Serena, her fingers trailing off like she’d been caught doing something secret. She dipped her head low.
"Alpha," Annamarie greeted, voice quieter than before.
Darius nodded curtly in acknowledgement to her greeting, he looked between Serena and Annamarie. He hated how Serena looked at him, it almost reminded him of how it had been with them in the early days.
"I would like to be alone with Serena," Darius said.
Serena blinked slowly, her fingers tightening around the edge of the blanket as Anna turned toward the door. Before leaving, Annamarie glanced back and mouthed, I’m sorry. Then she slipped out, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. With that, Darius and Serena were alone.
She was acutely aware of how her fingers tingled, they had a lot to talk about. She thought he would wait until the next day to come see her. Check latest chapters at nοvelfire.net
"Have you had something to eat yet?" Darius asked.
"Er... no. I haven’t, not since the morning," Serena replied, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.
Darius sighed and shook his head, he crossed the room and sat next to Serena. "Give me your hand."
To which she did, his hands felt cold to the touch as it was always, she lifted her gaze to meet his.
"Have you eaten at all? You look tired," she asked softly.
Darius rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. "No, I haven’t. But enough about that..." He paused, his tone shifting. "Something came up."
Serena’s brow arched slightly. She leaned in, attentive now. "What did?"
"The messenger from the Dawnbreak party has arrived in Ironshade."
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