Serena’s heart dropped at Livia’s words. The situation just kept getting stranger. On one hand, she was tempted to let Livia run with one of her dramatic, delusional tales if it meant she’d finally leave. But on the other, it felt like letting rot fester in daylight. Something about it sat wrong in Serena’s chest.
Who knew who she should tell? Maybe straight to Darius, even though he was underneath her bed, or even Elder Iris. None of these people were on her side already.
"How could you do that to Darius?" Livia hissed again, this time with more venom.
Serena closed her eyes for a breath, letting the words hang between them. Her throat felt tight. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
"I didn’t," she said at last, voice barely audible.
Then Serena laughed. A breathy, bitter thing. The whole situation was absurd. Why was she even trying to defend herself? Livia wouldn’t lift a finger to protect her. If anything, she’d enjoy catching her cousin’s mate in a compromising position. That thought alone sent a cold trickle down Serena’s spine.
"You didn’t?" Livia took a step forward, her eyes narrowed to slits. "You didn’t sneak a man into your room when we’re on the cusp of an alliance? You didn’t try to seduce someone while being a guest under this roof? And why are you laughing?"
"Because it is not true, none of it is. I didn’t seduce anyone," Serena snapped. "Look, I would never do that to Darius, but I simply cannot let you in into this room."
Livia arched an eyebrow, arms still folded. "Then what are you hiding? Let me guess... it’s not a man in your bed, but something worse? A secret meeting? A letter from Crimsonclaw? Or are you just planning your next great rogue escape? Or you have someone’s skull in your wardrobe?"
"I have nothing to explain to you," she said, her voice lower now, quieter. "And I owe you no answer, not here and certainly not ."
Livia’s mouth twisted. "How convenient."
Something shifted in Serena’s expression, and she finally stepped away from the door. Not far, but just enough to let her body relax. "If you’re done making baseless accusations, I’d like to get dressed."
Livia’s gaze dropped briefly over her clothes, a tunic thrown over last night’s underdress, hair tousled, her feet still bare on the stone floor. The implication was obvious. Content originally comes from n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
Serena met her eyes squarely. "Yes, I slept late. No, it wasn’t because of some sordid affair."
"Prove to me, show me I am wrong about you," Livia said in a low voice.
Serena blinked, and then she sighed. It was no use doing this back and forth, it was not serving her in any way. She took steps back until her back was flat against the wooden door. "You will not find anything in my room."
Serena twisted the knob and opened the door. Livia brushed past her and she scanned the area. She glanced back in time to see Serena close the door. Livia had never thought of herself as impaired. But in moments like these, she was reminded of it– her lackluster supernatural sense of smell dulled the edges of her suspicion. For a wolf, it was as good as being half-blind.
She paused and closed her eyes. No matter how weak her nose was, she still recognised the scent. It was Darius’. She glanced at Serena, who stood close to the door and returned her gaze with intense contact.
Livia clicked her tongue and walked straight to the bed. Her boots echoed in the room. The woman loomed over, and she saw pillows laying haphazardly, but only one seemed to have an impression of someone’s head on it. Livia narrowed her eyes and then noticed the way the blanket hung lazily. She bent over and she pulled the blanket from the floor.
Serena sucked in a sharp breath but managed to stifle the gasp that bubbled at her lips. This was it. Livia would see him...she would see-
The space beneath the bed was empty. There was not a trace of Darius. Serena’s eyes darted frantically, she could not catch sight of Darius, yet his scent filled her brain.
"Are you satisfied?" Serena said after finding her voice.
Livia cast her a sidelong glance accompanied with a frown. She let the blanket drop on the bed and then dusted her hands on her skirt. Livia never broke eye contact with Serena as she went around the bed and then opened the wardrobe.
Livia examined the wardrobe. There was nothing of note except the dresses she had spent a lot of time on to make for Serena. A heat crept onto Livia’s neck as she closed the wooden box and turned to Serena.
Serena stood now with crossed arms, and then she quirked a brow at her. "So," she asked, voice tinged with something smug, "are you satisfied?"
"Yes," Livia admitted reluctantly. "Why were you acting strange?"
Serena shrugged. "You have no idea who I am, so this would seem strange for you."
Serena’s heart had relaxed ever since. She figured that Darius had left the room. But how? Her eyes widened at the realisation. Darius had gone ahead with his ludicrous plan of jumping out the window. Worry filled Serena—how had he pulled it off? It was such a long way down.
Livia was speechless for a few seconds before she cleared her throat. "You are right, and I apologise."
Serena covered her shock at the swift apology. It was another win in her books. She nodded stiffly in acknowledgement.
"I wanted to speak with you," she said, her voice suddenly stiff, formal. "About the Dawnbreak meeting. It’s important."
Serena unfolded her arms and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"I was here to..." Livia’s eyes flicked to the floor, then to the window, as if words had gone out it with Darius. "...to say thank you. For standing up to me."
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