Serena nodded, she knew the ins and outs of controlling one but she had not ridden one in so long. But she still kept to a yes as an answer so as to not have a lengthy conversation with Livia. Livia hummed and then walked over to her.
"The dress... suits you," she said, looking Serena up and down.
Livia walked to the window and looked down at the passing guards, even they looked nicer than they usually were. If Livia were like a regular wolf she too would be overjoyed and look nicer than her everyday life. This was cause for celebration, a cardinal pack was interested in striking a deal.
If it was to go through then Ironshade would be in a better off place than it was years before, that brought a smile to her face. She wanted to believe in Darius, she really did, but she could not stand the sight of Serena’s face just yet. Her anger towards her had subsided but it had not faded away.
Livia turned and exhaled, she expected to see Serena watching her like she usually did but the other woman was at her desk scribbling away at something. She seemed the least bothered with engaging with Livia, it almost felt like she was intruding on Serena.
Serena cast a sidelong glance to the other woman when she cleared her throat.
"You will ride with us," Livia declared.
"Yes, the council members. We will be there to greet the party and finally meet the delegate of Dawnbreak," Livia replied.
Serena nodded and turned back to her desk, she folded the paper and pressed it tightly between her fingers. "I see, where are we meeting them?"
"In Longdale, that would be the perfect location to show off this alliance," Livia answered. "If you are asked anything by one of the wolves from Dawnbreak, simply say you are part of those overseeing the negotiation."
"Alright," Serena said.
What a plan indeed. Ironshade decided to take Dawnbreak unaware by concealing the fact that they had someone from Crimsonclaw on their side, or at least the illusion of it. Serena’s brows scrunched up, it was not necessarily a foolproof plan but it could work.
"Suppose one of the pack members lets it slip that someone of Crimsonclaw is here?" Serena asked.
"It would not happen, the messenger has been kept under watch at Blackthorn Keep and no one lives around there. The man has not suspected a thing and we will keep it that way," Livia began. "As for the rest, they will meet with us at Longdale and be escorted straight to the manor and soon after talks will begin there and that is when they will find out."
Serena slipped the paper into the drawer next to her and rose slowly. Everything was already set in motion, there was no backing out now. Still, the Dawnbreak party was not yet aware of her existence. She gritted her teeth, the prospect of absconding was still fresh in her mind.
Feyra’s words came to her: you will regret it.
Serena tried to push Darius’ face out of her mind but she just could not. She had not laid eyes on that man in two days, her anxiety worsened.
"Do I have to be in the room when the talks start?" Serena asked.
Serena looked at the floor briefly and then at Livia. "I see.""Have you had anything to eat?" Livia asked.
Serena nodded, though it was not for the best that she had eaten so early. She was not worried about hunger, she was more worried about losing her dinner. She bit on her tongue, since when did she turn into a timid mouse? She had so many misgivings but she had to be brave.
"Good, we do not need your stomach growling at any given moment," Livia said.
Serena blinked. She could not tell if this was an attempt at a joke or a jab. She groaned internally, that Charlotte woman had turned her head around too much. Her eyes lit up at the memory, perhaps she could ask Livia about the curly-haired woman.
"I have a question," Serena began.
"Have you heard of any ward of the General, a tall woman even taller than I am. She has curly hair and lots of freckles on her face?"
Livia crossed her hands, a figure came to mind but she shook her head. If it was who she thought about it would not be possible, she hated General Silas. "I have not."
"Are you sure? Her name is Charlotte, or that was the name the General gave her..." Find the newest release on novel•fire.net
"Charlotte," Livia echoed. "I have not, Silas does not take in anyone under his wing much care for this person you speak about."
Livia nodded and she walked to the door, her boots echoing across the floor, she waved her hand to Serena. "It is time for us to leave."
Serena gathered up her skirts and followed after Livia, she exhaled slowly and followed her through the winding passages. After a few minutes of walking through the castle, Serena stopped.
Promptly, Livia turned back to look at her to see if anything was the matter. Serena played with her fingers and then snapped out of her little trance.
"May I see Darius?" Serena asked.
Livia’s eyebrows rose, what a daring request. She had not expected it from the other woman. They were on the cusp of something important and here she was asking for Darius, like he was her little husband. Livia looked away briefly, he might as well be hers.
"Why?" Serena asked, taking a step forward.
Livia pressed her lips in a thin line, the question had poked at her irritation.
"Because he does not want to see you," Livia said.
Serena’s shoulders fell slowly, her mind raced back to when he held her in his arms and whispered promises that he would be with her. She looked up at the other woman and narrowed her eyes.
Livia sighed and turned away, walking down the corridor. "I lied but I do not want you to see him, we have other important matters at hand."