Darius’s jaw flexed as the door closed behind him with a soft click. The image of Serena’s candlelit room lingered in his mind longer than it should have. He had gone there for a moment, just a single moment to speak to her in private, but of course Charlotte had been there, sprawled across the room like a lounging cat. That little-
He exhaled through his nose and started down the corridor, boots echoing softly in the stillness of the castle’s sleeping hours.
He should have turned around the instant he saw Charlotte, but pride made him stay. He had meant to check on her, Serena, not Charlotte but what was the point when another was already sharing her silence? The laughter in Charlotte’s voice had only grated on his nerves. She always knew how to rub salt into any wound, and Darius suspected she took joy in it.
He shook his head, his thought had already gone to the extreme, she was mostly likely laughing at Serena. Charlotte, or whatever she decided to call herself these days did not know that Darius was smitted by Serena. She was under the assumption and clearly by Silas’ doing that Serena was a dangerous person.
He turned the corner, glancing at the worn tapestry lining the wall. His fingers brushed it absently. It was foolish, this thing stirring in him. Dangerous as well. He had always been a man of purpose, not prone to indulgent emotions or the pull of soft gazes, but Serena made it difficult. Every time he thought he had her figured out, she turned her head and revealed another face.
She was still a stranger, and yet–
"Out late, aren’t we?"
Darius halted, blinking out of his thoughts. Cedar stood at the base of the hall’s staircase, his white-streaked hair unbound, a half-cloak thrown over his shoulders. The old wolf looked like he’d stepped out of his bed and into the night without much thought.
"You’re the one wandering," Darius replied, recovering with a slight smile. "Couldn’t sleep?"
"Sleep is a gift for the dead," Cedar said mildly. "You’ve got the look of a man chewing on rocks. Trouble?"
"Just a long day... for us all," Darius said, folding his arms. "It is a surprise to see you at the castle so late.."
"I was hoping to find you, actually," Cedar said, walking up the steps toward him.
Darius raised a brow. "Is something wrong?"
"Not wrong. Not yet. Just... unsettled." Cedar looked toward the high windows where moonlight spilled in through thick stone. "About the delegate."
"Riven?" Darius said. "What of him?"
Cedar’s face drew tight. "I had expected him, he is too young to be given such a task . You said it yourself– he isn’t a fool, but that’s what makes it stranger. Alpha Thalia sending someone like him? No seasoned second beside him, no elder envoy to guide him? It doesn’t sit right with me."
Darius sighed and gestured toward one of the nearby alcoves. "Walk with me."
The two of them moved in step, their footfalls softened by old carpet. Darius kept his voice low. "I’ve been thinking the same thing. It’s not like Dawnbreak to be so casual. They could’ve sent Beta Jerold or one of their council. Instead, they sent a wolf barely older than Ryker."
"And he’s charming," Cedar said, his mouth twisting wryly. "That’s the other thing. He had not shown it, just yet but his party are nearly smitten with him. He’s likable, which makes him dangerous."
Darius stopped beside a window that overlooked the western gardens, barren now under moonlight and frost. He folded his arms. "You think they’re testing us."
Cedar gave a slight nod. "Either that, or they think we are too weak to deserve someone higher."
"We’ve held Ironshade through worse than trade silence," Darius said.
"Yes, but perception is everything," Cedar murmured. "And Thalia didn’t claw her way to the top of Dawnbreak just to make peace for peace’s sake. She wants something."
Darius turned toward him, eyes narrowing slightly. "You think they’re baiting us?"
"I think they’re watching. And you..." He paused and turned to Darius with a hard look. "...need to be careful. You’re letting yourself get distracted."
Darius bristled. "By what?"
"I am not sure myself, only you would know that. But something is taking up space in your thoughts." Cedar did not press further. He hardly ever did. That was what made his words cut deeper. "Whatever it is, put it aside. You’re the Alpha. Lead like it."
The silence between them stretched until Darius exhaled and leaned against the cold stone. "There’s more on my shoulders than just trade. The curse. The old loyalties. And now a charming envoy with a clever tongue."
"We will handle it," Cedar said, placing a hand on Darius’ shoulder. "But only if we stay sharp."
There was a pause, and then Cedar’s tone softened slightly. "I’ve been thinking about our wild card."
Darius looked over. "You think we will need it so soon?"
"I think we may not have a choice."
Another beat of silence passed between them. Darius had foolishly hoped that they would get through this dry patch without putting Serena at the forefront. If that would happen then everything had to be monitored carefully and everything would have to be thought out before execution. And that meant he would have to be careful about his interactions with Serena.
Darius ran a hand through his hair. "If we play that card too early-"
"We may lose our advantage. I know," Cedar said. "But if Dawnbreak’s delegation is more than it seems, we’ll need to remind them Ironshade is not some shadow of what it once was."
"I will think on it," Darius said.
Cedar gave a soft grunt of approval. He turned to leave but paused halfway down the steps. "One more thing." Thɪs chapter is updated by Nove1Fire.net
"Be careful who you let near your fire," Cedar said without turning. "Some embers burn longer than you expect."
And then he was gone, cloak swaying behind him like a whisper in the dark.
Darius stood alone in the hall for a long moment, staring at nothing. He exhaled and rubbed at his jaw, then turned toward the opposite corridor. He was not ready to sleep, just yet.