Darius propped himself up on one elbow, his other hand stroking his jaw thoughtfully. His gaze flicked to Serena, still busy by the wardrobe.
"Wolfpine," he said finally, nodding. "Yes, it sounds like that."
Serena turned from the wardrobe with a contemplative look. Her hand brushed against the carved wood before she leaned back slightly against the desk. "What a simple name," she murmured, wrinkling her nose. "All because it is surrounded by pine trees?" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ n0velfire.net
Darius raised an eyebrow. "We are practical people."
Serena snickered and folded her arms. "That sounds very imaginative."
He gave a mock sigh and tilted his head, a strand of his hair falling lazily across his brow. "If you are so curious, you should ask Livia."
"Yes, you," he said, sitting up straighter. "Are you not the one who went on a sham bonding trip with her?"
Serena rolled her eyes. "Sham? She nearly rode us into a ditch. And then left me with an old man who spoke in riddles and probably has not seen sunlight since the last eclipse."
Darius chuckled, genuinely amused. "That sounds like Livia."
Serena sighed and then weighed her words but she had already begun her small rant about Livia. "She is a bit odd."
"She is efficient," Darius replied.
"She threatened to leave me in the village if I didn’t behave."
"...and yet here you are, alive, fed, and not tied to a tree," he said with a grin.
Their eyes met, and the grin softened between them. Darius leaned back against the pillow again, one hand behind his head. For a brief moment, he studied her more closely, how easily she bantered about Livia and not that apprehensive attitude she took on when livia was mentioned. It was strange to think Livia had not driven her off entirely, stranger still to think she would agree to ride with her in the first place.
"Still," Darius murmured, "you managed."
"Managed?" she echoed.
"Mm. And she did not toss you off the horse."
He gave a soft huff, then fell into thoughtful silence. Serena tilted her head at him. "What is it?" she asked.
He shrugged, one shoulder lifting lazily. "Just... Livia has not made it easy for anyone. But if she is even halfway trying with you..."
Serena’s brows rose slowly.
Darius sighed and rubbed his jaw. "I’m not getting my hopes up. That woman would guard her grudges with a blade if she could. But you must have done something right."
Serena let the thought settle. It wasn’t praise, exactly. But it did mean something to her. She turned back to the desk and perched on its edge, fingers lightly tracing the grain of the wood. While her heart fluttered at the thought that Livia might be warming up to her and even like her but she still owed Serena an apology for the disrespect she faced. Until then, she would keep her feelings reserved.
"She told me about some of the families she helps," she said quietly. "I did not expect that."
"I wonder why most things," Darius replied. "But she does more than most see."
Another beat of silence passed before Serena leaned forward a little. "What about the other towns? You said Ironshade had many, what are they like?"
Darius blinked, pleased by the change in topic. "Ah," he said, voice warming, "I see we have piqued your curiosity."
Serena made a little circle in the air with her hand. "Just consider me mildly interested."
He laughed and shifted to sit on the edge of the bed. "Well then. Let’s start with Embermere."
"Sounds poetic," she said.
"It’s a small village by the lake," he explained. "Near volcanic springs. The waters there are scalding, but sacred. Blacksmiths work their forges with those flames. And the hot iron baths are part of healing rituals, especially after first transformations."
Her expression shifted slightly, curious and almost reverent. "So it is a holy place?"
"In a way," he said. "A lot of wolves have their first moon there."
Serena nodded slowly, she played with the latest of her embroidered pieces.
"Then there’s Redhollow," he continued. "It gets its name from the red clay in the valley. Young wolves go there to train and study. They make incredible ceramic works, armour, weapons, even charms. We have quite a few artisans from that settlement."
She smiled and gestured for him to continue.
"There’s one more worth mentioning," he said after a pause. "Stonebrae."
Her brow lifted at the name.
"It’s at the edge of Ironshade territory," Darius said. "Closest to the Dawnbreak border. We do most of our trade through there. Not many outsiders are allowed past its gates, but if anyone gets in, it’s usually through Stonebrae."
"So it’s... a watchpoint?"
He nodded. "A trade outpost. But it is also a listening post. A place to know when tides are shifting. But my mother was from there."
That made her pause. "Is that so?"
He nodded once, a small smile brushing his lips. "She ran the outer archives. She had a sharp eye and a sharper tongue. Everyone said she was born with ink on her fingers."
Serena’s expression softened. "I would have liked to meet her."
"She would have liked you," Darius said quietly. "Though... she would’ve grilled you first."
"I would’ve expected no less."
Their laughter overlapped for a moment, quiet and fond. It settled something between them. Just two people sharing the weight of a long history, and the small joys that could still be found within it.
"Maybe one day," Serena said, "you will take me to see these places."
Darius met her eyes. "I would like that."
They shared a long look before Serena rose from the desk, walking slowly back toward him. "You’ve hidden all the good parts of Ironshade from me."
"I was waiting for the right time."
She stopped before him, hands folded lightly. "Then let’s not wait too long."
He reached for her hand and kissed her knuckles softly. "Agreed."