Moonbound: The Rogue's Second Chance-Chapter 101 - ONE HUNDRED AND ONE - I WAS SCARED

Darius watched as the woman disappeared, it had been years since he had last seen her. Serena’s hand on his arm brought him back to reality. He looked at her and then shook his head.

"Yes, I know her. Or at least I used to know her," Darius turned to Serena. "It’s been years since I last saw her."

The red-haired man glanced around, scanning the courtyard absently before nodding again. "You’ve done enough. It’s time to go back to your room."

"Alright," Serena said in a small tone.

Darius noted the way her voice had no cheer to it, she was still angry at him from before. Their earlier conversation had not ended on a good note, so he expected this. It would not be right to try to initiate a discussion right here.

"I will escort you," Darius said. He got no response in return.

He kept his hands to himself, walking a step behind at first before slowly falling into stride beside her. The path back was lined with idle wolves, some loitering, others deep in hushed talks. A few greeted them with nods or words, but Darius’s responses were quieter than usual.

Ever since Darius had taken leadership over Ironshade, he had apprehension with interacting with his people. It seemed to follow naturally, he felt the unseen daggers when he spoke to them.

Soon after, they finally reached the top of the stairs and Serena glanced at Darius. "I know my way back to my room."

Darius kept his gaze forward, on this he would be firm about it. He was insightful enough to know that this was an attempt to push him away. Quite frankly, he had been away from her for far too long.

"No," was his reply.

Serena blinked, her steps slowed for a bit. Her brows scrunched up and then she continued walking. "What do you mean no?"

"I do not doubt your knowledge about where your room is. I am not escorting you there because I think you will get lost, I am with you because I want to be. Nothing else," Darius said.

The open air behind them faded as they stepped into the castle, candlelight stretching shadows long across the corridor walls. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses still drifted faintly from the lower floors.

Serena had no comeback to his statement. On one hand, she wanted to refuse him, to tell him to be on his way and go back to his room and to leave her alone. On the other hand, she wanted to do the opposite, what good could her anger serve her?

Anger made people sick when it was left to stew. Serena remembers so long ago when she told Darius that his continuous sighing would make him feel like that. Her stewing in anger might lead to that rot called hate, and that would make her ill.

"I see," Serena said.

After a few twists and turns, the pair had reached Serena’s room. Darius stepped forward and twisted the knob and stood aside for her to walk in.

"Thank you," she murmured.

Serena was relieved to finally take off the slightly heavy dress. Today was a success, at least for the plan Darius and the council had hatched. Yet again, she felt left in the dark with the introduction of Charlotte.

She turned around to see Darius standing in front of the closed door, her lips parted slightly. He intended to stay and talk.

"Serena," Darius called.

"Yes?"

Her fingers had already begun unravelling her bun and pulling out the silver pins. She twirled a braid around her index finger and stared at Darius.

"About today..."

"You still ready to go at that?" Serena asked, letting out an exasperated sigh as she dropped one of the pins into a shallow dish.

Darius took a tentative step forward and curled his hands into fists. He looked past Serena and looked at the view through her window. The trees were too dark to make out anything tangible.

"Always," he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Serena hadn’t meant to, but a laugh slipped from her lips. Of course. What a stubborn man. Darius truly refused to let this go- this... disagreement? No, argument felt too strong. Whatever it was, he was determined to see it through. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"I am a little sad," Serena finally admitted.

Darius’s upper lip twitched slightly and he walked to the middle of the room, to where Serena stood. The room barely had light but Darius was acutely aware of Serena’s presence.

"Did I do something?" he asked.

Serena folded her arms slowly. "No particularly. I am stressed."

It came out flat, but it was more honest than most things she had said all day. She constantly filtered her words, especially when Crimsonclaw came up. It was easier to speak in circles than to admit how isolated she sometimes felt.

Even so, she had enjoyed today’s crowd more than expected. It felt nice to simply talk and to be seen. But part of her wondered if they would still look at her with such warmth if they knew she wasn’t really some foreign envoy, just a healer from a small pack.

"And I am no longer sure you trust me," Serena added.

Darius sighed, a sound that seemed to drag through his whole chest. He closed the distance between them and reached out, brushing the back of his hand along her cheek in a gesture so familiar that it made her heart twist. He tilted his head, his eyes searching hers.

"That’s not true. Come on," he said quietly.

Serena pulled back and looked up and shook her head. She placed her hand to her back and walked to the window and looked out at the few wolves who lingered.

"Was my speech at Ficus that bad?" Serena asked.

Darius’s arms remained at his side and he lingered for a few seconds before he spoke. "Not at all."

"So why did you have to write me one for today? Your faith in me disappeared so quickly..."

Serena ran her finger across the windowsill and she exhaled slowly. She glanced at Darius who stood as still as a statue. She pressed her lips in a thin line, she doubted she would get an answer.

"I was scared."