Moonbound: The Rogue's Second Chance-Chapter 61 - SIXTY-ONE - PACKING UP

Darius’ eyes widened slightly at her words.He rested his head against his knuckles, elbow propped on his knee. The softness in her voice lingered in his chest longer than he cared to admit. A small, reluctant smile curved his lips.

It was a problem he recognised as his own as well, and he was prepared to take responsibility for it. He pinched the bridge of his nose, this was a test for him just as much as it was for her.

Darius prided himself in the leadership of Ironshade. It was gruelling and difficult, but he had pulled through countless times. He had steered Ironshade through trial after trial- political unrest, and rogue attacks.Yet this was different.

Accepting Serena temporarily into the pack had jeopardised the delicate balance they had finally found themselves in.

There would be mixed reactions from the council. On one hand, they would be pleased to hear news of a delegate and the promise of opening trade with the North. But there was the grating existence of Serena and her supposed ’ambassadorship.’

It was possible to tell her to hide out, or to lay low, but word had already spread that there was an Ambassador from a Cardinal pack in Ironshade. Darius would not be able to restrict the movements of the delegate from Dawnbreak.

"I do appreciate it, but we are in this together," he said softly.

Serena gave a slow nod and turned her gaze down, fingers picking absently at a loose thread in the cushion beside her. Somehow, yet again, her life had become more complex. Blessed indeed.

"Thank you," she said, mustering up a smile.

Darius ran a hand through his hair and pursed his lips. He needed a way to bring up his next agenda. He had been turning the thought over in his mind for a while now.

"Serena, I would like to make a request," Darius said.

She perked up and nodded, urging him to continue.

"I would need you to move into the castle."

Serena nodded slowly, digesting his words. She looked briefly toward the window with a serious expression.

"If I may ask... why?" she said.

"Because it would be easier to pass on information." He paused. "And because that is what I want."

Serena twirled a strand of hair around her index finger. She technically couldn’t say no.

"Problem?" he asked, watching her with a flicker of amusement behind his seriousness.

"Hm, not at all," Serena said.

"Unless you would like to share the living quarters with the delegate here," Darius offered.

Serena recoiled slightly, her eyes widening. "Oh, no. I would not want that."

Darius chuckled and sat up, leaning toward the edge of the cushion. "I would prefer it if we did it today, so..."

"Ah, I understand."

—

Serena pulled the clothes from the hangers one by one, her fingers lingering just a second too long on each fabric. She folded them carefully, smoothing out creases before placing them into the small chest. The scent of lavender clung faintly to the linen, a reminder of nights she had spent curled up in this unfamiliar sanctuary, slowly making it her own.

How suspicious would it be to have books specifically on Crimsonclaw lying around here? They would have been carried out. She walked over, fingers brushing the spines- titles about Crimsonclaw, geography, diplomacy, even a thin volume on trade etiquette.

She stared out the window and sighed. How would he explain to the delegate why Serena would be at the castle and not in this manor? Serena shrugged. That would be for Darius to figure out, not her.

She paced the room she had grown to call her own. She pulled on the bedsheets and smoothed out the wrinkles. The pillows were fluffed, and she moved the chest out of the way. She checked the drawers again, though she already knew they were empty.

The pendant had been dealt with, so there was nothing she was truly missing in this room. Serena exhaled slowly and spoke to herself to boost her morale.

"Goodbye now," she whispered to the room.

Feyra had been silent since yesterday, not a word uttered between them. Serena wondered if it would be wise to inform Darius of this. She shook her head and decided against it. Why would he care?

"Darius!" Serena called.

He had said once she was done, she should call out to him to bring the trunk downstairs. In a few moments, Darius appeared. He silently grabbed the handle of her trunk, and hoisted it effortlessly- like it weighed no more than a loaf of bread.

Serena followed his lead silently. She wondered if he noticed she had moved things around in the manor. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t matter. She said a silent prayer and stepped out the door with Darius.

There was the coach and the coachman, the same ones he had used to pick her up. Serena glanced at Darius, and he looked at her with a small smile.

"When did the coach get here?" she asked.

"I came with it," Darius replied, casting her a sideways glance. "But I decided to walk a bit so I wouldn’t startle you."

Serena’s expression softened into a smile, genuine and warm. "Thank you."

Darius shrugged. "It is nothing."

Darius was pleased by her smile. He dropped the trunk on the floor, held the door open for her, and nodded for her to step in. He offered a hand, and she took it.

Once she was seated in the carriage, he went to the back, placed the trunk on it, and used the ropes to strap it down so it wouldn’t fall off.

Darius climbed in and gave a command to the coachman to start the ride. He glanced over at her and tried to find his words.

"Serena," he began, gaining her attention. "I would like you to know things will be different..."

His words died in his throat at the sight of her beautiful green eyes. He swallowed and relaxed into his seat.

"What I mean is..." he tried again, shifting slightly. "You’ll be in the castle. And it’s very different from the manor."

Serena promptly smiled and nodded. "Yes, I understand."

Darius tapped the armrest of the coach and mirrored her nod. He looked out the window, squeezed his eyes shut, and berated himself.

Fool, he thought. Say what you meant.

But it was too late now.

This would be an interesting turn of events for the two of them.