Moonbound: The Rogue's Second Chance-Chapter 116: TALK OF ARRIVAL (II)

"Huh?" Serena gasped.

Darius had a smug smile on his face, his eyes glinting with mischief. Serena raised a brow, her confusion painting a clear question across her features. What?

"You heard me...I wanted to spend my afternoon with you," Darius said, lips twitching into a crooked smile. "Is it that hard to believe?"

"Well..." Serena tilted her head, pretending to give the question serious thought. Her finger tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hm, I find it very hard to believe, even."

Darius let out a theatrical sigh and muttered something under his breath. Before she could blink, a firm arm looped around her waist, dragging her against his chest in one smooth motion. Serena gasped, wide-eyed, her cheek brushing the soft fabric of his shirt. Her eyes widened and she looked up to catch Darius’ triumphant smile.

"How about now?" He asked.

Serena opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again, like a fish out of water. She narrowed her eyes when he chuckled softly at her silence.

"This hardly changed anything," she finally managed, her voice betraying a hint of breathlessness.

"Wow, a yes?" Darius said, as if scandalized. "I hadn’t expected to get one so soon."

Serena huffed, rolled her eyes, but made no move to pull away. Instead, she allowed herself to relax into the warmth of his arms, her head finding a natural resting place on his chest. She could hear the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her ear. Darius slid an arm around her, holding her closer, a quiet smile forming as his fingers lazily traced her spine.

"Still should you have not gone to see the messenger?" Serena asked.

"No. It’s simply a messenger. I don’t tend to every guest who dreams of me at night," he said with an exaggerated grunt.

Serena blinked. "Why would you even say that?"

"Because it’s true," he replied, utterly unbothered. "I already sent two important men to handle it. Once the main party arrives, then maybe I’ll meet with them."

"Would I also met with them?" she asked.

The red-haired man scoffed, his fingers drifting lower down her back with absent ease. "Why would you? You’re not technically under my jurisdiction, so I wouldn’t send you. As I see it, your run-ins with the Dawnbreak delegate should be minimal. He has no business with you."

"I see," Serena murmured, her eyes dropping to the folds of his shirt. "You mentioned there was a message?"

"Ah yes. Curious, aren’t we?" Darius teased, the corner of his mouth tugging up.

The man used his free hand to fish out the folded letter form his pocket. With great difficulty he unolded it and read it out to Serena.

"To the Esteemed Alpha Darius of Ironshade,

I write to you under the dawn-lit seal of HighAlpha Thalia Vex of Dawnbreak, with greetings and the intent of renewed kinship.

It is the wish of our Alpha and our council that the long-standing silence between our territories be broken- not in hostility, but in the hope of reconciliation, and in the interest of shared survival as the seasons grow uncertain.

To this end, we dispatch a delegation led by Lord Riven Caldric, accompanied by trusted wardens and advisors, who shall arrive within four days’ time, under the waxing moon. Their purpose: to explore a renewal of trade, trust, and territorial transparency.

We trust Ironshade shall extend the same courtesy and honor expected of our kind: safe passage, adequate hospitality, and a council seat for measured dialogue.

May this missive reach you with clarity and peace.

In unity,

Maris Yarrow,

Voice of the Dawnbreak Court."

Serena looked up at him and squinted her eyes like she could see through the paper and read the words. "Well they did not declare war."

"Really now?" Darius said, lowering the letter and smiling down at her with amused eyes. "It’s a mellow thing, but at least we know the party will arrive in four days. Four days of lounging around and waiting for the theatrics they’ll bring."

"I am sure it would be something quick," Serena said.

"I doubt that, with how quickly they have been replying to us, it is clear they have some big deal to make. Strike while the iron is hot they say," he looked at her like he was studying every pore on her skin. "Now, you... you will be our trump card."

"How so?" Serena asked.

"It was already said in the meeting, seeing you would be like putting them in boiling water. THey would be hasty to make their decisions if they are under the impression that Crimsonclaw is involved."

"Maybe but if they ignore me?" Serena asked.

It would be dragging her into a some sort of trade dispute, so many questions would fly. From the letter it was obvious that the party had at least five people in it. They were here to dig for information and see what had become of Ironshade all these here. And yet again she would be caught in the crossfire.

"They can not. You are brilliant and they never had the smoothest relationship with Crimsonclaw," Darius replied.

"Perhaps," Serena said softly, "but do we even have the upper hand? You need them."

Darius sighed, his hand weaving gently through her hair, fingers slowing near her scalp. "Maybe. But we can always try again somewhere else. It’s not the end of our world if this doesn’t work. Just... a thorn in my side."

Serena placed her hand over his chest and smiled at him. "I believe everything will go smoothly, it has to."

Darius relaxed in the pillows and closed his eyes briefly. "Okay, I believe you."

"Four days..." Serena murmured. She had four days before she had to watch her every move yet her heart fluttered at the thought. She had seen more strange situations in the span of mere weeks than she did in the whole of her life.

"Hm, four days," Darius echoed. "I do hope the talks do not take long. I do not want to be bogged down with strangers for the winter."

Serena chuckled and absentmindedly traced a pattern on his chest with her fingertip. "I’m a stranger, I think. And I’ll be here for the winter."

Darius peeked lazily at her. "I do not kiss strangers."