Moonbound: The Rogue's Second Chance
Chapter 182: I COULD CLEAN IT UP FOR YOU

Chapter 182: I COULD CLEAN IT UP FOR YOU

Serena’s head lolled forward, then jerked up sharply. Her eyes flew open, wide with alarm. The unfamiliar warmth of linen and the musty scent of old pine hit her at once. Her heart skipped a beat as she bolted upright. The room was dimly lit by the dying amber of the sun outside, casting long shadows across the wooden beams above.

"What in the-" she hissed under her breath, stumbling to her feet.

She’d only meant to rest for a few moments. Just a quick escape from the noise, a chance to breathe. She’d slipped into the quiet cottage just beyond the main square, convincing herself it would be just for a minute. The feasting had been well underway, and no one had seemed to notice her departure. But now-

"Oh gods," she whispered, her hand flying to her head.

She’d been asleep. She didn’t even know how long. Long enough that the sounds of music and cheer outside had shifted, become fainter. The blonde woman bit on her lip and then groaned.

Muttering a long string of curses, Serena shoved the door open and squinted into the evening. The sky was darker than she remembered, the last blush of sunset slipping behind the trees. She groaned again and picked up her pace, moving swiftly over the uneven path that twisted around Longdale’s cottages and back toward the central square.

Every step sent a new spike of anxiety down her spine. What would Livia say? Or worse, what would Darius think? That she’d vanished like some spoiled emissary, wandering off while her host nation played diplomat? This would not be a good look and she had no clue who was watching her, and she knew they would not forget when the time came for her to reveal she was a make-believe ambassador for another Cardinal pack.

"I am going to be the laughing stock of two packs," she hissed.

In her haste, she didn’t see the shallow rut in the path. Her ankle twisted awkwardly as she slipped in, and her knee struck a stone with a thud.

"Oh sweet Lunara," she gasped, biting back a cry. Her leg throbbed as she rose, limping forward now. She glanced down and winced, her left ankle had a raw scrape, blood beginning to drip at the edges of torn skin.

Before she could gather herself fully, a tall shadow moved into her path. She looked up, and nearly cursed again.

Riven, the Dawnbreak delegate, stood before her. Arms folded loosely behind his back, he arched a brow down at her. His ginger hair caught the firelight behind him, casting sharp contrasts against his angular features.

"Well," he said, his voice smooth but edged. "That was dramatic."

Serena stiffened and straightened, though the motion tugged at her injury. "I did not see you."

"Clearly," Riven replied, glancing pointedly at her ankle. "You are bleeding."

"I’m fine," she said quickly, trying to step around him.

He moved slightly in her way. "You should have that cleaned."

"Thank you very much, your excellency but I am fine. I should get back to the feast," she said with a strained smile.

Riven’s gaze held hers for a moment longer. She expected him to smirk, or jab at her like Charlotte might have. But instead, he sighed and gestured toward one of the outer tables where a water basin had been set for the servers.

"I could clean it for you," he offered.

Serena blinked. "What?"

He shrugged. "I was a soldier before I was a delegate. I have cleaned worse."

For a heartbeat, she simply stared at him. Then she shook her head quickly, her curls catching the breeze. "That will not be necessary. I would not want to inconvenience you."

"As you wish," Riven said, stepping aside with a small, unreadable nod. "Ironshade council members are all a little strange."

Serena muttered a stiff "Thank you," then moved past him, her cheeks flaming.

The music swelled again as she neared the heart of the feast. The tables were still crowded, though many plates had been cleared and the dancers were shifting into more relaxed patterns. She scanned for Livia and spotted her seated near the west tables, her usual rigid posture softened slightly as she sipped from a clay cup and picked over a plate of sliced meats.

Serena limped over, doing her best to walk normally. Livia’s gaze flicked up before Serena even reached her, of course she would noticed.

Without a word, Serena slid into the seat beside her and kept her eyes on the table.

"You vanished," Livia said, not looking at her.

"I know," Serena muttered. "I...fell asleep."

Livia’s brows rose a fraction, and she finally turned to her. Her eyes dipped briefly to the injury on Serena’s ankle, now slightly crusted with dried blood.

"You fell?"

"I tripped."

Livia let out a soft exhale, neither amused nor annoyed. Just a long, tired breath.

"I’m sorry," Serena added, her voice quieter now.

For a while, Livia said nothing. Then, to Serena’s surprise, she slid a small plate of bread toward her. "Eat."

Serena looked up, blinking. "You’re not going to scold me?"

"Oh, I still might," Livia replied calmly. "But not tonight."

Serena blinked again, then reached for the bread without another word. The warmth of the firelight around them, the smell of food and laughter rising in the air, somehow it grounded her again.

She chewed in silence, her heartbeat finally slowing.

"I did not mean to disappear. I was just tired," she said after a while.

"I know."

Serena glanced sideways at her. "You did not seem very worried."

"I knew you would find your way back eventually," Livia replied.

Another beat passed before Serena asked, "How did you know?"

Livia picked up her cup and took a slow sip. "Because you do not strike me as the type to run away even though you can be very timid at times."

Serena felt her throat tighten slightly. The compliment, or whatever version of it that had been sat strange and warm in her chest.

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