Moonbound: The Rogue's Second Chance

The door creaked so loudly that Serena nearly turned back. SHe swallowed hard and her eyes met those brown ones, today they held some sort of curiosity and surprise. She stepped in and pushed the door back close.

"Livia," Serena spoke.

Livia looked down at her hands and then back at Serena, as though she was unsure of what words to utter to her. "The Ambassador of Crimsonclaw playing me a visit... I wondered what I did to deserve this."

Serena lingered at the door before she walked to the nearest seat and stood behind it. Livia seemed odd today, her words did not hold that biting edge that it normally did whenever she addressed her. It even seemed... sad or perhaps Serena was thinking about it too much.

"I... I have come to make a request."

Livia’s brow lifted and she tilted her head before she laughed. "Me?" she asked, pointing to herself. "What is that?"

Serena exhaled discreetly from her nose and nodded slowly, she expected this to go harder for her. If this was a good mood it was perfect albeit a little strange.

"Ryker had informed me that he and I will be taking a trip to Hollowbrooke. I am pressed for time but I was wondering if you would accompany me on this trip?"

Livia looked her up and down before looking away. "No."

Serena pulled the chair immediately at her response and clasped her hands before her. "I understand but I have a deal to strike with you."

The other woman scoffed and shook her head. "Yes, I am so sure you can even bring down the goddess for me to speak to."

A beat of silence passed between them, Serena was gathering her thoughts and Livia on the other hand was getting more uncomfortable with each passing second. Finally Serena spoke again. "I know we are at odds with each other but before I came here I was wondering what I could offer you. There was nothing that felt right within my spirit but I know you hate seeing me with Darius and if you come along with me I will... I will keep my distance."

Livia’s lashes fluttered as if she had not quite heard Serena correctly. Then her mouth parted, and she let out a small incredulous sound. Her eyes sharpened, though not in the usual cutting way. There was hesitation there, like the ground itself had shifted beneath her feet.

"You offer me distance from Darius," she said at length, her tone flat.

Serena nodded once, though her throat burned. The words had cost her more than she dared admit.

The other woman leaned back in her chair, fingers laced lightly over her lap, her gaze never straying from Serena’s face. There was no triumph in her eyes, no gloating as Serena half-expected. Instead, something uncertain flickered through them.

"You truly think I would agree to that?" Livia asked quietly.

Serena’s hands curled together tighter, her nails biting into her skin. "It is the best I can offer. Perhaps the only thing."

Livia scoffed again, but the sound was thin, hollow. "You do not understand what you put before me, Serena, I could never. Do you know what Darius would think of me if I accepted such a thing? If I stood between him and what gives him... peace?" She broke off, turning her face away, her jaw tight.

Serena blinked. The words stung, but worse than that was the pang of guilt that swept through her chest. She had not wanted to admit even to herself how cruel a bargain it was. Yet what choice had she? Her heart pounded. Either she offered something of weight or she risked walking into Ryker’s clutches unguarded. It was one or the other, and now the reality pressed on her like a blade at her throat.

Could she truly keep away from Darius? Could she truly strip herself of what little safety his presence gave her? Rage licked at her insides at the very thought, rage at Ryker for forcing her into such a corner, rage at herself for considering the unthinkable, and rage at Livia for being the only one who stood between her and disaster.

Her mind spun further. She hated that she sounded desperate. She hated that she had been reduced to offering her very heart as coin. And yet what had she expected? Rogues were always made to pay more. Always.

Her chest grew tight, and she nearly stood to leave, to flee the humiliation she had invited upon herself. But then Livia’s voice cut through the haze of her spiraling thoughts.

"No," Livia said again, firmer now, her tone like stone laid with finality.

Serena blinked back to herself. She stared down at the table and nodded faintly. Her lips parted but no words came. Silence pressed in, suffocating, until at last a single word scraped out of her throat.

"Please."

The sound seemed to startle them both. Serena had not begged in years, not since the wild days when she had fought tooth and claw to live. And to do so now, before Livia of all people, was unbearable. Her pride recoiled even as her desperation pushed her forward.

Livia raised a hand and Serena fell quiet. The woman’s expression had changed. It was not mocking, nor even cold. There was a shadow across her face, something like unease.

"That is enough," Livia said, her voice low, her words measured. She tilted her head, regarding Serena with something almost akin to pity. "You demean yourself, Ambassador, and I have little taste for it."

Serena’s jaw tightened. She drew a long breath through her nose and tried to sit straighter, to salvage what composure she could.

Livia’s lips pressed together, her brow faintly furrowed. "Since you are desperate for me to come, and since you seem intent on embarrassing yourself for it, I will set my own terms. I will ride to Hollowbrooke with you. But not for the bargain you offered."

Serena’s heart beat faster. Her fingers twitched in her lap. "Then... what is it you want?"

Livia studied her for a long moment before speaking, her voice softer now, though it carried the weight of a demand all the same. "Tell me where Charlotte is."

Serena’s breath caught in her chest. The name struck her like cold water poured over her head. Her lips parted, but nothing came. She had not expected this. Of all the things Livia might ask for, this was not it.

She sat frozen, the air thick between them. She searched her thoughts quickly, but no answer came, for she truly did not know. Charlotte had always moved like a phantom through the castle, vanishing when she pleased, appearing when least expected. Even Serena had no grasp on her comings and goings.

Her silence stretched too long, and she saw Livia’s eyes narrow, watching her closely, measuring every twitch of her face.

"I..." Serena began, her voice low, faltering. But she could not bring herself to finish.