Darius didn't reply right away. He simply watched her, eyes flickering across her face like he was memorizing it in this quiet moment. Then, he shifted, resting on his side and letting his hand drop from her hair to the soft bed between them.
"You were never meant to be bait," he said eventually. "If I had my way, you wouldn't even be in this den of madness."
Serena tilted her head and gave a soft, dry chuckle. "If I had my way, I'd be somewhere… not in a stone castle."
"Really? Where else?"
Serena took a few seconds to herself and mulled over her answer. "Well, I would choose somewhere quiet but not far off from town, where I can help people."
Serena tapped on her chin before she added, "Like the infirmary but in a smaller town."
Darius hummed in acknowledgement. He remembered their visit to the infirmary. Serena was quick to correct the mistake of a younger healer, even so, she surprised the senior healer that was making rounds with them. She seemed shocked herself.
