Chapter 41 - FORTY-ONE - IT’S NOT FAIR

Chapter 41: Chapter FORTY-ONE - IT’S NOT FAIRSerena clutched the balcony railings to steady herself. Livia’s words echoed in her ears- This is a punishment... it wouldn’t be fair to give him the same fate that got his parents killed. Darius’ parents were killed; it was pre-destined. "What?" Serena blurted out. Livia turned to her, eyes wide. She looked like a deer that had been found where it wasn’t meant to be. "It’s nothing," she said quickly, turning to leave. Serena was quicker. She caught her hand and grabbed her wrist, pulling Livia close enough to her face before she chose her words. "Pardon me," Serena began in an even tone. "I don’t quite understand your words." Livia squirmed, twisting her arm and trying to peel Serena’s fingers away with her free hand. But Serena caught that too, holding both wrists now. "Look, I get why you would mistrust me," Serena said. "But it’s not fair to me either. I haven’t got the faintest idea what anyone is talking about." Livia bowed her head before, wrenching her arms free. Her palm connected with Serena’s shoulder in a hard shove. Serena stumbled back, her heel catching on the edge of the stone. For one terrifying second, her body tipped over the balcony. Serena gripped the railing with everything in her to keep from falling off the edge. She turned around to face Livia, leaning heavily on the wall. Serena’s hand flew to her chest. Her heart hammered wildly as she breathed hard. Her head throbbed as she tried to control her breathing. "Don’t you ever," Livia said, her finger shaking as she pointed it at Serena, "in your unfortunate life, touch me." "I’m sorry, I-" Serena began. "Do not even," Livia snapped, raising her palm to silence her. "I don’t need your sorries." Serena looked away briefly, adjusting her gown. Her heart wouldn’t calm down. Everything was moving so quickly, and she had almost been thrown from a balcony. "You do not get to tell me it’s not fair to you as well, when you’ve had to watch your parents get ripped apart by people like you." Serena’s eyes widened and she gripped the balcony tighter. That explained why Livia was so hostile toward her. For all anyone knew, Serena was a rogue. Had been born one, would remain one, and would die as a rogue. Death had such a strong spirit, and watching someone give up the ghost in such a violent way was something she wouldn’t wish on her worst enemy. Livia was younger than she was. Serena couldn’t even imagine at what point in her life this had happened. But apologizing to Livia for her loss might only anger her further. "You do not get to say it’s fair when they told you they were too mangled to bury." A bitter smile crept onto Livia’s face as she shook her head. She tilted her head skyward, in the way one does to stop themselves from crying. Serena remained silent, waiting for Livia to be done with her verbal lashings. It must have hurt, hearing that a rogue, a representative of what took your parents from you, was allowed freely into your pack. "So don’t tell me it’s not fair to you, because you’ve been given so much room that you think you can do whatever you want." Serena bit her lip. Everything was so complicated and twisted. Her chest felt stuffy, but she had to bottle everything up and take whatever came her way. "I’m not responsible for your parents’ death," Serena said in a soft voice. Livia stilled. Her shoulders rose with a slow inhale, then dropped as she exhaled. She rubbed her arms like she was cold, though the night air was still and warm. "I know," she said, voice tired. She turned to leave, her fingers curling around the doorknob. But she paused and looked over her shoulder one last time. "Stay away from Darius," she said, her voice hardening. "For everyone’s sake." With that, she left Serena alone on the balcony. Serena let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding in. She pressed her back to the wall and let herself slide down to the floor. She ran a shaky hand through her hair. It would have been better if Livia had slapped her than subjected her to that verbal onslaught. Serena clenched her fists, trying to process their interaction. Livia hated her, she was sure of it now. What in the world was going on with Ironshade? She sat with herself for a few minutes before rising, exhaling through her mouth. "What do I even do?" she muttered to herself. Serena would need much more wisdom going forward, and yet she was still in the dark about everything. It pained her that she couldn’t understand the happenings of the past. After Darius’ father passed mysteriously, stories from Ironshade dwindled, and then rumors took their place. But Serena hadn’t heard anything about a fate that doomed the former ruling couple. Serena rubbed her temple. A headache had set in, and the food in her stomach had turned sour. Perhaps it was a curse that had plagued this pack, but then, that would be what everyone would’ve talked about. If she dwelled any longer, she’d be emptying her stomach on the tiles. She pushed the thoughts aside as best she could. Her mood had already been dampened, and she didn’t want to make it worse. — The blonde looked out the window, her mind lost in thought. She had changed out of the simple green dress she had worn and into a casual cotton shift dress. "What is going on?" she wondered silently. The night was far spent, and the castle was quiet, everyone asleep or tending to different devices. Serena stood on the desk in her room and pulled the oil lamp down. She was careful to push the door open slowly, not wanting to draw attention to herself. Serena looked left and right before leaving the room. Carefully, she walked through the castle hallways, shielding the lamp in her hand. She kept the flickering flame guarded from the gentle breeze. A few twists and turns later, she arrived at the library. She remembered Darius showing it to her, though they hadn’t entered. That had been just before they arrived at the Great Hall. She settled down at one of the tables. A book sat before her titled History of Ironshade. "Fancy seeing you here."