Silence filled the room. The pair were close together, but their minds were far away. Darius couldn't help but smile, this was a small win for him. His fingers curled tighter around her slender hand.
The apology was accepted, and it seemed to be fine. He exhaled, closing his eyes, the smile still plastered on his face. He was acutely aware of the rise and fall of Serena's chest.
Serena focused on each breath, counting in her head. In, out. In, out. She didn't want him to notice the erratic rhythm of her heartbeat or the warmth crawling up her neck. They hadn't been this physically close since her arrival in Ironshade, and the proximity set every nerve in her body alight. She unconsciously squeezed his hands tighter.
Maybe he really did mean this apology this time. For now, Serena was content, and she relished the moment, even if only briefly.
