Elara went to get Serena's formal Drakenfell wear out of Dexmon's quarters.
She couldn't borrow, because it was made for her specifically to match the other warriors.
It was similar to a training suit, but with slightly harder shells that were still thin as parchment, but stronger and built for battle. The suit was black, with a Drakenfell sigil. Her cloak was crimson red, matching.
Serena stepped into the suit. It was still not skin tight as it should be but it fit and accentuated her curves.
Elara did her makeup, and pulled her hair back. Thick with waves and pieces framing her face.
"Elara… why is our makeup so dark?"
"We're in mourning," Elara answered with a serious voice that made Serena laugh despite everything.
"I really want to give the crown back. I will still protect Drakenfell," Serena said. She looked at Elara. "I don't want it."
"Understood. You have to represent King Tiberon, who has been nothing but hospitable to us."
"Dex picked out this crown. It is the counterpart to his," Serena said.
Elara's eyes lit up.
A few minutes later they entered the library. Of course Dexmon was there. He stared at Serena confused.
Elara and Serena didn't acknowledge him and walked past.
Serena spoke in Draken-Vorah to open the vault.
Without wincing, she lifted her palm, and allowed flame to come. The fact it hurt like a bitch didn't phase her. Her heart was beyond cracked.
Dramatic? Yes.
But it was the truth.
She walked into the vault, like she owned it. Because she did.
The golden crown in the back flashed white. Like it was always made for her. Because it was.
She grabbed it and put it on her head.
To her surprise, her bow and quiver were there. She had left them in Dexmon's room. But somehow it found its way back to this vault.
She swallowed grateful, and picked them up.
She left the vault and Elara grabbed her arm. The archway closed behind her.
Neither gave Dexmon a single glance, which took effort.
His expression was of shock and confusion.
Elara slipped into Dexmon's quarters on their way back, and put the crown he gave Serena on his dressing table.
"Feel better?" She asked.
"No," Serena said, eyes red.
"Give it a minute. Petty takes time to settle."
Elara wiped a tear from Serena's eye. She quietly pulled her through an archway into a sitting room used for tea and entertainment.
"At least you're not wearing a crown that doesn't belong to you. That one is glowing white on your head."
Serena gave one nod. "It was never about the crown…"
"Yes, but at least you have a shred of dignity," Elara said. "Boys… they're all idiots."
Serena laughed for a second and shook her head. "That's not true. Hale is a good one. Gav is too." She paused. "Most of the time."
"Yes Hale is good. But he also marked me in front of ten people. So there's that. And we still haven't been successful in consummating. And we haven't spoke of it."
"I'm no expert, clearly so maybe don't take my advice," Serena said, laughing darkly with a tear falling.
"Your advice was good advice. I just need to grow a pair and take it," Elara said firmly.
"No you don't. He is going slow at his pace. He cares for you," Serena said, sighing.
Elara studied her for a moment. Serena's composure was hanging by a thread, and Elara could see it fraying.
"You told him about Aurelia," Elara said quietly. It wasn't a question.
Serena nodded once.
"And never shifting."
Another nod.
Elara's jaw tightened. She had watched Serena guard those details like they were made of glass.
For years, Serena had deflected every question about her wolf. She'd let healers assume. Let others draw their own conclusions. She never corrected anyone, never explained, never let anyone close enough to know the full truth.
And she'd given it to Dex because he'd held her and made her feel safe.
"That doesn't make sense," Elara said slowly. "The way he looked at you. The way he talked about you. I watched him carry you around like you were the most precious thing in this castle."
"People lie."
"Not like that. Not him." Elara shook her head. "Something is wrong."
"Or I was just stupid."
"You're not stupid. You're the least stupid person I know." Elara's voice sharpened. "I'm telling you, something is off. I don't know what. But this doesn't add up."
Serena didn't answer. She wasn't ready to hope for an explanation that would make this hurt less.
"Gav asked me if I had been intimate before…" she took a breath, "before Dex. I told him the truth that I hadn't even kissed someone before."
"I bet that shocked him," Elara said.
"It did," Serena said, voice cracking, covering her mouth so she didn't sob.
Elara wiped more tears.
"We live and we learn. Now we know, even if the pace is being set, we slow it down," Elara said.
Serena nodded and wiped her eyes.
"I just wonder what he t-t-told Agnes," Serena whispered, shaking her head. "I had no idea they were intimate already. I had no idea we were fated mates… I would have never thought to interfere. D-d-dex hadn't spoken to me more than a handful of times."
"Hang on, let's get you a glass of whiskey," Elara said, moving to the liquor cabinet.
She handed Serena a glass.
"Severing a matebond messes with you. You won't feel this sad once that part settles. But for now, drink up."
"We shouldn't be doing this… we're about to go into…" Serena started to say.
"Serena. Drink the whiskey."
"It's seven in the morning."
"It's medicinal. Healers would agree."
"Okay." Serena took a sip. It didn't take much convincing.
Elara took a sip of hers. "Here's what's going to happen. Even if you don't feel it, you are going to act like a queen. You are one. Queens don't cry."
She took a breath and looked at Serena dead in the eyes. Tone dropping. No bull shit.
"And when these next few days are over, you are going to annul things with Dex. Your head held high. You will be with someone who will always be faithful."
Serena took a breath and wiped her eyes.
"M-m-mother and father were chosen m-m-mates… and he never… they loved each other," Serena said, voice a whisper. "I had h-h-hoped…"
Waves of sadness and awful were rolling into her. At a disproportionate amount to a week long relationship and breakup.
Elara wiped a tear. "Damn. Finish your whiskey. I haven't heard your stutter in ages. And that's saying something considering you were chained in silver for a year."
Serena downed her entire glass.
Elara raised her voice and put both hands on Serena's shoulders.
"Look at me, Serena." She waited for Serena's eyes and full attention.
"You will march in that Battle Address and will not flinch. Hale told me you were shooting fire cannons out of your hands last night. You escaped Viremont three times and lived to tell the tale."
"You are not a little bitch. You are Serena Frostborne and you can handle a stupid boy." Elara paused for a moment.
"Let me hear you say it. You are not a little bitch."
Serena let out a laugh.
"I am not a little bitch."
"You are going to keep your chin up today and not be a little bitch," Elara said firmly, both hands still on Serena's shoulders.
Serena gave a nod.
"Good. And for the record?" Elara's voice dropped. "I still think something is wrong with him. Not wrong with you. Him. And I intend to find out what."
Serena didn't respond. She couldn't let herself believe that. It would hurt too much to hope and be wrong.
"Thank gods we have waterproof makeup on you. This could be a real disaster," Elara said.
Serena let out a small laugh, wiping her eyes.
A voice spoke from the shadows, causing both girls to jump in surprise.
"Why are you crying?"