TRYING AND FAILING
467 Words
The Next Morning
Seren wakes to the unmistakable scent of everything she likes.
She opens one eye.
Then the other.
On the low table by the window sits an impressive display: warm bread still steaming, honeyed berries, spiced tea, smoked meat prepared exactly the way she prefers. Beside it—jewelry. Delicate, northern-crafted pieces. Thoughtful. Expensive. Unnecessary.
She blinks.
Cassius stands near the doorway, hands clasped behind his back like he’s awaiting judgment.
“Well?” he asks.
Seren slowly sits up, pulling the blanket around her shoulders.
“Yes,” she says honestly. “I like it.”
Relief flashes across his face. “Good.”
She gestures to the spread. “But… what is it?”
Cassius frowns slightly. “I was trying to do something nice.”
She lifts her cup, sipping calmly. “Why?”
His brow furrows deeper. “Because I—” He stops. Tries again. “Because… yesterday.”
Seren hums. “Yesterday?”
“I thought you said you had a busy day,” she adds innocently. “What happened?”
From the next room, far too loud:
“My goodness, use your words, Cassius.”
Both of them snap at once.
“Go away, Callan.”
Seren doesn’t push. Doesn’t fill the silence. Just sips her tea and waits.
Cassius exhales, shoulders lowering as if he’s bracing himself.
“Look,” he says finally, voice slower, more careful. “I know what I did was wrong. I know that now. I didn’t listen to what you had to say. And I dismissed you.”
Her gaze sharpens—but she lets him continue.
“I’m still figuring this out,” he admits. “But I won’t do it again. I promise.”
Seren sets the cup down.
She studies him for a long moment.
Then she moves.
She crosses the space between them and sits in his lap.
Cassius stiffens—then freezes completely.
“Okay,” she says simply. “I forgive you.”
He exhales in relief—
“—but if you ignore me again,” she adds sweetly, “I’m kicking you out.”
Cassius blinks. “Out of my castle?”
She rolls her eyes and taps his nose like he’s a child.
“Slow learner. What’s yours is mine. That’s what got you into trouble in the first place.”
He huffs a quiet laugh before sobering again.
“Then you’ll have to help me,” he says, half-serious. “I won’t learn this mate thing if you don’t talk to me.”
Seren nods gravely. “You clearly can’t do it without me.”
Their foreheads touch.
Then Cassius leans in and kisses her—soft, careful, like he’s still afraid of doing it wrong.
And for once, Seren lets him.
- Writer
