Chapter 13
659 Words
Serena stood by the window in her room . The bag with her things , which she had packed that night before , lay untouched by the door . The whole day passed in doubts , but now she knew - she would stay .
Not for revenge . Not for the truth . For something she couldn’t explain yet . Or didn’t want to .
“Foolish .” She muttered to herself and sharply turned away from the window .
But inside , there was .. calm . As if some decision had already taken her by the hand .
The garden behind the castle was wrapped in cool evening air . Leaves whispered to each other , crickets played their nightly symphony . Serena stood by a stone column , gazing into the night . Leaving was no longer an option . Staying meant being close to him .
But was it worth it ?
“Are you hiding ? “ - the familiar voice sounded behind her , like a sin she couldn’t escape .
She didn’t turn around .
“Just breathing ,” she answered calmly . “And you ? “
“I’m looking for for the one who has going to leave but stayed ,” said Toren , approaching .
Serena clenched her fingers . He knew . Of course , he knew .
“What , are you already watching me ?” She said , trying to sound sharp .
“Only you ,” he replied without blinking . “The others don’t interest me .”
Her breath caught . She turned to leave , but he blocked her way .
“You’re avoiding me ,” he said quietly . “Turning away , not answering . But I still see - you’re here . You stayed .”
“That means nothing .”
“For you , maybe . But for me - everything .”
He stepped closer . Their eyes met - her brown , anxious , and his green - brown , warm but insistent .
“You ..” Serena hesitated , then exhaled : “Your’e acting strange .”
“Because I see no point in pretending anymore . I’m not interested in any woman in this castle . Neither the one who deliberately drops spoons near me , hoping to get attention .” - He stepped closer . - “Only you .”
“Toren ..”
He reached out , touched her cheek . Gently . Softly .
“Go away ,” she whispered . “Before it becomes .. complicated .”
He didn’t step back .
“It already has , Serena . Since the day you appeared in this castle . It’s hard not too look at you , not to think about you . Not to want you .”
Serena stepped back , her back hitting the column . He didn’t come closer , just stood before her , giving her a choice - not pressing , but not retreating either .
“This is unwise ,” she whispered .
He smirked .
“Maybe . But it’s honest .”
She looked into his eyes , her heart pounding as if it would burst .
“I don’t like you ,” she said too quickly .
Toren smirked , took half a step back , titled his head , as if studying her .
“Of course not . That’s why you tremble when I’m near . That’s why you stayed .”
He turned and walked away .
“Good night , Serena . And thank you .. for staying .”
She remained standing alone , cheeks burning , thoughts tangled - and with a desperate wish for him to come back and say : “I know you’re lying .”
- Writer
