Darius stood up and offered a hand to Serena, which she took. He pulled her up gently, and for a breath longer than necessary, neither of them let go. Then Serena released his hand, brushing her skirt off with a sheepish smile.
"My first attempt at cheering you was successful," Darius said, grinning with an air of satisfaction.
Serena chuckled and shook her head. "I believe this is your third attempt."
Darius lifted a brow, amused. A small part of him mourned the absence of her hand in his.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, indeed," she said, adjusting the edge of her sleeve. "However, the second attempt was a failed promise."
Darius paused, squinting at her as if trying to place her meaning, then it clicked. The apples. He'd promised her a cartful of them back at the castle.
"You are a greedy little thing," he said, shaking his head.
"I was not the one who made the promise," Serena rebutted.
Darius laughed, and he gestured to the back of the house. "Fair enough."
