The apple slipped from Serena's hand, landing with a soft thud on the dirt path. Her gaze followed it as it rolled away, coming to rest against a rock. She frowned and tried to go after it, but Darius pulled her back firmly.
"And where do you think you're going?" Darius asked, his voice low and stern.
Serena glanced up at him, her brow furrowing. "My apple," she replied simply, as though the answer were obvious, fully expecting him to let her go.
"Your apple? I don't think that's the issue here," he said, his grip on her arm tightening. Serena bit her tongue, feeling the intensity of his gaze burning into her.
"Well…" she began, the words dying in her throat. She bit her lip, knowing there was no good excuse.. There wasn't a good reason for her to be out, and she knew it. He had warned her the last time they met. Serena didn't want to lie; she simply wanted to be out. "I wanted an apple," she said flatly.
