"Yes, I did. I woke up feeling hungry and decided to make sothing quickly since everyone was still in their quarters," Lilith replied, placing the tray on a small table.
"It looks and slls good," Hades said with a smile, settling on the couch. He picked up a spoon and took a bite of the food, humming in satisfaction. "This is... so tasty. I had no idea you could cook this well."
Lilith blushed at his words. "Thank you for the complint, Your Highness. I’m glad you find it tasty."
He took another spoonful. "Aren’t you going to have yours? It’s getting cold," he said, gesturing to her plate.
"I will." Lilith picked up her spoon and began eating. She glanced at the prince every now and then, watching him as he concentrated fully on his al. He seed to be enjoying it very much. The sight ward her heart, but the unsettling mory of what Salistra had told her still lingered in her mind, and the black veins she had glimpsed on his body only added to her unease.
"You seem lost in thought. Are you alright?" Hades asked, narrowing his eyes slightly as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.
She blinked and forced a smile. "I’m quite well, Your Highness. And you? Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes, I’m very good. I had a wonderful night... and continue to have a wonderful morning," he chuckled, rising to his feet. "I have to check on sothing in the library. I’ll be back soon."
He walked around the table and leaned down beside her, tipping her chin up before placing a soft kiss on her lips, an action that stilled Lilith.
It was ant to be a brief kiss, but Hades beca carried away bythe softness of her lips, leaning deeper into her. One hand cupped her jaw while the other tangled in her hair, gripping gently as he kissed her fiercely, his teeth nipping at her lips. His tongue slipped between them, claiming her mouth as he explored it with hunger.
They kissed until they were forced to pull away, gasping for breath, both panting as Hades rested his forehead against hers.
"I am tempted to taste you again, Lilith," he whispered against her lips, his warm breath fanning across her face.
Lilith couldn’t see his eyes, but she heard the raw desire dripping from his voice. He was just as turned on by the kiss as she was. Already, she could feel a fresh wetness pooling between her legs.
"I willy be back soon," he said, pulling away reluctantly. Hades tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, then walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
In the silence that followed, Lilith let out a shaky breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to steady herself.
She quickly combed her fingers through her hair to fix it, then picked up the tray and left the room. She needed to go to the crypt to see the witch. Her training had to begin, if she was going to save the prince from Zal, she had no more ti to waste.
~~~
Hades ran his fingers through his hair as he made his way to the library. Gods, he wanted nothing more than to go back to his chambers and have his face buried between her legs. He could already feel his cock swell at the thought. Fuck! Hades cursed under his breath.
As he pushed open the library door, his eyes scanned the room to see if anyone was there.
A maid who had just finished cleaning noticed him and quickly bowed before hurrying out, leaving him alone.
Hades strode toward the section on spells and magic, searching for a book on demons and possession. He moved the ladder to the shelf he needed and began scanning the titles. Just as he reached for a book, the door to the library opened.
"Your Highness," a voice called out.
Hades paused and turned to see Lucian making his way towards him, his stern gaze fixed on him.
"It’s been a while. How have you been, Lucian?" Hades greeted him with a smile, but Lucian did not return it.
"What’s going on with you? You look like a man ready for a fight," Hades teased as he climbed the ladder and pulled a book from the shelf.
He climbed down and walked over to a nearby table, flipping the book open.
"What have you done, Hades?" Lucian’s words were sharp and cutting.
Hades lifted his gaze from the book to his uncle, narrowing his eyes. "What do you an? You will have to be more concise, dear uncle." He closed the book and moved to return it, but Lucian stopped him with a firm hand on his arm.
"Sothing has changed. You have changed, Hades. I can feel the demon’s presence growing stronger, more fierce." Lucian whispered, looking at Hades.
"I know. I can feel it too." Hades replied evenly, trying to move away, but Lucian’s grip tightened around the prince’s arm.
"You have fallen for the witch. I should have known this would happen. I should have stopped it from getting this far." Lucian released him, placing both hands on the table, his head bowed low. "I thought you were smarter than this. I guess you are just a man, after all," he whispered.
"I will figure it out. I’m working on it. I can—"
"Working on it? Are you fucking serious, Hades?" Lucian laughed darkly, looking up at the ceiling before dragging his gaze back to Hades. "You were supposed to do one single thing, keep your heart closed, at least until she completely cured you. You have been doing so well. Why would you throw it all away for a woman?"
Hades narrowed his eyes at Lucian. He hadn’t seen his uncle this angry or disappointed before. "You need to calm down. I still have control over the demon. And, like I ntioned earlier, I will deal with it. I am not about to go berserk, if that’s what all this is about, uncle."
"Your control is slipping. You don’t want to admit it, but I can sense it. In no ti, that demon will take over and condemn us all to hell. You have always known the risks of forming attachnts, yet you chose to fall for her. You are putting her above the people and your kingdom you swore to protect."
"I am not choosing her over my people—"
"Then explain what the fuck you are doing!" Lucian’s voice rose. "Fucking gods, Hades, you could have had any woman to warm your bed. But you chose to fall for this sone, and not just anyone, but the very one who was supposed to be helping you."
"I don’t understand why you are getting so riled up. I know this isn’t how things should be, but I am handling it. Valyron and its people will be safe. I will protect my people. There’s no cause for alarm." Hades tried to explain but his uncle was done listening to his explanation.
"It will never be okay if you keep her around. It’s quite obvious her powers can no longer keep the demon in check. You need to send her away until we find a better and more lasting solution."
"Are you intoxicated? What the fuck is wrong with you? I rember you telling Lilith was my last hope. And now, suddenly, she isn’t?" Hades questioned, arching a brow at him.
"She was your last hope, until you let her wrabybp you around her finger." Lucian’s voice was grave. "You must think critically about it all, Hades. If things go sour, she will l eave, find soone new, get marry, have children... while we all pay for your foolishness."
"I don’t care about the girl, I care about you. I will do anything to keep you safe. I promised Celeste I would protect you with my life. And I don’t break promises, especially not to soone like Celeste. You were supposed to learn from your parents’ mistakes. But here you are, repeating them. Making the sa selfish decisions."
Lucian drew a breath, trying to steady himself. "We need ti to find another way to contain the demon. In the anti, you should send her away. Pay her handsoly and send her off."
Hades stared at his uncle in disbelief. "Are you fucking..."
"I am..."
"Stop cutting off! You must have forgotten who the fuck you are speaking to. You will speak to with respect, and I will not tolerate your disrespect toward Lilith. She will remain with for as long as I choose. If you have nothing else to say, get the fuck out of my library."
His eyes darkened as Lucian’s jaw clenched. Without another word, Lucian turned and stord out of the library slamming the door shut behind him. Hades’s eyes were fixed on the place the uncle was standing as a sigh escape his lips.
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