CHAPTER 104: ARCHERY

Lilith swallowed hard, silently cursing her body for always betraying her whenever she was close to the prince. He was like a drug—one that muddled her senses and scattered her thoughts, leaving her with no clear path of logic or restraint.

Her breath hitched when he lifted a hand and brushed the back of his fingers against her cheek. His eyes locked onto hers with such intensity, she feared he could see straight into her soul and uncover all the emotions she desperately tried to hide.

"Have you ever shot an arrow before?" he asked suddenly, catching her off guard with the unexpected question.

Lilith narrowed her eyes at him. "I... I have not," she admitted after a brief pause.

"Well, this is your lucky day," Hades said, stepping back and shaking the bow in his hand. "Today shall be your first lesson."

"I’m not dressed for archery," she protested, glancing down at her gown.

"Nonsense. You don’t need to be dressed a certain way to shoot an arrow," he said dismissively. "Come with me."

Without another word, he turned and began walking. Lilith hesitated only a moment before following behind him. They arrived at an open space tucked deeper into the cave, where wooden boards marked with red circular targets stood against the wall.

"Do you come here often?" Lilith asked, watching him rummage through a leather bag resting near a bench.

"Not really. I haven’t been here in months," he replied. "I don’t need to practice anymore—I’m already a good archer." A smug smirk followed, and Lilith rolled her eyes.

"Of course you are," she muttered dryly. "Then why are you here today?"

"To clear my thoughts," he said simply.

"Grim mentioned you were in a bad mood," she pressed. "Why is that?"

"I wasn’t in a bad mood," Hades said, straightening up. "I was just... feeling very tense."

"Tense?" she echoed, narrowing her eyes. "Why? Are you sick?"

"No, I can’t be sick," he replied, then added with a teasing smirk, "And you really don’t want to hear the answer to that question."

Before Lilith could respond, he handed her a bow. "Here. You can use this, it’s lighter and smaller."

The shift in conversation worked. Lilith’s attention drifted to the weapon in her hands. She traced the golden handle, marveling at the intricate designs etched into the metal. It was beautiful. But as her fingers curled around it, her brows furrowed.

"It’s heavier than it looks," she noted, lifting it slightly.

Their fingers brushed as he adjusted her grip, and her pulse jumped. He was too close again. That intoxicating scent of pint and mint clung to him, and it was unfair how it made her want to lean in just a little further.

"You’ll get used to it," he said, stepping back. "I’ll go first so you can watch, then you’ll try."

Hades picked up an arrow, effortlessly aligned it with the bow, and pulled back the string in one smooth motion. The arrow whistled through the air and hit the center of the wooden board.

"Your turn," he said, turning to face her.

"Let’s work on your stance first."

He moved behind her, his hand brushing lightly against her waist as he adjusted her position. "Feet apart, shoulder-width. Relax your shoulders."

Her breath hitched as his hand glided from her waist to her shoulder, guiding it down with the softest touch. His voice was low. "Good. Now hold the bow up. Straighten your back. Keep it steady."

Lilith stepped forward and picked up an arrow. Mimicking what she had seen Hades do, she tried to align it. But as she drew the string, the arrow slipped and dropped to the ground. She tried again—once, then twice more—but each attempt ended with the same disappointing result.

Frustrated, Lilith let out a sigh and prepared to try once more. But before she could release the arrow, Hades stepped in close behind her, his hand gently closing over hers.

"Hold it like this," he murmured, adjusting her grip.

The heat of his body at her back and the depth of his voice sent a shiver down her spine. The world seemed to narrow to the feel of his breath on her skin, the veins on his hand as he steadied hers, and the electric tension humming between them.

Lilith swallowed. With him so close, his breath brushing her ear, it was impossible to concentrate. How do he expect me to focus when he was practically breathing down my neck? Lilith said to herself.

Lilith tried to focus on what he was saying, but her thoughts were completely consumed by his closeness and the tingling sensation of his skin against hers.

"...and draw the string back with your right hand," he murmured, his voice near her ear. "Not too much. Keep your elbow up. Good."

She followed his guidance, the string drawing taut as she aimed. But her muscles strained and her aim wobbled. "This is harder than it looks." She let go, and the arrow flew through the air, landing just inches from the center of the target.

"You see? It’s not that hard. Can you try it on your own?" Hades asked.

Lilith nodded, even though she had zoned out through half of what he’d said.

She tried again, but the arrow barely made it a few feet before dropping. "I guess I can’t do it on my own," she murmured, and Hades chuckled softly at her disappointment.

"It’s just your first time. You’ll get better."

He stepped behind her again, his hand lingering a moment longer on her waist this time. His other hand wrapped around hers, guiding her gently. The air between them thickened with every touch.

As he spoke, she tilted her head slightly, glancing up at him. Hades immediately looked down, their faces now just inches apart.

If she leaned in just a little, her lips would brush against his. She swallowed hard, her eyes flicking to his lips and then back to his eyes.

He released the arrow—it soared through the air and struck the target.

He slowly withdrew his hand, tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear before looking toward the target. "Look, you hit the center."

Lilith followed his gaze, her heart fluttering. The arrow had landed precisely between the one she’d fired earlier and the prince’s. "That’s... impressive."

She smiled, still holding the bow in one hand, when Hades reached for her other hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her knuckles bringing her attention back to him.

"You are so fucking beautiful."

She stared at him, stunned and breathless, her heart thundering wildly in her chest.