CHAPTER 113: THE ONLY SOLUTION

Lilith had just finished breakfast and was headed back to her room. As she opened the door, a gasp escaped her lips, her eyes landed on Hades, standing by the window with one of her books in hand.

"Your Highness!" she exclaimed, quickly shutting the door behind her.

"This book is quite... steamy," Hades remarked, flipping a page. "And here I thought you only enjoyed historical reads."

Lilith bit her bottom lip, staring at the prince. "I don’t know what you’re talking about," she said, feigning innocence.

"Oh really?" A sly smile tugged at his lips. "Then I suppose I should read it aloud, maybe that’ll jog your memory." He looked back down at the page. "Gabriel had his co—"

"No!" Lilith lunged forward, snatching the book from his hands. She shut it quickly and placed it behind her. Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. "You shouldn’t be touching that. Why are you here?"

"I came to speak with you," Hades said, unfazed. "We’ll be leaving for Dubliton in a few days for the King’s annual ball. The seamstress will begin working on a dress for you soon."

Lilith narrowed her eyes. "I’m afraid I have no desire to attend any balls. Like I mentioned before, I’d rather be in my chambers reading, sleeping, or maybe watching the birds fly across the sky."

"That won’t be possible," Hades said calmly. "I have to attend, and I can’t leave you alone in Valyron."

"Alone? I won’t be alone. I’ll have Madam Thalia, Fiona, even Lucian. I’m not going to run away, if that’s what you’re afraid of."

Hades smiled. "You don’t need to run. But even if you did, I would always find you. There’s no place on earth, or in heaven or hell that I wouldn’t go to find you. So go ahead, entertain me... try to run." His voice dropped an octave on the last sentence.

Lilith swallowed hard, dragging her eyes away from him. "I’m not going to the ball. You can go without me."

"That’s not happening, darling," he said firmly. "I need you by my side. I can’t ensure your safety if you stay here, and I won’t be able to protect you from the dangers that may arise."

"I don’t need your protection," Lilith said, frowning. "I can protect myself."

"I know you can," he said softly. "But I want to protect you."

Lilith knew then, he wasn’t going to back down. And the truth was, none of the reasons she had given were why she didn’t want to go. It was him. Being near him twisted her thoughts and stirred something in her body that she didn’t understand—something she feared.

"I’ll think about it," she whispered.

"Very well," Hades said. "I’ll leave you to continue your book." His tone was teasing, and as he walked past her, his shoulder nearly brushed hers.

Lilith held her breath until she heard the door click shut.

She let it out in one long, shaky sigh, sinking onto her bed as her legs turned to jelly. Running her fingers through her hair, she closed her eyes and sighed again.

~~~

Hades returned to his study. He had been spending more time there lately, his chambers felt too close to Lilith’s, and he didn’t doubt he would eventually be pushed into doing something reckless. He had to keep his emotionsand more importantly, his heart in check until Lilith completed the process of trapping Zal and breaking the curse.

At first, Hades had thought it would be simple. Contain the demon. Break the curse. Move on. But things were getting complicated. His growing affection for Lilith was starting to interfere with the potency of her magic. It wasn’t as strong as it had been before. The only solution was clear, distance. But staying away from her was proving to be one of the hardest things he’d ever tried to do.

Still, Hades was determined to prove Zal wrong. The demon delighted in taunting him, calling him weak, insisting his weakness would lead to his ruin. Zal was confident—too confident, that he would soon break free. That confidence unsettled Hades more than he cared to admit.

He sighed and leaned back in his chair. He’d considered leaving Lilith behind, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it—not now, not when people were actively plotting against her. He had brought her into this world of shadows and monsters, and he would have to protect her from it.

Just as he closed his eyes, the door to his study creaked open.

He peeked through one eye and groaned inwardly when he saw Kathryn gliding toward him.

Of all people, she was the last he wanted to see right now.

"Hades," she purred, her voice as sweet as honey, an affectation that grated on his nerves.

"What do you want, Kathy?" he asked flatly, his tone bored and cold. He didn’t bother masking the lack of interest in his voice, hoping she’d take the hint and leave.

"I want you to attend the ball with me," she said, leaning over his desk with a practiced smile. "It would be unnatural for me to attend alone, don’t you think?"

"No, I don’t think so. In fact, I don’t think you should be here at all," Hades replied coolly.

"I disagree." Kathryn began circling the desk. "Can’t you see we were always meant to be together? We’re destined for each other."

Hades opened his eyes fully, watching her approach. "Why must you stoop so low, Kathy? We’ve had this conversation more times than I can count. Do I need to carve the words into your skull before you understand? You and I are over. There’s nothing between us. There never will be."

He noticed the flicker of anger behind her eyes.

"It’s because of her, isn’t it?" Kathryn hissed. "You let that poor little outcast come between us. Is her cunt that good? Is that why you keep her around? And I do hope you know she isn’t just fucking you, Hades. That gardener boy’s been having his fill, too. Who knows how many other men she’s spread her legs for—"

"Oh, Kathy. Kathy," Hades interrupted, laughing coldly. "You really think everyone’s a whore like you?"

His eyes narrowed, the humor vanishing from his face, replaced by a dangerous stillness.