CHAPTER 128: BREAKFAST

When they reached his chamber, Hades carefully wiped her legs with a warm, damp cloth, then helped her change into her nightdress. Afterward, he joined her in bed, his arm draped protectively around her as he softly stroked her hair. Lilith rested her head on his chest, her breathing deep and steady.

She tried to keep her eyes open a little longer, but exhaustion weighed her down, pulling her swiftly into sleep. Within minutes, her even breaths told Hades she had drifted off completely.

Turning his head, Hades gazed down at her sleeping form. One of her hands rested on his torso, her fingers lightly curled. A few strands of hair had fallen across her face and neck, her lips parted slightly in a soft pout. Her cheeks still held a faint flush, and her long lashes cast shadows against her skin. She looked so peaceful, so ethereal, y like something fragile and otherworldly.

Unable to resist, Hades leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. When he pulled away, he caught the faintest subconscious smile flicker across her face gone in an instant, but it left his heart aching.

Settling back against the pillow, Hades stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.

He had been pushing away the implications of what had happened between them, of what he was allowing himself to feel. But ever since their kiss in Dubliton, something inside him had shifted. He couldn’t deny it anymore, he was falling for her. With every moment they spent together, with every glance and every touch, he found himself sinking deeper into that feeling.

But with this new depth of emotion came danger. Not for their bond, but for his tenuous control over Zal. The demon had already begun to sense this new vulnerability in him, and though Hades had thus far managed to maintain his sanity and restraint, he knew that wouldn’t last forever. The more his feelings for Lilith grew, the harder it would become to cage the beast within.

He would need a stronger way to suppress the demon, a stronger chain to bind it before it was too late. He would have to speak with Lucian soon and find a solution.

With a quiet sigh, he closed his eyes, welcoming the pull of sleep and the comforting warmth of the woman nestled at his side.

~~~

Lilith opened her eyes, her gaze immediately landing on Hades’ face. He was still asleep, turned toward her, his expression peaceful. A soft smile tugged at her lips. Slowly, she pulled away from him, careful not to wake him.

She slipped out of bed and padded toward the door. With one last glance back at his sleeping form, she quietly exited the room and closed the door behind her.

Once inside her own chambers, she dressed in something more suitable for the day. Her stomach rumbled in hunger, prompting her to head to the kitchen. It was just past seven, early still so she doubted the cook would be up preparing breakfast yet.

Upon reaching the kitchen, she found a few maids already cleaning. One of them informed her that the cook was still in her quarters.

Deciding to prepare something light herself, Lilith’s mind wandered, and before she knew it, she was preparing enough food for both herself and the prince. The thought of Hades sent a flush to her cheeks and a warmth to her heart.

Last night had been... indescribable. Lilith still couldn’t believe how much bliss could be drawn from such an act. The mere memory of his mouth between her thighs sent tingles deep into her core.

She let out a sigh and cleared her throat, pushing the thought firmly to the back of her mind. It was causing her emotions to stir far too much and it was embarrassing how desperately she wanted to experience that sensation again.

Focus, Lilith, she told herself.

She walked into the pantry and gathered the ingredients she needed, potatoes, fresh vegetables, and a selection of fragrant spices. Setting a pot on the stove, she lit the flame and began peeling and chopping the potatoes, then diced the vegetables. Once everything was ready, she added the ingredients to the pot along with water and the perfect blend of spices.

Within fifteen minutes, the aroma of the simmering meal filled the kitchen.

As Lilith plated the food for herself and the prince, the cook and Madam Thalia entered the kitchen.

"Dear gods, what smells so heavenly?" the cook exclaimed, sniffing the air before her gaze landed on Lilith and the prepared plates.

"Lilith, dear, were you so hungry that you had to cook for yourself? And who is the second plate for?" Thalia asked, her sharp eyes darting between Lilith and the tray.

"Good morning to both of you," Lilith greeted politely. "Forgive me, but I woke up extremely hungry and couldn’t wait any longer."

"This looks wonderful. I didn’t know you could cook," the cook said, moving to the pot and taking a taste with a spoon. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she handed the spoon to Thalia. "Taste this."

Thalia eyed her suspiciously, but after tasting the food, she appeared genuinely impressed. "I think you might need to take over from the royal cook."

Lilith and the cook chuckled.

"Yes, yes! I would be perfectly happy with that," the cook said with a wheezy laugh. "I can hardly feel my back these days. I must be getting too old for this."

"You would be out of work and pay if that happens," Thalia remarked dryly, raising a brow.

The cook paused, eyes widening in mock alarm. "Oh dear gods, you’re right!" She turned to Lilith with a grin. "Please don’t take my job. How would I buy more scarves?"

Lilith laughed softly. "Don’t worry, I have no intention of taking your job." She picked up the tray. "Now, I must bring this to the prince."

The women wished her well as she left the kitchen, the cook still sneaking bites from the pot.

The castle was more awake now as Lilith made her way up the stairs toward the prince’s chambers. Balancing the tray carefully, she knocked softly on the door before opening it.

Inside, the prince had his shirt lifted, as though examining himself in the mirror. At the sound of the door opening, he quickly pulled it down and turned toward her with a smile.

But Lilith caught a brief glimpse of black veins spidering across his stomach in the mirror’s reflection.

"You made breakfast?" Hades’ eyes flickered to the tray in her hands, surprise clear in his voice.