CHAPTER 148: FOOLS

The first thing Lilith noticed as her eyes fluttered open was the steady rhythm of breath beside her, the soft rise and fall of a chest, warm air brushing against her side. She turned her gaze toward the window. The heavy rain had quieted to a light drizzle, droplets clinging to the glass and fogging the edges.

She glanced at the clock. 2 p.m. They had been asleep for over four hours.

Lilith let out a soft sigh and turned her head to the side.

There he was.

Hades.

Fast asleep, his face relaxed, one arm loosely draped across the sheet. A faint smile touched her lips as she reached out, gently brushing strands of hair away from his face. Her fingers traced the line of his cheek, then down to his lips. She only stopped when his brow twitched slightly, then smoothed out again. Carefully, she pulled her hand back and stifled a yawn behind her fingers.

Her gaze drifted down the line of his collarbone to the side of his neck, and then she froze.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Black veins crept across his pale skin just beneath his jaw, branching downward toward his shoulder and curling up the side of his neck as they pulsed faintly.

Lilith swallowed hard.

The demon... it’s getting stronger.

The corruption was beginning to take hold, creeping in slowly, steadily. And here she was curled up beside him, their bodies tangled after hours of shared intimacy, wyhen they were supposed to be keeping their distance. Her stomach twisted.

She knew this couldn’t continue. She needed to stay away. That had always been the plan. Distance would keep the demon in check. But her rational thoughts seemed to disappear every time she got too close. Hades was like a magnet, drawing her in no matter how hard she tried to resist.

Apparently, she hadn’t been trying hard enough.

Her heart pounded as she instinctively reached out, her fingers hovering just above the darkened skin. But she stopped herself. Something in her told her not to touch it, not while he slept. Not when she didn’t understand what it might trigger.

Slowly, she drew her hand back, letting out a shaky breath. Carefully, she slipped out of his grip and out of the bed.

The cold stone floor bit into her bare feet as she wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and slipped on her shoes. She cast one last glance at Hades.

Then, without another word, Lilith turned and left the room, her steps silent.

~~~

Lilith made sure to look around carefully, avoiding the attention of anyone as she descended the stairs, slipping quietly into the crypt. The air grew colder as she walked along the narrow path toward the cave, the eerie silence pressing against her skin.

She had to speak with the older witch before it was too late. She needed to focus on her powers, and on saving the prince from the demon’s tightening grip.

"Salistra," she called softly into the empty space, her voice echoing against the walls. "I need you." Lilith wandered through the cave, peering into each shadowy corner. "Salistra, are you here?"

For a moment, there was nothing, only silence. Then, without warning, a gust of wind swept through the cave, though there was no tunnel open to the sky.

"You’ve come sooner than I expected," Salistra’s voice echoed as she stepped forward, still cloaked in the same long black dress she always wore.

Lilith’s eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between the woman and the solid rock wall behind her. "Did you just... step out of that rock?" she asked, more curious than alarmed.

Salistra smiled knowingly. "What did you see, Lilith?"

Lilith hesitated, then shook her head. "Never mind. It’s none of my business."

She stepped forward, her throat tightening. "Something’s wrong with him. Hades... there are black veins on his neck. They’ve become bolder, more visible."

Salistra’s eyes darkened, though the smile never left her lips. "You look surprised."

Lilith frowned. "Shouldn’t I be?"

"Not really. You should’ve expected it," Salistra said calmly, "especially after having your tongues buried down each other’s throats."

Lilith’s face flushed crimson.

"The prince has fallen for you, Lilith and he’s falling deeper with every moment you spend together."

Salistra stepped closer, her dress sweeping across the stone floor. "You both knew the risks, yet still chose to give in. The demon feeds on that bond, on the emotions growing between you. It’s using the prince’s feelings to deepen its hold, spreading its corruption through his soul."

Her tone sharpened slightly. "That’s why the black veins have returned and why they’re stronger this time."

Lilith felt the words crash into her like icy water, her fists clenching at her sides. "I should continue our sessions, his healing. It will hold off the corruption until I’m ready to break the curse. That’s what I’ll do."

"That might have worked," Salistra said slowly, "before you both involved your hearts. But now... it’s too late for that. The healing sessions won’t touch the demon anymore, it’s past that stage. It has grown much stronger."

Lilith’s breath caught in her throat. "How long until it takes full control?"

Salistra pressed her lips into a firm line. "No one knows for certain. It’s a gradual process. But soon, the demon will begin to influence his decisions, making him more cruel, more brutal, especially when violence is involved. And slowly, he will cease to be the Hades you know."

She stepped closer. "The demon has tasted emotion, through him. Jealousy. Affection. Kindness and Love. It will use those against him."

Lilith’s chest ached. "Then... what should I do now?"

"You must stay away from him until you’ve mastered the core of your powers. It’s clear your presence affects him. You must go far away."

Lilith hesitated. "And how will you find me if I go?"

"I will always find you, Lilith," Salistra replied. "All you have to do is call for me, and I will come no matter where you are." She paused, her eyes locked on Lilith’s. "Will you do that? Are you truly willing to stay away from the prince?"

Lilith lowered her gaze, her fists trembling before she looked up again, voice steady. "I will. I’ll do what I must to save him."

The smile returned to Salistra’s face, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "You must remember what will happen if the demon takes over. We cannot allow that."

"It won’t happen," Lilith said firmly. "I’ll make sure of it."

"Very well," the witch said after a beat of silence. "Then we continue your training."