CHAPTER 73: EXPLICIT PAINTINGS

It didn’t take Viktor long to reach the prince’s chambers. The door was left ajar, causing Viktor to frown before cautiously pushing it open and stepping into the room, his eyes scanning around in search of Hades. He finally found him leaning casually against the railing of the balcony, the window thrown wide open as the cold wind doubled the chill in the room.

Viktor shivered lightly, moving towards the balcony to join the prince. He too leaned casually against the railing, the only sound between them the biting breeze sweeping across the space. They stood in silence until Viktor turned to Hades, noticing the grim expression on his face—his eyes hollow and distant.

"You seem to be in a rather bad mood this morning," Viktor said, a hint of playfulness and teasing in his voice. Hades smiled, but it barely reached his eyes.

Another wave of silence passed before Hades finally spoke. "I told her about Zal, the curse, and my parents. It’s about time she knows what she’s signing was up against." His voice remained eerily calm and composed.

"How did she react?" Viktor asked.

"She seemed even more determined to help me break the curse," Hades replied, amusement lacing his voice—almost disbelief that Lilith wasn’t deterred by his grim reality, even though she had no idea just how dangerous it truly was.

Would she still be so determined if she knew the things Zal whispered in his mind? All the horrible things he would do to her and to everyone in Valyron if he ever took control of Hades’ body. Hades tried to push the thoughts away, but with each passing day, it grew harder—the voice getting louder and louder. He sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

"I think Lilith cares about you a lot," Viktor said at last, a smile tugging at his lips.

Hades turned his head towards Viktor. "You and Lucian also care about me."

Viktor chuckled, staring ahead. "You know that’s not what I mean. And I also know you’re very much aware of her growing feelings for you."

"She doesn’t understand what she feels. If she saw who I truly am, she would be horrified. If she saw the monster within me, she would run and never look back," Hades expressed.

Viktor chuckled again. "You say that because you don’t truly know Lilith. She’s a brave and tough young woman."

Hades arched a brow at him. "You have so much trust in someone you barely know?"

"You don’t need a lifetime to trust someone, Hades. Lilith has proven time and again that she won’t give up on you, no matter how much you try to push her away—and you know it. I have faith she’ll be able to break the curse," Viktor said, the smile never leaving his face.

Hades fell into deep thought before speaking again. "Did you notice anyone suspicious at the ball? I need to know if Azazel is continuing in his search for the Book of Darkness," he said, shifting the direction of the conversation.

"I did not," Viktor replied. "I spoke to the commander earlier, and he mentioned that none of the guards spotted anything suspicious during or after the ball. Could it be that he no longer seeks the book?"

"If he has no interest in the book anymore, then he might have found a new way to put his plans into motion," Hades said, his voice heavy with concern. Whatever his father was working on now, it had to be just as important as the book—if not more.

"I’ll keep a closer eye out to see if I catch anything," Viktor said, straightening his back, his hands clenching around the railing.

"Very well. I’ll also conduct some underground research. I can’t go to the Underworld myself, but Grim can. He’ll gather information for me—hopefully something useful," Hades added.

"Sounds good. I’m heading out for a sparring match. It’s been a while since we last had one," Viktor said with a grin.

Hades smiled. "It sure has. We might have to revisit that soon."

"I’ll be looking forward to beating your arse again," Viktor teased, holding up four fingers in front of his face. "That would make it the fourth time, I believe."

"In your dreams, Viktor. Actually, not even in your dreams—you wouldn’t be able to beat me there either," Hades teased back, watching Viktor feign a wounded expression.

"You wound me with your sharp words, my dear Hades," Viktor said, placing a hand dramatically over his chest. "The next time we spar, I’ll be sure to remind you—since you seem to have forgotten."

"Get ready. I won’t go easy on you," Hades warned.

"Bring it on, brother. I’ll be ready," Viktor replied with a grin, spreading his arms wide before turning around and walking away. "I’m leaving."

"Viktor," Hades called out almost immediately.

"Yes, Your Highness?" Viktor paused and turned to face him.

"Don’t encourage her feelings for me. It’s best they remain—and die—as just feelings, because in the end, she will only get hurt," Hades said, his back still turned to Viktor.

"Lilith is old enough to make her own choices. I can’t control who she falls for. And if you truly want her feelings to fade, then stop looking at her like she’s the most precious thing in the world. You’re the one encouraging her feelings, Hades," Viktor said. He turned back to his path, took two steps, then paused again. "And don’t hurt her. It will break her."

With that, Viktor exited the room, the door closing with a soft thud, leaving Hades alone with his thoughts.

Hades sighed heavily, then made his way toward the dresser, pulled a coat over his body, and stepped out of the room.

~~~

Lilith couldn’t have been more overjoyed with her training today—she had achieved more than she had in weeks. It seemed her new determination had fueled her powers to resurface and give their all.

On her way back to her chambers, she heard someone call out to her—it was Kathryn.

"Good afternoon, Lilith. How have you been?" Kathryn said, wearing the same overly friendly smile that Lilith still wasn’t sure how to feel about.

"Good afternoon, Lady Kathryn. I’ve been wonderful. And you?" she replied politely, returning the smile.

"Please, call me Kathryn. We’re way past formalities—we’re friends," Kathryn giggled, and Lilith smiled in acknowledgment.

"Alright, Kathryn," Lilith said, feeling a little awkward.

Kathryn cleared her throat, her expression suddenly turning serious. "I need to ask you something, but I have no idea how you’ll take it." She fiddled nervously with her fingers.

Lilith frowned. She had never seen Kathryn look so nervous. This was... interesting.

"What could it possibly be?" Lilith asked.

Kathryn looked around carefully, checking to make sure no one was nearby or eavesdropping. "Come with me to my chambers. I’ll explain everything there," she said.

Lilith’s frown deepened. What was Kathryn planning? She had no idea what was going on.

"Please, it’s important," Kathryn pleaded as she noticed Lilith’s hesitation, her eyes clouded with emotions Lilith didn’t think the woman was even capable of showing.

Was it possibly a bad idea to follow Kathryn? Maybe. But Lilith found herself trailing behind her nonetheless as Kathryn led the way to her chambers.

"Come in," Kathryn said, pushing open the door.

Lilith stepped inside, taking in the room. It was unlike the prince’s or her own—much fancier and more colorful, perfectly suited for a noble lady.

"I want to show you something. I don’t know if you remember what happened at the ball, but we spoke about the prince... and me. We were courting a while back, but the weight of his duties got in between us, and we broke things off."

Kathryn led the way to a smaller door and peeled it open.

The room was small, as if it were meant for a study or some other private space. Lilith’s eyes widened when they fell on the canvases scattered across the room—almost ten of them.

"I painted these while the prince and I were together. Every moment between us was special, and I had to capture it forever," Kathryn said, turning each of the canvases toward Lilith.

Lilith’s eyes widened even more.

They were nude paintings of Kathryn and the prince, captured in very explicit, seductive positions—some locked in deep, hungry kisses, others caught in the throes of lovemaking, and some showing the prince’s head buried against her chest or his hand between her legs. They were raw and intimate—things no one else should ever see.

Lilith felt like she needed to wash her eyes with holy water to cleanse the images now burned into her mind.

"After I explained everything to you, you agreed to help the prince and me get back together, since you’re closest to him," Kathryn said, placing a hand on Lilith’s shoulder.

Lilith stood frozen, confused and frustrated, especially because she couldn’t fully recall what had happened at the ball between Kathryn, her friends, and herself.

But one thing was for sure, just staring at the paintings brought a pang of tightness and pain to her chest.