Chapter 126 - Reunited
"Although you weren’t so kind as to give me a final moment with my mother, I shall let you have it with your daughter. Do carry on with your arguing, as it might give the other captives some amusement before they perish as well," Lilith said, her voice dripping with mockery as she turned her back on the pair.
Athena’s hands tightened around the cold metal bars. "If I get my hands on you..." she sneered.
Lilith smiled. "No, if I were to get my hands on you, there would be a good show indeed. Don’t provoke me, Athena. You are rather fortunate that I haven’t stolen a sword and stepped inside to gut you myself."
"Lilith!" Athena cried, her voice echoing through the dungeon as Lilith walked away. "Come back here!"
Lilith ignored Athena’s calls as she departed with Cassian at her side.
Rather than confront Athena directly for her past sins, Lilith preferred to savour the sight of mother and daughter tearing each other apart. Their discord was sweeter than vengeance.
Lilith held onto Cassian’s arm as they walked together out of the dungeon. "Well done, Your Majesty."
Cassian’s gaze lingered on her, his expression caught between pride and possessiveness. "Thank you, but I would prefer to be addressed as your husband. With the last of your enemies caught, what will you do now?"
Lilith thought it over. "Focus on being a good queen to the people, and at times, entertaining you as your wife. I hope not to be bothered by anyone in the coming days. I’ve ordered so many to their deaths that I need a break from it."
Cassian thought it was unlikely she would have a break. "The dungeon seems to be filling fast. I doubt you will have peaceful days as the court begins to form. You cannot throw my entire court into the dungeon."
Lilith groaned. "A pity. I was rather excited by the thought of it. Have you seen Solomon? It is odd that he hasn’t come to my side. If he is unwell, then I will throw the men you sent after him into the dungeon."
Cassian’s gaze swept the crowd. "Solomon might be lost among them, but I am certain he is searching for you. See-"
Cassian didn’t finish as Lilith had already broken away to run towards Solomon.
Cassian’s chest tightened at the sight. He couldn’t recall a time when Lilith had ever run to him with such eagerness.
"Solomon!" Lilith called, inspecting his appearance. Her eyes darted to the bandage on his hand. "You are back in one piece."
Solomon bowed, his hand pressed to his chest. "Your Majesty."
Lilith rolled her eyes. "That is a bit dramatic of you, Solomon. I have come to ask how you fared with Thalia or with the men who arrived to help you. Did they hurt you?" Her gaze lingered on the bandage. "They will not get off lightly if they have wounded you."
Solomon felt Cassian’s stare burning into him from behind Lilith. The king’s possessiveness had not once faded.
"I am well, Your Majesty," Solomon replied, though his arms slipped behind his back to hide the bandage. "There was a fight to capture the former queen and princess, so I joined in and injured my hand. It is nothing that won’t heal soon. I should have been more careful. Are you well? You’ve been without a guard."
Lilith’s expression softened. "Walk with me, Solomon. I have had two new guards, but I lost one to Cassian’s mother. The other seems reliable, so I will keep him at my side. I will introduce you once you have rested. My husband plans to reward you."
"I don’t need any kind of reward," Solomon said, rejecting the offer.
Lilith frowned. "Solomon, don’t be a fool. Take the money and the title he shall award you. It is far more than I could ever give. You can live comfortably with it."
Solomon misread her words. "Are you sending me from your side now that you are married?"
Lilith laughed at the absurd idea. "Why would I do that? Besides that man, I trust you the most. And while Mary is angry with you now, she misses you as well. For as long as you wish, I shall keep you by my side. I know it would be an honour for you to serve the queen, so I won’t steal it from you."
Solomon’s gaze flicked back to Cassian, suspicion lingering. "Are you safe with your husband? Has his behaviour calmed?"
Lilith thought of the pair being at odds now that Solomon was back. "He has, and he has shared why he was so smitten with me. You wouldn’t believe the tale, so I will keep it to myself."
"Have you fallen in love?" Solomon asked, nervous about the answer.
Lilith didn’t have a proper answer. "Have I? I don’t know. I don’t bother myself with that emotion since my mother died. But I do feel safe, and I find comfort with him. Whatever feeling that is, it is what I feel towards him. He understands me better than I understand myself."
Solomon relaxed after hearing this. "It seems you have become rather close. I am happy for you. After all you have endured, it is time you experienced some happiness."
Lilith held onto Solomon’s arm, showing their closeness."I’ve been angry for many years, but I can admit that I have been happy with all of you by my side. If not for you, Mary, and the others, I would have been alone. I might have lost my sanity and withered away. I’ve been happy."
"Your Majesty, please don’t tell me you’ve gone soft," Solomon said, feigning concern.
Lilith’s chest burned at the assumption. "I have not. Would you like me to send you to the dungeon to prove I am the same? You mustn’t test me and spoil the good mood I am in. I am going to take you to see Mary, and then you must rest. You did well."
Relief washed over her as she realised Solomon was safe.
Solomon’s gaze fell once more to Cassian, who trailed behind them. "For how long is your husband going to follow us?"
Lilith looked back at her pitiful husband. "For as long as he chooses. I didn’t tell him to walk so far behind us. He can join us or busy himself elsewhere. Do not mind him. His jealousy will soon bring him closer."