Chapter 132 - Comfort
Later in the day, Lilith returned to the dungeon to watch as Athena was dragged out, her wrists bound, to be taken to the place where she would be hanged.
Unlike when Virgil was executed, Lilith was present now as she wanted Athena to see her face, to know who stood witness to her end.
Thalia was taken from her cell as well, though she did not resist as her mother did. Her eyes were hollow as though she had already accepted her fate.
Lilith walked behind the soldiers, following as they led Athena and Thalia to their deaths.
Cassian joined Lilith, sensing she needed the company.
The prisoners were taken to the back of the castle, where a great tree stood, its branches heavy and waiting. A rope dangled from one of them, swaying faintly in the breeze.
The silence was broken only by the shuffle of soldiers’ boots and Athena’s sobs. Athena cried because she was not yet ready to die.
Not like this.
"Is her son out of the castle yet?" Lilith asked, glancing to her right at Cassian.
"He left as soon as he arrived. Did you wish to speak to him?" Cassian asked.
"No," Lilith replied, her eyes fixed on Athena. "He should not see the face of the woman who murdered his mother. I hope it is true that he will live far from the castle. That, in time, he will forget."
"You are right," Lilith admitted.
"I would not have liked for him to witness what I did as a child. To harbour those feelings for years and become incapable of loving others. But I could not spare her," Lilith said, her expression changed as the rope was placed around Athena’s neck.
The memories of her mother’s death flashed before Lilith’s eyes. The cruel laughter of Athena echoed in her mind.
"She had this coming," Lilith whispered. "Thalia is surprisingly calm. I heard she gave her mother quite the speech that she has no regrets and that she liked what she did."
Lilith’s fingers tightened against the fabric of her dress. "I prefer that she isn’t begging me now. They should stand proud of who they are and save their cries for the afterlife."
Lilith reached for Cassian’s hand, gripping it tightly, grounding herself as Athena’s punishment began. Lilith watched silently as Athena’s body struggled, her life slowly leaving her.
She was surprised that Thalia did not shed a single tear for her mother.
’Was the argument that serious?’ Lilith wondered.
Thalia turned her face away from her mother’s body, which now hung lifeless from the tree. Despite their differences, it was still her mother. She fought back tears, remembering her mother’s words to never cry before the enemy.
A soldier’s hand gripped Thalia, startling her. Her eyes widened as she realised they would not wait for her mother’s body to grow cold before moving to kill her.
"No," Thalia whispered, her voice breaking. "It is not my time yet. Lilith!" she cried out, desperation spilling from her lips. "You have not allowed me to mourn my mother. You must wait," she pleaded.
Lilith’s interest faded. She no longer wished to watch Thalia’s end.
"She is to die now," Lilith told a passing soldier before turning away with Cassian.
Cassian nodded, giving the order to continue. He followed Lilith, his role now simply to be her companion.
No matter how accustomed Lilith was to death, it always had the power to haunt.
Lilith’s mind replayed Athena’s final struggle, slowly replacing the memory of Athena’s cruel laughter when her mother had been hanged.
Lilith’s steps faltered, the pent-up need for revenge draining from her. After all these years, she had finally avenged her mother.
She tried to make it back to the castle before the soldiers could see her falter, but she could not.
Lilith stopped and turned to Cassian.
"Lilith," Cassian said softly, reaching for her, but she moved first.
She rested her head against his chest.
The action startled Cassian. He had expected her to smile, triumphant that the last of her tormentors was gone. Instead, she leaned into him, fragile.
Cassian wrapped his arms around her, shielding her from view, shifting her body so no one could see.
Then he felt it. The dampness against his shirt.
Lilith was crying.
It was not regret for Athena’s death, but relief. Relief that her mother had finally been avenged.
The memory of her mother’s death flooded her mind, and the emotions she had bottled up for years spilt free.
Lilith tried to resist, but she could not make it back to her bedchamber. She felt safe letting her tears fall before Cassian.
"Turn around," Cassian ordered the soldiers who emerged from the castle.
Lilith rarely cried before anyone, and he would not allow her tears to be seen now.
Cassian shielded her, holding her close, letting her cry as long as she needed.
Eventually, the tears slowed, though Lilith continued to rest her head against his chest.
"I’m sorry," Lilith whispered, her voice muffled. "Your shirt is damp."
Lilith lifted her head, revealing her eyes red from crying. "I’m not crying because of those two. I was thinking of her. Of my mother finally moving on."
Cassian brushed his thumb across her cheek, wiping away the last traces of her tears. "I didn’t know your mother, but if her soul lingered in this world, I believe it wasn’t to wait for revenge. It was to watch over her daughter. Don’t you think that is more fitting?"
Lilith hoped it was so. "That would be far more fitting. But I hope she rests now. I don’t need to be watched over anymore."
"Because you have me?" Cassian asked, hopeful.
"Because I am queen now," Lilith teased, laughing softly as Cassian’s expression fell. "But yes, because I have a new protector. Someone at my side. You are far too easy to tease."
Cassian chuckled, relief softening his features.
Lilith linked her arm with his. The weight of vengeance had finally lifted, replaced by the comfort of knowing she was no longer alone.
Together, they returned to the safety of the castle.