Free Web NovelChapter 19: Chapter 19 - Spark
Lilith stared at Cassian, trying to determine if he was telling the truth about not laughing at her. She had been certain it was him, but he appeared deeply confused about the matter.
Regardless, Lilith was bound to marry Cassian, so they needed to start over.
"I agree to start anew, putting my past feelings about you behind me. Still," Lilith said, inching closer to Cassian until she could see the fine detail of the scar along his jaw. "If you ever use me as a shield again, I am going to gut you in your sleep and send your remains to your mother. Understand?"
"I do," Cassian replied, reaching for Lilith’s hand and pulling her against his chest in one smooth motion.
"You’re already off to a bad start," Lilith said, trying to get out of Cassian’s hold, but his grip was strong.
"I see. You’re one of those men. You like asserting that you have more strength than I do. It’s pathetic to find amusement in something so obvious," Lilith said, stopping her attempts to escape. "Can’t you find some other lady to do this with?"
"You want me around another lady?"
"If it would keep your attention off me, yes," Lilith flatly replied, her tone as dry. "I don’t care what you do in your spare time as long as you don’t make any babies."
Cassian leaned forward to whisper, his breath warm against her ear, "One would think a princess with your background wouldn’t be against bastards."
Lilith didn’t take insult to Cassian reminded her that she was a bastard. It was a detail hard to ignore.
"I am not against them. I know what life awaits them, and no, I won’t be their saviour," Lilith said, uninterested in raising bastards.
Being one was already a headache.
"Don’t bring any children with your lovers into our marriage. You will be forced to send them out of the castle," Lilith said, stepping away from Cassian the moment his hold loosened. "Alongside their mothers."
"Fortunately, I only intend to share a child with you. Something tells me you would be excited to have a little girl," Cassian said, a painful memory pressing like a bruise against his chest.
"Something tells you? Is it the same fairy telling you all my secrets? I wouldn’t get ahead of myself thinking about having a child with me if I were you. I am only aroused when properly seduced," Lilith said, turning her back to Cassian. "And at the moment, you fall considerably short of succeeding."
Cassian’s lips curled upward, a low chuckle escaping his lips. "You wound me," he said, placing his right hand at his chest. ƒrēewebnovel.com
"You wounded yourself by not growing enough," Lilith replied without breaking her stride.
"I’ve been told it is an impressive size," Cassian said as he fell into step beside her.
Lilith stopped her stride to face Cassian.
"What are you talking about?" Lilith inquired, tilting her chin up with practised innocence. "Where are we to go?" She changed the topic. She didn’t want to hear Cassian boasting about his body.
"The kitchen. I have not strayed from getting you to eat. While you slept, my people have been filling the castle and removing everyone loyal to your family. You may eat safely."
"I will eat if you can tell me who sent the intruder who tried to kill me. Go on. Tell me," Lilith said, folding her arms.
Cassian licked his lips, feeling his hands being tied. "I have not found the culprit yet."
"You see. I cannot let my guard down and simply eat. The queen remains outside the castle with the youngest prince, and though my father is dead, he still has loyal subjects even among the servants. If you wish for me to eat, you must taste a little of my food first," Lilith suggested, her eyes sharp with calculation.
"If there is a plot to poison my food, shouldn’t my future husband take the risk for me?" Lilith asked, a slow, sweet smile creeping across her lips. "It might make me smitten with you."
"The might in that sentence is quite loud, but I agree. Walk with me to the kitchen," Cassian said, offering his hand, his palm open, awaiting her warm touch.
Lilith stared at Cassian’s hand before looking back up at his face, studying him for a long moment. "I quite like leading you, so we never forget our place in this courtship, and I know you quite like the view of my back."
"You should be careful with your teasing, Your Highness."
"At least you are a quick learner with how you address me," Lilith said, sparing Cassian a sideways glance, the faintest warmth flickering behind her eyes. "Perhaps there is some hope for you," she said before looking ahead. Her smile fell away like a mask.
Cassian followed Lilith towards the kitchen, the scent of wood and warm bread growing stronger as they neared. Cassian sent out most of the servants when they arrived.
Under Lilith’s watchful eye, the food was prepared from scratch, each step observed in silence.
Cassian stood in the far corner of the kitchen, arms folded across his chest, watching Lilith from a distance. The low crackle of the fire and the quiet sound of chopping were the only sounds in the room.
It didn’t come as a surprise that a woman whose family had tried to kill her from childhood would find it so difficult to trust anyone.
"If the princess so much as falls ill after eating this food, I will hang everyone present in this kitchen alongside your families," came Cassian’s quiet threat.
Silence dropped over the kitchen like a stone into still water. The servants exchanged wide-eyed glances before slowly resuming their work, each one moving with the careful precision of a person who felt a blade at their neck.
Lilith didn’t look away from the food, but the brief smile that crossed her lips told Cassian she had heard and that she appreciated it more than she would ever admit.
