The Tyrant King Is Obsessed With Me

Chapter 25: Chapter 25 - Culprit

"The castle is on lockdown, and we’re searching every corner for the two of them. Anyone Princess Thalia could turn to is being watched. What would you have me do?" Eric questioned, awaiting Cassian’s instructions.

Cassian held Lilith’s hand and ran his thumb slowly over her bare finger where a ring would one day sit. "Keep searching for them and bring them to me."

"As you wish-"

"No," Cassian stopped Eric before he could finish. "Stay here with Lilith. You are the only one I trust to protect her."

Eric’s eyes widened as Cassian turned, revealing the raw emotion in his expression. Seeing how deeply Cassian cared for Lilith, Eric regretted what he had told Cassian earlier.

If Lilith meant everything to Cassian, Eric could set aside all reason and protect the woman Cassian loved.

"I will protect her with my life and send for you the moment she wakes," Eric promised, his gaze lingering on Lilith’s still body. "She will wake, Your Grace. She will appreciate you capturing that traitor."

Cassian gave Lilith’s hand a small squeeze as he rose to his feet. The softness left his expression the moment his eyes moved from her face.

The night would not end without blood being spilt in the castle.

Eric stepped aside as Cassian exited the chamber. "Get back to work," he said, turning to Jonah. "Our lives are still at stake here."

"Right away," Jonah said, returning to his medicines. "I would like to examine the wine his grace mentioned. There may be a way for me to determine what she ingested so I can help her to fully recover."

"I will have someone bring it to you," Eric said, taking Cassian’s earlier seat and settling his gaze on Lilith.

Jonah glanced at Eric before turning back to his work, the clinking of glass jars filling the quiet chamber. "If I might ask one simple question. Are we safe with Duke Mortimer?"

Jonah looked over his shoulder at Eric. "Before all of this, he was a man celebrated by the kingdom for his victories in war, but now he threatens to take my life as though it means nothing."

"His grace cares for all the people in this kingdom. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have risked his life at war. There is just one small detail that has changed," Eric said, his eyes moving to Lilith. "Your life is not more important than the woman lying on that bed."

"I fear she is the one reason he would turn his blade on the entire kingdom. He would succeed in destroying it too, because every soldier who marches behind him would follow his command to the end. Even me," Eric said, giving Jonah a look that left no room for doubt. "So work."

Jonah had begun to feel as though death had already claimed the space around him.

The castle had always carried an uneasiness in its walls, a heaviness that settled in the chest the moment one stepped inside, but now the threat of death had moved closer still.

Jonah’s hands trembled as he reached for the glass jars of herbs, his fingers slipping. He feared he didn’t have the right answer, and that at some point, the princess would simply stop breathing.

"Calm yourself. If you tremble and mix the wrong medicine, your head will roll next, and I will be the one to do it. Take a moment to steady yourself, then continue," Eric instructed Jonah. "Your Highness?" He rose so quickly his chair scraped against the stone floor.

Lilith moved her hand slowly to rest at her neck. Her throat burned, and her body felt as though all the strength had been drawn out of it. "You... You are both troubling me. Get out," she managed to speak.

"Your Highness, I can’t," Eric refused, certain Cassian would strangle him if he did.

"I will bear the consequences," Lilith said, her eyes closing for a moment. "I want to be alone. Just for a moment. Guard the door."

Eric hated the timing of it all. That Cassian was away at the very moment Lilith had opened her eyes. "Just for a moment," he agreed. "The door stays ajar. Leave," he ordered Jonah.

Lilith watched the two men walk out, her gaze following them until the door closed just a little.

When silence fell over the chamber, Lilith closed her eyes. She should have been used to this pain by now, and yet it still hurt just as much as it always had.

Lilith rolled carefully onto her side so her back faced the door. Her breathing was laboured, and the threat of vomiting pressed at the back of her throat, but she held it back.

Lilith pressed her hand to her throat. She took slow, deep breaths, working through the pain. Her eyes stung with tears she refused to shed.

Lilith’s hand moved from her throat to the bodice of her dress. Hidden inside her corset was a tiny bottle, cool against her skin, holding the answer to her current problem.

Lilith used what little strength she had to open the bottle, but it slipped from her fingers. She muttered a quiet curse against the pillow.

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Lilith eventually opened the bottle and drank the antidote down to the last drop. Her body felt cold, so she wrapped her arms around herself to hold onto the little warmth she had left.

Lilith yearned for the warmth she had felt when she slept. Lilith examined the chamber, taking in the shelves of bottles and books.

It was clearly a doctor’s chamber, but where was Cassian?

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"Eric," Lilith tried to call towards the door, but her voice didn’t reach at first. "Eric!"

"Your Highness," Eric came through the door quickly, fearing she was dying.

"Where is the duke?" Lilith asked, genuinely surprised he had not remained.

"His grace has gone to find Princess Thalia and your guard. We received word that your guard helped the princess to escape. I’m sorry," Eric said, assuming Lilith would be devastated by the news.

"Is that so?" Lilith said, staring at the white wall. "Do inform me whether they succeed in escaping, and send word to Cassian that I wish to see him. Right now," Lilith commanded Eric.

"Your Highness, I don’t-"

"He will want to know that I am awake, and I can help to calm him. Would you rather delay the message or give him the relief of knowing I am well?" Lilith asked, already knowing the answer.

"I will send for his grace," Eric decided, and left without further hesitation.

Lilith’s body shuddered, the cold refusing to release her. Lilith raised her right hand slowly so she could see it better in the candlelight.

The poison she had traced alongside the rim of her glass still lingered on her fingertips.