Free Web NovelChapter 38: Chapter 38 - A slim chance
"I am not some monster who wants to harm children, but the prince will get in my way. Yes, it is awful to send him away from all that he has ever known, but it is better than death. I could have been cruel enough to kill him and have no rivals," said Lilith.
"I merely don’t want you to have any regrets, Lilith. I have changed my mind about the fresh air," Cassian said, considering what Lilith had wanted earlier. "The priests should be on their way out, so why don’t you join me for a walk?"
"I hope you won’t always reject my ideas and then, when the moment has passed, offer them as though they are your own. We could have been back from our walk already if you didn’t want to be so controlling," Lilith said as she rose to her feet.
"Would you prefer to stay in the bedchamber? I can easily change my mind," Cassian said, daring Lilith to challenge him.
"Why would I fight this when I want to get out? I am only telling you to come up with your own ideas," Lilith said as she walked past Cassian.
Cassian followed Lilith towards the door.
Lilith glanced over her shoulder at where Cassian walked behind her. "As fun as it is to lead you, my future husband should walk at my side. Only servants walk behind me. Must I teach you how to be a royal?"
"Only if there is a kiss offered every lesson-"
"I prefer you walk behind me now," Lilith said, looking forward once more.
Cassian stepped around Lilith to the door and opened it. "I don’t mind walking behind you. The view is good."
"I am certain it is. A pity I don’t get the same experience when I look at the front of you," Lilith said, a smile growing on her lips as she spoiled Cassian’s mood. "A gentleman shouldn’t stare at a lady with lustful eyes, but then again, you just might be a brute."
"Your eyes and your mouth don’t seem to agree on what you say. I see the way you look at me," Cassian said, still happily following Lilith out of the chamber.
"I’m afraid you misread my expression. Hasn’t a lady ever been annoyed with you? In time, you will learn and not mistake it for interest. If I want you, I shall be honest and tell you," Lilith said, her gaze ahead as she examined the castle’s corridors.
Cassian fell into step beside Lilith. "What is it about me that holds back your interest?"
"This. Your need to have me interested in you. You should let it come naturally instead of trying to rush it," Lilith answered.
"Lilith, I am quite certain that if I don’t make any effort to court you, you will go on forever trying to distance yourself from me or guard your feelings," said Cassian.
"That isn’t true. I am open to the idea of us one day becoming so close that we might actually like each other, but I am not going to force it simply because we are getting married. Marriage gives you a chance," Lilith said, though the chance was quite slim.
Lilith glanced at Cassian and noticed his hopeful expression. "You must remember what I said about manipulating you. If I can so easily do it, I worry about others succeeding. Stop thinking about courting me. You’re already getting me to marry you."
"If I had more time, I would have courted you with gifts, as other ladies have experienced."
"You have already done that. You may have forced this union upon me, but you gave me three wonderful gifts. My old fiancé’s head, my father’s head, and you gave me a castle. Killing Arthur counts as a small gift. If I had to choose from other men, you would be my first," Lilith admitted. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
"I hate that I don’t know when you are being honest or trying to make me feel good only to toy with me," Cassian said, though he knew this time was not the latter.
"Most times I have tried to fool you, I pointed it out. Did I not? I am trying to help you prepare for dealing with others in the castle. How wonderful of me," Lilith complimented herself.
"You are also doing it to amuse yourself. To see how much I would believe."
"That is true," Lilith admitted, a laugh slipping through her words. "I haven’t had this much fun in ages. If you want to offer me another gift, when it comes time to kill our next enemy, let me have a swing. You must make up for not letting me kill my father."
"That’s just what every man wants to hear from his future wife. Bringing her a person to slaughter," Cassian said, and was met with laughter from Lilith.
Lilith covered her mouth with her right hand, trying to hide her smile. "Well, this is the woman you have chosen. I like to repay my enemies with a wonderful lashing. Do think wisely about our current enemy. I greatly hate that man," she said, her voice dropping as she thought of Virgil.
"Deliver his head on a silver platter, and I just might reward you with the kiss you have been seeking," Lilith offered as a joke.
"On the lips or the cheek?" Cassian asked, weighing the reward.
Lilith stopped to stare at Cassian, certain her ears had deceived her.
Cassian stood before her, wearing a boyish grin that might have swayed her when she was younger, but she was grown now and unimpressed.
"Your mind concerns me," Lilith muttered, taking a step back from Cassian. "Bring back the man who faced my father in the throne room. He was slightly better."
Cassian leaned forward and was met by his own dagger pointed back at him.
"You’ve become a thief, Lilith. Are you planning to mark me again?" He questioned, tilting his head so that the old wound Lilith had made was visible. "You may do it, but I will be inclined to mark your neck with my lips."
