Chapter 106: Chapter 106 - Sharing secrets
Cassian left the dungeon without making any stops, knowing Lilith was waiting outside to confirm that it was indeed Virgil who had been caught.
"Cassian!" Lilith called, running towards him. "Is it Virgil?"
Lilith was worried they had been fooled, and it wasn’t Virgil, but all Cassian could think of was how wonderful Lilith looked as she ran towards him.
"It is," Cassian said, taking her arm to lead her away. "Both Virgil and his priests are in the dungeon. I’ve already begun rounding up the nobles who were loyal to him."
Lilith’s eyes widened, astonished at how swiftly Cassian had succeeded. "I feel more inclined to believe you now. Without your help, it would have taken ages to find him. You must hurry to write down all that you know."
"I have already written to the women, asking them to join me in the castle two days from now. I am eager to see which woman is Arthur’s lover. Once all our troubles are settled, we should celebrate," Lilith suggested.
"I thought you said you didn’t want the castle wasting food anymore," Cassian reminded her.
"I meant for the two of us to celebrate. Why would I want to surround myself with anyone else? We are the ones plotting together and succeeding. Besides, I want to hear more of your stories. I want to hear more about myself," Lilith said, her curiosity piqued by the version of her that Cassian carried in his mind.
"I thought you saw that version of you as weak," Cassian said, though he was willing to share more.
If possible, Cassian wished Lilith could see the memories that he once shared with her. If even in a dream, she would witness how they were.
"That doesn’t mean I can’t be curious. I want to know what led to the decision to marry you, and what happened after. Perhaps someone cast a spell on me to fall in love with you," Lilith mused, her tone half-playful, half-serious.
"That didn’t happen," Cassian dismissed the idea. "You fell in love with me out of your own will."
Lilith shrugged. "You don’t know that. I could secretly be from the future, and that is why I am so accepting of what you speak."
"If that were true, you would have revealed your love for me by now. We were passionate lovers," Cassian said, his gaze lingering on her. "You were guarded at times, but you loved me, and I knew it."
"Well, when I love someone, I am quite protective of them. What do you think of me killing you, to see if I can return to that future you spoke of?" Lilith asked, suggesting it merely to rile Cassian ip.
"No. Neither of us is being killed," Cassian said, shutting down the thought.
Lilith pouted. "A pity. I want Virgil to hang tonight, and no, I don’t want to watch. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing my face or knowing I came to watch him die. I want you to give him a good beating before you hang him."
"I never planned to give him a peaceful send-off. I will begin spreading proof of his crimes tonight-"
"Add that he tried to manipulate me into becoming his lover," Lilith interrupted, blurting it out before she could change her mind.
Cassian stopped walking to face Lilith. "Lilith, you don’t need to do this."
"But I want to. The mere fact that Virgil longed for a princess and tried to keep me within his grasp shows how dangerous he is. I don’t want there to be any doubt about how vile and corrupt he truly is," Lilith said, willing to share her hidden secret to prove Virgil’s evil deeds.
"After Virgil is dead, you will keep hearing whispers of what happened between you. Some people won’t care to see you as a victim," Cassian warned.
"I am well aware. There are already countless rumours about me, and far too many people despise me. If they want to gossip, let them. My focus is to expose Virgil," Lilith said, caring only about the children.
"It isn’t as though he ever touched me. Well, more than my hair. The bastard always tried to touch my hair. I once believed he cut it. I applaud myself now for escaping the church so successfully," Lilith said, proud of her younger self.
Cassian noticed how she leaned her head against his shoulder, lost in thought. Day by day, Lilith was warming to him, though she would never admit it out loud. Cassian savoured the moment as they walked side by side.
"I will send for a dressmaker to prepare gowns for you at once. You will need them when you sit with the ladies. Will you not tell me what you intend to do with Arthur’s lover?"
"No," Lilith shook her head. "I want to surprise all of you. Do not worry. I won’t harm her. I will give her a fitting and proper send-off."
"When you speak of a send-off, I fear you mean a body," Cassian said, unease present in his voice.
"And if it were a body, would that trouble you? I haven’t forgotten she tried to get close to you, to become your mistress," Lilith said, suspicious.
"Aren’t you too interested in my private life, when you claim not to care for me?" Cassian pointed out.
"I only want to avoid hearing of your old lovers thrown in my face. Nothing more," Lilith said, turning her gaze away from Cassian.
"There was nothing between us. But I wish there had been, just to see you jealous. The ice is slowly melting," Cassian said, referring to her guarded heart.
"Fortunately, winter will soon be upon us, and the cold will pass through the castle. Do not think yourself so wise, Cassian. I know what you are doing. As pleasant as this talk was, I must go speak to your mother about the gathering," Lilith said, moving away to take her own path.
Cassian stopped, watching her retreat. "Play nice."
"Only if she plays nice," Lilith replied.
