Chapter 14: Chapter 14 - Lovers
Lilith walked around the castle, coming up with ideas for the wedding.
"Why rush, Princess?" Solomon asked, unable to hide his curiosity. "You would have to share a chamber with that man sooner, and I won’t be able to enter."
"I can do well protecting myself, Solomon. Isn’t my intention apparent? The sooner I marry Cassian, the sooner I sit on the throne," Lilith replied, her goal within her reach.
"I can always remove him when I want to sit on the throne alone," Lilith said, plotting to do it while Cassian rested in their chamber. "It is quite easy to make a man drop his guard. All I need is to seduce him."
"His grace has taken a liking to you. Seducing him might only-"
"Make him a bit more obsessed? Men in love do the strangest things. I will make better use of him than my father ever did. I don’t like speaking of my intimate affairs with you," Lilith said, looking over her shoulder. "Don’t pry anymore."
"Forgive me, Princess," Solomon lowered his head. "I am only concerned about your well-being."
"I am aware, but I am still a princess, and you are my guard. There are certain topics about which you cannot comfortably inquire. Don’t step out of line," Lilith instructed Solomon.
A mole remained, and while Lilith trusted Solomon most, even he could betray her.
"I won’t do it again," Solomon replied and retreated three steps behind Lilith.
"Don’t pout, Solomon. You are still cherished, but I must keep some matters to myself. Too much talking spoils plans. What is that bastard doing here?" Lilith muttered, squinting her eyes at the man approaching.
"What a pity Cassian didn’t kill him," Lilith said, annoyed that the man before her still lived.
A familiar figure drew closer, wearing a cloak branded by his family’s symbols.
"Princess, you are well," Michael Fletcher, Lilith’s old lover, said as he approached her with tears in his eyes.
"Solomon," Lilith spoke softly in a bored tone.
Just as Michael reached for Lilith’s hand to hold, Solomon’s sword came to the right of her, warning Michael not to touch her.
Michael smiled, unaffected by Solomon waiting to attack. "You must get a new guard."
"And you must find someone else to bother. Tears in your eyes? Who are you trying to fool?" Lilith asked, staring at Michael’s eyes. His blue eyes glistened with water.
Michael wiped his eyes. "I thought you would like the little act. When I heard the castle was attacked, I had to come to see that you are well. I care about you, Princess."
"The castle was attacked yesterday. You couldn’t have cared so deeply for me if it took you another day to show up," Lilith said, uninterested in Michael’s feelings.
"I was ready once I heard the news, but before I blindly attacked, I needed some information about what I was up against. I promise that I thought of your safety every second," Michael said, reaching for Lilith only to be stopped by a sword.
"What a pity. You would have swayed me if you had done everything in your power to get to me. You had your chance, and you missed it. I don’t want a man who waits," Lilith said and started to walk around Michael.
"I will admit that I took a bit too long to get to you, but I am here now. I was bold enough to enter the castle to get to you. Isn’t that something?" Michael asked, offering his hand to Lilith.
"You walked into the castle without a scratch on you. Do you not find that odd? I do," Lilith said, examining Michael’s appearance as she walked around him. "Why did they allow it? Have you been plotting with Cassian all along?"
"I have never been fond of the duke, Lilith. You know that," Michael said, angered that Lilith would think it. "I have never plotted behind your back."
Lilith stopped to the right of Michael. "You must have taken me for a fool. I know you used my name to win favour with your father. Another bastard child seeking their father’s attention. That’s why we were drawn towards each other."
"I didn’t say a word that would put you in harm’s way," Michael promised.
"It would have never placed me in harm’s way. I would have thrown you into the fire when I thought you were getting too comfortable. I told you from the start that I hate men who talk too much. We are done," Lilith said, watching another figure approach.
Michael peered down at Lilith. "I love you," he confessed. "I have always loved you. My feelings should never be questioned."
Lilith tore her gaze away from the approaching figure to Michael. "How sweet. A pity that I don’t love you. I love the throne. Falling in love with me and thinking you would be my king was your first mistake. Coming to the castle today was your second."
"It was fun while it lasted," Lilith said, sighing as she walked away.
Michael grabbed Lilith by her arm. "I helped you meet with my father’s allies. You cannot use me and throw me aside."
Solomon placed his sword against Michael’s throat. "Let go of the princess," he ordered, his gaze sharp with hatred.
"Why can’t I do it? You did it to all those ladies who helped you get your father’s attention. Is it not fun when a lady does it to you?" Lilith questioned, laughing at Michael’s heartbroken expression.
"You," Michael muttered, staring at Lilith in disbelief.
Michael looked away from Lilith after noticing a man with a familiar build coming towards them. His eyes widened after seeing it was Cassian.
Cassian grabbed Michael by his collar and pushed him away from Lilith.
Lilith stood amused, watching as the two men sorted themselves out. Each one was easy to manipulate.
"Come, Solomon. Let them fight," Lilith said, uninterested in watching the fight. "Only the one who promised me the throne needs to live."
