Chapter 18: Chapter 18 - Strangers
The hollow ache in Lilith’s stomach slowed her pace. She pressed her hand against her belly, yearning for food.
She couldn’t go without food any longer, but the danger of her food being tampered with remained.
Solomon stopped, puzzled by Lilith’s action.
"You need to eat," Cassian said, walking ahead of Solomon to stop at Lilith’s side. "You didn’t eat last night, and I am almost certain you didn’t eat the day before either."
"I am fine," Lilith said, lowering her hand back to her side. "It’s none of your concern."
"My future bride’s eating is my concern. I can’t have you too weak to lift your dagger. You will eat today," Cassian said, stepping towards Lilith, his voice leaving no room for argument. "If I must force food past your lips, I will, because I will not have you wither away."
"I’ll show you that I can still lift a dagger," Lilith said coolly, taking a step back.
"So be it, but now is not the time you will win over me. We are going to the kitchen," Cassian said, grabbing Lilith’s hand before she could pull away. His grip was firm but not rough. "Lower your sword if you want to live," he said without turning to face the sword pointed at his side.
Cassian didn’t fear a fight with Solomon. It would only be unnecessary.
Cassian’s gaze flickered to Solomon. "I have seen you raise your sword more than twice now, but you have done a poor job of protecting her. She had to kill the intruder while you were doing what, exactly?"
Solomon gritted his teeth, the muscle in his jaw tightening, wanting to strike, but Lilith didn’t give the order.
"I must find you a better guard," Cassian said, unable to put his trust in Solomon.
"I want you to unhand me," Lilith said, focused on the matter at hand. "I can walk without being pulled along by you."
"You’re also stubborn and will not want to follow me. My patience runs thin, Princess. Even with you," Cassian said, ignoring Lilith’s plea.
"Release the princess," Solomon ordered Cassian, his voice low and dangerous. "Or I’ll gut you where you stand."
"Solomon!" Lilith exclaimed, angered that he had made the threat without her order.
"It seems your father wasn’t the only one who couldn’t control his pet."
Lilith faced Cassian with a cold glare. "Unhand me," she ordered.
"No," Cassian replied, starting to pull Lilith towards the kitchen.
Solomon raised his sword, ready to strike and free Lilith for good, but before he could, Cassian turned around, using Lilith as his shield.
"You!" Solomon’s eyes widened.
With how Cassian had acted, Solomon never imagined he would stoop to using Lilith as a shield.
"Release her," Solomon said, his piercing gaze fixed on Cassian.
Cassian placed his right arm around Lilith’s waist to keep her close. The scent of damp earth and morning air clung to them both. "You amuse me with your orders," he chuckled.
Solomon gritted his teeth, infuriated by how easily Cassian brushed him off.
Cassian raked his fingers through his hair, a broad smile touching his lips. "I have been trying to be patient and let you have your way, but I am quite tired of watching you harm yourself, Lilith."
"Do I need to kill your little guard, Lilith?" Cassian asked, his gaze fixed on Solomon. "He’s not any good to you."
Lilith closed her eyes, forced to follow Cassian’s wishes. "Lower your sword and leave us, Solomon."
"But Princess," Solomon objected, staring at Lilith in disbelief.
Lilith glared at Solomon, angry that he had defied her order.
Solomon looked away and lowered his weapon, admitting defeat.
"That’s a good little puppy," Cassian teased Solomon.
Solomon gritted his teeth and gripped his sword until his knuckles whitened.
Lilith pressed the heel of her shoe down hard onto Cassian’s bare foot to silence him. "Enough," she whispered, her voice sharp as a blade.
Solomon retreated, angry with himself for not being able to protect Lilith.
Cassian loosened his hold on Lilith once Solomon was at a good distance away.
Lilith stepped away from Cassian, turning to face him with a glare cold enough to frost glass. She thought of slapping him for how he handled her.
Cassian placed his arms behind his back. "You know, I don’t see why you hate me. I know I killed your father, but considering you didn’t like him, you should be happy. Many ladies would be happy to be offered a castle."
"You were loyal to my father. You carried out all his orders, even the ones concerning me," Lilith accused Cassian, her voice clipped and precise.
Cassian frowned, puzzled by what Lilith spoke of. "Sweet Lilith, I never had any orders to target you. He used me to fight his wars, and that is where my orders end."
"I overheard the jokes he made with you, and you laughed. The ones where you could take his feral daughter off his hands and do as you pleased. I might not have been invited to sit at the tables, but I heard every word," Lilith said, her voice dropping low with disgust at the memory.
"I never accepted taking you from your father-"
"But you laughed!" Lilith exclaimed, the composure cracking in her voice. "So don’t waltz in here and act like some saviour to me."
"We were never close, so don’t expect me to warm up to you. Don’t expect me to trust you. All the men around my father were the same," Lilith said, certain that Cassian would one day aim his sword at her.
"You can’t group us all. Some of us had no other choice but to be near your father to protect our lands. I don’t know when you believe you heard me laugh, but I have never laughed or accepted the women he offered me," Cassian denied the claim.
Cassian stepped towards Lilith, closing the space between them until she could feel the warmth radiating from him. "You might have heard him make the offer, but it was not me who laughed. I swear on my life that it wasn’t me. I wish I knew the instance you spoke of, but I don’t."
"Still, we were never close. You were at my father’s side, doing his bidding, while I was off to one side, always forgotten. Stop acting as if you know me. It is upsetting. We are strangers," Lilith said, her gaze unwavering even as her voice got softer.
"You are right," Cassian admitted, his gaze softening. "I am a stranger to you. You won’t jump into my arms in a heartbeat. I will be more patient with you, but I am never going to let go."
