Chapter 20: Chapter 20 - Shifting loyalty
Lilith watched Cassian eat, testing whether the food was well-cooked before taking a bite herself. Lilith ate with no regard for who was watching, getting a much-needed fill to begin regaining her strength.
Cassian remained to one side, acting as Lilith’s royal taste-tester, his eyes rarely leaving her face.
When Lilith could eat no more, she reached for a basket, placing freshly baked bread and ripe fruit inside to share with her servants.
"I need to go back to my bedchamber. I have to finish moving because someone is paranoid, and I must plan our wedding. The nobles need to have their invitations by tonight so they can prepare to attend," Lilith said.
"You are quite adamant about getting married within a day. Eager to be my wife?"
"I want the castle back in order and the throne to be mine. You might have offered me a castle, but I am not yet the queen. You’re lacking in your gift, so I am not fully impressed," Lilith replied with dry amusement.
"I can steal a priest from the nearest church and make you the queen right now," Cassian offered his hand for Lilith to join him. "Just say the word."
"I’m the black sheep of the royal family," Lilith said, circling Cassian slowly as she eyed the kitchen exit. "The princess who led to her father’s downfall. I would like to be spared from God’s wrath by not kidnapping a priest. I do have a heart."
"Oh, do you?"
"I do," Lilith said, coming to a stop before the kitchen door. "There’s just no space there for you at the moment. I must retire to my chamber to continue the plans. Focus on getting your soldiers in order so the servants can return to their duties."
"Until we meet again, Your Grace," Lilith said, tilting her head in farewell.
"Join me for dinner tonight. This time, I will test the food, and you will eat," Cassian said, his voice carrying the quiet weight of a man who owned an army.
Lilith drew closer to Cassian, close enough to hold his gaze without flinching. "That sounds like an order, not an invitation. I don’t take orders from you."
"When I give you options, you always pick what I don’t like. I have to give orders sometimes so that you do what I want," Cassian said, watching Lilith, who found humour in his order.
Lilith chuckled, the sound low. "Duke," she said, pressing the tip of her finger firmly against Cassian’s chest. "Princess," she said, withdrawing her hand and placing it back at her side. "You might have a large army and control the castle, but you don’t order me around."
Lilith leaned close to Cassian and rose onto her toes, her voice dropping to just above a whisper. "If you want me to join you for dinner, be a gentleman and ask politely."
Cassian lowered his head, wearing a defeated smile."Can you please join me for dinner?"
"See? That wasn’t so hard, was it? I will join you for dinner. Now, excuse me," Lilith said, backing away from Cassian. "I’ve had enough of your presence."
Lilith turned away from Cassian and left the kitchen before she was forced to spend more time with him.
Outside, Solomon awaited Lilith. He avoided her gaze at first, trying to hide that he had been eavesdropping. His gaze soon dropped to the basket in her arms.
Solomon frowned as the realisation settled in. "You ate?"
It surprised him that Lilith had not fought to the end to avoid eating.
Solomon was always the one who brought her food.
"I did, and I picked out enough food for you and Mary. Hopefully, the others found food. Take it," Lilith said, pushing the basket towards Solomon.
Solomon accepted the basket, his fingers closing around the handle slowly. He had no intention of eating any of it. "You can’t trust that man. I was going to bring your food."
"I hate to admit it, but any longer and I would have fainted or died from starvation. I must put my pride aside and gather food for all of us to eat. I am returning to my bedchamber," Lilith said, leading the way.
"They have tried to poison you with every meal. Perhaps he is trying to lower your guard to find the best moment to harm you," Solomon said, his eyes moving briefly to the basket before settling back on Lilith’s retreating form.
"I ate only after he tested the food," Lilith said, growing impatient with Solomon’s questions.
"Your father was the same way," Solomon said, setting the basket down on the floor with more force than was necessary. "Making you lower your guard before he harmed you and everyone you cared for. Why would his right-hand man be any different?"
Solomon hesitated at first, but could no longer hold back. "Forgive me, but I don’t think your choices of late concerning that bastard have been wise-"
Solomon’s face swung to the right after Lilith’s hand struck him. His jaw stung, but he swallowed the pain without a word, his gaze dropping to the floor.
"I didn’t plan to wed anyone, but that is what I must do to take the throne. I stood in that kitchen, setting aside food for you under his watchful gaze. I knew how amusing it must have been for him to see me soften, but I thought of feeding you and the others," Lilith said, her voice low and laced with restrained fury.
"I have not forgotten my plans. I simply know when to stand back and take care of the people I love. If this is all because you couldn’t attack him earlier, I suggest you settle down. Was I to let you kill him and then have his soldiers imprison me? How would I reach the throne from there?"
Solomon said nothing.
Lilith chuckled softly, though the sound held no warmth. "Silly me. I was only watching how my father’s servants were misbehaving, but I should have noticed sooner that you were stepping out of line. I suggest you pick up that basket."
"A servant who questions my plans is a dangerous one. You need time to consider your actions, so go for a walk. You are done for the day," Lilith said, turning away to leave Solomon standing in the corridor.
Lilith couldn’t spend one more moment with Solomon, or she would snap. He, of all people, should never dare to think she was losing sight of her plans.
Solomon watched Lilith walk away, her figure growing smaller. His jaw was still warm where she had struck him. His hand moved to it slowly, fingers pressing against the ache as something cold settled behind his eyes.
