Chapter 77: Chapter 77 - Pleasant morning
Harold lowered his gaze, deciding not to question Virgil’s order any longer. "I shall instruct the others not to disturb you. Before I go, what would you have me do about the people wanting prayers?"
"They must wait for now, as one careless mistake could have us following in Faith’s footsteps. We cannot reveal our positions, and there are still priests left in the church. If we are fortunate, the people will become concerned about my absence and rise," Virgil said.
Virgil yearned to see the kingdom rise against the castle on his behalf.
"We all look forward to hearing Heaven’s words and blessings, so I am most certain the townspeople will soon come to support you. I will pass on the orders," Harold said, bowing his head before leaving the room.
Virgil remained still for a moment before turning back to the window, where the faint flapping of a bird’s wings echoed against the stone walls. He walked to the window to get a better look at the courier pigeon.
On the bird’s foot was a note tied with a string. Virgil untied it carefully and unrolled the small paper to read the contents.
His brow furrowed, annoyed by the noblemen requesting to see him at a time when he had to remain hidden. None of them could be trusted, and with Cassian rising to take the throne, many would be watching from the shadows, deciding which side to take.
Virgil lifted the bird, carrying it inside. He held the note over the flame of a candle, watching the edges curl and blacken until it crumbled into ash.
"I should dispose of them," Virgil muttered, wanting nothing more to do with the nobles.
They were nosy, meddling men, but still, they were easy to control, with most believing his words of Heaven’s wishes and the kingdom’s future.
Virgil set the bird down on the table and moved to fetch the bag he kept close. Inside was a book where he recorded the children who came from the orphanage and those sent by families for the church to guide.
He opened the book to the page he had last read. "One is missing," he murmured, tracing the ink with his finger. He had yet to bring this fact to the attention of the priests, for it would mean revealing where the children had gone.
Virgil eyed the bird, which picked at its feathers with a soft rustle. "Pretty girl," he said, his voice gentler now.
He recalled the day he had found her, crying loudly after falling from her nest with a broken wing. Virgil had kept her at his side, feeding her and tending to the injury until she could fly again. In return, she had remained a loyal companion.
"How fortunate for you that you were easy to tame," Virgil said, stroking the bird’s head. "I was quite close to clipping your wings."
The bird was proof that, with the right handling, Virgil could guide or fix anyone given enough time. If he could not, he would break them from within. With his followers, he poisoned their minds.
Virgil decided against sending a response to the nobles and sank to his knees to start his prayers. His daily prayers calmed his thoughts, bringing fresh ideas for the new day.
***
Inside the castle the next morning, Cassian stirred in bed. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands, then opened them to find Lilith lying on her side, staring at him.
It might have been a terrifying sight if not for the fact that he was madly in love with her.
Cassian smiled, savouring the sight of Lilith so close. "Is this a secret habit of yours? How many nights have you watched me rest, and for how many hours?"
"I would not rejoice if I were you," Lilith said, her gaze shifting away. "It is not as you think."
Cassian rolled onto his side, now the one watching her. "You weren’t pointing a dagger at me, so it wasn’t in your plans to kill me. Were you admiring how handsome your husband is?"
"No. I found it odd how you sleep with your guard down when you know there is a dagger under my pillow. Is there a dagger under your pillow?" Lilith wondered, slipping her hand beneath his pillow, only to find nothing. "You are trusting of me."
"I got off the bed, yet you didn’t stir in your sleep, as though you sensed no danger," said Lilith.
"There is no danger in the chamber as long as it is the two of us," Cassian replied.
Lilith moved to rise, but Cassian caught her hand. "I have not yet had a good look at you."
"Would you like me to have a portrait done so you don’t need to ask this of me again? I can place it right over the bed for your sake," Lilith offered, her tone dry.
"For it to fall on us during our slumber?"
"Us? You are the one who wants to stare at me, so it would be on your side. If it kills you, do not think for a second I would change how your death is written in history books," Lilith said, her gaze lowering to where his hand held hers. "I must start my day."
"We have had a busy two days, Lilith. Let me look at you," Cassian said, his tone carrying more of a command than a request.
"What a mighty tone that is," Lilith said, lying back on the bed. She placed her right hand against his bare chest, her finger tracing down his abdomen. "I have noticed that sometimes you speak to me as you do with your soldiers."
"And I have noticed that you quite enjoy it," Cassian replied with a smile.
"Hmm. It does amuse me when someone tries to order me around. Usually, it doesn’t end well for them, as I am petty. But since you’re a cute little man, I shall let you have your moment. Oh," Lilith said, her gaze flicking briefly to his lower body. "That is enough to get a rise out of you? How amusing."
