CHAPTER 141: HEAVY RAIN

She stirred awake with a soft groan, the pain in her body a cruel reminder that she was still alive. Her ankle throbbed, but it no longer burned. Her arm, though sore and stiff, had begun to regain some strength. Carefully, she flexed her fingers. The worst had passed.

Lilith sat up slowly, her movements a little sluggish. The bones hadn’t healed completely, but they had mended enough. With trembling hands, she pulled off the piece of fabric she’d used to bind her wounds. Then she wrapped it tightly around her palm, securing it with a knot.

She drew in a shaky breath and turned her gaze upward.

The mouth of the well loomed far above her. It looked impossibly high, but it was the only way out. Her fingers curled against the rough and damp stone. Lilith rose unsteadily to her feet, one hand pressed to the wall for support. Gritting her teeth, she began to climb.

The first attempt ended almost immediately. Her foot slipped on the slick rock, and she tumbled hard onto her injured ankle. White-hot pain shot through her leg. She bit down on her lip to keep from screaming, her eyes brimming with frustrated tears.

She stayed seated for several long minutes, breathing raggedly, her head bowed in exhaustion. But she wasn’t giving up.

Not now. Not after everything.

Lilith pushed herself upright and tried again. This time, she climbed higher maybe a third of the way before her weakened arm gave out. She slammed against the side of the well, scraping her elbow against jagged stone. Her entire body trembled, but she refused to stop.

No more waiting, she thought, fury burning beneath her skin. I’ve survived too much to die like this. Not in this hole and definitely not like an animal.

She inhaled deeply and set her jaw.

She found familiar crevices and began climbing again.

Every movement sent sharp shocks of pain through her limbs. Her wounds reopened slightly with the strain. Her bandaged palm throbbed. Still, she climbed. Her breath hitched and vision blurred but she kept going.

The rim of the well came into view. Her fingers clawed for it, nails cracking against stone as she dragged herself higher. Her shoulders shook violently.

"No..." she whispered in despair as her hand pressed against the iron lid. It didn’t budge.

Tears of rage welled in her eyes.

She shifted, wedging herself sideways. Her good foot braced against one wall, her back pressed to the opposite. Her entire body screamed in protest. Her chest burned and breath came in desperate gasps.

Push, she told herself. Just push.

She gritted her teeth and heaved against the lid. At first, nothing happened. Then, a slight groan, metal straining against rust.

Her foot slipped once, and she almost lost her balance, but she caught herself, panting in panic. She adjusted, screamed through clenched teeth, and pushed again.

It shifted but just a fraction.

Her heart thundered. Feeling encouraged, she pushed harder, ignoring the tearing pain in her shoulders and the fire licking through her ribs. The lid shifted again, groaning louder this time.

With a final cry, Lilith shoved one trembling hand into the narrow gap. Her fingers clawed and she shoved her shoulder through the space. Inch by inch, she forced herself through, scraping her back and arms raw as she struggled upward.

At last, with a gasp of triumph, she pulled herself over the edge and collapsed beside the well.

She lay there on the cold grass, chest heaving, soaked in sweat and blood. For a moment, she could only stare up at the sky covered with clouds.

Then the rain came.

It fell heavy and cold, soaking her instantly. Thunder rumbled overhead, and lightning split the clouds with a blinding flash. She hadn’t even noticed the storm gathering as she had been too consumed with her escape.

She lay there for a long moment, letting the relief wash over her as the rain poured down, rinsing the blood and dirt from her battered body. Then, slowly, she pushed herself onto her knees and staggered to her feet. Her legs wobbled, barely able to hold her weight, but she forced herself forward.

Each step was weaker than the last, but Lilith refused to stop walking.

She passed the laundry room, her feet dragging across the path as she made her way toward the nearest entrance at the back of the castle. With great effort, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Her vision dimmed, her body numb from hunger, thirst, and exhaustion.

Voices echoed faintly down the hallway as she leaned against the doorway, trying to catch her breath.

Viktor’s heart was pounding, dread twisting in his stomach. He couldn’t imagine what Lilith had endured, two days trapped without food or water. He moved quickly, almost running as he approached the back entrance.

And then he saw her.

He slowed and his breath caught.

Lilith stood just by the doorway, hunched over slightly, her hair a wild mess, dried blood streaking her arms and legs, her dress torn and stained. Her lips were cracked, as her eyes locked on his, and a faint smile tugged at her mouth.

"Lilith?" he whispered, his eyes sweeping over her, once, twice, before returning to her face.

Before she could answer, he closed the distance in seconds and pulled her into a tight embrace. She whimpered softly, her face buried in his shoulder. His arms wrapped around her, as if trying to protect her from everything that had happened.

Charlotte arrived moments later, her breath catching as she saw the broken girl in Viktor’s arms.

"Dear gods... Lilith," she breathed, tears welling in her eyes.

"She’s alive," Viktor said, his voice cracking with emotion.

Lilith’s knees gave way, but Viktor held her up, gently tightening his hold. "You have no idea how glad I am that you’re okay. It’s going to be alright. You’re going to be alright," he whispered, stroking her hair with trembling fingers.

"I need... water," Lilith murmured, her voice hoarse, barely audible. "I think my throat is about to crack open."

"Of course," Charlotte said quickly. "I’ll get you a glass of water right away." Then she turned to Viktor. "Take her to her chambers, she needs to rest."

Viktor nodded, lifting Lilith carefully into his arm as Charlotte hurried toward the kitchen. Lilith rested her head against his chest.