CHAPTER 155: ANYTHING FOR YOU

Lilith stood by the chest near her bed, carefully folding the last of her dresses and tucking them into the trunk. The room was dimly lit by candlelight flickering on the walls. The journey ahead was necessary, she knew that but the ache in her chest only deepened with each item she packed.

She had just reached for one of her scarves on the table when the door creaked open behind her. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. She could feel his presence.

Hades stepped in, dressed in his usual attire. His eyes met hers in the reflection of the mirror across the room. For a heartbeat, neither of them spoke.

"I see you’ve made progress," he said quietly, his voice rough around the edges.

Lilith offered a faint smile and nodded. "Mostly done," she replied, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Just a few more things to pack."

Hades walked further in, the door shutting behind him with a soft thud. "I’ve spoken to Viktor," he said after a moment. "He’ll be ready to leave with you at dawn tomorrow." His gaze drifted to the travel bag by the hearth, then back to her. "Everything’s been arranged."

Lilith’s heart sank, though she had prepared herself for this moment all day. "I know it’s only for a while," she murmured, "but it still feels like I’m leaving something behind."

"You’re not," he said, stepping closer.

She turned to face him fully now, her lips slightly parted, her hands unconsciously clutching the edge of the table behind her. The space between them shrank.

"This is much harder than I thought," she whispered.

"It is," he agreed, his eyes briefly dropping to her lips before locking with hers again. "But we’ll survive. It’s for the best."

Lilith’s breath caught. "I’m going to miss you," she said softly.

"So will I," he admitted, stepping close enough for her to feel the warmth of his body. "Forgive me for putting you through all this."

"Don’t apologize. It was never your fault, none of it was." She looked up at him, eyes shining. "I want you to kiss me."

He didn’t hesitate.

His hand reached up to cradle her cheek, his thumb brushing along her jaw as he lowered his head and kissed her. It was gentle at first, slow and deliberate, like he was trying to memorize the way her lips moved against his. But as she leaned into him, the kiss deepened, growing more urgent. Their breaths tangled, and he pressed her gently back against the edge of the table, his hand sliding to the small of her back.

Lilith pulled away, just a little, her hands pressing against his chest. "Just one night," she breathed. "Stay with me. Just tonight."

He pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers as he whispered, "As you wish, my love."

She nodded, wordless, and he kissed her again, softer this time, slower.

They moved to the bed, the folds of her gown rustling softly as he helped her sit on the edge. His fingers found the laces at the back of her dress, moving with slow precision, not rushed, as though she were something sacred.

In return, her hands trembled slightly as she undid the buttons of his coat, one by one. Her fingers brushed over the curve of his collarbone, and she swallowed, marveling at how breathtaking he was, so painfully beautiful it made her chest ache.

They lay together under the warm flicker of candlelight as he explored her slowly, his hands gliding across her skin as though he were memorizing her, piece by piece. Lilith’s fingers tangled in his hair and then slid along his shoulders, pulling him closer. Their mouths met in the dimness as the kiss deepened.

His lips moved over hers full of need, the kind of kiss that said everything words couldn’t. Her hands cupped his jaw as he kissed her again deeper, his lips molding against hers with such heat it left her breathless. He kissed the corner of her mouth, then the other, before tracing a path along her jawline and down the delicate slope of her throat, making her shiver.

She arched into him slightly, her breath catching as he whispered her name against her skin. When their mouths found each other once more, the kiss was fiercer, more consuming. He devoured her with a hunger that had nothing to do with lust and everything to do with longing. Her lips parted to him, welcoming, and their kiss turned into something that both ignited and soothed.

Much later, after silence settled between them, Lilith lay with her head resting on his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heart. His arm was wrapped around her waist, holding her close to him.

"How do you feel about meeting your stepfather after so long?" he asked, his lips brushing gently against her temple.

"I truly don’t know. I guess I’m nervous about seeing him again, we didn’t exactly part on quite good terms." Her voice was husky with exhaustion, heavy with sleep.

"I’m tempted to show him a bit of discipline for how he treated you," Hades muttered, his tone darkening. "I don’t think I’ll be able to look at him without wanting to put a knife through his chest."

Lilith looked up at him. "The painful truth is, I don’t want him to die. His daughters need him. He’s been a good father to them, and I don’t want to take that away from them."

Hades kissed her again, this time longer, deeper, his lips lingering on her forehead, then drifting to her cheek, and finally her lips.

"You’ve always been too kind, Lilith. Though I still think his daughters would survive just fine without a man like him. Hopefully, he’s smart enough not to lay a finger on you again or I can’t promise he’ll remain in one piece after I’m done with him."

"He won’t hurt me again," she whispered, nestling closer. "I’m not the same girl he knew. I’m stronger now."

Hades smiled faintly and ran his thumb along the curve of her shoulder, his eyes fixed on her face like it was the only thing in the world worth looking at. "That’s right. You are stronger now and I’m proud of you."

She leaned forward and kissed him with a teasing smile. "Aren’t you a sweetheart?"

He chuckled softly. "Only for you, darling. I’ll be anything you want me to be. All you have to do is say the word."

Then his hand slid to the back of her neck, fingers threading through her hair as he pulled her in once more. His kiss was searing this time, full of heat and emotion. His mouth moved along her jaw, then trailed back to her mouth, claiming her again in a kiss that stole her breath and left her dizzy with want.

Finally, after several heartbeats, he drew back, eyes lingering on her swollen lips.

"As much as I would like to continue kissing you," he murmured, voice thick, "I have to let you sleep. You’ve got a long journey ahead of you tomorrow."

Lilith gave a sleepy nod, nestling back against his chest. He wrapped his arms tightly around her as she closed her eyes, letting sleep claim her.

They drifted off with their limbs tangled and hearts bared. And in the quiet hours of the night, Hades dreamed of nothing, but her.