CHAPTER 189: ANOTHER DREAM

As they neared her chambers, Hades finally came to a stop. Reluctantly, he gently set her down in front of her door.

"Here we are," he said softly, his hand lingering at her waist for just a moment longer before he slowly let her go. "I suppose this is where I say goodnight."

Lilith smoothed her dress again, trying to keep her hands busy. Her cheeks were still warm from his teasing and flirting moments earlier. "I suppose so. Thank you for... escorting me back."

Hades smiled in return. "So, you’re not going to thank me for helping you conserve your strength on the walk down here?"

She looked away, her lips twitching as she fought back a smile. "You just embarrassed me in front of everyone. I shall not thank you for that, Your Highness." She returned her gaze to him.

He chuckled, his fingers brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "I suppose that’s reasonable," he said as his thumb briefly caressed her cheek. "Forgive me for causing you utter embarrassment."

Her heart fluttered in her chest. Before she could gather her thoughts to respond, Hades leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips, his touch leaving her breathless. He pulled away all too soon, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smile that made her legs feel wobbly. "Am I forgiven, love?" he whispered against her lips.

Lilith could do nothing but nod, her heart racing and warmth settling deep in her stomach.

"Very well." Hades’s eyes flickered to her lips for a moment before returning to her face. "Goodnight, Lilith."

"Goodnight, Hades," she managed to say, watching as he finally turned and walked away, his footsteps fading down the hall.

Lilith slipped into her chambers, her mind still reeling from his touch, his words, his presence. She closed the door behind her, resting her back against it as she drew in a long breath, pressing her fingertips to her lips where his kiss still lingered.

Pulling herself together, she changed into her night dress, the fabric cool against her skin. As she climbed into bed, she heard the faint rumble of thunder in the distance. The wind picked up outside, rattling the window panes. Soon, the sky gave in, and heavy rain began to pour.

The sound was oddly comforting, and she found herself falling asleep shortly after, her body tucked deep into the softness of the blanket.

But the peace did not last long.

When Lilith opened her eyes again, she found herself standing in the halls of the castle. The place, once so familiar, now appeared horrifyingly different. The walls were smeared with blood, ceilings burning and collapsing, the air thick with the pungent stench of smoke and death.

Sharp and chilling screams pierced the air echoing from every direction.

Her feet moved on their own, dragging her toward the courtyard where the chaos grew even louder. The cries of men, women, and children melded into a haunting sound that shook her to her core.

She found herself standing in the middle of the village street, where all the houses were engulfed in flames, buildings collapsing as fire devoured them. Villagers ran frantically, desperate to escape the destruction. Some screamed in agony, some pulled at debris trying to save the trapped, others simply fled, their faces twisted in terror.

It was a horrid sight.

Lilith’s breath hitched, her shoulders sagging as helplessness weighed her down. Her blue eyes, now glowing gold from the reflection of the furious flames, brimmed with tears. They streamed down her cheeks as her chin trembled.

She swallowed the painful lump in her throat, staggered backward, then turned and ran, pushing through the smoke filled streets, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

She ran until she stumbled into a clearing, a space littered with bodies. Guards, servants, villagers. Valyronians, laid in heaps, their lifeless forms burned and twisted, almost unrecognizable.

Lilith’s heart plummeted, her breath catching painfully in her throat as she stared at the corpses in front of her.

Her eyes moved up, and something red caught her attention. She squinted, trying to see through the thick smoke as a figure slowly emerged from it

Lilith’s heart dropped to her stomach.

Standing atop a small hill overlooking the burning village was a man dressed in a red cloak, the fabric billowing in the wind.

His head turned slowly, his gaze locking onto her. His eyes glowed an eerie and terrifying red. The softness she had come to love was gone. His expression was cold, distant, and void of the man she once knew.

He continued to stare at her, his face empty of recognition, like she was nothing but a stranger.

"Hades!" she called out, her voice breaking as she ran toward him. "Hades, stop this! Please!"

Without tearing his gaze away, he tilted his head to the side, and a slow, menacing smile crept across his face. Even with the distance between them, that smile sent shivers down her spine.

The wind howled around her, carrying the suffocating stench of blood and burnt flesh, making her gag. Lilith stumbled forward, tears streaking down her cheeks. "Please, Hades, don’t do this! You’re going to kill them all!"

His lips parted, and when he finally spoke, his voice was cold and cruel. "Hades is gone forever. I am Zal, and I am here to stay for eternity."

The weight of his words into her bones.

"You cannot save him from me." His voice seemed to echo inside her skull as though he whispered directly into her ear. "And you surely will not be able to when I take over his soul. I will enjoy making you my pet... Lilith."

Her heart slammed against her chest, her breaths growing more frantic as the dread settled in her bones.

Suddenly, the ground trembled violently beneath her. The fire surged higher, roaring and before she could react, everything collapsed into darkness.

Lilith jolted awake with a sharp gasp, her chest rising and falling rapidly as though she had truly been running. Sweat clung to her skin, dampening her nightdress as her heart hammered wildly against her ribs.

It was still raining heavily outside.

She pressed a trembling hand over her chest, desperately trying to steady her breathing. That’s when she felt it. She wasn’t alone.

A cold presence swept over her, freezing her in place. Her wide eyes darted to the foot of her bed and there he was.

Hades.

He stood rigidly at the foot of her bed, his posture stiff, his gaze eerily locked on the wall just above her headboard. His hair was tousled, slightly damp from the rain, the shoulders of his coat visibly wet, as if he had been outside moments ago.

His hands were tightly clenched at his sides, his entire body tense.

The flickering candlelight by her bedside cast shadows across his face, illuminating his features but his expression was distant. He looked utterly lost, as though he had no idea where he was or what was happening around him.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

"Hades?" Lilith finally whispered, her voice coming out shakier than she intended.

There was no response. He didn’t blink, didn’t flinch, didn’t move. It was as if he hadn’t heard her at all.

Lilith swallowed, her throat dry. "Hades." She called for him again, her voice steadier and a little louder this time, but the result was the same. He didn’t even flinch.

Her palms were growing clammy, her heart thudding as she cautiously crawled across the bed toward him. Slowly, she reached out and touched his arm. "Hades, are you alright?" she whispered, her eyes searching his face.

Her touch seemed to snap him back to reality. He blinked several times in confusion before his gaze finally dropped to meet hers.

"Are you alright, Hades?" Lilith repeated, concern tightening her chest.

"Yes, I am," he replied quickly, his voice low. He gently held her hand as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "I just... I zoned out a little."

Lilith watched him carefully, her brows furrowing. "Are you sure you’re alright?"

He smiled softly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Yes, love. I am truly alright." His gaze drifted to her tear streaked cheeks. "I came to check on you and... I found you crying. You were crying in your sleep. Did you have a disturbing dream?"

"Yes..." Lilith hesitated, swallowing against the tight knot in her throat. "It was a horrible, terrifying dream."

He gently brushed his fingers across her cheek, his thumb tender against her skin. "I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for causing you so much pain and suffering, Lilith."

Her brows knitted together, confusion flashing in her eyes. "You... what are you talking about?"

"I know you were dreaming about me or rather, Zal," he said quietly, his jaw tightening as if the name itself left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Her heart skipped. "How did you know? How did you know I was dreaming about the demon?"

His thumb traced soothing circles in her palm. "I felt it when you touched me. I don’t know how, but... I felt it."

Lilith’s other hand rose to cover his. "I was scared, Hades." Her voice wavered. "I’m still scared. What if I fail? What if I can’t stop him? What if.."

His finger pressed gently to her lips, halting her words. "Don’t do that, love. Don’t doubt yourself. That’s what the demon wants. Don’t give him that satisfaction. You are strong. You are powerful. You will not fail. You will succeed, Lilith. Zal will be defeated, and we will win."

Her eyes glistened, more tears threatening to spill, but she blinked them back.

"I trust you," Hades continued, "Lucian, Viktor, Charlotte, we all trust you. We believe in you."

Lilith took a shaky breath. "You’re right. I can’t let that bastard win. I won’t."

"That’s what I wanted to hear." Hades smiled, brushing his thumb along her cheekbone one last time before pulling his hand away. "It’s still midnight. I should let you go back to sleep."

He began to rise, but Lilith’s hand caught his arm, stopping him.

"Stay with me," she said softly, her eyes pleading. "Spend the night with me."

"Are you sure about that, darling?" His voice lowered, his gaze holding hers.

Lilith nodded. "Yes. I’m very sure."

His lips curved into a gentle smile. "Very well."

Hades sat back down, removing his shoes and slipping off his coat before climbing into bed beside her. Lilith settled against him, her head resting on his chest as his arms wrapped around her, keeping her close.