CHAPTER 209: WITHIN THE PALACE WALLS

Lilith opened her eyes at the sound of the first crow from the hen. Sleep had only come to her in the late hours of the night, and even then, it was plagued by terrifying, disturbing dreams, visions so horrid she dared not put them into words.

Slowly, she rose from the bed, running her fingers through her hair. She couldn’t wait for all of this to be over and for life to return to normal.

After freshening up and changing into the first dress her hands touched, Lilith brushed and braided her hair without much thought. Appearance was the least of her concerns this morning. Once the braids were pinned neatly atop her head, she stepped out of the room, intending to head toward the crypt until distant voices reached her ears.

They were coming from the courtyard.

She halted, curiosity pricking at her senses, and changed direction. When she stepped out of the building, her eyes immediately fell on Viktor, Lucian, Charlotte, and another man she barely recognized, it was a royal guard.

Charlotte spotted her first. "Lilith! Good morning. How have you been? Are you alright?" She hurried over, looping her arm through Lilith’s and pulling her toward the men. Seeing Lilith, Viktor dismissed the guard who bowed before walking away in the opposite direction.

"It’s good to see you, Charlotte. I’m well and alive, which is good enough for now," Lilith replied with a faint smile.

"Dear gods, Lilith." Lucian’s eyes swept over her with concern. "Did you sleep at all? You look pale... and tired."

Lilith rolled her eyes slightly. "I doubt anyone can sleep when the suffocating stench of death, blood, and war fills the air." She exhaled deeply. "And every time I closed my eyes, the dreams were... horrible."

Lucian’s features softened with guilt. "I’m sorry for that, Lilith. The times are tense and dire. Peaceful sleep is a far from our reach at this time. Forgive me for my thoughtless words."

"You don’t need to apologize," she said, smiling faintly before turning to Viktor. Dark circles framed around his eyes, he looked as though he hadn’t slept either. "What were you talking about?"

Viktor’s jaw tightened. "The demon... it caused unimaginable destruction beyond the palace walls. A village was burned to the ground. Countless lives were lost, men, woman and children... even animals."

Lilith’s throat constricted. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away quickly, refusing to let them fall. Her voice trembled as she whispered, "Were there any survivors?".

"Yes, quite a lot. There were also a number of injured and there are currently being treated in the town’s clinic. It is a rather unfortunate turn of events."

A few seconds passed as they silently mourned those who had lost their lives at the evil hands of the demon.

"Lucian and I have decided to open the gates to the villagers. This palace is the only place the demon can’t enter. It is best to keep them safe here until we can get the magical pearl to him," Viktor explained.

"But there are hundreds of thousands of people in Valyron. We can’t possibly for them all within the palace walls," Charlotte added.

"You’re right, Charlotte. We don’t plan on taking everyone..."

"What!? That’s madness! You plan on leaving the rest of them to die?" Lilith cried out in anger.

"Not exactly, Lilith. He wasn’t done talking. Just listen to him." He turned to Lucian. "Please, continue."

"Like I was saying, we don’t plan on bringing in everyone because that will be impossible. Instead, we plan on finding the demon and using the magical pearl on him. But we can only hope to do that as quickly as possible." Lucian looked between the trio.

Another moment of silence passed.

"And have you thought about how that will happen? I mean, how to get the magical pearl on the demon?" Charlotte questioned.

Viktor turned to Lilith. "Have you, Lilith?"

She blinked twice, taking in a deep breath. "No, I haven’t."

"I don’t think I like this plan of sending Lilith to the demon. Seeing that having the guards with her will be useless, she will have no protection against him. What if the demon decides to harm her?" Charlotte voiced out her fear.

Viktor crossed his arms over his chest. "That is a fear, but I hope for our sake that the demon will not harm her or at least that Hades will not let him do so. That is definitely a risk we must take in order to get it done. Isn’t that so, Lilith?"

She let out a shaky breath, "Yes, you’re right. I must somehow have to get close enough to place the pearl on him."

"Everything will be alright." Lucian assured them with a warm smile. "We have sent out word for the evacuation of the villagers to the palace. By dawn, we shall open the gates to them."

"Very well. That’s good. I shall also figure out about the demon and the pearl by this night. It’s time to get this over with," Lilith stated.

"That’s wonderful. We will always be here to offer our support," Viktor said, brushing his thumb against her cheek.

Lilith’s heart warmed, a small smile appearing across her face. "Thank you. You’re so kind."

He returned her smile. "I sure am." They all chuckled and at that moment, Charlotte’s stomach growled out loud, causing her to cover her face with her palms in shame and embarrassment.

"Oh my... Forget you all heard that," she cried out.

Lilith laughed. "There’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’m also quite hungry. Why don’t we all head to the dining room and have breakfast?"

"That’s a good idea. I’m famished too," Lucian said, rubbing his stomach.

Lilith hooked her arm around Lucian’s, leaving Charlotte and Viktor to walk behind them.

"How are you doing?" Viktor leaned closer to her. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I did." She pouted. "I feel bad for having a good rest while you and Lilith had trouble sleeping."

Viktor chuckled. "There’s no need to feel bad. We need people who can think properly and aren’t sleep-deprived among us."

She glanced at him. "Are you alright? I know that’s a stupid question, but I’m genuinely concerned about you."

He looked back at her. "It’s not a stupid question. And thank you for your concern, Lucy. I won’t say I’m alright, but I’m well enough."

"That’s good enough. I understand there’s a lot going on, but I want you to try and rest even if it’s just for a few hours," Charlotte said, worry lacing her voice and features.

Viktor narrowed his eyes at her, a small smirk playing on his lips as he leaned in closer to her ear. "Well, I think that’s something you can help with."

Charlotte’s fists clenched tightly, her heart racing from their closeness. She could feel his breath against the side of her face and neck. "I... What do you mean by that?" she whispered, looking straight ahead, too scared to turn and meet his gaze.

"When I come to you tonight, you’ll find out what I mean."

Charlotte gasped. "You pervert! How can you even say that?" she cried out, slapping him lightly on the arm.

Viktor laughed at her reaction. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. Me? A pervert? Or is it you who has perverted thoughts, huh?"

Pressing her lips together, Charlotte swallowed the lump in her throat. What was this she was feeling? Why was she blushing, and why was her heart thundering in her chest? "I... The others are waiting for us." She quickened her pace, creating distance between them.

Viktor just watched her with a smirk on his face.