CHAPTER 58: WARMTH

The stillness stretched for what felt like an eternity before Lilith slowly peeled her eyes open. The searing heat that had consumed her moments ago was gone, replaced once more by the biting chill of the winter air. Her heart thundered in her chest, a frantic rhythm that matched the panic rising in her throat.

She lifted a trembling hand to her face and felt something wet. When she pulled it away, her palm was smeared with blood.

She gasped sharply, frantically wiping her face with the edge of her dress. It took a few desperate swipes before she cleared enough to breathe properly. Her breath came out shaky as she glanced ahead—and froze.

What had once been the carriage was now a shattered wreck strewn across the forest floor. Wood and metal were scattered like fallen leaves, as though something had hurled it through the trees with inhuman force.

Slowly, she turned her head—and screamed, scrambling backward on her hands and elbows.

A severed leg lay just feet from her.

No body. Just the leg.

Her gaze dropped to the boot on the foot, and her stomach lurched.

It was Bole’s.

She shook her head in disbelief, her eyes scanning the area until they landed on something hanging grotesquely from a tree. Squinting through the darkness, she tried to make out the figure—and froze again as dull, lifeless eyes stared back at her.

Angus.

His body was mangled, twisted unnaturally with thick branches impaling him through his limbs, torso, even his neck.

Lilith staggered to her feet, stumbling backward with wide, horrified eyes. None of it made sense. Nothing about this was possible. What had she done? What was she?

How did those men die?

Was she the one who killed them?

No—it can’t be, she thought, lifting her hands to find them trembling violently.

Lilith turned and sprinted down the lonely path, forcing her legs to move despite the pain. She didn’t stop until her chest burned and her breaths came in short, gasping bursts. She doubled over, trying to calm her racing heart—when she saw a figure emerging in the distance.

Lilith stiffened.

The figure moved with a slow, steady pace. In the darkness, she could only make out the vague outline of a man. Her throat went dry.

If it was Leonidas, then she was as good as dead. She had no strength left to run, and not energy even if she wanted to defend herself. Narrowing her eyes, she tried to make out his face, but the figure stopped just a few feet away.

Desperately, Lilith scanned the ground, spotted a branch, and snatched it up. She gripped it tightly with both hands, ready to strike. Her voice rang out, defiant despite her fear. "Who are you? Show yourself, coward!"

"Coward? You wound me, little witch?"

The man stepped closer, finally revealing his face—and Lilith’s chest flooded with relief. She would d recognize that face anywhere. But then a chill ran through her.

Leonidas had taken Fiona’s form. What if this was just another trick?

Her eyes narrowed again. "Leonidas? Are you trying to fool me again?" she snapped, her voice laced with distrust and cold fury. The wind lashed at her exposed skin, sending shivers across her entire body.

"I should have killed that bastard in the inn," the man muttered with a tired sigh. "This is what happens when you leave loose ends," he added, more to himself than to her.

A bird swooped overhead and landed beside him. Lilith instinctively stepped back, watching it closely.

Then its eyes met hers, softening just a touch. "Thank goodness you’re alive. You had me a little worried." It smirked faintly. "Just a little bit though."

Lilith stared, wide-eyed in disbelief. "G... Grim? Is that really you?"

"Of course, it’s me. Who else would you find in the middle of the forest disguised as a talking bird?" It replied dryly, feathers shifting as it slowly morphed back into its original form. "You were hard to track, you know. It was Master Hades who pinpointed your location... to this lovely death trap of a place."

Lilith let the stick slip from her fingers. Her gaze drifted past Grim to the prince who stood still and silent, watching her. For a moment, everything else melted away.

And then it hit her—all of it.

The terror. The pain. The helplessness. Every single emotion she had locked tightly inside during her capture came crashing down on her like a wave breaking through a dam.

A sob tore from her throat.

Without thinking, without hesitation, she stumbled forward, then broke into a run. She hurled herself into the prince, wrapping her arms around him tightly, clutching him like her life depended on it. Her face pressed into his chest, and she cried. She sobbed and hiccuped, her body trembling as she released everything she’d been holding back.

He stiffened, clearly startled.

But after a beat, his arms moved. One hand rose slowly to her head, his fingers brushing through her tangled hair. His touch was gentle—so gentle it shattered her all over again.

"You’re freezing," he murmured, his voice low as his fingers continued to stroke her hair with softness.

Lilith pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at him. Her face was blotchy, streaked with dirt, tears, and blood. She didn’t care how she looked. Her voice cracked as she whispered, "Something happened... I... I think I killed them. I killed two people."

"You did nothing wrong. They were evil men, they deserved to die. You did nothing wrong," he whispered, his voice low and steady, his finger brushing gently along her jawline.

"I... I..." she stammered, her lips trembling as she tried to speak through the chaos still swirling in her chest.

"Are you hurt? Anywhere?" Hades asked, his eyes scanning her, taking in the blood smeared across her face, neck, and torn clothes.

Lilith shook her head twice, weakly.

"Good," he murmured, pulling her into his arms again, guiding her head to rest against his chest.

"I feel... lightheaded. I think I’m going to..." Her voice trailed off as her body gave way, her legs buckling.

But Hades caught her before she could hit the ground. He scooped her up effortlessly, one arm under her knees, the other supporting her back. Her head fell limply against the curve of his shoulder, and he held her tightly, protectively.

"I feel bad for her," Grim said quietly from nearby, its voice solemn. "She’s badly shaken."

"They are indeed lucky she was the one who killed them," Hades replied, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "I was already looking forward to carving them up myself. But they’re dead now."

He turned toward the path he’d come from, his gaze dark and murderous. "But that fucking bastard Leonidas... I’m going to show him what true fear really is."

"Shall I begin the hunt for him, Master Hades?" Grim asked.

"No," Hades said coldly. "I need you to clean up the bodies. Dump their pathetic remains somewhere no one will ever find them."

"Very well, my Lord. I’ll see to it immediately." Grim bowed his head slightly.

As Hades walked away with Lilith cradled in his arms, Grim’s form shifted—no longer the cat like creature, but a towering, muscular man. He strode toward the scattered remains of the two men.

~~~

Leonidas had just left the brothel after an indulgent evening spent with two beautiful women. Disguised as a wealthy merchant, he had paid for the night on the man’s account whose identity he’d stolen. He would have stayed until the early hours of the morning, basking in the warmth and pleasure, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Lilith.

The thought of finally making her his thrilled him. Soon, she would be his wife. He would be able to touch her, claim her, and keep her forever. A dark thought tried to creep in—that she might already be sharing the prince’s bed—but he shoved it aside with a crooked smile. No matter. I’ll have her last... and for eternity.

Stepping out of the brothel, he took a deep breath of the cold night air, his gaze drifting up to the cloudy sky. The chill clung to him, sharp and cold. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his coat and made his way to the waiting carriage.

His cottage was only an hour’s ride from the brothel. He settled into the seat, humming to himself and already imagining the warmth of Lilith’s body greeting him upon his return. The anticipation stirred him, and he let out a low chuckle.

The journey was uneventful, the wheels rolling smoothly over the dirt road. When the cottage finally came into view, he leaned forward—only to frown.

The other carriage was no where in sight.

His brows furrowed as he stepped down and looked around the quiet surroundings. No movement. No voices. No torchlight.

He opened the cottage door and was immediately greeted by the musty staleness of an untouched room.

No one had been here.

Where the hell were they?