CHAPTER 70: SHATTERED GLASS

A moan escaped Lilith’s lips as she massaged her temples, peeling her heavy eyelids open. It took considerable effort to keep them from closing again—every bone in her body ached as though she had been trampled by furious horses. She had never experienced a headache this intense before; it was a clear reminder never to touch wine again.

After what felt like an eternity, she managed to lift her upper body off the bed. Her bleary eyes scanned the room and found that she was back in her own chamber, still dressed in her ball dress. She had no memory of how she got there—her last recollection was of the prince dragging her from the balcony, telling her they should retire for the night.

Everything else was a blur. She vaguely remembered joining Kathryn and her friends at the ball and having some conversations, but beyond that, nothing.

Letting out a tired sigh, Lilith struggled under the heavy weight of the dress. Quickly, she pulled it off and changed into something lighter and more breathable. Then she prepared a hot bath, grateful for the steaming water in the midst of the freezing cold morning.

After bathing, she dressed warmly, braided her hair, and left her chamber. It was still early, and most of the servants were resting, exhausted from the festivities of the previous night. Lilith decided to check if the prince needed anything before she left for her training—and to thank him for making sure she got to her room safely.

Taking a few steadying breaths, she knocked softly on the door. After a few knocks, the door creaked open. Lilith pushed it wider and stepped in cautiously.

She was surprised to find the room dimly lit, with three of the five windows draped in thick curtains. The faint light from the one uncovered window did little to chase away the darkness.

Even so in the dimly lit room, she could clearly make out the figure of a person—most likely the prince—lying on his stomach across the bed. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and the blanket covered him only up to the middle of his back, revealing the strong lines of his bare shoulders and arms.

Lilith’s eyes traveled from the broadness of his shoulders to the curve of his neck and the side of his face, mostly obscured by his tousled hair. He appeared to be deep in sleep.

She frowned. If he’s still asleep, who opened the door? she wondered.

Just then, something moved at the edge of her vision. Lilith turned and spotted Grim casually crawling out from under one of the tables. The small creature waved at her before squeezing itself through the narrow gap between the door and the doorframe.

Lilith immediately concluded that Grim must have opened the door.

Shaking her head slightly, she began to quietly tidy up the prince’s chamber, careful not to wake him. She was arranging the books on the shelf when she heard a low moan. She stilled, straining her ears to be sure she hadn’t imagined it.

The sound came again, unmistakable and pained, and it was coming from the prince.

Lilith took cautious steps toward him. His breathing had grown heavier, his chest rising and falling rapidly as though he were struggling for air. His eyelids fluttered, and his brows were furrowed together in a deep frown—it was clear he was either in pain or trapped in a disturbing dream.

A pang of worry struck her, and without thinking, Lilith found herself inching closer, desperate to ease his discomfort.

She leaned over the bed, stretching out her hand to gently touch his cheek.

The moment her skin brushed against his, Hades’ eyes snapped open—glowing a vivid, menacing red, burning straight into hers.

Lilith gasped, feeling the air sucked out of her lungs. His gaze was magnetic, dark and endless, pulling her into a pit of darkness and making her forget how to look away.

Her eyes widened as her mouth opened in a silent gasp, the glass cup behind her shattering into a million pieces, shards flying across the room. The sound must have snapped Hades out of the trance, because his irises finally shifted, confusion clouding his features as if he had no idea what had just happened.

Lilith collapsed to the ground, panting heavily as she struggled to breathe. Her trembling hands wrapped around her throat as she coughed violently. When she looked up, she saw Hades flinging the covers off himself, rushing to crouch beside her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, genuine concern thick in his voice.

Without thinking, she reached out and touched his arm.

Instantly, his expression shifted—from concern to confusion, then to pain. He stumbled backward, his face draining of color. His hands flew to his head, clutching it tightly as he squeezed his eyes shut, his entire body trembling.

Lilith stared in shock. What is happening to him? She realized this was the same way he had reacted the first time she had touched him, months ago.

Her instincts screamed at her to leave him alone, but the sight of him suffering tore at something deep inside her. She couldn’t bear to see him in so much pain. She had to help.

Hades struggled weakly as she moved toward him, but not enough to resist when she gently pried his hands away from his head. Sweat coated his forehead, neck, and bare chest, his breathing ragged and uneven.

Suddenly, Hades pulled away from her and surged to his feet, stumbling toward the window as if intending to leap out. But before he could reach it, Lilith caught his arm and yanked him backward, wrapping her arms tightly around his shoulders and neck, pressing him firmly against her chest in an embrace.

His entire body shook furiously against her. His breathing was short, desperate gasps, like a drowning man reaching for air.

Desperate to calm him, Lilith tightened her hold, refusing to let go even as his fingers dug into her arms, trying to push her awayas they both fell to the ground on their knees.

Without warning, Hades grabbed her by the arms, trying to pry her arms away from him. His fingertips began to glow orange, tiny sparks of fire crackling from them. In seconds, the places where he gripped Lilith’s started to burn, scorching through the fabric of her sleeves, searing into her skin.