CHAPTER 83: CLOSE YOUR EYES

Before the sun had risen into the sky, Lilith was already awake. She quickly freshened up and got ready for the day, knowing she would be continuing from where she left off with the prince. After making sure she was presentable in the mirror, she made her way to the cave. Unlike the days before, she was the first to arrive.

She glanced around for a few moments before settling down on the ground, letting the soothing sound of the waterfall fill her ears.

Where could the entrance to the waterfall be? she wondered to herself. Just then, distant voices echoed through the cave, prompting her to rise to her feet and smooth the edge of her dress as the three men entered.

"Good morning, Your Highness, Lord Lucian, and Viktor," Lilith greeted respectfully with a bow, to which they each responded with a nod or murmur of acknowledgment.

The prince was instructed to lie on the table, his wrists and ankles secured with restraints. The atmosphere was noticeably calmer and less tense now.

Lucian checked a timepiece in his hand. "I’ll set a timer for five minutes to avoid a repeat of that unfortunate incident. You may begin, Lilith."

She nodded and moved to stand behind the prince’s head. Removing her gloves, she gently placed her fingers on his temples. The process unfolded as it had on the first day—her whispers filled the air, her eyes darkened, and the prince began to thrash beneath her touch, trying to pry her hands away. This time, however, though he managed to touch her fingers, he couldn’t push her off.

When the timer reached five minutes, Viktor stepped in quickly, pulling Lilith away from the prince and holding her until her eyes returned to normal. She panted heavily as she recovered, her breathing slowly settling.

A heavy silence settled over the room, broken only by the sounds of Hades’ ragged breathing and Lilith’s strained gasps echoing off the cave walls.

"Are you alright?" Viktor asked Lilith who was now sitting on a chair, her face buried in her hands.

It took her a minute to answer, "Yes, I just need to catch my breath." She replied.

The sound of clasps clicking open echoed through the cave as Lucian unfastened Hades’ restraints. The prince rubbed his wrists briefly before climbing off the table and putting his clothes back on.

"I’ll take her to my chamber to rest," Hades said, then turned to Lucian. "Do you have the necklace?"

"Yes, I do. Just a moment." Lucian disappeared into the crypt and returned a few minutes later holding a small item. "Here. Once she puts this on, she’ll be protected, from the torment of witches or anyone who tries to harm her through her dreams." He handed the necklace to Hades. It had a glowing red, heart-shaped pendant, suspended on two thin black cords.

"Thank you," Lilith whispered, watching as Hades gently took her arm to help her up.

"I can manage by myself, thank you, Your Highness," she said quickly, but Hades ignored her protests and swept her into his arms. Lilith’s eyes widened in shock and embarrassment.

"I can walk on my own! You really don’t have to carry me," she whispered urgently, squirming a little, but Hades continued walking, exiting the crypt with ease.

"Please, Your Highness, this is very inappropriate. It’s daytime, and someone might see us," Lilith murmured, her face flushed with mortification. She felt like she might die from the embarrassment if anyone caught sight of her in the prince’s arms.

Hades turned his head to glance at her, a smirk playing at his lips. "Inappropriate? I don’t think so. And even if it is, I truly don’t care. If it would make you feel better, I can order anyone in my path to close their eyes."

Lilith’s eyes widened even more in horror. "No! Don’t—"

"Lower your heads and shut your eyes until I am out of sight," Hades commanded in a loud, authoritative tone.

Three servants, who had been a few feet ahead, immediately obeyed, bowing their heads and shielding their eyes as he passed.

Lilith wished the ground would open and swallow her whole. Her lips pressed into a thin, mortified line as Hades carried her up the stairs and into his room. The moment they stepped inside, Lilith hastily jumped out of his arms and put a few feet of distance between them.

Her heart was pounding hard in her chest. "You were worried about nothing, it wasn’t that bad, was it?" She heard Hades say, as she turned her head in his direction and glared at him.

The prince still had the audacity to smile, as if he hadn’t done anything wrong. Well, technically, it was more inappropriate than wrong.

"I shall return to my chamber now," Lilith said with a frown, stepping forward to walk past him. But Hades caught her arm, gently pulling her to stand directly in front of him—so close she could smell his subtle scent. For the first time, she noticed his golden eye. It glowed brighter now, more mesmerizing than ever.

"You forgot the necklace," he said, his warm breath brushing against her face.

A sensible part of her urged her to step back, but her feet remained firmly planted. Her eyes dropped to the necklace dangling from his raised hand.

Lilith reached out to take it, but he drew it away with a slight smirk. "I’ll help you put it on," he said.

Before she could object, he was already leaning forward, placing the necklace around her neck. She wasn’t even looking at him, but she could feel his gaze, intense and unwavering, igniting a nervous flutter in her chest.

He took her arm and guided her to the large mirror. They stood together, his presence wrapping around her from behind.

"Keep it on at all times," he said softly from behind her.

Lilith tried to focus on the necklace, but his gaze in the reflection pinned her in place. She could feel the heat radiating from him, a warmth that settled deep into her skin.

Without breaking eye contact, Hades slowly pulled off his gloves. "I want to touch you," he whispered, his voice low and thick.

Lilith didn’t speak—she couldn’t. Her mind was too clouded by his presence, her heart thudding so loudly she thought he might hear it. Deep down, she also wanted to feel him—to know what his bare touch would feel like.

He reached up and removed the pin from her hair. It unraveled instantly, cascading down her shoulders in thick waves.