CHAPTER 96: TROUBLE IS APPROACHING

A yawn escaped her lips as she rubbed her eyes with her thumb, forcing them open. It took a few blinks for her vision to adjust to her surroundings. Her gaze shifted to the clock, it was past nine. She had slept far longer than expected.

Lilith’s eyes dropped to the prince’s arm still wrapped around her waist, his hand resting dangerously close to her breasts. His face was buried in the volume of her hair, his soft breath fanning the base of her neck. The sensation in her stomach tightened with the sudden awareness of their intimacy.

Biting her bottom lip, she shifted slightly, trying not to wake him. But even the smallest movement was enough to stir him awake.

"Do you want to get up?" His voice was deep and husky, the sound rumbling against her back, sending a shiver down her spine.

"No," Lilith whispered, too shy to turn and face him. Her heart pounded so loudly that she feared he could hear it. The room was quiet, save for their breathing and the distant chirps of birds and clucks of chickens outside.

She tensed as he gently swept her hair aside. Her breath caught as his lips brushed the back of her neck, placing soft kisses along her skin. Each one made her tremble, her toes curling in response.

"You smell so good," he murmured against her neck, his voice thick with desire. It was almost as though he were intoxicated by her scent.

She felt his hand slide lower down her waist. "Do you want me to stop?" he asked, his lips brushing against her skin.

Lilith immediately shook her head. Her body burned for him, his touch was everything she craved and she was not going to stop him from touching her.

Her breath quickened as his hand reached the lower part of her stomach. Then he cupped her between the legs, making her gasp and let out a moan she tried desperately to suppress.

"Fuck me," he growled under his breath, suddenly pulling his hand away. He sat up on the edge of the bed, his legs now hanging off the side of the bed, his feet on the rug and his face buried in his hands. Lilith noticed he wore only trousers.

She sat up slightly, resting on her elbow. A mixture of confusion and concern crept across her face. "Is there a problem? Did I do something wrong?"

Hades ran his fingers through his hair, cursing again. He turned just enough for her to see the tension in his jaw. "No. You didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, you are doing everything so fucking right."

Her frown deepened. "Then why won’t you look at me? Why did you stop so suddenly?"

"Because if I look at you, I will lose the last thread of self-control I am clinging to, and I’ll fuck you senseless right here, right now." His voice was rough with restraint, and though he didn’t meet her gaze, the honesty in his words was undeniable. The confession sent a thrill through her, making her want him even more.

All she wanted was to pull him back into bed and let him take her completely. But he let out another sigh, this one laced with frustration.

"And I can’t let that happen," he said, softer now. "I simply can not do that."

He reached for a shirt lying beside the bed and pulled it over his head. Then, without another word, he stood and walked out of the room, leaving Lilith staring at the empty space beside her, heart pounding and skin still tingling from where he had touched her.

She stared at the door for a long moment before finally looking away, running her fingers through her hair and letting her hand come to rest on her neck. The heat of his lips still lingered there, coursing through her veins like fire. Lilith couldn’t hide it anymore she wanted the prince.

She wanted to kiss him, to feel his lips on her skin, to explore every inch of his body as he made love to her. And it was obvious he wanted the same. So why was he holding back? What could possibly be his reason?

Meanwhile, Hades moved swiftly through the snow-laced path, flakes falling steadily from the gloomy, cloud-choked sky. The wind howled low and angry, sharp enough to make most men shiver, but not him. He welcomed the cold, let it bite into his skin. It was soothing, or at least it should have been. But not even the frigid wind could dull the tension in his body, the stubborn pressure of his hardened erection still refused to subside.

As he neared the cherry blossom tree, his eyes caught a lone figure standing beneath it, back turned toward him. Hades let out a sigh. He already knew who it was.

"What are you doing here?" Hades asked, his tone hard as he approached.

The man turned slowly, his face expressionless. "This is my kingdom. I am free to visit any place I please."

Hades sneered. "How ironic. I am sure I speak for most Valyronians when I say we nearly forgot we had a king. A king who does nothing for his people but holds on to the title of a King."

Azazel’s lip curled into a smug smile. "And yet, I remain their king. Despite my distaste for the peasants under my rule, I still find it satisfying to be their master—a lord... a god."

"Your sense of humor has improved," Hades replied dryly.

Azazel’s smile twitched, faltering for less than a second, but Hades saw it.

"I’ll ask again," Hades said, voice sharp. "What are you doing here?"

Azazel turned away, his eyes tracing the blossom-covered branches as if admiring their beauty. "When she told me about this tree, I disapproved. But Celeste never listened to me, especially when it came to you. I thought about cutting down this tree many times, but I knew it would hurt her. So I didn’t but now she is gone. And now, how unfortunate... she left you so many things to remember her by, while I’m left with nothing but a fading memory I can barely hold on to."

Hades narrowed his eyes. "You pushed her away. You clung to your pride and hate. You did this to yourself. My mother bears no blame. So don’t come here again, don’t taint her beauty with your foul, unpleasant presence."

Azazel’s smile widened. "Your presence will soon become unpleasant and foul too."

Hades frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"I can see through you, Hades. I know you’re losing control of yourself,and Zal is patiently waiting, waiting to take over your pathetic, weakening mind. When he does, you’ll understand what it truly means to be Lucifer’s servant, what it truly means to be a god." Azazel said, his voice calm but heavy with authority.

"That’s never going to happen," Hades snapped. "Zal will stay buried deep where he belongs. I know you crave my ruin, but I won’t give you the satisfaction."

Azazel remained unfazed, a smug smile still tugging at his lips. "I’m not your enemy, Hades. As much as I despise you, I actually wish to help you save yourself. You have no idea what’s coming, something you can’t fight. And all of this..." He swept his gaze across their surroundings, "...will perish. You’ll stand helpless as your world burns."

Hades narrowed his eyes. "Is there something you’re not telling me? Do you know anything about the lowly demon that slithered into this realm?"

"All I can say is that trouble is approaching, something more powerful than anything you have seen or faced before," Azazel replied.

"Is it Lucifer’s prisoner? Is he the trouble you speak of?" Hades pressed.

Azazel’s smile twisted. "News does travel fast. Yes—he is the trouble. And if he escapes his captivity, then you, and everyone in this realm, are doomed."

"If this prisoner wants trouble, I’ll give him trouble," Hades said, defiant. "I’ll protect—"

Azazel stepped forward, his expression darkening. "You foolish boy. You are no savior, so stop pretending to be one. You are weak, just like the rest of the peasants here. You are no match for him. He will destroy everything."

"I won’t abandon the people of Valyron," Hades said firmly. "I’ll protect them with my last breath. Let him come. I fear no one."

Azazel sighed, disappointed. A heavy silence hung between them before he smirked once more.

"You should watch over this tree," he said, glancing up at the blossoms. "You never know when accidents might happen."

With a snap of his fingers, black smoke curled around him, spiraling into the wind until he vanished completely.

Hades exhaled deeply and walked toward the nearby bench. He sat down, casting a glance at the cherry blossom tree above him. A soft smile tugged at his lips as a single petal floated down, landing gently on his hand.