Chapter 18: Tough breakfast
Lilith remained on the bed, her mind a storm of conflicting emotions. Her gaze fixed on the ceiling, her thoughts seemed to swirl endlessly, a maelstrom of anger, regret, and confusion. She hadn't moved an inch since Ava's departure, replaying the moments in her mind - the kisses, the caresses, the betrayal.
The events of the previous night were etched into her memory, the passionate exchanges with Ava, followed by the sharp sting of the dagger, the blood, and the searing anger in Ava's eyes. Lilith couldn't shake the sense of longing that lingered despite the betrayal, the way Ava had made her feel, both desired and desirable.
Feeling the weight of it all, Lilith eventually rose from the bed and walked into the bathroom. She filled the tub with warm water, the soothing sound of water filling the room. The bath was a brief respite from the maelstrom of thoughts, offering a moment of tranquility amidst the turmoil.
Lilith emerged from the bath, her body cleansed but her mind still heavy with the weight of what had transpired. Exhaustion tugged at her, and she slipped into sleep, seeking solace within the realm of dreams.
The next morning, a voice roused Lilith from her slumber. Her father stood before her, and Lilith's mind struggled to catch up with reality. She stretched and yawned, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.
"You are truly my pride and joy, Lilith," her father's words were unexpected, and a sense of bewilderment washed over her. As the sheet was removed from the bed, Lilith's confusion only deepened. Something had clearly transpired, but Lilith was still in the dark.
"Ava told me that everything went well last night and that you had consummated your marriage, and here is the proof," the king's words hung in the air as he pointed to a spot of blood on the white sheet. Lilith's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but the truth was that Ava and Lilith had not consummated their marriage; it had all been a facade.
"Yes," Lilith replied, feeling the weight of deception heavy on her chest. Her father's embrace was warm, but Lilith felt a mixture of guilt and confusion that prevented her from fully embracing the moment.
"Hurry up and prepare yourself, a real feast awaits you for breakfast," her father's tone was filled with a sense of excitement, a stark contrast to Lilith's internal turmoil. With his departure accompanied by a maid, Lilith was left to grapple with her emotions in solitude.
She made her way to the bathroom, taking a long, contemplative shower before dressing in simple attire. The path to the dining room felt like a journey through a fog of uncertainty, each step carrying a sense of trepidation.
Lilith stood before the dining room door, her heart racing in her chest. What was she going to say to Ava? What were they going to do? She hesitated before finally pushing the door open, stepping into the room. Her father and Ava were already there, consumed by their meals. Ava's eyes didn't lift to meet Lilith's, and a chill seemed to settle over the room.
Lilith took a seat next to her father, but his words made her movements halt. "What are you doing, Lilith? You're supposed to be sitting next to your wife now," he said, directing her to Ava's side. The situation was surreal, the tension palpable as Lilith shuffled to sit beside Ava.
"Hey," Lilith's voice was soft, a feeble attempt to bridge the emotional chasm that seemed to separate them. Ava's response was a cold nod, her gaze distant and guarded.
The breakfast unfolded in strained silence, a stark contrast to the celebrations of the previous day. Lilith's heart ached as she stole glances at Ava, unable to decipher the mix of emotions that played across her face.
Once the king left, Lilith and Ava were left alone at the table, the weight of the situation hanging heavy in the air.
She could feel Ava's eyes burning into her, but she couldn't bring herself to look at her. She knew she had to say something, anything, to break the unbearable silence. She cleared her throat, trying to sound calm and composed. "I think we should talk…" she began, but her voice trailed off as she saw Ava's expression.
Ava's face was a mask of fury, her lips curled into a snarl. She slammed her fist on the table, making the plates and cups rattle. "You think we should talk?" she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "You think you can just walk in here and act like nothing happened? Like you didn't stab me ?"
She stood up, her body tense and ready to strike. "You don't get to talk, Lilith. You don't get to explain yourself or apologize or beg for forgiveness. You don't get to do anything but listen to me." She leaned in closer, her breath hot on Lilith's face. "You want to know why I changed for you? Why I tried to be someone I'm not? Because I cared about you, Lilith. I cared more than you can ever imagine. I wanted to be your friend, your ally, your partner. I wanted to share my secrets with you, my hopes and dreams and fears. I wanted to trust you, Lilith. But you betrayed me. You betrayed everything we had."
She stepped back, her eyes flashing with fire. Literally. Flames erupted from her hands, her hair, her clothes, engulfing her in a blaze of red . Lilith gasped, feeling the heat sear her skin. She had never seen Ava so angry, so powerful, so dangerous.
"I don't want to hate you, Lilith. But you make it so damn hard," Ava said, her voice cracking with emotion. "You disappoint me more than anyone ever has." She turned away, ready to walk out of the room and out of Lilith's life.
Lilith felt a surge of desperation, a last-ditch attempt to salvage something from the wreckage of their relationship. She reached out and grabbed Ava's hand, pulling her back. "I'm sorry, Ava," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry." She leaned in and kissed Ava, hoping to convey everything she couldn't say with words.
But Ava didn't kiss her back. She pushed Lilith away with a force that sent her tumbling to the floor. She looked at Lilith with a mix of pity and disgust. "I don't want your kiss, Lilith. I don't want anything from you." She shook her head and walked out of the room, leaving Lilith alone.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone