Lilith laid in bed, unable to sleep as she awaited Cassian’s return to the chamber. "Why is it taking so long for the news to be told?" she muttered, troubled by the thought that Richard might still live.

Lilith rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. The silence was suffocating. She needed rest, yet anticipation of Richard’s death troubled her, refusing to let her mind settle.

Someone needed to come to her soon.

Lilith lowered her gaze from the ceiling to the bedchamber, which she had not yet fully memorised. If there were an intruder, she knew only to flee to the corner where Cassian kept his weapons, should her dagger fail her.

"Why is it so untidy?" Lilith muttered, noticing even in the dim light that his weapons were not properly put away. "Did the maids not come? Oh, I sent them away."

Rising from the bed, Lilith walked across the cold stone floor to Cassian’s weapons. They had been cleaned and sharpened, meant to be stored neatly so the chamber would not appear so disorderly, yet no one had moved them.

With nothing else to occupy her, Lilith began to organise them one by one.

After a little while, the chamber door opened.

Cassian first looked to the bed for Lilith, and when he found it empty, he turned to the soldiers standing outside. "Where is my wife?" he demanded, his voice edged with worry that she had slipped away.

"I am inside. Why do you enter a chamber, not see me, and fail to search it first before you frighten the soldiers?" Lilith asked, arms folded.

Cassian turned back and saw her standing in the corner. "Why are you not asleep? Are you stealing more of my weapons?"

"Certainly not. They are all too heavy for me," Lilith said, peering down at the blades. "That is why it is taking me so long to move them. I would rather steal your daggers, but I notice there are no more."

"One dagger is enough for you, Lilith. Giving you a second would only give you another reason to fight someone else," Cassian replied, closing the door behind him. "Are you bored, or are you being a dutiful wife?"

"What about this would be my duty? I won’t often move your weapons. I only did it out of boredom, and I sent the maids away. Is your uncle dead?" Lilith asked, cutting straight to the point. "Why has no one come to inform me hours before?"

"It has been a tiring day," Cassian said, sinking into a chair. He patted his lap invitingly. "Care to join me?"

"Care to die? Never in your life should you make that motion to me again. If you won’t tell me, then I shall go find out for myself," Lilith said, stepping forward.

"He’s gone, but his sons don’t want to announce it just yet," Cassian revealed.

Lilith placed her right hand to her chest. "My condolences."

"Lilith, you are the one who killed him," Cassian said, ignoring her feigned sympathy.

Lilith smiled faintly and lowered her hand. "Still, he was your uncle, so I should say it. I wasn’t planning to kill him at first, but after our talk, I simply had to. He seemed determined to stand in my way and bring women before you in hopes of replacing me as queen."

"No one can sway me from you. You have my undivided attention," Cassian said, watching her pace slowly around the chamber.

"That sounds more like a curse than a blessing. Still, your uncle had to die. I’m sure that with him pestering your mother, you were going to kill him eventually. Perhaps she was plotting to kill him as well," Lilith mused.

Cassian’s brows furrowed. "How do you know this?"

"His gaze kept drifting to her. Your uncle was a bastard through and through," Lilith said, her eyes locking on Cassian.

"I am not a bastard like my uncle," Cassian said, reading her thoughts. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"I never said that you were. I am surprised you are not angry after finding out I was the one to kill him. Is it because you hated him?" Lilith asked, studying his expression. "What happened to your speech about me telling you of my plans?"

"This plan didn’t get you harmed," Cassian answered.

"Oh. So I can plot in secret as long as it doesn’t harm me," Lilith said.

"No," Cassian replied firmly.

"Too late. You already gave your explanation. I don’t have to speak of all my plans to you as long as they don’t harm me," Lilith said, dismissing his protest.

Lilith moved behind Cassian and placed her hands lightly on his shoulders. "I am curious how your cousins reacted. They didn’t suspect you, did they?"

"No. That is why you were so insistent that I speak of passing on my title to them, isn’t it? I was kind enough to offer the title just as my uncle wanted, so I couldn’t have been the one to kill their father," Cassian said, reaching for her hand.

"Sometimes you need to plot in the present for future events. I saved you from your cousins becoming your enemies. No need to thank me," Lilith said, leaning down to brush a teasing kiss across his forehead. "I prefer gifts rather than thanks. Like a priest’s head in a box."

"Could you do that for me, dear Cassian?" Lilith asked sweetly.

Cassian tilted his head back to look at her. "I am your husband. You act as though it would harm you to properly address me."

"There’s a little ache in my chest when I think of it. Imagine the pain if I were to say it," Lilith replied, moving away before he could touch her. "I am awfully tired, so I will be going to bed. Good night, soldier."

Cassian shook his head and rose to follow her.

"Surely, you do not think you will be welcomed in bed when you have not had your bath, Cassian. I know you are a soldier, but water is easier to come by. Go have your bath," Lilith said, halting him.

"I was only coming to kiss you good night before I send for warm water," Cassian assured her.

"See, this is why I think you are insane. Keep your lips and your hands that have not been washed to yourself. I will not be touched by a man who isn’t clean," Lilith said, folding her arms.