Cassian didn’t dare argue with Lilith about the kiss or his bath, so he sent for the servants to bring water.

In the meantime, Lilith slipped back into bed, ready to fall asleep, but the shuffle of feet and the clatter of basins as servants moved in and out of the chamber kept her restless.

The bedchamber finally grew quiet once Cassian’s bath ended, and the servants hurried away. The faint scent of lavender soap filled the chamber as Cassian walked out of the bathing chamber.

"Have you eaten?" Lilith asked, realising he might not have had a moment to eat. She had not thought to leave him any food as she sent what remained with Mary for the others.

"No, but I am not hungry. Someone once told me not to trouble the maids so late," Cassian said as he got into bed. He made the bold move of placing his arm around Lilith’s waist, pulling her close. "My uncle has just died. I need to be comforted."

Lilith eyed Cassian’s arm around her waist, but did not attempt to move it.

"You hated your uncle, and now you seek comfort from the person who killed him. Just be honest that you want to hold me because you desire me. There is no need for tricks. I don’t find humour in them," Lilith replied.

"Do you not see your own tricks? One moment you threaten me for wanting to touch you, and in another, you allow it with ease," Cassian said, though he welcomed her indecisiveness.

"Are you saying you would rather I never let you touch me at all? I can easily do that," Lilith said, tempted. "I am not used to someone trying to be so near me at every turn, so I push you away. But you are my husband. Do not grin," she added quickly, before his lips curved.

Lilith rolled her eyes at Cassian, enjoying being called her husband.

"It is natural that you would seek to touch me. I merely need to grow accustomed to it instead of always pushing you away. This doesn’t mean you must overdo it," Lilith said, certain he would soon annoy her. "I can quite easily change my mind."

"It sounds as though you are already smitten with me-"

"You couldn’t be more wrong," Lilith cut him off. "I am your wife. I cannot push away your touch. It is what marriage is all about. I will do my duties, as you should."

Lilith had time to ponder, and she knew the push and pull between them could not continue. Now that she was married, she had to compromise.

"I won’t fight your touch when we’re outside the chamber. It is good that we portray this marriage as working. Not only to the castle servants, but to the kingdom. We also have our duties to produce an heir as soon as possible, and I will do my part," Lilith assured him.

Cassian’s mood darkened at the mention of a child, and Lilith noticed.

"Does talk of a child displease you? You are aware we must have little princes and princesses in the future, right? Unless you wish to put a relative’s child on the throne? I will not stand for it," Lilith said.

"I like children, Lilith," Cassian answered, though his thoughts lingered on a future that no longer existed.

"Why does it seem you are wary about our future children then? Despite my upbringing, I was a good child to my mother. I am certain I could raise good children who need not be like me, with plotting and killing," Lilith promised.

"I have heard it all before from women raised by servants, not their mothers, about how I wouldn’t be a good mother. They didn’t see me fit to be a wife at all. I might not have had my mother at my side for long, but it was long enough to know what a mother’s love is," Lilith said, angered by the old chatter.

"Lilith," Cassian said, holding her hand to calm her. "I look forward to us having children, and I am happy that you are eager. I intend to carry out my duty to have an heir, but I don’t want to rush you."

"That is surprising. You would have the chance to make love to me until you succeed," Lilith said purposely to arouse him.

Cassian smiled and licked his lips. "Well, now you see that I respect your well-being more than what the kingdom demands. There are plenty of fears that come with carrying a child."

"I am of good age to have a child, though it would make me an easier target. To think an unborn baby could be my greatest weakness. Still, we are in the castle where there are good doctors, and I am healthy. Do I not look healthy in your eyes?" Lilith asked, daring him to answer wrongly.

"You do look healthy, but you must eat more. Before we speak further about heirs, you should go to a doctor. Besides, we haven’t made love yet for us to be concerned about heirs. Should we continue where we left off?" Cassian inquired.

"It has been a long day, and I am not going to end it with a man between my legs. I bid you goodnight," Lilith said, turning her back to him.

Cassian kept his arm around her waist. His smile faded as he pondered their past, where there had been loss.

Their first child had not lived to see a day, lasting only a few months inside Lilith. The loss was not one she took well because she had been eager to be a mother. It was a side of her that would surprise those who knew her now.

The grief pushed Lilith into a depression, which she had only slowly managed to escape before she passed away. It had taken a toll on her body.

Cassian stared at her as she rested, hoping that this second chance would also bring the opportunity for their first child to survive.