Lilith’s P. O. V
The cool stone in the room felt oddly nice against my feet as I finally pulled away from the busy day. My hand naturally went to my arm where I felt a slight sting from where Adams’ claws had stabbed me in his rush.
It was a careless mistake caused by worry and too much anger. But the wound was already fading. My skin, which was blessed with the strength of the moon goddess, was smooth and unmarked.
I stood in front of the mirror while seeing my surprised face in the smooth glass. It was a known feeling, the fast healing and the odd link to the moon that lit up the night. I reached out with my fingers gliding over the cool glass with a quiet wish in my heart.
“Mother Moon,” I whispered softly, “please guide me. Show me the way ahead.”
But the mirror stayed quiet just showing my worried face. The goddess who had given me so much, stayed hidden in her silence. A spark of doubt and a feeling of unease moved through me. Was this a sign? A warning?
A loud knock on the door surprised me. “Your Highness? Lilith dear?” Adams’ voice, which was deep and worried, broke the silence.
“Come in,” I said with my voice getting steady again.
The door slowly opened and Adams walked in with his expression relaxing when he saw me. His presence filled the room, bringing warmth that eased my rising worry. He moved forward carefully with his face showing regret. “Lilith,” he said with his voice filled with regret, “I’m really sorry for-”
“It’s okay Adams,” I said while raising my hand to pause him.
“Mistakes happen.” I felt sorry for him. He was so focused on his work and problems that even during his softest moments, worries were still there.
“So how was your trip to Crescent Grove?” I asked to distract him.
He paused briefly with his strong jaw tightening and his usual confidence fading a bit. “When we got there my dear,” he said with his voice serious, “the rogue forces had already attacked the village. It was…a slaughter.” His shoulders drooped with the burden of his duty heavy on him.
“My warriors rode bravely, but it was too late for the village. We managed to save a little girl but…” His voice faded as he was unable to express the depth of the nightmare he had seen.
My stomach turned. Augustus the rogue king was a constant danger to Adams’ power, and he had attacked again. I felt a cold shiver run down my back and a bad feeling settling in my stomach. It was a cruel game and an endless loop of violence and innocent people always got hurt.
A gentle knock on the door signaled a servant with her voice a respectful but hurried whisper. “Your Highness, dinner is ready.”
“Thank you,” Adams said with his voice sounding more like normal again. He looked at me with a hint of concern still in his eyes. “Should we go Lilith?”
“Hold on, Adams,” I said, while taking a moment to collect my thoughts. “I have to clean up before I come with you.” Once he left, I took a deep breath while feeling a bit calmer. I had to seem strong. I had to help him and be a source of support in this rising chaos.
I quickly fixed my clothes, brushed my hair and straightened my face before going to join Adams in the dining hall. The room was filled with the warm light of flickering torches and the air smelled strongly of roasted meat and herbs. We sat down at the long and grand table with the shiny wood shining with the flickering candlelight.
The servants quickly and quietly filled our plates with a wide variety of food. We ate in a cozy silence with each thinking our own thoughts for a little while. This nice silence was interrupted by the sound of a guard’s quick footsteps. A guard who seemed pale and anxious.
“Your Highness,” the guard said to Adams with his voice shaking a bit. “A letter just came for you.”
Adams’ face stayed the same, but his eyes squinted and a small frown appeared. “Just give it.”
The guard came over and handed Adams the sealed letter. Adams quickly opened it and started reading with his forehead wrinkling more and his lips pressing into a tight line. As he read on, a slow and unsettling look spread across his face. His hands, which were usually strong and steady, shook a bit as he finished the last line.
His face changed from calm to pale with his eyes full of anger that was scary to see. His jaw was tight, and my heart raced as Adams’ quiet fury filled the room.
What could be so bad that it made the powerful Alpha King react like that? I looked at him while feeling both worried and a chilling fear. What was in that letter a message that could break the little peace we had been trying to keep?
The air was heavy with tension and the noise from the servants stopped as everyone looked at Adams. Every muscle in his body was tight, every breath was held and the darkness in his eyes was scarier than any creature I had ever seen. The weight of his silent anger filled the room. What could cause that much fury towards my dear husband, my Alpha King?
I leaned forward in my chair, wanting to extend my hand and softly place it over his hand that was on the table between us.
I wanted to give him some comfort and support, hoping to ease the emotional turmoil he was clearly feeling inside. However, I found myself hesitating for a moment. The anger that was radiating from him seemed to be driven by something much deeper than any personal insult or offense.
This situation was about matters that touched the very essence of who he was it involved his people, his kingdom and the heavy responsibilities that lay on his shoulders as their leader.
I understood that I had to be cautious when talking to him. I wanted to help him through this tough time without crossing any lines or making things worse.
I wanted to position myself as a protective barrier against the overwhelming effects of whatever news had been delivered to him, news that had clearly shattered his normally calm and composed exterior…