Cassian ca to stand beside Lilith. He looked up at the old rope still swaying in the wind. "Are you ever going to have it taken down?" he asked, certain it kept Lilith anchored to the worst of her mories.
"It didn’t stay up there this long because of my doing. The queen ordered that it never be removed, and until I hang her from there, I won’t touch it. I want her to rember what she did," said Lilith.
Cassian’s gaze stayed on the rope. "If you hang her with that, it will snap. Old rope doesn’t hold justice for long. Keep replacing it until one does the job. Have her experience it tightening around her neck until you reach a strong rope to finish her."
A smile spread across Lilith’s lips. "See, this side of you I like. I just might follow your suggestion, but first, I need the queen. I wish Solomon could get to her quickly, or that she would show herself so you could capture her."
"?" Cassian raised a brow.
"You said to use you, and I fully intend to. You are going to be my sword, so please ensure you never give a dull mont," Lilith said, already starting to plot.
Cassian slipped his hands into his pockets.
"I don’t want anyone setting foot in this garden. It holds a terrible mory, but it is where my mother took her final breath. It should stay untouched until I get the queen," Lilith said, her eyes moving across the flowers that blood far better here than anywhere else in the castle grounds as though the earth rembered her mother.
Lilith pulled her gaze from the garden before the mory could take hold of her fully. The garden had no business being so peaceful, so she turned her back on all of it. "I think we have walked enough," she said. "I must get back to planning our wedding. There is very little ti."
"You wanted this walk to gather an opinion of ," Cassian said, falling into step beside her. "What do you think now?"
"I didn’t get to see you with your soldiers," Lilith said, moving past him. "This has been a pleasant enough talk, but don’t think it shifted too much. We still have a long way to go. At the very least, we can be cordial."
Lilith walked ahead of Cassian to return to the bedchamber. She was glad he didn’t press her further on what she felt.
Cassian followed Lilith, keeping close since she was without a guard. In the morning, he would have to place soone at her side.
After returning to the bedchamber, Lilith turned her full attention to the wedding. She made use of Mary to run along the castle, directing orders to the servants and outsiders who were involved in the wedding.
The day went by swiftly, and unlike the night before, Lilith had dinner alone in her chamber whilst Cassian made use of another. Cassian not coming to join her surprised Lilith, but she didn’t question it.
When morning ca, news of Cassian’s family’s arrival spread through the castle.
Lilith remained in her bedchamber, reviewing the last of the wedding plans. All she was waiting on was the dress.
Mary stood by the window, craning her neck for a glimpse of the Mortirs’ carriages on the road below. "Are you not going to greet his family?" she wondered, surprised that Lilith was still seated.
"He said he wanted to speak to them first, and I am all for it. I have no interest in being dragged into more family drama," Lilith replied, not looking up from the paper.
"Have the Mortirs ever been unkind to you? Is there anyone I must keep my eyes on?" Mary inquired, already prepared to sharpen her blade.
"I’ve never had any dealings with the Mortirs until Cassian proposed marriage. If there is trouble, it will be one-sided. Have you spotted them yet?" Lilith asked, glancing up.
Mary pressed closer to the glass. "No, not yet. Should I go out and spy on them? I am quite certain they have a great deal to say."
"Their relative now commands the castle. I’m sure they will be bold enough to say what they want before eventually. Their true thoughts will slip out at so point. I only have to wait," Lilith said, uninterested in spying.
"If anyone tries to spoil your wedding day after everything you have put into it, may I kill them?"
"You may, but at the very least be subtle. Poison a wine or a dish," Lilith suggested, watching as Mary pouted. "They outnumber us. We mustn’t be hasty and end up in the dungeon."
A knock at the door disturbed the mont.
Mary hurried over and pulled it open to find Cassian on the other side.
"My mother and other relatives have arrived. It is ti I introduced you," Cassian said, offering his hand to Lilith.
Lilith Diana from the bed and approached Cassian, taking his hand. "Have you warned them about spoiling my wedding?"
"I told them that spoiling your wedding would be inviting hell upon themselves," Cassian replied, leading her out of the chamber.
"A perfect description, because I would set them on fire. I did not endure all this rushed planning rely to," Lilith’s words fell away as a familiar face ca into view just outside the chamber.
Outside was a woman who frequented the queen in private.
Diana Mortir, the forr duchess and Cassian’s mother, curtsied gracefully. "Your Highness. What an honour it is to stand before you."
"Lady Mortir," Lilith returned the greeting.
Diana raised her head and studied the young woman who would soon join the family with careful eyes. It was their first proper eting, and she had not yet decided what to make of Lilith.
"Since we are about to beco family, I hope we may get rid of the formalities when we are in a private setting," Diana requested.
"We may," Lilith allowed.
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