Chapter 79:No means No

Lilith was quiet for a moment as she contemplated.

"We’ll just have to go and find out," she casually said," the place seemed to be near the human continent ."

Atheline nodded but something didn’t feel right at the back of his mind but he couldn’t place it.

He tried to understand the feeling but all he got was frustration.

"Are you really that low on moon crystal mines?" He asked.

She shook her head.

"No we’re doing pretty fine but I can’t just sit and let an opportunity go by right?" She said with a smirk.

"You’re right," he agreed with her.

His gaze went to the still closed door but her hand on his hand took his attention.

"Are you wondering about the ministers and the council?" She asked.

Atheline nodded.

"Do they know the actual reason you married me or is it a secret?"

"They knew, I wouldn’t have been able to keep it from them, it’s not like I was trying."

Atheline nodded. He had gotten an overview of all the nobility in the kingdom but he just needed to put a concrete face on the pictures he saw.

"Oh, I remember," she suddenly said.

"What?"

"Your welcoming banquet will be held this weekend, Zelpher has been planning it for the last three weeks."

Atheline wasn’t surprised anymore. He had overheard it from some of the servants who went quiet the moment they saw him.

"When do you plan to go?" He asked her.

She was quiet for a moment then she shook.

"Something this important requires a lot of planning, I’ll inform you when the time comes," she vaguely said.

Atheline was silent for a moment.

"Are you going alone?"

"Yes," she didn’t hesitate this time.

Atheline frowned.

"You can’t do that," he said almost harshly," the saintess herself wasn’t confident about the islands and now you want to go by yourself. "

She lifted her eyes and met his gaze.

"I know," she said dryly," I’ll still go by myself."

Atheline took her hand carefully squeezing it.

"Take me with you," he said quietly.

The tension that filled the air as they stared at each other affected even the guards standing by the walls.

The throne room fell silent and only the sound of slowly flowing water could be heard.

"No."

Her word was final and didn’t give Atheline a chance to argue.

"You didn’t even think about it," Atheline complained.

"I did," her voice softened as her free hand came to his cheek," before you even asked."

That felt worse somehow. The feeling of being treated like some kind of porcelain never sat well with Atheline.

He slowly exhaled.

"I’m not weak," he said," you’ve seen me fight. I can handle myself. "

Her expression did change.

"I know."

"Then why..." he started.

"That’s the thing," she said quietly, "it’s because I know."

Her tone was controlled and final, cutting deeper than anything. Atheline chuckled not from anger but from the absurdity of everything.

He was literally begging for something he found himself doing a lot lately just to get her to listen to him, which she rarely did by the way.

’

I’m going to end up locked in here with this excuse forever even if my strength improves, it’s not like she isn’t improving herself’

He let go of her hand and stepped back retreating out of her touch.

"Your palace is still as dangerous, Lilith," he said quietly.

She didn’t answer but looked at him for a moment.

Atheline could see the anger starting to build as she stood up and walked towards him.

She came to a stop in front of him and met his gaze, her eyes blazing.

"Do you think I don’t know that," she said almost softly.

Atheline didn’t respond. He just continued to stare at her defiantly.

A chuckle escaped her.

"Do you think I’m weak?" She moved even closer until their bodies touch," Do you not trust me?"

’

Where did that even come from!’

Atheline took a step back, creating distance between them. She followed and held his collar pulling him down to her level.

They stared at each other for a moment before Atheline sighed heavily.

"Only a fool would think you’re weak," he said," I just want to be by your side, that’s all. Must I also beg for that?"

Her eyes widened.

"As you’ve said the saintess doesn’t know what is there," she said her tone getting cold," I’m not going to risk it. If I could, I would have tied you to me and taken you with me but my shadows only accepted the dead."

"I.."

"You won’t be coming," she added softly cutting him off," for now."

Atheline caught her words.

"For now?" He echoed his brows furrowing

"I will go first," she continued, "I will learn everything about the place and estimate the danger."

Her thumb brushed gently against his bottom lip. A faint possessive smile graced her face.

"Then," she added, "if there is a way to keep you safe... I’ll consider letting you go."

He let out a quiet breath.

"Thats not a yes," he said.

"No," she said simply," it’s not."

Atheline was quiet as a thought passed through his mind. He knew this was probably her trying to compromise although she had avoided everything he’d asked her.

’

Well I’ll have to think of another way then’

Atheline then nodded slightly.

"Fine."

She watched him for a moment then wrapped her hands around his neck.

Atheline’s hands came to her waist and pulled her closer to him.

"You’re not going to argue anymore?"

Atheline shrugged.

"I already did," he said, "you’ve already decided. "

He kissed her forehead.

"Besides... you’re not saying no forever."

Something approving flashed in her expression.

"Good," she said softly," you’re learning."

Their lips met in a beautiful tangle, each trying to soothe the other.

"You’ll stay here," she whispered between kisses," and... get stronger... I’ll make sure ... you’re protected."

They separated after a while and Atheline placed his head on her shoulder as he breathed hard. Her hand ran through his hair slowly.

"And my love... don’t do something reckless."

He huffed lightly.

"Like what? I wouldn’t do anything bad, when have I ever done anything reckless?"

She sharply smiled against his neck.

"I wonder when?"