The scent of jasmine hung thick in the air as Ethan stepped into the dim chamber. His eyes found her instantly—Lilith, his queen, her body adorned with a serpent that curled around her like living jewelry. The creature slithered over her skin, a silent sentinel of her power.
"Lilith, my love."
She turned, her smile slow and hypnotic. "Ethan."
"I need you," he murmured, burden heavy in his voice.
Lilith coiled her fingers around the serpent, sending it back into its jeweled cave. She walked to him, trailing her fingers over his chest.
"Still troubled by your brother?" she asked softly.
"I'm not," he lied, poorly.
She arched a brow. "Your face says otherwise. Be calm. Await his coming."
"That's what I fear," he admitted. "I can't let him walk into your kingdom."
"Our kingdom," she corrected, drawing nearer.
"Then we prepare for war."
Her lips brushed his ear. "Let me handle Torin."
"He's my brother."
"He is your threat." Her tone hardened. "The enemy of my husband is my enemy."
"He's still—"
"Shhh," she hushed him, placing a finger on his lips. Her kiss followed, deep and consuming.
A knock shattered the moment.
"Your Majesty," a guard called, voice shaking.
Lilith didn't flinch. She stroked Ethan's hair. "Let it wait," she commanded.
Ethan's gaze was locked on Lilith, captivated by her beauty, as she pulled him back into their private world with another kiss.
---
Across the castle, the warmth of love lingered as Duke lay beside Elara, their skin slick with passion, their hearts beating in harmony.
"I love you," he breathed.
Elara's smile faltered.
"What is it?" Duke asked gently.
"Why can't I give you a child?" she whispered.
His breath hitched. "That? My love, that's not why I married you."
"But it's been a year—"
"I married you to spend my life with you, not to fill a cradle."
She looked away. "Please don't say that."
"No, you don't say that, my queen." He turned her face to his. "The moment you walked through that gate… you were everything. The moment I had been waiting for."
Elara chuckled softly. "Duke…"
"And if you ever wake up and say it's over?" he teased.
"Then you'd be a dead man."
"You're too good with words," she laughed.
"I can't breathe when you're not here."
"I've been breathing all along," she countered.
"Until I met you," he said. "You're the light in my darkness. The color in my sky."
She tackled him playfully. "You won't get away with this."
"With what?"
"Distracting me."
"All I want is to wake up to your smile and fall asleep in your arms."
She leaned in, eyes shining. "Okay, face me first."
"I'm warning you," he joked.
She giggled. "Tell me."
"It's the crowned prince. Your husband."
"You mean?"
"Your baby," he said solemnly.
"Baby!" she laughed, eyes twinkling.
"I'll do anything my queen commands," he vowed.
"Can I ask you one last thing?"
"Anything."
"Have you forgiven him?"
Silence fell.
"You live like he never existed," he said gently.
"He will," she whispered, her eyes hardening. "He'll die by his own sword—like all who crossed him."
Duke's brow furrowed. "He's still my father."
"I spoiled the mood," she sighed.
"No! you didn't," he said, brushing it off. "So, are you ready for—"
"Ready for what?" Duke interrupted.
"You're a bad girl," he said, laughing as they fell into each other once more.