Chapter 25: Undress in one shot
"I crave your love, Lilith," confessed Apollyon, causing her to blink rapidly as if she was trying to
process his words.
"I understand the virtue of patience, but each day I find myself yearning for your affection more
intensely, revealing my growing impatience. The thought of losing you terrifies me, and I desire
to win your heart as swiftly as possible," he declared with earnestness.
In response, Lilith couldn't help but wear an amused smile. She tilted her head slightly and
retorted, "Winning me over won't be an easy task; I am not easily pleased." Her gaze fleetingly
grazed his bare chest peeking through the velvet robe, prompting her to avert her eyes quickly,
trying to conceal the sudden blush on her cheeks.
"Everyone knows that we never consummated," Lilith stated matter-of-factly, "and your attempt
to keep it a secret failed miserably," she murmured.
To this, Apollyon tried to shift the blame. "The Queen made it obvious to everyone," he said,
somewhat defensively.
"Are you blaming me?" Lilith shot a glance at him. "It was your idea to spread a lie among
everyone," she proclaimed.
Apollyon proposed a way to silence any further gossip. "Then, why don't we do it now? Since
you seem so concerned about others' remarks," he suggested, a hint of vulnerability in his
voice.
Lilith frowned, shaking her head in disagreement. Before she could respond, Apollyon swiftly
pinned her to the mattress, locking eyes with her intensely. Although he held her arm firmly,
Lilith sensed that he wouldn't proceed without her consent. She remained calm, recognizing that
she had stopped protesting his advances.
"I see a new side of you, Lilith," Apollyon whispered, his face close to hers.
"What do you mean?" Lilith confusedly asked.
"That you love challenging people," Apollyon replied, his gaze tracing her face, "Your eyes tell
me to stay away, but your heart says otherwise," he remarked, noting the rapid rise and fall of
her chest.
"Earlier, you even took a peek at my bare chest. Wife, you need to ask once and I will undress
in one shot so that you don't have to admire me secretly," Apollyon opined, a grin widened
across his lips.
Lilith gulped wondering how he found out. "Anyone's eyes would land on a bare chest if–" her
words died in her mouth as Apollyon placed his finger above her lips.
"Only yours went there. Your cheeks blushed, so you decided to avert your gaze. I don't mind it
though. My wife admired me, that's matter the most," Apollyon asserted, withdrawing his finger
from her lips, reassured by her steadier breaths that showed her nervousness had eased.
Feeling the need for a moment of respite, Lilith quickly devised an excuse to escape his gaze.
"I'm tired and want to sleep for a while," she said, hoping to find some distance.
"You can sleep here with me. Even I wish to take a nap with you," Apollyon replied and lay
beside her. As they settled under the soft velvet sheet, Lilith insisted on maintaining a
respectable distance between them.
Respecting her wishes, Apollyon moved an inch away but couldn't help but chuckle at her
playful defiance. When Lilith attempted to push him away with her elbows, he remained
unmoved, enjoying their lighthearted banter.
"Kiss me and I'll move away," Apollyon offered with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Never!" Lilith declared, determined to maintain her ground, and placed pillows between them
for good measure. "Don't you dare remove them if you don't want me to unleash my wrath," she
playfully warned.
"I would like to see how you'll beat me up," Apollyon said with a teasing smile, he propped his
elbow and rested his head on his palm. With his free hand, he threw the pillows somewhere in
the room.
"So, you want me to beat you up," Lilith arched her eyebrow at him.
"I would love to see," Apollyon admitted.
Lilith raised her hand and hit his shoulder lightly, not wanting to make him angry. But when he
laughed at the gentle brush of her hand on his skin, she decided to hit him again.
To her surprise, Apollyon grabbed her hand tightly, pulling her down. Lilith's eyelids fluttered in
fear since she thought he would kiss her, their lips were an inch apart. Her hair came upfront,
touching his cheeks.
"Aggressiveness doesn't suit you," Apollyon said, his hand brushing her hair back in a gentle
stroke.
"Now, as a punishment I will hug you to sleep," Lilith stated. She found herself lying beside him,
with her back toward him. Her head rested on his arm, she could feel his taut chest touching her
back.
Lilith opened her mouth to speak and complained, "You cannot use magic to overpower me."
"I never promised I would not use magic," Apollyon said. "It isn't wrong to embrace my wife.
Now, like an obedient kid, close your eyes and sleep," he added.
"Don't order me," Lilith muttered.
"I didn't order you. I urged you," Apollyon corrected her. His fingers stroked the left of her neck,
making her feel goosebumps. However, she didn't stop him.
Another progress in their relationship, which happened quite early.
"Forgive me for not waking you up that day. I should have escorted you home. Perhaps, I would
have saved your father," Apollyon said.
"There is no use of talking about this anymore," Lilith asserted. "I no longer blame you for my
father's demise. Forgive me for always accusing you," she apologized with sincerity.
Apollyon was stunned to hear her words. He felt delighted and his heart filled with a warm fuzzy.
"It's alright. You don't need to apologize. I think you have taken a step closer to me," he stated.
Lilith chose to remain silent and closed her eyes. She felt protected in his arms, but she
refrained from confessing.
"I still want you to tell me what happened that day. That way we will reach the truth sooner,"
Apollyon reminded her.
"Hmm," Lilith responded and asked him to let her sleep. Apollyon turned quiet and a smile
formed on his lips.