Showed Interest in me

Lilith stood near the upholstered chair, waiting anxiously for Apollyon to leave. "Don't you have
work today?" Lilith finally asked when she found his intense stare at her.
"Why did you not wear the pendant?" Apollyon asked, he sounded upset.
"Wasn't it a present for me?" Lilith tilted her head to gaze at him. Her eyebrow arched as she
awaited an answer. "I can decide whether I should wear it or not," she stated.
Apollyon didn't try to coerce her and approached her slowly, each step calculated. His calloused
fingers delicately held her chin as he leaned in closer. "Don't play stubborn in front of me," he
whispered huskily before releasing her chin. His hand was now resting gently on her neck.
"Shouldn't you consider your brothers' advice? They don't want us to get married," Lilith stated.
She thought perhaps he would consider not marrying her.
"Who said they are my brothers? There exists a distinction between blood brothers and
half-brothers," Apollyon affirmed. His fingers gently stroked her neck. Lilith's scent seemed like
an intoxicated drug. She looked stunning even in that plain dress. He lowered his head, his lips
grazing the delicate curve of her neck, causing a nervous flutter within her.
Lilith's breathing became shallow, her feet seemingly glued to the floor. "I wonder how long I can
resist you," Apollyon whispered seductively in her ear, savoring her scent. His lips slightly
brushed against her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
Lilith gathered the courage to push him away, their eyes met once more. "I want us to be at an
arm's distance," Lilith stated firmly. "And remember, you will not lay a hand on me without my
explicit consent," she added, emphasizing her boundaries.
"I respect your boundaries," Apollyon said, a smirk emerging on his lips. "Nevertheless, that
doesn't mean I won't attempt to push them," he asserted.
Lilith furrowed her brows together, confused by his statement. "You need not to make any
attempts either," she clarified.
"Why don't you write down the conditions you want me to adhere to?" Apollyon suggested to
her. "I will see you in the evening. Before I leave, I would like to adorn you with this pendant," he
raised his hand, displaying a loosely hanging turquoise crystal pendant.
Lilith was surprised to see the pendant in his hand. It had been safely tucked away in a drawer.
Before she could inquire about it, Apollyon drew nearer. She could sense his warm breath
grazing her neck.
"I possess many abilities, Lilith," Apollyon said in his deep voice and took a step back.
Lilith's fingers ran across the pendant, her eyes peering at Apollyon's. "I have a question," she
said.
"Ask," Apollyon allowed her.
"Your brothers..." She paused, realizing he didn't like that word before continuing, "one of your
half-brothers said you were gentle with me only. Is it because I woke you up?" Her question
showed her sudden interest in knowing about Apollyon.
"Yes," Apollyon replied.
"That means you are disrespectful and unkind to others. Great! I don't like men like you," Lilith
pronounced.
Apollyon ended up smiling. "I don't want anyone to possess qualities like me. I am glad you
showed interest in me," Apollyon said and walked away.
"You took the wrong meaning of my words!" Lilith exclaimed in a loud enough voice, but
Apollyon didn't respond to her. She lowered her hand from the pendant and settled on the
upholstered chair.
"I wanted to ask another question, but he left without even listening," Lilith murmured when Zoey
entered the room with a fresh water jar in her hand. She set it carefully on the table.
"Zoey, do you know who Apollyon's mother is?" Lilith asked.
Zoey shook her head in refusal. "Why does Miss Lilith want to know about His Majesty's
mother?" she queried.
"Nothing," Lilith decided not to say anything on that matter. She had noticed Apollyon's
discomfort when Jareth talked about her.
"I would like to tour around the palace," Lilith said, raising herself.
"His Majesty doesn't approve of it, Miss Lilith," Zoey promptly said. "Miss Lilith needs to take his
permission first," she humbly suggested.
"Sure. I will see him before going around," Lilith agreed to Zoey's suggestion. She could not
take decisions which could trigger Apollyon. So, it was better to take the permission than to
regret later.
As Lilith exited the chamber with Zoey, she encountered Jareth.
"Leave," Jareth ordered to Zoey, who bowed and disappeared from their sights soon.
Jareth approached Lilith before walking past her. "Follow me in," he said.
Lilith again entered the chamber after Jareth and heard the door shut on its own. Her feet halted
when Jareth settled himself on the couch in the sitting area.
"The pendant uses a rare gem. Apollyon must love you a lot that he gave it to you," Jareth
remarked, his fingers tapping the surface of the couch.
"I don't wish to marry him. Is there a way you can stop this marriage?" Lilith inquired, the rage
toward Apollyon evident in her eyes.
"Do you want to ignite a conflict between two brothers?" Jareth's question caused her lips to
purse together. "Change your perspective on Apollyon, foolish woman!" he declared.
Lilith was irritated by Jareth's remark, but she chose to remain silent.
"I heard your mother's approval is necessary for this marriage. You should bring her here," Lilith
politely said.
"Lilith, why don't you ask me why am I here?" Jareth muttered.
"Why?" Lilith arched her eyebrow at him.
"Apollyon is attracted to you because of the blood bond between you two. So, he will always
cover your faults. However, I will punish you if you try to harm Apollyon in any way. Since he
protects you so well, you shall return his favor. You despise my brother because according to
you, he was the reason for your father's demise. You should look into your father's history with
the former royal family," Jareth explained to her.
"I don't trust you or any other devil. My father had no enemy," Lilith stated.
"How could a ten-year-old girl be so confident about that? She didn't even explore the world
fully," Jareth stated.
Lilith curled her fingers into fists. Her anger escalated.
"Lilith, you should blame yourself for your beloved father's demise. Why? Because you were the
one who plucked the black blossom despite your father's warning," Jareth pronounced.
Tears welled up in Lilith's eyes, but she didn't let the tears fall off her eyes. She swallowed the
lump formed in her throat and asked Jareth to leave.
Jareth left the couch and was ready to leave, "It's easy for humans to find fault in others. You
should question yourself as to why you killed your own father, Lilith. You can run away from this
marriage by taking your own life. That's the only way you have."
Lilith heard the thud of the door, which made her realize that Jareth had left.