Elena is in the palace

As evening descended, Lilith slowly roused from her slumber, only to find herself facing
Apollyon. To her surprise, his gaze was fixed on her with an intensity that suggested he had
been watching her for quite some time.
Lilith promptly sat up in her place, asking him when he woke up.
"About an hour ago," Apollyon replied.
"Why did you not wake me up?" Lilith complained, slightly miffed at him.
"You were asleep. How could I disturb your sleep?" Apollyon questioned her and propped up on
his elbows to sit up. He moved away Lilith's hair, who got self-conscious for a second.
"The zipper is open," he pointed out, noting the slight gap in her clothing.
Allowing him to close it, Lilith felt the warmth of his fingers against her back, which sent a shiver
down her spine. She clenched her fingers and bit her bottom lip, holding onto the sheet for a
momentary distraction.
Once the zipper reached the top, Apollyon withdrew his fingers. But unable to resist the
magnetic pull between them, he moved closer and placed a soft, unexpected kiss on her cheek,
leaving Lilith astonished.
Her questioning gaze met him as she silently asked why he had done that.
"I couldn't resist myself," Apollyon said.
"I should leave," Lilith said and moved the sheet away. She put her feet on the floor when heard
Apollyon ask.
"Did you get a good sleep?"
"Yes, I did," Lilith replied as she wore the sandals.
"You were crying in your sleep," Apollyon remarked, which promptly made her stop. "You called
out to save you from someone. I could not figure it out. Have you been having nightmares
recently?" he posed another question.
Lilith stood up and faced him. "I do not remember getting any such dream nor am I having any
nightmares," she answered.
Apollyon read her eyes for a few seconds. "That's good to hear," he responded.
"Shall I go?" Lilith asked him.
"You should stay with me. I feel happier," Apollyon asserted.
Lilith contemplated for a few seconds when they both heard a knock on the door, followed by
Zoey's voice.
"Pardon me for intruding, Your Majesty, but Miss Elena is here, waiting for you both in the
drawing room," Zoey informed them.
Their gazes met, silently communicating their thoughts. Apollyon decided, "Tell her to wait for
us, Zoey."
Lilith asked him to change into formal attire while she went to the dressing table. She looked for
the brush and pulled out the tiny cupboard on its one side.
Apollyon, on the other, headed to the washroom. When he came out, he saw Lilith was brushing
her hair, braiding them. "Keep your hair loose. You look beautiful that way," he said.
Her hands paused midway, listening to his words, and a subtle transformation could be seen in
her demeanor.
"Could you pass me the clothes from over there?" Apollyon asked, pointing to the wall
cupboards beside the dressing table.
Lilith asked him to wait for a moment and went to the cupboard. She selected a shirt and
trousers for him before closing the cupboard.
As she turned around to face him, her eyes widened for a moment because Apollyon had
removed his upper velvet robe. Her name carved on his chest was the first thing that caught her
attention.
Lilith shook off her head and approached him. Apollyon took the shirt from her and wore it. Lilith
turned her back at him when he changed his trousers. She fiddled with her fingers in
nervousness and could feel her cheeks getting heated up.
Apollyon finished dressing and walked past her to the dressing table, examining his
shoulder-length hair. After a quick brush, he put the brush back in its place. As they prepared to
leave, he approached Lilith and gently held her hands.
"Be yourself. Say what you feel for me in front of Elena. Remember we need to act like a good
couple," Apollyon advised her while giving her a reminder.
Lilith hummed in response and met his eyes. She reached out her hand to his cheek, "There
was an eyelash on your cheek," she informed him, her touch tender, before she let her hand fall
back to her side and turned around.
Apollyon stood beside her and the two headed to the drawing room while holding each other's
hands. Zoey saw them and bowed her head while Elena noticed that. She rose to her feet and
found the two in front of her.
"Apollyon," Elena delightedly called his name out and hugged him. "Congratulations on getting
married," she said, the smile widening over her lips.
"Thank you," Apollyon replied.
After they withdrew from the hug, Elena glanced at Lilith, who had lowered her eyes in respect.
She took a step toward her. "You can look at me," she said.
Promptly Lilith lifted her eyes while Apollyon wondered how Elena would initiate the
conversation with his wife.
"I heard various things about you. My brother is head over heels for you because you woke him
up," Elena stated with an amusing smile.
"What various things did you hear about Lilith? I would like to know," Apollyon replied before
heading to the couch. He asked Lilith to come to him while Elena sat across from them.
"That Lilith doesn't fear the devils, she blames my brother for her loss and she got married to my
brother against her wish," Elena affirmed, an amusement gracing her face.
Apollyon slightly laughed when he heard Elena's words. "Jareth truly hates me to the core of his
heart that he spoke all the nonsense with you," he muttered and snickered at her.
"Isn't it true, Lilith?" Elena ignored what Apollyon said.
"I no longer blame Apollyon for my father's demise. The marriage was against my wish, but I
accepted it," Lilith stated.
"But the consummation never happened," Elena reminded her.
"Who said? Were you present there? Don't act like Jareth. That's my personal and intimate affair
with Lilith. You should not ask such questions from her," Apollyon proclaimed after he got
annoyed with Elena's questions.
Elena smiled to see that side of his brother. Lilith held a special place in his heart, which was
visible in his eyes and tone.
"I think Lilith and I need alone time to converse, Apollyon. A woman-to-woman conversation,"
Elena pronounced and gazed at Lilith.
"I think the same," Lilith agreed with her suggestion. Lilith requested Apollyon if she and Elena
could leave. "Don't worry," she whispered.
"I won't harm her. You know this well," Elena asserted and left her seat. "Follow me, Lilith," she
said and went ahead.