My feelings are real for you

"Why did you bring Apollyon's mother into the conversation? Don't you know he gets sensitive
when it comes to his mother?" Ragnar asked Jareth, who was seated on an upholstered chair
with his eyes closed and face directed to the ceiling.
"I only said because of his human mother, he has the trait of soft-heart toward humans," Jareth
defended himself. "Why am I always blamed?" he muttered.
"You should not bring his mother into any of the conversations," Ragnar opined and told him he
would leave.
"In the morning, we have to go out and find out about the sorcerers," Jareth reminded him. He
told Ragnar they would go early in the morning so that by the afternoon they would return.
"I understand," Ragnar said. "If you care for Apollyon, then you need to show it through your
words too. You are sometimes too harsh on them," he suggested to him.
"This is the way I am. Apollyon doesn't understand where he has stepped. I am merely ending
the problems in his path," Jareth asserted.
"You can be gentle," Ragnar said.
"Yes, I am," Jareth pronounced and opened his eyes to gaze at him. "I didn't even do anything
when Apollyon hit me. That's the patient I have carried in me and also the gentleness for them,"
he asserted.
"That's what I said, Jareth. Your words aren't gentle toward Apollyon and Lilith. You need to be
kind to them with your words too," Ragnar affirmed. "I take my leave. Good night," he stated and
walked out of the chamber.
Jareth lay his head back again on the headrest and brought his hand to his neck. "Apollyon is
quite powerful," he muttered as he felt the ache in his neck muscles.
Outside, Ragnar encountered Elena, who had returned from taking a stroll in the royal garden.
"What happened? Why have you pulled up your face?" Elena asked.
"Nothing," Ragnar replied. "Did you have a conversation with Lilith? I hope it went well," he
proclaimed.
"Yes, it went well. She is an honest person. I didn't expect her to tell the truth. I was expecting a
little lie from her," Elena asserted with a smile.
"Lilith is truthful about what she feels. I was wondering whether Mother will come here," Ragnar
asked.
"Mother is not coming here," Elena replied. "So, you all can be relieved. Moreover, Apollyon
doesn't like her presence and she will not either want to stay upset because of this reason. We
shouldn't forget ongoing arguments between them," she explained.
Ragnar nodded his head in agreement. "Do you plan to go back?" he asked.
"I have not decided yet," Elena answered. "I need to see Jareth. Our Father has sent a
message for him," she proclaimed.
"What kind of message?" Ragnar inquired.
"It is a secret, Ragnar," Elena replied with a smile.
Ragnar chuckled and understood. He headed to his chamber while Elena went to see Jareth.
~~~~~~
Lilith's determination to find out about the blood bond amused Apollyon. "In this library, you
won't find anything related to sorcery or magic, Wife," he said, leaning against the shelf with his
arms crossed.
"We are a newlywed couple. But look at us. Spending time in this library among thousands of
books," Apollyon remarked.
"You should go back and rest," Lilith said, "if you don't want to be of help." She took out a book
from the shelf and flipped its pages. Checking the index, she found it was all about medicines
and decided to read it in her free time.
"I think I need to check in those shelves too," Lilith murmured and lifted her gown slightly to
climb the staircase. She reached to its top and looked into the books, one after the other.
"I am telling you that my feelings are real for you. You should not be worried thinking I would
leave you in the future. I wish to live my life with you for eternity," Apollyon pronounced, a smile
gracing his lips. He tilted his head to glance at Lilith, who was engrossed in checking the books.
Standing straight, he walked up to her, asking her if she needed help. Lilith turned while still
holding the thick book in her hands. Unbeknownst to her, her foot slipped off the staircase and
she screamed in fear.
Apollyon's reflex acted swiftly as he saved her from falling by holding her arm firmly. He circled
his free hand around her back and helped her in steading on the floor.
"Thank you," Lilith said, lifting her eyes to look into his.
Apollyon took the book from her hand and placed it back on the shelf. Lilith's breath hitched as
he came too close to her and she tightly pressed her fingers on the shelf behind her. "That book
is good for studying medicine," she said, making Apollyon look at her.
"You found five such books on medicines. Finish them first," Apollyon suggested in his stern
tone. His thumb brushed against her cheek. His touch shuddered her for some reason and she
looked away.
"I need to–" Her words died in her mouth as Apollyon placed his index finger on her plump lips.
Their gazes met again; this time Apollyon took the initiative to close the remaining distance
between them. His body pressed against hers, but she didn't protest.
"You didn't have to search anymore. We have servants in the palace," Apollyon voiced, his
breath brushing her lips and nose.
Lilith moved away his finger from her lips. "Not all servants are literate. Also, I don't wish anyone
to find out about this. This should remain a secret between us," she affirmed.
"A secret?" Apollyon arched his eyebrow.
"Hmm. Don't forget I can be used as a weakness against you," Lilith replied.
"You are my strength," Apollyon corrected her.
"But you cannot deny the fact that I may be used against you. That's why we have to keep it a
secret from others. You protected me from the eyes of lustful, evil people and devils, so I must
protect you too," Lilith pronounced.
Apollyon was astonished to hear her response. Most importantly, how she found out he
protected her from the devils. Did his half-brothers tell him?
"You should move away," Lilith said firmly, her hands gently pressing against his chest as she
attempted to create some distance between them. However, he caught her wrist, drawing her
closer, his eyes filled with desire.
"This is the first time you've shown such deep concern for me. Could it be that you're starting to
like me?" Apollyon inquired, hopeful for a positive response.
Lilith refused promptly. "I do not like you," she stated.
"Your heartbeats say something else," Apollyon whispered against her lips, his desire evident.
He longed to kiss her, to savor her mouth until his cravings were satisfied.
Noticing his intense and hungry gaze fixed on her lips, Lilith deflected, "It's dinnertime. We
should head to the dining hall." With more strength, she pushed him away, still holding the
medical books she had collected earlier. In a rush, she ran out of the library, leaving Apollyon
with a mix of emotions swirling within him.