King of Darkness and The White Flame

Chapter 18

Lilith stirred. Her eyes fluttered open. "How do you feel?" I ask her. I'm still sitting next to her. Since the White Flame had left, I couldn't get myself to move or sleep or think of anything but the conversation. I need to make a decision. I can no longer pretend that I want to be like my mother when I so clearly don't. It's exhausting, keeping up pretences. 

"Jo?" She sits up, puts a hand on her head and then lies back down. "Why does my head hurt this much?" 

"Do you remember anything?" she shakes her head slightly, her eyebrows pinched in a deep frown. "How did you find me?"

"Long story, but I heard you scream for help." 

"You did?" her eyes fill with tears. "I lost hope. I thought that no one would know where I was. It all happened so quickly."

"Can you try to remember what happened to you while you were there? You had some sort of mark on your arm and you were unconscious, dying... and..." I feel as if I'm choking on my words. Lilith lays a hand on my leg. 

"I'm ok now, thanks to you. Thank you for saving me," She sits back up slowly, reaches forward and dries a stray tear from my cheek. The warmth of her hand on my cheek sets my skin alight. Her face is so close to mine. I can breathe in the mixture of fresh forest and vanilla that makes up her scent. I've always wondered if her lips taste like fresh strawberries. It would only take a second to close in on the 3 inches and find out if I'm right. To my surprise, Lilith leans a little closer. Her nose brushes lightly against mine. I hold my breath, for fear that this moment will disappear. I close my eyes and feel her lips brush against mine. A gentle kiss as soft as the fluttering butterflies in my stomach. Her hand moves to the back of my head and she deepens the kiss. 

We hear a grunt and a stir near us and quickly break apart. It's only Bear, it seems he was only turning around in his sleep. I hear her sigh with relief. I look back at her and she meets my gaze. I turn so that I'm laying adjacent to her. We lie down next to each other and she takes my hand. The air is electric and warm. Her fingers twist and twirl on my forehand and my palm. She intertwines her fingers in mine gently and then goes back to gently caressing my palm. Her gaze doesn't leave mine and she gently bites her bottom lip. I want to taste her again. I close the space between us, our noses touching. I'm intoxicated by the smell of her, the way she feels, and the look of her. I close the last few millimetres and grab her lip between my teeth gently first. Nipping at her lip and flicking out my tongue. I hear her sigh with delight. Our gentle playing and teasing go on for what feels like a lifetime and a second all at once. I can never have enough and it ends too quickly. Lilith pulls my arm above her head. She lifts her head and places it on my shoulder. I close my arm around her and breathe in the smell of her hair. Her arm goes over my stomach and she teasingly plays with the skin exposed below my t-shirt. As I drift to sleep, I smile. I finally have my Lilith.

Jessie is standing over us when I open my eyes. His arms folded across his chest and a look of disapproval cemented on his face. "I, I can explain... we were just." he puts his hand up to stop me. Then he smiles. Hunter and Bear start laughing and Jessie starts chuckling to himself. The laughter wakes Lilith. 

"Lilly!" Hunter runs to her and embraces her. All traces of jealousy I had previously, vanished. Jessie hugs her too and then Bear. 

"I'm so glad you guys came to rescue me," she says softly

"I thought you'd be angry, actually," Hunter laughs. She swats him playfully and I'm just happy that we're all together again. We pack up the belongings we came with and start walking back. 

"Hey, Jessie. Can we talk for a minute?" I ask. He nods for everyone else to walk ahead of us. Lilith walks ahead with the others. She's laughing at something Hunter said. Bear just smiles next to her.

"I was thinking that we call off the war? Head back home. There's no point to pursuing war right?" I tell Jessie. Since The White Flame saved Lilith's life twice already, I had decided that being good is definitely the side I wanted to be on. 

"That's an amazing decision. I'm so proud of you." Somehow, having Jessie's approval means way more than I thought it would. We cross the stream at a shallow part where the water flow isn't as strong. 

We take the short route through the trees and find the men sitting and waiting at the campsite. The walk back felt a lot faster than when I left. Most likely because I'm not injured this time and I'm not stuck in a ditch half the night. 

"Sir," one of the soldiers ran to us. His face filled with panic. "We have a problem." 

"Ugh, I swear all you messengers bring are problems, where are the solutions? Why can't you, just once, say 'Sir, there's a problem, but guess what? We know what to do.' and then go do it? And instead come to me saying 'Sir, we've solved the problem.' That'd be great news." He looks at me blankly and I realize he doesn't get my joke. Perhaps I'm bad at telling jokes. I don't think there were many in my family. We weren't a very cheery bunch. 

"What's the problem soldier?" I rephrase. 

"Mole City as attacked The Skulls last night. Many civilians are wounded. The rest, they've taken captive."

"They couldn't have taken 11 factions captive." I say in disbelief. 

"They have, Sir." I look at Jessie's fallen expression. He nods his head at me. Our newfound plan gone down the drain. Time to go to war.