"Bullshit."
Unable to stop myself from giggling, I tip-toed toward Arsene and pressed my lips over his, unsure how such a capricious sensation could wash away the chill within me. Sene was always warm.
It was strange. I was stronger than him, Far stronger. And yet when he held me close by the waist. When he ran his hands through my hair or even called me wife… I felt protected.
He was so young. Yet. Gods. What's wrong with me? Why am I acting like such a weak woman? Has he noticed? Oh my god! I hope he hasn't. No… I need to continue.
Drawing away from the sensation that made my heart skip a beat, I turned to Seraphina, staring with such wide eyes; I felt a wave of confidence and power swell within me. Arsene… he was going to be mine one day.
He was going to love me one day. And no one else but Lilith.
"By the Nine Eternal Hells, Pillars of Truth, have mercy on me! What the Hell? How did I miss this? I've been coming and going for Four Hundred Years!" Sera screamed, tugging at her hair as she pointed at me. "You— You're the Mother of Night!"
"I am."
"Don't you know he's married already!"
A slight pinch jerked at my soul as I gave a small nod. " I know." But I don't mind. I wouldn't even mind if he made me a concubine.
Oh, Mother. What is wrong with me? Why am I… like this? A concubine? I would lower myself to such a level. I'm a disgrace.
'Raise your head," Sene whispered to me, and it was only then that I noticed that I was bowing my head before a lowly angel.
Startled by the change, I shot Arsene a smile. " I'm alright. I was just thinking about something else."
"Really?"
"Yep? I lied cheerfully, cursing at myself. "Oh, I've got to get something. Why don't you explain everything to Seraphina here." I said to him before vanishing into our chambers.
I sucked in a large breath as the tension in my chest I didn't know existed, melted away.
"Well-Well-Well," Came a dreadful voice sending a deep chill down my spine.
Turning to the stunning figure of the silver-headed woman, with amethyst eyes and a smile as stunning as the Father's grace, I shuttered. "Lilith! You're back."
"Tenebrae." Lilith began with clear malice. "I came for you. I came because I felt something stir in Arsene." she drew closer like a deadly snow-white tigress, eying me with a coldness I knew all too well. "Well? What game are you having with my husband?"
"Nothing," I admitted.
"Tenebrae… do not lie to me." Lilith barked, with growing killing intent. " Do not force me to kill you now. I don't give a damn what happens. You know I have the authority to do so."
"Mother… I promise," I whispered as shame climbed over me. It pressed over my skin, making me so uncomfortable my stomach churned.
"Now you call me that?" Lilith spat, drawing a sharp breath. "Tell me, Tene. What are you seeking from Arsene, who is clearly thinking with his cock."
"... I… I don't know." I whispered gently. "I really do not know… I wanted his bloodline in my kingdom. I wanted him to lead my people… but… I don't know why I'm feeling so…."
"Enamored?" Lilith spat. "Fucking my husband, yet you don't know what you're feeling? You're horny. Nothing else to it. Or.. have you actually started to fall for him?"
Eyes widening, I felt a coldness brew from the Abyss as Lilith's eyes flared scarlet. She grabbed me by the collar" You love him!"
"... I don't know," I admitted, unable to lie to her.
Lilith was different than the Abyss. But she was very much The Abyss. She was the pure chaos of the Abyss. The evil, hate, and jealousy. Lilith was the darkness I was never born from.
"Has he fucked you yet?"
My skin reeled with shame as I shook my head." No."
"Do you want him to?" She asked, pulling me closer.
"...I"
"If you say I don't know again, I'll really kill you. Do not test my resolve. Not when it comes to Sene. My Arsene! Because he will always be mine. And he will always pick me first. Always!"
Noticing the large globs of tears raining from her eyes, Lilith dropped me and staggered back. "I'll kill you one day, Tenebrae. I swear it. I'll do it in front of Arsene. I'll do it in front of everyone. I swear I swear, I swear! He is mine! MINE!!"
"I know," I whispered as a horrid force sabbed into my heart, bringing about a pain I'd never felt before. Stifling and dark, I couldn't help but pale.
"No," Lilith whispered back with a crazed intent. " I don't think you do. I don't think you can grasp what I feel for Arsene. I'll break you, Tenebrae. I, Lilith Snow, will break you. Do you want Arsene? You want him to love you?"
"I… do."
"Then a price is needed." She claimed.
"I am already your's Mother," I said to her, falling to my knee, feeling the very will of the Abyss somehow being channeled by Lilith.
A contemptuous snort echoed." I don't need you, Tenebrae. If you want my Sene, you will give him your all. Your very core, the very Weave I constructed you out of. I want him to hold your life. I want him to hold your will. I want him to hold your existence in the palm of his hand."
"The Abyss and my will are one on this. You will do this. Or there will not be a consummation. No matter how he touches you. No matter how much you moan, kicking and screaming, begging him for more, as his fingers play you. You will not touch him. Not till he owns you."
Snapping my eyes to Lilith, my jaw dropped. " You… are not commanding me to stop?"
"I am not." Lilith squeezed out, releasing a sharp breath of air. " The Abyss and my will are against one another despite being one entity. A paradox if there ever was one. She wills for Freedom, and I for Captivity. Who is right? Who can say? Just remember… no matter how many times he screws you. He'll always be thinking of me. Always."