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T hey found the fresh water at the end of a small trail that led further out. A small waterfall cascaded down the mountain walls. After filling up their canisters, the men headed back to the area beside the pool.

“I think I see a way out.” Felicia pointed to a small light coming from between some rocks.

She waited until she could no longer see the men and turned to face Lilith.

Whispering, she continued, “I’ve been keeping track of our location.

” She held up her ring. “It’s very similar to his necklace.

If we leave at first light, we will be near the Void.

” She took out a folded parchment and silently unfolded a map.

She pointed to where they were within the mountain.

If they found an exit nearby, they would be just outside the borders of the Void.

The prince had mentioned they would be closer to Lilith’s home and yet this put them further south than intended.

She quietly refolded the map and shoved it under her shirt.

“Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary with the prince?”

Lilith thought about her interactions with the prince.

He’d been more outright sexual with her, but she couldn’t think of any other changes to him.

“I say we watch for now. I can’t tell at this point and to be honest, I’m not the best person to judge any differences. We can ask Taran when we see him next.”

“True. I mean you basically threw yourself at him,” Felicia laughed, and Lilith nodded and shrugged.

Felicia was not wrong. She followed Felicia back out to their camping spot.

Silver unpacked some smoked meats, cheese and bread.

He was stirring something in a small pot over a small fire. Lilith’s eyes rounded at the feast.

“This is amazing.” Lilith tore off a chunk of bread with her teeth and shoved a bit of cheese in her mouth. Silver had quickly put together some soup and was dividing the contents into small wooden bowls. Lilith eagerly took a small sip and beamed. "You're a surprisingly good cook, Silver."

"Well, you can thank the kitchen staff at Skilheim for filling my bag," said Silver as he at his serving.

“Don’t forget to breathe,” laughed Locke.

“Why do you remain in this disguise while we’re down here?” Felicia asked him. He touched his chin in thought.

“You’re right. I don’t need to be. In truth, I forgot I looked like this.” He stood up from his spot and walked off, still munching on his piece of bread.

Felicia gave Lilith a look. Lilith returned her a look telling her to calm down.

This is not the time or place to voice suspicion.

The prince outranked their power. If they were to try and subdue him, three against one, they would not come out unscathed.

Not to mention their concerns were baseless.

Felicia had nothing to back her suspicion other than gut feeling.

“I look forward to reaching the capital.” Lilith was hoping Felicia would read between the lines of what she was saying .

“Me too. It’s been a while since I’ve visited the city.

Although, I’m excited to meet your family.

I hope they don’t mind the intrusion.” Felicia replied, cutting a chunk of meat.

Lilith understood what she implied. The first was the fact that they were nowhere near Lilith’s home.

The second implication was: if they made contact, would it be safe for her family to host the prince?

“Don’t be too excited to meet them. They can be quite a handful,” Lilith said, meaning, they can handle themselves.

Thinking back on her childhood, she was borderline raised feral.

The remaining three ate and then cleaned up.

They walked around the cave, exploring its many side rooms. Much like the rest of the mountain, crystals were abundantly dotting the walls.

Jets of steam rose around the pool, making the place densely humid.

Satisfied that no other creatures were lurking about, the three made their way back to their packs.

The prince rounded the corner. Gone was Locke. Lilith had been getting used to the flowing blonde hair. He ran his hand through his dark blue hair.

“I think I’ll go for a dip,” He stated, as he unbuttoned his shirt.

Both ladies, and Silver, gaped at the view.

The prince pulled off his shirt, exposing his chest. Felicia let out a giggle and looked away.

She was beet red. Silver walked off, peeling off his own clothes.

Felicia shook from laughter. She was surrounded by beautiful men.

Lilith shook her head at her. She snuck glances at the prince.

He was broad chested and muscular, from years of training.

But from what she could see, he was also covered in scars.

A long raised scar dipped from his stomach, down the deep 'V' between his hips .

“Like what you see?” He walked closer to her, unbuckling his belt.

He leaned down to her face and whispered, “If you want to see more, you’ll have to show me yours.

” Lilith scoffed and lowered her mental shield to him.

He was beautiful, but still obnoxious. Demetrius rolled his eyes and stalked off towards the pool.

He piled his clothes off to the side and dipped into the pool stark naked. Lilith scooted closer to Felicia.

“You’re seeing this too, right?” Lilith muttered to her friend as they watched a naked Silver and Demetrius soak in the pool. The men sat lounging in the steaming water.

“Are… Are you going to join them?” Felicia blushed deeply. The idea of exposing herself to these men was not something she felt entirely comfortable doing.

“What if we went in our undergarments?” Lilith suggested, unbuckling her sword belt and leather armour.

Felicia joined, pulling off her chainmail.

The men’s heads whipped towards the ladies as they undressed.

Lilith couldn’t call them perverts, because she had been ogling them moments earlier.

They dipped their toes in the pool and hissed.

It was hotter than the bath at school. They slowly walked in, the water reaching their knees.

They sat down, letting the warmth envelop them.

“Well if anyone asked me if I had expected to be soaking in a thermal bath just out of reach of an ancient holy beast, I would tell them ‘you know, that wasn’t on my card,’” Silver jested, leaning back with closed eyes. He let out a sigh and ran his hands through the hot water.

“I thought it was the end for me when I fell down those stairs. I don’t think I’ve said it out loud, but I owe you one, Silver.” Lilith wrapped her hands around her knees .

“Don’t give it any more thought,” Silver replied. They sat in silence processing their day. After an hour of soaking, Felicia got up to leave. “I’m going to turn in.”

“I’ll come too,” Silver said as he hurried after her. Lilith was left with the prince who still had his eyes closed. He almost looked asleep. She turned to face her back to him and looked around the space, watching the orange glow coming from distance.

“You don’t think anything lives down here? It would be an ideal home for some dark creature,” Lilith asked him quietly.

“There’s no need to be scared, my sweet goddess. From what I can see, this place has long since been abandoned. The Khimaira has claimed this tomb,” Demetrius replied to her.

Lilith could hear the water ripple behind her and felt his warm presence close to hers. She spun around to face him. His eyes glinted and he wore a mischievous smile. “Your outfit leaves nothing to the imagination.”

Lilith looked at her wet undergarments, sure enough they were completely see through.

She looked down at his body and saw his large erection pointing at her and blushed.

“You are very persistent.” She turned to face her friends that were in the distance.

They were already under their blankets. Demetrius glided in front of her, blocking her way.

She looked back at him. “You must be tired of constantly coming up with new ways to harass me. Why?”

The prince slowly raised his hand and tucked a strand of Lilith’s hair behind her ear. “It’s because I cannot have you. You will never be mine and unlike others, you don’t seek my royal lineage. ”

“You’re right, we can never be together. Fate has dealt me another hand. So, you should give up.” Lilith said this with no emotion. She had no intention of letting him know how much she hated what she implied. She wanted nothing to do with Amiriel.

“You deny me so easily. I’ve never met such an apathetic creature or is that just a mask you wear?” He wanted to reach out to her, but was holding himself back. “Or do you only find interest in one particular person? Have you met him? Seen what he looks like?”

Lilith frowned, “I don’t find you amusing.” She pushed herself around him and he gave her no problems as she passed. “I don’t think about him, if I’m being honest. Not in the way you are suggesting. I wish I could be with someone of my choosing.”

Demetrius reached out to tug her wrist. “I could give you a taste of passion.” Lilith let out a quiet laugh.

“And what do you get in return? I will not just be some play thing that will be used.” She started walking.