The Cursed Demon Prince-Chapter 235: Stained With Blood

Lilith trailed silently behind Hades as he led her up through the crypt, into the cave, and finally toward the beautiful waterfall hidden inside it. She was tempted to ask again what he wanted to show her, but decided against it. She had already asked multiple times, and each time he simply told her to trust him and relax, which was nearly impossible when her heart was pounding wildly in her chest.

They stopped abruptly. He turned to her with a small smile.

"I need you to close your eyes for two minutes. We’re almost there."

Lilith let out a soft whine, her gaze darting around in hopes of catching some kind of clue, but there was nothing. Instead of arguing, she obeyed, closing her eyes.

"Thank you, love. The suspense will be over soon." He pressed a gentle kiss against her temple.

His hold on her hand tightened as they continued walking, Hades guiding her carefully along the path ahead. After what felt like forever, they stopped again. The sound of the waterfall was much louder now, the rush of wind stronger and cooler against her skin.

"You may open your eyes now," his voice murmured from behind her, his breath warm against her neck. Hades stood so close she could feel the heat of his body wrap around her. She swallowed before finally opening her eyes.

Lilith felt her heart stop.

Her eyes widened, lips parting in awe at the sight before her. A massive, powerful waterfall thundered down from a height so great she could barely see the top through the thick mist filling the air. Above, a natural opening let sunlight pour into the cavern, illuminating the space in a soft, magical glow.

It was breathtaking.

"This... is beautiful, Hades." She turned to him, stunned. "How did you find this place?"

He smiled. "Exploring. I was bored one day and ventured far enough to discover this beauty. I vowed to myself that I’d bring you here someday."

Lilith’s heart warmed. "When did you get so sweet, Your Highness?"

He laughed softly. "When you came into my life. You forced your way into my heart and etched yourself into every corner of my soul. And now..." He gathered her hands in his. "...I cannot imagine any life without you, Lilith. Because of you, I’ve felt things I didn’t think I was capable of feeling. At first these emotions terrified me, but I grew to accept them, because you stirred so much in me with just a smile. I realized that I wanted you deeply and everything that came with you."

He exhaled shakily.

"With every moment I spend with you, I find myself falling deeper and deeper in love." He let out a breathless laugh, almost disbelieving. "Dear gods, I am madly and irrevocably in love with you. There is nothing in this world or beyond it that I wouldn’t do for you. And I wouldn’t have it any other way."

Tears spilled down Lilith’s cheeks. Her heart swelled with excitement, happiness, and pure contentment. Hearing these words from the prince’s lips felt like music, something she could listen to every second of every day for the rest of her life.

Still holding her hand, Hades slowly lowered himself to the ground. One knee touched the ground, the other bent, and he lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it.

"Lilith, you are the light to my dark soul. You are the warmth in my cold life. I always thought one needed to die to experience something so extraordinary, but I was mistaken yet again as you proved me wrong. You are truly an extraordinary woman, Lilith. My beautiful woman."

He opened his other palm to reveal a ring, the diamond catching the sunlight and shimmering brilliantly. "Marry me, Lilith. Allow me to give you the heavens and the earth."

Lilith choked on a sob, unable to stop the tears rising in her throat. Emotions collided within her, happiness, sadness, guilt, and piercing pain. She didn’t have long left in this world. She should say no, reject his proposal, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Yes... she was that selfish.

Hades’ face revealed more than words ever could. Lilith swallowed hard, dear gods, he looked so beautiful with the sunlight bathing his features. His eyes, his smooth skin, his lips she was tempted to kiss. Her gaze shifted to the ring in his hand.

"How can I say no to you when you’ve stolen the breath from my chest and caused my heart to beat only for you?"

Hades’ smile widened at her words. "Then say yes. Marry me, my love."

"I will marry you, Hades."

The prince exhaled, relief and joy melting across his features as he slid the ring onto her finger. He kissed it gently before rising to his feet. "I love you, Lilith."

"I love you, Your Highness," Lilith whispered.

She wasn’t sure who moved first, but then their lips were touching. His fingers threaded through her hair and she moaned as he took initiative. Slowly, Hades’ tongue traced the seam of her lips, coaxing them open for him.

The softness of her made blood pulse hotly through his veins. He tilted his head, deepening the kiss, his hands sliding around her waist and pulling her closer until their bodies were flush. Lilith groaned against his lips, her hands shamelessly exploring the breadth of his shoulders.

He lifted her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling them even closer together. Hades took a few steps before Lilith felt her back press against a slightly rough surface.

They pulled away, panting as they tried to catch their breath. Hades’ eyes had darkened, filled with desire and lust. Lilith imagined she looked the same, hair tousled, face flushed, lips swollen. The sight of the prince sent shivers running down her spine.

He captured her lips again, and this time there was no gentleness. It was rough, greedy, possessive. His hands roamed her body, cupping and squeezing with heated need.

Lilith tugged on his shirt, and together they worked at the buttons. One by one they came undone until his shirt pooled at his feet, leaving him bare for her. Goosebumps spread across his skin under her eager, seductive touches.

Hades could feel his self-control slipping, snapping one thread at a time from how good she felt against him. He slowly pulled away to look at her breathtaking face. He swallowed, almost ashamed of how his erection swelled at the mere sight of her.

His dark eyes followed her movements as she began to undo the lace of her dress, her slender fingers working far too slowly for his liking while her gaze stayed locked on him.

The lace was nearly undone when both of them froze. Lilith felt something drop onto her hand, once, then again. She looked down to find blood on her skin. Her stomach knotted.

Hades paled at the sight. "We... you’re bleeding. Your nose," he whispered, eyes widening in horror.

Lilith’s hand trembled, and before she could react, a sharp headache forced her to grab her head, eyes squeezing shut. A cry tore from her lips as consciousness began to slip away. Hades’ voice calling her name grew distant... fading... until everything stilled, and darkness swallowed her whole.