The Cursed Demon Prince-Chapter 242: Until Last Breath

The eerie silence around her made Lilith open her eyes. She blinked a couple of times, adjusting to her surroundings. She was lying on the softest grass she had ever touched, the distant sound of water falling ringing in her ears. Slowly, she rose to her feet, draped in a loose white dress, her hair cascading down her shoulders, her bare feet pressed against the ground.

Was this heaven? Lilith asked herself. This wasn’t how she had imagined it. Even though she felt completely at peace and at ease, something deep within her told her that something wasn’t right.

Squinting, Lilith tried to make sense of her surroundings, hoping to get a clearer view of where she was. Unfortunately, she couldn’t see past a few feet ahead, thick fog filled the air.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, she ran her fingers through her hair, still lost in thought. The sudden sound of light footsteps forced her to turn abruptly. Lilith almost gasped in shock as she stared at the figure standing an arm’s length away from her.

"You... what are you doing here?" Lilith whispered, her eyes moving from the woman’s head to her feet, then back to her face.

Salistra smiled at her.

"I should be asking you that."

Lilith frowned at the response. "What do you mean? I’m supposed to be dead and in heaven. What is this place?" Questions spiraled through her mind.

There was a moment of silence before the witch replied. "This is the bridge between the living and the dead. The gate between the realms remains open, that is why we are still here."

Lilith grew even more confused by the witch’s words. "I don’t understand. Why would I be stuck here on this bridge? I’m supposed to be dead."

"You aren’t stuck here," Salistra said. "I brought you here, Lilith. And you are not dead." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Can you please explain what’s going on?" Lilith asked, her voice tightening. "How is it possible that I’m not dead? I felt myself dying. And why are you here in the first place?"

The witch smiled, rubbing her feet against the grass before lifting her gaze back to Lilith. "Things have changed. You can call it a miracle if you want, but you are going to live with Hades, Viktor, and all of them. There is so much greatness within you that you have yet to uncover. It would be unfair to let it all turn to dust."

Lilith swallowed, narrowing her eyes at the woman. "What are you even talking about? I can’t escape my destiny. I received a favor from the goddess, so I must pay for it. There is nothing you or anyone can do about that, regardless of how you feel." She swallowed again. "I’m sorry, but I must go."

"Silly child," Salistra chuckled lightly. "Your debt to the goddess has been paid. There is nothing you should worry about."

Slowly, it all began to make sense in Lilith’s head. Her eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets. "You..."

Salistra’s smile broadened at the realization on Lilith’s face. "At first, I thought there was no way out, but I continued to search for one until I found it. Remember how I told you I would do anything to protect Celeste’s child? I meant it. Even if it meant giving up my life."

Her eyes brimmed with tears as she shook her head. "No. No. No. This can’t be. I took the oath. I’m supposed to pay the consequences of my actions. You cannot... you mustn’t—"

"You are much better alive, in the realm of the living, by Hades’ side," Salistra said gently. "How could I live peacefully knowing what your death would do to him? He has suffered too much, and I refuse to let him suffer any more. I promised Celeste to give her child a happy ending, and there is none without you. Lilith, you are his happy ending."

She swallowed before clearing her throat. "You must return to the realm of the living. The gates will soon close."

Lilith took a step forward. "I—"

"There is no need to feel pity or sorrow for me, Lilith. I am more than happy with my choice. My soul was already condemned for betraying the coven. It would not be accepted in either heaven or hell, so this is good for me. Instead of my soul wandering endlessly, it is better placed in the hands of the goddess."

Her smile turned sad. "You and Hades deserve happiness, and I will gladly give up my life so you can have it."

Tears rolled down Lilith’s face. "No... you can’t..." she choked.

"You have to leave now, Lilith. Return to your body. Live your life. Be happy, that is all I ask of you."

Panicking, she stretched out her hand toward Salistra, but everything turned blurry almost immediately. She felt herself being pulled into the ground, her mouth opening to call out to Salistra, but no words came. The image of the witch distorted, fading into a silhouette before everything went black.

A long gasp tore from Lilith’s lips as she opened her eyes, staring up at the ceiling of her bedchamber. She sat up immediately, her eyes darting around from the bed to Hades, Lucian, Viktor, and Charlotte. There were others in the room as well, but Lilith didn’t have time to identify them before jumping off the bed and dashing out of the room.

Loud footsteps followed behind her as voices called her name in the distance. She ignored them all, running through the crypt and toward the cave. That was when she saw it.

She halted, heart pounding, and pushed past the physician and a few guards toward the makeshift bed where the witch lay.

Fresh tears spilled from Lilith’s eyes at the sight of her. Salistra’s eyes were sunken, her cheeks hollow, her neck strained. She looked as though she were only seconds away from death.

Lilith knelt beside her, taking the woman’s bony hand in hers. "Dear heavens... I’m so sorry. I...I’m so sorry this happened to you."

"Nonsense, child," Salistra teased weakly. "This is exactly where I want to be." Her gaze shifted briefly behind Lilith before returning to her. "Take care of Hades, and don’t cause him any more trouble."

Lilith let out a shaky laugh through her tears. "I promise. I will take care of him."

"Good," Salistra whispered, a small smile still on her lips as she closed her eyes and took her last breath.

Still holding her hand, Lilith wept, for the loss of a great woman, for the life she was allowed to keep, for the past, and for the future. She cried with such overwhelming emotion it felt as though her heart might burst.

"Everything will be alright, love," Hades whispered against her ear, wrapping his arms around her, holding and comforting her as she cried.