Lilith didn't know how long she had been crying. Her eyes were swollen and heavy, her throat raw from the sobs that had wracked her body. Slowly, she pulled away from the prince, though his arms remained around her.
She cleared her throat, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry. I just got overwhelmed," she murmured, letting out a soft, nervous chuckle at the end.
"You've been apologizing a lot lately," Hades said quietly. "Stop apologizing." His fingers brushed along her jaw, lifting her chin so he could look into her eyes. "Tell me… why were you crying?"
Lilith swallowed hard and tried to pull back from his touch, but his fingers tightened gently, just enough to keep her still—firm, but not forceful.
"We can stand here all night if we have to," he added. "I won't let you go until you tell me."
She exhaled shakily. "I… I'd like to sit down."
