CHAPTER THIRTEEN: BATTLE OF ALLIANCE

The days were gone in the blink of an eye. It was the 365th night—the end of Lilith's stay on earth. The blood moon days were near confirming enthronement as queen, but the thought of her marriage alliance aggravated her. Teivel was the least of her competitors that she would have considered, but it was her father's choice, and there was no stopping it.

As she prepared to leave, her heart yearned for Damien. She knew he wouldn't be able to take her absence well and would come looking for her. With a heavy heart, she left a note on her doorstep, a response to all his letters. The wind blew gently as she left the earth, appearing in the underworld to claim her throne. She couldn't stop reminiscing about her moments with Damien. He was a burden that she held fiercely to her heart. As she walked around her throne; she closed her eyes, wanting to flush all memories of him from her mind.

She opened her eyes, reminding herself of her ultimate desire: "to rule the throne alone." There was nothing more important than that. She wasn't going to let emotions sway her from her focus.

Deep in her thoughts, she glanced around as her father walked up to her. She bowed while he spoke "Welcome home… I believe you've had your fill of the earth. Now the time has come to take your seat beside me. "When the blood moon arrives in the next three full moons, you should prepare for the alliance."

Lilith scoffed: "I do not need an alliance! "I will size the throne on my own." "I have proven my capability and brought proof of it." She held out the Crown of Thorns to him. Abaddon sighed. "You have proven yourself, but the alliance must be made to strengthen your power and reign. There is no discussing this further. You will be grateful to Teivel, and it has been settled."

Lilith spoke firmly. "I request a council of the elders with your unholiness present before the meeting chambers!". Abaddon groaned, knowing she would do anything to seize her heart's content. The fact that she purposely went against his orders aggravated him. "Very well then. See to it that the council is summoned." He left.

Lilith knew it was going to prove difficult to convince them, but she had to make an attempt. The Elders of Terror sat on their thrones along with the princes of hell; Teivel included. On the throne sat Abaddon, with Lilith standing right before him as she made her case.

The Elders of Terror spoke. "It has been decided!" "You will marry Teivel, and he will walk you to victory!" Lilith raised her voice: "Do I not have a say in this?" Need I remind you that it is my life we're talking about? My decision!" The Elders clamored, "The decision has been made before your arrival, child! You will do as told…after all.." they chattered among themselves laughing. "Have you seen his structure and power?" "He will make fine demon grandchildren for our king!"

Teivel stood from his seat, raising his voice: "Dear Lilith, be so kind as to give your reasons for objecting to this alliance". he questioned in sarcasm, with the backing of the Elders. He had a tanned masculine feature, the contours of his strong muscles exposed from his dark fitting garment. A chain of steel with a pendant depicting the symbol of the Leviathan cross resting on his neck.

Lilith glared in anger. Their words against hers. "I can rule with my power, and I do not have the slightest desire to share it with you!" She yells in rage. Teivel laughed. "A bit of greed is welcome, but there is a hidden desire you choose to hold within."

He paced forward as he faced Abaddon. "Lilith has found solace in a weak mortal! Her heart yearns towards him, which is why she would give up her true destiny for a lowly human. A mortal whom I would see to his end!"

Lilith raged in anger, staring fiery into Teivel's eyes, "You will do no such thing! If you lay a finger on the slightest strand of his hair, I swear to you that even Poseidon himself cannot stop me from raining hell on you!". Teivel flinched, knowing well that her threats carried authority, yet he smirked.

"I have him right under my claws, Lilith! In new chains soldered from Damascus steel.. well, of course, he yet lives...although barely..". Lilith clenched her fists, aggrieved. She grabbed Teivel by the throat, thinking of many ways to make him suffer. Throwing him to the ground with force.

The Elders of Terror raged in one voice: "A mortal makes a queen turn against her own! Blasphemy !" They clamored. Demanding a verdict on Lilith's punishment. Abaddon clutched his fist, hitting it against his throne as he demanded silence.

After a brief moment, he went on to speak. Turning towards Lilith. "You had 365 days to roam the earth to your heart's content! But you drew towards a mortal despite knowing the demands of your alliance!. You must placate the Elders by their demands, as the life of your mortal friend rests in their hands".

Lilith stood firmly. Trying her best to calm her rage as the Elders spoke in unison. "Your quest for freedom and curiosity got you to earth… so you shall bring to pay your obedience.

The box of Pandora would do just fine!" They smiled, knowing it was impossible for her to retrieve the box.