The quest for the purple feather

A week had passed since Lila's ill-fated attempt at seduction in the library, leaving Lilith in a state of both frustration and intrigue. She spent her afternoons in her bedroom, her loyal wolves Luna and Solstice by her side, their soft fur soothing her nerves as she contemplated their next move. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the palace as it prepared to set.

Despite her best efforts, Lilith had made little progress in finding a way to breach the magical barrier guarding the forbidden section of the library. To make matters more complicated, the rift between her and Ava had widened during this time. Lilith was grappling with her own tangled emotions, while Ava had chosen to maintain a stoic silence, awaiting Lilith's initiative. The palace seemed to hold its breath as a strange tension hung in the air.

Unable to shake her restlessness, Lilith knew that it was time to seek answers elsewhere. After finishing her routine of brushing her wolves' fur, she made her way to Lila's room. Upon her arrival, she was greeted with the comforting scent of freshly brewed tea and a plate of delicate biscuits. Lilith settled into a chair, taking a cup of tea and a biscuit in her hands.

"So, Lila, did you find anything?" Lilith inquired, her voice tinged with a hint of hope.

Lila, ever the optimist, leaned forward eagerly. "No, not really, but the librarian seems to like you, so you could try and seduce him," she suggested, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Lilith nearly choked on her tea, sputtering as she tried to process her sister's audacious proposal. "It's the worst idea you could have had, Lila, and if I did that, I'm sure that if Ava found out, she'd kill the librarian."

Lila, undeterred, continued to make her case. "Oh, come on, and it doesn't mean you have to kiss him or even be intimate with him; you just have to seduce him and then get information out of him."

Lilith remained skeptical, her disapproval evident in her expression. "It might be a good idea, and last time, the librarian said he'd like you better than me, so it might work."

Lila persisted, trying to convince her sister, but Lilith wasn't convinced. She abruptly stood up and headed for the door of Lila's room.

"Where are you going?" Lila called after her, but Lilith had already disappeared from the room.

Lilith raced through the palace corridors, paying no mind to the curious glances and hushed whispers of the servants she passed. Her destination was clear in her mind, and her heart raced with anticipation. She finally arrived in the palace garden, and as she had hoped, Ava's mother was there, as she often was, just before twilight.

Breathless and slightly disheveled, Lilith approached Ava's mother. "You look like you've run a marathon," Ava's mother remarked with a chuckle.

Lilith managed a nervous smile and cleared her throat, trying to appear courteous. "Can I ask you a question?"

Ava's mother raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Lilith's unusual request. They rarely had one-on-one conversations. "Of course, my dear. What's on your mind?"

Lilith hesitated briefly before launching into her inquiry. "It's something to do with magic," she began, and Ava's mother nodded, urging her to continue.

"How do you break a magical barrier?" Lilith asked, her eyes searching for any signs of hesitation from Ava's mother.

Ava's mother paused for a moment, considering her response. "Well, your magic would have to be more powerful than that of the person who erected the barrier. Why do you ask, Lilith?"

Lilith feigned innocence, her voice dripping with flattery. "I'm just curious, and as the queen of the demons, you must know a great deal about magic, not to mention being incredibly powerful."

Ava's mother smiled at the compliment but remained cautious. "Isn't there another way to break a magical barrier?" Lilith pressed.

Ava's mother thought for a moment, her gaze steady. "If there is an artifact, a magical purple feather, it can dispel the magic."

Lilith's attention sharpened at the mention of the artifact. "Where can we find it?" she inquired with heightened curiosity.

Ava's mother, ever the enigmatic figure, indulged Lilith with a cryptic smile. "You ask a lot of questions, my dear, but I'm willing to share this knowledge. The feather is currently in Ava's room."

With newfound purpose, Lilith thanked Ava's mother and promptly left the garden. As she walked briskly through the palace corridors, her mind raced with thoughts of how to acquire the magical feather. She couldn't help but think that her journey was finally progressing in the right direction.

Armed with the newfound knowledge of the magical feather's whereabouts, Lilith couldn't contain her excitement as she made her way to Ava's room. Her steps were measured and cautious, a stark contrast to the urgency that had driven her to this point. The palace corridors seemed to stretch on forever as she navigated the maze-like layout, her heart pounding with anticipation.

Upon reaching Ava's room, Lilith carefully checked for any signs of Ava. The room was empty, and the silence was only broken by the soft rustling of curtains in the gentle breeze. Lilith breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the chance to proceed undetected.

She stepped inside, her movements deliberate and silent. Ava's room was filled with the delicate fragrance of flowers, and it bore the unmistakable mark of its occupant's refined taste. Lilith's eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of the magical feather that could potentially break the barrier guarding the forbidden section of the library.

With each passing moment, Lilith's sense of urgency grew. She opened drawers, lifted cushions, and discreetly examined every nook and cranny, but the elusive feather remained hidden from view. Her determination only intensified as the minutes ticked away.

Just as she was about to search under Ava's bed, the door to the room swung open, and Lilith's heart skipped a beat. Panic set in as she realized that Ava had returned, and Lilith had nowhere to hide.

Without thinking, Lilith dropped to the floor and crawled under Ava's bed. Her heart pounded in her chest as she strained to hear Ava's movements. The sound of footsteps drew nearer, and Lilith held her breath, praying that she wouldn't be discovered.

Ava's voice filled the room as she spoke to herself. "Time to go get a shower now."