In a carriage, Virgil sat alone, watching as the castle grew smaller in the distance. He did not want to miss the chance of seeing the royal wedding, nor of seeing which priest had turned his back on the church to take part in a union he had not blessed.

That priest would no longer have the support of the church, as they had not sought permission.

"It is always a bad day to kill a fellow priest," Virgil said, bothered that it came to this. "Why can’t the little ones just obey my commands? It would make life so much easier."

Virgil thought of what he witnessed in the castle.

Through a narrow window, Virgil caught a glimpse of Lilith in her wedding dress. She surprised him by going through with the ceremony, but then again, Lilith had always craved power. She desired the throne, and for that, she had been punished by her family.

Virgil tapped his fingers against his leg, trying to calm himself. "There is much to do to save her."

Virgil was not yet finished guiding Lilith. Though Cassian would spoil her after tonight, Virgil believed he could still bless her and place her at his side. She was meant to be his woman from the moment he laid eyes on her, and Lilith defied.

Lilith was nothing like her family from the start. She was nothing like the children her age.

"High priest," a guard called, riding alongside the carriage. "The castle guards appear to be searching for someone. They must know you were in the castle. How should we respond?"

"Of course, they are searching for me. She has always been wise to sense danger. Yet danger is no concern now that I am out of the castle. His grace’s powers are strong only upon his land and within those walls. Do not fret," Virgil replied calmly.

Virgil wasn’t the slightest bit concerned about Cassian finding him.

"Our Lord and Saviour shall watch over us, protecting us in this dark time. Keep watch for castle guards and send word for all churches to close their doors. I shall address the town tomorrow to speak of God’s will," Virgil commanded the guard.

Virgil turned from the window, not wanting to think of the wedding right now. He had been so close to his plans, yet Cassian had arrived at the worst possible moment to spoil them.

"And he went after her. Had he shown interest in her highness before?" Virgil murmured.

Cassian was a strange man, difficult to predict, but Virgil remained certain that one day he would claim ownership of Lilith.

The ride to the church was quiet as Virgil thought over what he would do next. Some nobles and influential men had agreed to meet him in the morning. He certainly had more support than Cassian.

At the church, Virgil stepped down from the carriage, greeted by late-night visitors and priests. The death of a king had stirred concern across the kingdom, and many flocked to the church, eager to hear his words.

Virgil walked with his hands clasped, offering a small prayer to the anxious townspeople. His words brought him comfort a king would never be able to offer.

"Close the doors once our visitors have left," Virgil ordered a priest upon entering. "I am not to be disturbed unless there is danger you cannot face alone."

He left the front hall and entered the small chamber assigned to him. The chamber contained a bed, folded robes, and bibles stacked neatly upon a shelf.

On a lone table lay a dress and fabric belonging to one woman in particular.

The fabric had been used to craft Lilith’s gift, but the old dress, carrying the faint scent of mould and stained with age, had once belonged to Lilith when she was sent to the church.

It was all Virgil had as a reminder of her time there. She had been clever enough to slip away long before she was meant to return to the castle.

Virgil often wondered how much control he might have gained over her had she stayed longer, moulded into one of his followers.

He picked up the dress and studied it. Lilith had never worn it as she was forced instead to wear the church’s robes to blend in with the other children.

Still, Virgil brought the fabric to his face, hoping for some lingering trace of her scent, but all that remained was the stale reminder of age.

"That cursed child," Virgil muttered, lowering the dress. He blamed Lilith entirely for the feelings she stirred in him. A man of God.

Lilith had been sent as a lesson, a woman who would make him question his faith.

Virgil was determined not to fail. He would save Lilith and turn her into a woman suitable for the church. Suitable for him.

He folded the dress carefully and placed it inside a drawer, hidden from priests and curious children who might snoop. It was for his hands alone.

"I wonder what she thought of it," he whispered, staring at the remaining cloth for the garment he had made in secret.

It had been dangerous to deliver it to her, but worth every string he pulled. The only regret was that he had not seen her wear it. Still, he had been fortunate enough to glimpse her in her wedding gown.

Virgil clenched the cloth tightly in his hands. "That bastard ruined it all," he muttered.

Cassian had to die, and unless Lilith were not wise enough to come to Virgil’s side, she would die as well.

"She is wise enough to know what side to choose when the fire is behind her," Virgil said, his eyes cold.

If Lilith would not choose him, then a woman who could tempt a priest had to be burned. His weakness could not be allowed to remain alive if not at his side.

"I must pray for her," Virgil whispered, clasping his hands as he knelt upon the stone floor. "Mighty Father, please save her wicked soul by bringing her to me."