England
1416
Lilith woke up slowly. She looked around the dim room and noticed there was a strange man beside her bed. She spied the door at the end of the room and bolted. In less than a second he was in front of her, blocking her escape. Fighting with him, Lilith tried to claw pass him. Eventually she slumped to the ground and cried. She didn't want to be there. All this was just a nightmare and she'd wake up to her baby boy sleeping beside her.
William bent down and lifted his hand to place on her head. Afraid that he was about to hit her, Lilith cowered away. But he held her, whispering comforting things into her ear. His body was so cold and Lilith shivered against him. His hypnotic voice lulled her back to sleep and the next time she woke up, she didn't have the urge to run away again. Honestly...she couldn't remember what happened.
"Whaur am I?" Lilith croaked.
Jolting up in his seat beside her bed, William woke up at the sound of her voice. "Good morning." William paused before pouring her some water. "Well I expect it's more like noon, but down here no one really knows." He offered her a smile and Lilith looked away shyly.
"Why am I 'ere? And whaur is 'ere?" She whispered from behind the sheet she held in front of her face.
William thought about how much to tell her. He had her memories sealed, but he wasn't sure if his powers were strong enough to seal everything and he knew that he wasn't strong enough to keep her memories sealed forever. Tapping his foot impatiently, William fought with himself.
"When I found you, you were in need of help and we're underground. There is a war above, so it's best we stay here." He watched as Lilith nodded her head slowly, seemingly understanding.
"'ow long 'ave I been 'ere?" Lilith put down the sheet she hid behind and graciously took the cup of water.
As she sipped at it, William replied. "You should rest more. It's not good for you to be up and about so soon." He tucked Lilith back in bed and she blushed from his attentions. "I'll tell you more when you get your strength back." Lilith nodded again and wiggled to find a comfortable position. She looked at William and thanked him before falling asleep. Oddly she trusted that he wouldn't harm her.
Eventually she got better, but she missed outdoors and sunlight. William kept her locked up in a dim room all the time. Her food and baths were brought in by servants who didn't speak to her. She began to crave company. And the only company she got was William's. At first she despised him for keeping her locked up and never telling her anything, but then over time she began to notice a change. He was always polite if somewhat distant. But she enjoyed his company and even began to anticipate the next visit.
William was sitting across of Lilith watching her eat. She swallowed her food and looked at him.
"Aren't ye gonna eat?" She spoke up. Lilith asked the same question day after day. And his answer was always either 'I've already eaten' or 'I've no appetite'. Lilith wondered which one he would use this time.
"I already had supper." He explained.
Lilith sighed and pushed her plate away from her. She suddenly wasn't hungry.
"Aren't you going to eat?" William parroted her earlier words. Lilith shrugged and got up from the table.
William wished he could have supper with her, but his body didn't digest food properly. He'd end up with an upset stomach. If he did eat solids, it would have to be such a small amount that it would be insignificant and more so a waste of time.
Lilith sat down at her vanity table and picked up her brush. Coming up from behind her, William took the brush from her hands and began to brush her hair. She sat there, letting him cater to her like he always did. Then he leaned down to whisper in her ear and Lilith watched her reflection as her eyes widened. She was speechless.
William stood and walked to the door. He turned towards Lilith. "I'll wait for your answer." With that, he knocked twice on the door for it to be unlocked from the other side.
What would her reply be? Did Lilith love him?
He took good care of her and even though he kept her lock inside that one room, she was safe. Lilith wanted to make him happy. The more she thought about his confession of love, the greater the ache in her chest. Did that mean she felt the same? Is that what love felt like? It must be, Lilith told herself. Sleeping on her decision, Lilith waited until William would see her again. It seemed like an eternity passed before he visited.
There was a knock on the door and William on the other side asking if he could enter. Lilith ran to the mirror to pinch her cheeks and run the brush through her hair a couple times before calling out.
"Aye." She answered as the door creaked open. She gave him a big smile as he entered with his gaze downcast. When they made eye contact, her smile widened and William slowly smiled back.
"I doona ken what love is, but e'ery time I think about ye my 'eart aches. I doona know if that is what love is suppose tae feel like. O'er time I think I can come tae love ye, but I just canna say the words at this moment. Will ye wait for me?"