The Book of Exi

Chapter 3: A Warm Drink

Lilith struggled to breathe as her father and mother squeezed the life out of her. Very little could've prepared her for this surge of affection in the midst of their goodbyes, especially considering how proudly unruffled her father had always been.

This combined with the hug her mother had given her last night—had the drought of physical affection throughout her childhood had finally ignited a flood of some sorts? It felt far too unnatural—perhaps even unsettling—but she couldn't bring herself to hate it, even if it meant she was beginning to feel faint from the lack of air.

"We love you so, so much," her father mumbled into Lilith's hat, his cheek skewing it slightly. "Make sure to call us when you get there."

"Our sweet little Lilith, all grown up," her mother sounded as if she were on the verge of tears. "You're almost as beautiful as one of the Angels themselves now."

Lord Zavis watched on while leaning against the gate of their garden, one eyebrow raised the entire time—whether or not it was from amusement or vexation, Lilith couldn't tell.

He had changed out of his pure white wedding clothes, and into a suit similar to the one he originally wore when meeting Lilith, only two days prior. This time though, the red silk was a deeper hue of crimson with an addition of light orange embroidery along the hems, giving the cloth a flame-like quality with each ripple of movement.

Behind him stood two male Protectors, each dressed in relaxed clothing and with no visible weapons at their sides. Lilith hadn't even realized they weren't normal servants until she spotted the Protector emblem—a very unique and intricate shield symbol—reflecting off of their signet rings, as ordained by law.

The chauffeur for the lord's vehicle had already packed Lilith's suitcase away quite a while ago, and was now standing to the side of the two men, barely out of view.

"Be safe," her mother said. "Remember not to go off on your own, and stick to your husband!"

Her father nodded and squeezed Lilith even tighter, eliciting a strained gasp from her. "Don't go disobeying or talking back to him either, he'll be the man of the house now that you're leaving the nest. And don't be fooled by any of those disgusting heretics out there, you know better than to listen to their lies."

"Exactly," her mother agreed. "Do you understand, Lilith?"

Lilith couldn't exactly reply, but in her panicked desperation, she managed to make a strangled noise, appeasing her parents. They finally released her from their vice-like clutches, and she coughed a bit before filling her lungs with as much air as possible. 

"I'll... miss you both too," Lilith croaked out before her thoughts stuttered into silence.

There was more she wanted to say, she knew that, but nothing tangible could come to mind now that she actually got the opportunity to get speak.

So, instead of putting together something arbitrarily, she chose to curtsy deeply to her parents.

Anything she remembered to say later on during her journey, she would convey eloquently through a call once in Viritia. Better a mute than a fool, as father says.

Lord Zavis pushed himself up from the gate as he sensed the conclusion to the goodbyes nearing, and held his palm out to Lilith. "Let's go, my dear."

Lilith straightened her back and turned towards him, nodding.

Hours passed as Lilith's eyes remained fixed on the window behind her, watching as beautiful forests and rolling hills passed by, melting together into a colorful blur.