Chapter 134: SUMMONING SERAPHINA
Lumina sat alone in the dining room, her fingers absently tracing the edges of the medical book open before her.
The faint rustle of pages was the only sound she could hear until footsteps echoed down the hall.
She didn’t look up at the soft murmurs of greeting from the servants who told her Ashen had arrived.
"Where is my lady?" Ashen’s deep voice carried from the corridor. It was always his first question whenever he returned from the palace.
"My lord, the lady is waiting in the dining room," one of the maids answered.
Moments later, she heard his steps approaching. Her mood shifted before she even saw him.
"My..."
"Why was she in your office today?" Lumina asked without looking up.
Ashen stopped mid-step, his head tilting slightly as though caught off guard. He sniffed his shirt faintly, realizing what she was referring to, and his lips curved into a faint smirk.
"I promise you," he said in a low, amused voice, "I didn’t act nice with her today."
Lumina finally lifted her gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly under her blindfold. "Really?"
"Of course," he said, walking closer to her. "I knew you wouldn’t like it, so I made sure to cause trouble. If Adam hears of it, I am sure he will come storming into the chamber tonight."
Her lips parted in surprise, but before she could respond, Ashen leaned down and pressed a kiss against her lips.
"Hey...!" she tried to protest, but everyone in the room quickly looked away, pretending not to see.
"We are in the dining room," she mumbled against his mouth, but he didn’t care. He had been tense all day, fury simmering under his skin since the attack.
"I was attacked," he murmured against her lips. "I want you to appease me."
The small smile that had been playing on her lips vanished instantly. She grasped his robe, pulling him closer, worry flashing in her blind eyes.
"Attacked? What happened? Are you hurt?"
He caught her hands gently, pressing them against his chest. "Yes... Right here," he said softly.
Her face was drained of color. "Your chest... have you treated it? Is it deep...?"
He only smiled, the corner of his mouth curling up into a smirk.
"I haven’t treated it," he said in a teasing tone, "because only your embrace would fix it."
She immediately understood what he meant and let out a breathless, exasperated sigh.
"Don’t scare me like that again..." He smiled at her reaction, clearly pleased. "Then embrace me."
"I am not doing that. You still smell like Rhynera."
Ashen exhaled sharply, then chuckled. "Then I suppose I should go bathe so I no longer smell of her."
"You should eat first," Lumina said, calling him back as he turned.
He turned back toward her with a sly grin. "I am not eating unless you embrace me."
She rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath, then opened her arms.
Ashen immediately crossed the room, gathering her in his arms and closing his eyes as though her touch grounded him.
He could not explain what this simple act did to him, but one thing was certain. It was the only thing keeping the fury inside him from consuming him whole.
Dinner passed quietly after that. Lumina, as usual, tried to avoid eating and act spoiled, but Ashen would not allow it.
He sat beside her, feeding her patiently from the spoon until she finally gave in.
When the meal was over, he rose to take his bath. Lumina decided to remain behind and enjoy the cool night air from the open balcony.
As soon as Ashen left, she turned to Ero. "Was he really attacked?" she asked softly.
Ero’s face darkened. "Yes, my lady. But he was quick to escape before the spear penetrated him and hurt him."
Lumina let out a heavy sigh, her worry increasing. Something was happening, something bigger than she had been told. For the first time since her arrival in Drakonia, she felt powerless.
She stood and crossed the room to the center of the floor. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply and raised her hands, palms open to the sky.
Her fingers traced an intricate pattern in the air, glowing faintly with golden light. A ripple spread outward, and the candles flickered violently, deeply, instantly the room grew colder.
A figure materialized in front of her Seraphina.
"Aunt," Lumina said, lowering her hands.
Seraphina didn’t answer. Instead, she stepped forward, taking Lumina’s wrist gently in her hands.
Her touch was cool as she pressed two fingers to Lumina’s pulse, her brows knitting.
"You called for me... but you have other cases in hand instead of worrying about something else." Lumina snatched her wrist from her.
"Did you take any antidote today?" Seraphina asked suddenly. Lumina shook her head.
Seraphina checked her wrist again, her expression hardening. "You were poisoned, Lumina. This is Shadebane, it must have been Adam’s doing."
Lumina’s breath caught at once heating the name and also the way her aunt was affected by this poison at once.
"This antidote in you can only lessen the pain," Seraphina continued, "but it will not save you."
"But I didn’t take any antidote," Lumina whispered.
"Then perhaps that cleansing veil you use is slowing the poison," Seraphina said thoughtfully. "But without the true antidote, you will begin to hallucinate within days." Lumina’s chest constricted.
"What does Adam want from you?" Seraphina asked.
"He wants me to tell him about Ashen," Lumina admitted.
"Then you have little time left. Find a way to save yourself before this worsens."
Lumina bit her lip. "Ashen was attacked today... Do you think Adam...?"
"Ashen is not weak, Lumina," Seraphina cut her off firmly. "Do you think I would bind you to someone weak? He is the last dragon prince. His mind is sharp enough to strike fear in the council itself."
Lumina stood speechless. "Then why didn’t you ever tell me the truth? You made me believe I was here for revenge, not for love..."
"I never pushed you not to love," Seraphina said calmly. "I reminded you that your duty was to avenge your mother’s death."
"But you are the one who told me you wished to be with the one destined for you, no matter the cost," Lumina argued as she lowered her head.
"Do you care about Ashen?" Seraphina asked suddenly.
"Aunt..."
"I asked you a question, do you care about him?"
Lumina hesitated. "I... I don’t know."
Seraphina nodded slowly. "Then use this time wisely. I am still searching for an antidote across the realm, but I cannot promise I will find it in time. Do not give up."
"What do you think I should do about the crown prince?" Lumina asked.
Seraphina’s lips curved faintly. "Lumina, I have never dictated your choices. I only guide you. Do what you feel is best."
With that, Seraphina’s figure shimmered and faded into nothing, leaving Lumina standing in the silent dining hall.
She released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and froze.
Someone was behind her, yes so close to her, intact that feeling she could feel when her aunt was here with her and she knew who that person was.