Chapter 126: GIVING HER ANTIDOTE
Lumina finally got back to the chambers, and once again, she couldn’t help but feel Ashen’s presence anywhere.
She slipped quietly into her room. Stella moved about, helping her prepare her bath, but even Stella’s soft movements sounded too loud in the silence.
Lumina sank into the warm bath, her fingers clenching the edge in frustration. She did not want to apologize. In her heart, she still believed she had every right to get mad at him. The empty chambers were suffocating. She had never truly seen Ashen angry at her before.
But last night she could feel the pain in his voice when he talked.
She had wanted him to leave her alone... so why did her chest ache so much now that he had?
After her bath, Stella helped her into a nightgown, the silks brushing against her bare arms. It was too quiet, this time Ashen was always around her teasing her here and there. Before she knew it the question left Lumina’s lips before she could stop it.
"Has Ashen not been around the whole day?"
Stella hesitated, then sighed. "He has not come home since last night. Ero sent word that he is working and may not return tonight also"
Lumina’s fists tightened, her nails digging into her palms. She forced herself to nod as if it did not matter, but the pain stung worse than the poison running in her veins.
Why should it hurt this much? Why did it feel as if something precious was slipping away from her?
"Di... did he..." she started to ask, but swallowed the words.
Stella faced her squarely. "My lady, it has been months since you came to this realm. You and the lord are still learning to build something between you. You cannot keep speaking like you are two strangers forced to live together."
"But Stella—"
But Stella stepped closer. "You always tell me that only you can make yourself see. The lord treats you differently from anyone else. He listens to you, he protects you. Your connection began almost immediately, and yet you keep pushing him away."
"But he isn’t the right one for me... and this is just going to last two years.., remember I also need to save my life?" Lumina explained.
"Then... you can explain to him... the both of you can come up with something I am pretty sure he would find his way around.."
Lumina turned her head away. "Please dress me. I need to sleep."
Stella sighed but obeyed, fastening the ties of her gown. When Lumina ignored her dinner, Stella caught her wrist and checked her pulse.
"The poison is still circulating. You must allow me to use my power to cleanse..."
Lumina stood so suddenly the chair rocked backward. "Stella! We are lucky no one sensed it last time. Do you want to expose us?"
"My lady... You can’t just depend on the cleansing veil..."
"I will not die, Stella," Lumina cut her off, her voice trembling. "Not before I finish my revenge."
Stella exhaled in frustration but finally spread her bed, knowing Lumina’s stubbornness could not be broken tonight.
When she finally lay down, the room went still. The candles burned low, shadows dancing on the wall. But Lumina could not sleep.
Hours later like the previous night she thrashed against the sheets, sweat soaking her hairline.
That same nightmare clung to her mind, and when she woke, tears were streaming down her face. She clutched the duvet to her chest and whispered into the emptiness before she could control herself.
"Ashen..."
Her voice cracked. She said his name again, softer this time, her tears soaking the pillow.
Her body was burning, trembling so badly she curled into herself and cried until her throat ached.
Finally, exhaustion claimed her, and she drifted into a fitful sleep.
The moment she turned her back, the invisible Ashen became visible.
He had been there long before she woke up screaming. He had felt her distress and entered silently.
He had stayed in the corner, watching as she cried, his own heart twisting.
He wanted so badly to hold her, but he was afraid she would reject him again. So he waited until her body was still, and when he was sure she was now asleep.
Then he came to her side sitting beside her
Aria appeared immediately carrying a silver basin of warm water and a bottle of concoction. She set them on the bedside table and nodded before fading away.
Ashen dipped a soft cloth into the water and wrung it out. His large hand trembled slightly as he brushed the damp cloth over her face, wiping away the sweat and tears.
He worked slowly, as though she would shatter if he touched her too roughly.
Her breathing was shallow, her cheeks flushed. He placed his palm against her forehead and cursed under his breath.
She was burning, slowly he lifted her carefully into his lap, cradling her like glass.
"Lumina," he whispered, even though she could not hear. "Drink this... for the poison."
Aria sighed at this, "Why give her an antidote without letting her know about it?"
Ashen ignored her question and coaxed the concoction between her lips, his thumb brushing her jaw until she swallowed. When she whimpered softly, his chest constricted.
When he was done, he lay her back down and wiped her face again. He stayed there until her breathing became even, the fever easing slightly.
"My Lord..." Aria called again.
"Maybe because I want to know what her next action would be... so I will continue giving her the antidote without her knowing."
"My Lord... you know what you go through to get it, and she didn’t even tell you Adam poisoned her... You just said she has amb..." he snapped his finger gesturing. For her to keep shut.
His palm caresses her face, "I trust her... she also has her share of betrayal, she wouldn’t betray me."
"You have only known her for a few moon months." he glanced at Aria.
"How about the one she had asked for... any news on anyone that can help with her eyes caught?" Aria sighed as she shook her head.
"I feel you should ask more questions on how to get that person." he nodded his head and Aria morphed into her crow form flying out the window.
Dawn light was creeping through the curtains when he finally rose to leave.
But as he stood, her hand shot out and caught his sleeve.. "Ashen..." she mumbled again in her sleep.
Her body stirred against the sheets, her lips parting slightly. The sight of her disheveled hair, flushed cheeks, and fingers clutching him sent a rush of heat through him.
He lowered himself back to the bed, staring at her face for a long moment before he let himself do what he had wanted all night.
He kissed her lips, it was a soft press of his lips against hers. She did not wake, but she sighed, relaxing as if she could feel him even in sleep.
He rested his forehead against hers, breathing in the faint scent of her hair.
"You are going to drive me mad, Lumina," he whispered hoarsely. "And still... I cannot stay away."