Chapter 119: REFUSE AND YOU DIE
Lumina finally regained consciousness after a while and the smell hit her first.
It was unfamiliar, and so unlike the faint sandalwood of the palace corridors.
Lumina’s nose wrinkled as she stirred back to consciousness, the pounding in her head making her dizzy.
But what caught her attention was the way her hands were tied, her knees digging into the rough floor. The ground beneath her was cold, and she realized she was no longer in the palace.
Her heart thudded hard against her ribs.
She forced herself to focus so that she could listen. Her hearing sharpened as she strained to catch the smallest sound.
There was the faint scrape of boots against the ground which told her that someone was approaching.
The footsteps finally stopped just in front of her and she didn’t move one second so she could tell who that person was.
Then she felt the touch of fingers trailing along her arms, moving until they reached the curve of her neck making her breath hitch.
Whoever it was, he was behind her, close enough that she could feel his warmth and her body didn’t like this.
She wriggled, trying to pull free of the ropes, so she could get away from the irritating touch.
"Crown Prince," she called out suddenly, her voice stable despite the fear that coiled in her stomach.
There was a sharp intake of breath at the realization.
"How did you..."
"Why in the world would you abduct me?" she interrupted, ignoring courtesy.
Adam stepped into her line of hearing, his boots scraping the floor again. She could almost feel his surprise. Then, after a heartbeat, he laughed.
"You really are too clever," he said with a strange sort of admiration. "If you weren’t blind, you might have been chosen as crown princess yourself."
"Chosen?" Lumina’s lips curved into a bitter smile. "You think being a crown princess would ever tempt me? To be chained to a man like you?"
That struck something in him. He laughed louder, wilder this time, until the sound echoed in the chamber.
"Of course, you could never have the patience," Adam said mockingly, "not when you are blind and powerless."
Lumina tilted her head toward him, her voice calm. "If you think abducting me proves you are clever, Crown Prince, then you are a fool."
His laughter stopped and in the next second his rough fingers grabbed her by the neck from behind, forcing her head back. Lumina gritted her teeth but did not cry out.
"My husband is aware of every single bruise on my body," she said coldly.
"If you leave a mark, you will learn just how far he is willing to go for me."
Adam chuckled darkly. "The same husband you are so proud of is my little brother?"
"He might be your little brother," Lumina shot back, "but you do not want to be on his bad side."
That only made him laugh harder. He crouched in front of her now, close enough that she could feel his breath against her face.
"You smell different up close," he murmured, his voice almost a whisper. "Your scent... intoxicating."
Lumina jerked her head away, disgust rising in her throat.
"Stay away," she warned in a low voice.
But he only leaned closer, his forehead brushing hers.
"Is this how he stays so close to you?" he asked softly. "Does he touch you like this?"
Her whole body went rigid. "Stay back, Crown Prince! You are crossing the line."
Adam’s lips brushed against the curve of her neck, and Lumina froze. The touch made her stomach twist with resentment. She had always loved Ashen’s closeness, but now, for the first time, she felt dirty, violated.
"Stay... away," she said again, more forcefully this time.
But Adam chuckled, enjoying the moment. "If you keep asking me to stay away, perhaps your lips will be the next thing I touch."
Lumina’s breath caught and a small shiver ran through her body.
"Why?" she whispered. "Why abduct me? Please... don’t harass me."At that, Adam finally released her, stepping back.
"You will tell me every game Ashen plays from now on," he said, his tone cold.
Lumina tilted her head up. "Or what?"
He smiled slowly, cruelly. "Or I will tell the entire court that you poisoned the queen to earn the king’s favor."
Lumina’s heart nearly stopped. "What?" she breathed.
"You look shocked," Adam taunted. "Did you think no one knew? You are clever, but I have been watching you ever since you married my brother."
She cleared her throat at this, "I don’t understand what you are talking about." but he only snickered.
"You are the gunning and manipulating type. Ever since you came down to this realm you have pushed my brother way past his limit." He paused, staring at her, but he couldn’t tell her expression since her blindfold was still on her eyes.
"You finally made Ashen rise in the king’s eyes. You got him into the palace, didn’t you?"
"I never..."
Her protest cut off with a cry as he struck her shoulder hard.
"Do not lie to me," Adam hissed. "I am not a fool. I am the crown prince and now, my dear sister-in-law, you are mine to control."
Lumina felt her stomach twist violently at his touch and she knew instantly that he had done something to her.
"I just sent a poison into your body," Adam said with cold satisfaction.
"What?"
Her body suddenly burned hot, and she quickly touched her pulse only to notice how it was racing so fast and her skin felt feverish.
"This poison," Adam went on calmly, "will need an antidote every seven days. Miss it once, and you will regret being alive."
"You!" Lumina hissed, her hands clenching into fists despite the ropes.
"Do what I ask, and the antidote will come. Refuse, and you will suffer." Adam then straightened and snapped his fingers.
"Take her away," he ordered and before Lumina could struggle, Cereys moved forward, easily picking her up.
He returned to the corridor where Stella still lay unconscious, Cereys knelt and touched Stella’s neck. A faint glow spread from his fingers, and then he disappeared like mist.
"Stella..." Lumina whispered hoarsely, feeling that Stella was beside her as she was set on the ground.
Instantly Stella stirred, groaning. "My lady..." But before either of them could say more, the sound of fast footsteps came rushing toward them.
"My lady!" Ashen’s voice.
He was running, his breath rough with panic. In the next moment, he was crouched beside her, pulling her into his arms.
"What happened?" His voice was urgent. "Why didn’t you come home? I searched everywhere!"
Lumina’s control finally broke. She clutched him tightly, burying her face against his chest.
"I... I am scared," she whispered, trembling.
Ashen’s entire body went still for a moment, then he wrapped his arms around her even tighter, as if to shield her from everything in the world.
"What happened here?" His voice thundered now, his gaze darting to Stella.
"I... I do not remember," Stella stammered, still dazed.
"Take me back to the chambers," Lumina cried softly, her voice breaking.
Ashen did not hesitate before he lifted her into his arms as if she weighed nothing and carried her swiftly through the halls, his steps hard and fast. Stella and Ero followed in silence.
Adam smirked from where he stood as he watched them disappear.
"Let us see if she chooses death," he murmured to himself, "or if she chooses to obey me."
"My lord," Cerys called again. "What of her maid?"
"She remembers nothing," Adam replied, still smiling. "Don’t you think your brother will find out?" Ceryes asked again.
"Lumina won’t tell... she is not the type to run crying to my brother. She will try to fix this alone."
He chuckled darkly this time around, "And that will be the perfect way to destroy them both."