Chapter 61: YOU ARE RUDE
"Take me to him!" Lumina ordered sharply, rising with sudden strength as Stella rushed to her side in panic.
"My lady, please..."
"Stop acting pitiful, Stella. We have no time. Take me to Ashen now!" Her voice was eerie, leaving no room for argument.
Without another word, Stella helped her up, and together they rushed out of the palace corridors.
Lumina’s heart was pounding as they hurried down to her chamber. But just as they reached the outer hall, Adam stepped into their path.
"Princess Lumina," Adam’s voice came calmly, as he blocked her way completely.
She slowed slightly, her lips trembling as she forced herself to show him the respect he always expected. Stella bowed beside her, also a bit stern.
"I heard," Adam said, folding his arms behind his back, "that you just convinced the king to save your man." He leaned in, voice quiet but cutting.
"You disregarded the King and Queen themselves... because of what the Queen’s waiting lady had done."
Lumina’s lips curved in a slow smirk, as realization hit her that he had found out.
"So," she said softly, "He did it because they had hurt his woman... wouldn’t you have done the same?"
Adam’s brows furrowed as if he couldn’t believe she would say such a thing out loud.
"He may have done it the wrong way," Lumina added, "But I still support him for it."
"You...!" Adam’s growl echoed, his jaw tightening, but she raised her hand before he could finish.
"I am going to him now. He is suffering... because of me after all." She said with a teasing tone and gave a respectful bow, then stepped around him quickly.
Adam turned in fury, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles went pale. "Cerys." Adam gritted out, and immediately a shadow appeared behind him.
His black hair was tied low at the nape with a strip of leather, pulled back to reveal a face carved in cold angles. He wore a long dark coat over a grey tunic, the brass clasps at his collar catching the faintest light.
A leather belt crossed his waist, a dagger resting at his side. He looked less like a man and more like a silent blade, waiting only for Adam’s word well he is Adam Aides after all.
The silent attacker, others hardly see him but he is always there with his master. No one dares cross him because of how dangerous he is.
"My Lord," Cerys called but Adam didn’t turn. "Well?"
"I can’t get into her mind," Cerys said at once, his voice slow, like he was still trying to understand it himself.
"None of my powers are working on her. I... I can’t read her thoughts."
Adam’s eyes narrowed. "You’re saying... She’s way more powerful than she looks?"
"Yes."
Adam’s lips pressed into a tight line. "Find a way into her head. I want to know how she thinks, how powerful she is." His voice dropped lower.
"Do everything in your power to stop the royal physician from reaching Ashen’s chambers. I don’t care how."
Cerys bowed once, then disappeared like a shadow melting into the walls.
Lumina had almost gotten to the chambers when several guards rushed past her carrying a limp body between them.
"Who..."
"It’s My Lord.." Stella cried out.
"Ashen!" she cried out.
"My lady, he’s being taken into his chambers," Ero explained hurriedly, going after the guards.
Her knees almost gave out, but Stella caught her in time and helped her follow them.
When they entered the room, Ashen was laid gently on the wide bed. His black robe was soaked in blood and clung to his back. Lumina took a shaky step forward, her fingers trembling, and she could feel that Ashen was badly wounded.
"Stella.. Is it that bad?" She asked but Ashen raised his hands signifying for Stella not to say anything.
"My lady... It’s not that bad." Stella lied.
"Where is the royal physician?" Stella asked under her breath, looking around.
"He should have arrived by now. The king sent for him." Ero answered.
"Go and get him again!!" Lumina yelled and quickly he rushed out.
She sat beside Ashen with the help of Stella, her heart squeezing tightly in her chest. His breathing was rough, slow and his eyes were half-closed, sweat forming along his forehead.
"Ashen..." she called softly, reaching for him. His eyes opened slowly.
"What?" he asked flatly, voice hoarse.
She moved to his side, ignoring the way her heart sank.
She lifted her hand gently, wanting to touch him but suddenly he grabbed her wrist tightly.
"Don’t touch me." The words stung and her heart dropped.
She swallowed hard. "Ashen..." she tried but he insisted that she not touch him.
"Stella, get me warm water," Lumina said, ignoring him.
"I said don’t!" Ashen barked again, startling both ladies.
Lumina turned to him, her expression changing. "Hey! Stop being rude!"
"Rude?" he bit out. "You care now?"
Lumina’s jaw clenched. "Why won’t I care?!"
He pushed himself up with a groan, every movement full of pain. "How does it feel," he muttered, "knowing I am bleeding... and you can’t do anything?"
She clenched her fists. Then suddenly, she hit his back lightly not enough to wound, but enough to make him flinch.
"That hurt!" he snapped.
"Good!" She replied angrily and at that moment, Ero entered the chamber, panting.
"My lady... the physician is not available. He left for the border, looking for herbs."
"What? Isn’t he the royal physician... he should..." She paused midway.
"Then get me healing herbs, cloth, and hot water Anything I can use to clean him myself," Lumina ordered without looking back.
"My lady..." Ero began but Ashen interrupted him.
" I don’t need it, I will be fine."
"Ashen!" Lumina turned back to him, furious. "Why are you acting like this?! Why are you pushing me away when I am only trying to help?"
"You are hurting me," she whispered.
"And you think I am not hurt?" he growled, sitting up roughly and grabbing her arm. She gasped.
Ero and Stella exchanged glances and they both stepped out, for both lads to talk their anger out.
"I am the one who’s wounded, why do you care so much?" Ashen asked, dragging her closer to his face.
"I.."
He didn’t let her finish before interrupting her again.
"I can bear the pain, Lumina, I have been hurt more than this without a physician," he whispered. "What I can’t bear is when you keep calling yourself my woman but can’t tell me when people hurt you."
"Because I knew you would react this way... I knew..." He shut her up by pulling her roughly against him, his lips crashing onto hers. His tongue slid against her lips, leaving her no chance to speak.