CHAPTER 109: DID HE HEAR HER?

Lumina went still for some seconds as her hands clutched his shirt, she felt the warmth of his skin seep into hers, and the gentle caress of his ragged breath on her cheek sent shivers down her spine.

"Ashen..." she mumbled against his lips, trying to push him back. "Stop..."

But he didn’t stop. Instead, his hands came up to cradle her face, tilting her head so he could deepen the kiss.

His movements were careful but insistent, as though he had been waiting too long to do this and wasn’t about to let the moment slip.

Her heart thudded wildly in her chest, every thought scattering as he pressed closer.

His scent surrounded her, and fingers gripped his shirt tighter, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

"Ash..." She tried again, but her voice had lost its strength.

He broke the kiss just long enough to look at her, the hunger in his eyes made her breath catch. "You don’t really want me to stop," he murmured, his voice rough.

She swallowed hard, unable to answer. Her silence seemed to be the only permission he needed.

This time when he locked his lips with hers, it was slower and more passionate.

His lips brushed hers softly at first, then firmer, coaxing her to respond. When she finally did, it was timid but enough to make his chest rumble with a pleased sound.

She didn’t even notice when he shifted, one hand at her waist guiding her back until she felt the edge of the bed against her legs. He kissed the corner of her mouth, her cheek, then lower until his breath fanned against her jaw.

"Ashen," she whispered again, this time not to stop him but because she couldn’t think of anything else.

He pulled back slightly, searching her face. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips parted, and she looked utterly undone.

Something shifted in his gaze then, forcing himself to control his hunger and she stepped back.

The sudden distance left her reeling. She blinked at him, her breath coming fast, her body still humming with the intensity of what had just happened.

Ashen dragged a hand through his hair, turning away from her as though gathering himself. His shoulders rose and fell once before he spoke.

"If I don’t stop now," he said quietly, his voice almost strained, "I won’t be able to."

Lumina could only sit there, stunned, her hands gripping the blanket beneath her.

He finally turned back, his expression blank but his eyes softer than before.

"Sleep here tonight," he said simply, before stepping away to give her space.

She nodded without a word, still too caught up in the whirlwind of moments before.

Ashen had just left for the spring tub, the sound of running water now echoing from the other side of the chamber.

Lumina lay back on the bed, her fingers brushing over her lips as though she could still feel his kiss there.

Her heart thudded in a rhythm that refused to settle, and she rolled onto her side, clutching the pillow to her chest.

"You are not supposed to fall for him," she whispered to herself.

She repeated it like a mantra, but it only made the ache in her chest worse.

Every touch, look, and word from him dawdles in her mind, painting her thoughts in a way she couldn’t erase.

She bit her lip, squeezing her eyes shut. You are here for another reason, she reminded herself. This shouldn’t be about love but revenge.

But even that reminder felt thin when her body still remembered the warmth of his hands.

Then suddenly, the atmosphere in the room changed. Lumina tilted her head and without a doubt was aware of who had arrived.

"Aunt..."

Seraphina’s presence was like a shadow falling over the bed. "Are you here because of what happened between you and him?" She asked before her aunt could heave a word.

"I don’t care about your relationship with him," Seraphina let out.

"Oh." Lumina let out and Seraphina scoffed in return.

"Two years," she said coldly. "You only have two years, Lumina. Don’t make it seem as if falling in love with him is a luxury you are allowed."

Lumina clenched her fists. "Aunt, it’s not—..."

"I don’t care what you feel," Seraphina cut her off. "As long as what you feel doesn’t kill you and that is all I am after."

She moved closer, her cold fingers brushing Lumina’s cheek. "Do you trust King Aden?"

Lumina hesitated, then shook her head. "No. And if you’re here because I told him about the incense being poisoned, I only did that to repay him for trying to protect me. I hate owing anyone a debt."

Seraphina’s expression darkened, her voice rising at Lumina for the first time in years.

"You ruined a plan that has been brewing for ten years, all because you felt the need to repay him?"

Lumina’s chest tightened at the sudden anger in her aunt’s voice.

"That is why I called it repayment," she said quietly.

"Lumina!" Seraphina’s voice cracked like a whip, and Lumina flinched. "Do not let your heart cloud your purpose!"

Her voice echoed through the room, and for the first time in ten years of being under her aunt’s guidance, Lumina felt truly small before her.

"I brought you here," Seraphina said, her voice trembling now, "so you would know the truth and avenge your mother’s death!"

"Aunt..." Lumina whispered, stunned. Seraphina had never raised her voice at her.

Seraphina exhaled sharply and looked away. "I spoiled you," she said bitterly. "Made things too easy for you. And now you are turning against me."

Lumina shot to her feet, reaching for her. "I could never turn against you. You are the one I trust most in this world."

"Stop," Seraphina said sharply, stepping back. "You are losing sight of what matters. You are meant to ensure Ashen takes the throne, to make him stronger and not to lose yourself in your feelings for him."

"Ashen is not to be pushed that way. I need to take this slowly." Lumina murmured.

"Then make him one!" Seraphina snapped. "Fight for it. Adam has sat too comfortably on that seat. Do not waste this chance I have given to you."

Lumina lowered her head, tears stinging her eyes.

"I do not have time to keep reminding you," Seraphina continued, her voice softening now.

"If I cannot extract the poison from you fully, imagine what it will do to you in the years to come. Do you want to die before you fulfill what you were born for?" Lumina swallowed hard, her throat tight.

"Get to work," Seraphina said, her voice almost a whisper now, but deadly cold. "Do not let love make you weak."

And just like that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving the air warm again but the room unbearably silent.

Lumina was still standing there, trembling, when the sound of water stopped. A moment later, the door to the spring room opened.

"Lumina..."

Her head jerked up, her heart lurching, he had never called her by her name before.

Did he hear her aunt?