CHAPTER 200: THE SPRING BATH

Ashen stood beside Lumina, his eyes tracing the faint light that spilled from the moon through the balcony drapes.

They had got to their chambers and Ahen could no longer hold it in. Lumina sat on the edge of the bed, her silver hair tumbling around her shoulders.

"What exactly is going on?" Ashen asked quietly, his voice filled with confusion.

Lumina turned her head to him slowly, giving him a faint, unreadable look. "Ashen, are you going to get mad at me now?"

"No... It’s just.." but she interrupted him.

"Why do you think I know what’s happening? Or are you already regretting making me your wife?"

Ashen’s brows furrowed. "Don’t say that." He shut her up and moved closer, closing the space between them in two steady steps.

His hands found her shoulders, gripping them gently, his thumbs brushing against her skin as if trying to anchor himself to her.

He raised one hand, cupping her chin with trembling fingers, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"I care about you, Lumina," he murmured. "I love you. I don’t care what you think you are, or what powers you hide. I don’t care if you ever love me the way I love you. You are my wife, and that alone is enough for me."

She froze stunned at his sudden confession, "I can scream it to the world if that’s what it takes," he continued, his voice rough and shaking. "But..."

He paused, his eyes softening, his hand still resting against her cheek. "I just don’t want to be in the dark anymore. Can you recall that your aunt’s power struck us? Why does everything feel... different?"

She scoffed at this, "No... I don’t."

His voice cracked slightly at the end, his worry pouring through each syllable.

Lumina sighed and gently pushed his hand away, shaking her head. "Why are you asking me that, Ashen? You of all people should know what’s happening. You are powerful... stronger than you admit. You can break through my spells as if they were nothing. Don’t act like you are the one left in the dark."

Ashen let out a breath, his shoulders lowering slightly.

"This is the first time I will say this to anyone," he confessed. "I don’t fully understand myself either. I have powers that don’t follow any rules. No spell works on me, no curse can touch me. It’s as if I’m... wrong. A mistake that shouldn’t exist."

She was momentarily speechless. "So you mean to tell me you have no idea what you truly are?"

He smiled faintly, a tired curve of his lips. "That’s right, my love. I know nothing of what I am. And I hate that the two of us are still strangers in some ways." He stepped closer, his voice softening. "Why don’t you let this marriage work? Why won’t you talk to me before making your decisions?"

He ran a hand through his hair, the tension clear in his movements. "I get it. You have been alone most of your life. You are used to surviving on your own. But now you’re not alone, Lumina. You have me."

He reached for her again, his hand tracing the side of her face gently. "Let me be your partner in this. Let me carry some of it with you. You don’t have to fight the world alone anymore."

Her lips parted as if to speak, but he stopped her with a small shake of his head.

"And before you remind me of the agreement," he said quietly, leaning closer, "I am not talking about that. Forget the agreement, forget duty, forget realms. I am talking about you and me."

He pulled her into his arms, the warmth of his body pressing against hers. "You are not alone. If finding the truth about yourself means walking through fire, then I will walk through it beside you. If you need to see through darkness, I will hold the light for you."

His breath brushed against her ear, sending a soft shiver down her spine. "You are mine, Lumina. Not because of a vow. But because I choose you again and again."

Her eyes softened. She wrapped her arms around his waist slowly, resting her head against his chest. "I promise," she whispered, "to let you in next time. To tell you what I plan before I act. I am not the kind of woman who depends on anyone, but..."

She lifted her head slightly, her gaze meeting his. "Maybe depending on you won’t be so bad."

A faint smile tugged at Ashen’s lips. He brushed a strand of her silver hair away from her face, his thumb grazing her cheek. Then, without warning, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

His lips traveled slowly down her temple, her cheek, the corner of her mouth. Each kiss was unhurried, tender, filled with all the things he couldn’t put into words. Lumina’s eyes fluttered shut as warmth spread through her.

Ashen’s hand slid to the back of her neck, his thumb tracing small circles there. "What if I tell you..." whispered between kisses, "I want to sleep right beside you tonight."

Lumina smiled faintly. "You already are beside me," she murmured.

He chuckled softly, pressing another kiss to her lips before pulling back. He brushed her hair away again, his touch gentle. "You should rest," he said. "You have done more than enough for one day."

She nodded, her body weary but her mind still restless.

Ashen called for Stella, but before anyone could respond, Ero appeared at the door. "Stella is resting, my lord," he said respectfully.

Lumina frowned. "Resting? Why?"

"She was exhausted from the day’s chaos," Ero explained quickly. "But don’t worry. I will have someone else attend to the lady."

Lumina made a move to stand, concerned about her girl already, but Ashen placed a hand on her shoulder gently. "Don’t worry," he said softly. "I told Stella to rest. You have done enough worrying for everyone tonight. For once, let me take care of you."

There was a firmness in his voice that made her stop. She sighed quietly, nodding.

Ashen turned to Ero. "Call for one of the maids," he said. "Have her prepare the spring bath for the lady to relax before she sleeps."

"Yes, my lord," Ero said and left.

Moments later, a maid entered quietly, bowing. Lumina followed her to the spring chamber.

The air inside was warm and scented with lavender and night-blooming jasmine. Thin streams of mist curled upward from the water, glowing faintly under the light of the crystal lamps.

The maid helped her out of her robe, folding it neatly before stepping back. Lumina slipped into the water slowly, a sigh escaping her lips as the warmth surrounded her. The tension in her muscles began to fade.

She leaned back, closing her eyes. For a long moment, there was only the faint sound of rippling water, the soft hum of her own breath.

Then she spoke, her voice quiet. "You can leave now. I will be fine."

The maid bowed and walked away quietly, leaving Lumina alone.

The warmth of the water lulled her body into a calm she hadn’t felt in days. Her thoughts drifted back to Ashen’s voice, his promises, his touch. Something inside her softened, and for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to feel safe.

A few minutes passed before she felt a light touch on her shoulder. She smiled faintly, thinking the maid had returned. "I said I am fine," she murmured.

But then the hand didn’t move away. Instead, it pressed more firmly against her shoulder, fingers tracing slow circles into her skin. The touch was warm, familiar.

She froze slightly, her breath catching in her throat. That wasn’t how the maid had touched her earlier; this touch carried a strength, that only one person had.

"Ashen?" she whispered.

A low hum came from behind her, close to her ear. "Who else would dare?" he murmured. His voice was deep, barely audible, yet it sent a shiver down her spine.

Before she could respond, his hands slid to her shoulders, kneading softly. "You are too tense," he whispered. "Relax."

She wanted to protest, but the warmth of his touch melted the words before they could form. Her eyes fluttered shut, her breath unsteady. The world around her seemed to blur.

His hands moved slowly, tracing the lines of her neck and shoulders, easing every knot of tension. His breath was warm against her skin, too close.

"Ashen..." she whispered again, half a plea, half a sigh.

He only chuckled, the sound vibrating near her ear. "You are trembling," he said softly. "Do I make you nervous?"

She smiled faintly, leaning into his touch despite herself. "Maybe," she murmured. "Maybe not."

He laughed quietly, the sound wrapping around her like velvet. The water rippled gently as he leaned closer.

"You do recall I have needs right?"