CHAPTER 203: HER PRETENSE

Ashen paced the outer chamber like a caged storm, boots scuffing everywhere, fingers hooked under his nails until the quick hurt. He could not make sense of how his mother could have gone so far, how the people sworn to protect the realm could twist the truth until it strangled a family.

The high chief priest had just explained everything to him, and he was heartbroken.

"Why? Why?" he kept whispering to the empty air, as if the answer might crawl out from beneath the stones.

Lumina sat near the doorway, only Stella and Ero remained with her. They watched Ashen’s turmoil with concern. Stella, though still pale, leaned forward to help Lumina to her feet when she shifted.

The antidote Adam had procured had done its work to stabilize her though Lord Drex had sternly advised Lumina against relying on it. He feared unpredictable consequences.

"We should be grateful we found the truth quickly," Ero let out softly, eyes never leaving his master. "There is no time to hang back on what could have been."

Lumina reached for Stella’s hand; Stella squeezed back and helped her stand. The little triumph of Stella’s recovery warmed the room, but it could not smooth the jagged edges of grief flaring at the edges of Ashen’s expression.

Before Lumina could say anything more, Ashen spun almost violently. He crossed the space in a few strides and hauled Lumina into his arms. He held her so close.

"Thank you for coming into my life," he said, his voice breaking as if the words were the only piece of him that might come apart. "Thank you for whatever plan you made to make me yours. Thank you for being my wife."

Lumina felt her own chest tighten at the sight of him so unmade. She threaded her fingers into his hair, steadying him as much as herself.

"Hey," Lumina breathed, trying to pull herself together. "I promise...everything will be okay. You don’t have to break."

Just then the door slammed open, Rhynera and Adam entered together,

Rhynera’s face was a mask of composed disdain that slipped only for a heartbeat when she saw Lumina and Ashen entwined then she forced her lips into something resembling contempt.

Ashen’s jaw tightened watching the couple walk in without invitation.

Rhynera felt a hot spike of jealousy that she tried and failed to hide.

"To what do I owe the honor of this scene?" Ashen said, stepping forward and subtly putting himself between Lumina and the newcomers. He guided his wife back with a hand at the small of her back protective, territorial.

"Ashen," Adam began, but before he could finish, a spark flared from Ashen’s palm. A burst of flame shot forward and exploded at their feet, sending Adam stumbling backward.

"Get out of my chambers else your wife will follow," Ashen warned, he is already mad at the fact that his mother has several plans to hate him all because of Adam.

"How dare you!" Adam groaned.

"Speak again," Ashen warned coldly, "and your wife will follow."

"Ashen," Lumina called, grabbing his hand before the next surge of power could leave him. His eyes burned with fury he could barely contain.

Adam controlled himself for a second, fury twisting his face. "You little bastard!"

If it had been years ago, the insult might have hurt Ashen, but not now. Not after everything.

Now that he knew the truth. He was never cursed. He was never the realm’s doom. His fate had been stolen from him, and they had all let it happen.

He clenched his fists, the veins in his neck standing out. They will pay, he thought. Every one of them. I will not give him that throne. Not again.

"I have been thinking," Ashen said slowly, his voice calm in a way that was more dangerous than shouting, "there would come a perfect time for a real conversation between us, Adam. Seems the time is now."

He turned to Stella. "Hold Lumina."

Reluctantly, Stella obeyed, taking Lumina’s hand and pulling her a few steps back.

Ashen stepped toward his brother and, without hesitation, caught Adam by the collar, dragging him forward until their faces were inches apart. Then came the first punch.

"You dare poison my wife!" he roared, landing another blow across Adam’s jaw.

Adam stumbled back but quickly retaliated, releasing a blast of fire that sent Ashen flying across the chamber. Dust rose in the air.

"You bastard!" Adam spat. "Still acting like a child because your power wasn’t taken from you?"

Ashen froze, confusion flickering across his face.

Adam smirked. "I don’t know what you have discovered, or what is happening right now but I know it’s tied to her." He tilted his head toward Lumina. That was enough.

Ashen surged forward again, his hand crackling with fire. Another strike landed, harsher this time. Before Adam could counter, Ashen’s telekinesis pinned him mid-air.

"Let’s go then!" Adam growled through clenched teeth. "You think being the eldest makes you strong? Fight me!"

Adam broke free, summoning his own power, but Rhynera intervened. "Adam! Stop!" she cried, clutching his arm. "You can’t fight him... he’s your brother!"

Adam laughed bitterly. "Pity? You think he deserves pity?"

Lumina tore her arm free from Stella and rushed to Ashen’s side, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind. "Please, don’t. Don’t fight him anymore," she whispered. "Not like this."

Her touch grounded him as he exhaled, slowly but his glare remained locked on Adam. "You weak coward," he hissed. "Always hiding behind mother’s lies. Why don’t you fight me like a man?"

Adam’s face twisted with rage. "Don’t push me, Ashen!"

"Common then! Prove your worth." Ashen fired at him.

Adam shoved Rhynera out of his way angrily. She fell hard, hitting the floor. The sound of her head striking the stone echoed, and she went still.

Ashen and Lumina gasped, breaking from his hold.

Adam turned, his voice sharp with panic. "Rhynera?" He knelt beside her, shaking her shoulder. "Hey! What’s wrong with you?!" But she didn’t move.

Ashen’s voice came cold. "What’s the matter, brother? You are not going to care for your wife?"

Adam looked up, rage blazing. "Ashen, mark my words..."

But Ashen grabbed him by the front of his robes, pulling him close enough to feel his breath. "You wouldn’t understand," he whispered. "Because you don’t even know what it means to love a woman."

With that, he shoved him away. Adam stumbled, glaring daggers at his brother before finally scooping Rhynera into his arms.

He turned at the door, his expression twisted in hatred. "This isn’t over."

Ashen just ignored him at that moment. As Adam disappeared down the hall, Rhynera’s eyes flickered open slowly. Her lips curled into a faint, sly smile as her gaze found Lumina.

"You blind fool," she thought. "You have made me interested in your man. I will make sure he hates you. I will take him from you." With that, she closed her eyes before Adam could find out she was pretending..