Lumina was jolted awake by the sudden booming of a drum. It was so loud and abrupt that her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
"My lady!" Stella scrambled toward her, seeing how startled she looked.
They had both spent the night in the same room, still adjusting to this strange and overwhelming new realm.
Lumina sat upright on the bed, her hand pressed tightly over her heart as she tried to steady her breath.
"What in the name of the heavens was that?" she mumbled, her brows furrowed in distress. She stretched her hands forward, and Stella quickly took hold of them, helping her sit properly.
"I don’t know either, my lady... maybe I should go check..." Stella began, but Lumina gently tugged her closer and shook her head.
"No. Take me outside of this room. I need to hear it for myself and ask for its meaning."
Without any protest, Stella nodded and helped her to her feet. She led her carefully toward the chamber doors.
But as she opened the door, Stella let out a surprised gasp, stumbling back slightly. "Ahh!" she cried out.
Standing right at the threshold was Ero, his hand raised mid-air as though he had been about to knock.
"Stella... is something wrong?" Lumina asked softly, tilting her head. She could feel someone standing there and turned her face toward his presence.
"You..." she breathed with a hint of annoyance. "To what do I owe this unnecessary visit that you scare my girl?"
Ero blinked in surprise. "How did you... wow... You are good."
Stella huffed and pushed him aside. "You almost gave my lady a heart attack with that stupid drum sound!"
She stated, looking out to see if she could find it anywhere close. Ero blinked again, slightly offended. "That sound didn’t come from here. It came from the palace. It signals the first morning feast for the prince and his new woman," he paused, his gaze slowly shifting to Lumina, "and you are also invited."
Lumina’s brow lifted slightly. "Really?" she muttered. "Then I should get dressed..."
Before she could finish, she heard a quiet shuffle of boots. Stella gasped and immediately bowed. "Welcome, My Lord..."
Ashen stepped into the room like he belonged there, his cold expression softening only slightly when his eyes found Lumina.
"You don’t need to show courtesy," he said, glancing at Stella, "I don’t care about formality inside my chamber. Outside, fine. But here... save it." Stella nodded with a hesitant smile.
Then his attention turned fully to Lumina. His voice dropped. "Did I ruin your beauty sleep?" he asked, stepping forward, but before he could move closer, Lumina’s hand raised to stop him.
"We haven’t performed our ceremony," she said firmly, her voice steady but cool. "There’s no reason for you to be this close."
Ashen smiled, the corner of his mouth curving ever so slightly as he leaned closer anyway, stopping when he got to her level.
"As you wish, my lady," he whispered. Ero’s mouth parted in disbelief. Ashen never listened to anyone. Not even the High King. But now he was obeying her.
"You should dress up," Ashen continued, his fingers brushing against her hand. Lumina drew in a sharp breath as something warm and unfamiliar curled in her chest.
"Add this to your bath," he murmured, placing a small crystal vial in her palm. "It will mark you with Drakonis scent."
He shot a glance at Ero who immediately dashed out without needing another word.
"Your wardrobe will be changed," Ashen said next, "I have arranged for everything to be in Drakonis style...
Lumina was about to speak when the door opened again and Ero reappeared, struggling with a large, heavy bag in his arms. Stella’s mouth dropped open.
"Wh... what is all that?" she asked already before slapping her mouth shut.
"These are all new outfits," Ero huffed. "He didn’t know your lady’s taste, so he just bought everything he thought she might like..."
His words were cut short when Ashen elbowed him sharply in the ribs. Ero groaned. "Aww..."
"Take it inside and stop whining," Ashen grumbled, already embarrassed at how Ero was stating the facts.
Lumina chuckled lightly at the sight. She couldn’t see his face, but she could feel his embarrassment radiating through the room.
"My Lord, you must have spent too much. I promise I will pay you back once I gain my footing," she said with sincerity.
Ashen’s eyes locked onto hers, and without warning, he stepped forward and pulled her closer, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist.
Her breath hitched, her lips ajar as the warmth of his touch spread through her.
She didn’t understand what was happening. Her body betrayed her, responding to him, her heart pounding so wildly it hurt.
Her fingers trembled slightly where they rested against his chest, and his scent, a deep masculine mix of smoke and pine, clouded her senses.
Stella and Ero both watched in stunned silence.
"My lady... should I..." Stella began.
But Ero quickly tugged her into the room before she could ruin the moment.
Lumina snapped out of it and pushed Ashen gently, but he didn’t move. His hands remained around her waist, firm and possessive.
"You are mine now, you don’t have to use that silly title for me" he whispered.
"We are not married," she retorted, trying to gain back herself.
Then Ashen leaned in, pressed a kiss to her forehead so tender it sent shivers down her spine, and whispered again.
"You are my woman, at least for the next two years. So I should be able to touch you..."
Lumina gasped and without thinking, she kneed him between his legs with force.
He let out a painful groan, staggering back, his arms dropping.
"Ah... gods—" he muttered, hunched slightly.
"You arrogant brute!" she shouted, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "Don’t you ever use that word on me again!" Ashen groaned in pain and disbelief, one hand cupping his side.
"That’s your lesson," she said, turning her back to him. "Don’t touch me without my permission."
With that, she stormed into her chamber, slamming the door behind her.
But the moment she stepped inside, she froze. As the two stunned faces stared back at her.