CHAPTER 104: PEACE

"My lord!" Ero burst forward to his master almost in tears, his voice breaking as he tried to lift him.

His hands trembled as he reached for him, but Ashen smacked them away with a grunt.

His mother had left a few minutes ago only when she was satisfied with the punishment. The punishment isn’t what broke him but the fact that his mother detests him so much.

"Don’t," Ashen rasped, forcing his arms to bear weight.

His body trembled under his own strength, his legs buckling beneath him as though the bones themselves had forgotten how to hold him.

He managed to rise an inch, before he fell back onto the cold floor.

"My lord, you.." Ero’s voice wavered.

"I said you shouldn’t! Don’t piss me off!" Ashen held rage despite the blood seeping down his back, pooling into the ground beneath him.

"I protected my own. That is all that matters." Ero’s eyes burned, but he pressed his head low to the floor in obedience.

"Make sure," Ashen’s voice hardened, "that if they value their lives, none of them speaks a word outside this chamber."

"Yes, my lord." Ero bowed deeper.

With effort, Ashen pushed himself again to stand. His knees trembled, but this time he leaned heavily into Ero’s steady grip.

Step by step, with his Ero’s support, he staggered down the dim hall until they reached his chambers.

Once inside, Ero carefully helped him remove the blood-stained robe clinging to his skin.

The door creaked open before either of them could breathe. Ashen turned in that direction, ready to bark at whoever dared enter. But his breath caught when he saw Lumina standing there.

Her blindfold was gone and her eyes glowed white. Her pale hair spilled over her shoulders like moonlight, her face streaked with tears, her lips trembling with fury and sorrow.

"Leave," she commanded.

Ero’s gaze met hers just once, and he bowed in silence before retreating. Stella lingered, wringing her hands.

"My lord," she whispered, guilt thick in her tone, "she forced me. I could not stop her."

Ashen’s brow furrowed as astonishment flickered through him.

He needed no one to tell him that Lumina had used her power to leave the room and also on Ero.

But what makes him confused now is whether powers could not bind Stella, or perhaps Lumina had chosen not to use them. He barely had time to think before Stella guided her forward.

The moment Lumina’s hands touched him, Stella bowed deeply and fled, leaving them alone.

Ashen’s lips open, ready to speak. But before a word could escape, Lumina’s palm cracked against his cheek.

Ashen’s head snapped sideways, his eyes widening.

Her breath shook as tears spilled again down her face. "Why would you take the punishment alone? It was my fault! I caused it!"

Ashen’s cheek stung but he raised a hand, bewilderment as he touched his cheek.

He had been struck countless times by blades, by fists, but never had a single touch pierced so deeply.

"My lady," he began slowly, "I..."

"You let them hurt you while I stood there!" she interrupted him again.

"Do you think I needed protecting from the truth? I was supposed to be punished as well, yet you thought the answer was to bleed until you could not stand?"

Ashen’s lips twisted into a slight, involuntary smile. "So, you greet me with a slap after I just saved you. That hardly feels like gratitude."

"Don’t change the topic!" Lumina snapped, but the sound cracked into a sob.

She pressed her hands against his chest, searching blindly, her fingers brushing over torn skin.

Ashen hissed under her touch, but she didn’t stop. "Goodness... look at what they did. Look at you. And you smile as if this is nothing."

Her voice broke, her tears dripping onto his chest.

"You need to be treated immediately."

Ashen’s hand rose, closing over hers, stilling her frantic movements.

"And you," he murmured, "have just sent away the one who knows how to treat wounds. You are too stubborn to see it."

She yanked her hands free, jaw tightening. He let out a muffled grunt as she pushed him onto the edge of the bed.

Her small strength was nothing compared to his, but he allowed it, watching the furrow of her brows. Even blind, she carried herself as if she saw him more clearly than anyone ever had.

"Bring me the medicines used to treat him," she called sharply and a bit embarrassed.

Ashen leaned back, smirking despite the pain. He reached, pulling her suddenly into his arms, his chest bare against her palms.

"I don’t need medicine," he murmured into her hair. "As long as you are here with me, I will heal."

Her cheeks flushed hot. She raised her hand again, ready to strike, but paused. Instead, she caught his ear and twisted it mercilessly.

"Hey! Ow! That hurts!" Ashen’s composure broke as he yelped. "Fine, fine... I will allow treatment! Just let go of my ear."

She released him only when he muttered an apology.

At that moment, Ero returned, hiding a smile as he carried a bowl of herbs and a clean cloth.

His master looked lighter, when she was near him. At least this will make him not think too much about what had transpired a few minutes ago.

Without a word, he set the bowl down and guided Lumina’s hands, showing her where the wound was as she cleaned the wound.

Her fingers trembled, but her touch was gentle. She traced every scar and fresh lash, wincing when he hissed, but she pressed on, whispering apologies with every stroke.

By the time she finished, Ero slipped away quietly, leaving them in heavy silence.

Lumina tried to help Ashen lie down, but he caught her hand, pulling her down with him. She resisted, but his arm wrapped around her, firm, unyielding.

"Ashen," she breathed, startled.

"You do know I am a dragon right? And I can heal on my own." She scoffed at this.

"It takes time so you should treat it rather than wait for that time." he smiled at this, seeing someone care for him put him at ease.

"Stay," he said softly, his face close to hers. "This is the only way I will rest."

Her lips parted in protest, but when she felt his heartbeat beneath her palm, she allowed herself to sink against him, her tears wetting his skin.

For the first time in years, Ashen closed his eyes with peace. And for the first time, Lumina felt the weight of another’s suffering as her own.