CHAPTER 116: SHE IS MAD AT HIM

Ashen’s boots struck the floors harder than he intended as he stalked back toward his chambers.

His temper had been short all day ever since Rhynera’s meddling ruined his mood, and the endless palace cases and council petitions had left him feeling like the walls themselves were closing in.

"Well..." Ero’s voice was cautious as he fell into step beside him, "...my lord, I just got news from Stella that my lady is angry because you didn’t pick her up like you promised."

Ashen froze mid-stride. "Damn it," he growled, raking a hand through his hair.

He never planned to break the promise and he had been too mad and busy it totally slipped off his mind.

"I am going to be in damn trouble," he muttered under his breath, almost to himself.

Ero blinked, startled by the note of actual panic in his master’s voice. "My lord... You sound worried."

Ashen shot him a glare, but there was no real heat in it. "You think she won’t be furious?"

Ero smirked. "It wasn’t my fault.." Ashen shut his eyes trying to control his temper.

Taking in a deep breath he exhaled sharply now staring back at Ero, "What do you think I can do to please her?"

Ero blinked, staring at his master in shock... "Wow.. my.."

"Complete that word and I will feed your tongue to dogs." Ero swallowed his words immediately, now having a sly grin on his face.

"Well, you did leave her waiting. If you want to appease a lady... flowers are a good start and maybe something sweet?"

"She doesn’t like candies," Ashen cut him off immediately, scowling.

"Then maybe one of those cakes you got her last time. She loved it so much."

Ashen stilled, then gave a sharp nod. "Good... Do it. Get me the cake... the exact one."

The smile on Ero’s face disappeared as he hesitated. "It’s already nightfall. Most of the city’s shops will..."

"I will double your pay for the month," Ashen interrupted flatly, giving him a look that was half-plea, half-command.

A slow grin spread across Ero’s face. "Consider it done, my lord."

******

It was more than twenty minutes before Ero returned, slightly breathless, carrying a small box and a bouquet of pale rose flowers.

Ashen’s expression softened instantly as he took them, the stress in his jaw easing a bit.

"What took you so long?" he muttered, though he was already halfway to the door.

"Getting flowers in the middle of the night isn’t easy," Ero called after him with a knowing grin, but Ashen was no longer listening.

He entered his chambers quietly, hiding the flowers behind his back.

The outer chamber was almost empty. The servants stood near the walls, bowing as he passed but the one person he sought was nowhere in sight.

"Where is she?" he asked, with his voice low.

The servants exchanged glances, but before anyone could answer, Stella stepped forward, hands folded neatly.

"My lord," she called smoothly, "Welcome back. The lady is in your room. She refused to eat since you did not come for her. She says she is... sulking."

Ashen’s jaw clenched, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes despite his irritation at Stella’s comment.

Without a word, he took the cake from Ero and marched towards his room. At least she chose to stay in his room, giving a little hope that she would forgive him.

When he entered, the room was lit only by a single lamp. Lumina was lying on her side atop the bed, her back to him, perfectly still.

He set the cake carefully on the small table, then approached, the roses still hidden behind his back.

"My lady," he called but there was no response.

He tried again, his voice lowered this time. "My lady."

Her soft reply came muffled through the pillow. "Leave... I am mad at you."

Ashen almost smiled and he knelt beside the bed and gently held the roses closer to her face until the faint, fresh fragrance reached her.

Her head turned slightly, curiosity betraying her anger. "What is that?"

He took advantage of the moment, leaning in and capturing her lips before she could protest again.

Her hands immediately pushed weakly at his chest, but he caught her wrists easily, pinning them gently against the coverlet as his mouth deepened the kiss.

His body heat surrounded her, his breath and scent clouding her thoughts until she stilled beneath him, no longer resisting, only trembling faintly.

When he finally pulled back, she was panting softly, her cheeks flushed.

"I got you roses," he murmured, placing them in her hand.

"You didn’t keep your promise," she said breathlessly, sitting up still trying to keep her anger. "And now you want to kill me?"

A rare, crooked smile curled his mouth. "I apologize, I was busy all day... I am sorry it slipped off my mind."

"You forgot about me?" she fired at him this time her locked anger resurfacing.

"Of course.." his words were left hanging when she turned her head away with a little huff.

"I am so sorry... I promise it won’t repeat itself." Ashen apologized trying to make her face him but she scoffed again, turning away from him with her hands folded against her chest.

"You always tell me if you are going to be busy. So why didn’t you do so today before making me wait for you all evening?"

He tilted his head, his eyes softening. "I didn’t expect it, my lady. It won’t happen again." She snorted, but the fight was already draining out of her.

Ashen reached for her hand, gently closing her fingers over the flowers until she was forced to hold them.

She pouted, tilting her head away dramatically as though refusing the gift, but he was already standing, ready to fetch the cake.

Lumina noticed him standing and instantly yelled out. "Where are you going?" she asked, catching his wrist before he could take a step.

He looked down at her, his lips twitching into a smirk. "Just to bring you the cake I bought for you, or should I eat it myself?"

She quickly let go, flustered. "You wouldn’t dare."

He brought the cake over and set it on the low table, cutting a piece and holding it out to her.

She turned her face away with an exaggerated glare. "I am still mad."

Ashen only raised a brow. "Then I will eat it."

Before he could, she leaned forward and took the bite straight from the fork, glaring at him as she chewed. He only chuckled.

"Careful when you do that... you don’t want the fork hurting you," Ashen expressed a bit of worry at how she had learned to eat the cake.

"I still haven’t forgiven you," she muttered once she swallowed.

Ashen didn’t reply and he simply cut another piece, offering it to her wordlessly.

This time she refused. "You didn’t even chew the last one."

He smirked. "Because it was meant for you, not me."

She frowned, suspicious, then slowly accepted another bite, still pretending not to soften.

As she chewed, he watched her closely, his thumb brushing absently against the back of her hand where he still held it.

"I want this," he murmured suddenly, his voice rougher and she blinked, confused.

"Want what?"

His gaze dropped to her mouth. "This."

Before she could react, he leaned forward and kissed her again, slower this time, softer but lingering, his free hand sliding to cradle the back of her neck.

By the time he drew back, Lumina was breathless again, her heart hammering so hard she was sure he could feel it.

"You can be mad with me tomorrow," he said quietly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"But for now enjoy this."