CHAPTER 174: THE BROTHERS FIGHT

"Lumina!" Adam’s voice roared as he stormed forward, his boots pounding against the stone floor.

He was so fast that in a blur, he stopped just an inch from her, the wind from his sudden halt brushing against her hair. Lumina didn’t get startled one bit ready for his attack. But Ashen stepped in front of her so quickly that even Adam faltered.

"Brother," Ashen’s voice was cold, sharp enough to slice the air. "Don’t step past that boundary. I hate to remind you what happens when I stop treating you like family."

Adam’s eyes burned with fury. He shoved Ashen’s arm away and tried to push past him, his glare fixed on Cyres, who was now convulsing on the floor.

"If the king had not ordered for his release brother, I am sorry, but you can’t take him!" Ashen warned, stepping closer, his body tensed like a blade drawn.

Cyres groaned, flames of agony flickering beneath his skin. His veins glowed faintly, the mark of poison eating through his body. Adam’s face twisted with panic. If he didn’t act now, Cyres would die.

He reached into his coat and pulled out a small bottle filled with golden liquid. "The antidote!"

But before he could move, Ashen’s hand shot forward like lightning, snatching it away.

Adam’s eyes widened. "Ashen give that back!"

"You came with an antidote," Ashen said, voice low with restrained rage.

"But you tried to poison my wife again. Do you take me for a fool?"

Adam’s jaw clenched. "You are misunderstanding..."

"Enough!" Ashen snapped, his aura flaring around him like heat from a forge.

Lumina stretched her hand forward, her voice calm. "Ashen, wait..." But he was too angry to stop.

Ashen grabbed Adam by the collar and slammed him against the stone wall. Adam’s breath left him in a grunt as the two brothers clashed.

Sparks erupted from Ashen’s palm while Adam’s hand glowed with his.

"I have never attacked your family, how dare attack mine!"

Guards’ hearing the bounce rushed forward but froze, unable to come between two princes.

Adam struck first, sending a wave of fire toward Lumina. Ashen’s eyes widened, he sped toward her pulling her from the way just in time, the blast grazing his shoulder and shattering the wall behind them.

"Coward!" Ashen growled, swinging a punch so fast that sent Adam sprawling backward. The antidote bottles clattered to the floor, rolling across the ground.

Adam snarled, as he lunged toward Lumina again. Ashen twisted around her, his arm wrapping around her waist, shielding her as another blast scorched past.

"Ashen, stop!" Lumina’s voice trembled, her blind eyes wide, searching for him through the chaos.

But he wouldn’t stop. His dragon blood burned too hot. Every instinct screamed to protect her, even if it meant tearing his brother apart.

Adam’s fire flickered as he was running out of strength. But desperation gave him speed. He rushed forward again with his dagger pulled out, his blade nearly grazing Lumina’s arm before Ashen caught his wrist and forced it down.

"Don’t...touch...her! Fight me you coward!" Ashen roared.

Adam’s strength faltered as he gasped, finally breaking free, stumbling backward toward Cyres, who lay dying.

Ashen’s chest heaved with rage. He kicked Adam’s dagger away and looked down at him, flames still flickering along his arm.

Adam’s eyes darted to Cyres, his loyal servant twitching in pain. "Please... Ashen... he will die. Give me the antidote!"

But Ashen didn’t move. His expression was cold. Lumina’s hand found his arm and squeezed gently.

"Take me out of here." she whispered and that was the only voice that he could hear.

Without another word, Ashen snatched the bottles from the ground counting it to see it was seven.

"Gi make it her antidote you are good with it anyway." With this the two of them turned and walked away, leaving Adam kneeling beside Cyres, his shouts echoing behind them.

When Ashen reached his office, his fury had turned to cold exhaustion. He called out, "Ero!"

The door opened almost instantly. "Yes, my Lord."

Ashen placed the bottles on the table. "Send these antidotes to Lord Drex. Have him test every single one."

"Yes, my Lord," Ero replied and left quietly.

Silence filled the room again. Lumina slowly rested her head on Ashen’s shoulder.

The fight replayed in her mind, the way he had shielded her, the way his fire had burned so close but never touched her.

It reminded her of the time she had left for the outer realm, and been attacked by the Kraken beast. How that person had saved her then also.

A soft smile touched her lips. "Clingy," Ashen murmured teasingly. "I love it... but I need to work."

Lumina pouted, pressing closer against his chest. "I am poisoned, along with my maid. Are you really going to leave me like this?"

Ashen sighed and tried to pull her away, but she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist as she pouted. Her warmth pressed against him, and he stopped resisting.

"My dear wife," he said quietly, brushing his fingers against her hair,

"Once that antidote is confirmed safe, you will take it. You won’t need Serena anymore, so I don’t want her near you."

Lumina lifted her face toward him, her lips curving slightly. "I don’t like her. She’s cunning... pretending to be innocent while trying to become his concubine. Adam loves her, and she’s dangerous. I can feel it."

"But she has the goal to destroy my sister, isn’t that a good choice making an enemy a friend to destroy the other enemy?" She explained but Ashen shook his head.

"She is your sister not your enemy, don’t use that language." The soft look in Lumina’s face dissipated.

"What the heck! Why will you defend her?"Ashen cleared his throat now, noticing she had taken it the wrong way.

"My lady... I didn’t mean it that way..."

Ashen’s eyes softened, he quickly leaned down and pressed a small kiss on her lips, to comfort her but Lumina’s hands slid up into his hair, deepening the kiss until he couldn’t resist her anymore.

For a moment, the world around them fell silent just their heartbeats and the breath between them.

Just then the door burst open. Ashen didn’t waste time as he instantly spun around, fire erupting from his palms, ready to attack until a single hand quenched the flame midair.

"I must have disturbed your... lovely moment," came a deep, amused voice.

Ashen froze. His eyes widened as he recognized the King.

"Father," Ashen breathed, quickly pulling away from Lumina and bowing low. He shielded her with his body out of instinct, then forced himself to stand straight.

"Welcome, Your Highness," he greeted. "I am surprised to see you here."