CHAPTER 45: STROLLING OUT

Finally, they were all done eating, and the dishes had been cleared. The room was filled with the soft hum of servants cleaning up, and Stella was already making her way toward Lumina when Ashen blocked her path.

He moved quietly, stopping just beside Lumina. His voice was gentle but firm as he declared,

"Henceforth, I shall be the one to guide her every single step from the dining chamber to her room, and from her room back here."

Lumina blinked up at him, lips hinging low in surprise. "Then I won’t come to the dining anymore!" she said with a playful pout, clearly annoyed but not truly serious.

Ashen only chuckled under his breath and knelt before her, the heavy silk of his royal cloak pooling slightly on the floor.

He reached up, brushing a loose strand of hair from her neck and gently dabbing a spot of sauce that had touched the edge of her silk.

"You cannot escape that easily," he teased, his touch so soft it made her skin tingle. Then he reached for her hands and held them carefully on his own.

"I am not going to allow you to depend on anyone aside from me, I need to make you master every nook and crook of my chambers."

Lumina nodded slowly, giving up since she was already aware that she wouldn’t win this battle.m

"Would you like to go for a walk?" He asked and the change in her expression was immediate.

Her entire face lit up, and she nodded quickly. "Yes! I would love that," she whispered.

She adored being outside, the feeling of the wind in her hair, and how she would sit in front of her chambers in the celestial realm. Since she wasn’t used to the Drakonis she had ways besides the chambers when going to class.

"Then let’s go," Ashen said softly.

She stretched her hands toward him, and without hesitation, he took them.

He helped her stand with care, guiding her gently. Stella was already moving to follow, but Ashen glanced back at her and Ero.

"You should remain," he said calmly.

"Oversee the new maids. I will take care of her." There was no room for question in his voice, so both Stella and Ero stepped back with small bows.

Ashen guided Lumina slowly down the corridors of the palace, through the halls, and past the golden-laced curtains.

He didn’t care that their pace was slow. He matched her step for step, his hand never leaving hers.

Ashen held Lumina’s hand as they stepped outside the palace, the cool evening breeze brushing past them like a whispered welcome.

The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the stone path. Warm light danced through the leaves of tall trees that bordered the outer walkways, and in the distance, the soft murmur of the market could be heard.

"I can feel the wind," Lumina said softly, lifting her chin with a small smile. "It smells like mint... and something warm?"

Ashen glanced around, smiling he could tell that his sense of smell was way higher than theirs.

"That’s from the bakery, they just brought out a fresh batch of cinnamon bread. Come, I will show you."

He didn’t rush her as he pulled her with him, the step she took was slow and careful, and he matched her pace without complaint.

His hand never left hers. When her foot caught a little on a rock and she wobbled, he was instantly at her side, holding her waist steady.

She giggled. "You treat me like a baby."

"You are smaller than me, so..," he said, a hint of teasing in his voice.

"You are allowed to be babied sometimes."

"I’m not a child," she said, lips curving into a playful pout.

"I never said child," he replied smoothly. "A delicate lady, maybe the kind who needs care and protection."

She rolled her eyes behind her blindfold, but the blushes in her cheeks were impossible to hide.

They went to the bakery and he got her bread, she loved it so much that he needed to get another for her.

Then they moved further, now reaching the edge of the marketplace. Sounds flooded around them bells from merchant stalls, the chatter of people bartering, and laughter from children. A flute played somewhere nearby. The scent of roasted nuts, herbs, and burning oil filled the air.

"What do you smell now?" Ashen asked, he had purposely brought her to get her to eat more since she didn’t eat much dinner and he didn’t want to make her feel hungry.

Lumina inhaled deeply, her nose wrinkling slightly. "Something sweet... like honey. And... something smoky?"

"That smells sweet," she said curiously.

"Baked almond pastries," he explained. "And over there, sugar-roasted nuts. The baker pours cinnamon into the pan."

He took her hand and slowly brought it toward a stall where a woman was frying small dumplings in oil. "Hear that?" he said. "That’s what frying sounds like. And that scent... that’s honey."

He bought one and placed it carefully in her hand. "Try it," he urged her again.

She bit into the soft, crispy dough and let out a small delighted hum. "It’s warm," she said. "And so sweet." She let out already enjoying her parties.

They walked on, pausing at a small fountain where birds chirped and hopped near the water. Lumina turned her head toward the sound, smiling. "What is that?"

"A little bird," he answered. "Gray wings, red beak. It just dipped its head into the water."

"I wish I could see it," she whispered.

"You are seeing it," he said gently, raising her hand to his chest, right where his heartbeat thumped steadily and slowly. "Through me."

Her lips parted at his words, and she stood still, her breath catching as if unsure what to say.

Just then, she lost balance again on the uneven stone path. But before she could fall, Ashen caught her with both arms, pulling her tightly against him.

Her hands clutched his tunic, pressed against his chest, and her heartbeat pounded wildly now.

"I have got you," he murmured close to her ear.

She nodded, not saying anything, but he could feel her face warm against his shoulder.

They stayed like that for a few seconds longer than necessary, until she cleared her throat.

Ashen finally helped her stand properly again, though his arm remained around her waist.

"You see," he said lightly, "if I weren’t here, the bird fountain might have claimed you."

She let out a soft laugh, swatting gently at his chest. "You make fun of me too much."

"It’s the only way I can make you smile," he said, brushing a lock of her hair back from her cheek.

As they continued walking, Ashen would occasionally describe what they passed as a flower stand where blue lilies bloomed, a puppet show with cheering children, or an old man painting portraits in the corner of the street.

Lumina listened to it all like a storybook being told just for her, her face soft and glowing under the fading light. But after a while, she tugged slightly at his sleeve.

"I am tired," she whispered, her voice softer than before. "And cold..."

Without thinking, Ashen stopped walking. He simply shrugged off his outer cloak, a warm, finely woven garment with dark embroidery, and wrapped it gently around her shoulders.

She gasped. "But what about you? Won’t you...?"

"I am a dragon," he said with a small smile. "You, on the other hand, are like a feather."

Then, before she could say another word, he bent slightly and scooped her into his arms, lifting her bridal-style.

She squeaked in surprise. "Ashen!"

"You said you’re tired, didn’t you?"

"Yes, but... this is embarrassing!" She murmured.

He only laughed, tightening his arms around her. "Then bury your face in my chest. No one will know."

She did just that, partly out of shyness and partly because his chest was warm and comforting.

His heartbeat was steady again, and she found herself breathing in sync with it.

She didn’t even notice when her body relaxed completely or when her eyelids grew heavy.

All she knew was the smell of his tunic, the sound of his footsteps, and the feeling of safety she had never known before.

By the time they reached the palace gates, Lumina was fast asleep in his arms.

Inside, Stella rushed forward. "My lady... !" She called, seeing them but Ashen raised a single hand to silence her.

"Shh," he whispered. "She’s sleeping."

Ero stood nearby, watching with a rare smile. The other maidens bowed quietly, moved by the tenderness they had witnessed.

Ashen carried Lumina to her chambers, each step slow and careful as though she might break.

When he got inside, he gently laid her on the bed, adjusting her blindfold and brushing strands of hair from her face. She stirred slightly, lips parting, but did not wake.

He stared at her for a long moment, then leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Sleep well, my lady," he whispered.

Then he turned away, the corners of his lips curled with the smallest, warmest smile.