Chapter 152: FIRST FLAME FESTIVAL
The evening sky had already turned to gold, streaked with the sun bled behind the mountains.
The first stars blinked awake above the Drakonis Realm, their light pale compared to the hundreds of fire lanterns now being lit across the castle grounds. The night of the First Flame Festival had come.
Lumina sat silently near the edge of her bed, her hands folded in her lap, listening to the faint sound of drums echoing from the distant courtyard.
The air smelled of pine resin and the faint burn of incense carried in from the halls.
The door creaked open softly, and Aria stepped inside, her arms full.
Behind her came two attendants carrying wooden trays laden with embroidered silk, and ornaments.
"I brought everything, my lady," Aria said, setting the bundles carefully on the low table.
Lumina’s head turned slightly, the tips of her ears twitching at the faint swish of fabric. She slowly touched out feeling the fabric and she needed no one to tell her that her husband had done it again.
Aria smiled as she began explaining to her lady. Each dress is handwoven from flame silk, spun from the threads of the Pyra-worms that only hatch during the first fire moon. The royal seamstresses themselves did the embroidery. It is sacred that no one outside the royal court is even allowed to wear such a garment."
Lumina smiled at this and then she stood up, "You can dress me up." At once Aria bows as she begins dressing Lumina up.
Almost an hour later she was finally done. "You look every bit the lady of Drakonia," Aria murmured when she stepped back.
Lumina’s lips curved. "I will have to take your word for it."
The door opened again, and this time Stella appeared, pale and shaky on her feet.
"Stella?" Lumina frowned, feeling her presence. "You should be resting."
"I couldn’t," Stella let out softly, stepping closer, her hand pressed to her chest.
"Everything feels wrong when I am not beside you, my lady. And now someone else is..."
Her gaze darted toward Aria, sharp and accusing.
Aria didn’t even bother to look her way. "If you have come to argue, you are wasting your breath. The lady needs to be dressed before the fire torches are lit."
"Enough." Lumina’s voice interrupted both girls already getting the feeling that they might fight.
Lumina reached out, and Stella took her hand instantly, kneeling beside her.
"Stella, you are my heart’s companion, but you cannot harm yourself over worry. Ashen told me he trusts Aria, and I will believe his word. No one here wishes me harm."
Stella bit her lip, her shoulders tight. "I just... do not like leaving you in another’s hands."
"Then teach her," Lumina said gently.
"Guide her when you are strong again. But tonight, rest. You cannot protect me if you are too weak to stand."
Aria’s lips twitched into a small, amused smile. "We are done," she announced suddenly. "The lady is dressed."
Lumina rose gracefully and turned toward where she knew the mirror stood, her face calm though her sightless eyes reflected only shadows.
"You are breathtaking," Stella whispered, her voice soft with awe. "Like the first light after a long winter night."
"Good," Aria said. "Then perhaps justice will be done tonight."
Stella’s head snapped toward her, eyes narrowing. "If you are planning to take my place, forget it. Lady Lumina is my mistress, and I have been with her since the cradle. No one can replace me."
Aria only tilted her head. "I have no interest in taking anyone’s place. I have other duties to attend to. I only offered to help because I thought it was a good idea. Now, I am beginning to regret the trouble it has brought me."
Stella scoffed, but Lumina only smiled faintly, reaching out and placing her hand on Stella’s cheek.
"No one is taking your place," she said with gentle firmness. "You will rest, you will recover, and you will stand beside me again. That is all."
Stella’s lips trembled, but she nodded. "I trust you, my lady."
Aria came forward then, her expression cold.
"This is the first time the lady will not be in my care outside the house. If I hear of anyone letting harm come to her tonight, I will make you regret it."
Stella warned Aris who only snorted in return.
"My Lady may we..." Aria offered her hand to Lumina, who took it without hesitation, and together they walked out of the inner chamber.
The outer hall was lit with torches, and at the far end stood Ashen.
He was dressed in ceremonial black, the collar and cuffs stitched with gold dragon scales that glimmered like fire when he moved.
His hair fell loose tonight, framing his jaw, and his eyes lifted as soon as Lumina stepped into the hall.
For a moment, he simply stared.
Then, slowly, he crossed the distance between them. His hand reached out, fingers closing gently around hers, and he bent low enough to brush his lips across her knuckles.
"You look..." His voice was quiet, but there was a rare warmth to it. "...beautiful."
Aria’s lips curved in a knowing smirk. Finally, he remembers how to act like a husband.
Lumina tilted her head toward him, a teasing smile touching her mouth. "I didn’t know you knew how to compliment someone. This is... nice."
Ashen’s lips twitched as though fighting a smile, but he only rolled his eyes faintly and offered her his arm.
"We should leave now my lady... I need to put you there while I go meet the king." The thought of him not being with her for some minutes didn’t sit right with her.
"Hey... don’t get too worried I will.. be by your side before you know it." He convinced her.
She could only sigh and then nod her head in agreement.
"Can we... my beautiful lady.." she snickered softly and gently nodded her head.