Ashen was making his way back toward the chambers with Lumina when the hurried sound of footsteps pulled him from his thoughts.
Ero came rushing through the hall, his chest heaving as if he had been running all the way from the lower levels.
"My lord..." he called, trying to steady his breath. Lumina, walking beside Ashen with her hand looped gently around his arm, stiffened at the worry coming from Ero.
Ashen’s eyes narrowed. "What is the matter?"
Ero bowed quickly, his voice lowering.
"It is Lady Freya... the Queen has sent her decree. She intends to release her, claiming she is her governess and lady-in-waiting. The guards are already preparing to.."
Ero didn’t finish before Ashen turned toward the dungeon. He didn’t need him to complete his work. His jaw tightened, and in the next heartbeat, his long strides carried him down the corridor.
Lumina clung closer to him, her fingers tightening against his chest as if to anchor herself.
By the time they reached the royal dungeons, the fury in Ashen’s aura was so fierce that the guards jerked up before the doors even opened.
With a single shove, he flung the iron doors wide, the sound echoing like thunder in the dank chamber.
The Queen’s men inside spun toward him, scrolls and decrees in their hands, but their boldness faltered the moment their eyes met his.
"Prince Ashen," one of them stammered, bowing with forced politeness.
Ashen lips pulled in a thin bitter smile as he slowly unwrapped Lumina from his arms, setting her carefully down beside him, making sure she wasn’t far from his reach.
His dangerous voice boomed across the room.
"The last time I checked, you serve the King and yet here you stand in my dungeon, daring to carry out orders without my presence. Have you forgotten your place, or are you simply testing the limits of my patience?"
His words were like a knife, cutting deep. The guards looked uneasy, their eyes showing their doubt.
"The Queen’s decree is actually what we had followed.." one of them began nervously. "She has commanded us to free Lady Freya. We hold no choice but to—.."
They didn’t finish when a flash of fire leapt from Ashen’s palm, searing across past them.
Both men fell to the ground with cries of pain, clutching their chests, their faces pale with terror.
Ashen was about to strike again, his rage ready to consume, when a soft touch caught his wrist.
"Enough." Lumina’s voice was calm as she stepped closer, shaking her head.
"Allow me to deal with them."
Her gentle voice did not hide the scheme beneath it. Ashen paused, his burning gaze locked on her.
Slowly, he reluctantly lowered his hand, though the fire in his eyes did not dim.
The guards groaned, still writhing on the ground. Lumina reached out to them, her hands brushing against their shoulders. The moment her fingers settled, both men screamed in agony.
"Wh... what... what are you doing?" they cried, their voices breaking while Ashen stared at her confused wondering what she was doing to them.
Lumina tilted her head slightly, her sightless eyes unblinking. "When you think about releasing Lady Freya or think of disrespecting my husband. That is a mistake you will carry to your graves."
Her voice was soft, yet it sank into their bones like ice.
Ashen stepped forward, frowning at the sudden power coming from her. He had always heard people from Celestial having several powers but hardly used them because of the rules in their realm.
"Lumina," he murmured, moving to pull her back. But she smiled, shaking her head. "Trust me."
The guards collapsed to their knees, trembling violently. Ashen caught one glimpse of their distorted veins before they crumpled against the wall, their strength draining as though their very lifeblood had been cut off.
"What did you do?" he whispered, his voice held disbelief.
Lumina turned her face toward him, her expression serene. "I severed the vessel that keeps a man alive. They won’t die but they will go through pain for several years for disobeying my husband."
Ashen’s eyes widened, no one had ever fought or defended him before. He recalled how he was told how she had pleaded for him to be released and now this.
Then reached for her hands, gripping them tightly as though to confirm she was real. "You... you can do that?"
She smiled slightly, her lips curling up, and her shoulder touched his chest gently.
"You should not shout, husband," she teased softly.
For a moment he could only stare, torn between awe and disbelief. How had she endured cruelty and insult for so long when this power slept quietly within her?
The guards in charge of the dungeon, who had witnessed everything, fell to their knees, trembling as if the very air had become unbreathable.
At last, the heavy door at the far end creaked open, and from the darkness Lady Freya walked out.
Her chains clinked as she stepped forward, but her mocking laughter carried first.
"So," she sneered, her eyes flashing with triumph, "I have finally been released. Did you really think you could kill me? Trust me I will prove that you have weird powers in you.."
Ashen tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for the dagger at his belt, but Lumina only smiled.
"Yes," Lumina said softly, her voice steady. "You have won... for now."
Ashen turned his head toward her, startled by her words.
Freya threw back her head with another laugh. "You are a curse upon this realm. Both of you. And mark my words... You will perish soon enough."
Lumina smirked, how many times had she heard those words in her life? Threats of her death no longer pierced her. If anything, they only strengthened her.
"Open the door," Lumina said quietly.
Ashen hesitated, suspicion flashing in his eyes. But after a breath, he gave the order, and the guards complied.
Lady Freya stepped free of the cell, her eyes gleaming with arrogance as she stopped in front of them.
"I warned you," she said, her voice laced with victory.
But Lumina cut in, her voice calm but firm. "No... I am the one warning you. Whatever you think you are, whatever tricks you play, remember this I will be the one left standing in the end."
Her hand shot out and grabbed Freya’s wrist. Freya gasped, her face twisting as pain rushed through her body. It felt like something inside her broke, like invisible chains wrapping tighter around her soul.
"You will watch him rise, and when he does, your end will come."