Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 240: COUPLE BICKER

"Lumina!" Ashen’s voice cut angrily through the air.

She flinched and turned toward him at once, her fingers tightening around the hem of her robe. Across the room, Alexis watched the exchange with open amusement, a slow smirk spreading across his face.

"So I was right," Alexis said calmly. "You are no charlatan after all."

He extended his hand toward her, fingers curling as though already claiming what he wanted.

Ashen moved faster than thought as he crossed the space between them in a heartbeat, slapping Alexis’s hand aside with force and pulling Lumina back against his chest.

His body shielded hers completely as his eyes burned with warning.

"Alexis," Ashen said coldly, "forget everything you heard tonight. She is only seeking allies to revive the Coven, she has once spoken to the king about it... Nothing more."

Alexis tilted his head slightly, studying him. Then he shook his head once.

"We will talk tomorrow, there are still more things to speak about."

With that, he turned and walked away at an unhurried pace. Ashen bowed stiffly to him standing nearby before shutting the door behind him.

The moment the latch clicked into place, Ashen turned sharply and dragged Lumina deeper into the office. He shut the door at once now glaring at his wife.

"What was that about?" he demanded. "How do you go from not sleeping to standing before my brother making declarations that could end you?"

"You said you would not yell at me," Lumina cut in quickly as she played with her fingers.

Ashen paused and stared at her for a moment, breathing steadily, as though forcing himself back under control.

"You do not want me to yell," he said slowly, "yet you keep doing things that will make me yell."

"Ashen."

"Lumina!"

The way he said her name made her freeze. Her shoulders trembled. Tears welled in her eyes and slid down her cheeks as she slowly stepped closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his chest and buried her face against him, clutching him tightly.

"I do not like it when you are mad at me," she cried softly. "You are a different person when you get angry. You should be like that with others, not with me." she let out.

Ashen did not return the embrace but just stood still, unmoving.

The lack of warmth broke something in her. She pulled back and looked up at him, only to find his face closed off, empty, distant.

Her sobs worsened as she grabbed his hands, trying to pull them around her waist but he resisted.

"Ashen," she pleaded. "Talk to me. I am sorry. Please do not be angry." he snatched his grip from hers and turned his back to her as he drew in a deep breath.

"Do you know what it would cost you if the realm learns you are an Enchanteress?" he asked harshly. "Can you just keep silent for once? And do things I would like you to do."

She shook her head weakly. "My poison is reacting." He froze instantly.

"What?"

"It started earlier today," she whispered. "It was triggered when we went out, and I could not sleep because of it."

He turned back to her at once, hands hovering near her as his eyes searched her face.

"Where does it hurt?" he asked. "What do you feel?"

"I do not want to die, Ashen," she murmured, gripping his sleeve.

"For once," she continued, tears streaming, "I want to stop acting older than I am." He reached up to loosen her blindfold, but she slapped his hand away.

"I want everyone who hurt my mother to pay," she cried. "Your father is among them. Why am I becoming weak? Why are you making it seem as though I am wrong? I am not a child."

"That is not what I said," he snapped.

"I do not care anymore," she yelled. "My aunt refuses to see me. She is ashamed of me because I love you. Is it because I am showing my love that you think you can just control me?" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"Lumina... that isn’t what we are talking about."

"Do not call my name," she screamed. "I lived fine before I met you. I can live without you." The words slammed hard as Ashen’s restraint shattered.

"Fine!" he let out. "Do whatever you want. I do not care anymore. You never listen anyway." She stared at him in shock as he turned to leave.

She reached for the hem of his cloak, fingers brushing fabric, but he was already gone.

"Ashen," she whispered but the door slammed right on her.

She swallowed hard, staring at the locked door as tears blurred her vision. Her knees gave way and she collapsed onto the floor.

"I hate you," she murmured. "I hate you so much." she cried out resting her head on knee.

Outside the door, Ashen pressed a hand to the wall and closed his eyes. His chest rose and fell rapidly.

Not able to hold it in anymore he turned back and entered the office again and crossed the room in long strides. He lifted Lumina from the ground despite her protests.

"Let me go," she cried, pounding his chest. "I hate you. I hate you."

But he said nothing and just carried her straight to their chambers, ignoring Ero’s startled greeting as he shut the door with force.

He placed her on the bed. "Sleep," he said coldly.

"You do not tell me when to sleep," she snapped.

"Then do as you wish." he fired back.

"Stop yelling at me."

"You should stop being stubborn," he yelled back. He stood to leave again.

She grabbed his robe and pulled him back.

"You cannot leave," she said desperately. "My poison is acting up."

He sat back down heavily, with his eyes fixed on the floor.

Lumina swallowed hard, seeing how angry he was. Slowly, carefully, she crawled into his lap.

Her body trembled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her forehead against his shoulder.

"I am scared," she whispered but he flipped her back to the bed.

"Stay on the bed." he warned.