Married To The Dragon Prince Against My Will-Chapter 235: MAKE ME FEEL BETTER

"The room is pretty..."

Lumina stood before the mirror again, her fingers brushing the glass as if afraid the image might disappear. She turned slowly, skirts whispering around her ankles, light catching on every delicate fold of her gown.

"I am beautiful," she breathed, then laughed softly, disbelief trembling in her voice. "I am... far more beautiful than Rhynera."

Her voice rose with excitement, echoing through the chamber, as she recalled the image of Rhynera.

Ashen sat nearby, one leg crossed over the other, his elbow resting on the arm of the chair. He watched her without blinking, his silver eyes dark. Pride stirred in him, as he gazed down at his wife, thus had always been her wish.

And now that she could, a small, irrational fear crept into his chest that she might no longer need him for the little things. That the invisible thread tying her to him might loosen.

Lumina’s gaze drifted back to the mirror, her eyes tracing her reflection with wonder before settling on the golden hairpiece woven into her strands. She lifted it carefully, fingers trembling.

"This is gold," she whispered, as she admired it.

Stella’s words returned to her mind, how everything Ashen chose for her was always the finest, always untouched by another hand.

Even the fabric brushing her skin now was impossibly soft, crafted with care and intention. She noticed the room again, that there were no sharp corners.

No exposed edges, everything rounded, cushioned, softened.

She didn’t need anyone to tell her that her husband had done this. Her lips curved into a smile.

Then her gaze dropped to the bracelet around her wrist, gemstones glowing faintly in the light. She lifted her arm, turning it slowly, admiring how it fit her perfectly.

She turned toward him suddenly, emotion rushing through her too fast to contain.

Thank the stars for her aunt and for this man.

She crossed the room quickly and fell into his already open arms, laughter bubbling from her lips as she pressed her face against his chest.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For being my husband."

Ashen’s arms tightened around her, his chin resting briefly against her hair. For all the cruelty his blood had given him, he couldn’t help but be grateful for finally building a family with someone else who cared so much about him.

"You already own me," he murmured.

She pulled back slightly. "Ashen."

"Yes, my queen."

She looked up at him again, still not used to how striking he was. Her gaze lingered on his hair, silver and thick, falling loosely around his face.

"We have the same color," she giggled, reaching up to tug at it gently. "But yours is thicker." Then she leaned closer, inhaling softly.

"And you smell so good," she added with a grin.

Ashen laughed quietly before lowering his head to kiss the side of her neck, slowly. His hands slid around her waist, drawing her closer until there was no space left between them.

She smiled, bubbles spreading through her chest, and leaned toward his ear.

That was when she noticed a small pearl set in his ear.

Her fingers brushed it in curiosity. "You are so wealthy," she said. "Why do you have a pearl there?"

He smirked, turning her suddenly so she fell back onto the bed, his body hovering above hers, one arm braced beside her head.

"Do you want one?" he asked softly, lips trailing along her jaw, then lower to her collarbone making her breath stutter.

"Yes," she whispered. "But I want one that belongs only to us. Something no one else has."

Ashen’s smile deepened. He lifted his head, kissing her cheek, her temple, then her closed eyes.

"Why do I feel," he murmured, "that now that you can see, you will be far more demanding?"

She laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I have never been spoiled before. You started it. Now you must endure it."

His smile faded suddenly and of course Lumina felt it at once.

She stiffened. "Ashen?"

His gaze hardened slightly. "Now that you can see... I do not want you close to Adam."

She smiled at first, then paused as understanding dawned. Slowly, she looped her arms around his neck again, pulling him closer.

"Is he more handsome than you?" she teased as a scowl flashed across Ashen’s face.

Without answering, he leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss.

It was slow at first, deep and claiming, his mouth moving against hers with controlled pace. Lumina’s eyes fluttered closed, her fingers tightening in his hair.

Until she felt the sharp nip on her lower lip making her gasp.

She pushed him back slightly, touching her mouth as she felt a trace of blood.

"Ashen..."

He didn’t let her finish.

He dipped his head again, biting lightly at her neck this time.

"Aah... that hurts," she protested weakly, trying to push him away, though her strength was no match for his.

"Say I am the best," he murmured as he picked another space biting his neck, "Aww.. Stop it.."

"Say it," he murmured against her skin.

"You are the best," she breathed quickly. "He is nothing compared to you....Please..."

Only then did he release her.

Ashen kissed the spot he had marked, slow and apologetic, then softer.

Lumina closed her eyes, savoring the heat of his mouth, the steady rhythm of his breath.

When he finally pulled back, his expression was serious.

"I mean it," he said quietly. "You are mine alone."

She opened her eyes and smiled, then snorted softly.

"Lumina," he warned, using her name in that tone that told her he was serious beyond jest and this made her soften immediately.

"Only on one condition," she said gently.

"I am not begging my wife to belong to me on conditions," he replied harshly.

Then she smiled wider. "Take me out." He narrowed his eyes. "Out?"

"Yes," she continued eagerly. "Every expensive restaurant. My favorite cake shop. The garden and..."

Her words were cut off when he kissed her again, stealing her breath before pulling away.

"I will take you anywhere you want, my queen," he said softly. "But first make me feel better."