Stella helped Lumina out of the warm steamy spring bath, her careful hands steadying the blindfolded enchantress as small droplets slid down her skin like pearls.
Lumina's hair fell in soft waves around her, newly washed, smelling faintly of the floral oils Stella always used.
She looked renewed in a way that made Stella exhale with genuine relief.
Lumina's pale lashes fluttered, her white eyes soft, and still she carried that ethereal presence that never left her, no matter the circumstance.
The chambers were quiet. Ashen was not inside, and that absence left the room strangely hollow.
Stella guided Lumina to sit and began dressing her, but Lumina lifted a hand.
"Bring me a light linen," she said gently.
"My lady is…" Stella began softly, hesitant.
"Just do what I want," Lumina whispered, closing her eyes as if gathering the fading strength inside her.
