The Devil's Cursed Witch

Ember opened the bundle made of hide and found exotic-looking red fruits wrapped inside. The red fruits were in the shape of a flame as big as her fist and their skin was covered in scales that looked like flickering fire. She held one in her palm and observed it.

"It is called Dragon Fire fruit," she heard Morpheus say.

She could not help but be awed at how fitting the name was. "No wonder it looks like a flame."

"It will help you keep warm," he commented.

"Thank you." Ember then wondered how to eat this fruit. 'How do I start eating this? Do I bite it or do I need to peel it first? But its skin looks hard.'

As if Morpheus understood her concern, he sighed and sat next to her. "Give it to me."

She passed one fruit to him and watched him peel its skin. He started by pulling those scale-like skin and the peel of the fruit started to come off.

"It looks so easy," she said happily and picked another fruit from the bundle to try it but stopped when she heard Morpheus speak.

"Leave it to me. You can just eat it," he said and passed that already peeled fruit to her.

She offered him a grateful smile as she immediately accepted it. "Thank you. You are like my nanny."

He glared. "Who's like your nanny?"

Ember gave him a cheeky smile. "My nanny used to do this for me."

"No wonder you are so spoiled," he commented and started to peel another fruit.

"I'm not spoiled!" With her lips pressed in a thin line, it was now her turn to glare at him. "Do you know how hard it was to live on that mountain? Sometimes, we can't even get fresh fruits so we have to settle for whatever we can find. For having fruits peeled for me, you call me--"

He stuffed the peeled fruit in his hand into her mouth to shut her up.

"Mmphf!" She chewed angrily before her expression turned curious. She thought the exotic-looking fruit would have a strange taste, but it was a juicy pulp similar to a watermelon. It's cool on the tongue but warm after swallowing. "Oh, it's surprisingly sweet?"

Morpheus then flicked his finger on her forehead.

"Ahh...It hurts..."

"Eat more and talk less. We have to leave soon," he said, not minding her complaints.

"I don't even want to stay with you any longer," she mumbled, still a little annoyed, but she found herself liking the taste of the Dragon Fire Fruit. She continued to eat the fruits that Morpheus was peeling.

"Look at you whining despite taking advantage of my kindness," he countered her angry mumbling. "You are eating the fruits that I brought and peeled for you without even leaving some for me."

"Hmpf, I don't want to eat anymore!" She passed the peeled fruits back to him.

"You think I will refuse? I will eat them well. These fruits are only found on this mountain area and no one can get them other than me. It's sad that you won't get to eat them again after we leave." He had a large bite of one fruit and licked the juice that spilled on his lips. "Mmm, so tasty."

Just as he was about to take another big bite, she held his hand to stop him from eating. "No, leave some for me!"

"Why? You said you don't want to eat anymore," he smirked, repeating her earlier words.

"You--"

"You what?" he teased as he finished a single fruit in two bites.

Ember was trembling. "I'm hungry! Take responsibility! You are the one to bring me here this far when I am hungry. It's your fault that I don't have anything else to eat. These fruits are mine! Stop eating!"

She got the peeled fruits back from him and even grabbed the bundle holding the rest of the fruits. Her expression caused Morpheus to let out a boisterous laugh.

"All right, all right, it's my fault."

"Good that you know."

"As an apology, let me peel the rest for you," he offered.

"No, I can do it," she said and hid those fruits as if he would take them away from her.

"Don't eat too much. You might feel like you are drunk or sleepy," he warned.

"None of your concern," she frowned and continued to eat without sharing.

'Such a kid!' Morpheus thought as he looked at her, stuffing the fruits in her mouth like a squirrel.

But soon after, he felt her tiny head resting on his arm just below his shoulder. Morpheus looked to his side. 'Seriously? Did she just fall asleep while eating?' A half-eaten fruit was still in her hand, and when he turned to look at her face, he saw her eyes were closed.

"I told her to not eat much but this greedy human..." He sighed and then held her head gently in his large palm and laid her down on that makeshift bed. Morpheus put the fruits away and put her legs up so she could sleep comfortably.

"Seems like I have to wait to take her back. Even if it's later than the agreed time, that Dragon will come look for her anyways."

Morpheus pulled one of the clean hides over her body to cover her so she wouldn't feel cold and sat next to her.

He looked at her peaceful sleeping face and her vulnerable form.

'How can she afford to sleep like this when a male is with her? Does she trust me enough to think I won't do anything with her, or is she just being fearless and reckless?' he sighed. 'In the first place, this naive human doesn't know what a male can do with a female so she doesn't know fear. What a bothersome creature!'

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A/N- Dear readers, this is the start of the new month. You can Gift and Vote for the novel to get it up in the ranking. <3<3