The Devil's Cursed Witch

Just like Morpheus and Erlos, Draven had also sensed the fluctuations that Ember gave off during her confrontation with Isa in the balcony. The moment he felt that, he immediately arrived inside his mate's study. However, no one was able to notice him because their focus was mainly on Ember and Isa.

His sensitive ears caught each and every word spoken by those in the balcony, but he chose not to interrupt them since Morpheus' timely arrival alleviated the tension. By then, Ember was calming down and that strong fluctuation of power was disappearing.

Leaving Ember to Erlos, Draven disappeared from  Ember's study since Morpheus had already taken care of the matter.

-----

Meanwhile, on the topmost branch of one of the tallest trees outside the royal palace, Morpheus and Isa were sitting side by side while staring at the palace walls ahead. They were talking about what Isa had done these past years.

Morpheus patted her head. "I always believed my little fox would grow to be as powerful as her brother. Can't wait to see you becoming like him while flaunting all those nine tails."

Morpheus was not stingy with his praises as it was not easy to grow a single tail yet Isa had three at such a young age. Each tail represented a giant leap in cultivation, and it required the foxes to have to go through intense training to purify their blood and bring out the divinity within them.

The purer their blood becomes, the stronger they grow, and that will cause a new tail to appear on their bodies. That was why though her kind were called the Divine Fox Clan, only those who cultivated all nine tails earned the title of Divine Fox.

Moreover, Isa was like a sister to Morpheus. When she was still a kid, she used to visit him with her brother and they would spend time with him and his little sister, Myra. The brothers were friends and so were their sisters.

For Isa, she treated Morpheus the same as her brother, but for Draven, she felt in a different way.

After a satisfyingly long talk, the eagle and the fox remained in comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts.

Morpheus was then reminded about why he suddenly went to the balcony of Ember's study. When he was flying, the balcony was a little crowded, and upon observing Ember, he felt  a familiar strong force surrounding her. He remembered the incident when she tried tapping her power and ended up burning the butterflies he gathered. He didn't wait even a moment and went to them.

As he had sensed Ember's powers before, he didn't want a repeat of what happened.

As someone who watched over the young fox grow, Morpheus was not blind to Isa's immaturity. Upon seeing the confrontation on the balcony, he could guess what could happen there. He didn't want both Ember and Isa to be in any trouble so he took Isa with him away. He knew Erlos would take care of Ember-- and Draven would be there as well--so he knew there was nothing for him to worry about.

"Isa?" Morpheus called.

When she looked at him, he said, "What was going on between you and Ember?"

Isa didn't look guilty at all. "I was just giving her some advice."

Morpheus knew it was not the truth and said, "Isa, you have always been a good child and you have been working hard. We all admire you and I, in particular, care for you. Don't do anything that will ruin it all. Don't upset Draven."

He indirectly meant to say that she should treat Ember well.

This caused the fox to pout. "She is but a mere human. How is she worthy of His Majesty? I cannot accept it..."

"Isa, Draven has been taking care of you for a long time and you are like a family to him, but it's not your place to decide what he wants. He can decide for himself. Also, didn't you sense the energy surrounding her when she was getting angry at you?"

Isa had sensed it too back then, but she felt courageous given her own strength. If Erlos had not meddled between them, something must have happened. However, Isa was sure she could deal with whatever that human girl threw her way.

"But that makes it even more unacceptable," she pointed out. "A human who has some special power? Aren't humankind our enemies? What if she becomes a threat for us? What if there is a repeat of  the past? Our people showed kindness and compassion, giving chance to humans, only to be betrayed--"

"Isa," he warned.

The young fox put on a defeated look. "But I am not wrong, am I, Morph? If there's a possibility, even just a little, won't it be better to send her away?"

"She won't be a threat; don't worry. Try not to do what you did today again," Morpheus said, sounding gentle and caring.

"I will try, but I cannot give you my word," Isa replied. "Anyways, Erlos calls me a cunning fox so I don't mind being one. Foxes are known to be cunning anyways."

Morpheus observed her sad face. "Ignore that kid. He doesn't know anything."

"It's better that way. I am used to pissing him off and it will never stop even if his hate for me keeps growing."

"About him, do what you want. Anyways, because of you, that kid had become stronger instead of crying all the time."

Isa sighed. "Don't remind me of that little crybaby. As he stopped being one, he had leaned to hate and especially hating me."

"Then you did a good job," Morpheus said as she chuckled.

"Seeing him angry and hateful is better than seeing him crying for his parents and family."

"Now you are sounding like my sweet mature sister. Be like this all the time and don't be in a trouble with Draven's mate."

"That human," she once again clenched her fists, "Only if she was not His Majesty's mate...I would have...." The hatred for humans was clearly visible on her face.

More than the fact that Draven had a mate, she was angry that his mate was a human- the humankind that killed her entire family and left her orphan. Just like others, she could not forgive human kinds.

Just then Isa noticed a few wounds on his body that were already healed but still some marks were left. Being of divine blood, Morpheus had the great ability of self-healing and he was healed in a day despite having serious injuries.

"How did you get hurt?" Isa asked then remembered it was not easy for anyone in this kingdom to hurt him unless....she sighed, "Don't tell me...."

Morpheus chuckled, "After so long that dimwit Dragon and I thought to play a little."

Isa shook her head in disappointment, "When would you two stop?"

"Till one of us is dead," he replied.

Isa could say nothing as it was nothing new for her to see and hear. Just like Erlos she had enough of their fights.

She mumbled, "I wish only my brother was alive. Only he could stop these two."