The Devil's Cursed Witch

As Draven reached Logan and his, Logan bowed to him once again. "Logan of the White Tiger Clan greets His Majesty."

Draven accepted it with a nod while the others left the two to talk.

Logan's curt voice rang out. "I believe His Majesty enjoyed the festival."

As they were by themselves, Draven instructed him, "You can drop formalities.'

Logan nodded and commented, "I didn't expect a day would come when I'll see you attending this festival with a mate."

"Unexpected things happen. I still don't expect you to have one."

"Who wants the trouble anyways?"

Draven glanced at Ember who was talking to her servants and enjoying the refreshment that had been brought to their table. "I don't think it's trouble."

"For me, it is. Females find me scary anyways so it's fair game. Trouble stays away from me on its own."

Draven scoffed. "You are scary. Don't blame those females for their instinct's judgment."

"Less than you. Tell me, has your mate ever seen your real form?"

"She is getting used to me now."

"I heard how you were troubled by the council members."

"It was nothing."

Draven's gaze moved towards his mate who was smiling, seemingly having an enjoyable conversation.

Logan followed his line of sight. "From what I see now, you seemed to be delighted by the trouble they created."

"Can't deny it," Draven replied straight away.

"Then, I can only say that I congratulate you."

Draven silently accepted his best wishes.

After a while, Logan commented. "I see you have not completed the bond yet. Any reason in particular?"

"There is. Will tell you later but we might have to put your rusting powers in use when the time comes."

"Trouble with humans?" Logan asked as Ember was human so that was the only thing he could conclude.

"Humans are not worth creating troubles. Things can be more than what we imagine."

"Rest assured. My clan's warriors will be there at your disposal." Logan then seemingly remembered something."I came across Morpheus recently. He was hurt. Did you two fight again?"

"You know how he is."

"He doesn't leave a chance to get on your nerves. Go easy on him. You know that isn't him."

"Hmm," Draven nodded.

"If Myra was here...." the tiger momentarily trailed off.  "After she was gone, it affected him."

"One day she will return and pull him out of all this."

"I hope so too," Logan mumbled.

Draven glanced at him. "Are you still waiting for her? Is that the reason every female looks like trouble to you?"

"You are thinking too much. I am fine with how things are. I just want her to return for the sake of Morpheus. Also, it was not her fault and she should not blame herself."

A rare bitter smile flashed across the King's handsome face, but it was gone as quick as it came. "I was the one at fault yet she was the one to suffer its consequences. Even if Morpheus hates me, I don't have a right to confront him."

"Don't lose hope. Maybe one day she would want to return."

"We will wait for her."

At that, Draven merely closed his eyes.

On the other side of the rooftop, Ember suddenly found herself losing zoning out of her conversation with her servants as she glanced at the direction of her mate. Seeing the two men deep in talk, she could not help but wonder what kind of complicated issue they were talking about.

'They seem to be talking about something really serious.'

After a while, Draven met with Etorn and the other elders of the White Tiger Clan. But as promised, their meeting didn't take a lot of time and by the time Ember was starting to get bored, she had been informed that it was time to return to the palace.

Fortunately, Etorn instructed his clan members to bring their horses to the clan house so Ember would not have to walk far.

Yet Ember's happiness was brief.

She could not help but gulp as she stared at the white horse she had to ride once again.

'This is my second time so it should go smoother, right? I just have to make sure to go along with the natural swaying of the horse. I can do it. I can survive this without embarrassing myself.'

However, the more she looked at the horse, the more she felt like she had to climb a mountain, and she was already feeling tired. While she was hesitating, Erlos, Reya and Clio had already climbed their respective horses.

All of a sudden, Draven brought his black stallion to her. "Get on this horse."

Ember stiffened.

"Y-Your Majesty?"

"Ride this one," he simply said.

Inside, Ember was crying, gawking at the horse much larger and seemingly fiercer than hers. 'Black or white, what does it matter? In the end, I have to suffer the same.'

Regardless of her thoughts, Draven took the flower bouquet she was holding and offered her his other hand to help her up. She accepted it reluctantly, and he almost took the brunt of her entire weight until she settled at the back of the horse. Once she was seated properly on the saddle, only then did he hand her the flowers back.

While she was busy mentally chanting over the things she needed to remember about horseback riding, something happened that shocked her to the point she almost let go of the reins.

In a blink of an eye, she felt warmth against her back, coming from the strong chest of a man. Her hands that were about to let go of the reins were suddenly covered by glove-covered hands.

Her entire body froze at the unexpected heat rising to her cheeks.

'Did he...Did he just climb the same horse? Is he going to ride the horse with me?'

Ember could not believe it though she could clearly feel him sitting behind her, his body pressed close against hers. His hands held both her hands and the reins, and she had to blink several times, making sure she was not hallucinating.

His arms were on her either side, his entire body almost felt like...like he was covering her? Protecting her? The little bit of chill she felt due to the passing breeze from the rooftop was pushed out of her body. She no longer felt cold at all, finding herself enjoying the comfortable warmth emitting from his body.