The Devil's Cursed Witch

The next morning, Draven opened his eyes with a start, surprised by how sound his sleep was despite having the human in his embrace. Bright sunlight had filled the chamber and he realized he was late to wake up. It was his habit to wake up at the break of dawn, just as the first ray of morning sun showed up. However, today he slept through that and stayed in bed even after the sun was high in the sky.

He could not even recall when in the past thousand years had he slept this peacefully. Sleeping holding someone closer did truly make a difference.

He shook his head. 'I am looking too much into useless things.'

He lowered his head and looked at the human female in his arms, who was still sleeping without even the faintest idea of her situation.

He wondered, 'If she wakes up like this, how will she react?'

He moved as gently as he could to place her head back on the pillow, releasing her from his embrace.

He observed her face which looked at least a little better from the previous night. Briefly touching her cheek, it no longer felt cold. It reminded him of what Morpheus had said to him—sincerity and devotion to her, the warmth and care from her male, his constant presence and willingness to stay by her side.

'Did it really work?'

Covering her with the thick blanket up to her shoulders, he stepped out of the bed, ready to start his day.

------

Despite his misgivings, Draven hovered around Ember like a truly responsible mate, checking on her once in a while to let her feel his presence around her.

This was the situation that astounded Leeora and Cornelia when they arrived there by noon, wanting to check on how Ember was faring.

"Greetings, Your Majesty…"

Draven was in the chamber when he allowed these two women to check on his mate. He was standing by the window, staring outside with his hand folded at his back while ignoring the two women on their own. He had decided he wouldn't be leaving his chamber till this human wakes up. One day had passed by, and he didn't know how much longer he had to wait for her to wake up.

Cornelia placed her palm on Ember's forehead and closed her eyes to check on her life force. When she opened her eyes, a glimmer of delight could be seen on them.

"What happened, Lady Cornelia?" Leeora asked.

The witch had a look of interest.  "Her body is still weak, but I could tell her vitality is no longer dissipating. She is truly faring better than yesterday. Last we checked, each of her vital signs made me doubt how she would survive this bond, that's why it's fascinating…"

"Fascinating?"

"There is not even a hint of magic or divine power in her body, but it already looks better than what it should be in just a short amount of time," the witch replied. "On its own, a human body shouldn't be capable of such a recovery rate."

Leeora was visibly pleased by her words, and she held Ember's hand and closed her eyes to check on her situation. Leeora opened her eyes after a while and reached the same conclusion as Cornelia.

"I am glad that the divine power hidden inside her saved her," Leeora smiled with relief. "Now, all there is left to do is to wait for her to wake up, isn't it?"

"I believe that is the case," Cornelia replied with confidence

Though they were speaking to themselves, Draven had no trouble listening to their conversation. All those words that the Head of the Witches spoke, his ears had caught them, but he didn't react at the 'discovery' of Cornelia Grimm.

Leeora glanced at Draven, wondering about his thoughts, but she said nothing and turned her attention back to  Ember. "It's good that her situation is improving. We can expect her to be out of danger soon if she continues to show the same improvement." Her last words were said for the King to hear them.

"Seems like it," Cornelia said as the two women sighed with relief. They were glad to be proven wrong, as they had expected her to be in an even worse condition than the previous day.

The two women then approached the King.

Draven turned around to look at them as if it didn't concern him what these two were talking about. His face was the same as always, cold and emotionless.

Leeora lowered her head. "Sire, there is an improvement in her situation. Not much, but at least this is a positive sign for her survival."

In response, he offered only a light nod.

After talking to the King about the positive result in Ember's health, the two women left.

------

Leeora returned to Ronan where a certain someone was specifically waiting for her arrival. The moment she reached her tree, she felt a strong gust of wind and saw Morpheus land on the ground.

"I've been seeing your face a lot lately, Morph. How come you are paying this old woman a visit?" Leeora asked as she looked at the warrior who folded his large grey wings on his back. "Should I guess?"

"No need. I want to know how Ember is doing. I know you have gone to visit her," Morpheus replied, getting straight to the point.

Leeora smiled. "I am sure you would like to have some tea to go along with the chat." She then tapped her staff on the ground and the tree spirit took her up to her residence.

Morpheus spread his wings and flew up to follow her.

As the two entered her house, Leeora gestured to him. "Have a seat."

Morpheus sat in the chair in her lounge while Leeroa prepared their drinks. After she placed the teapot and teacups on the wooden table in the centre, she sat opposite to him and served the tea.

"I am surprised you are concerned about her enough to ask me about her condition," Leeora started as she sipped her tea.

"It's that man's business, so of course, I'll be concerned," Morpheus replied with a sneer.

Leeora could only shake her head. "Ember's situation seems to be better than yesterday."

Her words surprised Morpheus as he had expected that the weak human's condition would have worsened by now.

"Better? Not worse?" he prodded.

Leeora nodded. "I came together with Lady Cornelia Grimm. We two were surprised to see her recovery as much as you are."

"You mean she can survive it?" he asked.

"That I cannot be sure, but I am more confident now that she could. I don't know what had changed overnight to improve her situation."

Morpheus thought about what Leeora said and asked, "Was Draven in the same room when you visited?"

"Hmm." She nodded. "I heard from Erlos that he hadn't left his chamber since the night before. Though Sire doesn't show it, I believe he is worried for her."

Morpheus smirked as he had his guess affirmed while enjoying the tea's refreshing aroma. 'Seems like that stubborn dragon did listen to what I said.' He looked at the elderly elf.

"Leeora, you know a thing or two about how divine beasts mate, don't you?" Seeing her nod, he continued, "Do you remember the belief that has been passed among divine beasts that if the male stays by the female's side after a bond is initiated, his care will help her survive this phase?"

"There is indeed such a thing I heard from your parents." Leeora nodded and then looked at Morpheus with a questioning gaze. "Do you also think that it's because of…?"

"Hmm, he must have understood and accepted the responsibility of the mate," Morpheus replied, avoiding that suspicious gaze from the old lady.

She stared at him for a moment and asked, "Did you visit him?"

Morpheus cleared his throat. "Well, It happened like that."

"So you still care for—"

"—for that human," he interrupted Leeora. "I did it for Ember. I didn't want her to die inside our territory and let humans think that we killed her. As the Commander of the Warriors, it's my duty to prevent anything that can disturb the peace of this kingdom."

Leeora almost felt like rolling her eyes and said, "I understand, Sir Commander."