The Devil's Cursed Witch

"She lost consciousness right after she woke up," Draven replied blandly.

"Are you sure she woke up, Sire?"

"She was sleeping in my arms when she woke up. But then she saw me and passed out," he replied without any change in his expression as if what he said was not a big deal and cleared her doubts.

Speechless, Leeora pulled out an awkward smile. She could easily imagine what happened. Though it was an obvious reaction from Ember given Draven's scary impression in her mind, as a king it was disrespectful to him.

"S-Sire, the poor child must have been scared. Please forgive her."

Draven changed the subject as if he didn't care about that human's reaction who was comfortably using his bed.

"With her passing the council's test, as per her wish, you can take her back to Ronan," Draven instructed, returning his interest to his pet owl as if to say she's being dismissed.

The elf did not move as she hesitated. "May I speak my opinion, Sire?"

Draven waited for Leeora to talk.

"As Ember has just woken up, I believe it would be better to keep her here for a day to observe her. As you know, the presence of her mate is important to a marked female. Once she is completely fine, I will take her back with me."

He found her words reasonable. "Then stay by her side and look after her for a day," he said and stepped out of the chamber without delaying for another second, leaving as if he was being suffocated by something.

Draven disappeared from the palace and found himself reappearing at the cliff on the borders of the City of Ronan, under the ancient tree with lantern-like fruits.

Draven didn't know why of all the places he had appeared in this particular place when he could have gone to any random mountain.

'Why am I…?'

The reason he left his chamber was because his mate was awake, proving the fact that she was capable of mating with him and carrying on his bloodline. The dragon instincts inside him were being awakened with a mere whiff of that unique scent coming from his female which only he could smell.

It was a subtle fragrance that reminded him of a fully bloomed jasmine after the refreshing first rain of the season, and he found the sensual aroma downright irresistible.

The scent of Jasmine was awakening his senses of desires while the scent of the first rain made him feel peaceful, made him feel like his lost soul had finally found its home after wandering for thousands of years.

Since Ember had just woken up, the pull Draven felt towards his mate was not that strong yet and he could still control himself. He barely held on by somehow distracting himself with the fresh breeze coming in from the open window of his chamber, as well as by petting Midnight, but he knew he had to leave before he succumbed to his urges and did something insane.

He took a deep breath of that fresh breeze coming from the valley and tried to calm himself. He must get rid of such strange thoughts that reminded him that he now has a mate.

'Mating instinct? Ridiculous! I cannot be weak in front of such things. I am not a lowly beast who'll let my urges control me. I am merely using her so I can find the mystery of my past. I feel nothing at all. I can handle it.'

With his eyes closed, he remained standing at the cliff, trying to make his mind clear but the peace didn't last long. An unusual gust of wind could be felt near the ancient tree. Upon hearing the sound of  strong wings flapping that accompanied the wind,  he frowned inwardly because he knew who had arrived here to disturb his peace.

Draven didn't bother to look at the one who had arrived even after that person stood next to him.

"Hmm, this place seems to be the best one when you want to be at peace," Morpheus commented but got no reply from Draven.

He continued, "Last time, that human female came here to find peace of mind as well, and she jumped down from the edge to get it. Such extreme peace she's pursuing. Are you planning the same, Your Majesty? But let me tell you, I won't be saving you."

"I would prefer to die rather than be saved by you," Draven finally replied.

"That I know, but the issue is you won't die," Morpheus commented, as if to say it's a pity.

"I might," Draven said and looked at him with an emotionless gaze. "Your long lasting wish seems to be coming true."

Morpheus' looked back at him with his gray eyes carrying surprise. "You mean…wait, is she awake?"

Draven didn't answer and simply looked at the landscape of the forest beyond the cliff. "I don't plan to fulfill the last stage of the mating bond."

"You don't plan?" Morpheus chuckled at his nonsense. "You speak as if it's in your hands. It has already started affecting you, that's why you are here away from your mate, isn't it?"

Draven didn't reply.

"What you are thinking is not easy. You can try to run away from her, but it will only make you become fiercely violent at the end of it, the longing enough to drive you insane."

Draven still remained unresponsive.

"You might end up hurting her by denying this bond," Morpheus commented as he too stared at the scenery before him. "You started this sacred vow, then you are bound to fulfill it. Instead of avoiding it, you better start preparing her for it. After all, you are a dragon and she is a mere human…let me correct—she's now a special human. Though she is special, you are way too powerful for anyone, and as her mate, you need to prepare her before—"

"Are you that desperate to fulfill your own wish?" Draven asked flatly. "At the cost of hurting that human?"

Morpheus scoffed. "Don't pin this on me. In the end, you made the decision yourself. Besides, I have only known that human for just a few days, but I have been carrying that vow with me for several lifetimes of that human. How can I forget my vow and the people I lost because of you and think about that human who I met just a while ago?

"And do not think you can guilt me into this. It's not like we have not harmed humans before. This kingdom is founded after taking the lives of so many of them, isn't it?"

Draven let out a loud exhale and turned his body entirely to face Morpheus. The shapeshifter did the same.

"Morpheus, I don't know what you plan to do, but mark my word. I won't ever let you harm her just to get back at me. As she is my mate now, I have more reasons to protect her."

"Don't worry, I don't plan to harm her…yet." Morpheus smirked.  "She is my little friend so she deserves to live a happy life though it will be for a short time. Moreover, she believes in me more than you—no, scratch that—she trusts me yet fears you. I am sure that sooner or later, she will run away from you and I will be the one to console her. That is my last help as your old friend."

"Stay away from her," Draven said coldly as he clenched his fists.

"I told you before that she is not completely yours yet. You cannot stop her if she needs a friend. And I will happily be her friend. I am sure she would want it too."

Draven could not say that he would make her entirely his as he had no such plan. He simply calmed himself down as he knew getting angry at this stubborn eagle was of no use.

"Shall I take it as your approval, Your Majesty?" the man sneered as he stretched his wings provocatively. "The only way to stop me from coming to her is when you will complete the bond. Till then, you don't have a right."

Just then, a snowy white owl flew above their heads while letting out a loud hoot. Draven and Morpheus both understood Midnight's message and were ready to leave, but even before Morpheus could flap his wings, Draven's palm landed on his chest, creating a thunderous sound of collision that caused the land underneath their feet to vibrate and the ancient tree nearby to shudder.

Draven glared at him. His eyes turned crimson red like a fire which warned Morpheus that he shouldn't take further things.

"She is my mate," the Devil King spat out. "Do not disturb us with your unnecessary presence."

Morpheus stood back while Draven used his powers to vanish in thin air.

"You won't last for long, Draven Aramis," Morpheus said loudly, knowing that man would hear it before he left.