The Devil's Cursed Witch

Just as Leeora approached Ember, someone happened to come to her side at the same time, accompanied with the loud flapping of the wings. Ember smiled as she recognized the one who arrived. As his majestic grey wings folded into his back and became a feathery cape, his lips donned their trademark lopsided smirk.

Morpheus noticed Ember was wearing a fancy dress, a far cry from the simple cotton dresses elves prefer that made up her wardrobe.

"Hey, little female. You are looking good in your new dress."

"Thank you," she replied shyly.

"Morph, what brought you here today?" Leeora asked.

"I happened to be flying above when I saw the tree spirits acting weird so I came down to check." He continued to look at the surrounding trees which were still restless. "Did something happen to scare them?"

"Seems like it but we're still looking into the cause," Leeora replied, hiding her guess for now.

Leeora didn't wish to say it in front of Ember that it was her presence that caused this. She knew Ember would not understand the reason as she herself seemed unaware about the power residing inside her. If Ember had an inkling of her abilities, she probably wouldn't be acting this weak and helpless.

'Moreover, I don't want to make her feel bad,' was Leeora's honest thought.

"Do you need my help?" Morpheus offered.

Leeora shook her head. "This matter, we Wood Elves can solve on our own."

"Oh, of course. I shouldn't meddle over your kind's internal concerns, but do let me know if there's anything I can do. As you can see, an idle man like me has plenty of time to waste."

Leeora merely smiled. "We will. For now, let me take Ember back to the palace. With the tree spirits acting strangely for unknown reasons, I worry for her safety."

Hearing those words surprised Morpheus. Even Ember turned to Leeora with a bewildered expression.  "Palace? I have to go back there?"

"Yes, dear," Leeora said as she thought of an excuse. "Other than Ronan, that is the only safe place for you. This situation, I need to oversee it as a High Elder, and I will be too busy to take care of your needs."

"But I..."

Seeing her reluctance, Morpheus asked, "Are you still scared of that red-eyed man, little female?"

She didn't admit it as the red-eyed man was her saviour but said, "I like it here more."

"Hmm, we know that, but for now, you should listen to Leeora. I would have taken you to my home but that is not a good idea," he said. "At least, you are familiar with the palace."

Morpheus tried to convince her as he also agreed with Leeora that the palace was the safest place for her. She was now Draven's mate--it was reasonable for her to permanently live there. In fact, he found it kind of amusing how Draven naively thought sending her away was a good thing.

"And trust me, you will like the palace the longer you stay," he assured.

Even without Morpheus's encouragement, Ember understood it would trouble Leeora if she insisted on staying in Ronan. Although she's powerless to help, she didn't want to add another burden to the kind elderly elf.

"But...will you two come there to see me?" she asked tentatively.

"Of course," Leeora replied while Morpheus said nothing because he knew he wouldn't be able to do so.

'...or rather, it wouldn't be easy.'

Ember looked at Morpheus. "Morpheus? You will come to visit me, right?"

Seeing her pleading face, he gave in. "I will," he said out loud, but in his mind, he was already feeling bitter. 'Just pray that your mate won't go crazy mad.'

Leeora and Morpheus shared knowing gazes with each other.

"Morph, I believe you understand the situation?"

"Don't worry," Morpheus replied to Leeora and looked at Ember. "Will see you around later, little female." With those parting words, he stretched his wings and flew away.

Not like Morpheus was scared of Draven. He never was. In fact, going there with the King's mate would surely antagonize Draven,  but maybe it was his conscience speaking, he didn't wish to put Ember in trouble by angering the King by letting him smell his scent on her.

'There will be more opportunities to annoy that man in the future without putting my little human friend at risk.'

After leaving instructions to the elders of her clan, Leeora had Ember sit on Lusca once more, and the two women left to return to the King's palace.

-------

Draven had finished his official work and came out of his study. He went to the garden outside his study and stayed out of the shade to bask in the sunlight.

With everything resolved, he could finally breathe.

The matter related to humans at the border came to an end, he had sent Ember to Ronan as per her wish, and the most important part was that he had confirmed her relation to the woman in his dreams.

With the arrangements of her stay no longer a problem, she would be near enough for him to observe and he could continue finding the answers to his past through her.

Moreover, since she was not in the palace but in Ronan, he could avoid being close to her. Without her scent to affect his urges, he wouldn't be forced to complete their mating bond. The Dragon inside him would be controllable as his mate wouldn't be around to muddle his thoughts. He felt like all of his worries were gone and his mood improved.

As he faced the bright sun with his eyes closed, he took in a deep relaxing breathe--

'Jasmine?'

Along with the mild breeze blowing over the garden came the sweet scent of jasmines that made him open his eyes in shock.  The peace he was feeling was destroyed in a moment, just like that.

This scent, it was not the floral scent coming from a flower. After all, there were no such flowers blooming in the garden. The fragrance was milder, more refreshing, like jasmine flowers bathed in rain, a unique scent that could only be found on one person.

'She is back?'