The Devil's Cursed Witch

The same morning, Aureus returned after flying around. He was surprised to see Morpheus sitting with his back resting against the wall of the cave, as his uncle had barely been able to move before.

As Aureus entered the cave, Morpheus looked at him. Aureus greeted him with a "good morning" and sat down, resting his back against the wall opposite Morpheus.

"I didn't expect to see you awake and sitting like this," Aureus commented as he closed his eyes.

"It was dead boring to keep sleeping—worse than dying itself."

Aureus hummed in response and then heard his uncle speak again, "Where were you?"

"I went to say my last goodbye to Ember," Aureus replied. "All the clan leaders and elders are there to see her off, so I thought I should be there to represent our family."

Morpheus pressed his lips into a thin line, unsure of what to say. Aureus opened his eyes, sighed, and then stood up, looking tired. "Now that you're awake, I'll go fetch some food for you." He walked toward the cave exit.

"Is she really leaving?" Morpheus asked, his tone hesitant.

"Why bother asking when you only trust your own judgment?" Aureus turned and looked at his uncle with a displeased gaze. "Would you like fresh fruits or your favorite fish?"

Morpheus closed his eyes, feeling helpless. He let out a weak sigh. "Just take me to her."

Aureus wasn't surprised to hear it but said, "She didn't listen to anyone. All the clan members practically begged her to stay, but she has made up her mind to leave. She won't listen to you either. There's no use in going there and making her feel bad by seeing you dying again. If you say she is stubborn, then you are worse," his voice was cold. "Fruits or fish?"

Morpheus opened his eyes and looked at him, a regret and guilt gripping his heart. "I won't let her leave. Just take me to her. I know what to do."

"Have you thought it through?" Aureus asked. "Because, even if you are my uncle and you are dying, I won't stand for it if you hurt her again. I consider her my friend."

"I won't do anything like that. Just take me there before it's too late," Morpheus insisted.

Aureus softened and knelt in front of his uncle. "I'm going to pass whatever energy I have left to you. With that, you can sustain yourself for at least half an hour. I won't be able to take you there, so you'll have to go using some of my powers."

Since the last time Aureus had almost drained his divine energy to help his dying uncle stand for the council meeting and had daily nourished his body with his own powers to lessen the torment from hell, Aureus had not yet regained his powers to their full extent.

"Thank you," Morpheus replied. "This will be the last time you do this for me."

"It better be."

----

At the border, just as Ember was about to step out of it, a sudden disturbance filled the air, startling everyone.

"You're not going anywhere, Ember," a familiar voice rang out, causing Ember to stop in her tracks.

She turned to see who had spoken. A divine eagle, the commander of the kingdom, hovered in the air. His usual majestic gray wings flapped, each powerful beat sending ripples through the air.

Everyone was shocked to see him there, including Ember. Evanthe sighed in relief, glad her stubborn friend had finally had grown some brain and realized the right thing to do.

Draven, who had felt as if his soul would leave his body when his mate disappeared from sight, felt like he could finally breathe again. As long as Ember stayed under his protection, he was willing to accept anything even if it meant having another mate for her.

Morpheus landed on the ground and walked straight towards her, while everyone watched, eager to see what would happen, why Morpheus was there all of a sudden.

Ember smiled, her eyes brimming with tears. "I thought I wouldn't get to see you before I left."

He stood facing her, his expressions gentle unlike how fierce he looked during the council meeting. This was the Morpheus she knew who was always good to her.

"You're not going anywhere. I won't let you go," he said, his gray eyes locking onto her green ones.

Ember looked confused, her voice trembling. "You…"

"I'm here to make things right for us, for everyone," he began, his tone sincere. "What I said in the council meeting, I didn't mean a single word of it. I don't hate you for being human; I never did."

"I know," she kept her smile, "But it did hurt to hear all of it from you."

"I am sorry," she said, keeping her smile, though it was tinged with sadness. "Will you allow me to correct what wrong I have done?"

"But I am not leaving because your words hurt me. I am leaving for my own reasons so you don't have to feel bad for me or regretful for your actions and decision. I know one should respect others' decisions like how Draven respected mine."

"You don't have to leave for any other reason as well. Your powers won't be a threat but your own strength. I know a way to fix your core and then you don't have to leave this kingdom."

Her eyes widened to hear it, "You know how to?"

He nodded, "A bond between us would stabilize your core."

Ember understood the meaning. "Does it also mean you won't die?"

He nodded, "I won't die either. I plan to stay by your side always."

A pleasant smile painted on her lips to know he won't die anymore. "Then, I don't mind."

Everyone heard it and understood what was going to happen, Morpheus was finally going to mark Ember.

"May I?" he asked.

Ember first looked at Draven, who offered her an approving nod. Though she had made her decision, she still needed to seek his permission.

She looked back at Morpheus to answer, "Yes."

Morpheus took a step closer to her, his gaze moved from her face to her long hair that was falling over her left shoulder, long till her stomach. His fingers ran along her silky hair, "I did not realise your hair had grown so long."
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"It was your fault for being unconscious for so long," she commented.

He chuckled softly, "My bad," and gently pushed her hair behind her shoulders. He looked into her eyes, "Do you trust me?"

"I do."

"It will hurt, but I know you are strong enough to endure it."

With her heart picking up the pace, she nodded.

Everyone held the breaths to witness the divine beast marking his mate.

Draven, who was standing at a little distance stepped further back and closed his eyes. Though he had accepted the fact, he could not bear to see his mate being marked by another beast, the beast inside him was urging him to stop it, but he held back and preferred not to look.

Soon, he heard a painful groan from Ember, understanding the meaning of it, but then...

Loud, surprised gasps of the bystanders echoed in the air.

"What did he do?"

"Morpheus , what have you done?" Agraleus' angry voice echoed in the air.

"It's forbidden."

It puzzled Draven and he opened his eyes, only to be shocked like others.