The Devil's Cursed Witch

"I mean it," Draven insisted.

"But I know the truth in my heart, the truth I've been hiding even from myself. This incident has made me realize I need to accept it and not run away from it," she said, walking back to him. She held his hand and placed it on her heart. "I can feel the hellfire inside me, always wanting to destroy something. I've managed to keep it in check with the help of our bond, but I don't know how long I can maintain control. As I struggle to contain the hellfire, I feel surrounded by darkness, as if it will engulf me completely one day. I'm scared of losing control, scared of harming anyone, scared of harming you."

"We know where part of your hellfire is. We can fix it."

"But we don't know how long it will take, and until then, I might end up destroying more things. The day they truly find a way to fix it and I can no longer harm anyone, I'll let you be with me. But even then, I won't return here. I will always feel guilty for killing Morpheus."

"But…"

She put a finger on his lips. "This is the last thing I ask of you as your mate. Let me protect everyone from myself." She gently caressed his hand. "Let me have some more good memories with you to hold onto until we can reunite again."

Draven could only agree and walked with her hand in hand.

"How about you cook something for me?"

"I will."

"A ride with the Black Dragon?"

"Sure."

"Swimming in the river?"

"Hmm."

"A sweet night together?"

"Whatever you say."

They continued talking as Ember kept adding more things to her to-do list for the time they had left until morning.

Late in the night, after Ember had fallen asleep, Draven woke up and quietly left the cottage they were staying in at the dandelion field. Ensuring she wouldn't wake up anytime soon, Draven disappeared from there and appeared at the palace where Evanthe was staying in the guest room.

He knocked on the door and entered. Evanthe, standing by the window, seemed to be waiting for him.

"She is leaving," Draven said, his tone serious.

"I know. Aureus told me."

"I understand her leaving the kingdom because of the guilt over Morpheus's death, but she won't allow me to go with her or even visit her."

Evanthe turned to look at him, listening as he continued, "She's scared of her own powers and thinks they could harm everyone around her. Do whatever you can, but tell me how we can fix her core and make it stable right now. I can't be away from her; I'm not ready to accept it."

For the first time ever, Evanthe saw Draven pleading for something. She understood, as she once had someone for whom she was willing to do anything.

"There is a way, but I'm afraid it's useless now," Evanthe said.

"Tell me what it is. I'll do anything you ask me to," Draven urged.

"Another mate bond, but Morpheus has already declined it. Two mate bonds with two powerful beings could stabilize her core. I hadn't suggested it before because I knew you and Ember wouldn't want it. So, I thought we could hold on until we found a way to transfer the hellfire from Seren's body to hers. But now, it seems like we've lost that chance for another mate as well," Evanthe spoke helplessly. "Now we can only wait."

"How long?" he asked.

"I can't say. Hellfire is too strong for any of us to handle. When deities and demons had given up in front of it, what can we earthly supernaturals do? We can only hope and work towards a solution like shooting arrows in the dark, hoping at least one of them reach the gaol."

"She would only suffer on that dead mountain. I can't let her lock herself away for an uncertain amount of time. What if she can't control her powers and none of us are there to help her, to protect her? I can't let her suffer. I…" he paused, then continued, "I know what to do."

"I hope you succeed," Evanthe said as she watched him disappear.

Draven appeared on the mountain once more to visit Morpheus. Aureus sensed his arrival and stepped out of the cave, only to be brushed past by Draven, who entered the cave without a moment's hesitation.

Using his power, Draven lit the lamps hanging inside the cave. He went straight to Morpheus and looked down at him. "Morpheus, wake up."

Aureus entered, saying, "King Draven, he was in pain until a while ago. I somehow managed to calm him...."

"I don't care," Draven replied coldly. "Wake up. I know you can hear me. I have something important to tell you. You have to listen to me if you don't want Ember to suffer."

Morpheus weakly opened his eyes. "You've come to the wrong person, Draven. A dying man can't help you."

"I know what I'm doing," Draven insisted, kneeling next to him.

"You two, a couple of mates, have you decided to torment me until I take my last breath? Can't you let me die in peace?"

"No. If she leaves, you won't die in peace either," Draven growled.

Morpheus chuckled weakly. "I know what you two are playing at, but it won't work on me. I'm not a fool."

"No one is playing any games here. She is leaving for real. Tomorrow morning she'll be gone," Draven's voice grew impatient at Morpheus's disbelief.

"Leaving?" Morpheus scoffed lightly. "Then what kind of mate are you to let her leave? You are a Dragon; the bond you have with her is the strongest. She can never leave you."

"She is not a beast female to follow those rules. She is free to make her own decisions, and she's stubborn enough to defy any rules," Draven said angrily.

"Whatever you want, I'm afraid I can't do it. I can't even move on my own. I'm dying; do you realize that? You have to take care of her matters yourself."

"Morpheus, listen to me carefully one last time, and I won't repeat it again," Draven growled, his impatience clear in his eyes.

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