The Devil's Cursed Witch

Ember entered the King’s study while her servants waited outside. Erlos bowed to the King and his mate and left, leaving the two alone. Ember looked at Draven who looked back at her. Sudden silence enveloped the study after everyone left as the two simply stared at each other. Why? They both didn’t know.

“Have a seat,” Draven finally broke that silence.

Ember sat in one chair and then looked at him who was observing her each move. Though they were mates, had completed their bond and even shared bed every night, both were yet to learn more about each other. Under his gaze, she felt a little nervous as she made herself sit in the chair.

Draven didn’t ask her any question about why she was there and if there was something she wanted to talk about. He waited for her to say it on her own.

“I wanted your permission to go outside the palace and visit other places in Agartha,” Ember finally spoke, casually. “I have only been inside the palace all the time.”

She waited for him to talk, but he simply observed her. ‘Why is he not saying anything? Does he not want me to go outside?’ She fiddled with her fingers and tried to explain, “Though the palace is huge, I have already seen everything here. I wish to go out. I have never seen the outside world. I want to see new things, new people. I just don’t want to sit inside the palace all the time doing nothing but eat and sleep.”

Still Draven was only looking at him, listening to each word she said. To him, it was a beautiful sight to see her talking, seeing those changes in her expressions when she tried to explain, the anticipation in her eyes, trying to know what he was thinking, frowning inside on not getting a response and many more things just in a few moments. Moreover, she looked so beautiful to his eyes that he didn’t wish to move his gaze from her even for a moment but he didn’t know what it was causing to his mate.

‘What is wrong with him? Shouldn’t he just agree or disagree? What is this only staring at me as if he is seeing me for the first time?’ she frowned inwardly. ‘Just ask him for the last time,’ she decided and said her last words, “Can I go outside the palace and visit other cities?”

“Erlos will accompany you,” Draven finally replied, which meant he had permitted her.

Ember felt relieved that he at least said something instead of just staring at her. “Thank you.”

“But, for now, you can not go everywhere randomly. There are situations and we have to be careful.”

“Where can I go? I mean places safe to visit?”

“You can visit witch clan territory along with Cornelia. You will be fine with her. You can not visit wood elves clan and Leeora.”

“Why?”

“Wood Elves live inside the trees with tree spirits. As you are a fire element, your presence can cause them distress. They might even harm you in their defense even if you won’t harm them.”

It surprised Ember but this also reminded her about her last visit to Ronan. Just as Draven said the tree spirits were distressed and they didn’t allow her to enter her home.

“That means, I won’t be allowed to visit Ronan ever?” Ember asked, sadness covering her face.

“Right!” Draven confirmed, “But there are other places that you will be slowly allowed to visit. Other than the wood elves clan, no other clan lives with tree spirits. For now you can visit the Witch Clan.”

“Thank you…Draven?” she said his name as she looked at him and he simply nodded as if she did nothing unexpected.

She had called his name before but it was in a fit of anger in front of Isa but now she called it on her own.

“I will take a leave then,” she said but just then Erlos entered the study, “Sire, Elder Leeora is here.”

Hearing it, Ember’s eyes brightened up. Leeora was the person she always looked forward to meeting.

Ember’s happiness wasn’t missed by Draven and he ordered, “Allow her inside.”

Erlos left and Leeora entered the study in a few moments as Erlos accompanied her while he talked to her.

Leeora bowed to the king, “Elder of Wood elves clan, Leeora greets Your Majesty,” and then she looked at Ember who was looking at her, smiling pleasantly while sitting in the chair.

Draven had already gestured for her to take a seat and she walked ahead to sit in the chair next to Ember. “How are you, Ember?”

“I am fine. Elder. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I came here for you,” Leeora answered.

“For me?”

“I received a message from Yula and I was here to deliver the herbs or should I say medicines you have asked for.”

Cough!

Ember didn’t expect Leeora to come for this and even say it in front of Draven.

“I have delivered it to your servants with the instruction of how to use them,” Leeora added.

“Medicines?” Draven asked.

“Ah…It’s…It’s nothing…” Ember didn’t want Draven to know it. As he already said he didn’t want a child either, then there was no need for her to take those medicines. She was not sure what he would think if he knew about this. ‘Will he think I don’t trust him?’

“It’s fine dear,” Leeora put her hand on Ember’s as she thought Ember was reluctant because she was embarrassed. “Sire is your mate and without his knowledge I am not allowed to give you anything. He must know it. In fact I am here to inform him about it.”

“Elder…I won’t need it…I…we…” Ember wanted to say what she and Draven had talked about last night but the more she tried to say, the more she felt like burying under the pile of embarrassment.

“What is it, Leeora?” Draven asked, his dignified voice sounded like an order. He needed to know anything that concerned his mate.

“Ember needed the herbs that humans use to prevent having children. I brought them for her,” Leeora answered.

“Hmm! You did well,” Draven commented to which Ember looked at him with a little surprise.

‘What does he mean by Elder did well? I thought he would be displeased, thinking I don’t trust his words.’

“It’s my duty to help, Sire,” Leeora replied.

Ember wanted them to stop talking about it and infomed, “Elder, I will be visiting Witch Clan territory.”

“Oh, that’s good to know. Cornelia is there so you will be fine there.”

Ember nodded and heard Leeora, “I have to leave now. I will visit you again and I will make sure to spend more time with you.”

Ember didn’t stop her as she knew being a clan elder, Leeora was always busy.

After Leeora left, Ember and Draven were once again left alone. Ember wished to ask if he was not upset but couldn’t come up to say it. She wished to say she trusted his words and came up with something as she talked further.

“I…I will throw those medicines. We won’t need them as we talked last night….”

“You should keep them,” Draven interrupted her, his cold red eyes looking into her puzzled ones.

‘What does he mean I can keep them? I won’t need them…?’

Draven could see through her, “I won’t always be patient enough to not do anything with you.”

His words felt like a warning to her and she felt loss for words.