The Devil's Cursed Witch

Seeing those red eyes sharpen in his direction, Morpheus nodded, understanding that Draven was giving him a chance to speak.

“We shapeshifters generally look down on humans, but every once in a century, a half-breed would appear in our midst, showing that our races could find compatibility with humans even though they are weaker than us.

“However, mating is rare, and mating with humans ever rarer, still, compared to you, I am knowledgeable. You too know that you have no experience of any sort about how to care for your mate to provide her with some strength, so shouldn’t you at least listen to me who has knowledge?”

Seeing no response from Draven, Morpheus continued.

“I am sure she must be looking like a corpse at this moment as her body cannot take on the burden of such a powerful bond. Isn’t she losing her life force faster?”

Draven’s eyes wavered at this moment as what Morpheus said was right. When he checked on her, she looked weaker than before and her skin looked pale as if her vitality was being sucked out. His silence told Morpheus that Ember was truly experiencing what he described.

“As a descendant of a divine beast, I can suggest to you something and I hope you will follow it. Though I don’t have a mate, my parents are each other’s true mates, and I have heard from my kind how it works, especially on how a male can help his female.

“Though you are a dragon and not a descendant of a divine beast, the bond works the same, and the stronger your bloodline is, the more life-threatening it will be for the female. You do know you have the strongest bloodline here.”

Morpheus had long dropped the honorifics as he had enough of it and directly jumped to the important point.

“So, does the Black Dragon want to help his human mate survive?”

Draven stared at him with a cold expression, none of his thoughts visible on his face.. Morpheus stared back at him with equal solemness. In the end, Draven gave in.

“What do I need to do?”

Morpheus finally let out an inward sigh of relief. This dumb dragon had finally seen reason. ‘I was about to lose my patience. This dimwit Dragon sure is stubborn.’

“If you don’t have anything to say, don’t waste my time,” Draven snapped, seeing how Morpheus was grinning at him.

Morpheus feigned an innocent look. “I will tell you how to help that human survive this phase but the question is, ‘Will you do it?'”

Draven offered him an unimpressed look, as if saying there is nothing in this world someone as powerful as him cannot do.

Morpheus chuckled, sensing his thoughts. “You don’t need to tell me you are the most powerful creature to walk the continent. Surprise, surprise, your powers have nothing to do with the help I’m talking about.”

Draven scowled, but he was trying to keep his temper since he still needed to continue listening to this annoying eagle.

“You didn’t answer me if you are willing to do anything,” Morpheus pointed out.

“I am,” Draven replied. “Just tell me what I need to do.”

“But I doubt you can. You are the kind of person who doesn’t like to get close to anyone and…” Morpheus looked at Draven’s glove-covered hands. “You even keep your hands covered as if you will be tainted by dirt if you touch someone by mistake.”

“As long as it is not something filthy like you that I am touching,” Draven commented coldly.

“Trust me, I won’t enjoy it either so keep your hands away,” Morpheus countered. He then lowered his voice, his grey eyes glittering with interest. “Mating is more than simply the compatibility between partners. Though the strength of bloodline matters, mating is still a sacred vow at its core.”

The shapeshifter held up two fingers.

“Sincerity and devotion—remember them.

“What a female needs the most in this phase is for her male to show sincerity and devotion to her, the warmth and care from her male, his constant presence and willingness to stay by her side. You might think I’m speaking nonsense, but the magic of this world works in mysterious ways. The bond between you two might not be complete, but how much you want to save her will affect her chances of survival.

“So don’t just sit idly and wait for her to struggle on her own. Show her care, better if you talk to her and pamper her even when she is unconscious and cannot reciprocate to what you do.”

Draven stared at him without a change in expression.

“Are you done?” was all the King said after all his talk.

Morpheus sighed. “Don’t tell me you still didn’t understand what I am trying to say?”

“I let her stay in my chamber.”

“No, no, no. I said don’t be idle! Think of her as a person, not an object. You need to talk to her, be close to her, be supportive of her…” Morpheus felt somewhat frustrated. “Don’t make me call you a dimwit out loud!”

“Being in the same room as her is enough.”

“What was I even expecting?” Morpheus felt like his head was starting to hurt.

“Leave,” Draven instructed him. He then tapped that round token on his desk. “Take this back.”

Morpheus picked up the war seal and said, “Don’t forget, sincerity and devotion.”

Draven offered him a flat gaze.

“I am leaving, you dim-witted dragon,” he scoffed as he left the study.

Once Morpheus left, Draven leaned back in his chair and thought about the shapeshifter’s words—Sincerity and Devotion.

‘That battle maniac has lost his bird brain after idling for so long as there is no war.’

For the meantime, Draven brushed off whatever Morpheus said to him.

He was thinking about something else, and he needed to leave the palace—no, this kingdom for a while. He disappeared from his study and reappeared inside his chamber. He went closer to his bed and took one glance at the frail human who was looking weaker with each passing second which made him doubt that his judgment of her being able to survive in any situation was wrong.

The door opened on its own and Draven called out, “Erlos!”

His servant was bored of staying guard in the same place for the greater part of the day. Upon hearing his master’s call, Erlos hurried inside the chamber.

“Yes, Sire?”

“I am leaving to go somewhere. Do not let anyone enter the chamber,” he instructed.

On normal occasions, Draven would just disappear without informing anyone, not even his personal servant. The poor elf would end up waiting for his master like a wife waiting for her annoying husband’s arrival, wanting her husband to return as early as possible but also not wanting to see his face at the same time.

“May I know where you are headed to?” Erlos asked like a responsible servant.

“Just guard the chamber,” was what the King replied to his sincere query.

“Yes, Sire. I will guard it well,” Erlos assured, knowing the King would not tell anything if he didn’t wish to.

The next moment, Draven disappeared from his chamber.