The Devil's Cursed Witch

"Is it because I am a resident of Valor that I have a cloth with this crest embroidered on it?"

"What do you think?" Draven didn't answer her directly.

"Umm, that might be the case," she replied. "Do you remember the token you found from the cave I used to live in?"

He nodded.

"My nanny said it's the token of my identity." As she said those words, she took a deep breath, as if she was trying to gather courage to say something. "Uhm, Draven?"

"Yes?"

"I want to know about my real identity. About my birth parents, my family...I know it's selfish to ask but...Will you help me learn about who I truly am?" Her large green eyes met his gaze with intensity. "I want to go back to Valor and search for my past myself."

Draven wanted to say he knew about her identity but...as she wished to personally investigate the truth, then he would not stop her. She seemed to have found a goal for herself and he didn't wish to take this chance of learning away from her.

"I will help you."

A relieved expression appeared on her face as she spoke, "Thank goodness. I thought you would be upset and think I am being ungrateful."

"Why would you think that way?"

"Well..."

"I will never think that way. You are free to do whatever you want to," he replied.

"Thank you," she finally smiled at him. The anger she felt before had long disappeared.

Draven picked up something from the bedside table and gave it to Ember. "You dropped this yesterday in my study."

Ember caressed the bird-shaped whistle. "Morph gave it to me. He said I can use it to call him whenever I am in danger." She then looked at him hesitantly. "I can keep it, right?"

No matter the intention, she knew a gift from another male was not something one's mate would like. This much she had understood by now. It was narrow-minded, but that was how the world of beasts worked.

"Hmm, you can. Keep this whistle safe and don't lose it again."

"Are you fine with me accepting gifts from another male?" she asked tentatively.

"Morpheus is an exception. In my absence, he is the only one you can trust."

"In your absence?" she asked as she looked at him with a doubtful gaze.

"If a situation ever occurs where you need help and I am unable to come to your rescue, call for him. He will protect you at all costs."

"I thought you don't like Morph..."

"We have a kind of relationship that is beyond like and hate. You don't need to think about it. Just remember to trust him. When I am not around, listen to him. Understood?"

"Yes." She looked at him and realized they were having a normal conversation like husband and wife. He reminded her of a soldier leaving for war who worries for his wife.

"I will have my aide copy the map of Valor and send it to your study. You can keep it with you as long as you want."

"About going to Valor?"

"I will take you there soon," he replied and gazed at the blanket covering her delicate body. "With the day of mourning around, it will be difficult for me to leave my work. I also don't think your body has recovered its strength to have an adventure."

Ember awkwardly cleared her throat. "I...I will go back to my chamber."

"Rest here. Your servants will attend to you once I leave."

"You are leaving?"

"Do you want me to stay and trouble you more?"

"N-No. I was just--"

"I have some important things to do. I will be back late tonight."

She nodded and watched him get ready for the day. He quickly put on clothes, and once he was done, he turned to look at her, meeting her gaze. Her eyes had been stuck at her mate the entire time, watching each and every move of his. His body looked like an artwork, and regardless of what he wore, it didn't diminish how attractive he is. She felt like she could never get tired of looking at him.

"Do you want to say something?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Go ahead."

"What am I to you?"

"Someone who makes me want to live," he replied, without thinking even for a moment.

Ember's heart skipped a beat. Such a sugary reply yet it sounded sincere, and not just a line tossed out to impress her.

Not a single word could make its way out of her mouth as she watched him walk in her direction. Reaching the bed, he leaned towards his mate who was leaning against the pillows.

Draven held her hand and moved it towards his chest to rest it over his heart. His burning gaze looked into her beautiful emerald green eyes, and he spoke, as if that single line was not sufficient of a reply to her question.

"Someone who tells me this thing inside my chest is still beating," he said, his tone low as if he was saying a fervent prayer. "Someone who makes me realize I am still alive. Someone for whom I feel greedy to be alive. Someone I wish to go back to no matter where I go.

"My safe haven, my shelter, my home."

Ember felt her chest tighten with each word he spoke. She silently gazed up at that pair of red eyes filled with sincerity, his genuine feelings for her replacing that coldness and aloofness that she thought was ever-present.

She never expected him to respond in such a way, for him to honestly express his feelings in such a beautiful way.

Unlike him, she was ignorant in the way of words and understanding people. She was mostly a confused mess of a person--naive, petty and childish--that was why she could not grasp how he truly felt for her until he put them into words. At this moment, she was filled with warmth, she felt like she's about to burst.

She wished to show she accepts his feelings, that she wished to reciprocate it as well. She wanted to show him gratitude, and at the same time, wished to let him know she wanted to be worthy of those words.

To be a woman who deserved to be his home.

Ember let go of the blanket she's holding and her hands moved to cup his face. The next moment, her face moved forward and her soft but swollen lips landed on his lips.

Through her kiss, Draven could feel what she was feeling at this moment, and he gently kissed her back, wanting to tell her she didn't need to strive to deserve his affection. He had already long known her worth, and he was simply giving her the love she deserved.

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A/N- New month started. Kindly vote all your golden tickets to "The Devil's Cursed Witch" as DOUBLE GOLDEN TICKET event is still ongoing for this week.

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