The Devil's Cursed Witch

"I shall name him Morpheus Aramis," Ember chuckled.

"He'd rather not be part of the family then," Draven replied with a chuckle. "He'd never accept it. He has his own identity."

"I know, I was just trying to be funny. I can already picture his displeased face, like he's saying, How dare you even think that? I'd never be an Aramis or anyone related to that Dragon. I'm a Divine Eagle, not a Dragon," Ember giggled.

"He'd definitely be enraged," Draven said with a smile.

"Will you check on him for me? Once he's fine, I'll meet him," she suggested.

Draven hummed.

-----

After an hour, Draven made his way to the cave at the top of the mountain where Morpheus was staying. Inside, Morpheus lay on a makeshift bed, curled up uncomfortably, clearly struggling.

"Doing good, eagle?" Draven asked as he entered the cave.

"Get lost, you damn Dragon," Morpheus replied, his voice strained with pain.

"Why would I, when I can enjoy watching you struggle?" Draven continued to walk inside. "Didn't you take pleasure in watching me struggle after I marked Ember?"

"Are you here to take revenge for that?" Morpheus growled.

"Precisely," Draven said coolly, lighting up the lamps in the cave with a flick of his power.

"Who asked you to turn on the lamps?" Morpheus covered his eyes, his body slick with sweat from the battle he was fighting within himself.

Draven observed him calmly. "You're weaker than I thought. Can't even stay away from your mate."

"Don't provoke me, or I'll go back to her," Morpheus snarled.

"As far as I know, you can't even fly back to her yet," Draven said smugly.

"Annoying dragon," Morpheus muttered through gritted teeth, sitting up despite his shallow breath. "Life was easier as an unmated beast. Having a mate is such a hassle."

Draven made himself comfortable on the cave floor, leaning back against the wall with one leg folded and the other stretched out.

"I beg to differ," he said. "Having mates is a blessing. And when your mate is someone like Ember, I'm glad I'm not an unmated beast."

"Of course you'd say that. You can actually mate with her whenever you want. You lustful Dragon," Morpheus growled, his voice tinged with bitterness.

"Who's stopping you?" Draven mocked.

"Are you here just to provoke me further?" Morpheus shot him a cold glare. "Go back to your mate instead of wasting time with me."

"Our mate," Draven corrected. "She's our mate now, thanks to everything you've done."

"Are you mocking me? Do you really think I wanted this?" Morpheus snapped.

"But you're the one who caused all of this, so bear with it instead of throwing tantrums."

"I'm not throwing tantrums," Morpheus said through clenched teeth. "You know why I'm like this. And I have no idea how much longer I'll have to endure it."

"Ember was asking about you," Draven commented.

"You didn't tell her, did you?"

"No, but are you planning on keeping it from her?"

Morpheus scoffed. "Do you want me to tell her? So she'll pity me and offer herself to me, and then we mate? Are you really that generous, Dragon? I know how angry you must be inside, so stop pretending—at least in front of me. Save the pretense for Ember. She's easy to deceive."

Draven remained silent; both of them knew the truth.

"It's not entirely wrong," Draven finally said. "I don't feel as hostile toward you as I used to. Get yourself together and go to her soon, so she doesn't worry."

"I know. Now get out of my face. Tell her I'll come back when I'm better," Morpheus muttered before lying back on his makeshift bed.

Draven extinguished the lamps in the cave and left.

-----

Draven retuned to Ember who was waiting for him to hear about Morpheus. Draven watched his mate standing by the window, seemingly worrying about other male. Her thoughts were filled with someone else instead of him. Though it was her worry for him, and the bond between the three could coax the dragon inside him, somehow it felt unbearable.

He knew, this time, it wasn't the dragon, but his manly instincts were feeling jealous.

Ember sensed his presence and turned to face him, offering him a beautiful smile. "You're back."

Draven couldn't hold back any longer. He crossed the room in long, deliberate strides, his intense gaze locked on her face, as if nothing else existed.

The next thing Ember knew, she was swept into a passionate and needy kiss, her breath stolen with each fervent movement.

He had been holding back, but not anymore. Her body now carried the mark of another mate, and he felt an overwhelming urge to reclaim her, to remind her body of him, again and again, until all it remembered was his touch, his presence.

"Draven..." Ember gasped, struggling to catch her breath, clutching at his clothes to steady herself as she gave in to the ferocity of his kiss. She could feel the raw intensity of his emotions.

"I want to mate with you," he breathed against her swollen, moist lips, his deep voice hoarse and full of need. "I want you to think of nothing but me. I want you to be mine alone."
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Ember hummed softly, understanding it was time to soothe her mate. He had been patient for so long, bearing everything that went against his innate nature.

He kissed her deeply, his hands moving with urgency to the back of her dress. In one swift motion, he tore the fabric, exposing her bare back to the cold breeze wafting in from the window.

The sensation made her shiver, but before she could react, their clothes disappeared as if by magic. Draven lifted her effortlessly and laid her on the bed, his gaze intense and his actions anything but gentle.

His eyes lingered on the mark over her heart—the pair of golden wings imprinted on her soft skin. It fueled his jealousy, a reminder of the other bond she carried.

Sensing his turmoil, Ember called out to him softly, "Draven, I want you." Her voice was laced with a plea, trying to reassure him. She needed him to understand that she was his, that her heart and body belonged only to him. No one else could be with her in this way.

Draven's eyes tore away from the tattoo and met hers. Ember raised her hand to gently cup his face. "I truly want you. I've missed being close to you."

He leaned down, his face inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin. "You are mine, Ember."

"I know," she whispered, her gaze soft yet unwavering. "I know how you're feeling. I can feel it too. You don't need to hide it. You don't have to hold back anymore. I want to see you, not the human you, but the real you—the way a beast should be with his mate."

His heated breath brushed against her skin, and she could feel the wild rumble building in his chest. His gaze darkened, warning her of what she was asking for.

"I know you've always been holding back," she continued, her hand sliding along his bare chest, feeling the tense muscles beneath her palm. "But I'm not weak anymore. I'm strong now." Her voice lowered, full of need. "Your mate wants you—badly."

Draven swallowed hard, struggling not to give in completely to the beast inside him. But her words, her touch, her invitation were pushing him closer to the edge. She was seducing him so boldly.

His red eyes darkened, seemly to give her want she wanted, to show he the kind of a beast he could be and she was the one to ask for it.