The Devil's Cursed Witch

Ember glanced at the side, as if she wanted to delay this moment as much as she could.

His impatience leaking, a commanding voice escaped his mouth.

“I am waiting.”

Ember’s body shivered.

“I-I…” she started. “I am yet to decide…”

His eyes changed to a deeper color as if the darkness inside was showing its existence, but Draven held it back. He closed his eyes, his brows furrowed, and focused on making that darkness disappear. His glove-covered hands caressed her cheeks as his forehead rested against hers, trying to breath in her calming scent.

Ember could feel what he was going through and this worried her. “Your Majesty, are you…”

“Don’t keep me waiting for long or I might end up hurting you,” he said earnestly, his voice hoarse with emotions.

Ember closed her eyes briefly to collect her thoughts. “I…I want to complete our bond but… I need time.”

Draven opened his eyes, his impatience leaking through his words. , “How long?”

“I am not sure…I have yet to decide.”

“I will wait.” Unwillingly, he let her go, releasing her from his hold. He stepped back as he looked at her. “Do not come in front of me for time being, unless you wish to complete the bond.”

He was forcing himself to leave. If he won’t, then he would harm her. Before Ember could say a word, he disappeared from her sight. Her emerald green eyes dimmed.

‘I wanted to ask what you feel for me, but you left just like that.’

Ember remained frozen in place for a long, long time, her back resting against the cold wall of the now empty hallway, her eyes shut close as she took steady breaths.

‘Coming and leaving me at will, conversations that center only on mating…maybe what that Isa said is right.’

A sad smile lingered on her face, a dull ache forming on her chest at the thought that maybe she wasn’t truly wanted by her mate. Maybe Draven was just pulled towards her solely because of the bond and he didn’t feel anything for her. His concern and care, everything she received till now, they were only possible because she became the King’s mate. Without that…

She sighed and turned towards the door of her bedchamber.

‘Despite anything, it’s given that I have to complete the bond.’

Entering the chamber, she straightaway went to her bed to lay down on it, and as soon as she sank on the soft mattress, moments from the festival flashed in front of her eyes.

Handsome, imposing, and powerful. The sight of his dignified self riding on horseback. The awe and respect his subjects showed whenever he passed by. His look as he helped her climb and get down the horse. The heartwarming scene of him offering a flower bouquet for her. The relief when he held her hand to help her climb the stairs towards the Tiger clan house rooftop. The warmth he brought with him as he sat behind her on the back of his horse, his hands holding hers the entire time…

‘He sure cares for me because I am his mate… but does he love me?’

Ember blankly stared at the canopy curtains of her bed.

‘We never even got the chance to spend time together before all these happened, so how can love be even possible? His Majesty is just going through the motions; there is nothing more to it. I am thinking too much.’

A sad smile lingered on her lips.

‘Shall I just go with completing the bond with him? It would have been better if he loved me. I wouldn’t have to think about it this much, but then again, my nanny said that even among humans, there are many marriages that never had love to begin with.

‘What shall I care about now…is whether it is worth suffering from an incomplete bond or being mocked by someone like Isa.’

When she was immersed in her thoughts, Clio and Reya arrived in her chamber and found their master lying on the bed in the darkness. Clio hurried to light up the lamps, brightening up the room, her action causing Ember to realize she was no longer alone.

Reya approached her with a glass of water which she gratefully accepted. “Miss, you seem tired due to the festival we attended.”

“My legs hurt,” Ember replied as she handed back the empty glass.

“Shall we prepare a bath for you? Soaking in warm water will help your muscles relax.”

Ember agreed and the two servants left to prepare their master’s bath.

Several minutes later, Ember sat in the pool of hot water with her eyes closed, trying to relax her body and mind but…

The images of the intimate moments she had with her mate in the hallway flashed in front of her eyes. The way he held her closely and the way he kissed her with all his might. The memory made her heart beat faster, and her entire body started feeling hot, her desires affecting her senses.

She immediately opened her eyes and pulled her legs toward her, hugging her knees tightly with her fingers interlocked together.

‘What’s happening to me? Why do I feel so…hot…’ A gasp left her mouth. ‘Is it because it is the night of the full moon tomorrow?’

She didn’t stay in water for long as she didn’t feel right. Clio and Reya helped her get ready for the night, but this time, it was somewhat different. They had not just put on a beautiful night dress on her but also set her hair ornately instead of simply brushing it like every night. They applied fragrant essence on her skin and it gave her the impression that they were preparing her for something.

“Why are you two setting my hair and all this?” Ember asked, nervous as she had a guess but was hoping that wasn’t the case.

“Miss, though the night of the full moon is tomorrow, that simply means that the power of the bond is the strongest that night, to the point it is almost impossible to resist. But the night before, and even the night after, they still affect the mates’ urge to be intimate  so that’s why we are–“

“Cough! I-I see!”

Reya’s response left her flustered. Ember was worried about the next night but now she had to worry about this night and the night after as well.

‘Will he…’ She shook her head. ‘He said he would wait for my answer.’