The Devil’s Cursed Witch

Ember was going through the book she supposedly ‘borrowed’ from the King’s study. She could read the contents and understand the words thanks to learning the rune language of the kingdom.

It was quite slow, but she recognized that the book was talking about various magic spells, explaining what they were for and how to use them with various different diagrams. She could understand the words by themselves but the concept and the explanations were quite difficult for her to grasp.

“Amplifying magic… by changing the structures…? Will it be alright to simply memorize these? It doesn’t mention how to use spells like the ones Gaia used. It talks about making strong magic, but I only know how to create an illusion to fool an enemy. Gaia can change forms to scare people away, but I only know one form. This book is really complicated. I have been re-reading this part multiple times but it still doesn’t make sense…”

Ember pursed her lips as she flipped to another page.

“Controlling the intensity…? The difference between pure magic and true magic…what? I want to learn magical spells to protect myself, and I can even settle for entertaining magic like the butterflies Elder Leeora showed me, but I don’t think I can find them here. Why do all these seem so difficult? Was my act of sneaking into his study unnecessary?”

She helplessly looked at the book and then mumbled, “But Gaia said one needs to keep learning to be better. I believe it would be fine if I memorize all of these. But can I learn it on my own?  I will probably need someone to teach me.”

Feeling like her mind was full of complex terms and diagrams, she thought to take a break. She went to the balcony of her study, not knowing that she was now free to go anywhere as her monthly cycle was over and the King had permitted all the males to return to the palace.

Standing by the railing of the balcony, she thought about who she shall ask to teach her.

‘Elder Leeora, maybe Lady Cornelia…? But they are busy people. I don’t want to trouble them.’ She let out a sigh. ‘Can all elves use magic? I wonder if I can ask Reya or Clio, but will they teach me?’

Just then, she felt a strong gust of air, causing her hair to flutter around. A man with ash grey eyes and majestic wings of the same colour landed on the balcony.

She looked at the person with a bright smile. “Morpheus!”

The shapeshifter had gotten to know that all the male servants were being called back to the palace, which means it was safe to pay a visit to this little human. When he saw her standing on that balcony, he ended up going to her. It was ridiculous how he was being pulled towards this human who seemed to be not so ordinary to him, yet here he was, giving in to that strange impulse.

“How are you, little female?” he asked with a lopsided smile as his majestic wings folded back behind him.

“I am good, just enjoying the view from here,” she replied and walked towards him only to stop midstep.

“Stay there.”

As he said that, Morpheus even raised his hands, gesturing for her to not move closer.

Last time, he ran away as if she was someone with a plague, and this time, he was still treating her the same.

Seeing her disappointed expression, he spoke, “Don’t misunderstand me. There is a reason I asked you to stop.”

“What reason?” she asked.

“You are the King’s mate now so you should try to not get too close with males. Keep a safe distance away, at least five steps of distance.”

She looked at the stone floor, and to her, she seemed about four steps away from him. She took a step back but heard Morpheus sigh.

“I am not talking about those tiny steps with your short legs. Compare it to my strides.”

She looked at his long legs and then took a few more steps back.

“That’s good now,” he said with a satisfied smile. ‘I don’t care about myself, but if that Dragon smells me on you, he might get angry at you.’

For good measure, Ember took another step back. She felt awkward, as they were standing almost on opposite sides of the balcony.

When she looked back at him, she decided this was the best chance to ask the question haunting her the most.

“Morpheus, can you tell me why being the King’s mate is so special? I tried to search for a book about mates but I could not find any. When I asked Clio and Reya, they merely smiled at me and thought I was making fun of them.”

Morpheus looked at the innocent face of that human girl and was reminded of one fact.

‘She is really so naive.’

A playful smile appeared on his lips as he rested comfortably at the stone railing of the balcony, his arms folded in front of his muscular chest, looking like he had taken her question seriously and was hesitating to answer her.

Her beautiful green eyes that were staring at him with anticipation gradually shifted into impatience, and then annoyance, with each passing second.

“Why aren’t you answering? Are you going to tell me or do I have to ask someone else?” she asked with a pout.

Morpheus laughed. ‘She looks adorable when she is angry. I feel like pinching her cheeks and that tiny nose.’

Ember frowned, annoyed to realize he was making fun of her. They had met a few times, and in each of them, he showed he cared for her. It was an easy friendship, and she was comfortable enough with him to show her feelings clearly, even if it was anger.

“Fine, don’t tell me,” she snapped and turned around to leave.

This caused him to laugh harder, as he said, “Okay, I will tell you.”