The Devil's Cursed Witch

“Since you say you know how to shapeshift, then I assume that you already understand the basic principle of controlling the magic inside your body? In shapeshifting, what you do is focus on the core of energy inside your heart and spread it to every inch of your body, right? I am not sure how you visualize this. This is a natural talent for someone like me so I don’t know if it’s the same for humans. I have been using it for a thousand years so I don’t even have to think. It’s more an instinct for me and my people.’

“Core of energy?” she asked.

Morpheus scratched his chin. “Magic power is the blessing of the world. Everything and everyone possesses magic inside their bodies, from trees to the river, from animals to elves and yes, even humans, but it depends on race and talent how to wield it.

“Humankind has no talent and their core of magic is so little, it’s negligible, that is why they naturally cannot use magic. Other races have powers from birth since they have a large core of magic inside their bodies. This is the case for shapeshifters and elves. With more practice, our people become more powerful because you become skilled in using what you have. That is why your origin and bloodline matters a lot.”

She didn’t know her origin and bloodline, but since she was able to use magic, did that mean she was not fully human? Gaia could also use magic. Was Gaia also not human?

Morpheus continued. “In performing basic magic spells, there are two very important factors—the ability to tap the magic in your core and the strength of your willpower to command that magic. Since my attribute is air, I only have to think—or rather, imagine how I want to control air. I spread my magic in the air and command the air infused with magic.

“For the butterflies to come, I make the air shake with a unique frequency to let out a sound that will call them to me. It’s a pretty high-level technique. Since you are just beginning, how about you first try to tap the magic core in your heart and instead of spreading it inside your body, try spreading it to the air outside your body?”_.

“Okay, I will try,” she said and closed her eyes.

Just like what Morpheus did earlier, she put her hand forward and tried to focus on the source of power inside her. ‘The magic inside my heart…try to spread in the air…’

On the other hand, Morpheus continued to look at this adorable human female whose face was firm with determination. He found it difficult to move his gaze away from her serious face.

‘Since when did humans start to be born like her? Why is she so different from those disgusting creatures?’ he continued to think about her, not knowing he was being pulled towards her.

The silence within the balcony didn’t last long as soon—

Swoosh!

Ember opened her eyes, feeling something had happened, only to be shocked at the view in front of her.

Flames.

For a split second, there was a sea of orange flames.

Those more than a hundred butterflies that turned the balcony into a beautiful colourful dream, all of them were on fire, and in a matter of seconds, their existence was reduced to nothing more than ashes.

Morpheus himself was shocked and stared at Ember whose one hand was still raised in front of her, the tips of her fingers noticeably trembling.

‘This human…did she just…?’

Morpheus could not believe it even though he had personally witnessed it. Ember was clearly a human—neither a halfling nor one of those crazy practitioners of black magic—and though she was able to become mates with Draven, it only meant she was special enough to be able to bear the magic of his bloodline.

‘A human capable of using real magic?’

When she told him a while ago what she could do, he took it lightly. He thought her nanny must have done a magic trick, a sleight of hand, to comfort her since she’s naive.

‘That isn’t even a magic spell, but a strong power originating from her innate talent. I cannot be mistaken. Even now, it’s like I can still feel the heat of those flames…’

In front of him, Ember was trembling with her hands covering her mouth. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she recalled how those butterflies were brutally burned to the point mere ashes remained on the floor. The sharp acrid smell left behind by the fire made her want to vomit.

“I-I-I killed…I killed… them…I…”

Her stuttering words pulled Morpheus back from his thoughts and he looked at her with an expression of pity. “Ember, calm down. It’s not—”

But before he could say anything more, someone appeared in their midst and walked towards Ember, pulling her into his strong, warm arms.

Ember buried her face in the chest of that person as his presence comforted her, and finally, hot tears rolled down her pale cheeks. She cried in shock, horror and dread, the scene continuously replaying inside her head.

“I…Killed them…I killed them…” her trembling voice sobbed before strength left her body and she lost consciousness in that person’s arms.

Draven tenderly held her unconscious body,  but his red eyes glared at Morpheus with killing intent.

“Draven…I didn’t expect…” The shapeshifter’s expression was unreadable. “I don’t know what had just happened. How could a human like her—”

“Leave!”

The anger in Draven’s eyes reminded the winged man of what happened in that mountain a few days ago. Morpheus didn’t want to argue with this man at this moment, especially not after he saw Ember faint in such a pitiful manner.

Majestic grey wings spread on his back. “I am leaving but I will return.”

Morpheus shot the red-eyed man a serious look but Draven didn’t react. He neither agreed nor disagreed and simply disappeared from the balcony along with his mate.

The Divine Eagle flew away from the palace, worry and curiosity heavy in his mind.

Draven reappeared inside Ember’s personal chamber and carried the unconscious human towards the bed. He covered her with a quilt and sat at the edge of the bed while observing her delicate face. Her cheeks were wet due to tears and her thin eyebrows were furrowed together to show her distress. It was as if even in sleep, what she had committed still haunts her.

He removed the glove from his one hand and wiped her cheeks gently with his fingers.

‘So something did happen…’ he inwardly sighed.