Witch's Daughter And The Devil's Son

Erebus's body froze, his face still buried in her nape, his heated breath brushing against her delicate skin.

"You're not allowed to flee. We need to talk," she insisted, refraining from using his name, as he often preferred to evade her when she did.

His hands slowly released their grip on her, and he heard her firm voice once more, "Let go of me and listen to what I want to say."

In the darkness, the tall figure retreated, and Seren finally felt a sense of relief as she could breathe more comfortably. Although she couldn't see him in the absence of light, she could discern his dark silhouette on the bed, sitting between her widely parted legs.

In the darkness, she couldn't help but wonder if he could see her nakedness. It wasn't Drayce but Erebus, a different presence altogether, and it made her feel vulnerable.

Seren cautiously moved backward and settled against the headboard, pulling the sheet to cover herself. She was now certain it was Erebus; had it been Drayce, he would have comforted her and offered reassurance.

With Erebus finally present instead of vanishing into the shadows, Seren contemplated how to broach the subject.

"I'm grateful that you're here and willing to listen to me," she began, her words met with silence from his side. Even in the dark, she sensed his gaze upon her, causing her to clutch the sheet tightly to her chest.

"I want you to understand that, just like Drayce, you are important to me as well. I desire to be your mate; I truly do."

A subtle shift in the energy surrounding him signaled that her words were having an impact, as if they resonated with his own desires.

"But you needn't be so impatient and take what you desire without my consent, as if I would have refused you had I known it was you," Seren continued, her voice gentle and reassuring. "I would never reject you; there's no need to hide from me."

Once again, silence hung in the air, leaving Seren to wonder if her message was truly getting through.

"I'm uncertain if you fully grasp my words," she ventured. "What I want you to understand is that I wish for Drayce to consummate our marriage first, without your interference. I want to be wholly his wife and experience his love in its entirety. Afterward, I'll willingly consent to becoming your mate.

When you mark me and claim me as your mate, I give you my word that Drayce will not interfere neither I will call for him. I will belong to you alone."

As expected there was no response from him. He only reacted when she said she was willing to be his mate. It showed how much it mattered to him but he needed to respect her wishes.

"I promise to treat you exactly as I would Drayce," Seren continued, her voice unwavering. "I am cursed not to feel love for anyone, and I cannot define what I feel for Drayce. But I commit to feeling the same way for you. I will care for you as your mate, just as I would care for Drayce as his wife. You are equally important because you are him, and he is you."

Seren peered at the dark silhouette before her, still as a statue, leaving her to ponder his thoughts. She knew he was intelligent, evidenced by his manipulation of Drayce into making a deal that allowed him to have her as his mate.

Though she had decided to confront Erebus one day that if Drayce had not made that deal, was he not going to help Drayce save her when he had chosen her his mate. But she realized now was not the time to address her lingering bitterness. It was an opportunity to demonstrate her sincerity toward this mysterious existance of Drayce's dark side.

She was determined to get to know him, to encourage him to open up so that their lives could become more harmonious and meaningful.

Seren left the sheet covering her and boldly moved closer to him, positioning herself on her knees to face his towering silhouette. Her hand gently rested on his bare shoulder, and she sensed the tension in his muscles beneath her touch. Yet, he remained unmoving, his hands refraining from reciprocating.

'Is he truly that obedient when I mentioned needing my consent?' Seren wondered, her frustration growing as she couldn't see his face and read his expressions.

Her hands traveled from his shoulders to his face, exploring along his neck, and she felt his throat tighten as if he had swallowed heavily. A contented smile graced her lips; she was reassured that her touch was affecting him, despite his stillness.

"I meant every word I said," she whispered, inching her face closer to his. "I want to be your mate, and you don't have to compete with Dray for my affections. I can accept both of you."

In the dark, Seren awaited some response, desperate to discern Erebus's thoughts and emotions, hoping that her words had managed to reach his heart.

She sensed the change in his breathing as it grew heavy. Not waiting for him to respond, Seren gently pecked his lips and spoke softly, "But you need to learn to listen to me, to understand my wants and thoughts. This way, we can be together more harmoniously."

She closed the distance between their lips once more, planting a kiss that conveyed her sincerity, a testament to her willingness to accept him without fear.

He responded eagerly, his hands encircling her waist, pulling her naked body against his firm, bare chest. His other hand found its way to the back of her head, cradling it as he engaged her in a passionate, rough kiss reminiscent of their encounter on that memorable night aboard the ship.

Seren didn't shy away; instead, she savored the fervor, allowing his passionate mouth to steal her breath, rendering her tongue numb and her mind incapable of coherent thought.

When he finally released her, she felt as if the world had been turned upside down, her limp body leaning against him as if she had lost all her strength.

"Erebus," she whispered weakly, her desire to say more evident in her ragged breath. "You..."

A pair of gentle hands enveloped her, caressing her bare back with a soothing touch. Seren's body stiffened as she discerned the distinction in this gentler contact. It was Drayce, for only he possessed the ability to provide such comfort.

"Dray?" Seren whispered against his chest, her voice barely audible.

"Are you alright, Seren?" Drayce inquired, masking the turmoil in his voice.

Erebus had stolen precious moments with his wife and taken advantage of her, and though Drayce felt a surge of anger, he managed to suppress it. They were both naked, and he could well imagine what had transpired.

"Hmm, I am," Seren replied weakly, encircling her arms around his waist in a tight embrace.

Drayce reciprocated the hug, and an unusual silence enveloped them for a while. Eventually, Drayce broke the quietude with a cautious question, "Did he hurt you?"

Seren shook her head, her voice still faint but filled with determination. "He didn't, but I could talk to him."

"What did you talk about?" Drayce inquired, his tone as composed as possible.

Seren proceeded to explain what she had said to Erebus, emphasising her desire to be his wife first and rest of the conversation that he was not allowed to mark her without her consent.

Drayce's grip tightened around her, as if wanting to meld her into his body, never to let her go. She belonged to him, and that realization brought a profound sense of relief and comfort.

Despite Seren's willingness to accept his dark side and her bravery in controlling it, Drayce found himself unsettled by the thought of sharing her with that inner beast. His emotions were complicated, torn between relief and an inexplicable unease.

"Dray, I think he understood me and didn't try to come close to me," Seren began, her voice reassuring. "He's not as scary as I used to find him. He's actually quite obedient to me."

"That's good to know," Drayce responded, his hand gently patting her head. "You are truly brave, my Queen. I never realized it."

"You don't need to worry about me when it comes to Erebus," she assured him. "You don't have to battle him either. I can handle him, and he won't harm me, I'm certain."

Drayce's concerns remained, and he questioned her certainty. "How can you be so sure he won't hurt you just because he listened to you today? Don't forget, he is my beast side."

"I've told you before," Seren replied with conviction, "it's because Erebus is a part of you. My trust in you is boundless, like the vast sky itself."

Drayce found himself at a loss for words, humbled by his wife's eloquence. He released her from his embrace and leaned in to kiss her, the room still shrouded in darkness.

After the brief, affectionate kiss, Seren asked shyly, "So, shall we... continue... what we..."

Drayce tenderly caressed her cheek, gently tucking her hair behind her ear. "Not tonight. I don't want it to be this way when my mind is unsettled."

Seren understood that Erebus's sudden appearance had likely unsettled Drayce.

Using his powers, Drayce retrieved her veil and carefully tied it back over her face. The room's candles and lamps were rekindled, allowing them to finally see each other. Seren, despite being naked, felt relieved to have the assurance of Drayce's presence. She needed to know that he was alright.

Drayce offered her an assuring smile. "I'll help you get into another dress."

He rose from the bed, and Seren's worried gaze followed him. She could sense the turmoil within him. Drayce returned shortly, now dressed in his own attire, and assisted Seren in putting on a fresh nightdress.

Once Seren was comfortably nestled in bed, she snuggled into Drayce's arms.

"Dray."

"Hmm?"

"I want you to understand that you, my husband, are the most important person in my life. No one can ever replace you."

"I know," Drayce replied, holding her closer and placing a gentle kiss on her head. The reassurance from her words brought a sense of comfort, and they lay together in the warm embrace of their love.