The Devil's Cursed Witch

"Unfortunately, we believe that Queen Esther is no longer in that river," Aureus explained. "We don't know how, but she had passed the flower mark on her wrist to the current Queen of Megaris, Seren Ivanov, back when she was an infant. She was born around two years after Queen Esther jumped in the river. That meant that at least for the past eighteen years, she was not submerged underwater. She is hiding somewhere from us."

"That means we can find her through the current Queen of Megaris," Morpheus said, aware of the meaning of that flower mark. "That infant who she passed the mark on found her soulmate in Evathe's son. This is not a coincidence and it seems to me there is something she is trying to protect. That child may hold important clues." He then turned to his nephew. "Isn't the Queen of Megaris a witch? Is there something more to her identity?"

Aureus wondered how much information about Seren he could share. "Queen Seren's life...from what I heard, she was always in some kind of danger and her father exhausted all means to protect her in Abetha. It won't be surprising if Queen Esther did something to help protect her in one way or another," Aureus commented.

"You say there is an important event coming for the Queen of Megaris. Is it related to her powers?"

Aureus didn't hide anything this time, thinking things could become dangerous and getting help from these powerful supernatural beings could at least lessen the risk. "You are right. The Queen, she will be of age soon. Once she becomes an adult, her powers will mature and it will be impossible to hide the essence of her powers from the people who are after her. That is why, the presence of Drayce around her is important because he acts as a scabbard suppressing the blade that is her essence, keeping her from letting her enemies discover her."

"Knowing Evanthe, if she is aware of the dangers befalling her daughter-in-law, then I am sure she will look out for Seren Ivanov," Morpheus said with confidence.

Draven didn't deny it. "This is our chance of finding Evanthe."

Morpheus looked at Aureus. "When is that day?"

Aureus kept quiet for a while. "I am not sure if the King would like it if you interfere in their matters. If Evanthe is Queen Esther, then she is his mother as well. Once he finds her, I am sure he won't let her leave again, and then, we can meet her afterwards. Please be patient and let King Drayce handle it. More than anyone else, I think the son who lost his mother is the most eager to find her."

Draven and Morpheus looked at each other, mutually acknowledging the truth in Aureus' words.

"We will wait to hear from the King of Megaris then. It's important for us to get Evanthe to help my mate," Draven said.

"My king will surely help you to honor the alliance between our kingdoms," Aureus assured. "After the Day of Mourning, I will head back to Megaris and pass your message to him."

Draven nodded, accepting his offer.

Morpheus looked at Aureus. "Why don't you rest today in the palace?"

Aureus understood Morpheus must have something to talk with the King of Agartha so he pretended to go along.

"Erlos, take care of the guest," Draven said.

"Yes, Sire! But, uhmm, where exactly in Agartha are we? After climbing down the mountain, do I run south? North? East--"

"I will carry you," was all Aureus said. No matter how fast the elf could run, it was nighttime and they were at the top of the mountain. It would not be easy for Erlos to go to the base of the mountain, and it would be faster if he were to carry him.

Aureus flew away with Erlos, leaving the pair of old comrades by themselves.

Once they left, Morpheus no longer hesitated.

"Let me get everything we have so far. So we know the green-eyed woman in your dreams is highly likely Ember herself, and Evanthe knew Ember. Also, this Ivanov woman who was the previous Queen of Megaris is our Evanthe. Evanthe married a human and gave birth to Drayce Ivanov, the current King of Megaris. She left her family twenty years ago, and sometime after came across the newborn Seren Ivanov, and this child is now the current Queen of Megaris.

"In the end, her whereabouts are unknown, but since she is trying to protect people, she will likely reappear soon."

Draven agreed to all the points summarized by the shapeshifter. "It's highly unlikely that she would lie about submerging herself in the water. I believe she indeed sealed herself--or at least she intended to seal herself--but something must have happened,  and that something is surely related to Seren Ivanov."

"Hmm, that is what we can conclude." Morpheus nodded. "I wonder if Drayce Ivanov is aware of his mother's and wife's connection. Since he had been investigating for so long, he must have arrived at the same, if not similar, conclusions."

"We have to wait for his wife's coming of age ceremony. That day we will get answers."

"I hate waiting." Morpheus could not help but let out a loud exhale. "And what about that Black Witch who is hiding Myra? You don't allow me to leave and you don't do anything on your own. How long are we going to wait for the King of Megaris? While he's busy worrying about his wife, are we going to stand by and let my sister continue suffering under that witch?"

"Myra is a precious tool for any black magic practitioner. If she is truly with Zaria, then that guarantees she will be kept alive for as long as possible. All we need to do is be patient. A single mistake and we can lose her. Don't you know how vicious Zaria is? I believe she didn't keep Myra alive merely for her blood--she probably kept Myra with her to strike Agartha with a decisive blow when the time comes, probably to reenact that tragedy from the past."

Morhpheus clenched his fists, and blue veins were popping on his skin. "That Zaria. When she appears in front of me, I will give her the most terrible death." He had to take in deep breaths to calm himself. "Did you find that Black Witch's traces in Megaris as well?"

"I did. I also went to the Kingdom of Thevailes, the place Yorian said she fled to."

"Did you find clues?" Morpheus asked with much expectation, "...and Myra?"

Draven shook his head. "I merely scouted the borders. Just like I can sense her powers, she can sense mine as well. It can put Myra's life in danger so I had to return without digging too much, but...I did find traces of her black magic in that kingdom. She seems to have prepared trapping formations  to help the Kingdom of Thevailes to attack Megaris."

"That Black Witch. Once again, she is doing dirty schemes behind the scenes." Morpheus could not help but curse under his breath. "Then we should help the King of Megaris as well."