During the days when Evanthe was tending to Morpheus, Ember prayed fervently for his recovery and return. Nearly a month had passed, and her patience was wearing thin.
"Draven, can you take me to the Spirit Shrine? Yesterday, Lady Evanthe and Cornelia said he should wake up in a day or two."
Draven took her hand gently, offering comfort. "You are not allowed to enter the Spirit Circle since you are not from the witch clan. But rest assured, the moment he wakes up, you will be the first to know."
Ember pressed her lips into a thin line. "I wish I were a witch."
Draven chuckled. "You are more dangerous than a witch."
"Are you scared?" she asked, searching his eyes for a genuine answer.
He caressed her cheek, a light smile forming on his lips. "I like dealing with dangerous things."
Suddenly, Draven sensed something, his ears perking up. He spoke immediately. "Let me take you there."
"What? Where?"
"To the witch clan, to see Morpheus."
"But I'm not allowed—"
"He is back," Draven said calmly, containing his own happiness. "Someone from the witch clan is in the palace to inform us. He just told Erlos."
"Sire," Erlos burst into Ember's room with the speed of the wind, not even bothering to knock. "The Commander is awake,"
"I told you," Draven said, glancing at Ember, who looked like she thought Draven was pranking her.
"The Commander is awake," Erlos repeated. "The messenger from the witch clan is here." The wide smile on Erlos' face showed his happiness. Though he always pretended he didn't like Morpheus, deep down, he was just as hurt by Morpheus' condition and now equally delighted by his recovery.
"Draven, take me there," Ember said, clinging to his arm impatiently.
"Sire, I'm coming too," Erlos added.
"We have managed to preserve his soul and his core. He should wake up soon, though we were expecting him to wake up by now. It might take a little more time," Evanthe answered with uncertainty.
"Can... I... go to him?" Ember asked hesitantly, unsure if it was appropriate since he was still being treated.
Evanthe looked at Draven, who remained calm. Before she could answer Ember, Cornelia spoke, "Of course, you can go to him, Lady Ember."
Evanthe glanced at Cornelia but remained silent as she watched Ember walk toward the bed.
Ember walked ahead, her eyes fixed on Morpheus's sleeping form. She remembered how pale his body had looked the last time she saw him, lying on the cold stone platform. The memory made her heart ache. But seeing him now, not pale anymore, made her feel relieved. She sat at the edge of the bed, her gaze moving from his face to his chest, where remnants of the wound still marked his skin.
She placed her trembling hand over his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin, a stark contrast to the cold from that day. The warmth was a sign of life. The moment she felt his heartbeat under her palm, a sense of great relief washed over her, and her eyes moistened with tears. "Morph," she whispered softly.
She held his hand in hers, caressing it gently in her hold, unsure of what to say. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke in a broken voice, "Wake... up... soon... I am waiting for you..."
In response, she felt an immovable hand that she was holding, its fingers moved, its hold light against her palms.
"Morph?" she looked at his hand and then to his face where he showed no reaction. "You heard me, don't you?"
There was no reaction from Morpheus but his hold on her hands remained as it is, showing her he heard her.
Others heard Ember and waited to see what was happening.
Ember turned to Draven, her eyes teary but there was a smile on her face, "Draven, he just held my hand back. He can feel me, he can hear me."
In response he smiled back at her, assuring her she was right.
"Maybe, if Lady Ember spends some more time with him, he would wake up soon," Cornelia suggested, only to earn a displeased glare from Evanthe.
"Is it?" Ember asked.
Before Cornelia could speak, Evanthe answered, "Not necessary. You can visit him once in a day along with Draven for a few moments till he wakes up entirely."
Ember nodded and looked back at Morph, "You have to wake up soon and talk to me. If you won't, I have a whistle with me and I will blow it right into your ears this time."