After returning from the market, Seren talked to Drayce.
"Something is not right between Prince Arlan and Oriana. She was unusually quiet and was not interested in anything as if she wanted to go away from us all," Seren said, "I tried to make her feel better but..."
"It's normal for her to feel left out when the one she followed was ignoring her," Drayce replied.
"Prince Arlan, why would he do this? That poor girl," Seren commented, "Even when brother Cian tried to offer her a simple sugar candy, Prince Arlan used his power to make it fall on the ground. He didn't even let her touch it."
"He was jealous."
"Jealous?"
"Of your brother," Drayce explained, "How can a man accept someone else pampering his woman."
"Then why doesn't he pamper Oriana himself instead of keeping distance with her?" Seren was clearly displeased, "If Prince Arlan acts this way, I won't mind my brother taking care of her or instead take interest in her. She is a lovely girl."
"Calm down, my Queen. Arlan is dealing with his own issues and it's not easy for him either," Drayce comforted, "but I can solve at least something for her as you are feeling that bad for her."
"What?"
"She saved you from those wizards so she deserves to get a reward."
"What if she asks you to help her go away and then she leaves Prince Arlan?" Seren voiced her concern.
"Then, I have to help her. Saving my wife deserves whatever reward she wants."
"But she is Prince Arlan's mate...she..."
"That's between him and her and me rewarding her is about us," he interrupted her. "Now rest for a while. You must be tired."
Putting her to rest, Drayce left to go to his study.
"Your Majesty, Orian will be here soon."
Drayce offered him a nod and entered his study.
After a while Slayer informed Oriana's arrival to Drayce. Drayce lifted his gaze and watched Oriana enter his study. Under his gaze she sure looked wary of him.
She bowed, "This servant pays his respects to His Majesty the King of Megaris."
Drayce accepted her greeting with a nod. "Dispense formalities. Have a seat."
Though in her eyes she was a servant, Drayce knew the truth. This woman in front of him was of higher status, she was the queen of the witch clan. Drayce was a wizard so she was his Queen as well.
"I am honored, but doing so is disrespectful to you, Your Majesty." She preferred to stand.
Drayce didn't insist and got to the point. "You must be wondering why I called you here."
She kept her head lowered. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"I have called you here to grant you a reward for protecting my wife when those wizards attacked her inside the Ancient Citadel of Nefer," Drayce replied, his gaze trying to see through her true thoughts.
"I need no reward for it, Your Majesty. I admire and respect Her Majesty. It was an honor to be able to protect her. Even if it happens again, I will do the same, without expecting any reward."
"Do not be so quick to refuse. If not for you, they would have succeeded in their scheme."
"I cannot take credit for what happened. Those wizards aimed to hurt all of us, and what happened next was an accident out of sheer desperation."
"That desperation is the key to unleash that power so credit definitely goes to you."
Summoning a servant, Drayce instructed her to gather the household staff and procure more water for the bath.
Carrying Seren in his arms, Drayce guided her into the bath, but to his dismay, the water rapidly heated. Anticipating the urgency of the situation, Drayce had already dispatched a message to Yorian.
Yorian materialized in the chamber to find Drayce carrying Seren, her body and garments soaked from the water. "What has happened?" Yorian inquired.
"Follow me," Drayce responded tersely.
In the interim, Marie returned with news, "Your Majesty, the servants are bringing more water."
"No need," Drayce replied briskly before vanishing from the chamber, Yorian trailing behind.
They materialized at the lake behind the guest mansion. Drayce gently lowered Seren into the cool waters, holding her close as the lake embraced her.
"Is this the same phenomenon affecting Queen Seren as before?" Yorian questioned.
Drayce nodded gravely. "The owner of the fire element must be facing turmoil as well. Whenever she suffers, Seren endures the same."
The water surrounding Seren's body began to heat up, mirroring the intensity of her fevered state. Drayce swiftly shielded himself with his powers, ensuring the scorching temperature wouldn't harm him.
"Seren, can you hear me? You must wake up," Drayce pleaded, his voice filled with urgency as he continued to call out to her.
Yorian, who had ventured into the water, felt the rising temperature and hastily shielded himself as well. Approaching Seren, he carefully examined her, probing her body while holding her wrist. After a tense moment, he opened his eyes and delivered his assessment.
"The other power within her is unstable, causing this turmoil. We must awaken her quickly, or it may inflict lasting harm upon her."
Drayce sighed inwardly, knowing what he must do, though it pained him deeply. With a heavy heart, he made the agonizing decision to resort to the same method that had roused Seren from her previous affliction.
Gently, he allowed Seren's face to be submerged in the water, while Yorian stepped back, ready to assist. As Seren's body began to struggle against the lack of oxygen, Drayce held her steadfastly beneath the surface, refusing to relent until her eyes fluttered open, her consciousness returning.
True to expectations, Seren's eyes blinked open, her complexion pallid with exhaustion. Without hesitation, Drayce lifted her from the water, cradling her close as she coughed violently. He soothed her, patting her back gently to aid in expelling the water from her lungs.
In a swift teleportation, they returned to the chamber, with Yorian in tow. Drayce tenderly laid Seren upon the bed, wrapping her in a thick blanket to ward off the chill that now gripped her weakened frame.
"Dray," Seren's voice trembled, her eyes glistening with tears. Drayce enveloped her in his arms, offering solace. "Everything is alright, Seren," he reassured her.
"I saw that terrifying fire again," she confessed, her face still drained of color.
"I know," he murmured soothingly, holding her close. "Try to calm down. We need to change your clothes before you catch a chill. We can talk about it later."
She nodded in agreement, and Drayce entrusted her to the care of her attendants while he sought out Yorian.
"What have you discovered?" Drayce inquired, his expression grave.
Yorian's demeanor was somber as he responded, "The other power within her is becoming increasingly unstable and fiery with each passing day. I suspect it's linked to the awakening of the deity of fire, who must be grappling with her own uncontrollable powers. If this trend continues..."
"What?" Drayce pressed, a sense of urgency gripping him.
"It could inflict significant harm upon Queen Seren's body," Yorian explained. "We are fortunate she possesses the body of a demigod, which affords her some resilience. However, the nature of the hellfire element she harbors raises concerns about her ability to withstand it over time."
"What should I do?" Drayce asked, his concern evident.
"We must await Evanthe and Sierra's intervention with the deity. Once they locate her, I'm confident they will assist both her and Queen Seren. In the meantime, we must be prepared for these recurring incidents. Ensure you remain by her side as much as possible."
"I will," Drayce affirmed.
"Your power of darkness could provide some protection against the effects of hellfire," Yorian suggested. "Similar to how you once used it to suppress the hellfire when Queen Seren wielded her own power of the earth element to survey the land."
Drayce understood the task ahead, but he knew it was far from a simple solution. The ultimate challenge remained in purging Seren's body of the dangerous hellfire, a task that seemed daunting in its complexity.