They entered the grand doors of the council hall, where the council members, clan elders, and other powerful supernaturals, along with the King and his mate, were gathered. As Drayce and Seren walked inside, all eyes were drawn to them—the sight of the Red Dragon and his mate making their way to the center of the hall.
It was the first time many would witness a Dragon marking his mate, unlike Draven's marking of Ember, which had not been a formal ceremony. The moments they could cherish which a Black Dragon marked his mate, those moments were filled with nothing but a grave shock.
Seren felt the weight of countless gazes from the supernaturals around her, each one radiating the immense power they held. It was overwhelming. Drayce sensed her tension and gently squeezed her hand, his thumb softly caressing the back of her palm, offering her comfort.
King Agartha, Draven, sat on his throne with Erlos standing beside him, while Ember was seated among the other supernaturals, with Morpheus at her side.
As Drayce and Seren reached the center of the hall, they paused, turning to face each other in front of the ceremonial altar after offering their respectful greetings to the King.
Draven rose from his throne, his commanding presence immediately drawing the attention of the hall.
"Today, we gather to witness the union of a Red Dragon and his mate," Draven's voice echoed, powerful and filled with authority. "This marking not only seals their bond but symbolizes the strength and unity of our kind."
Drayce's gaze never left his nervous mate. His eyes were filled with love and reassurance. "You'll be alright," he whispered softly, his voice steady and calming.
Seren nodded, trying to settle her racing heart. She had read about this moment in books, but none of them prepared her for the reality. She didn't know what to expect, but Drayce's presence gave her courage.
The elders of various clans began to chant in unison, their voices harmonizing in a spell that resonated through the council hall. The air shimmered with an ethereal glow, indicating the beginning of the ancient ritual—a Dragon was about to mark his mate.
Drayce inhaled deeply, feeling the ancient energy of the chants coursing through him. His body responded to the power, the dark force within him awakening. He closed his eyes for a moment, and slowly, his form began to change, enveloped in swirling shadows.
Seren could feel the strong shift in his powers and for the first time watched him slowly transforming into Erebus.
As Drayce transformed into Erebus, his previously pleasant form radiated a powerful sense of darkness—something so intense that it shook everyone in the hall. The Red Dragon's true power was on full display, and it left the onlookers wondering about the origins of this hellish darkness. Who had he inherited this formidable force from?
Tiny dark veins appeared around his eyes, and when he opened them, they were pitch black, devoid of any white. His appearance was menacing to all who watched, but not to Seren. She held his gaze, unwavering, and softly murmured, "Erebus."
Seren clung to him, bracing herself for what was to come. She felt his warm, moist mouth caressing her skin, his rough tongue trailing along the spot where his mark would be. She tried to focus her attention on all that magical chanting by elders echoing in the hall.
The next moment, her breath caught in her chest. A sharp, searing pain coursed through her body, so intense that she couldn't even make a sound. It was overwhelming.
Erebus sank his canines into her skin, his eyes closed as their souls began to intertwine, forming an unbreakable bond.
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Ember, seated among the others, shuddered as the memory of her own marking resurfaced—the pain she had endured not once, but twice.
Draven sensed the shift in her emotions and glanced over at her, while Morpheus, standing beside her, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He, too, could feel her emotions through the bond.
Ember looked at Draven and then to Morpheus, offering them a light smile, assuring them she was alright.
Once done, Erebus retracted and licked the marking wound with his tongue, relishing the sweet test of his mate's blood.
Seren went unconscious, her body slumped into his arms.
Erebus held her and caressed her beautiful face gently with his hand and disappeared from there in front of everyone.
"He could not wait to go away," Evanthe commented.
"Can he take care of Seren on his own? He is not Drayce who is used to doing everything for her," Sierra showed her concern.
Yorian chimed in, "Evanthe, you are his mother, so probably only you would be allowed near his nest. Rest of us would be just dead if we go there."
"I will go check on them soon," Evanthe assured. "Right now, is not the time. He must want to be with his mate alone."