Erebus arrived at the place where he had built his nest, his home for his mate and himself.
A beautiful cottage settled at the end of vast land that led to the valley ahead. The vast land was covered in beautiful greenery, a lush lawn, numerous plants bustling with beautiful flowers blooming everywhere.
On the other side of the valley there were tall snow covered mountains, a beautiful view which could be seen while standing at the entrance of the cottage which was built facing the valley and the snowy mountain ahead.
Carrying Seren, he walked inside the newly built cozy cottage which had one drawing room, kitchen and huge bedroom with a vast bed in the center, huge windows behind the bed and a beautiful view of snowy mountain.
He placed her at the center of the bed gently, his dark gaze not living his mate's beautiful face. He climbed the bed, enveloped his arms around her, pulling her closer as if coaxing her to a comfortable sleep. Her small body pressed against his, her delicate face snuggled against his chest.
He pressed his lips on her head and inhaled her enticing scent which was now stronger after he marked her. He closed his eyes as well, enveloping her protectively as if keeping her from any harm.
For the beast, they had to be most alert when their mate is unconscious after marking and in her weakest condition where her soul is fighting to stand against the marking. If there are any enemies of that beast, they would try to eliminate his mate so it would end up hurting that male and eventually defeat him.
Though Erebus had no such threat around him, his beast instincts couldn't help but want to protect her. If anyone by chance appeared even closer to his nest, he would end up killing them.
The beasts of feathered races who often patrolled the sky had been instructed not to fly around this area, unless they want to lose their life in the hands of a Dragon.
By the late noon, Erebus shot opened his eyes as he sensed someone's presence around. His senses clouded with protective instincts made him fail to recognise the person.
With his gaze turning darker with a killing instinct, he stepped out of the cottage and darkness started to surround him. He was about to shoot the blow of his darkness everywhere around the cottage to get rid of wherever was around, he heard a familiar voice.
The last time she saw him, he was barely four and half years old. He started to show his existence when Drayce turned three and had started to develop strong emotions like any other kids, but the anger was the prominent one. By three Drayce started to understand the things that offended him and his darkness would show up as a result of his anger.
Then she started to teach Drayce not to let his anger or dark side take over him, that he was a human who lived among humans so he should never use his powers. His destiny was to be a King of Megaris, a human kingdom and he should not rule them with the fear of his powers.
She wondered if it was because of her teaching and the promise he had made to her that he wouldn't use his powers unless it meant to protect someone. He had started to separate his dark side and also, his will to live like a human, which made him hate it.
'He would eventually do whatever he is destined for, and being surpassed till now must be for his own good.'
Erebus simply looked at her wordlessly, his dark eyes unable to let her see any emotions in him.
When she was about to retreat her hand, he placed his hand over hers to keep her hand against his cheek and spoke, "Mother!"
His voice was deeper and heavier than Drayce's, a tinge of roughness to it.
The emotions she was fighting, they showed up, tears started to appear in her eyes. She didn't know what to do and wished she could just hug him, but held back. Letting her touch him was already a limit to the beast's tolerance.
She wiped away her tears and spoke, "I would like to talk to you for longer, but at this moment I am here to help you with your mate. Would it be fine for me to check how she is doing?" she waited for his approval, "Only if you allow me to."
He stared at her wordlessly as if thinking deeply about it and then stepped away, letting her see the entrance of the cottage, the view he was blocking.
Evanthe understood he permitted her. She felt happy, that whether it was Drayce or Erebus, they both loved her the same way.