Chapter 16: The Cursed Reunion

After a refreshing morning routine, Clover and Maribelle began their daily tasks. They started by sweeping the courtyard. Next, they headed to the kitchen to assist with the Queen's breakfast.

Once their kitchen duties were complete, they parted ways to attend to their individual assignments. Maribelle made her way to the Queen's private garden, where she carefully watered and tended to the delicate flowers and herbs. Meanwhile, Clover wandered through the lush meadows surrounding the castle, plucking fresh blooms to adorn the halls and chambers.

But despite their efforts to work overtime they never got the chance to see the guest, anger shimmered within Clover as she paced to and fro in their chamber.

Clover's voice trembled with anger and frustration. "Maribelle, the king's behavior is infuriating me. Why does he think we shouldn't meet the guests? What if they're our family? Are they trying to kidnap us?" Her eyes blazed with determination. "I barely survived a kidnapping, I won't let it happen again. No way."

Maribelle's calm demeanor provided a soothing contrast to Clover's agitation. "Let's think this through," she said. "I'll discreetly ask the she-elf I'm working with about the guests and find out which chambers have been assigned to them. We'll gather more information before we decide what to do."

Clover nodded in agreement.



In the king's chamber, the monarch sat on his plush couch, sipping a rich red wine as he gazed at his son. "You must ensure that the humans do not cross paths with that girl," he instructed, his voice low and urgent. "She possesses an extraordinary amount of power within her. You will need to win her affection through courtship."

The king's eyes narrowed, his mind fixed on his ambition. He was determined to keep the girl within his castle walls, to harness her power for himself or make her his puppet.

The prince frowned, his expression sceptical. "She's been avoiding me since she discovered my true identity as a prince," he said. "And how do you propose I separate her from that werewitch? They're inseparable, and the witch would be suspicious if they were to sleep in separate chambers."

"And Father," the prince cautioned, his voice laced with concern, "the power within that girl is tainted. If you attempt to seize it by force, it will only bring destruction, not only to our court but to the entire immortal realm."

The king's face turned red with rage, his eyes blazing with determination. "I don't care about the risks!" he thundered, hurling his glass of wine at the wall, where it shattered into a hundred pieces. "You will find a way to separate them. That girl is meant to be part of this kingdom, and I will not miss this opportunity."

The prince's expression turned grim, his voice heavy with resignation. "Very well, I will see what I can do. Even if it means sealing our doom." With that, he stood up, his movement deliberate, and left his father to his own devices, the tension between them palpable.

The prince was all too familiar with his father's corrupt nature, his insatiable hunger for power a shameful spectacle. He also knew a secret, one that his father was oblivious to: the girl's power had already awakened. Moreover, the prince was aware that by crossing the veil into the immortal realm, she had unknowingly triggered an ancient bond - one that signified the presence of a mate, a being who might possess power rivaling the girl's own.



In the Western region, Prince Titus seethed with anger as he sat among his friends, Christopher, the vampire prince from the Dreamwalker Kingdom, and Vernon, the lycan prince from the Shifters' Kingdom. The memory of Duke Maverick's sentencing still burned within him. His father, the Demon King Devon, had shown mercy, but Titus believed the duke deserved a far more brutal fate. "If I had my way," Titus snarled, "I would have made him suffer a slow and agonizing death, begging for mercy with his last breath."

His friends stared at him, their eyes wide with shock, as if he had suddenly sprouted a second head. "What?" Titus asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Christopher, the vampire prince, shook his head. "You'll be living up to your nickname, the Reaper," he said, his voice laced with concern.

Titus's expression darkened, his anger boiling over. "I don't care," he snarled, his voice low and menacing. "I missed my chance to meet my mate because of Duke Maverick's greed. He's going to pay for that, one way or another."

Titus turned to his friend Vernon, his curiosity piqued. "How did you know she was my mate?" he asked.

Vernon shook his head. "I didn't, actually. I went to see her because of the vampire duke's relentless pursuit. I wanted to understand what kind of person could captivate him so thoroughly. And, I must admit, I had a selfish motive – I hoped she might be my mate. That's why I took the handkerchief she handed me. Since you and Christopher are both mateless, I thought it might be helpful."

Titus smiled, grateful for his friend's thoughtfulness. "Thanks, Vernon. You've saved me from a long and arduous search for a mate. So, what did you learn about her?"

Vernon's expression turned serious. "She grew up in the mortal realm, unaware of her heritage until she stumbled into our world. Which means she had no idea she was a demon."

Christopher's eyes widened in shock. "She's a demon?"

Vernon nodded. "Yes, with an angelic side. I suspect she might be an Equinox Civilian. But there's something else, something I don't understand – a malevolent entity within her, separate from her power source."

"Why assume she's from the Equinox Kingdom?" Christopher asked, his brow furrowed in scepticism. "What if she's from the Light Kingdom or the Dark Kingdom? Maybe an angel or a Nephilim fell in love with a demon."

Vernon shook his head. "Equinox Civilians have the unique ability to wield two opposing powers, which can bloom to their full potential without harming their core. If she were the offspring of a demon and an angel, her power would likely stem from a single source. But her core power is balanced, a perfect blend of light and darkness. And then there's that extraordinary power... I have no idea where it comes from." Vernon's expression turned grave. "I fear that her unique abilities may attract unwanted attention from power-hungry individuals. She was safe in this kingdom, but the duke's actions have put her at risk. If not for his interference, I'm sure Titus would have found her by now."

"Where could they be now?" Titus asked Vernon.

"They're likely in the Eastern region," Vernon replied. "As instructed, they were supposed to flee to my castle, but they were also given an amulet pendant by Sandra, Beta Andrew's stepmother. She told them to use it if they were ambushed before reaching the castle. I suspect they were attacked and had to teleport to a safe location using the amulet."

"Perhaps we should head to the Eastern region and retrieve the girl," Christopher suggested, eyeing Titus's dejected form. "That might lift your spirits, Titus."

Vernon's expression turned grim. "I fear we may be too late. Two mortal men with lycan strains – her brother and cousin – came for her. She might already be in the mortal realm."

Titus's face fell further. "This is disastrous. If my father discovers I missed the chance to bring my mate back, he'll force me to marry that... creature from the Dreamweaver Kingdom."

Christopher raised an eyebrow. "You must truly despise her to call her that. How can you hate someone you've never met?"

Titus shuddered. "I detest everything about the Dreamweaver Kingdom. It reeks of malevolence. The thought of being tied to someone from that kingdom makes me sick."

Christopher's eyes sparkled with amusement as he turned to Titus. "What about me, then? As a Prince of the Dreamwalker Kingdom, do you despise me as well? After all, the Dreamweaver and Dreamwalker Kingdoms are like sibling realms."

Titus played along, his voice deadpan. "Oh, no, there's nothing sinister about this hideous creature sitting next to me." He hid his smile behind his glass of whiskey, earning a mock scowl from Christopher.

Vernon chuckled, shaking his head. "You two never change. Always bickering like siblings."



Back in the Eastern region, the crew's patience was wearing thin. They had been waiting for nearly a week, but the elves had yet to produce the girls, citing that they needed to complete their assigned tasks.

Brandon's frustration boiled over. "I don't trust these elves anymore. I think they have no intention of giving us our sisters."

His cousin, Bernard, nodded in agreement. "I had a bad feeling about their king from the moment I met him. Remember? I told you I didn't trust him. If they've discovered Clover's power, like the wood elf elder did, then she's as good as gone."

"What about the prince?" Brandon asked, turning to Andrew. "Should we trust him? But he works for his father, after all."

Andrew's expression turned serious. "Clover will never truly be safe in this immortal realm unless her mate finds her. Even in the Shifters' Kingdom, danger would have always lurked nearby."

Bernard frowned. "What mate? My cousin is still young for marriage."

Andrew stated it as a fact. "The ancient spell cast on the veil grants a mate to any mortal human who crosses into the immortal realm and survives. You two have mates as well."

Bernard and Brandon stared at Andrew in shock, speaking in unison. "What?"

Isaac chuckled, grinning mischievously. "You might as well start planning your families here in the immortal realm."

Bernard turned to Isaac, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "What about you, Isaac? Do you already have a mate?"

Isaac let out a hearty chuckle, lounging on the couch with an air of carefree nonchalance. He folded his arms behind his head and crossed one leg over the other. "Not yet, my friend. I'm still a free man, enjoying life while I'm still young."

Andrew smiled wryly. "Don't mind Isaac's cavalier attitude. Once you meet your mate, it's hard to let go. You'll be drawn to them like a moth to a flame. But for now, just relax. The fates will reveal your mates when the time is right."

Bernard exhaled a sigh of relief, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He wasn't ready for a relationship, let alone one with a supernatural being. His priority was getting Clover back home safely, no matter what it took.

"We need to speak with the prince when he arrives," Bernard said, his mind refocusing on their mission. "We'll ask him to arrange an audience with the king. We can't afford to delay any longer."

Brandon and Andrew nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination.

As the evening fell, Maribelle, Isildur, and Clover sat at their table, enjoying dinner and discussing their mundane tasks from the day. However, Clover's curiosity soon shifted the conversation to another topic.

"Did you manage to find the guests' chambers?" Clover asked Isildur.

"Yes, they're on the third floor, four rooms away from the prince's chambers," Isildur replied. She then turned to Maribelle and asked, "Aren't you a werewolf? I thought you could communicate with your pack through telepathy."

Maribelle's frustration was evident in her eyes. "Believe me, I've tried. But there's something about this castle and its surroundings – a magical barrier that interferes with my telepathy."

Isildur suggested, "Maybe Clover could try using her demon or angelic side."

Clover shook her head. "I've been unable to connect with them since the guests arrived. I thought they were just ignoring me."

Maribelle's gaze locked onto Clover's. "Why don't you try communicating with the other. I mean the entity?"

Clover's eyes widened in fear. "No, Mari, that's too dangerous. What if it possesses me forever?" A chill ran down her spine at the mere thought.

Maribelle's expression turned to pleading. "It's been with you since birth, Clover. Maybe you should trust it. I don't think it would hurt you as long as you communicate with it like you do with your demon and angelic sides. Please, just try."

Feeling guilty, Clover nodded. "I'll try later, when we go to sleep."

Maribelle's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Clover."

Clover abruptly stood up, saying, "I'm going to the toilet." Without waiting for a response, she quickly exited the table.

Isildur's curiosity got the better of her. "Why is Clover so afraid of the entity?" she asked Maribelle.

Maribelle's expression turned grave. "It's a volatile presence, and I'm taking a risk by asking her to communicate with it. I'm putting her life in danger."

Isildur's eyes narrowed. "Has the entity ever shown hostility towards your pack?"

Maribelle shook her head. "No, I've only seen Clover's angelic side once – on the day we escaped."

Isildur's gaze locked onto Maribelle's. "If we manage to escape, I want to come with you to your clan."

Maribelle's eyes widened in surprise. "But you're an elf. Won't you miss your own kind?"

Isildur's face softened, her voice filled with emotion. "I feel a connection to you, Maribelle. There's something pulling me towards you and Clover, making me feel like we're already family."



Sleeping time arrived faster than Clover had anticipated, and she couldn't shake off the dread that had been building up inside her. She had never tried to communicate with the entity before, and the uncertainty was unnerving.

Maribelle and Isildur watched her with concerned eyes. "You promise you won't fall asleep on me?" Clover asked, her voice laced with anxiety.

"We promise to keep watch," Maribelle assured her, and Isildur nodded in agreement.

Clover lit a candle, took a deep breath, and began her attempt to communicate with the entity. Time seemed to drag on forever, but eventually, she gave up, feeling defeated.

As soon as she opened her eyes, Clover found herself in an unfamiliar environment, surrounded by the dense foliage of a forest. Panic set in as she frantically searched for a way out, but the trees seemed to close in around her. She walked for what felt like hours, her heart racing with every step.

Finally, she reached a hill and climbed up, her legs aching. From the top, she spotted a breathtakingly beautiful tree on the other side, its branches glowing with an ethereal light. Without hesitation, Clover rushed towards the tree, forgetting the risk of tripping and rolling down the hill.

As she drew closer, she marveled at the tree's branches, which sparkled like stars twinkling in the gentle breeze.

As Clover approached the tree, a girl emerged from behind it, identical to herself in every way. Alarmed, Clover took a step back, and the girl cocked her head to the side.

"I thought you wanted to speak to me," the girl said, her voice eerily similar to Clover's.

"Who are you?" Clover asked, still trying to process the girl's sudden appearance.

The girl repeated, "I thought you wanted to speak to me. Or were you joking?"

Clover's eyes widened as realization dawned. "What? No, Y... you're the entity?"

The girl nodded, and Clover felt a shiver run down her spine. The entity gestured for Clover to sit, and they both settled on the soft grass beneath the tree.

"What do you want?" the entity asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Clover hesitated before answering, "Your help."

The entity raised an eyebrow. "But you don't accept me. In fact, you loathe me."

Clover's anger flared. "I won't take the blame alone. It's you who made me scared of you. Why can't you hide your power? Whenever someone gets close to me, they sense this malevolent energy emanating from you."

The entity's expression turned cold. "You're naive, Clover. Not everyone is like those werewolves who instantly adored you. Everyone wants our power. You practically rule the entire immortal realm. If they discover the truth about us, you're dead."

Clover's anger boiled over. "That doesn't mean you should flaunt your power to everyone."

The entity shrugged. "I've done it to protect you. To make sure those with malicious intentions think twice before approaching you."

Clover sighed, understanding the entity's motivations. "Okay, I get it. But it also puts me in difficult situations like this one."

The entity nodded. "Alright, I'll tone down the powers."

Clover's gaze locked onto the entity's. "Can I ask you something?"

The entity nodded, and Clover asked, "Did you kill a witch when we arrived in the immortal realm?"

The entity's response was simple: "Yes."

Clover's eyes widened in shock. "But why?"

The entity's expression remained cold. "Like I had said, you're naive. Not everyone has good intentions like those werewolves."

Clover's eyes pleaded with the entity. "Will you help me then? Please. The elves don't want us to meet the guests. I suspect they've come for us."

The entity's gaze locked onto Clover's. "I'll help you, but first, you must accept me like you do the others."

Clover's curiosity got the better of her. "But before I accept you, tell me... who are you?"

The entity's gaze drifted towards the majestic tree behind her. "I am the seed of good and evil. This is my mother, The Hallow, the last tree."

As the entity spoke, Clover felt a sense of understanding and connection. She reached out, and the entity took her hand.

"I accept you as my other half," Clover said, and as their hands touched, they merged into one being.

Just before the entity disappeared into Clover, she whispered, "Call me Raven."

Clover's eyes snapped open, and she frantically scanned her surroundings. Relief washed over her as she saw that she was back in her room, with Maribelle and Isildur standing over her, concern etched on their faces.

"It's done," Clover announced, her voice filled with determination. "Raven will help us escape. I'll wait for her signal."

Maribelle's eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you, Clover. I know how terrified you were of contacting the entity, but you faced your fears head-on."

Clover smiled, a sense of camaraderie washing over her. "The entity's name is Raven."

Maribelle and Isildur nodded, and the three girls shared a warm hug, their relief and excitement palpable. Finally, they would escape the castle's suffocating walls. Exhausted but hopeful, they snuggled together, drifting off to sleep.



The morning after breakfast, the crew was escorted to the throne room, where they had requested a meeting with the king. As they entered, they noticed an unusual atmosphere. Guards were stationed both outside and inside the room, their presence seeming to suggest a readiness for battle.

The doorkeeper announced their arrival, and the room fell silent. The weight of the king's gaze settled upon them.

Andrew, as the werewolves' diplomat, was chosen to be the group's spokesperson. His calm and composed demeanor made him the perfect candidate to navigate the potentially difficult conversation with the king.

As they reached the foot of the throne, the group bowed in unison, showing respect and greeting the king. Andrew, as their spokesperson, began to speak.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. We thank you for granting us this audience."

The king's gaze settled upon them, his expression unreadable. "How may I assist you?"

Andrew continued, "We were hoping that Your Majesty would graciously allow us to meet with the girls. Our visit has already extended beyond its intended duration."

The king's response was firm. "As I've stated before, the girls must complete their assigned task. Only after its completion will I consider releasing them."

Andrew's tone remained respectful, but his words carried a hint of urgency. "With due respect, Your Majesty, we cannot wait until they finish their task. Moreover, why are they being treated like servants when they are, in fact, guests of this castle?"

The king's face darkened, his anger palpable. "Are you questioning my authority on how I govern my castle?" He rose from his throne, his voice thundering through the room.

Andrew stood firm, his jaw clenched. "No, Your Majesty, I'm merely seeking clarification. Furthermore, Clover's adoptive mother is gravely ill due to her daughter's disappearance. Clover must return to the mortal realm to aid her mother's recovery."

The king's smirk was arrogant. "That human is not Clover's biological mother."

Andrew's response was swift and bold. "Yes, we're aware of that. However, she's the one who cared for Clover from infancy. And, if I may say so, Your Majesty, you are not Clover's biological father either. Yet, you refuse to allow us to see her, despite our concerns."

The room erupted into a flurry of murmurs, with courtiers exchanging shocked glances at Andrew's daring response to the king.

The king's anger simmered just below the surface, his voice low and menacing. "Are you trying to disrespect me in front of my subjects?"

Andrew stood firm, his tone unwavering. "No, Your Majesty, I'm merely stating the facts. We entrusted the girls to your care, believing this castle would be a sanctuary. Instead, it's become a prison."

The king's face turned red with rage. "If you think my kingdom is a prison, then so be it!" He raised his hand, pointing at Andrew and the others. "Arrest them!"

The guards sprang into action, moving to surround Andrew, Bernard, Isaac and Brandon. The atmosphere in the throne room grew tense, the air thick with anticipation.

Just as the men prepared to defend themselves, the throne room's door exploded into splinters. The girls stood at the entrance, but Clover's transformation was jarring. Her rich chestnut brown hair had given way to platinum blonde locks, and her emerald eyes now shone with an unsettling silver grey hue. The air around her seemed to vibrate with an intense, suffocating power.

Clover sashayed down the aisle, her confident stride reminiscent of a supermodel. Her gaze locked onto the king, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I see. So, we were prisoners. Or are you coveting my powers, just like Duke Maverick, my king?"

The king's eyes widened in shock, his face pale. He stumbled backward, his voice barely above a whisper. "Who are you?" The king's eyes darted back and forth, as if searching for the girl he thought he knew. Clearly, he had underestimated Clover's abilities, believing her powers to be dormant.

Raven's gaze remained steady on the king. "You don't need to know who I am, my King. Just withdraw your guards, and we'll leave peacefully."

The king's face twisted in a snarl. "No, that will never happen. Arrest them! And you," he pointed a shaking finger at Clover, "are not leaving this kingdom."

Raven's smile was icy. "Is that so? Very well, then."

She turned to face the guards, who charged at the crew with swords drawn. But before they could attack, the guards froze, their bodies withering away like autumn leaves. Their armor clattered to the ground, the only remnants of their presence.

Screams erupted throughout the room as courtiers fled in terror. The king stood speechless, his eyes wide with horror.

Enraged, the king unleashed a barrage of magic at Raven, but it seemed to dissipate harmlessly before reaching her. Within seconds, she stood before him, her eyes blazing with power.

Without hesitation, Raven subjected the king to the same agonizing fate as the guards. His eyes widened in panic as he felt his life force ebbing away.

"I'll spare your pathetic life... for now," Raven said, her voice dripping with disdain. "For your son's sake, and since your queen is ill."

With that, Raven released the king, who collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

Raven walked towards the four men, her eyes welling up with tears as she saw her brother and cousin. She rushed into their arms, embracing them tightly and kissing their cheeks.

"Huh, my little sister isn't little anymore," Brandon said, ruffling Raven's hair. The group shared a hearty laugh, leaving the chaotic throne room and the gasping king behind.

"I missed you guys so much," Raven said, her voice filled with emotion. "I thought I'd never see you again. Andrew, Isaac, thank you for coming to get us."

As they reunited with Maribelle and Isildur, time seemed to freeze for Maribelle. Her eyes locked onto Bernard's, and an intoxicating scent wafted through the air, coming from one of the mortal men. Bernard caught the scent too, a fragrance he'd never encountered before. It was emanating from the girl standing beside the elf.

Isaac, ever vigilant, noticed the exchange and moved closer to Bernard. With a sly grin, he whispered, "I guess it's time you start making family in the immortal realm. You're massively screwed," and chuckled.

The group turned towards Bernard and Maribelle, shocked by Isaac's comment. Brandon's eyes widened in surprise, while the others exchanged amused glances.

Andrew recognized that the human, Bernard, was still adjusting to their customs. As Maribelle's brother, Andrew felt it was his duty to protect her from potential heartbreak. He decided to have a discreet conversation with Bernard.

Andrew pulled Bernard aside, inviting him to walk behind the group. "Bernard, I know this is all still new to you," Andrew began. "Right now, you're still a free man. But if you accept my sister, you'll be binding yourself to her for eternity. The bond can't be broken."

Andrew's expression turned serious. "You'll have to decide whether to live with her in the immortal realm or the mortal realm. However, considering Maribelle's half-witch heritage, I'm not sure how she'd cope in the mortal realm."

Andrew's eyes locked onto Bernard's, searching for any sign of understanding or hesitation.

"I understand, Beta Andrew," Bernard said, his expression thoughtful. "I care for your sister deeply, and I'm willing to share my life with her. However, I need to inform my parents about this development. Considering Maribelle's witch heritage, I realize I'll likely need to stay in this realm with her, as I'm unsure how our mortal realm might affect her magic."

Andrew nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Don't worry, Bernard. Maribelle will wait for you. Take care of your family affairs, and then return for my sister. We'll ensure her safety until then."

With their belongings gathered, the crew assembled outside the castle. Raven stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with power. She opened a shimmering portal, revealing the harbor in the distance. The crew quickly boarded the ship, eager to depart.

Once everyone was on board, Raven created a massive portal, large enough for the ship to sail through. The vessel glided smoothly through the portal, emerging on the other side in the waters near the werewolves' Clan. The journey, which would have taken two weeks, was completed in an instant.

As the ship stabilized, Raven's form began to shift. She entered a state of stasis, and Clover's consciousness took over. Clover's rich chestnut brown hair and emerald eyes returned, replacing Raven's platinum blonde locks and silver grey gaze.

And now she was ready to go home.