Emberâs last words continued to ring in Morpheusâs mindâ¦
â¦we are mates as well, right?
â¦mates as well, right?
â¦right?
Morpheus had not expected Ember to draw such a conclusion.
âMy mate?â
Morpheus did not say a single lie in his explanation towards Ember. Everything he told her was true, albeit hiding one important factâthat for his kind, a mate bond is like marriage. All he was intending to do was not tell her the intimacy part directly as he didnât know how to explain to this naive girl all that.
He was just trying to get her to become closer to her mate, wanting their relationship to improve, giving her ideas so that the stubborn dragon would let her in the walls he built around himself. He wanted Draven to give up his reservations and mate with her butâ¦
?[0)??? âWhat did she just say?â
Morpheus felt something within him stirring. After vowing to avenge his fallen family, he had never thought about having a mate and he was far from considering these things. He merely wanted to bring trouble to that Dragon using his mateâ¦that was the reason why he had comeâ¦and yetâ¦
He shook his head to get back his composure and then put that usual lopsided smirk on his lips. âYou are so naive, little female.â
She only looked at him in confusion. âDoes that mean ânoâ?â
Morpheus wanted to agree and say that was the case, but he couldnât say those words out loud. He chose to ignore her question.
âYou want to show the King gratitude for everything heâs given you, right? Then you must work hard to at least make him feel you are worth making his mate,â he said.
âI understand.â She nodded. âWhat do I do?â
âWhat do family do? What do friends do?â he asked back.
âThey show each other they care and give each other thingsâ¦?â Ember fiddled with the sleeves of her dress. âButâ¦I do not know how to show him care and I do not have anything I can give him. Isnât he the most powerful person in this kingdom? He already has people serving him and he is lacking nothingââ
âYou are wrong with that,â Morpheus corrected her. âThere are many things you can do. For example, when a friend is sad or in trouble, what can you do?â
âI canâ¦comfort them? Listen to their problems? Like how you are with meâ¦â she answered as the realization came to her.
He smirked lightly as he could not help but adore her naiveness. âSo smart, little female.â
She smiled and heard him continue, âSo the King is lonely for so long but finally he has you. Letâs do this step by step. You can start off by becoming a good friend to him. You need to be around him always and let him feel there is no need for him to feel lonely at all. You need to comfort him when he looks sad, calm him when he looks angry, and always show him you care for his well-being.â
âIs that soâ¦?â she asked. She remembered the young silver-haired elf who always followed around Draven. Wasnât Erlos always caring for the Kingâs well-being?
Morpheus gave her an encouraging smile. âIsnât it so simple?â
She wanted to say ânoâ, but instead nodded since she felt like Erlos couldnât also be a mate. His relationship with the King was master and servant. As she thought of the King, she remembered some embarrassing memories. âBut it seems like the King doesnât like me to be around him.â
âAnd why do you think so?â Morpheus asked.
She paused for a moment and touched her cheeks, hoping she wasnât blushing out of shame as she answered, âYou know how His Majesty has a cold, expressionless face in front of everyone? He looks annoyed whenever he sees me in front of him. His red eyes turn sharp, like he wants to avoid looking at me, as if he finds me ugly and disgusting. Well, I guess itâs expected. Everyone working in the palace is beautiful. Especially Mister Erlos, his stunning face outshines even the other elves. Well, even you, Morpheus. You are good-looking as well.â
She covered her face as she groaned.
âMaybe thatâs the problem? Maybe the King does not like having me around because a human like me doesnât fit the standards of your people?â
Morpheus burst into laughter as he knew that Draven must have acted like this. That dimwit probably didnât realize his behaviour was causing anxiety to his poor mate, hurting her self-esteem.
âThis little female is truly a funny human,â he could not help but think. âYou should be glad that he has such strong self-control or that Dragon would have eaten you by now. You have no idea how much he desires you, yet here you are, questioning your worth.â
ââ¦Morpheus? Do you think thatâs the case?â she asked, seeing him lost in his thoughts.
âAh, itâs nothing, and no, itâs not what you are thinking. He is not so shallow as to judge you by appearance, and you really shouldnât concern yourself over that. Itâs just that he has a nasty personality that makes others easily misunderstand him. Since the King doesnât allow anyone to get close to him, heâs good at pushing people away.
âIn short, he doesnât know how to deal with people. That is where you come in. You can get close to him and teach him, and then he would stop looking so scary. As his mate, you have to help him be a better person.â
âUmmâ¦I will try?â she said hesitantly. Morpheus seemed to have big expectations for her, but she herself wasnât good at interacting with people as well. Before coming to Agartha, the only person she had interacted with was Gaia. The things she knows about people all came from storybooks and her nannyâs stories. She asked, âWhat and how exactly should I do it?â
âOnce again, a good question. I wonder why there are no other smart humans like you,â he commented, smiling lightly.
She noticed that smile. âAre you teasing me?â
He was taken aback and then said, âI mean it.â
âReally?â
âReally.â
âIf you say so.â She let it go. âThen tell me, what shall I do?â
Morpheus had an evil grin on his lips, âItâs simple. Find opportunities to be around him all the time.â