The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 664: Why Aren’t You A Queen?

"...So it can’t be delayed now, or we do not know when that thing from the demon realm would reach Oriana," Evanthe said.

"Are you certain a bond between them can stop the unfortunate from happening?" Draven asked.

"For now, that is the only way we can think of," Sierra spoke. "Didn’t the bond between you and Ember help stabilize the core of her dangerous hellfire to some extent? The hellfire is the most dangerous and can’t be controlled, but bonding with a divine beast helped her. Then what more is this blood pact made in the demon realm?"

"Then we shall have a marking ceremony as soon as possible since it can’t be delayed," Draven declared and turned to Arlan, "Prince Arlan, you might have to take your beast side take control over you so you would carry out everything needed with ease. In the end it’s the beast side that knows best what to do when you are about to mark your mate, just like how you know what to do when humans male marries human female."

Though reluctant, Arlan nodded. "I will need a land to build place for me and my mate."

"Yorian will take you around the kingdom and you can choose any place as per your likings," Draven replied, "As a beast I underastand your concern and how you would want the best for your mate."

Arlan offered an appreciating nod. "I will certainly follow your suggestion."

Oriana who heard them, wondered what Draven meant by letting Arlan’s beast side to take control, did that mean he would appear in his original form where half his face had those beautiful golden shining scales. She looked forward to it.

"That seems like a good decision," Yorian commented on Arlan’s decision to let his beast side to take the front. "We shall make the arrangements."

Draven nodded. "Once everything is prepared, Erlos will send a message to the elders of all the clans. And the ceremony will be carried out in the council hall just like we did for King Drayce and his mate."

They talked about the ceremony for a while, informing the new couple on how it would proceed.

When the discussion was over, Evanthe noticed Oriana’s confusion and suggested, "Oriana, how about you and Ember go out for a walk? You might like to see around the palace." She turned to Ember. "What do you say?"

Ember understood the implication in Evanthe’s words. "Of course," she said, standing up. "Oriana, would you like to?"

Oriana looked at Arlan, who offered her an approving nod. She stood up and left with Ember, giving the others the opportunity to discuss the dangerous matters without causing Oriana unnecessary worry just before the marking ceremony.

Once the women had left, Arlan, who had been mostly quiet until now, voiced his concern. "What if, despite the bond, she is still pulled back to the demon realm? How are we going to bring her back?" Worry etched his face.

A heavy silence enveloped the study as no one had an answer to this troubling question.

"Being earthly supernaturals, it’s impossible to enter another realm without help from that realm. Not to mention the shield around the demon realm made by Esmeray’s powers, which allows no one to enter or leave. Oriana can do it because her own powers can’t stop her," Yorian explained.

"So there is absolutely no way?" Arlan asked again, desperation in his voice.

"I’m afraid we don’t have a clear answer," Evanthe admitted. "That’s why having a bond between you two might provide some leverage, and perhaps we’ll find answers through that connection."

There was a moment of contemplative silence before Sierra turned to Evanthe. "How about we manage to get help from Him?"

Evanthe’s expression turned displeased. "That’s not possible."

"He is the only being who can move between realms without hindrance," Sierra insisted. "Given your relationship with him—"

"There is no relationship between us. It ended a long time ago," Evanthe’s voice was loud and cold, leaving the study in utter silence. "He is the father of my son, that’s it and nothing else."

Evanthe rarely got angry, and when she did, it meant she was resolute. The tension in the room was palpable as the others realized the sensitivity of the subject for Evanthe.

"For the sake of these kids?" Sierra pressed, taking advantage of her close friendship with Evanthe to push further.

Evanthe inhaled deeply to calm herself. "First, I have no contact with Him, nor do I know where to look for Him. The place I stayed with Him a thousand years ago—I don’t know its exact location, though it’s said to be where all three realms connect. I have no idea where it is or how to summon Him. So getting help from Him is out of the question. If I could, I would do it for the sake of our kids, but that’s not within my power. Also, remember, He is not supposed to meddle in the matters of another realm, so we should not expect anything from Him. Not like I would scream his name aloud and he would show up. I had my fare share of disappointed in exchange for calling for him like a mad woman."

The others remained silent, the pain she must have felt back then was still palpable in her words. They kenw Evanthe was not an unreasonable person. She had sacrificed herself to protect the kingdom of Megaris, and they knew she would do anything to protect those she cared about.

"Alright, for now let’s focus on the marking ceremony," Yorian interrupted. "We will deal with the rest as it comes. I believe there’s always a way to handle things; we just need to find it at the right time."

The others agreed with Yorian.

Meanwhile, outside, Ember and Oriana were walking around the palace. Oriana observed the palace’s structure, which differed from the architecture in Griven. It had an essence of ancient history and felt soothing to the eyes, as if pulling one back into a magical past.

"May I ask something?" Oriana spoke.

"Of course, please speak your mind," Ember replied, smiling gently.

"Why aren’t you the Queen? You’re the King’s mate, so shouldn’t that make you the Queen of this kingdom?" Oriana asked, curiosity evident in her voice.