They entered the grand doors of the council hall, where the council mbers, 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 ti many would witness a Dragon marking his mate, unlike Draven's marking of Ember, which had not been a formal ceremony. The monts they could cherish which a Black Dragon marked his mate, those monts were filled with nothing but a grave shock.
Seren felt the weight of countless gazes from the supernaturals around her, each one radiating the imnse 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 imdiately 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 mont 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 shimred 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 mont, and slowly, his form began to change, enveloped in swirling shadows.
Seren could feel the strong shift in his powers and for the first ti watched him slowly transforming into Erebus.
As Drayce transford into Erebus, his previously pleasant form radiated a powerful sense of darkness—sothing 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 nacing to all who watched, but not to Seren. She held his gaze, unwavering, and softly murmured, "Erebus."
His dark, emotionless gaze locked onto her as he moved closer, intent on marking his mate. Seren stood still, her heart steady as she noticed his gaze drop to her neck before returning to her face. His hand moved to the back of her head, and his face inched closer.
Everyone in the hall held their breath, anticipating the mont when the Red Dragon would mark his mate. But instead of the expected ritual, they witnessed sothing far more intimate.
Erebus didn't mark her—he kissed her. With all the intensity of a dragon who had been starving for her, he captured her lips in his, kissing her with a fiery passion. Seren, unflinching, boldly reciprocated, losing herself in the kiss, forgetting the existence of everyone around them.
In that mont, Seren realized that Erebus loved her just as Drayce did. He wasn't driven by beastly instincts to claim her. If that were the case, he would have marked her first. But instead, this kiss showed he had a heart—a heart that longed for her, whether he marked her or not. The ritual wasn't the most important thing; his love was.
Everyone in the hall was stunned, witnessing such raw affection from a Dragon towards his mate. It was a sight none had expected.
"The way your son is kissing her, I hope he doesn't suffocate my daughter and knock her out before he even marks her," Sierra comnted dryly.
Evanthe, watching with a smirk, countered, "Your daughter is lucky to be loved so passionately by a Dragon. It has its own unique charm. But you wouldn't understand— as you've been untouched for almost two decades now."
"As if you were sleeping with your n every single day?" Sierra scoffed. "What a waste, having two n in your life and not using them."
Yorian, overhearing the conversation, shook his head helplessly. "Listen to the way you two talk. One is a deity and the other is a queen. Your worshippers and followers would be shocked to death if they heard you talk so out of the line."
Both won shot him a glare, mocking him in return.
"You just focus on preparing yourself to witness another marking ceremony soon- Arlan and Oriana."
"Though we have foul mouths, we have a kind heart. We will wipe your tears for you, you pitiful elf."
"You two are impossible," Yorian muttered, shaking his head before turning his attention forward.
Erebus and Seren finally broke their kiss, both panting heavily. Erebus leaned down, pressing his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent deeply as his lips grazed the side of her neck, right where he would soon mark her.
Seren clung to him, bracing herself for what was to co. 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 mont, 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.
Ember, seated among the others, shuddered as the mory 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 comnted.
"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 chid 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 ti. He must want to be with his mate alone."
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