*********Harper's POV
My chamber was unusually quiet.
No maids hovered nearby. No distant footsteps echoed in the corridor. Even the wind outside the high arched windows seemed to move with unnatural restraint, as though the entire demon castle held its breath.
I lay against the cushions of my bed, still dressed in the pale silk gown I had changed into after the wedding rites. The weight of the day pressed against my chest — the ceremony, the smiles, the silent dangers lurking behind every glance.
My fingers rested over the dark hairpin Ellis had given me.
A faint pulse of warmth radiated from it.
My eyelids grew heavy and soon, I fell asleep.
The world dissolved into darkness.
Then—
A vast, endless space opened around me, filled with drifting feathers made of shadow and starlight. A cold wind brushed past me, whispering secrets I couldn't quite understand.
I knew this place.
Or rather… something inside me did.
A figure emerged slowly from the dark.
Tall. Regal. Cloaked in flowing black that seemed woven from night itself. Eyes glowed faintly silver beneath long lashes.
Ravenna.
I exhaled shakily.
"...So you finally decided to talk to me." I told her.
Ravenna's lips curved into a knowing smile.
"I never left. You simply weren't ready to listen."
I crossed my arms, though my voice trembled.
"Then start talking. Tell me what exactly is going on."
Ravenna studied me quietly before sighing, the sound echoing like wind through ancient ruins.
I swallowed and continued, my thoughts tumbling out.
"I remember… I was speaking with Zareth. He told me things — things I didn't understand at the time. He sealed your power inside me to protect me. I remember that clearly."
My brow furrowed as fragments flickered in my mind.
"Then Kael came in. And Ellis… Ellis was there too. She was hurt. Covered in blood… and after that…"
My voice faltered.
"Everything became blurry."
Ravenna chuckled softly, the sound low and ancient.
"Zareth always did love his dramatic gestures."
I frowned, remembering something else again,
"He said he sealed your power because you were dangerous. Because you were too powerful. Then, how are you here again and what exactly is going on?".
Ravenna tilted her head.
"He told you the truth."
A pause.
"But not the whole truth."
My breath caught.
Ravenna stepped closer, the air growing colder with each movement.
"I could break Zareth's barrier whenever I choose. It is little more than a thread to me."
My eyes widened. Looks like I underestimated Ravenna's powers after all.
"He said you were powerful… but not that powerful."
Ravenna's expression softened, almost regretful.
"Zareth fears what I represent. Not just my strength… but what my existence means."
She raised her hand, and shimmering images flickered around them — broken towers, burning skies, a throne split in half, two silhouettes standing back to back before turning on one another.
"They are memories," Ravenna said quietly. "Fragments of the truth. I can show you everything you need to know about Kael and why he's doing all these."
I stared at them, my heart racing.
"You can show me?"
"I can show you pieces," Ravenna replied. "But not everything. I don't have that capability."
The images dissolved.
I sighed. I already knew everything about Ravenna and Seraphina and most of the past witches and strangely, a memory of Zareth floated somewhere in my brain but that is for another day. Right now, I need to know more about Kael.
"If you want the full truth," Ravenna continued, "you must retrieve the book Ellis once gave you. The one bound in moon-silver leather."
I stiffened.
"The spellbook?what do I do with it?"
Ravenna nodded."it contains spells that are useful. I had written them myself".
Ellis's words rang in my mind.
*I won't let you hurt my daughter!!*
Yes. Ellis was my mother.
I suddenly remembered what I had seen in Ravenna's memories, she had cursed Ellis while Ellis was pregnant with me because Ellis performed a forbidden spell.
"You.....you cursed my mother while she was pregnant with me".I told her, my voice a little bitter.
"Oh, that. Yes, I did". She sighed. "Your mother did what she wasn't supposed to. She brought it upon herself".
Now, it was my turn to sigh.
"You also said I must never fall in love. Also, what did you mean by saying that I would have both witch and demon powers. I am a pure witch right?"
Her eyes flickered around for a bit and she looked like she was done with my questions.
"I can't tell you anything about your fate Harper. It's not my job. Your fate has already been predetermined Harper, I just told your mother a little about it. Unless you want to defy fate ". She added the last part jokingly.
"Well, what if I want to?".
She smirked. "I like that but let's focus on the issue we have ".
"First. You must combine my power… with Seraphina's."
"Seraphina?! Your sister?That's impossible! You two are enemies!"
Ravenna's gaze darkened, but there was no anger in it — only something deeper. Older.
"Yes," she said softly.
"We were enemies, by heart, not by blood."
She paused.
"we are still sisters."
The word echoed.
Sisters.
"You also have her powers within you remember?".
"You expect me to believe she'd help me?" I said.
Ravenna stepped closer, her voice lowering.
" Oh, she'll definitely help you. She has no choice. Harper, you don't seem to understand the kind of power you weild. If you harness it right, you can be even powerful that me and Seraphina combined."
My brows knitted.
"What does that even mean?"
"Focus on finding Ellis for now Harper".
Ravenna's eyes softened.
"Trust the bond you share with Ellis."
I blinked.
"The bond with Ellis? You mean mother-daughter bond right?"
Ravenna nodded slowly.
"That bond is stronger than any spell in this castle."
My heart pounded.
"But how am I supposed to do anything? I can't leave this place without Kael noticing."
Ravenna's voice turned almost gentle.
"Then don't rely on escape. Rely on connection."
I opened my mouth to ask what she meant—
But footsteps echoed somewhere beyond the darkness.
Ravenna's gaze snapped upward.
"You're being watched," she murmured.
The trance shattered.
I gasped as my eyes flew open. The crimson red in them slowly turning back to black.
My chamber ceiling came back into view.
My breathing was uneven. My fingers clutched the sheets.
Someone was in the room.
I turned my head slowly.
Standing near the doorway…
Was Kael.
He hadn't announced himself. He hadn't spoken.
He was just watching me.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
Did he know?Had he overheard me talking?
Even if he did he'd probably think I was crazy, talking to myself.
Had he found out I had regained my memories?
My power?
I forced my expression to remain calm, but inside, every instinct screamed at me to prepare for a storm.
Kael's eyes glinted with something unreadable.
And for the first time since the wedding…
I truly felt trapped.
*********Author's POV
********In the witch's realm
Ellis sat on the ground looking haggard and horrible. Then, someone materialized into the room, it was vaelthor.
"Ellis, what is it that I'm hearing? Where is Natalie?". He asked, his voice shaky.
"Our son won't stop asking about her. What do I do?".
"I don't know vaelthor. I really don't. Zareth left. Harper.....I don't know if she remembers anything yet and Natalie.....I'm not sure if she's alive". Ellis answered weakly.
"This can't be happening. I will go to that realm and get my wife back". Vaelthor said and turned to leave, his eyes turned dark.
"No! You can't go there!" Ellis screamed.
"Why not?!"
"If you go there, Kael and his mother might harm her. We don't know where exactly they're keeping her".
"Well, what do we do, stand and watch?".
"No. I'll definitely think of something".
Suddenly, vaelthor chuckled. Ellis looked at him, confused.
"You know, you're the leader of the whole witch clan and I'm the next king of the supreme clan but when threatened by a mere demon, we can't do anything".
"It's not about power Vaelthor. These are the things we do for the people we love ". Ellis told him.
Just then, Ellis felt warm. She stopped talking and closed her eyes in pain.
*Ellis, Ellis, can you hear me? Ellis!*. A familiar voice rang in her head.
Vaelthor looked at her, "what's going on".