Chapter 10 The Quest

Titus stood in his bedroom, the shadows cast by the flickering candles seemed to dance across the walls, echoing the turmoil that raged within him. Since the incident six months ago, the prince had been struggling with Draken's restlessness, a constant yearning to search for his mate that grew more intense by the day.

The tension was palpable throughout the castle, and everyone tiptoed around him, fearful of triggering another incident like the one that had occurred months ago. The memory of that day still haunted Titus, his thoughts consumed by the what-ifs. What if he hadn't managed to rein in Draken's fury in time? What if he had lost control, and his father, King Devon, had paid the ultimate price? The thought sent a shiver down Titus's spine, and wave of guilt wash over him.

Despite the King's controlling nature, Titus loved and respected him deeply. He has always tried to please his father, to live up to his expectations, but it was a difficult task. The king's demands were high, and Titus often felt like he would never live up to his standard, always walking on eggshell, never knowing when he would trigger his father's wrath.

But he had never wanted to hurt him; the thought of losing control and harming the one person he loved and respected above all others was unbearable. With the king's blessing, Titus had a year to find his mate, the one being who could help him tame the beast within and bring balance to his inner world.

It was a daunting task, but Titus was determined to succeed. He had to find a way to live with the dragons power and to harness it for good. And he had to do it before it was too late, before Draken's restlessness boiled over into chaos and destruction.

Pacing around his room, Titus telepathically argued with his dragon. Frustration simmered just below the surface; his irritation palpable in the air. Titus's eyes narrowed; his jaw clenched in frustration as he shot back a reply at the dragon.

"I'm not just being cautions, Draken, I'm being responsible," he said, his voice firm but controlled. "We can't just rush into this without a plan, without considering the consequences. We need to think about the potential risk and benefits, and come up with a strategy that will give us the best chance of success."

Draken snorted, a puff of smoke escaping through Titus's nostrils.

"Risks and benefits, consequences and strategies," he repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You sound like a councillor, not a dragon lord. Where's the fire in your belly, Titus? Where's the passion and fury that drives us to greatness?"

Titus's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "I'm not just a dragon lord, Draken, I'm a future king," he said, his voice low and even. "And as such, I have responsibility to my people, to my kingdom, and to myself. I won't let my emotion cloud my judgment, or my actions be driven by reckless impulse like a certain lizard. I'll do what's best for my kingdom, not what's best for my own gratification."

Draken's voice turned mocking and full with amusement.

"Oh, I see," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "So, you're going to be a wise and just ruler, are you? A king who puts the needs of his people above his own desires? How ... noble of you, o! Titus the greatest."

Titus's face twisted in anger; his fists clenched at his sides. "I'm not being noble, Draken I'm being practical," he said, his voice cold and hard. "And I won't be swayed by your taunts and your jibe. I'll do what's best for the kingdom, no matter what you think or say.

Titus eyes flashing with a hint so annoyance, if Draken wasn't a part of him, he would have strangled him long time ago; the dragon's stubbornness was a headache to his life.

"And I'm trying to avoid an necessary war. We cant's just barge into every kingdom without provoking a reaction. We need to be smart about this."

Draken's discontent simmered beneath the surface, but Titus stood firm, his jaw set in determination. He knew that his dragon's impulsiveness could be a liability, and he needed to keep him in check.

Titus couldn't help but think of Kiev, his demon, as he dealt with Draken's constant chatter and impulsiveness. Kiev was a stark contrast to the dragon, always quiet and reserved, only speaking when absolutely necessary. Titus had grown accustomed to Kiev's stoic nature, and he often found himself preferring the demon's company to the dragon's.

Kiev was a listener, not a talker, and Titus appreciated the demon's ability to absorb his thought and emotions without feeling the need to respond. It was a comforting feeling, knowing that Kiev was always there, silently observing and waiting for the perfect moment to offer his counsel.

Unlike Draken, Kiev was not prone to outburst or impulsive decisions. He was a calculated and thoughtful being, always weighing the pro and cons before acting. Titus had come to rely on Kiev's level head and wise counsel, and he often found himself seeking the demon's advice in times of uncertainty.

As he stood, listening to Draken's constant chatter, Titus couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for Kiev's quiet companionship. He wished that the demon was present, offering his silent support and guidance. But Kiev was not one to interfere, and Titus knew that he would only appear when the situation was dire.

For, now Titus was stuck dealing with Draken's antics, trying to navigate the complex web of the dragon's emotions and impulses. But he knew that Kiev was always there, ready to offer his counsel and support when needed. And that thought gave Titus the strength to carry on, to deal with Draken's chatter and impulsiveness knowing that he had a steady and reliable ally in Kiev.

As he left his bedroom, Titus felt a sense of determination wash over him. He would find him mate, and he would do it on his own terms, not Draken's. the dragon might be eager, but Titus was the one in control, and he would not be swayed by the dragon's impulsiveness. The search for his mate was about to begin, and Titus was ready, his mind sharpened and his will be steeled for the challenges ahead.

As Titus walked through the castle, the weight of his family's history bore down on him. He remembered the dark days that had followed his mother's passing, the days when his father's grief had been so all-consuming that had seemed to suffocate them all.

The mate bond between his parents had been a powerful thing, a union of two souls that had been forged in love and strengthened by their shared experiences. When his mother passed away, the bond had become a double-edged sword, bringing his father both comfort and agony.



Titus shuddered at the thought of what could have been if not for Cassandra's intervention. The powerful white witch had been a beacon of hope in a time of darkness, using her magic to break the bond and save his father's life. It had been a painful and difficult process, but ultimately, it has been necessary. Without Cassandra's help, the bond would have destroyed his father, consuming him completely.

As he approached his father's private office, Titus stood outside his father's office for a minute, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. He had been putting off this conversation for too long, but he knew it was necessary. He needed to talk to his father about his own mate, about the search he was about to embark on. And he needed to address the issue with Duke Maverick, who had been accused of harassing maidens in his search for a certain maiden.

As the prince of the Dark Kingdom, Titus had a responsibility to investigate these allegations and put a stop to any wrongdoing. He had received complaints from their citizens, as well as from other kingdoms, about Duke Maverick's behaviour. It was said that the Duke was searching for a specific maiden, and that he was using any means necessary to find her.

Titus knocked softly on the door. "Enter," King Devon's voice called out from within. Titus pushed open the door and stepped inside, his eyes adjusting to the warm glow of the lanterns that lit the room.

"Good evening, Father," Titus said, bowing his head in respect. King Devon looked up from the papers on his desk, as he regarded his son.

"Good evening, Son," he said. "What brings you here?" he asked, his expression serious.

Titus's tone was tinged with a hint of wariness. "I'd like to request a month to search for my mate in the Shifters Kingdom, where I might find some leads," Titus said, his eyes locked on his father's.

The King's expression changed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Ah, Titus, I'm glad to hear that." But the king's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze piercing as he regarded his son. "You're not naïve, Titus," he said, his voice low and measured. "You know the risked involved. The mate bond can be all-consuming, destructive even. Are you prepared to face that?"

Titus nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. "I am, Father. I'm willing to take that risk."

The king's face became distant as he spoke, "You know the stronger the bond is, the more dangerous it becomes. I've experienced it with your mother." He looked at his son, and continued, "But it can also be beautiful, it helps you to feel each other's emotions and the love never dies, in fact it grows stronger and stronger as time goes by." He regarded his son again, his expression firm, "Never ever, my Son, use the mate bond to hurt your mate, no mate what."

He smiled at his son with a profound happiness, as he was close to achieving his goal of crowning his son as the new king. He would do so immediately after Titus returned with his mate. "Go on, I give you, my blessing. But don't think that this will be an easy quest. The Shifter's Kingdom is a vast complex place, full of dangers and uncertainties. You'll need to be vigilant and careful, to use your wits and your cunning to navigate its twist and turns.

Titus nodded again, feeling a sense of relief that his father was taking this seriously. "Thank you, Father. And the second thing I wanted to talk to you about is Duke Maverick. I've received complaints about his behaviour, and I think it's time for me to investigate and put a stop to it if necessary.

The King's expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing. "Duke Maverick? I've heard rumours about his behaviour, but I hadn't realised it was this serious. Tell me more about the complaints you've received."

Titus filled his father in on the details, telling him about the complaints from their citizens and other kingdoms. The King listened intently, his expression growing more and more serious.

When Titus finished, the King nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Well, Son, it seems like you have a bit of situation on your hands. But I have faith in you to handle it. You're a capable and responsible prince, and I know you'll do what's right."

Titus bowed his head, then turned and left the room, allowing his father to return to his work. As Titus walked through the corridor, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, that something was off about the situation with Duke Maverick and the maiden. The fact that the Duke was known for being obsessive and ruthless made Titus wonder what could be driving him to pursue this particular maiden with such zeal.

Titus's thought were interrupted by Draken's voice in his mind. "Is Maverick's problems still troubling you?" Draken asked.

Titus hesitated for a moment before responding. "Yes," he said. "I don't understand what's driving him to pursue her so relentlessly."

Draken's response was immediate. "Perhaps it's not just about the maiden herself, but about what she represents," he suggested. "Maybe she the key to something bigger, something that Duke Maverick wants to possess or control."

Titus's eyes narrowed as he considered Draken's words. It was possible that the maiden was more than just a simple target for Duke Maverick's obsession. Maybe she was a pawn in a larger game, one that Titus wasn't yet aware of.

"You know, sometimes if you put your banter aside, you're helpful and a wise dragon. Different from that stubborn and unintelligent overgrown lizard," Titus said to Draken.

"O! Titus the greatest! That won't do you any good, if this overgrown lizard left you alone. You'll die of boredom. And have you realised that you are a lizard as well?" Draken chuckled, causing a rumble sound in Titus's mind.



Titus ignored Draken's jibe; his expression unchanging as he refocused on the task at hand. With a newfound sense of purpose, Titus set to gather more information about the situation. He would talk to his sources, gather intelligence, and do whatever it took to uncover the truth. And when he finally did, he would be ready to take action, to protect his people and his kingdom from Duke Maverick's ruthless ambitions.

In the meantime, Titus arranged to meet Prince Christopher, a half-vampire, half-dreamwalker, at a lounge that catered to their kind. The establishment offered a range of refreshments, including blood, ale and potion, to satisfy the diverse needs of its patrons.

Later, Titus and Christopher would make their way to the Shifter's Kingdom, where Titus had requested an audience with the king. He had asked the king to refrain from attacking Duke Maverick's knights, at least for the time being, as he wanted to uncover the reason behind the duke's relentless pursuit of the girl.

Titus's curiosity was piqued, and he was determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. What could the duke possibly want with the girl, and why was he so desperate to capture her? Titus's mind was filled with questions, and he hoped that the king of the Shifters' Kingdom might be able to shed some light.

Titus arrived at the pub, his eyes scanning the dimly lit room until his eyes landed on Christopher, the Prince from the Dreamwalker Kingdom, who was already seated in a secluded corner. A brunette woman was perched on Chris's lap, her legs straddling his thighs and her arms wrapped around his neck.

As Titus drew near, he noticed Chris's fangs sunk into the woman's neck, and the woman's eyes fluttered closed in ecstasy as she moaned softly. Chris's eyes closed; his face tilted back in rapture as he drank her blood.

The scene was intimate and intense, and Titus felt a pang of awkwardness at interrupting. But as he approached the table, the woman's eyes suddenly snapped open, and her gaze darted nervously between Titus and Chris. She seemed to realise that she was no longer alone with Chris, and her expression changed from one of pleasure to one of alarm.

With a swift movement, she scrambled off Chris's lap, her face flushing with embarrassment, and hastily retreated, disappearing into the crowd. Chris's eyes opened, and regarded his friend with a lazy smile, his fangs still gleaming with blood.

"Titus," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I see you've arrived. Please, join me." He gestured to the empty chair across from him, his eyes never leaving Titus's face.

"Did I keep you waiting too long?" Titus asked, as he sat in the empty chair that Chris had gestured to. Christopher smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and replied.

"Not at all, I haven't been here for long." He poured a glass of whisky for Titus and another for himself, the amber liquid glinting in the dim light of the lounge. As he handed Titus his glass, he explained, "I needed something to take the edge off, and the whisky should help remove the taste of the blood from my mouth."

Titus raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the hint of distaste in Chris's voice. "Not to your taste, I take it?" he asked, his tone light.

Chris shrugged, his shoulders barely rising off the back of his chair. "It's not that I don't enjoy it, it's just that sometimes I prefer something a bit more... refined." He smiled, hi fangs glinting in the light, and took a sip of his whiskey, savouring the flavour.

Titus just shook his head and took a sip of the whisky that Chris had handed him, the smooth liquid burning down his throat. Then, he imposed his question, his eyes locking onto Chris's with a serious intensity. "Have you found out who exactly Duke Maverick is looking for?"

Chris's smile grew even wider, reminiscent of the Cheshire Cat's mischievous grin, and he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together in a gesture of relaxed amusement.

"You know me too well, my friend," he said, his voice low and smooth, like honey dripping from a spoon. "Yes, she's a human girl who recently crossed the veil. She now resides at the Shifters' Kingdom, under the protection of the king.

Chris's glinted with amusement, and he took a sip of his own whisky, savouring before continuing. "It seems that Duke Maverick is quite... enthusiastic about acquiring her. I'm not sure what his plans are, however, I have a feeling that they're not entirely pure."

Titus's expression turned grim, his jaw clenching in concern. "What do you know about the girls?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

Chris's smile faltered, and he set his glass down, his expression turning serious. "Not much, I'm afraid. But I do know that she's... different. There's something about her that caught the duke's attention, and I think it's more than just her humanity."

"And there are rumours circulating around, that she may be the one who killed the dark witch, Xandria, and that she could be a latent," Chris said, his voice low and serious, his eyes glinting with intrigue. "But how she killed her, it remains a mystery to be solved."

Titus's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling with the implications. "But, isn't she human? He asked, his voice incredulous, his tone laced with scepticism. "How could a mere human kill a powerful witch like Xandria? Also, aren't shifters' ruthless when it comes to their territory? They couldn't just allow an outsider to live within their kingdom so easily." Titus said, his brows furrowed in concern, his eyes scanning Chris's face for any sign of deception.

Chris leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips, his eyes never leaving Titus's face. "That's the thing, my friend," he said, his voice low and measured. "The shifter's aren't just allowing her to live with them, they're protecting her. They're going to great lengths to keep her safe, and that suggests to me that she's more than just an ordinary human."

Titus's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice low and urgent, his eyes locked onto Chris's with an intense gaze.

Chris's smile grew wider, his fangs glinting in the light. "I mean that she may have something that the shifters' need, something that makes her valuable to them. And if that's the case, then we need to find out what it is, before Duke Maverick does."

Titus thought for a moment, before voicing his thoughts. "If the girls is in the Shifters' Kingdom, which clan would she reside in? And what about our friend, Prince Vernon, does he know that there's a human girl who resides in their kingdom?" he leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Chris's, his expression intense and inquiring.

Chris eyes narrowed, his brows furrowed in thoughts, as he considered Titus's questions. "Looking at the pattern which the Maverick's knights used when searching for the girl, and considering the vastness of the Shifters' Kingdom, I think she might be residing at the Werewolves Clan," he said his voice measured.

Titus's curiosity was piqued, and he asked, "Why amongst all the shifters do you think she might reside at the werewolves' clan?"

Chris's expression turned thoughtful as he explained, "The dragon shifters have pride, and no human would be allowed to live in their kingdom without a significant contribution. They value strength and power above all else, and humans are often seen as weak and inferior."

Titus nodded, understanding Chris's point. "That makes sense," he said.

Chris continued, "The werecats are out of the question, too. Their females are notoriously territorial and aggressive towards foreign females. They don't take kindly to outsiders, and they would likely shred her into pieces if she tried to live among them."

Titus's eyes widened at the thought of the werecats' ferocity. "I see," he said. "So, you think the werewolves are the most likely option because they're more... open-minded?"

Chris nodded. "Yes, exactly. Werewolves are known to take females from other species, including humans, as long as they're fated mates. And sometimes, they even take humans as their mates, even if they're not fated to be together. They're more likely to accept someone like her into their clan, especially if they believe she's meant to be with one of their own."

Titus turned to Chris, a nod of understanding on his face. "Now, that you laid the reason out so nicely, I do understand," he said, his voice low and thoughtful.

He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "I think we should pay Duke Cain Maverick a visit first," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the situation.

Chris watched him, his expression attentive, as Titus outlined his plan. "If he's stubborn about withdrawing his knights from the Shifters' Kingdom, then he'll leave me with no choice but to let the shifters kill his knights," Titus said, his voice firm and resolute.

He shrugged, a small dismissive gesture. "That's a suicide mission he seeks, and I won't mind granting him his wish," Titus said, his tone detached and unemotional.

As he spoke, Titus raised his glass to his lips, taking a final sip of the whiskey before setting it down. He then poured himself another glass, the liquid gold flowing smoothly into the glass.

Chris spoke once again, "Our friend Vernon might know something, since he had paid the wolves a visit a week ago. He might have went there to inquire about something or about the girl."

"I'll make sure to pay him a visit without involving his father, the king, and see if he'll be willing to share any information," Titus said, his voice thoughtful.

Christopher nodded before continuing, "Amongst the midst of chaos, I also came across some rumours that caught my attention," Chris said, his voice low and serious. "There were two male stranger who were also searching for someone. If my bet is true, they were sent to find her, if those two strangers were from the mortal realm, it could be a game-changer."

Chris's eyes locked onto Titus's; his expression intense. "However, if they were not from the mortal realm, it could spell disaster. They could be from a different part of the immortal realm, and that would mean we would be dealing with a whole new level of complexity."

Titus's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with implications. "What makes you think they're searching for the same girl?" he asked, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"The way they've been questioning the citizens of the Fox Clan suggests that they were looking for the same person," Chris replied, his expression grim. "There are only two of them, but they're armed and dangerous."

Titus nodded, his mind whirling with the potential consequences. "Then we need to be extremely cautious and take necessary precautions to avoid arousing suspicion that we also are looking for the same person," he said, his voice firm and resolute.

As Titus's eyes locked onto Chris's, his expression turned grave. "We can't let them find her," he said, his voice low and urgent. "If they're as armed and dangerous as you say, we need to take immediate action to find her first." Chris nodded in agreement, his face set in a determined expression.

Titus's mind was a maelstrom of thoughts and concerns as he grappled with the implications of the situation. He knew that if the Duke or those men Chris had spoken about were to capture the girl, the consequences would be catastrophic, not just for the mortal realm, but for the entire immortal realm as well. The delicate balance of power between the different factions and kingdoms would be disrupted, and the very fabric of their world would be threatened.

However, Titus's primary concern was not the fate of the immortal realm, but the safety and security of his own kingdom. He had a duty to protect his people and his land, and he would stop at nothing to do so. If thwarting the Duke's and those men's plans meant saving his kingdom from potential destruction, then so be it. He would do whatever it took to ensure the continued prosperity and security of his realm.



Meanwhile, somewhere at the Sorcerer Kingdom wizard Romulus, arrived at Cassandra home after receiving a distress message from her. The door was opened before he could even knock, "Come on in," Cassandra said with urgency.

"What's so urgent, to even make you so distraught," Romulus asked brushing his long beard with his hand.

Cassandra ushered Romulus to the lounge and answered his question after they both sat down. "remember when I told you about Xandria passing? there's a girl in here, who came with my apprentice. She have entity, a very malevolent entity within her, which fit the description I told you about Xandria death." Cassandra told Romulus.

"What? Do you think it would be her, maybe it was someone with a grudge to the witch, especially the way she was practised her craft." Romulus said.

"I'll call her so you can take a look at her, the problem is she doesn't know the exist within her. She's a demoness who just happen to find out about her the moment she stepped in this realm. She grew up in mortal realm. And to make matters worse that bastard of a vampire, Duke Maverick is looking for her, I think he's enticed by her blood."

"Duke Maverick? Why can't the Dark Kingdom prosecute him for his crimes? But, before you call the girl, answer this question. What was she doing at Xandria's home? And how did the entity kill the dark witch? Xandria was powerful." Romulus asked his curios piqued.

"She was never at there, that entity killed Xandria while the girl was at the Shifters' Kingdom, and with how Xandria was killed, it's still a puzzle, that's why I seek your counsel," Cassandra said, and that left Romulus stunned; who was even more curious now.

If what Cassandra said was true then, the girls could cause catastrophe if she land in the wrong arms. He gave Cassandra a nod to call the girl.

Cassandra stoop up a went to the girls bedroom, she knocked at opened the door. She found them already awake.

"Clover there's someone I like you to meet," Cassandra said looking at her and continued, "You Maribelle, practice what I taught you yesterday, and no slugging off." She gave Maribelle a stern warning.

Clover followed Cassandra, terrified of what they are going to do to her, not forgetting about the yesterday drama. Is as if Cassandra felt her nervousness, she turned and looked at her, "Relax, we are not going to do anything to you, okay?" Cassandra said with a reassuring smile.

Clover's tense shoulders relax a bit and she smiled back at Cassandra with a nod of understanding, they continued their walk until they arrived at lounge. Clover found an old man sitting on the couch with a cup of tea in his hand. He was wearing a blue robe, like that character in the Lord of the Rings, Gandalf.

"A wizard?" Clover said not realising she said it out loud. She was awarded with a laughter from the old man, infectious enough to draw a smile on her, blushing with embarrassment realising he heard her.

Still smiling, "Indeed I'm a wizard. I didn't know you already can guess about our nature by the way we dress?" "I just find the wizards fascinating," she said shyly.

"How so?" Romulus said while patting at an empty space next to him indicating she join him.

"They're fascinating, because they call draw up their power in the cosmos. At home when I'm bored if spend my looking at other planets, but I'm fascinated by stars.

"Yes, you are correct, we even draw from the universe. However, every wizard has his unique way to draw up their power, so everyone is different. How about you? Do you have any power?" Romulus said, stilling sipping is tea occasionally.

"I... I just found I have a demon; I mean, I recently found out I'm a demon. Ariana never spoke to me at home. She started six weeks ago, warning me about a certain vampire." She said.

"Who's Ariana," asked Cassandra this time.

"She's my demoness," Clover answered.

"Did she mention any entity within you? Romulus asked, he and Cassandra waited with baited breath.

"She mentioned that I'm a hybrid Half demon and half Nephilim. But she said my Nephilim side was still in slumber." She said.

"That's not right, they should have woken up together. Can I do divination to you? You only need to hold my hand," said Romulus after finishing his cup of tea. Clover nodded to give the wizard a go ahead.

However, Cassandra was curious three days ago the entity didn't bother to hide its presence to her, even today earlier before Romulus arrived. Did it see Romulus as a threat or did it leave Clover's body? She decided to wait for Romulus to finish the divination, before she could rise her concern to him.

After what felt like a long time, Romulus opened his eyes and shook his head. Thinking Romulus didn't find it, "But Romulus I felt it; it never hid it's presence from me."

"I know, Cassandra. But what I mean is we can't remove it. Unless we kill the girl," Romulus said, making clover to be alarmed.

"That's not an option, she's innocent," Cassandra said.

"That's not what I meant, the entity has bound themselves with her soul. It looked like it entered her immediately after birth."

"Did you manage to see what it is? What about the demoness and the Nephilim?" Cassandra said, feeling overwhelmed with curiosity.

"They're weak because they've been fighting with the entity, the Nephilim is the one who is weakened the most. And the entity didn't want me to delve deep with it. It would have been dangerous."

"What's the verdict?"

"Since Clover's its host, she's safe from it, but I can't say about those around her. So, we need to protect her from greedy being like Duke Maverick."

Cassandra nodded agreeing with what Romulus just said.