Mated To The Cruel Prince-Chapter 765: Witches Realm

As they stepped outside, the cool night air washed over them with Azrael standing a few paces away, his cloak billowing slightly in the breeze. He turned to face them, his eyes nearly glowing and brimming with power.

Islinda glanced nervously at Aldric. "Are you sure about this?"

Aldric nodded confidently. "Trust me. This is the safest way. And you are going to enjoy this."

Azrael got the cue and he began to transform. His body shifted and stretched, feathers sprouting from his skin. Within moments, he began to morph into a giant raven, much larger than anything Islinda had ever seen in her life.

"By the gods...."

Islinda’s jaw nearly dropped to the ground in sheer amazement. Azrael’s size was almost comparable to that of a dragon, if not for the distinctly raven-like form. The transformation was both astonishing and creepy to watch.

Azrael’s massive wings unfurled, casting a dark shadow over the ground. The feathers were glossy and black, each one reflecting the moonlight with an eerie sheen. His beak was sharp and formidable, and his talons looked like they could easily crush stone. Islinda could feel the raw power emanating from him, a mix of awe and fear gripping her heart.

"Amazing, isn’t it?" Aldric said, feeling the Raven’s, no, Azrael in his raven form.

"Come on, we don’t have time. Climb on," he instructed Islinda, his tone calm and reassuring despite the monstrous sight before them.

Islinda hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. The sheer size of Azrael in his raven form was overwhelming. She could see the intelligence in his eyes, a glint that reminded her of Aldric’s ravens, but magnified a thousandfold.

Taking a deep breath, she followed Aldric’s lead, climbing onto Azrael’s back. The feathers beneath her were surprisingly soft and warm, providing a strange comfort amidst the surreal experience.

Azrael cawed softly, a sound that resonated deep within Islinda’s chest, and then he took to the sky. The ground fell away rapidly, and Islinda clung tightly to Azrael, holding onto his feathers so strongly she thought she hurt him. However, he showed no sign of discomfort and she eventually relaxed. The wind whipped through her hair, the cool night air brushing against her skin.

From her vantage point on Azrael’s back, the world below looked like a dark, endless expanse, with occasional glimmers of light marking the Fae towns and villages. The feeling of flying on such a massive, powerful creature was unlike anything she had ever experienced. It was both terrifying and liberating. She felt free.

Aldric held her securely, her back pressed to him "See? Not so bad, is it?"

Islinda managed a smile, nodding her head. "It’s incredible."

She then asked, "Wouldn’t anyone see us from this point? I mean you told me Fae has incredible sights and Azrael is not exactly inconspicuous."

Anyone with a good sight could spot the giant creature flying in the sky and draw attention to it.

"Don’t worry, Azreal shielded himself. He’s pretty much invisible to anyone staring up in the sky. How do you think he’s been able to keep his existence a secret so Far?"

"Nice." Islinda was intrigued.

Azrael’s powerful wings beat steadily, propelling them through the night with a grace and speed that seemed almost supernatural. They flew in silence, the landscape below transforming into a blur of dark shapes and flickering lights. The journey seemed to pass in a dreamlike state, the unimaginable experience etching itself into Islinda’s memory.

It didn’t last for long.

Islinda knew the exact moment they crossed into the witches’ realm. The air itself seemed to change, becoming denser and filled with an almost palpable sense of magic that was different from what she was used to. She could feel her powers diminish just slightly, a reminder that she was far from the Fae realm’s familiar, nurturing energy.

The witches’ realm was stark in contrast to the grandeur of the Fae’s realm. The landscape was darker, more twisted, with an eerie beauty that sent shivers down Islinda’s spine. The trees were gnarled and ancient, their branches seeming to reach out like skeletal hands. Strange, luminous plants dotted the ground, casting an unnatural glow.

Perhaps it was her Fae side speaking, but Islinda felt deeply unsettled. The very essence of this place seemed to reject her, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she didn’t belong here. Every fiber of her being wanted to turn back, to flee from this place that felt so wrong.

They began their descent, the ground rising up to meet them. Azrael landed with a soft thud, his transformation back to human form seamless and swift, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a keen, wary alertness.

Islinda dismantled, her legs feeling a little unsteady.

Aldric, ever vigilant, said to Islinda with a serious expression. "Stay close to my side at all times," he instructed firmly. "And don’t touch anything. The witches’ might seem innocent but they quite as crafty, if not much wicked than the Fae."

He produced a cloak from his bag, and draped it over her shoulders, pulling the hood up to conceal her face. "This will help keep you hidden," he explained. "We don’t want to draw any unnecessary attention."

"Thank you," .

Azrael adjusted his cloak, his expression serious. "We need to move quickly. Our kind don’t get along with witches and they will not be pleased with my presence."

Aldric nodded. "Let’s go then."

Together, they began their journey deeper into the witches’ realm. The path ahead was winding and narrow, flanked by dense foliage that seemed to whisper secrets as they passed. The occasional glow of magical plants marked the way, their light flickering like ghostly fireflies.

As they walked, Islinda’s senses were on high alert. Every rustle of leaves, every distant hoot of an owl, sent shivers down her spine. Yet she walked on bravely. She was not the same Islinda who couldn’t defend herself.

Finally, they reached the entrance to what appeared to be a village. Small houses with thatched roofs and windows lined the path. They were finally here.