SPELLBOUND

"When did you fall in love with me?" Evie asked, curiosity shone forth from her eyes. Her large eyes were glimmering as she gazed at him. "You were… so nice and kind to me ever since we met. Even when the times I was being so ridiculous, you were…" she paused as she searched his eyes, "you were so patient and so good to me."

When Gavriel simply stared back at her, Evie knelt before him and looked up at that face that could drive thousands of women wild even with his icy look. She then smiled before reaching her hands out to hold his face gently between her hands. "I thought back then it was all because of the deal you made with my father and the human emperors, but now… I truly feel as if it was not because of the deal at all. Am I… wrong?"

Something strange flashed across Gavriel's eyes as Evie waited for his answer in anticipation. His large hand was already slipping through her hair and slid down to finally rest it below her ear. "You really want to know?" he asked, flashing her a wicked and teasing smile.

"Tell me, I want to know." Evie said and took a deep breath.

"Alright," Gavriel said, and Evie released the breath that she was holding as she looked down at his glorious face, "I'll tell you once we see each other again. I promise."

Evie's shoulder immediately dropped. When she pouted at him, Gavriel smiled and pulled her face towards his and kissed her tender lips lightly. His kisses were shallow but for some reason the way he was kissing her right then was making her feel even more emotional. Though the usual hunger and burning need was not present in these kisses of his, she felt that they were no less spine-tingling or toe-curling. Instead, she could feel it lance straight into her heart.

When their lips finally parted and Evie was panting slightly, Gavriel began to kiss her eyes, the bridge of her nose, her forehead and then down to her jaws as he whispered to her hoarsely. "If you really want to hear my answer… please be safe. If…" he choked a little before he struggled to continue, "if I find even a scratch on you once I come to get you… I'm not going to tell you the answer to any of your questions, do you understand, Evie? So, please promise me… you will not do anything dangerous… I feel like I'm going insane right now just by thinking how you are going to be out of my watch where I cannot protect you -"

This time, it was Evie who silenced him with her kisses. She kissed him so thoroughly and deeply until Gavriel helplessly surrendered and kissed her back. They both ended up being so caught up in kissing each other that it was some time later that they parted.

"I promise…" she whispered as she broke their kiss, "I am dying to hear the answers to my questions… So, fine…" she smiled confidently, "I promise that I'll never let anything, nor anyone inflict even a single scratch on me."

Gavriel caught his lower lip between his teeth and then threw his head back. Evie was confused and wondered what had caused Gavriel to behave in such a manner. Did she not already promise him what he wanted from her? Was he still unsatisfied? Gavriel then ruffled his own hair and then out of nowhere his hands slipped around her thin waist and before Evie knew it, she was already placed on top of him in a straddling position. He hungrily seized her mouth and before long, the two of them were kissing again, with all the passion and love in the world, as if there was no more tomorrow.

They were breathless when Gavriel finally released her. "Alright, let's go, before I change my mind and kidnap you against your will." He growled low, though it seemed as if he was not saying those words to her but more to himself. Though Evie empathised with him, she knew better than to say anything else. They both knew that this was the best option possible at this moment though they were loath to be separated from the other. Thus, Evie just held on tightly to Gavriel's hand and squeezed it tight, sending him her feelings through that one meaningful gesture.

He swiftly lifted her and in no time, they were back in the castle. When they arrived, the duke and the duchess and all the leading officials were already gathered in the throne hall. All of them were gathered upon the summons given out by Zolan after he left the discussion with Gavriel on the top of the watchtower. As Gavriel and Evie walked towards the throne hall, they heard everyone discussing amongst themselves on the reason why they were summoned in such a hurry.

They were by the door of the hall when Zolan approached them. Gavriel told Zolan about his decision and the man sighed in great relief. But the tactician was a little uncertain when Evie told him that they do not need to kill anyone anymore. That was one thing in the plans of Zolan that Evie would not compromise with whatsoever. She would never condone the killing of a few just to save the majority. To her, every single life is precious and worthy to be saved. So there was no way that she would go along with the plan if it means they end up killing innocents in the process.

Even though Zolan had fought and already killed countless lives in his lifetime, he was never a fan of killing innocent people. However, as a tactician, he knew that sacrifices were unavoidable during times of war. Unfortunately, something like this always happens in wars, just like how the kings and generals sacrifice the lives of their soldiers to win a war and save the majority. Sometimes, it was just inevitable.