SPELLBOUND

All the stress and tension that Gavriel had been keeping so tightly constrained inside him was released through a violent shudder as he crushed her hard against him with that one hug. Deep groans and curses escaped from his lips as his shaking fingers slid from her back into her glorious silvery locks. His large palm curved over her skull and then dragged her head back before his mouth moved feverishly over her face, planting hot little kisses wherever it landed.

"Damn it all to hell, Evie. Gods," he whispered as he drew in a shaky breath. She could no longer see any sign of that incredible calmness he was exuding just a while ago. He sounded like a total mess right now, before her as he kept her caged tightly in his arms, as though he had just gone through the scariest moment in his life.

"Holy hell." He muttered again and Evie lifted her head to look up at him. Seeing his face still frowning with concern, she then lifted her hands and caressed his face.

"Gavriel." She finally managed to speak. Gavriel froze for a moment as they stared at each other before he closed his eyes and bent his head to rest his forehead on hers while letting out a deep sigh. Evie felt as though he had just deflated like a punctured balloon with the release of that long breath that Gavriel let out. His palm moved to cover the back of her hands that were on his face before he lifted his head and gently bumped his forehead against hers, causing Evie to wince with a start. Evie blinked as she tilted her head up to look into Gavriel's eyes.

"I was so scared. I thought I was… too late…" he whispered in a hoarse voice.

Seeing the dread in his eyes, Evie pulled him to her and hugged him. "You were never late, Gavriel. Remember when you suddenly arrived at the very last second that time in the little forest?" she whispered while caressing his hair gently. Even though Evie had also just gone through such a mind-numbing fear, she could just feel that the fear Gavriel just experienced far surpassed hers by a whole damned lot. "Whenever those times I thought that it was over for me, you always appeared out of nowhere and manage to save me... and always just in the nick of time." She smiled and then planted a kiss on his lips. "I am alright now that you're here."

The tremors in Gavriel's hands slowly calmed down and the couple hugged each other again. Not minding that there were so many curious eyes who were watching their public displays of affection.

When Evie felt Gavriel's body loosened up a little, she pulled away from his embrace and looked into his eyes again. "What happened?" she asked but just as Gavriel opened his mouth to answer her, Evie suddenly took her gaze off him and started looking around. "Wait, where is Leon? Gavriel, Leon is –"

"Don't worry. Zolan is already in the midst of treating his wounds." Gavriel said and Evie's shoulders dropped in relief as she heaved out a big sigh.

"He is going to be okay, right?" she asked him anxiously. Her grip on Gavriel's cloak was tight as her large eyes looked at him with so much worry. "He was hit twice while protecting me. And those arrows… they were so large…"

All of a sudden, Gavriel lifted her into his arms and rested her head on his shoulder. "Don't worry. Leon isn't someone that mere arrows such as those could take down."

Gavriel brought Evie to where Leon was and when she saw that the man indeed was looking quite fine, Evie sighed in relief. In fact, Leon was even quite cheerful in the company of his fellow men.

"I told you, I wouldn't have chosen this man to guard you if he could be so easily taken down by mere arrows." Gavriel said as he looked at Leon. He had put Evie down, but still kept his arm wrapped around her waist protectively, never letting her go.

"Is he alright?" Evie walked forward and asked Zolan, "the arrows don't have any poison on them, right?"

"Actually, they were tipped with poison but there is no need to worry, Princess. Because I have the antidote for it." Zolan smiled and Evie's eyes widened. She was shocked that the arrows indeed had poison coated on it. "As long as it is not a poison as strong as nightmist, then there is nothing for us to worry about. Now all he need is to sleep it off as the side effect of the antidote I gave him will make him dizzy."

Just as Zolan said those words, Leon who was already drowsy, fell asleep.

Zolan then rose and faced the couple. "How about you, princess? You are unharmed, right?" he asked. Evie nodded positively at him.

"I am perfectly fine. All thanks to Leon's protection."

"I see. That's a relief then." Zolan sighed. Relieved that the princess was indeed unharmed since there was no hint of her blood's scent leaking out, it only meant that she was not wounded at all. "Alright, I'll get everyone to gather around now, including the duke and duchess. Also, I'll send someone to fetch you both once everything is ready." He informed Gavriel and the prince nodded.

"Find me in my quarters."

"Yes, Your Highness."

When Zolan was gone, Gavriel did not waste another moment and he gathered Evie into his arms again. He brought her into his quarters inside the wall and as soon the door closed behind them, Gavriel pinned her against the door and kissed her.

Evie gasped in surprise, but she quickly opened up to him and the two of them found themselves tangled in each other's embrace and were kissing hard like it had been years since they had last tasted each other's flavour.

"Gods, I've missed you so much, Evie." He murmured as he dragged his mouth over her face.

"I've missed you too, Gav." Evie replied breathlessly. "What happened?"

Gavriel pulled away a little before fondly caressing her cheek. "I'll explain to you later. For now, I'd like to know if you're truly fine as you have claimed."

"I really am fine!" Evie insisted as Gavriel pushed her forward.

"I'll be the one to decide that." He said, his silver eyes gleaming in the dim room as his fingers moved and swiftly removed her cloak. "After I finish checking every part of your body."