SPELLBOUND

As the group was finishing their dinner, Evie spoke up. "Tomorrow," she started as she looked at everyone, "after I call for the seventh dragon, I think we can prepare to leave this place."

The men fell silent for a moment but eventually they all nodded. They were all ready to leave now as well.

"Your wish is our command, Princess. We will abide with whatever your decision may be." Samuel said and Evie smiled slightly.

"Thank you." Evie felt relieved. Before dinner, while she was taking her bath, she had thought that she can no longer stay here. Her plans before she found out the truth was to immediately return but they had taken days for her to train summoning and giving instructions to the dragons with Zanya's help. Apart from Gavriel, Evie was also worried about the vampires they had left waiting for them at the lake.

She could not help but worry, because she suddenly thought of the savage orcs. She only remembered that fact now that many of those orcs had survived Onyx's attack and ran off since she returned to her comrades before killing all of those that remained. What if those surviving orcs…

Evie had quickly shaken her head to dismiss the scary thought and told herself that the magical lake was protected.

She had talked to Zanya about this particular place and to Evie's surprise, the light fae did not know about such a place. And so, Evie began to worry even more. Thankfully, Zolan assured her that the orcs had never appeared outside of the misty forest and that those dark wolves and the other smaller beasts could not enter into the protected vicinity of the lake.

Remembering Gavriel's words, Evie was relieved. She believed in her husband's words more than in anyone else's. However, she still felt that it was time for them to leave now. They have tarried in this place long enough. Especially since now that they have found out the solution to her problems. And now they do not need to stay here to train with the dragons.

"Zanya is coming with us, right?" Levy's voice pulled Evie to reality.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Evie as they waited for her answer.

"The truth is…" Evie started as she faced Zanya, "I had wondered and wanted to ask if it is safe for you to leave this place. I also don't want Thundrann finding out about your existence. Or that there are other faeries still alive and just stuck in their enchantment."

"Actually, I can turn myself to look like a human, Princess!" Zanya immediately exclaimed upon realizing that the princess had entertained thoughts of leaving her behind. She understood why the princess wanted her to stay behind, but she wanted to follow her wherever she goes from now on.

Evie was surprised. "You can turn yourself into a human?"

"Yes, I can temporarily block off all my magic then my ears and skin would become very similar to yours. I'll be just like you princess. My hair colour will also darken. And since the tree of light is dead, as soon as I step out of the Middle Land, I will lose my magic completely and there will be no discernible trace to hint on that I am a light faery." Zanya explained. It was obvious by the way she hurriedly explained and gave such clear explanations without Evie asking much that she did not want to be left behind.

"Please don't worry, princess, even if I don't have magic, I will still be very useful. My combat skill is top notch. I was one of the best close-range fighters among my peers back then." She added, trying her best to convince Evie to take her along. "If you doubt me, I can show you how good I am even without using any magic."Evie looked at Zolan and Samuel and when the men looked like they do not mind at all, Evie smiled at Zanya. In fact, the men were trying very hard not to laugh at how adorable Zanya looked at the moment. As she was trying to convince Evie, her usually aloof attitude had all but dispersed and left what was an overly eager fae trying to be convincing in her use to the princess.

But before Evie could say anything, Levy spoke.

"Why don't we see her skills first, Princess?" the man said, and Evie immediately saw through his intention. The man just wanted to have a show for his viewing pleasure. However, Evie thought that it might also be best to do so. She also wanted to see how faeries fight without their magic.

"Are you alright with it, Zanya?" Evie asked and Zanya stood very confidently.

"Of course, Princess. I would love to show you and the men what I can do. It seems that some of your men might think I am useless without my magic." Zanya said in confidence, her eyes glaring a little aggressively at Levy. "I suggest that you choose the best swordman in the group to face me, Princess. I'll show the men that I can be a threat as well!"

"The best swordman is…" Evie looked at her men one by one and then her eyes stopped at the quiet purple eyed half-blood before shifting it to the youngest in the group. "I was told Leon and Reed are best in swordsmanship. Who among you want to volunteer to be Zanya's opponent?" Evie asked the two as she looked from one to the other.

"Uhm…" Reed rubbed the back of his neck. "The truth is Leon is better than me, Princess. But if Leon does not want to fight Zanya, then I'll do it."

Zanya stared at Reed for a while and one thought came to her mind. He looked too young. She might hold back if it was Reed, right?

Her eyes then fell to the purple-eyed half-blood vampire, and she did not know why but she felt like challenging him today. Perhaps, it was because of her impression on him that time when he had grabbed her quite roughly and had accused her of escaping.

"I am going to fight him." Zanya said looking intensely at Leon as she gestured with her head at him.