SPELLBOUND

Earlier that day.

"Evie, honey… pack up the things you want to bring along. We will be heading back home as soon as you're done. Everything else has been settled and packed up." Evie's mother suddenly came to her room and told her that they were headed for home.

Evie was shocked. "Why? Aren't you trying to hide me from everyone? That is the reason why we've been staying in this place for such a long time, isn't it? So why are we moving back home now?" Evie was starting to panic on the inside. She cannot leave yet! Gavrael will finally be coming to visit tonight after staying away for two nights in a row.

"Evie, I thought this place would be safer for you. That was why we moved all the way here. But I was wrong. I know you've gone missing for many nights previously. And now, you are missing almost every night from your room. I also know that someone, and this someone is not a human, has been sneaking into your room for the past two months. I am so worried for you Evie. And that's why I have decided that we return home –"

"No! I don't want to go back there, Mother, I like it here." Evie had argued and then locked herself inside her room. She was planning what she would do when the night comes and Gavrael comes for her. She thought about two things. Introduce Gavrael to her mother and tell her everything that has been happening or ask Gavrael to take her away before her mother could force her to go home with her. But the former was too risky at the moment. She cannot reveal anything yet as it might give rise to more problems in the future. She still had so much to accomplish before she can take on the role that was expected of her as the one to fulfil the prophecy. Therefore, she could only hope to hold on until Gavrael comes at the fall of night – which would only be in a few hours' time. Hopefully, her mother would be able to be persuaded or stalled to only decide to leave the next day.

It had been weeks since her mother had started to persuade her to go back. But Evie had constantly refused her, and she realized that her mother might end up doing something more drastic to make it such that they could finally leave. She also had the feeling that her father might be involved in this as well, even though he had yet to come see her and persuade her about leaving.

However, she was put to sleep without her knowledge. The maids had served her lunch as usual, but they had slipped a sleeping drug into her drink. She would not have expected them to take such extreme measures until the point of using drugs. Her mother had to do this as she felt that her daughter had been acting strange in the last two months and she was very worried. She had told this to her husband, and he had told her to get themselves back home. However, he had the insight and understood his own daughter and told is wife that if Evie refused to comply, they had to bring her back by force before something bad happens to her.

And thus, that very afternoon – right after Evie had eaten her lunch – they took the unconscious Evie with them and quickly left the citadel.

…

When she finally opened her eyes again, she heard sounds where there were masculine pants and grunts beside her. It was dark so she used the magic Zanya had taught her previously and created a ball of amber light to brighten up the pitch black darkness surrounding her.

Gavrael's back was the first thing that welcomed her. As she looked around, she noticed he was facing a wall and he seemed to be in so much in pain as he was slightly curled up on his side. She realised that the panting and grunting were coming from him.

"G-gavrael!" she rose and approached him. She saw blood dripping from his lips, and she was shocked. This was the first time she ever saw blood coming from him since that night she was kidnapped by him the second time they met.

"What's going on? Are you alright? Where are we?" Though she was worried about him, she kept her voice low and whispered to him urgently.

He looked at her. "I'm going to take you with me. I won't allow anyone to take you away from me, Evie. Never!" He hissed in pain and Evie suddenly remembered her mother. She had passed out in the afternoon after eating her meal. Her mother must have drugged her food or drink and then took her away after she was knocked out! But why was she with Gavrael right now? Where was her mother? Where were they?

"W-what did you do? Did you come after me…?" She guessed that Gavrael had come visiting at night as he usually did and found her missing. He must have tracked her down and took her away from their travelling group. She wondered what had happened to her mother and the rest of the people that were travelling together with them.

"Yes. But don't worry, I didn't kill your mother." Gavrael's voice was solemn as he said that.

Evie's eyes widened in shock, not knowing what to say. She then looked closely at him and saw his skin bleeding from what seemed to be a burnt wound. Even parts of his face were bleeding. She already knew what would happen to him if he stayed on the surface when the night runs out and the sun is out. He had told her it would be very dangerous for him because he might totally lose his powers and memories. But she did not know about this… where the light could literally burn his skin. Why was this

"Move back Evie, I'm going to open this gate. I need to use more power so I can take you along with me."

Without letting her speak further, he gently pushed her back and walked forward, creating some space between them. Then, Gavrael's dark and powerful magic flowed out from his body and speedily covered the wall before him entirely. He was groaning is so much pain, and his blood was dripping and pooling at his feet.

Evie's eyes welled at the sight of him. Even then, she held herself back as to not distract him. She knew what he was trying to do would take an immense amount of concentration even on normal days. Now that he is wounded, it would be even more taxing on him. Therefore, keeping herself quiet was the least she could do for him.

"Shit!!! Not enough!!!" he growled as blood spilled from his lips and Evie even saw his skin tearing apart. The portal seemed to be already opened but it somehow seemed that it was not enough yet if he wanted to bring her through as well. Her heart bled watching him struggle like this. And she could not bear it anymore. He had finally told her a few nights ago about his home. When Evie asked him if he could bring her there, Gavrael told her it was not the right time yet. She had asked why – thinking if it was her that was the problem – and he had explained that he was not yet strong enough to take someone along with him to cross through the portal.

Seeing him, Evie now understood why he, the strongest being she ever met, still could tell her that he was still not strong enough. She had secretly thought that there was a different reason why he did not want to show her his home. However, looking at the situation now, it seemed that taking her with him truly requires an unimaginable amount of power.

"Gavrael…" she reached out. She could not watch on any longer. "It's fine. You don't need to take me there –"

"No! I can never leave you now." He roared, his eyes and voice were cold and desperate. "The surface is not safe for you if I'm not there!" He insisted as he continued in his efforts.

Evie hugged him from behind, surprising him. "I'll be safe, I promise. I'll call my dragon to bring me to Crescia. I'll wait for you there. Zanya will be there for me." She vowed. "So please… stop now. I can't watch you getting hurt like this anymore." She cried and Gavrael trembled with utter weakness.