SPELLBOUND

Gavrael pulled away and then turned her towards him before lifting her into his arms. She curled up contentedly like a kitten that had had her fill with milk and was about to fall into slumber.

The next thing she knew, they were out of the water. Still feeling a little drunk, Evie kept her eyes closed and relaxed in his warm embrace.

He sat down, with her cradled in his arms, hugging her tight as he rested his head on the crown of her head. He did not say a word as his breathing was still uneven. "I'm sorry," came his ragged whisper and Evie pulled away and looked up at his face, finding it so precious to her sight. "I was too… I…"

Evie kissed his lips lightly. "I told you, I don't hate it Gav." She whispered, still feeling the remnants of delights zinging about in her body. "I love every side of you, yes, even the wild and rough side of you."

Gavrael looked like he had heard something unbelievable. As Evie rested her head back on his chest, he felt his entire being melt. His darkness appeared again telling him, 'She's just trying to pacify you. Don't be a fool.' But Gavrael ignored it completely this time. His darkness might be correct but right then, Evie won over him fully, from tip to toe.

After cleaning themselves up and making sure they were presentable, they returned to Kirzan quickly as Gavrael used his teleportation magic. He tucked Evie into the soft and comfortable bed and sat at the edge of the mattress, staring at her sleeping face.

"You shouldn't have said that, Evie. Now I'm being tempted not to return him to you… at all… and stay here and keep you all to myself." He murmured as he caressed her face with the back of his fingers. He did not know what was going on with him anymore. He was a mess. He was happy at what she had said, in fact, damned happy at the thought that she did not seduce him just because of her agenda but because he wanted him too. Yet here he was, saying these, wishing she did not say those words.

He shut his eyes close and threw his head back with a muted groan. "Ah… I think I'm going insane, Evie…" he muttered to himself.

…

Later that night, Gavrael suddenly called all of Evie's men to meet him, including Zanya.

The men were surprised at the sudden summons, and they wondered if their prince was finally restored and had remembered them. Their spirits were lifted as they all rushed to where the prince was waiting for them.

But the moment they entered a room where he was seated in, they struggled to hide their disappointment. One look at him and they knew their princess had failed in her attempts to bring Prince Gavriel back.

"Take your seats." His voice was emotionless.

Everyone took their seats without saying a word. Holy hell, they missed their prince. If it was him, they would be bickering and complaining by now and he would be telling them to shut their mouths, or he would kick them all out – all the while laughing or smirking.

Now here they were, sitting like a group of obedient but terrified big children in the presence of their brooding and tyrannical father. They could not help but sigh at the image that formed in their minds.

"I am going to give you all a very important task and I don't want any of you to let Evie know about this just yet. Understood?" Gavrael told them.

"Why? Why can't we tell her?" Zolan asked cautiously with his brows raised, causing the other men to look at him with awe. Zolan dared to raise his doubts with this scary prince?

"Because she'll definitely refuse." Gavrael answered, surprising everyone again that he did not quite seem to mind Zolan's questioning. "Any time starting tomorrow night, I will set out and attack the capital." He told them and the men's eyes widened, then thrill flashed within their eyes.

"And no, none of you will be part of the war." Gavrael added, knowing what were in their minds as he saw their shining eyes and their shoulders drooped in disappointment.

"Could you tell us why, my lord?" Zolan asked again, this time adding in the proper title of respect. "Is this because of the task you're giving us?"

Gavrael stared silently at the long-haired man with the intelligent eyes who was staring right back at him, seemingly unafraid of him. After a long while of observing this group of people, he finally spoke. "Yes. Right before I leave Kirzan for the war, all of you will take Evie back to Crescia."

"I don't think the princess will agree though... You have told her that she would be able to stand and fight next to you, remember? And I am sure she would remember that as well."

"She will agree. I will inform her to return to the Forbidden Land and back into Crescia to awaken the light faes. This would be the right time for her to do so." Gavrael said calmly and surely, telling the men and Zanya of his plans.

"So, you're trying to send her away while you go to war. I know this must be so you could protect her but… My lord, the princess is not naïve. You might be doing this as a distraction for her. But once she awakens the light faes, she would definitely come rushing back to aid you. And I'm telling you now, none of us can stop her even if you order us to do so. She's really powerful now, and I'm sure you already know that. Not to mention that she has a whole flight of dragons at her disposal, she could ditch us anytime she wants and come flying to you if she is adamant about it."

"I know." Was all Gavrael replied, and yet he looked so sure of himself, that what Zolan had said will not happen and they do not have to worry about that at all. "All I need is for all of you to escort her back there as fast as you can. Those are your orders for now. Are we all clear?"

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A/N: Don't forget to vote spellbounders, if we stay #1 this whole month in golden ranking, i will give 10 chapters mass release this november 1.

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