SPELLBOUND

Evie woke up just a couple of hours after she was brought in Crescia, fully rested, and stretched languidly as she sat up from her slumber. Remembering everything that had happened before she fell into unconsciousness, she lifted her hand to touch the wound on her neck and was surprised to find from the smooth velvety texture that greeted her fingertips that it was already healed. Creasing her brows, she wondered if someone had healed it. Was it Gav?

The moment the image of his red eyes that she saw before blanking out flashed across her mind, Evie's face immediately lit up happily and she climbed off the bed with great enthusiasm. Where was he? She wanted to see him now!

But her body froze as it dawned upon her that this place that she was in right now was not his room anymore. This place… Where exactly was she? Why was she waking up to a different room from the one she had fallen asleep in?

Her eyes widened in shock, and she frantically stormed out of the door. Leon and Reed were outside leaning casually against the walls just outside her chambers. They straightened up as soon as they heard the door opening and saw her striding out. They glanced quickly at each other and prepared themselves for what was to ensue.

"What happened? How long have I been asleep?" she asked, a little panicky. "More importantly, where is Gav?"

"I think, it's about two hours that you have been sleeping, princess." Reed responded quickly. "We are now in Crescia –"

"I know. But how… where is Zolan and the others?" she asked as she strode towards the corridor. "Is Gav with us?" She repeated this question. It was this matter that concerned her more than anything else.

"The prince is not with us, princess… He is not here in Crescia." He answered and Evie halted in her attempt to run off in looking for him. She clenched her fists that were hidden within the folds of her dress and then inhaled very deeply. Obviously, trying to control her emotions.

"Bring me to where everyone is." She ordered, her voice now a little strained.

When they arrived in the room that she was in and everyone was gathered, Evie did not waste a moment longer and ordered them to talk. She wanted all the details sans nothing. Her men then dutifully recounted everything and reported to her faithfully on what had happened. They also did not forget to inform her about the prince's order.

"That's all? Did he say anything else? There are no other instructions for us or… perhaps specifically for me?" Evie questioned them and they could only helplessly shake their heads. They knew that their princess was somewhat unhappy at that response.

"He didn't say anything more than to bring you here, princess. He didn't even tell us what our duties are or what you should be doing while waiting here." Zolan told her calmly. After saying his piece, he kept silent and watched Evie.

Evie fell quiet for a while, thinking hard to herself. Then she looked at her men with a serious gaze. "Gav and I have spoken about this already. He told me that once the war starts, he'll send me here to awaken the light faes. I'm sure this is the reason why he sent me here this urgently." Evie told them and the men looked surprised. They really did not expect that the Prince would really have told Evie about this – that he had wanted her to awaken the light faes the next time she is back in Crescia.

Fixing her gaze on Zanya, Evie's bright eyes gleamed in determination. "I am going to awaken the light faes now, Zanya. I am certain that Gav would have already set out of Kirzan the moment he sent us out here. Right now, the war must have already started. That's why we don't have any more time to waste. We must return there as soon as possible to aid him in the war."

And with that, Evie and everyone headed to the throne hall.

"You are going to awaken the tree of light too, right princess?" Zanya asked as soon as they halted right before the throne.

Evie nodded without hesitation. "Yes. If I don't, what's the point of awakening the light faes? There would be no meaning if they can't leave the Middle Lands, would it?"

A wide, beautiful smile curved across Zanya's ethereal face. At long last! She could not believe it was finally going to happen! Her people and their ancient tree of light would finally be revived after such a long time! Her eyes twinkled and sparkled as she anticipated the princess' awakening of the light faes with their tree.

"Now, let us start." Evie then declared and slowly, she ascended to the throne. She turned around and looked down the moment she stood there, looking all majestic and awe-inspiring.

Sweeping her gaze to a few hundreds of dark crystals scattered around the massive throne hall, each holding a light fae that was a comrade to Zanya and had ties to her through her blood which held the royal bloodline of the light faes. She suddenly felt a surge of emotion or was this magic? Comparing to that time when she stood there for the first time, Evie certainly felt different now. Perhaps because there was no doubt in her heart anymore. She was fully convinced and determined to do this.

At that moment, she could feel something powerful welling up within her. She suddenly felt like she had nothing to be afraid of. And that there was nothing that she currently could not do. She wondered if this feeling or mentality was caused by her strengthened mind and heart or was it because she has simply grown stronger and more confident now?

With a look of certainty and sheer willpower, Evie gracefully lowered herself to sit on the throne. The way she sat there, manipulating her magic to send it out with an elegant wave of her hand, and the way the light spread out and lit up the entire dark hall… it was all so mind blowing. At that moment, she did not seem like the timid and shy princess Evie any longer.

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