SPELLBOUND

Hearing the light fae's declaration of loyalty and support to her, Evie's determination became even stronger. She was so glad she did not need to put in too much effort in convincing or forcing anyone here to follow her and her orders. Though she did feel a little sorry to them for bringing them to war the moment they were awaken, she knew it was imperative that it is done immediately. They could rest once this war and the enemy has been destroyed. Because if the enemy is not dealt with, there was no way they would be able to rest and relax in peace.

Glancing at Zanya, Evie nodded at her. Zanya had told her before that the light faes would definitely follow her without question. She was right and Evie could see in everyone's eyes, the same loyal gazes she always observes in her vampire men's eyes.

"Now it's time for me to awaken the tree of light." Evie then said and she descended from the throne.

However, before she could begin to move out of the throne hall, a commotion broke out at the side. Upon lifting her face towards the commotion, Evie immediately realized they had forgotten to explain about the presence of these vampires here..

Thankfully, Zanya was quick to stop the male light faes who had surrounded the vampires from attacking them. "Stop!" she shouted out, and everyone halted. The tension was a palpable thing as faes circled around vampires. The light faes surrounding Evie's men were bristling in rage and had their eyes narrowed in fury.

The light faes completely missed out and did not notice the vampires' presences as their focus were fixed towards their queen, until one of the vampires started to flirt with the female faes near them.

"They are not enemies." Zanya immediately explained. She had also told them that the one leading the ongoing war, and their queen's husband was a vampire. Of course, the light faes were shocked, just as she was when she first heard about it. But Zanya managed to explain everything to them in ways they could understand. And she did it quickly as to calm the ruffled feathers and avoid any clashes from happening.

But it was obvious they were still unable to fully erase their hostility, so Evie also spoke. "I know it's still hard for you all to trust them and accept them as your allies but…" she smiled and then looked at her men. "These men… these vampires were the ones who brought me here. If it were not for them… I'm not sure if I would still be alive now. I'm not going to force anyone of you to trust them now. But I am hoping that you all would give them a chance to prove themselves to you. They are not those vampires from your past… they are our allies now."

Everyone fell silent and just like that, the light faes backed off while the vampires suddenly smiled a little smugly. They were savouring the fact that the queen had favoured them and made it such a known fact to everyone.

"Levy." Evie raised a brow at him. "Do control yourself and stop trying to hit on the ladies. You should at least wait until they're more comfortable with you lot." She chided him mildly and Levy rubbed the back of his head, a little ashamed of his thoughtless behaviour.

"Forgive me, princess." Levy apologized. But as soon as Evie walked away, Levy murmured, feeling sorry for himself. "But it's their fault for being so beautiful that I can't help it –"

The man was then elbowed squarely in the stomach by Luc, making him groan as he doubled over and wheezed in pain.

…

Evie, Zanya and her cousin named Zirrus accompanied Evie to where the tree of light was while everyone was left to catch up with each other in the throne hall, while waiting for them.

"Are you ready, my queen?" Zanya said as she faced Evie who was now staring at the dead tree in the middle of the glimmering waters below. It evoked a mixture of feelings in Evie as she stared down at the tree. Its thick stately trunk and many branches stretching out far over the waters were so awe-inspiring. However, the fact that it was withered up and dead caused a sense of lonely helplessness within her. She thought that how ironic it was that something so full of power and magnificent at one time could be brought so low to its current state. It just made it seem more poignant knowing how fragile all life is. She reminded herself to never take life for granted.

Evie nodded after taking a deep breath. "I'm ready." Evie's gaze looked at her without hesitation and Zanya smiled.

"I will be needing nine more female light faes for the ritual. Please wait here a moment." Zanya said and then she quickly left them. After a short while, ten female light faes came, now dressed in pure silken white cloaks. Zanya was among the ten.

After Evie gave them the signal to start. The light faes spread out their wings, flying around the lagoon, forming a perfect circle. And then, they descended slowly towards the dead tree.

Evie took another deep breath as she watched them, mesmerised at how hypnotic they looked. However, something strange suddenly happened.

The light faes could not land. It was as if there was an invisible barrier surrounding the tree.

Evie's brows creased as she realised that something was not quite right. "What's going on?"

Zanya immediately broke off form the formation and flew over to her. "There's a barrier surrounding that is preventing us from getting any closer." She reported, her face looked extremely confused.

"Barrier? But there was no barrier the last time we went there." Evie exclaimed in shock.

"You are right, my queen. There's not supposed to be any barriers in there!"

"Bring me there." Evie ordered her solemnly.

Immediately, Zanya helped Evie over and the moment she came into contact with the barrier, her eyes widened in utter shock. No… this was… no… this cannot be…

Evie could not even form a word nor perceive what was happening as she touched this impregnable and all too familiar barrier with a trembling hand. Please tell me… you are not the one who put this here… Gav!

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