SPELLBOUND

Before Evie could even react, Zirrus had already appeared before her at lightning speed, standing in as her shield to protect her from that unknown person. Zanya and the others immediately followed after Zirrus' example as well and moved to from a living barrier in front of their queen. The light faes all started glowing as they stood there, ready in their fighting stance.

The atmosphere became extremely rigid, heavy, and intense. Everything seemed to have turned into standstill. It was a moment where all it would take was a single movement to spark a deadly and intense clash.

"Easy there, light faes." Came a deep and dark voice that surely only belonged to no one else but the blue-eyed man.. His tone was surprisingly calm and not threatening at all but there was just something else that could be detected in that hauntingly beautiful voice that made the tiny hairs on everyone's spines rose, except for Evie.

This aura, this sound… those devil-blue eyes… they were all too familiar to her to rouse any chills from her. However, as she looked on, she did not know whether to smile in welcome or frown. Therefore, she opted to keep silent and stared on with a neutral expression plastered across her face.

"I'm not your enemy, little ones." His voice echoed again, making all the light faes became even more extremely tense. "I am only here to have a little chat with your queen." The man said as he gestured with a nod towards Evie.

Upon hearing those words, Evie did not hesitate any longer and stretched her hand forward to tap lightly on Zirrus shoulder. Zirrus only turned back and looked at his queen with questioning eyes. "Let me through, Zirrus. It's alright." She said and Zirrus looked at her with wide eyes.

"But my queen, this creature is…" Zirrus trailed off at the sight of their queen looking very calm and not at all like she was facing an enemy.

It shocked Zanya how Evie did not seem to feel even a little fear when all of them were already on edge. The man in black cloak made their fighting and survival instincts kick in instantly, even forcefully planting fear into their hearts just by standing there and looking at them! He was dangerous. Extremely dangerous! They could feel it clearly! Anyone, even the strongest light fae would not be able to help themselves but shiver in trepidation before him. But how was it that their queen managed to look unfazed? Did she not feel the overwhelming dark pressure that is literally flowing from him? Seeing her so composed and calm gave them all a feeling of pride as their queen is so steadfast in facing such a formidable person!

"It's fine. Let me through." Evie repeated to Zirrus, this time more firmly that he and the rest of the light faes could only move away with great difficulty. Deep in their hearts, they still thought that going forward so easily was not the right thing for their queen to do no matter how strong she is. Does she not need to be wary too? Thus, they still stood very close to her, never letting down their guard at all as they let her step forward and face the creature in the dark cloak.

The man lifted his hand and the light faes directed all their weapons at him. But Evie lifted up one elegant arm to signal her people and stop them from attacking.

A short and amused chuckle that again sounded so haunting and beautiful came from him and then he pulled the hood of his dark cloak that was rimmed with exquisite golden lines. That strong masculine hand and long tapering but strong fingers that gave the impression of great power drew everyone's attention.

The moment his face came into view, everyone – even Evie – was awed at the sight of his face. Just like his voice, the man had the look that could only described as something hauntingly beautiful.

If the light faes had the ethereal look and beauty that was forged in heaven, his was something that seemed to be forged in the deepest of darkness. The light faes had never seen such kind of beauty before – dark, sombre, and evoking feelings of melancholy that draws people's attention to it.

But Evie was different. She had seen it before. On her very own beloved husband. However, Gav was not as dark as this man. But she had always thought that Gav's appearance should not be described as heavenly but one that haunts and kills anyone looking on senseless.

And looking at this dark creature right now, Evie did not even need to ask anymore because to her, the connection between this man and her husband was already undeniable. There was a very clear blood relation that could be seen between her husband and this man – that was how strong genes can be.

"Good to see you again young queen." He said amiably, smiling at her.

"Again…?" Evie echoed, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. She caught onto the slight inflection the man had in his tone when he uttered the word. His smile only widened as he saw her pick up the important hint that he was giving her.

"I've seen you before, but the same cannot be said for you." He explained mildly as if he had seen the questions popping in her head.

"Who are you?" she then asked. She already had an idea on who he was, but she must ask, not only to confirm it for herself. But also, for the sake of the light faes, her people, who were still obviously unable to even breath normally at all.

"I am Belial, king of the dark faes." He introduced and the light faes were all shocked, terror immediately shone within their eyes. "Ah, don't get the wrong idea. I meant king of the real dark faes. I do not refer to the Halflings that you are probably more familiar with."