SPELLBOUND

The man did not even react, much less blink or even a flinch at her threatening pose.

His complete absence of reaction was more than enough to tell everyone, including Evie how this man was completely unfazed before the current most powerful being in the entire land of Lirea. How powerful was he, to be so nonchalant at her attacking stance? Or was it that he so relaxed like this because he believes that the Light Queen will not actually harm him?

"If you think I will hand my husband over to anyone, then you are mistaken. I will never let anyone take him away from me." Evie's eyes blazed so intensely as she aimed her sword at the man as the glow around her sword intensified in proportion to the magic that she was releasing. "I will go and take his soul back myself. I will go to the other side of that portal if that's what it takes. I won't hand him to anybody else."

A small smile appeared across his handsome face. But it was not a mocking smile. It was the exact opposite in fact and his reaction made Evie soften up oh so slightly. The emotionless face of this man seemed capable of emotion after all.

"What are you smiling for?" Evie narrowed her eyes.

"You just reminded me of someone dear to me, Light Queen." He replied and then his expression was instantly back to being unreadable. "However, Gavriel doesn't want you to do that, Queen Evielyn. He was the one who asked me to tell you that."

Ezekiel nonchalantly turned and looked up at Gav's body that was still held within the crystal. "If you release him now, without his soul... it will be catastrophic. Gavriel knew that and that's why I'm here."

His words had everyone's eyes widening in surprise.

"I can see that you have prepared quite extensively, Light Queen." Ezekiel continued and then turned around to face her. "But your preparation is not enough. He is a soulless king of the darkness right now. Once he's out of that crystal, you and him will end up fighting to the death."

Evie could not speak for a long while after hearing his explanation. She just stared at the man.

After a long while, she finally lowered her sword. Her fists clenched at her sides. "Tell me... why did he... why did he leave his body? Why did he go to the other side?" Evie's voice was weak and emotional. She couldn't understand why Gav had done that.

"Because there had been no other choice. He knew he could never escape his fate."

Those words sounded so cold and unfeeling that it chilled Evie's heart. She shook her head in disbelief. Refusing to believe what Ezekiel has just uttered.

"I need to speak to you in private. I have important and confidential matters I need you to know." He continued when the vampires, including King Belial moved to step in. They were very doubtful about this person's sudden appearance and telling them things about Gavrael.

Obviously, all of them were still skeptical about leaving their queen alone with a stranger. They would not have minded at all if it was anyone else other than this man. This person was just too dangerous!

But Evie stopped them. "It's fine." She said decisively. "Please everyone, step back."

Everyone could only force themselves to listen to the queen.

"I'm not going to send anyone away from this place. I'll just put up a barrier around the both of us to maintain the confidentiality of our conversation." Evie told him.

"That's more than enough." He nodded and with that, Evie's magic created a shimmery dome-like shield that rose from the ground to encompass the both of them. Their faces were not visible enough for anyone to read their lips but everyone outside could see their silhouette.

"Even if you refuse to give me Gavriel's body and decide to personally go to the Underworld to take back his soul from there, nothing will change, Queen Evielyn." He immediately started speaking the moment he felt the magic enclosed them. "No matter how much you try to change the outcome, you will not succeed. Gavriel had already told me everything and he and I both believe the same. Because even with his entrapment, the prophecy never changed at all. We came to the conclusion that him becoming the King is a fate that is set in stone. However, what happens after that could be changed."

"How did you even know that? That what happens after Gav becomes King could be changed?" Evie asked, her eyes brimming with so many emotions fighting fiercely within her. She was clearly reluctant to immediately accept what Ezekiel told her about not being able to change the outcome even if she took action personally.

"We have a comrade who is capable of seeing into the future. In every changes we made, he saw the future changing. Except for one thing that remained unchanging no matter what we did. That Gavriel would still end up being the King." Ezekiel's gaze gleamed bright as he stared at Evie with a look so serious. "I can assure you that this is more than certain. I will give you my word on this, Queen Evielyn."

Evie did not know why, but after hearing him say that, no matter how her mind tries to tell her to keep doubting this even for a little, her heart just caved in and believed that he was telling her nothing but the truth. Was it because of those familiar grey eyes that seemed to be automatically compelling her to believe his words?

"I also want to tell you that Gavriel has decided to not fight against his fate anymore and instead... he decided to fulfill it. He and I believe that it is the best choice that he can make." He continued. "And I need you to understand that Gavriel... your husband, truly made this decision all by himself. None of us had forced him on his decision. He wanted to become the King of Darkness and rule the Underworld to change the future."