SPELLBOUND

Finally, after realizing that Gavriel's men were watching her and Gavriel, Evie hid her blushing face from Gavriel. She realised belatedly that their conversation could be perceived as flirting and even showing off in front of his men!

"Your men are here, Gav." She said and the statue woke up.

Gavriel looked behind him and he cleared his throat. He had totally forgotten about them or the agreement they had to meet up to discuss on certain matters. He cleared his throat again before speaking, "Alright, now that everyone is here…" Gavriel started as if nothing happened. His hand slipped casually to the small of Evie's back before curling it possessively around her dainty waist.

He then proceeded to command each one of them, giving them tasks they needed to do to fortify the city's defence. When the men bowed at him and then left, Gavriel looked down at Evie by his side. "What do you want to do tonight, love?" he asked, his voice gentle and warm which was vastly different from the firm, commanding and no-nonsense one he used with his men.

"How about you? How did it go with the emperor?" Evie asked him back and Gavriel's face became a little serious. There was a cold and hard look in his eyes for a moment before he suddenly swooped her up and took her to the top of the watchtower.

When they arrived, there was no one else. He made her sit at the edge of the parapet as he hugged her from behind, making absolutely sure she was secure in his arms and in no danger of falling. Evie's feet dangled in the air as she faced the starry night sky. The stars were shining bright, and the cool breeze was blowing gently through their hair. As Evie watched the scenery before her, she held onto Gavriel's arms around her waist and when Gavriel leaned his chin on her shoulder, she reached out for his dark hair and caressed them softly. If there were anyone else watching, they would say that the scenery of his dark hair tousled by the wind and her silvery locks flying gently and sometimes intertwining with the dark ones of her companion, was more mesmerising than the scenery around them.

At that moment, the world seemed so quiet, so beautiful, and peaceful. It was as if the world was suddenly perfect. But she knew it was not. And she feared this quiet calm that felt too good to be true. She knew the future was uncertain. She wondered what will happen tomorrow and she dreaded that what if after this calm, a devastating storm fall would upon them again.

As she continued caressing Gavriel's hair in silence, a shooting star appeared, and she closed her eyes and made a wish. She wished that whatever happens in the future, the two of them will not be forced to leave each other ever again. She wished that no matter how strong this storm would be, nothing would ever separate them again. That their bonds of love for one another would be strong enough to weather the storms that come their way.

"What are you thinking?" his soft whisper echoed beside her ear. Evie's hand on his hair paused for a moment in her stroking before she tilted her head a little and looked at him.

"I was wondering how you suddenly arrived to save me." She said, her brows creased a little with curiosity. "Could it be that you actually never left?" Evie was still thinking over this point as she remembered Gavriel appearing from behind them rather than from the front.

"I did leave, love."

"Let me guess… you actually ended up hiding in the dungeons."

Gavriel chuckled a little.

"Oh, I forgot…" Evie sighed, "Zolan did mention that you and your men really did leave and were even in the forbidden lands."

"Yes. We needed to mark out our trail so the enemy will know that we really left and also tracks that they would be able to follow." Gavriel explained. "It's a part of our plan. We need to leave our trails in the forbidden land as well to confuse them since we know that Lorcan would definitely send the dragon guardian to go after us. Our plan was to make them search for us there, hence delaying their return so we can prepare and plan properly for the war. But…" he paused for a moment, "this invisible thing ruined the plan and right now, Caius must already be on his way back here now."

"Did the emperor spilled everything out about it? Do you now know what is that invisible thing?"

"Yes." Gavriel replied and Evie was surprised. She wanted to know how he managed to make that haughty emperor talk but she held her tongue. And since Evie could not see Gavriel's face, she did not see the dark and evil look that flashed across Gavriel's eyes for a moment when Evie asked about the emperor.

"Would you tell me what it is? It's definitely not a ghost, right?" Evie shivered a little despite not quite believing in ghosts.

She felt Gavriel smile. "It's not."

"Then what is it? An invisible vampire?"

He laughed this time and Evie smiled too. Loving the sound of his chuckles. Did she ever told him that she loved it so much whenever he laughed so heart-meltingly like this?

"Keep guessing, love." He said in his mischievous tone and Evie was about to pout but she decided to continue the guessing game since he suggested it. One reason was because she wanted to keep on talking to him like this. Not wanting the night to end so soon so she could spend more time with him before trouble comes.

"Hmm… maybe, a creature who has magic?"

"Have you ever heard about them before?"

"The magical creatures?"

"Yes."

"When I was young, I had an old maid who used to tell me tales about creatures who could use magic. She said that long ago, they actually existed, and they used to live with the dragons and the other beasts in the forbidden land."

"What if I tell you that your old maid's tale is true? That it is a recounting rather than a myth?"

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A/N: Thank you for the votes, gifts, comments, and reviews spellbounders! Your love and support are my strength! You guys are the best!!!