SPELLBOUND

Outside Evie's room, the men began to chat after just standing there quietly for a long while. 

"I guess I'll go check on our cooks, shall I?" Levy said. It was obvious the man just wanted to go and see the light fae and Zolan could already tell that he must be planning to flirt with her. So Zolan was quick to grab onto his collar the moment Levy took a step to leave.

"Read the atmosphere here, Levy," he said with a sigh, "the fae is obviously wary of us. Remember, our ancestors were one of the reasons why the faeries had been annihilated so her wariness against us is well and fully understandable."

"I'm not going to do anything!!" the man pursed his lips, sulkily turning his head away.

"She's already uncomfortable with the way you look at her, you bumbling idiot."

"Well, how could you guys blame me? She's so damned beautiful! I can't help but stare. It's you guys who are having a problem, really. How could you not stare at such a beauty?"

With a sigh, Zolan pinched the skin between his brows. They all know that Levy was truly annoying when it comes to women but sometimes, they really just want to smack him up the head. And now is one of those times.

Ignoring him, Zolan looked at Reed. "Go and see if they needed help, Reed." He told Reed and the young man blinked, his dark eyes gleaming with hesitation. But eventually, he nodded and left as Zolan had ordered while Levy groaned comically in frustration.

When Reed reached the kitchens where Elias was cooking, he saw that the fae seemed quite relaxed with Elias' presence now. Reed remembered that the very first vampire Princess Evie got comfortable with aside from their prince was Elias. Was it because Elias brought himself as being quite harmless?

The young man approached quietly but as expected, Zanya noticed him. Reed scratched the back of his neck sheepishly as he spoke. "I was wondering if you two needed any help." He had already prepared this excuse in the event that his presencewas discovered.

"Yes," Zanya immediately replied, "I'd like to go outside for a while, so I'd appreciate if you could please help Elias in my stead while I'm gone for a bit."

Reed blinked as he glanced at Elias, but the butler was busy with his preparations, so Reed could only nod at her request.

The light fae flashed a small smile. He watched her stood by the large window and then her ethereal butterfly wings spread out behind her before she flew off.

"Don't just watch there, come over here and help me." Elias' voice echoed through the kitchens.

"Where is she going?" he asked but Elias shrugged. "She's not uncomfortable with you anymore?" Reed continued asking.

"Hmm… I'm not sure but I guess so. She's not wary of me. We were having quite a fun time just before you arrived."

…

Outside the castle, Samuel and Leon were watching at the gate. Both of them were quietly crouching at the top of the massive gate and looking down at the dark and empty bridge.

They have not seen any moving objects at all, not even a stray animal. After a moment, they saw something white flying past above them. It was the light faery, and she was leaving the castle.

Leon and Samuel looked at each other.

"Is it safe for her to go out there alone?" Samuel asked and Leon just tilted his head a little, uncertain about the answer too. "I am guessing she's strong but…" Samuel paused and stared at the faery now entering the forest beyond the castle's bridge. "Go follow her, Leon. The princess is asleep right now so I'm certain she does not know Zanya's leaving the castle. She doesn't look like she's going to get into any trouble but… just to be sure."

There was hesitation in Leon's eyes but since Samuel was their leader and had already issued his orders, he could only nod and then he disappeared.

He followed after Zanya secretly, hoping that the fae would not notice him. Leon lost her traces as she picked up her pace the moment they were out of the dense forest of dead trees, causing him to pick up his pace as well. Where was she going? Was she actually trying to escape?

Deep lines appeared on Leon's forehead as he run as fast as he could, trying to find the light faery again. He got passed Onyx who was still in the exact spot where they left him.

To Leon's relief, the dragon did not do anything. It simply stared at him.

Looking around at the vast desolate land, Leon caught his lower lip between his teeth. His tussled hair now soaked from the rain and his purple eyes had already turned red so he could see as far as he could. But he could not find her! There was absolutely no trace of her anywhere that he looked.

His jaw clenched. Now worried that the fae might be really escaping. It would be bad if she had escaped, right? He thought then he immediately rushed towards the entrance gate of Crescia knowing that that was the only place she might be headed for in order that she could leave.

Upon reaching the gate, he went past the dragons. He was wary at first but somehow, the dragon did not attack him. Did they already recognize him as their ally? Leon was awed but his mind was focused on that little fae he thought was now escaping now that the princess had released her.

Leon could not help but feel angry at the fae if she really was going to escape and betray the princess' trust. No, he could not let her escape!

At last, Leon had spotted her light as soon as he was out of the gate. His red eyes gleamed intensely, and he moved as fast as he could straight towards the faery who had just landed on a branch of a tree.

As if she finally felt his presence, the light fae turned to look behind her but at that very moment, Leon had already caught up to her and seized her.