SPELLBOUND

By the time they were outside the dungeon, Evie suddenly let go of that tight but comfortable grip that she had on his arm and took a couple of steps to the side. She then turned to face him before spreading her arms wide towards him. Gavrael somehow felt the miss of her arms curling around his and could not help but feel a little disappointed at her letting go. But he kept his face calm and showed no outward signs of his internal disappointment. He then crooked a brow at her, questioning her on her actions without words.

"Can we travel normally?" she finally asked him, tilting her head to one side and looking at him with those large eyes of hers, turned into cute puppy dog ones.

"Normally…??" he echoed, frowning at her even as his heart did a funny flip flop as he tried to ignore how her puppy eyes did a number on him.

"I mean, I'd like you to carry me in your arms, princess style, as you run and leap through the woods. Rather than just disappearing and materialising to our next destination. That way, we could enjoy the travel and the view don't you think?" she smiled widely, like a child excited to go outdoors and go on an adventure for the first time in a long while.

Looking at her sweet smile and the twinkle in her eyes Gavrael could only give in despite already knowing the reason behind all the requests she has been making lately. This was the first time he was looking at her face being so happy like this since a very long time ago, for many years in fact… so how could he have the heart to say 'no' and bring himself to make that smile fade? It's kind of incredible how fast his ice cold heart was melting since last night.

Without a word of complaint, he scooped her up into his arms and she grinned up at him. "Thank you, my prince." She whispered and she kissed his cheek again, causing his ears to turn red.

Gavrael was not used to her making such advances on him. He was used to be the one making advances on her and making her speechless and thrown off constantly with his naughtiness. Now the tides had turned, and she was now the one being in charge, playing the role of the naughty one, throwing him off kilter without warning.

And now that he thought about it, to his surprise, he seemed unable to do anything but freeze and feel hot. He remembered that it was she who was always reacting like this when he was doing these very same things this to her. What was going on with him? When had he turned to be on the receiving end like this? They were not something that big of a deal anyway. So why was it that he seemed so taken aback by the things she is doing to him now?

"I'm ready, Gav." Evie's comment pulled him back to the present and he inwardly shook his head. Then with her securely cuddled within his arms, he began to run and leap with so much ease, as if she did not weigh a thing. His movements were so smooth sailing that it was as though he were only carrying a light doll.

Evie settled her head against his upper chest, enjoying the ride. She had missed moving and travelling this way. She snuggled further into his arms as she looked around as the scenery flashed by them as Gavrael moved swiftly over the ground.

When they finally entered the Forbidden Land, Evie tapped on his arm and asked him to slow down.

"Can we stop up on that tree there?" she pointed at one of the tallest trees in the forest and Gavrael leapt over and brought her there without a word.

He put her down on the highest branch but did not let go of her waist. He kept a loose hold but was on high alert in the event that she accidentally slipped and fall. Evie looked at the view below and she felt as though this was the first time that she was seeing the Forbidden Land in daylight. Even though she had been here before for many days.

Somehow, she could not help but feel emotional after arriving in this place. Aside from the night when Gav had brought her to visit the lake, she had been here not to leisurely look around like this. And that was definitely why she had failed to fully appreciate the beauty of this land before. 

Now she realized it was not just the lake and stones that were beautiful. The ethereal landscape and everything in this land was beautiful. She could see the cloudy and darkened area way far ahead where the Mist forest and Crescia was located in, and she wondered again how beautiful it would look if those lands would be able to see the light of day again.

A soft smile curved fondly on her lips, not noticing that Gav had been staring at her all this while.

"Let's drop by the lake Gav. I'd like us to visit there for a bit." She told him, all smiling and excited.

Gavrael looked at the direction of the place she was pointing at and the memories that they shared in that place flashed in his mind. That lake was their favourite spot back then – during their first lifetime, it seems – and that was the very same place where they had spent their very first night together. Something flashed in his eyes and his throat worked at the memories he began recalling of that place. Because they were memories only he could remember.

Before Evie could turn over to look at him, Gavrael scooped her up into his arms again, as if to avoid letting her catch a glimpse of his expression. He did not want her to question him more, as he himself was still not fully sure of what was happening within himself at the moment.. He would need to think through and sort his thoughts out properly before being able to face her and provide any answers.