SPELLBOUND

After the talk with the vampires, Evie could no longer stay still and sit around as a damsel in distress, just waiting to be rescued. She wanted to do something on her own, and she wanted to do it now. The thought that her people might now be in a panic, looking for her, had already made her feel the urgency to get out of here and return to Crescia the fastest she could. Moreover, she was worried that Gav had already heard about her going missing.

Evie knew Gav was still caught up with his responsibility. If he heard about what had happened, she did not even want to think about what he would do. And knowing that Gideon was doing it specifically just to lure him, Evie was certain that Gideon would use her against Gav.

She was not worried because she did not have confidence in Gav. It was just that Gideon seemed to always respond with underhanded schemes like blackmailing and that was what worried her most.

When she finally made up her mind after much debating, she headed towards the door. She immediately noticed that there was a prison barrier surrounding the hall. But Evie did not even think twice before calling forth her light magic. Her body glowed like a sun in the darkness and the vampires watched with their mouths agape.

This barrier, she knew she could break it.

Shutting her eyes, the light beam coming from her palm thickened and then her fingers moved, as if to grip something.

The moment her fingers curled into a fist; the barrier shattered like glass that had been hit.

Gasps of awe echoed in the hall and Evie pushed the door open.

But before she could take a step forward, she saw a tall and lean man – a dark fae – standing before her as if he had been expecting for the door to open sooner or later.

There was a glinting smile in his alert blue eyes as he grinned at her, flashing a startling row of white teeth in his swarthy face. Evie thought that this dark fae had the ability to beguile a woman with just his smile.

"Good time, Queen of light faes." He greeted, smiling politely at her. "I thought that it would take you a while before coming up with something, but I guess I was wrong. And you actually broke a prison barrier so easily like that."

Evie's gaze sharpened as she observed him and his casual approach. Though the man was polite and there seemed to be no malice in his eyes, Evie would not dare to trust him.

"Pardon my manners, my queen. I should introduce myself to you first. I am Kione, the Lord of Goshen." He said and a bit of curiosity gleamed in Evie's eyes.

"Lord of Goshen…" she echoed and Kione nodded.

"I am one of the ten lords of the Under Lands. Each of the ten lords rule a duchy and my Duchy is called Goshen." He explained.

Evie just stared at him, trying to scrutinize his expression. This man seemed to be very intelligent, therefore she should not look down on him. The look in his eyes reminded her of Zolan. Evie thought that perhaps, she could find out some valuable information from him.

"I heard from Gideon that this place is the city of rebels and is meant for the exiled dark faes," Evie started questioning and then her eyes narrowed at him, "this means one of the Under Land's lord is a rebel. Or did King Belial exile you too, Lord Kione?"

He flashed a beguiling smile at her words. "So, you really have met with His Majesty… I am really awed. But you're wrong Queen, I am not a rebel nor an exile."

"Then what are you doing here? You're Gideon's ally and you both are trying to betray your King, right?" Evie questioned again.

Kione shook his head slowly. "I am indeed on Gideon's side because he's my friend, but no one betrays King Belial and stays alive. If I dare betray him then I'd be dead by now." he sounded so serious as he said that that Evie could not help but crease her brows in confusion.

"You're saying that all these things you and Gideon are doing, kidnapping vampires and light faes, and threatening and kidnapping the queen… crossing the portal as you wish… isn't betrayal? Or are you saying King Belial is aware of this and is allowing you to do this?"

"No, no." Kione firmly shook his head, causing Evie to feel a tinge of relief. It would break her heart if that man, that incredible father-in-law of hers had allowed all these to happen with his explicit permission. "Don't get the wrong idea, Queen. King Belial has nothing to do with all this."

"Yet you say you are not betraying him. Is siding Gideon not the same meaning as betraying your King?"

Kione's gaze held hers, but he did not speak for a while.

"What makes you think that being on Gideon's side means betraying the king?" he asked, looking genuinely curious.

"Isn't Gideon planning for rebellion, hence he is here and is even calling a city of rebels and exiles as his city? He is luring my husband to come here, so he could… so he could eliminate a potential treat for his throne. And when he has achieved his goals, his next move is quite obvious. And that's to take the throne of the king, is it not?" Evie said, anger now gleaming in her amber eyes.

But when Kione remained silent and Evie saw a peculiar look in his eyes, she slowly calmed down. Why did he look like everything she had said was totally off the mark?

"Queen," he called out softly, and after moments of hesitation, he looked at her with a seemingly genuine seriousness. "I have something very important to tell you. This is about Gideon and the reason why he is doing all this… and why he is trying to lure his brother here." he added and Evie subconsciously s

wallowed, feeling as though she was about to hear something that will change everything.