SPELLBOUND

The moment Queen Beatrice pulled her hood down, Evie could not take her eyes off her face. Long, silky dark hair cascaded down her shoulders and down her back like an ebony waterfall, and those pair of moon-like orbs framed by thick, dark and curly lashes. As Evie looked at her eyes, she realized that the queen's eyes were as breathtaking as Gav's. She was so beautiful and she possessed that kind of gracefulness she had always found mesmerizing. 

"Gideon!" she exclaimed when her eyes turned and settled on the sight of her eldest son. She did not smile but Evie could see the gladness and relief in her eyes and the sudden lighter aura that swept around them as she approached him. Even her very reactions were so elegant and so lovely to look at.

"Queen mother," Gideon bowed his head in a very formal manner and Beatrice's expression seemed to sadden as her body stiffened for a moment and she slowed in her steps before stopping a few feet away from Gideon. "What brought you rushing over to a dangerous place like this?" he asked when he lifted his face, his voice still respectful and mellow. 

But Beatrice ignored his question and lifted her hand. She gently touched his face and smiled at him fondly. She had the eyes of a mother who had finally saw her long lost child. Seeing the look in her eyes, Evie felt a tinge of pain in her heart as she remembered how Gav, her younger son, had left her behind in the Under Lands and went up to the surface so many years ago. She could only imagine the sorrow and heart wrenching pain Beatrice had to go through all these many years and even until now, when Gav had left. It must have been even worse when she finally found out that he could no longer return. 

"It's been so long my son. However, I'm so glad to see that you are safe and healthy." She spoke with that sweet voice before closing the final distance between them and spread her arms to wrap him within them. Her hug wrapped around Gideon for a few moments. And Evie could see how tender the way she had enveloped that seemingly unfeeling man within the space of her slender arms.

Evie watched Gideon's stiff back. He did not move to hug her back, but he did not stop or push her away from him either. Those of them who were witnessing this felt a little awkward at how Gideon's non-response to the queen's gentle coaxing.

And at what she saw, Evie was surprised because Beatrice was definitely so kind and oozing with grace. Now she wondered why was it that Gideon and those two lords panicked at her arrival when she was this loving and sweet. 

"I'm glad you are safe and healthy as well, mother." Gideon replied, "But… I don't think you should be here. Not in a place like this." 

Beatrice pulled away and took a step back. 

"Now, now... son. Let us not talk here, shall we? Bring me and my companions to your castle first." Her voice remained sweet and soothing, coaxing the brooding man. "Or could it be that you're hiding someone or something you don't want me to see inside this city, my son?" her tone turned a little teasing and light as a slight curve one corner of her lips.

"Mother, there is no –" Gideon jumped to deny but was gracefully cut off by his mother's next statement.

"Then let's go. I'm tired due to the long journey." She walked past Gideon before he could even respond but she only took three steps and she suddenly halted, right across from Evie and turned her head to fully face her.

Kione had asked Evie to wear a dark cloak before they left the castle a while ago. Gideon even used a magic on her to conceal her magical aura. They had decided to get her to tag along with Gideon rather than stuffing her in some hidden corner, not only because they believed it was better for them to keep her right before their eyes but because they believed that hiding someone in plain sight was definitely the safer and better option. 

However, it seems that their plan was already ruined right from the very first few minutes. Great idea hiding in plain sight, no? Evie chuckled internally as Gideon, Kione and Azrael clearly stiffened up when Queen Beatrice did that.

Beatrice turned her head towards Evie's direction very slowly and deliberately. And suddenly, her eyes turned into a pair of blood moon orbs. Oh yes, did she sense her despite Gideon's magic? 

In the blink of an eye, Gideon was rushing over to her, but Beatrice lifted her hand to stop her son from speaking. Her eyes were now turning back to its normal state but still she did not take her eyes off Evie's direction. 

Then she walked towards Evie. 

Gideon blocked her way just as she reached Evie, causing Beatrice to look at her son with a raised brow. 

"Please don't block the Queen,Your Highness." Alvion's gravelly voice echoed as he towered next to them. His scary expression alone was enough to send half-hearted creatures scurrying away for their lives. 

Gideon met his gaze full on, completely unfazed.

"I am not blocking her," Gideon's voice was incredibly calm. "Mother," he returned his gaze to the queen. "Let me introduce her to you…" he stepped aside and gestured his hand to Evie. Evie chuckled internally and thought that Gideon was not bad. He could react and respond well to the situation and adapt accordingly.

"Her…" Beatrice echoed, her moon-like eyes widening slowly as Evie lifted her hood over her head, revealing that shockingly silver mane of hers and dropped the hood back.

Then the queen gasped. Dumbfounded for a few moments, looking at Evie as if she could not believe her eyes. 

"Wait… you…" her gaze flew from Evie to Gideon back and forth. "No, she can't be your…" she paused abruptly then she grabbed Evie's hands. "Oh my god, you are Evie!" she exclaimed, almost shrieking in utter shock. "Gav's… my Gavrael's wife! Right?!"

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2nd chap will come a bit later.