SPELLBOUND

It was snowing quite heavily so Gavriel had Elias set up their meal in their quarters. Evie was already seated at the table when Elias suddenly appeared again and apologetically informed Evie that the prince would not be joining her for their supper.

"Something suddenly came up so he can't join you for the meal, Your Highness. But he did promise that he'll be back in time to sleep here." Elias relayed the information from his prince, keeping his tone as neutral as possible.

"I understand Elias. I know he's very busy. I'm already happy that he had joined me for dinner." She smiled at the butler and seeing the warm and sweet smile, Elias did not try to explain any further. He could tell that the princess truly understood the situation and was glad that the royal couple managed to come to this stage that they could understand each other enough to avoid more misunderstandings. He did not think he would be able to survive his prince's wrath should any more misunderstandings occur between them.

Evie then contentedly started on her meal and Elias was glad, seeing that she was now eating well. Her health was his top priority as if anything happened to her, he was as sure as he knows his name, that His Highness would hold him responsible. He shuddered to think of the outcome of that if it ever came to pass.

Watching her with critical and appraising eyes, Elias could see that her complexion also improved and had gotten better. She looked happier than when she was back in His Highness' castle. It seemed that having Prince Gavriel bringing her here had truly agreed with her.

Suddenly sensing someone's presence outside the room, Elias turned to open the door. He craned his head to look around only to end up frowning when the hallway was empty. The presence was gone. Did he imagine it?

With creased brows, Elias closed the door securely and the moment he returned his gaze to Evie, his eyes widened in panic.

"Oh, no!" he yelled and in a flash, he was next to Evie. His hands stretched out as he looked at her in horror. "T-t-that wine is not for you, Princess!" he cried. "Please give it to me."

Evie who had frozen the instant the butler had yelled out – as it was so unlike him – slowly removed the wine glass from her lips. Elias immediately took it from her hand, releasing that pent up breath as he berated himself for not taking the wine away as soon as he heard that the Prince would not be coming.

Still surprised, Evie could only stare at Elias, blinking and wondering what on earth was the problem with Elias or the wine. This decanter of wine was prepared on the table and similar to when they were back in the capital, she was also being served with wine. Could it be that… no, she was quite certain that it was not blood! It was a really delicious wine! So why was he reacting like this?

"How much did you… drink, My Lady?" he asked, looking really anxious.

Evie knitted her brows. "Is there something wrong with the wine?"

"Err… it's a wine made only for vampires to consume, My Lady. So, it wouldn't have been good for you." Elias spoke stiltedly and could not quite keep his eyes looking at Evie, feeling slightly nervous.

"Oh… I see," Evie looked away for a moment before she flashed a smile at Elias. "Don't worry, I only had a tiny little taste. You yelled out just in time."

Elias rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly and bowed. "I truly apologise about that, My Lady. I didn't mean to be so loud."

"It's okay. I understand." She said, still keeping on her gentle smiling face and Elias sighed in relief.

However once Elias was gone and she was alone in the room, Evie began to feel the stirrings of heat starting from deep within her. Thankfully, her bath was already prepared so she hastily peeled off the layers of clothes she had wrapped around her body.

She was only clad in her sheer undergarments when the door suddenly opened. Evie's hands flew upwards as she hugged herself while she slowly turned towards the door.

Gavriel was standing there, frozen, as he looked at her. His gaze glinting as it brushed over her with unnerving slowness. Evie could practically feel his eyes stroking her like a physical touch as she stood there for his perusal.

It amazed her how just the touch of his gaze could send her blood rushing into her face. He was only looking at her and yet the intimate places in her body already began to feel tingly, hot, and bothered. The feeling of wanting to be touched by more than his gaze made her feel a little ashamed.

Blushing hard, Evie did not know what to do next.

"I… I… was just going to take a bath." She said, her eyes darting everywhere but on him.

"I see…" she heard him say and when she took a peek at him, he was removing his cloak as he approached her. "Let's go take a bath together, wife." His voice was calm, neutral. As opposed to those bright intense eyes and that seductive smile he threw her.

Evie's heart just quivered in her chest and she reddened even more but before she could say anything, he scooped her up in his arms and brought her to the tub. The heat in Evie's entire body seemed to intensify, or was it because of her husband, or was it the steam from the bath? Her mind seemed to not be functioning as smoothly as before, but she found that she could not care less.

Putting her down by the tub, Gavriel gazed down at her. "Will you let me do the pleasure of taking this off?" he asked, his fingers already touching her undergarments, careful to not let his fingers touch her skin.

Her eyes widened a little. Gavriel loved it when her face was red with embarrassed. He thought she was really adorable when she grew pinkish.

"I… it's fine, I can do it my –"

"Still shy?" he cocked his head. "But I already saw everything." His voice sounded amused. And he was right. He had already seen all of her.

Though embarrassed to the point she thought she would internally combust in flames, she could only nod. "Alright."

She was surprised with what she did and said and it seemed Gavriel was surprised too. Oh, my… what was the matter with her? How could she…

Something wicked gleamed in Gavriel's eyes as he caught his lower lips between his teeth. He was obviously pleased at his wife's favourable responses.

"You are… Thank you for allowing me, Evie." he said in a husky whisper and in a matter of seconds, her undergarments were efficiently removed from her body and was floating to rest on the carpeted floor.

Evie nibbled the inside of her lip. She had really allowed him to undress her and now she was in front of him, fully naked. Her heartbeat was strong against her chest as she covered her breast with her arms.