SPELLBOUND

For a while, Evie remained silent, trying to digest the huge amount of information that Gideon just poured on her. But eventually, she spoke and told him her honest opinion. "I must admit your theory might not be far from the truth. That's the only logical explanation I could think of right now." 

"As expected, Queen." He smiled and he continued walking in a fluid and unhurried way through what seemed like an endless corridor. Evie followed behind him without another word.

While walking, Evie stared at his back and now that she was observing his body and movements and not his distracting face, she realized that he seemed different. It was as though he does not resemble King Belial or Gav. Gav and King Belial both possessed a certain aura that was different from the rest, but they were very similar to each other. That was how Evie could recognise the familial connection between them. However, Evie felt that Gideon seemed to be missing that same familial trait. Gav and King Belial possessed something that screams their authority and power even without speaking. They had what seemed to be an inborn grace and stateliness that made them feel and look as though they were born to be nothing but rulers. They were the type who do not seem to function in any capacity other than being the sovereign. 

But Gideon did not give out such a vibe. And aside from the long dark hair, blue eyes, and dark skin, which Evie knew were the common features of all dark faes, Gideon's features do not resemble King Belial or Gav much. Was it possible that he got his features from his mother? 

At that thought something suddenly came to Evie and she paused, her eyes circled wide. 

"Tell me…" she asked a little hesitantly, and Gideon paused as well in his steps. "Could it be that you are doing this because you think my husband is now able to return to the Under Lands? Are you actually worried that he's going to come back soon to take the crown from you and so you've made all these moves now while he is occupied?" Evie listed out her suspicions.

Evie was clenching her fists as she waited for Gideon to look back at her again and reply. But all of a sudden, a shadow appeared and interrupted the tensed atmosphere that had arisen between them. A dark fae materialized and bowed to him.

"Speak," Gideon commanded. 

"Your Highness, that light fae… we couldn't find her yet. She most probably would have entered the monsters' forest." The dark fae reported and Evie narrowed her eyes at the mention of 'light fae' and 'she'.

"That woman is quite elusive. Stop looking for her. She might be dead already if she had entered that place." Gideon said dismissively, and Evie's eyes widened. 

The dark fae bowed and Gideon dismissed him. 

"Who's that light fae you're talking about?" Evie walked past him and faced him. She could not take the worry anymore. She felt her heart quickening in foreboding.

"It's the first light fae my men abducted." Gideon's words caused a gong to resound through her mind.

"Zanya…!!" Evie's eyes circled wide again. She was the first light fae that had disappeared. 

"That woman actually managed to escape before my men could bring her back to the castle to be imprisoned. She's quite strong and elusive. I believe you might have done the same thing if I had not restricted and blackmailed you. Believe me, getting lost here in Yryzia is as good as taking a suicide walk. This city is surrounded with the so-called monsters' forest. Ferocious and countless of monsters lurk in the forest and a single light fae like her will never be able to survive long in there. Especially if she is in there alone." 

Evie shook her head. "Zanya is strong. She's not someone mere monsters could kill."

"You know nothing about the dangers here in the Under Lands, dear Queen. That woman must be dead by now." he sounded so sure that Evie could not help but feel extremely worried for Zanya now. "This city is the farthest from the Great City, where the king lives. And this is a place where dark fae rebels and exiles have built homes for themselves. They had built this place from scratch. One needs to cross the monsters' forest to get here, so that's why even the king and other dark faes are ignorant of this place still. Well, the king might already know about it, but it is unlikely for him to come all the way here at least for now."

"So… are you a rebel or are you exiled?" Evie asked directly, not bothering to be tactful about it. Gideon only smiled.

"Neither." 

"Then why are you here?"

"You've asked too many questions, Queen." He opened a door and gestured for Evie to enter. "This is where I kept the other prisoners." 

Evie peeked inside and saw Elijah standing by the door. "Princess…" the boy called out and quickly, Evie entered and approached the child. She knelt before him and held his small shoulders but before she could speak, Gideon's voice echoed from the entrance. 

"I'll come back very soon to get you out of here, Queen." He said and the door clicked shut behind her. 

…

Meanwhile, just outside the same portal Evie and Gideon had crossed earlier, Leon and other two light faes were standing before it. 

During their nonstop and long search for Zanya, they had managed to find some clues and it led them straight to this place. 

Leon could recognise that the wall of shadow he was looking at before him, must be a portal of some sort where Zanya and the others had disappeared to. 

"I will enter." Leon informed the light faes behind him quickly without any hesitation. "You two must go back to the castle to report this to the prin… the queen. Go now. Make haste." Leon gave out his instructions without wasting more time. He was eager to find Zanya as soon as possible. 

The light faes nodded and flew off. Leon turned back to look at the portal before clenching his fists tightly. His mind was only filled with thoughts of Zanya. He was hoping and praying that she was alright. 

His purple gaze blazed, and he finally stepped into the portal and crossed it. 

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