SPELLBOUND

Excitement filled Evie's heart. She could not believe she was going to meet Queen Beatrice already! 

But Evie's reaction was completely the opposite for the three men who were before her. At that moment, the three almost looked like they were children afraid to death of getting caught by their mother while doing something naughty. Except that Gideon's panic seemed to be more internal compared to his two friend who were openly showing their panic. Kione was already pacing back and forth, pinching his chin as if he was thinking so damned hard on what excuses he could churn out before the queen. Azrael on the other hand looked like he wanted to escape then and there, as he looked anxiously out the window. 

"Don't even think about disappearing, Gideon," Kione threatened, as he halted. "We're not going to cover for you this time. And even if you threaten us, don't forget this other Queen next to us will reveal everything." 

Evie lifted her chin when Gideon looked at her, indirectly telling him that she would definitely do just what Kione had said. Gideon's face darkened but he quickly looked away as he was hurrying to try and find another way out. 

"I'm not sure why you men are looking like a bunch of terrified kids right now. But I am certainly not going to cover for anyone, even if you beg me." Evie said proudly with a little deviltry in her eyes. 

"Oh damn! This queen's another devil sprout in disguise –" Azrael blurted and covered his mouth immediately at the realization that he had spoken his mind's thoughts out aloud. He even feigned a cough, sheepishly looking away as though he did not just say that. But Evie just lifted a brow at him, not giving him a chance to escape that statement. "Forgive me Queen, what I meant is that… Gavrael must have influenced you a lot so –" 

Azrael's explanation was cut off when another dark fae appeared and bowed before Gideon.

"My lord, the royal guards and three Noble Ladies are about to reach the bridge. What are we to do? The soldiers are by the city gates now."

"What?!" Azrael exclaimed loudly. "Three Noble Ladies too? Good grief, it must be those three annoying –"

"Watch your language, Azrael." Kione barked out at him, and Azrael sighed exasperatedly. 

"No wonder they crossed the Monsters' Forest easily. Those three must have figured out the safe zones of the forest." Azrael shook his head. 

"I'm just surprised that King Belial had actually let his queen come this far. And to a place like this." Kione replied. "He had never let the queen go anywhere risky before this." 

"Claudious and Alvion's with her." Gideon finally spoke and Azrael groaned.

"Oh shit! I should've known King Belial would send his strongest guard along with her." Azrael cursed while Kione let out another helpless sigh. 

"That explains it then." Kione seemed to have given up on thinking of how to escape. "Now what are we to do, Gideon? Our only choice now is to welcome them since I know you'd never force your mother to leave. We could reason out why we're here but… if the queen found out about all the people we have abducted… and especially you abducting the queen of the light faes..." 

Kione looked at Evie and continued. "We could reason out that the vampires had somehow gotten lost here and that the Light Fae queen found the portal by herself and had crossed it while looking for her dragon. But… this excuse can only work if Queen Evielyn cooperates with us on it. If not, we're doomed. There's no way we can hide those numbers of vampires in the hall." 

Gideon shut his eyes in frustration and then he faced Evie with a serious expression. 

"Cooperate with us, Queen Evielyn." He said and Evie met his gaze straight on without flinching, lifting her chin. She was speechless that this man of all creatures were actually being like this right now just because his mother was coming. This was totally unexpected!

"Are you going to threaten me again if I say that I won't? You know I'm not afraid of you anymore, big brother-in-law." She grinned mischievously. "However, I have a proposal that I would like to discuss with you. If you accept it, I will cooperate and cover up what you did." 

"And what proposal is that my dear sister-in-law?" Gideon questioned back. 

"I need you to grant me one wish and I need you to swear now even without knowing what I would request from you."

"How clever…" Gideon smiled, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He did not look surprised. "Fine. I, Gideon, swears to grant you one wish Queen Evielyn." He added without hesitation, shocking Evie at how easily he gave in. Just like that? Was this man afraid of his Queen mother or something? There was no way, right?

"I am done with my bargain. Now you must go to the vampires and speak to them before I release them all from the hall." He told her and without waiting for Evie's response, he instructed Azrael to go to the gates and to stop the soldiers from preparing to fight. 

And thus, it did not take long for everything to be settled and the vampires were moving all around the castle, as though they were long time guests who were enjoying their stay there. 

Kione was left in the castle while Gideon and Evie headed to the gates to welcome the Queen of the dark faes. 

Upon landing, Evie's heart started racing at the sight of the royal guards crossing the bridge. They were dressed in all black and dark blue capes. In the middle of the guards, there was a group of people wearing dark purple cloaks and Evie could only deduce that one of those covered in that cloak was the queen. 

The guards stopped before the gates and Gideon stepped forward, walking pass Azrael and faced a man even larger than Azrael. Evie could only think that he must be Alvion. Azrael whispered to her covertly, "This big guy is Alvion. He's not one of the ten lords but he could beat three lords at once. He's very dangerous. And oh, Prince Gavrael and Gideon were trained by this man as well."

"Your Highness," Alvion bowed before Gideon and the guards bowed their heads as well. 

Then they opened the path and the ones covered with purple cloaks stepped forward. One of them lifted their hands to push back their hood and when Evie saw that almost translucent and fair skin, she held her breath, knowing that this must be Queen Beatrice. 

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