SPELLBOUND

Back inside the house, Vera found herself blushing hard at the things Queen Beatrice had just finished talking to her about. 

"So don't hesitate to speak out, okay? Vera dear? I'm sure Giddy will listen to you if you speak up, even though it will be hard for him, I'm sure he can survive a little restrain every now and then. I know he'd be perceptive about your emotions and feelings as soon as the mating ritual is over. But he'll most likely still miss to realize things especially when in that kind of situation." Beatrice said understandingly and a little sympathetically as she was arranging the jewels all over Vera's hair. 

When Vera gave her a wilful nod, Beatrice smiled. She was quite sure that this little lady, though sometimes shy and not that outspoken, would be able to hold her own against that son of hers. She had a good feeling about her. "Alright, good. Any more burning questions, my dear? Things that you need to get off your chest before the ritual?" Beatrice looked at Vera and waited patiently as the red head lady pondered for a while. 

Vera's eyes wandered around a little and hesitated for a moment. "I… Your Majesty… is there really nothing you can advise me to do during the ritual? I'm afraid I might get overwhelmed or shocked so I am wondering if you could give me more details about what is going to happen during the ritual. That way, I can at least prepare myself… I'm sorry I… I know you told me not to worry… but…"

"I perfectly understand, Vera dear." Beatrice looked at her with understanding. "The reason why I didn't say any more about it was because I am not really sure what will happen during the ritual. How it works is that it varies from couple to couple and there is no one fix way it would happen for each couple. For Belial's and my case, during the ritual, our mating bond connected us into an…" she paused for a few seconds, not sure how to describe that feeling before shaking her head, giving up in trying to find the right word. She then smiled apologetically to Vera. "…there truly is no way to describe it in words what had happened to us both. But during the ritual, we both saw each other's past. Everything that both happened to us, our darkest memories, our most beautiful experience in our whole existence… everything was shown to the other party. He knew me thoroughly and I knew him in the same way. I am not sure what will happen for you and Gideon during the ritual though. There is no saying that you would experience the same thing we did. But I am sure everything will turn out alright. Just know that after this ritual is completed and your mating-bond is completed, nothing in this world will ever force you apart ever again. And would that not be the best reassurance for you, dear Vera?" Beatrice's eyes twinkled as she looked at Vera and she nodded in excitement, her eyes sparkling as much if not more than Beatrice's.

Those words calmed Vera so much she stood and looked at the queen with so much gratitude. "May I hug you, Your Majesty?" she asked shyly and a little hesitantly and Beatrice moved to envelop her in a warm and motherly hug. The two of them were overflowing with happiness. 

"You are so beautiful, Vera," Beatrice said, causing Vera to blush again. One of the noble ladies entered and gave a small bottle containing a liquid that was shimmering with different coloured lights that seemed to be rippling as though having a life of their own. They swirled inside the bottle so mesmerizingly that if one were to just stare at it, they would be trapped in a daze until someone shook them out of it. 

"Is everything ready now?" Beatrice asked the noble lady.

"Yes, Your Majesty, it's time for you to go to the altar. You need to do your final preparations for the ritual." The noble lady informed Queen Beatrice. 

"Very well," she breathed excitedly before looking back at Vera. Evie also entered the room again and her outfit was now changed as well. She wore a cloak shimmering like the starry night sky on the surface. Her cloak was not supposed to glimmer but due to her magic, the cloak just reacted and created such a marvellous beauty on its own. It was the cloak all witnesses are to wear during mating rituals. Everyone, except the mating couple and the queen must put on the same dark cloaks as per the dark faes' tradition. And it's to also shield them from the magic released by the mating couple that will overflow during the whole course of the ritual. Or else, they might suffer unwanted effects. 

"I'm leaving her to your care now, daughter dearest." Beatrice told Evie and at Evie's smile, the queen finally left along with the noble lady. 

"You're breath-taking Vera," Evie gushed out and Vera could not help but smile from ear to ear. 

"Thank you, I… can't believe this is actually happening." As much as she was happy, it somehow still felt as though she was dreaming and might awaken from this beautiful illusion.

"I know it's overwhelming but I'm so happy for you. I am finally seeing that smile again. No, you looked even more happy than ever before." Evie's smile was warm and genuine.

"Yes…" Vera's eyes caught the door opening and saw Lord Kione entering the room. 

"Oh, Lord Kione wanted to speak with you for a while, Vera." Evie told her. A while ago, Kione approached Evie and asked her for a favour. Evie was surprised at the look in his eyes when he came to speak to her so she could only agree as it seems he had already asked for permission. 

Vera faced the lord who now looked utterly mesmerized, until Evie cleared her throat. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Lord Kione, but you have a very limited time." Evie smiled knowingly at him.

The lord smiled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck as he took a few more steps closer to Vera. He stopped three steps away from her and breathed deeply. His eyes never leaving hers the whole time. 

"Yes, My Lord? Is there something I can do for you?" Vera asked, smiling at Kione.