SPELLBOUND

"How?" Gavrael asked. As he looked at Gavriel, there was a hint of awe in his eyes that disappeared all too soon before Gavriel returned his gaze to him. "State it. I will do everything in my power to make it happen." He declared and the wisps of darkness surrounding him started swirling determinedly again, seemingly affected by his gung-ho mood. 

"Knowledge. We need more knowledge about this mating bond first. I can clearly tell how you were never interested in this matter before this. So I know you don't have much of knowledge about this as well. Am I right?"

"You're right. But, the good news is that I can get any information I need in a blink of an eye. I can force anyone to spill out information I need –"

"There is no need for us to go that far," Gavriel waved his hand. "Even if you did all that, the information you receive might end up being unreliable and useless to us. Remember, mating bonds are unique to each and every couple. Therefore, the last thing we want now is having misleading information that would lead us astray from the main goal."

"Then what the hell is the other way you've been thinking about to gain this knowledge that we need?"

"The forbidden library." 

Gavrael's eyes stretched a little. "How did you know about that?"

"Mother… Queen Beatrice mentioned it." Gavriel answered. Since he had heard about this library, Gavriel had been deeply intrigued even by the mention of this place. He was so fascinated when he heard that Leah found a way to save her soul by going to that library to look for information. That incident made Gavriel think that that library might actually have all the answers to anything that was related to dark magic. The mating bond only happens to dark faes. Therefore, in other words, it happens because of the presence of dark magic. 

Gavriel believe that as long as there was a connection with dark magic, they could always find an answer in that place. Perhaps, not all answers would be found, but at least it will give some sort of a clue or a lead to solve every problem about dark magic. Gavriel was also confident that they could find an answer or even a clue to the matter that was worrying them about Evie's pregnancy. 

That place, that forbidden library, had been in existence for a reason. And this was definitely its purpose. Since only kings can access it, Gavriel could tell that none of those kings, even King Belial had managed to read through all or even half of the books that were in there. 

And what mystified Gavriel the most was the fact that Leah knew how to find for the exact book where the information she had wanted was. How did she know about the forbidden library and that answers could be found in the books in the first place? Gavriel had thought hard and long about it, and he could only come up with one conclusion. Perhaps, the dark fae spirits were given all this knowledge about the existence of the forbidden library and what was found in there. And this only meant one thing to Gavriel, his theory that all answers could be found in that place must be a fact. 

If a dying spirit like Leah managed to find a way to be saved, then there would be no excuse for them who are currently living not to find a way too!

"We must go there in secret. That place will give us all the answers that we need." Gavriel then said decisively and Gavrael fell silent for a while, just staring back at him.

"Fine," he said eventually, despite the tight knot that had formed on his brows. "Just call me out when I'm needed."

"No. I'll stay. You will go out." Gavriel shook his head and rejected Gav's switch.

"What?!" Gavrael frowned now. 

"Don't you want to meet up with the king and queen?"

"That can wait. You need to go to the library to find answers first and foremost. I'll stay here. You know I hate planning and thinking hard about things. You can use me all you want when I'm needed in fights. But this… this, I don't think I'm fitted for such matters." Gav scrunched up his face in a grimace.

"No, don't argue with me about this and just listen. I can't wield magic, don't forget that. It would take me forever to find what I'm looking for without using magic. Asking someone's help is out of the question here as we're trying to keep this a secret. So, you need to be the one to do this. Meet your family and then find a way to talk to the king to let you enter the forbidden place. Also, if it is you, Evie won't be too suspicious of your actions. If you disappear out of nowhere, she won't think much about it, unlike if it was me."

Gavrael fell silent again as if processing everything Gavriel was reasoning out. 

"Stop thinking and just agree. Didn't you say you hate thinking hard?" Gavriel smirked at him.

A sharp stare was Gavrael's reply. 

"Don't worry, this decision is not made on a whim. I've already thought hard about this. You said you'd do anything, didn't you? So, now here we go. I will not come out until we find an answer or a lead so you should only come in and talk to me only when Evie's asleep to show me all the information you've gathered."

Gavrael's gaze now narrowed slightly. "You're willingly letting me to be with Evie and everyone without switching? You do realise that this could take a few days or even more, right?"

"I know. Don't worry, I'm not an idiot to be so petty about this anymore. It's really useless and stupid to just keep feeling jealous of each other now. What matters now is our goal to find answers. This is for Evie's sake and that's the most important thing. Now go, we don't have much time to waste because of this looming trouble."  

Silently, Gavrael held Gavriel's eyes until he finally turned around to hide the look that flashed in his eyes. It was just weird for him to feel amazed at this other version of himself. Gavrael knew that if it is just him, he would never have thought of all these methods and be able to come up with such plans to solve these problems. 

One last time, he looked at Gavriel over his shoulder and saw him already closing his eyes and sitting lazily as he leaned his head back against the floor. He looked like he was already back to thinking again. 

He waited for him to say something more, but no other words came until he is finally out again. As his lashes fluttered open, he heard that sweetest voice he loves so much. 

"You're finally awake," Evie said, smiling at him as she brushed his hair off his forehead. "I bet mother and father-in-law will be shocked once we go over to greet them and they see the colour of your eyes." She grinned wider, looking excited. "Now let's rise, Gav and get ready. They're already waiting for us outside right now.. You need to meet them before King Belial sets out to go to the Abyss of Darkness again."