SPELLBOUND

"You're allowed to go there?" Evie was a little afraid that he had snuck into the place without permission.

"Don't worry, wife. The thing that you were afraid of did not happen." Gavriel chuckled and winked at his wife, knowing what she had thought. "Father granted me the permission to enter."

"Wait… don't tell me this is the reason why you're so confident of finding a way to…" Evie trailed off as Gav's smile turned mischievous and he nodded sagely at her. 

"That is just one of the many reasons why. I never had a doubt in the first place. But I'm sure I'll find all the answers I needed in there. Even if I cannot find the exact answers… at least there will be strong clues to guide the way ahead. I just need more time to be there. Hopefully, I will be able to find out everything I need to know before the big trouble breaks out." 

Evie looked at him for a long time like she wanted to say something.

Seeing her that way, Gavriel smiled at her and asked, "You want to go there too..." 

She nodded. "Maybe I can help you with finding the answers there even quicker."

"Alright, we'll ask the king for permission the next time we see him then." 

"Thank you." Evie leaned her head on his shoulder as they both fell quiet for a while. Somehow, she could not quite believe how everything seemed to be totally fine all of a sudden. She clearly was in a raging mess just a while ago and now here she was, sitting beside him calmly, as tranquil as a placid lake. She could not help but smile serenely.

"I'm sorry…" she then uttered, "I was mean… I… I yelled at you and even made that horrible face while your parents were still here."

"Honestly… that is the first time you have ever talked and looked at me like that, love." Gavriel blinked innocently at Evie, causing more guilt to flood her already overflowing heart.

"Did I scare you?" Her voice sounded so small, and she truly felt so sorry and ashamed.

Gavriel chuckled as he lightly stroked her head that was lowered. "You think that was enough to scare me?" 

Evie's head snapped up and her eyes locked on his. "Of course not! You're always calm and –"

"It did," He cut her off. And then he laughed again when he saw her blink and her mouth opened and closed without any words coming out. "I'm not gonna lie, Evie… my mind stopped for a long while there. You threw me off big time when you yelled at me so angrily and even started crying like that. It was one of the scariest moments of my life."

"Liar." She finally blurted out and pursed her lips at him, huffing as she swung her head to the side so that she would not be looking at him.

Still chuckling like he was so happy, Gavriel shook his head. "It's the truth, wife. I just saw another wild side of yours that I've never seen before. But I'd never ever want to make you that angry again. It hurts my heart." His smile faded and he looked at her with a serious gaze. "So Evie, if something's bothering you, don't hold back and tell me, alright? I don't want you bottling up thoughts and emotions like that. I am here and I am your husband. Don't hide your troubles from me again, okay? Evie?" 

Suddenly, Evie turned around and jumped at him as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. "I love you, Gav," she muttered as her face was still buried in the side of his neck. "I love you so, so much." 

"I know. I love you too, Evie." 

Later, Gavriel brought Evie to the dining hall to eat. The king and queen were not in attendance, so the couple dined alone together. 

"I'm going to switch with Gavrael again, wife." Gavriel said as he was watching Evie finished her dinner. His head was propped against his knuckles as he looked indolently at her. "He needs to come out to cast the spell." 

Evie looked at him. "When did you switch places? As soon as you returned from the Abyss?" 

"No, as soon as he gave me the information he gathered in the library." 

"I see…"

Gavriel rose and stood behind her, bending over and pressing his cheek against hers. "What's with that face, hmm?"

"I… I just wish that one day you both don't need to be switching like this again." she said honestly and Gavriel kissed her mouth. "This… this is not being too difficult for you, right? Gav?" she continued once their lips parted. 

"Well, it was hard at first. But I'm getting used to it. It's much easier now. In fact, I somehow feel as though I got split into two and now the both of us are doing a job two persons can do. I feel as though we're more productive this way as we both can utilize our strength. But you are right, we need this switching to stop at some point and fulfil your wish and become one at last."

"My wish… does this mean… you don't wish for this? Gav?" 

A short silence reigned between them for a while. 

"At first I didn't. But things are different now and I'm starting to understand things clearer as time goes by. Our situation made me realized how badly we both need each other not just in this current moment but in the future as well. So yes, right now…" he smiled at her. "I'm starting to wish for that too. At first, I can't even imagine it. But… when I started to think about all the things that we could do if we merge our abilities and powers together, I actually felt a thrill I have never felt before. It's still a little strange, but the idea isn't that unacceptable anymore."

The thrill flashed in Evie's eyes as well and Gavriel could not help but chuckle helplessly at his wife's expressive face. He then kissed Evie's mouth again.

When their lips parted and Evie opened her eyes, the grey eyes were already replaced by two blazing blues now. 

"Gav…" she uttered but before Gavrael could react, he spun around and saw a dark fae standing there in the threshold. 

"What is it?" Gavrael asked immediately, his tone authoritative and kingly. 

"Your Highness, I was sent by the King to inform the queen of the light faes on an important matter." The messenger reported with a salute.

"State it." 

"Light faes... more light faes have been arriving in the Under Lands. Right now, dozens of them are nearing the Great City while the others are still detained at the portal.." He reported and Evie's eyes widened.