SPELLBOUND

In actuality, Evie hated that she needed to end up saying that she would become the damsel in distress again, but it was the harsh truth she could only accept. She knew that joining a war when she was only a powerless human sounded so idiotic. It was something not done. Even if she allowed herself to think twice or second guess her decision, she even might be tempted to pull back on this plan and reconsider it. But she just somehow knew that her decision was right. She had to choose the lesser of the two evils.

She could never live it down if the enemy ended up using her and thus, being the cause of Gavriel's downfall. She refused to accept it if he ends up losing because of her. Though she knew that her being with him in the frontline could also be a huge disadvantage for Gavriel, she believed that this husband of hers would never let her watch him lose a fight, much less an important war like this one.

He was strong and Evie always believes in him. That was why she dared to propose this seemingly foolhardy plan and she was going to insist on it. No matter what he says, she is not going to just hide and wait. Moreover, Evie still had one more reason in doing this. If she were at the frontlines, her father would see her, and she knew that she could make him turn his back against Caius. That's right, even though she could not possibly fight against the vampires, she would do anything and everything to be useful and help her husband with any method she knew.

"It's alright, Gavriel." She continued, smiling at him before she showered his face with gentle kisses. "Would you believe me if I tell you that it's actually a good idea that I should be there by your side?"

Gavriel groaned helplessly, still tormented. "Evie… good lord…" he ran his fingers through his hair then tugged at them as he bit his lip hard. He looked again at his wife and saw her eyes sparkling and twinkling in thrill and confidence. She was so adorably lovely whenever she becomes this way. He could only draw in a breath and ready himself for whatever she was about to throw at him.

"Let me tell you why…" she said, and a confident smile flashed across her face. "I believe my presence there would be helpful to you. You will fight hard and come out victorious no matter what happens. Because you would hate it if you lost right before your beloved wife's eyes. Am I right or am I right?" She grinned confidently and Gavriel stilled before a quick laugh escaped his lips. He could not believe how confident she sounded at the moment. However, he could not find fault in the points that she was laying out for him. It was true that he would give his all even if he had left Evie in the castle and gone to war on his own. So… what more if she was there alongside him, riding into war and looking at him fight their enemies? There would be no way he would be giving her the view of her husband losing in a fight. He would never allow it.

"You…" he was speechless at her argument and Evie took the chance to put her point across. She grabbed him close to her and placed his head on her shoulder and caressed his dark locks.

"It's alright Gav, my father would be there too. He would never let me get hurt. The fact that he came all this way, supposedly to save me from you should already tell you how protective he is of me. He would definitely be there to protect me as well, so don't worry too much, okay?" he whispered and Gavriel could only sigh in surrender, shaking his head as he wondered since when he was this easy to convince and change his plans so far along in the making.

He understood where his wife was coming from and though it was hard for him to accept, this truly seemed to be the best way. He was worried to death that he might lose himself during the war and he would actually forget about Evie. His distrust towards himself, more specifically to the monster within him was so strong. But seeing the seemingly unbreakable trust Evie had in him, he could not help but give in. It also helped that she mentioned about her father. Perhaps, having her in the battlefield might really bring wonders rather than woe.

"Alright… but now, I need you to go rest and sleep," Gavriel finally said as he pulled away.

"But I just woke up a couple of hours ago!" Evie spluttered in protest as she pouted her cherry red lips.

"There is still plenty of time for you to rest. And this might be the only time for you to rest right now. I can't risk you falling asleep in the middle of the battlefield."

"I would never –"

"I know dear wife. So, if you want me not to take back my word, you must listen to me."

Evie nibbled the inside of her lips and then pouted. "But even if you tell me to go to sleep, it would be useless if I really couldn't fall asleep at –"

"Alright, I'll go with you. I know a quick way to put you to sleep." He said as he scooped her in his arms.

"H-huh?" Evie did not know why but her mind suddenly thought about them being intimate again and she blushed. However, knowing this husband of hers, he might really be thinking of that way to put her to sleep! "G-gav… wait. I don't think doing it will give me any rest –"

"Doing it?" Gavriel tilted his head and when he looked down and saw Evie's blushing face, an evil smirk flashed on his face. "What's this wife… are you actually thinking that I'm going to make love to you again?" He then waggled his brows suggestively at her, earning himself a small slap from Evie on his arm.

Evie flushed even more. What? Was she wrong?

Gavriel chuckled. His pleasant laughter sounded so good to her ears as he leaped from the watchtower.

When they reached their quarters inside the walls, Gavriel put Evie down and pinned her against the wall. "I am so pleased that you're actually wanting us to make love again –"

"I –" Gavriel kissed her lips but before it would escalate to the point of no return, he pulled away and smirked.

"But I am not thinking about doing it again, my love. That was not the plan. It will only serve to exhaust you if we go for another round. That wouldn't be resting anymore. What I'm telling you is the tea that would make you fall asleep quickly. It's a relaxing tea and its harmless to vampires and humans alike. So be rest assured it won't keep you asleep for more than what's necessary." He said in a mischievous tone and Evie was about to hide her face in her palms when Gavriel caught her wrists and kissed her forehead. "You made me really happy though." He smiled and Evie thought that his smile that moment was the most beautiful she had ever seen. And she could only look at him in a daze. She thought to herself that if it were possible, how nice it would be to immortalise that beautiful smile in a picture. So that whenever she wanted to, she could just take it out and look at it.

After Gavriel made her sip a little amount of that special tea brew, Evie leaned her head on his shoulder.

"How about you? You should rest too, before they arrive." Evie said, as she continued sipping on the delicious tea that Gavriel had prepared for her. Between drinking the tea and chatting with Gavriel, it did not even take a few minutes before she was feeling the effects of the tea and her head was already dizzy.

"I will rest too, my love. Don't worry," he whispered as he saw her eyelids fluttering and he knew that the tea was working its magic on his wife. He smiled at her indulgently before tucking her into bed and under the covers.

Upon leaving Evie's room, Gavriel decided to seek Zolan out to discuss more on things. After walking for some minutes, he spotted Zolan who was busying himself at the wall, he leapt and landed behind the man.

Zolan was currently busy simulating their battle plan in his mind as he looked at the empty and dark meadow when he felt Gavriel's presence. He glanced back and upon seeing the look in his prince's eyes, he sighed deeply to himself. He already felt that he should prepare himself for what the prince was going to say. Because it was obvious to him that Gavriel was here to discuss with him on certain vital matters that he was sure is somehow going to change the plan.

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A/N: To my readers who are also reading my other book, Hellbound With You, I will update it later.