SPELLBOUND

When the massive double-doored gate swung open noiselessly, Evie and her men stood there for a few seconds to catch their breath from the sudden unexpectedness of how it happened. After taking that few seconds to adjust their emotions and thoughts, they stepped through the opening of the massive gate.

Since the princess had taken her hands off the gate's surface, the previously glowing amber sheen that had enveloped the whole gate was slowly fading as they all walked into the area just further past the gate.

There was a dead silence as the men all looked at the same darkness and emptiness before them. They had thought they would finally see someone or something since the gate had opened on its own to allow them admittance. But again, their expectations were once again not met. And they could not help but crease their brows, a little disappointed. Would they really find something here? What if, there was actually no one inside this castle? And with the way things have been turning out so far, it did not seem as though the answers would be forthcoming from this place either.

They shook their heads inwardly. And at that moment, they realized that their princess was looking at one particular spot, right in the middle of the vast and dark space beyond the gate. Wait! Could it be that she actually is seeing something there?! Even when none of them can?!

The expression on Evie's face made the men realize that their princess was seeing something they could not see. What was it she is seeing, they had absolutely no idea.

"Princess," Zolan carefully and softly called out as he looked at Evie, "are you seeing something?"

Evie glanced at them, and the moment Evie nodded, they all immediately gripped their weapons tight. They all thought this would be bad if their enemy was invisible. How could they protect the princess against an enemy they could not see?!

"It's alright… she's not an enemy." Evie told them and the men somewhat relaxed a little. "It's the light fae I saw in Dacria." Evie continued and she returned her attention towards the light fae before them.

She could see her face much clearer now. When she first saw this woman in Dacria, she could not even see her face clearly because she already looked so translucent, as if like she was already halfway through the process of fading at that time.

Now looking at her properly and without any blurriness, Evie noted that the light fae was very beautiful. Like a creature forged in the light. Her long hair was white like snow and her eyes a deep forest green. She was clad in a white silk dress.

"You're finally here, Princess… we've been waiting for you." The light fae said and Evie took a few steps closer to her.

"We?" Evie looked around expectantly, but she could not see anyone else beside her.

"They are inside the castle, princess," she said with a soft smile then she turned, "please, follow me."

"Wait!" Evie stopped her and the light fae faced her again. As though she realized Evie's hesitation, she smiled again. "Please do not worry, princess. I know you still don't trust me. But be rest assured because no one in this castle could harm you, not even me. Because as you can see, I am like this… I cannot touch you. The same is true for everyone else inside."

The light fae's explanation made Evie furrow her brows. "Are you saying they're all invisible too?" Evie asked and the light fae's face became sullen for a split second before resuming her lightly smiling face.

"Please follow me, princess," she said instead of answering and she turned and walked away.

Evie looked at her men and nodded at them. She was a little wary. She would not know if it was truly safe inside, but they do not really have a choice now do they? She had come all the way here just to find her answers so, there was no way she was going back now without getting some! Evie then squared her shoulders and set her jaw before looking up resolutely.

After taking a deep breath, she finally moved forward and followed the light fae, with her men following closely behind her. All of them were on high alert and gripping their weapons tightly, attentive to their princess' actions. The moment she shows any signs of fear or danger, they would need to take action quickly.

They went pass through a series of arches – not unlike the previous ones they have seen – as they move deeper, towards the door of the castle. The place was so massive and the designs of everything they are seeing around them were just incredibly intricate. Even in the vampire kingdom, their decorations and sense of artistry were a notch above the best of the humans. However, even then they were amazed at what was presented before them. They could not even imagine how beautiful this place would look like under the sun.

All the inner, smaller gates they passed through were opened. And it seemed they were just kept opened and were never closed for a very, very long time.

By the time they all stood before the castle's massive doors, the men were already fully in their battle mode. They were more than prepared to fight all out at a moment's notice. Their eyes were darting around them and kept going back to the princess to look at her for cues.

The castle's door was also opened. And there was absolutely no light inside. The darkness inside was absolute. It was as if it would even absorb any light that was to be shone into it.

Everyone was silent as the night as they entered hesitantly. It was very dark, and Evie had to halt for a moment to use her necklace as a source of light to help illuminate the immediate area around her so she could see enough to walk forward.

They passed through series of massive pillars and spacious corridors as the light fae continued to lead them towards what they later recognised as the throne hall.