SPELLBOUND

Evie had already gone through a few books that she found in the library, but she could not focus on any of them. Her mind just kept going back to the thoughts about Gavriel and his childhood. What happened to his mother, the empress? Vampires supposed to live for a long time. So how come she had already… could it be that she was killed?

The thought made Evie's grip on the book she was holding tightened. Her heart ached at the realization that Gavriel had already lost both his parents and was now labelled as a traitor. Moreover, what had happened to him in the dungeon? How did the empress manage to hide a prince in a dungeon that was located in the imperial palace for sixteen years? Didn't vampires had the ability to sense someone's presence even without seeing them? Not to mention what Elias said about his extraordinary skills. If no one aside from the empress saw him within those sixteen years, how did he even hone his fighting skills?

Questions kept piling up in Evie's mind as she continued to pore over the book she was holding, knowing that there would be no way that she could find the answers within these pages no matter how much she thought and researched about them. Heaving a long and drawn-out sigh, Evie lifted her face and her eyes swept through the large library.

The five books she had chosen were unexpectedly all about the vampire empire's history. She would love to delve more into their history as she was curious to know, but at that moment, her curiosity about her husband's past was way stronger that she had actually wished she could just find a book personally dedicated just about him.

Evie thought that if there ever was a book that contained the details of Gavriel's secrets and of his past, the book should be looking like… her eyes just wandered around for minutes as if she were looking for something.

Something seemed to have caught her attention and her gaze finally settled onto one spot, towards a dark greyish book on the lowest level of a bookshelf located at the far corner of the library. It was something that did not look like anything special but somehow still seems to exude a mysterious feel.

She did not know why she thought that way. Maybe it was due to Gavriel having a perfect look that is beyond special. But perhaps, Evie was comparing the book to Gavriel's inner self. He acts and reacts very normally that one would think of him as the typical royal who grew up in a normal environment. The way he managed and brought himself never gave anyone a clue that he was someone who grew up hidden in a dungeon and had lost all his family. Evie also felt that there were more secrets he was hiding, horrors so deep that she cannot even begin to imagine how bad it was. And yet, he was still gentle and calm like a lake. So calm and gentle that one would think he was nobody dangerous and had nothing to hide.

Rising from her seat, Evie approached that shelve and gave a hard stare at the book. And the longer she stared at it, she did not know why but it seem to be becoming more and more mysterious, nearly enticing, in her eyes. It was really strange as it was just a book and there was no way it would be about him… right? Was this because she was just thinking too much? That must be the case, she thought, sighing.

Still, she reached out to retrieve the book when all of a sudden, she heard the soft sound of the doors closing and muted falls of footsteps coming towards her.

Evie whipped her head around after she straightened up and a little shock zipped through her as their gazes met.

"Gav… riel…" she uttered softly. She did not expect him to personally come to look for her here. Didn't Elias mention earlier that he was busy?

His gaze momentarily shifted to the lower corner of the shelve before returning his gaze to her. He took leisurely measured steps towards her and as Evie looked straight up into his eyes, the memories from last time they were together suddenly flashed in her head.

"W-why are you here? Elias mentioned that you were busy." She managed to ask, trying to distract herself, knowing that her color was already rising just by the thought of their kiss yesterday.

He inclined his head and replied innocently. "Can't I drop by to check in on my own wife?"

"Of course… you can."

"Are you fine staying here all by yourself, Evie? If you are bored…" he trailed off as Evie shook her head hard and very adamantly.

"I'm not bored at all! I really like reading and being by myself."

Gavriel gave her a long, intent stare, and he stepped so close, so suddenly that Evie barely managed to catch her breath in surprise. Before she knew it, he was looming over her, his hands already propped against the shelve, caging her within his arms and his lips near her ear.

"Are you saying that you like reading and being all alone here than being with me and… kissing?" he whispered in his low, hypnotic voice and Evie could only part her lips in surprise as her face burned red.

"Wha… what –"

His mouth suddenly caught hers, crushing hers against his, but not ruthlessly. His tongue hungrily thrust inside her mouth then played tag with her tongue. And she could only melting helplessly, as if affected by some powerful drug.

But he didn't wait for her to return his hungry kisses this time. His mouth strayed from hers and she almost whimpered in protest if she didn't already feel his tongue wandering across her cheek to the sensitive hollow of her ear. She gasped as his teeth caught softly at the tiny lobe.

"Gav… riel…" she moaned his name as she held onto him for balance.

"Evie…" he uttered, his breath snagging. "Now tell me… would you rather read or kiss me…" he whispered as his tongue worked its way down the sensitive hollow of her neck. His breath trailed scorching heat like hellfire against her wet skin as he spoke again. "Be honest and answer me, wife… tell me what you really want to do right now… reading or kissing…"

Dazed and disoriented, Evie bit her lower lip hard. She honestly did not want him to stop. She wanted… more.

Before she knew it, her traitorous lips had already uttered something. "Kiss… kissing" And Gavriel pulled away in shocked surprise – though he was really hoping for it, he was still half ready for her rejection as usual. Evie swayed at the sudden absence of her solid anchor but Gavriel caught her just in time and pulled her against him.

The next thing she realized; she was suddenly seated on top of a table that was nearby.