Chapter 108 - New Member

They met Gavriel's men by the gate and everyone was hiding their smirks as they confronted Gavriel secretly through their eye communication. Though Evie did not know what they were conversing about, she knew enough that there was some kind of banter going on between the men. However, she happily ignored it for the more fun option of looking forward to their sight seeing adventure into the bright sparkly town.

"Did you have a good day Your Highness?" they asked mischievously, "I hope you didn't let our efforts go to waste."

"Go tell the duke and duchess to return to the castle." Gavriel ordered, ignoring his men's words.

"Oh, and why? We're willing to empty the castle for as long as you want. I mean, until the princess is with the heir."

Gavriel's expression darkened. As much as he wanted to solo his wife without any interruption, he must always keep in mind his limitations. No matter how great Evie responds to him, he knew better that his strength was just too much for her to handle if he were to push it even more than they already were. He would never hurt her intentionally and he knew she was already sore.

"Just do what I said and have everyone back to the castle." He firmly ordered and the men could only nod, wondering why their prince's reaction was not as positive as they had thought.

"Is he a new member of your knights?" Evie's question pulled at Gavriel's attention. That was when he finally realised Evie's line of sight was on Leon and her interest in him. With just one look, Gavriel realized that the way Evie look at him was definitely different from his other men when she first met them. Was it because she somehow sensed that something was different with Leon?

"Yes." Gavriel said. "His name is Leon, he's a half-blood vampire."

Surprised, Evie whipped her head towards Gavriel. She had never seen a half-human half-vampire in her life before and she knew only a few humans outside of the northern Empire would have seen one.

"He's the one who helped you when you lost consciousness due to blood loss." Gavriel added and Evie slowly looked at Leon again. His purple eyes were strange but striking.

"Thank you," Evie told Leon, "And nice to meet you, Leon."

"My pleasure, Princess." Leon bowed slightly and Evie gave him a gentle smile, unable to take her eyes off the half-blood's strangely vivid purple eyes. Though strange, she found them to be really pretty.

Suddenly Gavriel's arms slipped behind Evie before pulling her towards him, lifting her off the ground.

"Now let's go my wife." Gavriel said smiling after glaring at his men, most especially at Leon. Evie of course caught the look in his eyes for a moment and could not help but smile. Knowing that her husband was now the one being possessive of her. "And what is so funny my love?" he whispered in her ear while telling his men they do not need to go with them anymore.

"Are you jealous that I am staring at Leon?" Evie asked mischievously.

Gavriel did not even bother denying it. He just rolled his eyes expressively at Evie and snorted indignantly. How could he be happy sharing his wife with others when he himself had yet to have enough of her? No way that was happening on his watch!

"Oh yes, love. I am very jealous. Didn't you once told me that my eyes were the most beautiful you've ever seen? How come you can't take your gaze off his?"

Evie was shocked that he even picked up on her observing Leon's beautifully coloured eyes. Yes, she did think they were really pretty, but was her looking at him that obvious? Evie could only chalk it up to her husband's jealous streak. She decided to tease him a little. He should get a taste of his own medicine.

"I think I was talking about your lashes back then…" Evie trailed off as his face immediately became sullen and she finally giggled and grinned mischievously. Teasing him was fun! She could really get used to it. She held his face and pressed her forehead against his. "You have the most beautiful eyes too…" she whispered, and his haughty look came out.

Raising a brow at Evie, Gavriel lifted her even higher. "Really? More striking than Leon's?"

She had the urge to continue teasing him but somehow, she felt like they might end up returning to the castle if she did not tell the truth and instead, making this man unhappy. And she did not know why but she thought that they would return to bed if she continued teasing him. She honestly would not mind, but she really wanted to spend this night out in town walking around and going shopping with him as this was the very first time they were doing this. And thus, she said "Yes." And Gavriel's face lit up. He twirled her around, causing Evie to gasp in surprise.

"Oh my…" Evie held onto his neck and when Gavriel stopped they stared at each other with smiles on their faces. She did not think that her simple 'yes' would make him light up like a Christmas tree and be as ecstatic as a little boy opening a boatload of presents. She could only smile gently and squeeze him a little tighter.

"Alright, let's go." 

…

That evening, the couple spent hours shopping among the stalls in the brightly lit town. Evie had gone ahead and bought a cloth and a fine bow and arrow at the encouragement and insistence of Gavriel after he saw her eyeing those items. He was ready and waiting to just spend on her every whim and fancies. She need only to say the words.

The vampires were staring at Evie as if they had been looking at a one-of-a-kind creature. Evie had initially feared the vampires' reactions, thinking that they might hide away at the sight of her. But to her surprise and delight, just like the soldiers in the frontline, the common vampires did not avoid her. And it made her heart swell at the thought that perhaps, she would be able to live normally among them.