The next moment, Samuel and Levy and the rest of the soldiers joined in a united front as they pitted themselves against him. Utterly speechless, Evie could only watch.

Gavriel was intense. Even though his eyes remained grey, they had turned quite dangerous and challenging. Everyone attacked him and the intensity she had sensed in the air a while ago dramatically increased. The atmosphere became even heavier as the fight intensified.

Evie's eyes could barely follow what was going on anymore. All she could see was Gavriel, looking like Lucifer as he smiled wickedly while fighting his own men.

"Geez," Evie heard a heavy sigh coming from behind her and when she turned, she recognized the man with the golden earing and long blonde hair named Zolan.

He smiled at Evie and then stood next to her. Evie had felt this before but this Zolan seemed to possess something other vampires did not seem to possess. Like Gavriel, he gives off a different manner of aura, the kind that almost seemed magical, though this man's aura was light and seemingly soothing while Gavriel's was pure darkness.

"Is he always fighting intensely like this when sparring against his men?" Evie asked in curiosity and Zolan scratched his neck.

"Err… No, My Lady." He said as he inclined his head, probably thinking about the right words to say. "His Highness only spar with us like that when we go to the forest for our intense training. He had never done that here… until now…"

"Oh," Evie blinked when someone butted in.

"I think His Highness is just tryna show off, geez…" complained the blue-eyed and innocent looking man named Reed, as he rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. "I can't believe this. I never thought he was such a petty male. All just because he saw his wife paying attention to –"

Zolan nudged Reed so hard the man was nearly thrown aside.

'You, idiot!' Zolan scolded him as soon as their eyes met.

'What did I do wrong? I am just telling the truth! He's showing off because his wife is here and she's looking at-'

'Heavens…' Zolan pinched the skin between his brows before he threw a hard glare at Reed. 'Just shut your mouth, damn it. If you accidentally say something to upset the princess and His Highness comes at you, I won't help.'

Reed immediately gave in and pursing his lips, he turned his back from them huffing and crossing his arms.

Evie could not help but bite her lips to stop her giggle when she turned her gaze towards her husband. Was he really showing off? When Gavriel looked at her and their eyes met, he smiled at her and Evie realized he was definitely showing off.

At that moment, Samuel and Levy surrendered. The other soldiers had long withdrawn from the crazy fight. How could they spar against their Lord when he was going at that pace and intensity? Even if they wanted to, it would only be at their own disadvantage.

Gavriel immediately whipped his head to Evie, satisfaction etched on his face as he sheathed his sword and walked towards her.

Seeing the look on his face, Evie felt like she had to say something. Should she praise him?

"You were … awesome." She told him and she blushed in embarrassment, thinking that what she said must be weird. But Gavriel's eyes twinkled merrily, and his men's lips parted in disbelief. What the hell! Our prince is acting weird tonight. Everyone had the same thought except for the other five who were clearly and fully aware of Gavriel's 360° change whenever his wife is around, or if it is anything related to her.

...

"Do you want to try handling my sword?" Gavriel asked when he noticed Evie constantly glancing at his sword. But as soon as those words came out, he suddenly covered his lips with the back of his hand while his gaze fell somewhere. His mind had replayed the moment when she had touched and stroked him and… damn, he cursed under his breath.

"Yes. I'd like to try..." She said enthusiastically, eyes sparkling and Gavriel cursed yet again in his mind. He was already aroused, but with her added innocent enthusiasm at the innuendos he thought that he might explode if they continued. He looked at her and he knew that he was the only one having his thoughts diverge to somewhere else that is more along the hanky-panky.

Sighing, he tried to clear his mind. He unsheathed his sword and carefully, he guided her hands in holding its hilt using the correct grip.

"Be very careful wife. This thing is dangerous if you are careless in handling it."

"I know. Don't worry, I think I can handle your sword."

"Yes, of course you can." He muttered under his breath. "And you were so good at it even though it was your first time."

"Hmm?" she looked at him, blinking at his quiet muttering and he bit his lips, letting out another sigh. He fought the urge to scoop her up and rush them both to his quarters to engage in some rather more interesting activities than just holding on to a cold, dead sword.

"It's heavier than I thought," she said when Gavriel let go of her hand and allowed her to handle it on her own.

The next moment, she experimentally swung the sword. She nearly stumbled due to the force of the swing and the weight of the sword but Gavriel caught her with a chuckle and steadied her in time.

"Easy, wife. It's too heavy for you to be swinging it around that way."

"Could you teach me how to fight with a sword?" She asked suddenly and Gav stilled. The soldiers were also taken aback at her request and looked at Evie. It was obvious they never expected her to say that.

____

AN: Thank you for all the votes last week guys. our goal is still the same this week too. Hope we'll be able to reach top 20 this time. ^^

There's a bunos chapter later today.