As they walked along the bridge, Evie suddenly halted. She turned around for one last look of the grand view, committing it to mind and heart, before resolutely turning to the opposite way and walked on without turning back anymore. Evie and her men – plus a new companion – finally left.

When they arrived at the foot of the hill, Evie was surprised that Onyx was still waiting there, crouching at the very same spot where they had left him so many days ago. Seeing the large ebony dragon, Evie did not know why but she suddenly had the urge to run up to him and give him a hug.

However, Evie opted to approach him with measured steps and Onyx opened its large amber eyes to look steadily at her. Then Evie reached out her hand and touched his snout. Her face softened and her eyes turned gentle even as she flashed him a slight smile.

"Why are you waiting here?" Evie asked as she continued caressing the dragon. "You didn't even move from this spot like a good boy, and yet you didn't respond to my call when I called out for you?"

Evie nearly pouted as she said those words. She had truly wanted Onyx to respond to her call. This one dragon just seemed to be so special to her. She did not know if it was because she was his master's descendant but… she just felt a close bond with Onyx that was clearly not there when she was with the other dragons – even with Crimson and Silver who both responded fully to her commands.

"I really want to know why you weren't responding to my call a few days ago… but I don't have much time right now. I need to go." Evie said slowly and clearly, as if explaining to a little boy. The dragon did not make a sound. "But worry not, Onyx. Once I return, I will definitely train with you next. I will do my best so you will have no choice but to finally respond to my call. For now, I'm not going to bother you on your guarding duty."

The reason why Evie did not try to call for Onyx again was not solely because she knew she could not. It was because Evie was not planning to call Onyx when she was outside Middle Land. She wanted to hide his existence from the Dark Fae prince. And she knew that Onyx was here to protect Crescia. And that was why she would not focus her training to be on the other dragons. There was no choice, but Onyx would need to remain by the gate and stay hidden, for now.

Everyone then climbed on the large dragon's back before it flew towards the exit. Since Zanya had already blocked off all of her magic, she could no longer fly so she too hopped on.

Onyx landed before the dark cave as per Evie's command. Everyone stood on the ground as Evie began to call on the other dragons one by one. She wanted to get the dragons to bring them back to the magical lake. Having flying mounts bringing them back to the lake would shorten their trip significantly as opposed to how they travelled on foot previously.

As the seven dragons come out of the massive and dark cave and crouched before her, the men could not help but shiver at the sight of their princess standing right before seven dragons and one massive and darkest one behind her. It was truly a magnificent sight to behold! This was something simply incredible and disbelieving! Though the men had seen their princess with the dragons over the past days when she had trained with them, but the sight of a fragile-looking lady standing amongst powerful and large dragons would always take one's breath away.

Still touching Onyx, Evie spoke to the dragon. "I'm going to call for them only while I am outside this land. However, when I return, I will call on you, so wait for me, okay?" she whispered to him, and hugged the dragon's snout. Onyx only nudged forward gently to show his understanding, pushing Evie one step back as she laughed out at his affectionate display.

Evie then touched the other dragons one by one on their snouts as she called out their given names until she stopped at the last one who was Silver. Since only two of these dragons were fully obedient to her, Evie could only choose between Crimson and Silver. However, seeing that Crimson was the only female among all these dragons, Evie had decided not to use her. Crimson must be protected at all costs or else, the dragons will really go extinct this time.

That was why her only choice now was Silver.

Evie then climbed on the dragon's back and the others followed her up as well.

As Silver entered the dark cave, Evie looked back and waved at the other dragons before everything turned dark and Silver walked through the cave and headed to the outside.

Once they were outside, Silver immediately spread out his wings and the next moment, they were flying above the misty forest.

They were finally going back!

As they travelled through the air and watched the Middle Land passing by below, they very quickly approached the magical lake, Evie's heart began to thud harder and faster. Was she nervous or was this a thrill she was feeling?

Evie swallowed. She prayed hard silently that what she was feeling was a mere thrill. Because she was finally going to set out and look for her husband.

At last, they could now see the shimmering lake ahead of them.

Silver tilted his body backwards slightly, raised the front of his wings before making a graceful landing. And Evie realized that her heartbeat had not settled down. She just had a bad feeling churning in her gut.

She ordered Silver to slowly head towards the spot where they left the other vampires. It was so silent, as though no one was around. And the silence made Evie's heart thud wildly even more. She looked at her men and she realized that she was not the only one feeling this way. She could see it in their eyes.

When Silver halted, Evie looked around and her eyes widened.

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A/N: If we stay rank 1 in golden ranking until an hour before weekly reset, i will give bunos chapters again next monday. So don't forget to cast your Golden Tickets for our Evie and Gav. ^^

P.s. Hellbound With You regular updates will resume later. See you there as well guys.

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