A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 114: General Darion

In her whole life, Elena had never hurt anyone with her own hands, not even a fly! But the scene before her eyes proved otherwise.

There were markings of her nails all over his chest, long and deep that blood was oozing out. The animosity inflicted on him was undeniably her fault yet countless questions run through her mind. But now was not the time to ask.

"I’ll get the bandages," she said, keeping her eyes low in guilt. She wrapped the sheets around her body and walked out in a hurry leaving Gabriel alone in the room.

"Argh!" He let out a low grunt he’d been trying to suppress all the while. Trying to sit up, he looked at the damage she had inflicted on him. Strangely, the flesh sealed on itself, the wounds now completely gone as if they never existed in the first place.

’That’s weird!’ He thought. His brows creased in confusion. The pain was completely gone. But why didn’t he heal the moment Elena was here? As if bringing light to the situation, all the instances he’d been injured with Elena close to him replayed in his mind. A pattern was obvious: He’d take long to heal around her!

Just as he was touching his healed chest, Elena walked in with a tray of bandages, momentarily halting at the sight of a healed Gabriel. Her eyes lingered on his chest before traveling to his face in disbelief.

She could have asked how but the concept of self healing by vampires, especially royal ones, wasn’t new to her. The question was why now, when she was just gone? As long as she could recount, he had taken longer to heal the basic of wounds, but this.

"That was... Fast!" She finally said, placing the tray of bandages on the table. Sitting on the edge of bed, she traced his chest but there was not a scar on his skin. She looked up to meet his eyes, her brows creasing in suspicion. He was hiding something from her.

"How?" She implored.

The fact that she made him vulnerable was something Gabriel was yet to come in terms with. Such information, if leaked, would be used against him, or worse, her. She could be used as bait or become the very reason he ceases to exist!

"How did you do that?" He asked instead. He took her by her hands to inspect her nails but they were normal. No claws!

Elena’s gaze shifted everywhere else but him. "I.. I felt this urge. I felt like an animal!" She drew her voice soft, finally locking her eyes with his golden ones.

"I just wanted to climax, without caring if I’d hurt you in the process," she admitted, her face smitten.

Gabriel smiled wryly to ease the fear in her before tucking the stray strands of her hair behind her ear.

"Once in a while, we do selfish things to protect something we cherish or love, not taking into account the consequences of our actions on ourselves or others." He stared at the floor.

Elena knew what this was about. He was still feeling guilty of killing Lord Atticus in front of his son. As much as she wanted to tell him it was not his fault, a part of her knew he was entirely to blame. But he did it for her. If there was someone to carry the blame, then it would be her.

"I’ll see to it that the boy is well taken care of. I visited his mother and she assured me she’d try to make him understand why we did what we had to do."

Gabriel’s eyes shone before settling into Elena’s. "Really?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Elena nodded. Gabriel embraced her tightly, his eyes fixated on the bandages lying on the table. But all he could see was the boy staring back at him with his innocent yet vengeful eyes. One day, he had a gut feeling, he’d be hunted down. And deep down, he knew he could not deny him the justice he deserved.

*****

Darion’s arms hung outside the cellar as he waited for Jophiel’s return. She was supposed to visit him three days ago but looks like she had taken a detour to the pleasure house or something.

"Listen," Charles said, raising his hand in a halt gesture from his corner.

Darion turned around to face, ready to roll his eyes but there was something to his call. Listening closely, Darion heard a slight tremor on the ground as if...

"An army is marching towards the palace," Charles answered his speculation. "We’re going to be free," he added in an enthusiasm Darion had not heard the last few days they had spent together.

"I would not be so sure." Darion leaned on the wall. "If it was an attack, an army would not be still marching this deep in the capital. It would be a slaughter."

Charles frowned at his reply but he could not deny his logic. Maybe it was not an attack after all.

The sound of keys jingling pulled their attention back to the guard. He opened the cellar before Gabriel walked in, clad in all black. His hands rested behind his back, exuding an aura that made Charles spring on his feet. But to Darion, this was a facade he was used to.

"If you’re here to kill me, make it quick!" He spit the words like venom. His entire demeanor had changed.

"You can free me in his stead," Charles stole the opportunity but Gabriel sushed him with his raised hand.

"Today is Elena’s coronation as the new queen of Mysthaven. In her wisdom and mercy, she has offered you your freedom in return for your loyalty."

Darion scoffed. "And why would I do that?" He asked.

Gabriel leaned closer. "Because you love her."

He leaned back to watch his reaction and it was just as he had predicted. "Word has it that my brother is marching south towards the wastelands after learning of the coronation. Mysthaven could use a general like you."