A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 64: Guilty

Gabriel walked into a tavern, holding Elena’s hand tightly. It was already close to evening with a number of revellers seated around the tables holding a drink or waiting to be served. He drew the shawl closer to hide Elena’s face, letting his hair free to hide the better part of his face. But his clothes were betraying him!

The people paid little attention to them. The couple took an empty table by the corner, close to a group of vampires.

"Heard the prince used poison to kill His Majesty," he heard one of them say, his back bent close to the table.

"Poison is a woman’s weapon," intoned another. "The rumors must have been staged."

Gabriel’s eyes fell on Elena in realization. They had pinned the murder on him! A lady walked by at the same time.

"What should I serve you?" She asked.

"Bring me a mug and a cup of wine for her." And taking a silver from his pocket, "for the night."

"I’m afraid there are no rooms available, Ser," she said in regret. Gabriel fished another silver from his pocket.

"How about one with a hot bath?" He asked. The woman’s eyes fell on the shining metals. The offer was a tempting one.

"I’ll see to it," she made up her mind, pocketing the silvers in her pants. Gabriel’s eyes turned to the group at his side as he waited to be served. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"A bounty of a hundred crown coins has been placed for whoever brings the bastard’s head to the Queen," intoned a man from the same group.

"I’ll fuck his bitch rough before severing his head from his body. Heard she’s a beauty," said a man with a scar.

Gabriel clenched his fists under the table, his anger rising with each second he spent longer in this tavern. Elena noticed it too.

"Gab?" She called, her voice drawn into a whisper. "Don’t!" He heaved heavily, trying to calm his nerves. His gaze however never left the scarred man, and when their eyes met, his anger rose afresh.

"Who are you looking at?" Asked the scarred man, raising a brow. The others turned to look at Gabriel, intrigued by his attire.

"He’s got a fine jacket there. I’ll sell it for a fortune," one of them said, gently pushing the chair aside to stand.

"I like his boots too. Will serve me for a year or two," another intoned. Elena slapped her forehead in frustration. They were trying to be low key but Gabriel was just the type to attract conflict.

The hoarde approached the table where they sat. The scarred man run his tongues over his fangs to scare Gabriel when he spotted Elena trying hard to hide her face.

"What do we have here? A human." He intoned.

"She’ll make a good dessert," said a man standing behind the scarred one.

Gabriel however rose, his fists slamming the table. He was slightly taller than the scarred man, his eyes meeting with his. "If you want to leave this place alive, you better mind your own business," he warned.

"A bastard!" The scarred man sneered. Gabriel’s skin tone was enough to tell what he was. The scarred man turned to face his minions before shifting his gaze back to Gabriel. "What could a bastard possibly do to me?"

"Wiping out your existence. Just one among the many things I can do," Gabriel said, his eyes never blinking for once. They had turned red!

"Why don’t you be a good bastard and undress. Your fabric is rather undeserving for your status."

"What do you know about my status?" Gabriel asked. The wind blew his hair revealing a part of his face. The scarred man’s eyes widened in realization.

"Son of a bit..."

Gabriel didn’t give him the luxury to finish. His claws dug into the neck of the scarred vampire in an unmatched speed. He bent closer and whispered in his ear, "I did warn you."

Giving him a gentle push, he drew his claws, the scarred man’s blood gushing out in pressure. Elena screamed in surprise when he landed on the table, spraying the wood red. His eyes stared at him, wide open, defying the will to die. But he went limp anyways.

The others attacked but they were no match to Gabriel’s speed. His movements were fluid, instantly turning the tavern into a slaughter house. The women fled in horror, unable to set their eyes on the gruesome scenes created by Gabriel Sinclair, Yours Truly.

Within a five minutes, every vampire from the group was lying dead on the floor. Others were soaked in a pool of their own blood. Gabriel’s claws dripped with it, the metallic scent feeling the once vibrant tavern.

When the lady to serve them returned holding drinks in a tray, she was flabbergasted by the scene that welcomed her. Just a few minutes ago, she had left the customers happy but this!

Her eyes fell on Gabriel’s face, her eyes widening in surprise when he tucked the stray strands of his hair at the back of his ear.

"Your Highness!" She was quick to fall to her knees. "I never noticed it was you."

Gabriel walked over to where she knelt. Why was she trembling in fear? It was not like he was going to kill her.

"We’re leaving," he announced. His eyes shifted to Elena and she didn’t need to hear the words to know he was calling her. She was even looking forward to exit the tavern. The eyes of the scarred man, looking at her unblinkingly was a scene that refused to leave her mind anytime soon.

"I got the room you’ve asked for," the lady said. "You can spend the night here."

"The news of my doing will reach the Queen fast. I can’t stay here for another hour."

"Go West Your Highness. The king of Thaenia might consider being your ally."

"I don’t need allies," Gabriel said, his eyes narrowing at the woman. He took the glass from the tray and drowned the contents in one go. He then handed the other cup to Elena. And turning to the woman, he said, "Pack us some food. That’s the only way you can help us."

She nodded gently and rose to her feet. He searched Elena’s eyes and she was scared! His hands gently stroked her back.

"It’s going to be alright El," he consoled.

"Do you trust her?" Elena asked, glancing at the direction the tavern woman had taken.

"No," Gabriel replied. "Do I have a choice?"

She came from the kitchens with a bag of food, water and wineskins. "This will last you for a week."

"Why are you helping us?" Elena asked, tucking Gabriel’s arm.

"My sister works as a maid in the capital. She has told me many things about His Highness and I don’t think killing innocent people was one of them. Here," she handed the bags to Elena.

"You might consider leaving now if you don’t want to get caught. There’s two horses in the stables behind this establishment."

Gabriel nodded softly. He grabbed Elena by the hand. "Let’s go."

_____ _____ _____ _____

Queen Jessica lit a candle, clasping her hands together to say a silent prayer to the gods. She wore all black, a sign she was into mourning.

The many candles surrounding Thoron’s body waned in the wind. It was a custom for every Lord and Lady to pay their respects to the dead by lighting candles.

The door swung open and Brandon Sinclair walked in, a candle in his hand. He was dressed in black too but his attire looked more kingly. The crown rested on his head, and he wore it with pride.

He walked past Jessica and lit his candle before placing it in line with the others. His eyes fell on his father’s face. He looked so peaceful now, the weight of the world lifted off his shoulders. But was it his choice?

"You should pray," Jessica pointed.

"Did you love him?" Brandon asked instead.

Jessica turned to look at Thoron’s unmoving body. "I used to but not anymore." She admitted.

"Not anymore," Brandon intoned, his eyes shifting to his father. He was so pale now Brandon wondered if he had any color left on his skin.

"I’ve been thinking these last few hours," he continued. "How is it that Gabriel would kill father when he was about to be named crown prince, and with poison, no lesser!"

Jessica’s eyes burned in attention. "People do strange things," she said. "It crossed my mind too."

"Poison is a woman’s weapon. And what quickest way to kill a man than use what he values against him?"

Jessica shifted her eyes towards Brandon. "You’ve started speaking like a king." She forced a smile.

"And acting like one too," Brandon added. "I’ve questioned a few knights about father’s last minutes before he died and it somehow leads to you mother."

"You don’t believe them, do you?" She asked, her face filled with dread.

"Of course not. But one thing I know is that you were responsible for father’s death!"

Jessica’s lips twitched, her heart racing in anticipation. The guilt was all over her face.