A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 76: Manipulated!

"I want to see my husband!" Elena complained to the strong guard who carried her as if she was weightless. He threw her a dissatisfied look before keeping his gaze straight ahead. To him, hers was just a bird’s chatter; gibberish.

He opened the door and placed her on the same bed Gabriel had just picked her from before turning to leave.

"What are you going to do with my husband?" She asked the knight in motion. The last time she had seen Gabriel and Vathin, they were in handcuffs. But why was all this happening? She had a right to leave with her husband whenever she wanted. If Rian thought he’d control her, he was mistaken.

The door closed behind her without a reply, the cold and empty walls now closing in on her. This felt like a little cell, just a fancy one. It reminded her of the memories she had when she was just a little girl. Her eyes fell on the window, the image of her younger self contemplating on whether to jump or not crossing her mind.

She could see the rocks at the bottom, the waves crashing on them. It was quite the height but she didn’t care anyways.

"El?" Her head spun to see Rian at the door, all clad in white and sweaty. "Please," he urged, stretching his hand in a stop gesture. "Please don’t do it." Little El’s bluish eyes settled on Rian’s, more sky blue that time than they were now. They shifted back to the crashing waves and gigantic rocks below.

"Come with me," he said, stretching his hands out. His eyes sparked with hope that moment and Andrian Thornhart never felt more manly when rescuing a damsel in distress. Thinking back to that night, Elena questioned what would have happened had she jumped from that window. She would never have met Gabriel!

"Thinking of jumping again?"

She craned her neck towards the direction of the door to catch the sight of her brother. He stood by the door, his arms crossed over his chest. His features had turned sharper, a shade of gold invading his hair just like their father’s.

"May I come in?" He asked. ’As if you’re not in already,’ Elena thought, nearly rolling her eyes. His boots clicked on the marble as he made his way to the rocking chair. His fingers caressed the smooth wood, worshipping the craftsmanship.

"Mother used to put you here at night and rock the chair while reading you a story until you fell asleep," he started. And turning to face Elena, "I missed you dear sister." For once, Elena saw him flash a smile that reached his eyes. She could have said the words back but not with her husband in her brother’s custody. Never!

"My husband. Where is he?" She asked, adopting a hostility Andrian never thought she possessed.

"He’s safe for now," Andrian reported, walking close and sitting by the bedside. "I would never let anyone take you away from me," he added, caressing Elena’s face accompanied by a smile.

"Gabriel was not taking me away from you. He’s my husband and can leave without asking for your consent. I_I don’t understand why you’re doing this?"

"I want to protect you El," he replied.

"Protect me from what? My husband?" She asked, now seething in anger. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"You don’t know, do you?" Andrian enquired, giving her a thoughtful expression.

"Know what?" El asked with creased brows.

Andrian stood, towering over her. Turning to face the slightly open window, he said, "The vampires broke the truce that we held after the King died. Raids by vampires have been reported on villages near the border. Few were fortunate enough to live and tell the tale."

And turning to face Elena, "Thank God you’re here. I don’t know what would’ve happened if the truce was broken when you were still in the vampire palace..."

"I was there. My husband rescued me," she said, giving Rian a chilling look. "If you think my husband is on their side, you’re wrong."

"You don’t get it dear sister, do you?" He sat again and held Elena’s hands. "With our end of the bargain not met, we don’t have any other choice but to break ours." She creased her brows before Rian spilled the beans. "Gabriel Sinclair is no longer your husband, and an enemy of the kingdom."

Elena’s hands slipped off from Andrian’s hold, disbelief written all over her face. She didn’t know where she found the strength but the sound of a hot slap resounded in the room, anger boiling in every vain in her being.

"How could you?" She asked, the scene of Andrian holding his hot cheek only worsening her mood with each passing second. "What do you take me for? Hmm? You ordered me to marry Gabriel, giving me away to the enemy like I was nothing but an item of trade, something to be thrwon away. Now that the deal is broken, you want me to be all smiles and come back crawling to you like a slave?"

"You hated the creatures anyway," Rian said regaining his footing. "Wait..." He paused, putting on a thoughtful expression. "You fell for him?" His eyes searched hers, the answer clearly written on her face.

"He’s not like the rest of them." Elena defended. "He helped me escape... We came here to seek your help and reclaim the vampire throne. With me and Gabriel on the throne, there could be everlasting peace between vampires and humans. We’ll hold the truce."

"You didn’t think he was going to take a kingdom with... With what? A demon and a human princess?" He scoffed. "We’re at war El. One vampire prince down will work on our favor."

"Don’t you dare touch him!" She growled in a threatening tone Andrian never thought existed in her.

"You’ve changed!" He pointed, his voice drawn to a whisper. "You’re still a princess of Mysthaven, regardless. My sister. My blood. You’re going nowhere beyond these walls."

"Or what? You’re going to lock me in my room again?"

"If that’s what it takes, yes."

"I’ll be out of here as soon as I regain my strength," she declared, giving him a ’I’m not your pet’ look.

"You seem to forget I have your bastard in my custody. Disobey me and I’ll have him publicly executed together with his demonic companion." He breathed. "You’ll get married to Prince Charles of Althenia in return for reinforcements, and in return, I’ll let your king of God knows where husband to walk free."

Elena " ".

"And let this be the first and last time you’ve laid your hands on your king. Next time, it’ll be treason!" He walked out banging the door behind him. She could hear him station guards outside the door to her room. The darkness settled in!