A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 78: Mates And Demons

"I love you, son," Allicent whispered, her voice cracking up. Gabriel was now facing the other side as if battling with his emotions.

"I could have traded anything to spend a lifetime with you," she added, tears already collecting in the brim of her eyes.

"But you didn’t," Gabriel intoned, his back to her. He caught his trembling lower lip between his teeth, his heart darkening with each passing second.

"I love you," he echoed the words. "I used to long for those words back when I was young. God, I was obsessed with them. You know those bedtime stories a mother reads to a child and plants a kiss on their forehead before bidding them good night?"

He finally turned to face her. She was crying now, but to Gabriel, these were crocodile tears. The words ’spare me the act’ did cross his mind.

"I used to sneak out at night and watch the queen read these to Bran. Do you know how it felt back then? The void? The endless questions without answers?"

"Naturally, I should be melted by your words. But I feel... Nothing! Empty!" The range was now in his eyes, the red in them syncing with the torch in the background.

"I’m... I’m sorry," Allicent voiced, the tears falling uncontrollably. She could sense the anger, the pain. He was carrying so much of it in him.

She knew it wasn’t going to be easy but she couldn’t hide herself forever. Someday, she had to reveal her true self. And now that she did, it was catastrophic!

"I’ll never forgive you!" Gabriel’s face twisted into the most evil expression Allicent had ever seen. But hearing those words come from Gabriel’s mouth nearly tore her apart. All the effort she had put into this reconciliation, this moment, appeared worthless.

"I don’t deserve your forgiveness," she said, the tears all over her face now. "But I’ll be always here for you. Let me help you take what is rightfully yours. At least I’ll have done one thing that is right."

Before Gabriel could answer, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed in the empty hallway. The shadows casted on the walls grew taller until Andrian appeared to the scenary accompanied by two guards. With his hands rested on his back, he ordered,

"Open the cellar." One of the guards did as commanded, Allicent wiping the tears off her face quickly, now transformed back to Vathin.

Andrian walked in meeting with Gabriel’s disdainful look. His fingers traced the edge of the metals that was laced in dust.

"Enjoying your stay here?" He asked, his eyes shifting back to Gabriel’s. But the look he met gave him chills in an instant.

"I could snap your neck if I wanted to," Gabriel warned, his voice a low growl.

"But you’re wise enough not to do it," Andrian countered with a smirk. "Your wife..." He raised his hands as if he had made a mistake.

"I meant my sister, has agreed to end your marriage in return for your freedom." He watched Gabriel’s reaction and he had to admit he was disappointed. He’d expected a breakdown at least, but this. Just a cool and stoic Gabriel Sinclair.

"Not the reaction I expected, I must admit," he said with a forced laugh.

"But those are just promises that women love to hear. Only a fool would let a demon and vampire free without fear of them sauntering back for revenge."

Gabriel’s eyes turned an ounce redder. "You want to kill me? Get over with it. The vampires will be knocking on your doors soon."

"That’s why I’m Marrying off my sister to one of the influential kingdoms. Althenia is known to own the largest fleet in the world and beyond. Unless you filthy creatures learned how to swim, your death should be none of my concern."

"You’re making a wrong decision," Vathin voiced from behind.

"And who decides what’s right or wrong for my people? You?" He let his eyes run from Gabriel’s head to toes in disdain. "Him? I only allowed my sister to be married to you because of the truce. With the truce now broken by your side, why should I keep mine?"

"Because she’s his mate," Vathin answered.

Andrian stared at Vathin in disbelief, a laughter etched on the tip of his tongue. His eyes darted between Gabriel and Vathin and back to the two knights standing outside the door before he burst into a sarcastic laugh.

"M-A-T-E?" He was nearly choking. "You guys are joking, right?"

"I’m not!" Vathin said, taking a step forward. "If you want a demon to go berserk, joke with his mate!"

"Is El your mate?" Andrian asked with creased brows. Elena didn’t cross his mind as someone who had different tastes, and her husband knew with the way he was maintaining his cool.

"No. She is his," he said referring to the still Gabriel. Andrian lips twisted into a scornful smile when he realized the message Vathin had been trying to put across all along.

"You want to say Gabriel is a demon?" He asked, his voice laced in disbelief and dread.

"You’re about to find out," Vathin replied, tilting his head to the side. Gabriel took this as a cue and kneeled the human king in his belly. Andrian let out a pained moan, his hands searching for whatever was left of his guts.

The knights, on seeing this, drew their swords and streamed into the cellar. Gabriel dodged the blade effortlessly while delivering a side blow to the first knight. The man landed on the floor hard, his brains scattered on the floor.

Gabriel picked the sword and stepped out of the cellar. Vathin wasn’t having a hard time either dealing with the remaining knight. His eyes turned darker as the sword came striking.

The metal halted a few inches from his neck, the horror registering on the Knight’s eyes. He tried to force the blade on the demon but it was held by the irresistible force.

Vathin lifted his hands, the sword following his motion. The knights breath hitched as the blade inched closer to his neck. It cut through the flesh slowly but painfully. With a snap of his finger, the knights head was severed from his shoulders before dropping next to a hunched Andrian.

The horrified eyes stared right back at the scared king before he let out a scream.