A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 141: No One Is Coming To Save You!

Gabriel wrists grew red as the chains tightened around his arm. On his left, a knight tied up the end of the chain on a pole to leave him with his hands wide open.

Brandon stalked towards him, a curious expression on his face. His eyes trailed around Gabriel’s chest and the scars around them. With a wave of his hand, he signalled the knights present to leave.

"You must have been through a lot," he said, tracing the scar that run across his chest down to his belly. He had to admit Gabriel had a unique physiques.

"I don’t want to do this more than you do," he said, his eyes traveling up to meet with Gabriel’s. "But I have to add one more."

Gabriel stared daggers at Brandon that it made him retreat a step back instinctively. He staggered away to a tray with daggers and picked up the smallest, tracing its edge with his finger.

"Mmmh. This will do," he whispered before stalking towards Gabriel.

"When I was young, father took me for a hunt once. A privilege I know you didn’t get, sorry to say. I didn’t do anything to be honest, spoiled little brat as I was.

I sat beside him when he caught a stag, curious as to what would happen next. I wondered how he’d get the meat from this coated beast."

He placed the dagger on Gabriel’s chest, slowly moving down as he left a line of blood forming on his already bloodied skin.

"All this time, I didn’t know all it required was a plunge!"

Gabriel’s breath hitched as the blade sunk slowly through his skin and twisted to cut his inner organs. He whimpered, his breath coming out huffed. The pain reflected in his golden eyes as he watched Brandon step back and wipe the blood on his hands with a towel.

Looking down, he saw the dagger still plunged in his skin as his blood trickled down to form a pool around his legs.

"Your healing has always astonished me. For a bastard, you heal really first." Brandon’s words echoed behind as Gabriel slowly drifted into unconsciousness.

"...with me," he heard him say. "I don’t want you to die!" Brandon slapped him gently to keep him awake.

His eyes were hazy, his vision certainly blurry.

"Tell me, brother. Do you think anyone will come and save you?" Brandon asked.

"Your mother abandoned you when you were young. Your wife whom you dearly loved let you give yourself up like some sacrificial lamb, knowing very well what would befall you. She had an army behind her yet she chose her kingdom over you."

"Look at me," he slapped him again. "No one loves you Gabriel. And certainly, no one is coming to save you. Keep that in mind and you’ll wish for death quicker than saving."

He let go of his hair. Gabriel’s head fell and the last thing he saw was the red liquid on the floor before he passed out.

*****

Gabriel dreamt of a city. At the center of the city, someone was tied to a pole. His hair covered his face, his bones hugging his skin like one who’s never had food for a century. His lips, the only part of his face visible, were cracked and dry.

But his eyes, golden and hopeful, started right ahead at the closed gates as if expecting someone. He looked at the sun above as it set towards the horizon, hoping for a miracle that would never happen.

But in the dark, his flickering hope grew again, as if rekindled back to life by darkness itself. Tomorrow would be a new day, maybe.

*****

"Aaah, um!" Gabriel gasped. The cold water just splashed at him coupled with the morning cold made him quiver.

"Welcome home your highness," the knight holding a bucket mocked.

As Gabriel’s vision cleared, he saw the Eldorian gates open and a rupture of noise emanate from the city. He was tied at the back of a cart as the rider, certainly Brandon, waved around at the vampires of Eldoria. He was back, triumphant and strong.

The dagger was still stuck in Gabriel’s belly. The people started hauling insults and things at him. From rotten vegetables and stones, they mercilessly mutilated him.

"I present to you, the king of Eldoria," Brandon announced when they arrived at the palace. The people laughed as Gabriel was dragged and made to kneel before the queen mother.

"Mother. I believe you two have met," Brandon said, watching his mother’s reaction closely.

"Where’s your uncle?" She asked instead.

"There are far more important things to worry than my uncle," he said, walking past her. And turning to the people, he announced, "Tonight, we feast to celebrate my brother’s return!"

The crowd cheered.

"Take him to his new royal chambers," he instructed sarcastically. The knights rounded up Gabriel and led him towards the dungeons.

The queen gathered her dress and followed Brandon.

"You should have killed him when you had the chance," she said, following him inside his chambers.

"Relax mother. Where’s the fun in that?" Brandon picked up an apple from the nightstand.

"As long as Gabriel breathes, he’s a threat to us," she reasoned.

"I’m not planning to keep him alive for long if that’s what you’re worried about."

She sighed but then remembered about Tieron. "And your uncle?"

Brandon started removing his armor as he studied himself in the mirror.

"My uncle got what he deserved," he said, but he could tell she was worried when their eyes met in the mirror.

"Is he dead?"

Was that dread in her voice?

"No," Brandon replied as he undid the stripes that held his armor together. "He couldn’t follow a simple command so I had him banished."

He tried to read the expression on her face. It was a mix of relief and care. He had never seen her care for anyone in her life except for him. He creased his brows.

"How does that make you feel?" He asked, turning to face her.

Her lips twitched, the words caught up in her throat. She knew she had to choose her words carefully.

"He didn’t respect your wishes. He got what he deserved. If you’ll excuse me."

Brandon watched her retreating back and he couldn’t help but notice the uneasiness the news gave her all of a sudden.