A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 37: Broken Rules

"I’ll be leaving for the werewoods tomorrow," Gabriel said after a while of silence. He was certain he noticed a flash of surprise in her eyes, and... fear. Judging from how she paused in her chewing, he could tell she wasn’t glad to hear the news.

"I’ll be taking Darion with me since his presence might be of concern in the capital," he added, and this time, Elena dropped the steak she was holding subconsciously.

Her lips parted to say something but strangely, she ended up nodding in return. "You might find favor from your father at the end of your quest."

Gabriel scoffed. "Favor hasn’t been father’s greatest qualities as far as I can remember. Not to me anyway."

"He made a promise and I don’t think he’s a man to break promises. If you’ll get the rogues, he’s going to name you the crown prince." She sounded optimistic, but to Gabriel, her statement left a pang in his heart.

He searched her eyes but all he could see was concern. "Do you want me to leave?" He asked, his eyes never leaving here. And strangely, she stared back at him for the longest time since before casting her eyes away.

"It is not my desire to see you leave," she replied. "But there are far more important things than staying in a castle." Her eyes surveyed the garden and only then did she notice the effort he had put to make the area look different. Judging from the last time she was here, she had to admit there was quite a big contrast. The flowers were in full bloom, colorful butterflies patched on them. She smiled sheepishly before looking at her hands and absentmindedly picking on her nails.

"I do not wish to leave you here alone," Gabriel spoke. "The queen will do everything to corrupt you in my absence." He voiced his concern.

"It’ll not be the first time she has tried," Elena said meeting with his eyes.

Gabriel studied her face. There was a food particle on her upper lip and she looked damn cute. Coupled with her languid innocent eyes, and the light that seemed to have found favor upon her, she truly was a magical being.

"Do you realize how beautiful you are?" He asked, a smile lighting his face. A genuine smile that made Elena’s heart flutter and her mind carried away. She found his golden eyes, and for once, she found solace in them. They were even more brighter in the morning.

Gabriel placed his hands on the table, and supporting his frame, he stood up, his eyes never leaving here. He walked across the table and stood inches away from where she sat. Her lips were slightly parted and her eyes followed him all the while.

He stretched his hand to touch her face. Her chin felt so small and fragile in his strong fingers. Slowly, his thumb caressed her cheeks before wiping off the omelette particle on her lip. His eyes lingered there for a while before they travelled up to meet with her eyes.

She hadn’t moved an inch, he noticed. Her heart was still racing. And though she kept a straight face, her eyes spoke volumes. Maybe it was all a mistake! Maybe he shouldn’t have accepted his father’s proposal. He should have stayed with this bunny and showed her what it meant to be loved.

His thumb caressed her lips now. She was too beautiful to ignore; a sin too sweet to not commit. And in those few minutes that he was lost in her eyes, he found himself drawn to her. And before he knew it, he was leaning closer, his eyes fixated on her alluring lips.

Elena subconsciously closed her eyes anticipating for what was about to happen. She felt his breath first mixing with hers before his lips brushed lightly against hers. The feeling was ecstatic yet scaring at the same time!

Gabriel savored her taste in his mouth, his hands involuntarily finding their way at the back of her neck. He pried her mouth open, the simple kiss now turning to a heated one with each passing second. His tongue found hers, a spark lighting between them.

As much as Elena wanted to push Gabriel away, the more her mind turned numb, completely shut by his kissing. The walls she had built up in a day came crumbling down into nothingness. She was now lost in her world of pleasure, an alien feeling igniting in her belly. All thought fled from her mind and the only thing she felt now was Gabriel’s lips on hers, knocking the air out of her lungs. She wanted to breathe badly, but breathing, she realized, would turn into a killjoy at this moment. A moment she wanted to last forever!

Gabriel knocked a plate off the table, the material shuttering into pieces when it met with the floor. Elena heard the sound, her instincts suddenly kicking in before she shot her eyes open. Gabriel didn’t seem close to stopping, but she needed to breath!

Her hands rested on his chest, pushing him gently until he halted, his lips still close to hers. She was taking deep breaths when Gabriel drew, probably angry at her, or so she thought. A pang of guilt run through her heart but Gabriel stayed with his eyes cast on the ground all the while.

She noticed his hesitance to look up, worry etched on her face now. It happened again! But why? Everytime she kissed him, it always happened! Was it because he was a vampire?

"Gabriel?" She called gently. He had his face still lowered, his long hair hiding the better part of his face. "Look at me," she pleaded, "please."

And when he was hesitant, she stood up and placed her hands on his cheeks, slowly lifting his face. Their eyes met, her heart skipping a beat when she spotted his fangs grown. So sharp they were that they grazed his lower lip drawing a thin line of blood.

He just stood there waiting for her like one waiting for judgement in hell. But when her fingers rested on his fangs, he blinked, completely confused. Strangely, her heart was not racing anymore. She was playing with hellfire and she’d get burnt! She was supposed to be miles away from him now especially when he suddenly lusted for her blood!