A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 68: Of Royalty And Cooking

The moon was brighter today compared to the other nights Darion had had the chance to stare. The usually dark room was alive with light, accompanied with the distant howling of the wolves. With his vision blurred, he could see Bracken having a dish of soup at the far end. His stomach growled in defiance, the scent hitting his nostrils in a fresh wave.

"I like the sound of it," Bracken said holding a bony chunk of meat in his hand. With the help of his hand, he teared a huge chunk and chewed it sparingly before licking the tips of his fingers.

"I always wondered why humans like this shit. Now I have the answer," he said placing the bowl on the table. And turning to face Darion, "What?"

When Darion said nothing, he walked up to where he sat and held him by the jaw. "Don’t tell me you also want the meat?"

The door opened at the same time with the queen walking in, her face hooded. Bracken turned around, stiffened when he recognized her.

"My Lady... What are you doing here at this hour?"

Her eyes fell on Darion, and without a reply, she commanded, "Leave us!" Bracken offered a clumsy bow and left.

Jessica walked over to the table and lighted a few more candles to brighten the room. All this while, Darion had his eyes settled on her back. If only he was not in chains, he’d strangle the life out of this whore.

"You’re probably wondering why I’m here, why I’m keeping you against your will?"

"I stopped wondering since then," Darion replied coldly. "I’ll get out of here and kill you anyway."

"And you think Gabriel will come to rescue you?" She asked, approaching the seat where he was confined. His limbs had turned numb already!

"I know he will," Darion replied with certainty.

"What if I told you you’re mistaken," she said, as if giving him a hint. "So much has happened in your absence Ser Darion. The king’s dead, Gabriel has fled the capital in fear of his life and never for once did the idea of rescuing you cross his mind. He was hellbent to be named crown prince."

Darion shook his head in denial. "No. Gabriel cannot do that. He will never abandon me!"

"He never abandoned you," she whispered, crouching low to meet with his eyes. "He replaced you with a new man in the kingsguard. Vathin was his name or so I heard."

"You’re lying with your every breath." He refused to believe every word she said. He dared not.

"Why would I lie to you? My son has the crown he always wanted, the men."

"What is it you want from me then?" He asked, his hopes of leaving crumbling into nothingness.

Jessica stood, her back turning on Darion’s view. "I had my son named the king." A triumphant smile laced her lips. "What else could a mother want for her son if not a prosperous life? With Gabriel Sinclair on the loose, that’s nearly impossible. He’ll always be a threat to the throne."

And turning to face Darion. "I’ll let you live." She declared. "But in exchange for your life and freedom, you’ll have to find Gabriel and kill him."

"Why me?" Darion asked, his shoulders slightly raised. "You have your son’s men at your disposal..."

"Because you’ll win his trust. Only you can approach him without prior fear of death and hidden motive. Kill him in his sleep." She explained.

"There’s no honor in killing an undefended person," Darion reasoned.

"Honor," Jessica scoffed. "Wars, power, influence. They’re not won in honor. Do this and you’ll be the richest half breed in Eldoria." He seemed lost in thought.

"And if I refuse?" He asked.

"Bracken will be glad to wipe out your existence," she replied, her face deadpanned.

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Elena hugged her knees tightly, a blanket wrapped around her body. The fire burned fiercely in the hearth but it did little to find the cold. Coupled with the breeze coming from the lake, it was almost unbearable. If not for the fire, she’d have freezed to death already.

Contrary to Elena, Gabriel was very much alive. He walked in, a couple of fish hooked in a spear and the provisions they had gotten from the inn. He dropped the live fish on the now clean table.

"Have you ever cooked before?" He asked, removing the guts with his knife.

Elena’s lips trembled before she replied. "My maids have always done the cooking." She stared at her hands in disgust. "I hate being a princess."

"It’s not a choice we have to make," Gabriel said.

"If I was born a commoner, I’d know how to cook. Fend for myself maybe. Fight." She looked at Gabriel, their eyes locking. He had paused in his actions.

"I can teach you how to fight," he said, tilting his head to one side. Her lips parted to say something but no words came out.

"Teach me how to cook," she said, her cheeks already red. A lady asking a man to teach her the skills of women. It was really embarrassing.

Gabriel’s lips curved into a smirk, her eyes looking everywhere else but him. "Come," he called. She craned her neck, eyes wide in surprise. Hesitantly, she pulled over the blanket and walked towards the table.

"We can start by evisceration," he said and gestured to come closer. Holding her by her waist, he parared her in front and placed the knife in her hand. "Take care not to cut yourself." And whispering into her ear, "Your blood turns me on!"

Elena swallowed, his statement taking hold in her mind. His muscular arm snaked into hers, his broad chest pressing on her back. He guided her to cut open the fish’s gut revealing its contents. Elena felt the urge to throw up but she managed to hide it.

Gabriel however turned still, his senses heightened. "Someone’s outside!" He revealed. His ears picked the he whooshing sound of an arrow, and in a split couple of seconds, he ducked into the floor taking Elena with him. The arrow rested on the wooden wall just slightly above Gabriel’s head!