A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 74: Demon Of The First Rank

"Are you certain about this?" Andrian Thornhart asked rushing across the hallways with a worried face.

"I wouldn’t dare interrupt your meeting if it wasn’t," replied the herald who was walking by his side. The duo crossed another hallway that led to the guest room, previously Elena’s.

The door flew open. Gabriel craned his neck to that side to see the King of Mysthaven stranded on the entrance. His eyes settled on the pale lady lying on the large bed, remorse instantly taking court in his eyes.

With two briesk steps, he was already towering over the bed. She was so pale he hardly remembered the color of her skin, precious as it was the last time he had seen her. His hand snaked to hold Elena’s. Gabriel could tell he was fighting the tears.

"What happened to her? You’re supposed to be in Eldoria." He stared at Gabriel, the kingly aura emanating from him now.

Gabriel appeared stupefied. "You don’t know?"

"What?" Andrian asked.

"The king’s dead and my brother usurped the throne."

Andrian pursed his lips. "I’ve not heard of such news. Surely, it’d be all over the country," he stated as a matter of fact. Gabriel’s brows creased in confusion. Why would the vampires keep the death of his father a secret, especially to the humans?

"This must be Jessica’s doing," he pointed. And it dawned on him! "The queen wants to break the treaty you made with father!"

Andrian looked skeptical upon hearing the statement. His eyes searched Gabriel’s but there was something about him he couldn’t quite point out. He shifted his eyes towards a man in the corner of the room. He was toying with his sword but there was a darkness in him one could perceive from afar.

"And my sister?" He asked, shifting his eyes back to Gabriel. "I gave her to you for protection, not sickness!" He craned his neck to steal a quick glance at her. "Judging from how she hated vampires, I doubt you two get along."

Gabriel could have said something but he chose to swallow his tongue. He was in Andrian’s kingdom after all, and very soon, he’d require his army, which appeared nearly impossible judging from their interaction so far.

"Your friend can use the other guest room," Andrian said only to receive a chilling look from Vathin. "No weapons are allowed!" He added when Vathin poked the tip of his sword.

And turning to the herald, "Fetch the best healers in town. I want my sister’s health restored immediately. We have a lot to talk about now that the truce is broken." He made sure to give Gabriel a glance before walking out.

"I don’t like him," Vathin said once Andrian was gone.

"Me neither. But he’s our only chance."

Elena coughed at the same time to catch the attention of Gabriel. With a swift turn, he held her hands before yelling at Vathin to fetch a glass of water. Lord! She was previously cold, but now she was burning! Fever!

"El?" He tried to call her. Her face was suddenly sweaty, veins popping on her skin.

"Fetch the healers!" He yelled at no one in particular. A maid walked in with a glass of water and a poultice.

"Let me," she told Gabriel who was quick to stand aside. Helping Elena into a sitting position, she placed the glass on her lips. A gulp was enough to bring the fever down before Elena drifted to sleep again. Gabriel stood there watching, sighing when her heartbeat resumed beating rhythmically.

"She’ll be okay now," the maid said, spreading Elena’s hair across the pillow. Judging from the smile on her face, she might have been a close acquaintance of Elena when she was still a princess of Mysthaven.

"It feels like yesterday when My Lady left," said the maid. And turning to face Gabriel, "She couldn’t sleep on the eve of her wedding day. She dreaded every minute that passed, every pale creature in Eldoria. She’s as pale as one now." The maid chuckled.

"You’re a fine young man. I hope My Lady is happy in your company." She looked down in embarrassment. "Forgive me Your Highness. I tend to forget my status at times." Without another word, Lilian gathered the empty glass and fled the room.

Vathin walked in at the same time, the scabbard of his sword now empty. His eyes met with Gabriel’s, dropping his hands to the sides heavily.

"They took our weapons," he stated the obvious, walking in to have a look at the sleeping Elena. "How’s she?"

"We shouldn’t have come to this place," Gabriel said. Andrian was already a pain to him, and seizing their weapons, no lesser.

"I’m afraid your wife wouldn’t have lasted if we didn’t come." Gabriel swallowed. He sat on the edge of the bed, facepalmed.

"What are you thinking?" Vathin enquired, equally curious.

"The truce has been broken," he stated. And looking at Vathin, "Coming here was a mistake."

"He wouldn’t dare. To humans, a marriage is a sacred bond."

"To vampires too. But that didn’t stop my mother from leaving," he said, giving a deathly stare at the floor.

Vathin " ".

Gabriel craned his neck to look at Vathin. "Do you love your mother?" He asked. Vathin nodded, swallowing hard. "You should cherish her. Not everyone has that chance." He rubbed his hands together as if he had said nothing in the first place.

"I knew your mother," Vathin blurted, a decision he was about to regret. Gabriel’s attention piqued as he gave him that curious but deadly stare.

"You did?" He asked, his curiosity suddenly aroused. No one has ever told him about his mother. It was a taboo topic in the palace.

"Yes. She was of our kind," Vathin spilled the beans, lines of confusion forming on Gabriel’s already tired face.

"My mother was a demon?" Gabriel enquired, just to confirm he heard it right.

"Your mother is a demon of the first rank," Vathin corrected.

"She’s still alive?" This must be a dream, right? Vathin nodded.

"She sent me to watch over you," he added.