A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 75: Thornhart’s Reunion

The ceiling was painted white, it’s familiarity creating a sense of nostalgia in Elena. The last time her pair of eyes were open, she was in a forest with Gabriel kneeling by her side. Gabriel...

Her eyes shifted to the left side to find him peacefully sleeping on a rocking chair by the side of her bed. He was so peaceful one would think he couldn’t hurt a fly.

These were the moments Elena wished would last forever. She wanted to move, to touch him, kiss him maybe... ’I can see you even with my eyes closed’. This was what looking at a sleeping Gabriel felt like. Still, she wanted to give it a try.

She tried to move her muscles but it felt as if the gravity was defying her will. Moving her limbs brought a fresh wave of pain that coursed through every nerve in her body, earning a pained moan. Gabriel stirred in his sleep at the slightest of noise.

"El?" He called in a hoarse but concerned voice. How he moved from the chair to her side, Elena couldn’t tell. Maybe it was the pain, or maybe she was just imagining things.

Gabriel scooped her in his strong arms to help her into a sitting position. He took the glass on the nightstand and handed it to El.

"Here, drink this," he said. "It’ll help with the pain."

Elena looked at the green liquid suspiciously, and after a while of hesitation, she took it.

"Drink," Gabriel urged.

She nodded faintly and placed the drink on her lips. One gulp was all it took to churn Elena’s taste buds. She could have spit it out but it was already inside her stomach. Still, the bitter taste lingered on her throat, burning it like wildfire on a dry wood.

"W-w," she choked in between the word. "Wate-r." Gabriel rose into action, swiftly pouring water from the pitcher and giving it to her. Elena drowned it down in one go, leaning on the headboard all sweaty like one who had just seen an apparition.

Gabriel placed the back of his hand on her forehead, the worry etched on his face getting replaced with surprise. "The fever’s gone!"

"You should have told me it’d be bitter," Elena complained, still feeling her burning throat.

"How could I have known?" Gabriel asked in defense.

"You should have tasted first. I wouldn’t want to die alone if it was poisoned," she joked.

"No one would dare poison the lady of Mysthaven in her own chambers." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Elena looked around the place. Though it appeared familiar, some changes had been done to her room. The full length mirror she adored was missing she noticed. The portrait of her brother caught her eye, her curiosity now aroused.

"My brother... Have you seen him? Where’s he?" She asked, already kicking the beddings with a new surge of energy. "I want to see him!"

"Your brother, the king, came to see you in the morning but you were still unconscious," explained Gabriel.

"I want to see him now. I’m certain he’ll be happy to hear news of my recovery," she chirped, her voice laced in enthusiasm. He had never seen her so ecstatic, not even when making love!

"You need to rest, El. Your brother will see you..."

"The king went out to hunt, or so I’ve heard," Vathin said, picking on his nails by the door. He looked so feminine without his sword now. "Glad to see you’re well My Lady."

And turning to Gabriel, "Everything is as planned."

Elena’s brows creased in confusion. "Planned? What are you talking about?" She asked, facing Gabriel.

"Can you walk?" Gabriel asked instead.

"Can’t tell if I have legs at the moment," Elena admitted.

Gabriel gathered her in his arms. "Bring the horses," he instructed Vathin who was quick to leave.

"Are we escaping?" Elena asked once they were outside the room. Judging from the way Gabriel checked if there was anyone on the hallways, her question was half answered.

Gabriel took the backyard appearing in the stables unnoticed. Thanks to the king’s absentia, many guards had accompanied him to the hunt.

"Why are we running from my brother?" Elena asked.

"I’ll explain once we’re at a safe distance," Gabriel said. Vathin run with two horses up to where they stood. Gabriel hoisted Elena up effortlessly and took the reins from Vathin once Elena found her balance.

"My Lady?"

Vathin drew his sword quick to find a maid walking towards their direction.

"Lilian!"

"You’re leaving already?" She gathered her skirts to avoid the horse shit.

Elena looked at Gabriel. "I still don’t understand why we’re leaving. Hurting me is the last thing my brother would do if that’s what you’re afraid of."

Gabriel exchanged glances with Vathin before shifting his eyes back to the maid. "Give my thanks to His Majesty in my stead. Tell him I had urgent business to take care of."

"Urgent business!?" Elena asked. She wanted to alight from the horse but her limbs defied her will. "What’s more urgent that it couldn’t wait until I regain my strength? Mmh?"

"The king might be back anytime soon," Vathin pointed. Gabriel mounted the horse, holding Elena in position. "Hi yah!" He kicked the mount, riding fast through the stables. Vathin followed closely behind.

The guards were standing by the palace gates when two horses came running fast through the gates.

"Stop there!" One of the guards yelled but Gabriel had no such intention. He rode straight, nearly throwing the guard off balance.

"Why did they try to stop us?" Elena asked once they were outside the palace.

"That’s why I want to get as far as possible from this place," Gabriel replied, his voice reverberating in his chest.

"Get ’em!" Vathin looked back to see palace guards chasing after them.

"Oh shit!" He cursed. They raced down the alleys of the capital towards the gate. Today was a merchant’s day, and the gates would stay open for people to trade. Vathin had done his calculations well. But he was wrong!

The gates were closed! Gabriel pulled the reins of his mount, forcing him to a halt. "The gate’s closed!" He stated the obvious. "What now?"

"There," Vathin pointed. The gates were opening. "Hyah!" They raced the remaining distance to keep a gap between them and the chasing guards.

But to their surprise, a squadron of foot soldiers and some on horseback was the welcoming sight when the gates were partially open. A white horse trotted to cage Gabriel’s party between them and the palace guards.

"Hello, sister," Andrian said, flashing his white pearls at a scared Elena.