A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 23: The Prisoner

King Thoron camouflaged in the dark hallway of the palace unnoticed until he appeared at a dark corner by the door of a closed room. He surveyed the area and when he was certain no one was watching, he fished out a bunch of keys in his pocket and inserted a dirty and rusty one.

The door complained in annoyance, cursing the years of service it had to serve the vampire royalty. It was as if it had been woken from a deep slumber. The rot fell off its hinges, when Thoron was inside.

His eyes dilated in the darkness until he found a torch by the wall. He lighted it and waved it at the corner. Several skeletons of humans lay on the ground, some quick to break when the king stepped on them.

He stepped into the darkness, his heart racing in anticipation. The flames settled on a corner where a figure was curled. The bones hugged her skin as if it were the only hope they’d cling to. In place of her hair were countable brown strands that could easily fall if given the slightest of touch.

"The curse is broken," she said, her head still buried in between her knees. She lifted her eyes, and contrary to her frail body, they appeared very much alive. "That’s why you came to me."

Thoron knelt softly on one knee and placed the torch on the dusty floor. He fished three pages of a book from his robe. "The words are readable now!" His voice was filled with a dread.

"They are," the woman seconded. "I knew this would happen one day. Fortunately you have the most important information with you."

"What now?" Thoron asked.

"It’ll only be a matter of time before he learns his true identity. And when he does... owe to those who inflicted pain on him."

"This was all my fault," Thoron said clutching his fists tightly. "I listened to that woman. Only if I knew she’d turn out to be his mate!"

"Why don’t you free me?" She asked, raising the shackles that bound her to the wall. "I’ll be of greater help out there than in here."

"I made that mistake once and I’ll not do it again," Thoron said, his teeth clenched. "You’re dead to everyone and it must remain that way."

The woman stood, her legs stunted. The very simple action of standing nearly drowned her of all the energy she had. "You love her, don’t you?" She asked, the words turning bitter in her mouth.

"Who?" Thoron asked, a frown on his face.

"Your vampire bitch." The words sounded disgusting coming from her mouth.

Thoron gave her a longer stare before he replied. "I did what I had to do to protect you. Marrying a new wife was the only way to prove that I had gotten rid of you completely."

The woman lifted her shackles, her eyes never leaving Thoron’s. "I hope she makes you happy." She forced a smile.

Thoron picked the torch from the ground. "If you need anything... food..."

"I have survived this long without food or water. Do you think I’ll be needing it now?"

Thoron gave her an apologetic look. She looked emaciated, a choice she had made herself. He’d feed her for eternity if she wanted.

"I’ll come visit you sometime," he said, and when she didn’t reply, he walked into the darkness, the sound of the door closing replacing it.

*****

Gabriel sat on the table with a jug of blood wine placed on the table. He drowned the one in his hand in one go but it did little to quench his unending thirst.

He grabbed the jug and drunk the contents. "More!" He roared.

"I’m afraid this might cost you a fortune Your Highness. A barrel costs..."

"Do I look like someone poor to you?" He asked, silencing the innkeeper.

"At once, Your Highness," he nodded and left to fetch more blood for the prince. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Gabriel wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before he held his head like one in pain. At this rate, he was going to run mad. A whole barrel down yet he felt like draining off another two or three.

His eyes shifted to the women who were seductively displaying their curves for him to see. One particular red haired whore caught his eye. Lord, she was hot! Her skin was flawless, he could tell from the loose fabric she wore. Her breasts were firm like that of a maiden. He trailed upwards and their eyes locked.

The red whore smiled at Gabriel displaying her white pearls. The most interesting thing was that she was human. Gabriel leaned back and she took that as a cue to approach him.

"Hello handsome," she greeted, and Gabriel found her even more beautiful when she was closer.

"How much for a night?" He asked.

"Why would I charge my prince? Every woman in the capital has an obsession for you my prince." She held his hand and helped him stand. "Come my prince."

She led her up a flight of stairs into the pleasure houses. Mourning sounds filled this part of the establishment. From slightly open doors, Gabriel could see people making out in different positions.

The red whore chose a separate room and pushed Gabriel on the bed. She let her fabric slip from her body displaying her curves in the dimly lit room.

Gabriel looked at her, his lips slightly parted. She bit her lower lip as if she knew he was enjoying the view.

"Do you like it my prince?" She asked, her voice seductive. And without waiting for a reply, she crawled on the bed and stranded herself between Gabriel and the bed.

"You can touch if you want." She took Gabriel’s hand and placed it on her left peach. Gabriel squeezed it gently and in a fraction, turned her that he now lay on top. He bent closer and planted a kiss on her neck.

The human whore felt his sharp fangs graze her skin, and she quivered in excitement. "Drink as much as you want my prince."

Gabriel pierced through her skin and she tagged his hair harder as he drew blood from her. His throat was still burning but with every sip he took, he felt the thirst quench, though way slow!