A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 31: You’ll Pay For This!
Gabriel stepped forward, his broad back blocking Elena’s view of Brandon. She could sense a deadly aura emanating from him, one she’d never experienced before.
"Another step and I won’t promise to keep your worthless life!" He said, his words inflicting fear on the approaching knights. They looked at each other before Brandon shouted,
"What do I pay you for?!"
They moved at his command, their swords held at a fighting stance. "You don’t want to see this bunny. Go to your room and lock the door." He said without looking at her.
Left with no choice, Elena nodded softly and rushed towards the hallway. They nearly collided with Jophiel who was running from the fight scene between the kingsguard and Darion.
"Are you okay?" She asked holding Elena by her hands. And when she nodded, "This way My Lady."
Elena peaked at the joust field and saw Gabriel dismember someone’s hand before her view was blocked when she took a corner by the hallway.
Gabriel picked a sword from the ground after knocking off another knight. Two of them were lying on the dust with a broken limb or bone. He didn’t want to kill them lest vile accusations would be cast on him.
The knights were now cautious especially with Gabriel having a sword. It was known throughout Eldoria that Gabriel Sinclair was the best living swordsman. But not to Brandon! He’d always wanted a chance to prove everyone wrong, and now that it had presented itself, he was going to take the chance.
"Cowards!" He muttered under his breath when the knights were hesitant to attack. Taking a sword from one of them, he knocked him on his face with his elbow, instantly breaking his nose. He took a better grip and launched himself towards Gabriel with such great force it sent Gabriel a few steps back.
A smirk settled on Brandon’s face, now walking around in circles as if he had won the duel halfway.
"Hiyah!" He teased, pointing his sword towards Gabriel. "I’ve always wondered what you’re made of brother. I’ll split you from balls to brains and see it myself."
"Good luck with that!" Gabriel spat.
"What? Offended?" He asked, joining his knights in the laughter.
"You talk too much for a fighter," Gabriel said, not a hint of emotion on his face.
Brandon’s gaze narrowed, the laughter from the knights dying with it. He pressed the tip of his sword on the ground and started walking, leaving a trail of a line. He swung his sword at Gabriel but he dodged it effortlessly. And in a split of a second, his sword had found Brandon’s flesh, leaving a trail of blood on his thigh.
"Too slow for a bastard my prince?" He asked, driving Brandon more angry.
The vampire leapt, now casting his sword aside. His nails grew long and fangs sharp. His movements turned into a blur, and the unprepared Gabriel suffered a claw on his chest.
"Maybe I have to remind you who is fangless, bastard!" Brandon said, a cynical laughter following.
"Am I?" Gabriel asked lifting his lips. His fangs elongated, more sharper and longer than Brandon’s.
"This can’t be!" Brandon whispered, rubbing his very eyes in disbelief. Everyone saw Gabriel’s fangs get extracted in the public square. So how the hell did he have a new set?
"Surprised?" Gabriel asked, his golden color dissipating. "I’m afraid you haven’t seen much to be surprised yet!" He leapt at Brandon, his nails cutting through his flesh. Brandon let out a growl and tried chasing after Gabriel but he was not quick enough.
And when they clashed again, a cloud of dust settled due to the impact. The dust settled down and Gabriel came into view. His boot was pressed against Brandon’s neck that he was fighting for breath now.
Gabriel stared at Brandon. His ever prideful eyes were staring at him in remorse as he tried to fight for air with whatever strength remained of him. Under his mercy was no longer the cocky Brandon he knew but a vampire fighting for life. Maybe he could end it all, he thought. The memories of his childhood flooded his mind.
He could see Brandon bullying him at every chance he got, calling him bastard on his face. He saw his little self cruddled on the floor crying with no one to comfort him. Even the maids walked past him like a plague. And when Brandon passed by, he’d hit him and run making him cry all over again. This man had given him the worst brotherhood anyone would wish for.
Hate and vengeance. Those were the feelings coursing through every fiber of his body. His eyes coldly pierced through Brandon’s watery ones, not an ounce of sympathy in them. His boot pressed harder, and only when Brandon started struggling under him did he feel content.
"Stop this madness in the name of your king!" Thoron’s voice rang through the air. Gabriel turned his head to that side and saw the king approaching, worry etched on his face. It was his favorite son of course. He rolled his eyes inwardly.
Their eyes met, his boot still pressed against Brandon’s throat. He seemed to be saying something but the words couldn’t simply come out.
"Your king commands you to put an end to this malice!" His voice sounded hoarse, Gabriel noticed.
"Your Majesty," he said, taking his boot off Brandon’s throat. The prince yelped taking in deep breaths. Two of the knights rushed to help him up but he was quick to refuse it. He stood up, his hands on his throat before he gave Gabriel a deathly stare.
"You’ll pay for this!" He said and walked out, his once clean robes dusty and bloodied. On the contrary, Gabriel stood there, not a single drop of sweat breaking off him. The wound on his chest had miraculously been healed, which was way too fast especially for a bastard!
"Are you so hellbent to sit on my throne that you’d have my son die rather than earn it?" Questioned Thoron, his anger rising to an uncontrolled heights.
"Your son accused me of a crime I did not commit. He’s lucky I didn’t execute him for treason," Gabriel replied and left too without waiting for his father’s asent.
