A Bastard's Allure-Chapter 30: Stolen Mount
From where she stood, Jophiel couldn’t help but admire the couple that was riding the horse in the joust field. The color of their pants stood out from the white mount particularly. And the way he was holding her...
"Having the best time of their life," someone said from beside her and when she turned, she saw a man with a long beard drinking from a wineskin. A sword dangled from his waist, and his boots, she noticed, were painted in horse shit.
"And you are?" She asked, unable to process his face. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
He drowned the contents of his wineskin and sealed it before turning to look at her while wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Someone who delivers horses at Gabriel’s request, within a short span I might say."
He turned his gaze towards the couple. "Pity I had to knock out a farmer not too far from the castle gates."
Jophiel followed his line of sight, her eyes settling on the mount. She smirked, not believing any word this stranger had to say. "No farmer can afford such a strong mount."
"I never said it was his," explained the stranger. He found Jophiel’s eyes again. "He said some words before blacking out. Prince Brandon was among them."
Jophiel’s face suddenly grew wide in surprise. This man... What had he done? He stole a horse meant for Brandon Sinclair and gave it to Gabriel! What action would be more provocative against the prince than this one.
"Does His Highness know about this?" She asked, her gaze shifting between the thief and the couple.
"The Bastard said he was rather in a hurry. A mount delivered before the princess made out of her room. I’m afraid we didn’t have time to discuss about the source."
"I need to tell him, now!" She said, her voice high but not enough for the couple to hear.
Darion let his eyes fall upon the bastard and Elena. They looked happy. "You don’t want to spoil their moment, do you?" He asked. Jophiel followed his line of sight and ended up pursing her lips. Truly, it would be a bad idea to spoil their fun with discomforting news.
"When this is over, I’ll inform them myself," she declared.
"No need for that." Darion let his eyes travel her length. "You’re that maid," he said like one hit by realization. "You were with the princess the day of the attack in the public square."
Jophiel’s brow creased in confusion. What did that have to do with her or him? For heaven’s sake, everyone in the castle new about the incident so it’d be dumb if he didn’t.
"Yes?"
"Don’t you want to know who was the knight in shining armor that day?" He asked, a look of pride plastered on his face.
"Heard he was a knight of Gabriel’s kingsguard. Pity I haven’t seen him." She lowered her face in embarrassment. "I owe him my life and dignity."
Darion wanted to so much introduce himself as that knight but there was something in his mind that made him hold back. Instead, he asked, "What do you think he looks like?"
Jophiel stole a quick glance at him before staring at the riding couple, her hands rested on her back. "Might be tall with a bushy moustache. Foolishly courageous. A half breed maybe." She looked at him. "No purebred vampire would turn against his own kind." And facing the distance again,"Whatever he is, I owe him my life."
Gabriel’s hand settled on Elena’s soft skin, the feel of it on his palm bringing a wave of alien feelings. The mount galloped forward at a slow pace, Elena’s figure bouncing with it. He could see her smile when she brought her to a halt successfully. She looked so joyous, like a little child who just learned how to say her name perfectly.
Her hair blew against his face. He gathered some of her strands and inhaled the scent. Oh this bunny! Could he ever get enough of her scent?
"She stopped!" Elena said, her voice laced in enthusiasm. She whipped her head towards Gabriel’s side all smiles.
"Told you you’re a fast learner," Gabriel complimented. "Why don’t you try a faster pace this time?"
She smiled even more before grabbing the reins with determination. The mount faced the other side.
"Hiyah!" She urged her. The mount took to the air, almost sending Elena off. Gabriel was however quick to catch her in time, his hands wrapped around her waist tightly. Her breath was coming out quick and her heart was beating close to her ears.
"Next time, don’t pull the reins too fast," Gabriel said, his warm breath doing some magic on an already scared Elena. He held the reins himself, her body now pressed close to his. "That’s enough for today."
He slowly rode the horse back to their starting point and alighted first. Holding Elena by her waist, he helped her off the horse. Lord! Her legs felt sore from the simple ride!
"Did you enjoy it?" Gabriel asked handing the reins of the horse to one of the stable boys who came.
"Never felt better," Elena answered enthralled. She tried to hide the fact that she felt sore all over her limbs.
"That’s the horse!" Someone shouted from across the hallway. Elena and Gabriel looked at that direction and saw a group of knights accompanying an old man who looked red all over his face. Behind the group followed none other than Brandon Sinclair, a not-so-happy expression endeared on his face.
They arrived at the where the duo stood before Brandon paved his way forward. "Are you certain it’s the one?" He asked the old man whose one eye couldn’t see clearly.
"I am certain My Prince." His eyes moved around the place and spotted Darion with a maid on the other side. "He’s the one who took it from me!" He pointed at Darion and everyone’s eyes settled on the half breed.
"What is this all about?" Elena asked, unaware of what was happening.
Brandon gave her a longing look before he replied. "Your husband’s kingsguard stole a horse that was meant for me!" He sounded like one whose pride was wounded. "And gave it to him!"
Brandon’s mouth loathed at the presence of the bastard. "Seize them!" He ordered, the sound of swords unsheathing filling the once peaceful joust field.
