They buried the child close to a tree in the middle of the island. Gabriel had offered to do it hoping it’d ease the guilt but he was wrong. It settled in his chest, heavy, clinging to his very heartbeat.
Even after everyone left, he stood by the grave until it was late in the night. The boy could have survived but he was dead because of him.
"Poor little thing, taken away from his mother at such a young age," he heard Elena speak from behind. "I have been waiting for you," she added, now standing by his side.
Gabriel sniffled, all the while avoiding her eyes. She had so much on her plate already to know her life was the cause of the child’s death.
"He didn’t deserve to die," Gabriel said, staring at the stars in the dark night. "Not this way at least."
Elena followed his line of sight. "He’s among the stars now, away from the pain of this world. You should get so sleep."
She held his hand and dragged him along to the shore. The bereaved couple was packing, ready to leave in the middle of the night.
"You can stay until sunrise," Gabriel said, walking towards the boat.
The woman turned to face him, her eyes sore from all the crying. "Every minute I spend here reminds of him. I feel the urge to dig him up and cuddle him in my arms." She chuckled but the pain was evident in her eyes.
"Crazy, right?" She asked with a forced chuckle.
"No... We all have our ways of handling the loss of our loved ones. I think mothers just handles the grief differently." He stole a quick glance at Allicent.
"I wish I could stay for the night. I’m glad the princess is well. You are a savior, Gabriel." She caressed his cheeks and gave him an encouraging smile before she boarded the boat.
Gabriel watched as the boat disappeared into the dark waters. He had taken away their only hope!
"It’s not your fault," Allicent said, standing by his side.
Gabriel’s gaze shifted at her, his eyes darkening. "We both know that’s not true."
"Do you think I am a monster to take away a child’s life?" Allicent asked, her lips pursed into a thin line. Gabriel’s brows creased in confusion.
"I searched for a soul that was close to death and the nearest one was the baby’s. I didn’t know he was soone you cared about but the babe was going to die anyway. I saved the child from all the pain!"
Gabriel’s clenched his fists into tight balls. "Is that supposed to make feel better?" He asked, his face growing a shade darker.
"I just wanted you to know it’s not your fault," Allicent said, her voice soft. She smiled wryly before busying herself with the fire.
Gabriel’s eyes stared at the distance to find the couple had disappeared into it. Heaving a sigh, he turned around and saw Elena leaning on a tree. Her eyes were at him all the ti as he approached and he could sense sothing predatory in them. It was unlike him to get such a feeling especially from a woman.
"I didn’t know my shy bunny had it in her," he said, sitting next to her. And now that he had ntioned it, Elena’s brain whipped to reality.
From the mont she had woken up, she felt a different kind of sensation whenever she saw Gabriel. She always wanted to have him in her radar, and for so odd reason, she started imagining exploring every curve in his body, kissing his strong arms...and so many naughty thoughts.
His standing position alone was enough to turn her on and so was every minute detail he did, like arching a brow, which he was doing now.
"You alright?" Gabriel asked. He had caught her staring long enough for the nth ti today, which was unlike her. She was always shy, unable to look him in the eye for a minute straight. But this version of her was different.
"Yes!" She replied affirmatively. And biting her lower lip, she asked, "Can I lean on your chest?"
Gabriel found it odd but he never asked. He just gave her a simple nod and she didn’t hesitate to lay her head on it. Her head snaked its way around his chest for a fleeting couple of minutes before she turned to look at him.
His eyes were half closed as if savoring the sensation of her touch. To Elena, he looked damn hot right now. The thought of tearing his shirt off did cross her mind once but she’d suppressed it.
"Are you feeling cold?" She asked, her finger circulating around his chest.
Gabriel opened his eyes, catching her gaze imdiately. "I should be the one asking you that," he said, now concerned. The fact that they were close to the shore and not near the fire yet Elena hadn’t complained was an alarming one.
"On the contrary, I feel... hot," she whispered the last word in a seductive manner.
Wait! ’Is she trying to seduce ?’ Gabriel thought. If she was, then she was in for a surprise. Gabriel would enjoy every bit of it.
"Even for a vampire, it feels cold," he lied, wrapping his arms around his chest. Elena leaned, a frown on her face at his attempt to cut her advances.
"Is it?" She asked, an idea in her mind. "I have just the solution to keep both of us warm," she replied, licking her lips in the process.
Gabriel smirked inwardly, but her antics were definitely working. She was a feast in the eye when this seductive, and particularly horny tonight.
"Which is?" He asked, falling just at the trap. He was exactly where she needed him.
"You never know until you’ve experienced it," she said, her hands traveling to her waist. Gabriel’s eyes lingered on her curves and the thin fabric she wore did nothing to lessen his resolve. His earlier attempt to resist her disappeared to the back of his mind.
"Why don’t you show ," he whispered in need.
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