Yasak - Forbidden (A Goktug Alp/Kongar Love Story)

Chapter 39

Goktug inhaled deeply as his horse rode up to the edge of the forest- just beyond it was the Kulucahisar Kalesi, where he knew that Balgay was taking refuge with Princess Sofia. He glared at the castle as he imagined Balgay and Sofia discussing their plans, and their next move- probably to lure Osman into some form of a trap. He smirked, remembering that Osman had a plan of his own, and it was up to Goktug himself for the plan to be able to carry out successfully. His blood boiled with rage when he remembered that it was Sofia who attempted to kill Melike by stabbing her and throwing her off the cliffs at Nehir Kayaliklari, and he would have never seen her again if Melike hadn't been so determined to live and bring herself back to the tribe. His fierce expression softened slightly as he remembered her words from earlier, before he left for his mission;

"I love you."

He smiled, sweetly but goofily; not even the reality that Balgay and Sofia were still alive and kicking could dampen his mood. He sighed in content, and his horse whinnied, waking him up from his daydream. "You're right, we need to go now," he realized as he muttered to his horse, though he was that close to turning around to ride back to the tribe just to see Melike again. He broke his horse into a trot toward the castle, where the guards immediately let him in when they recognized him, and he slumped over the horse's body, making him look more exhausted and wounded than he really was.

His horse trotted slowly and tiredly into the castle, and Balgay and Sofia stared for a while before recognizing Goktug on the horse- and realizing that he was wounded. Goktug eyed them eerily before he faked a fainting spell, slumping to the ground from where he sat on his horse. Balgay and Cerkutay's eyes widened before Balgay broke into a run, racing toward his wounded soldier. "KONGAR!" he cried repeatedly as he rushed toward the seemingly unconscious Goktug's side, Cerkutay, Sofia and Helen at his heels. "Kongar! My son, are you alright?" asked Balgay, taking 'Kongar' in his arms as he knelt down on the ground beside him. "Who did this to you?" Cerkutay's jaw clenched and he could barely refrain from rolling his eyes at Balgay's display of his affection for Kongar- he wished that Goktug would die right there on the spot in front of them as he glared with envy, though it went unnoticed by both Balgay and Goktug, who slowly opened his eyes.

"Baba..." murmured Goktug, his blue eyes squinting up at Balgay. "Yes, my son? What happened to you?" asked Balgay again, shaking Goktug's body slightly. "I...I killed Konur..." murmured Goktug, faking breathlessness, though deep down his heart clenched at the words his mouth spoke. "They caught me...I was barely able to escape." Sofia leaned down, narrowing her eyes at him. "And Melike Hatun? Do they know of her death?" she demanded. Goktug's stomach flipped as he said, "Yes...her body was brought to the tribe, she is dead, Princess. That...whore is dead- she has gotten what she deserves." I'm sorry Melike, he apologized countless times in his mind, despite knowing that he didn't mean a single word. Sofia's anxious expression turned triumphant, and she and Helen shared a smirk. "Osman Bey almost had me executed," murmured Goktug, continuing to speak in the made-up tales he and Osman had discussed earlier. "Don't worry Son, I will take your revenge!" announced Balgay in a pained voice, as he looked up to the sky as if praying. "I will skin every one of them ali-"

"I found out Osman Bey is taking the laws of Genghis Khan to Geyhatu now, with only Boran Alp for company," interrupted Goktug in a wheezing voice. "It was supposed to be a secret...but I found out, right before I escaped to tell you, Baba..." His eyes drooped, as he pretended to slip away into unconsciousness again. "You will get better Kongar, you will get better," pleaded Balgay, hugging Goktug to his chest, nearly making the poor man cringe. He turned to Sofia, an enraged look in his eyes. "What the hell are you waiting for, Woman?!? Don't you have a doctor?" he demanded. Sofia rolled her eyes before ordering for a healer. "Hurry, call the doctor, and bring Commander Kongar to one of the rooms," she demanded. One of her soldiers nodded before rushing off into the depths of the castle. He soon returned with another, carrying a stretcher. "Hurry up, you blasted Byzantines!" screamed Balgay. "Hurry up!"