Klaus's POV
I lunged forward, my movements fluid and graceful but he was not done giving me his thoughts. "Trust is a delicate thread, easily broken but not impossible to mend.
"To trust again, she must have learnt to trust you and seen that maybe you were not the problem.
"You once told me that her fangs were removed by the guards when you didn't order that. She might have seen you were not the problem. She has trusted your instincts, your intuition. And most importantly, trusted that you are deserving of love and happiness.
"If she is not the problem then all I can say right now is that you should stop being the one bringing down yourself and maybe stop being too hard on you."
As our swords clashed, the vampire continued, his voice gentle yet firm. "But remember, oh king, that forgiveness is a key component in finding resolution.
"It is not about forgetting the pain, but rather, it is about releasing the burden of anger and resentment that weighs you down and right now, if you feel that she is still angry with you and wants to release her burden in a cunning way, tell me and I shall have her neck."
He had been making so much sense before his threats. But he was right. I found her kindness and her calmness a bit unsettling. And why was I falling for her? I had even kissed her.
My strikes grew more determined, fueled by my inner turmoil. "But how can she forgive someone who has hurt her so deeply? She must be hiding something."
The vampire deflected my attack, a small smile playing on his lips. "Forgiveness is not for our species, my dear, it is also not in your nature. I doubt it would be in hers. It is a gift we don't give ourselves as vampires. I would advise you to ask her if she has something up her sleeve and ask for it to be revealed."
Our swords clashed once more, my eyes shining with newfound understanding. "I feel so much better now."
The vampire stepped back, his gaze filled with pride.
"Anytime you want me to help you, I will be here," he said as I nodded.
"Come now, my dear friend," the vampire teased, his voice smooth as silk. "Are you trying to distract me with your childlike antics?"
I laughed after hearing that, my voice filled with joy. I knew he was only trying to make me happy. "Perhaps I am, dear vampire. But sometimes, even in the midst of battle, we must remember the joy of being alive."
Our swords clashed again, the sound ringing through the night. My movements were quick.
"You are right, my friend," the vampire admitted, his eyes shining with amusement. "There is beauty in embracing the playful side of our nature, even in the midst of darkness."
He twirled away from my strike, a mischievous grin on his face.
Our battle continued, a blend of skill and laughter. The swords clashed and sparks flew, but there was an undeniable sense of strength between us. We fought with the intensity of warriors, but also with the lightness of friends who shared a deep bond.
I tried to clear my mind so I would not be distracted and I was glad that it worked.
As the moon reached its zenith, both of us found ourselves standing side by side, our weapons lowered. We were breathless, our bodies covered in a thin sheen of sweat, but our spirits were brighter than ever.
With that, the vampire lowered his sword, signaling the end of our spar. I stood before him, my heart lighter and my determination to know why I was feeling this way reignited.
Without looking back at him, I started for my room.
When I got to the stairs, her scent hit my nose as I immediately smiled and knew that we had something more special than just liking each other.
It was a soulmate pull and I could not resist it.
***
Mara's POV
The next day, while we walked around the garden, I remembered my family and I knew I had missed them.
They could have at least come to visit me in my prison but none of them had made that move. Maybe they still believed I had killed my own sister. That was too bad. I wished they would see me in a different light.
I looked back to see Klaus talking to a maid as I walked to him with an apple in my hand.
"Hey," I said with a smile as I handed the fruit to him.
He quickly dispatched the maid before turning to me.
"Hey," he said back.
I had so much to say but I shook my head and changed the subject as we started talking about apples.
***
While we sat on the ground, I leaned against his shoulders as I decided that the beautiful and serene sight was a much better sign for me to go ahead with my words.
"So I was thinking if it was okay with you if I could go see my parents one evening. I'll be back, I promise."
There was a tense in his shoulder I noticed as he groaned a bit before straightening.
"No," he said.
"No?"
"No."
"What do you mean no? They are my parents."
"And I refuse for you to see them."
That was shocking. I had not seen that coming.
"It's not the time for you to see your parents yet."
He said those words with a soft tone but I still didn't like that I was estranged from my parents. They would be worried about me. At least seeing them and telling them I was okay would be better than not saying anything at all.
I wasn't happy about being a prisoner. I thought we were past that and maybe he would see me for a better person but at least I was being treated nicely and I liked how the king had not been rude about it.