Torn

Mara's POV

I didn't mind that he was brutal with the men. In fact, I found that intriguing but he had also saved me from harm. That alone was a very good reason why I was grateful I had him by my side.

"It's fine," I smiled. "Thanks for saving me."

And after that night, our relationship grew into something better.

I still hated him for what he did to me. My fangs and all but I couldn't help but fall for him.

As a prisoner who found herself surprisingly released by the king, I couldn't deny the conflicting emotions that moved within me. 

The resentment I held towards him for imprisoning me clashed with the unexpected affection that began to bloom in my heart.

As we spent more time together, the king revealed a side of himself that I had not anticipated. 

Minus the kiss I vowed to not talk about he still showed me other parts of himself. 

He showcased the beauty of his kingdom, sharing stories of its history and imparting his vision for a brighter future. His passion for his people and his realm was evident in every word he spoke.

I loved how he acted like a good king which had me smiling half the time we spoke.

There was a warmth in his eyes, a tenderness in his touch, that gradually melted away the walls I had built around my heart. 

His actions spoke louder than his past actions, and I found myself drawn to him despite my lingering suspicions that this was a trap.

We laughed together, shared a few not so deep secrets, and discovered common interests. 

The king had a way of making me feel cherished and valued, his gestures of kindness resonating deep within my soul. 

Slowly but surely, my inner vampire began to see beyond the surface, recognizing the depth of his character and the sincerity of his intentions.

Yet, the hatred I harbored for his initial imprisonment lingered, casting a shadow over the fragile foundation of our blossoming likeness. 

It didn't help seeing as my inner vampire was weak and could not show up. It was a battle between the woman within me, captivated by his charm, and the prisoner who still carried the wounds inflicted by his actions.

As our relationship deepened during my time with him, I wrestled with my conflicting emotions. I yearned to forgive him, to let go of the past and embrace the likeness that blossomed between us. But forgiveness was a complex journey, one that required time and healing.

The king, sensing my inner turmoil, approached me one evening beneath the starlit sky. His voice was gentle, filled with remorse and vulnerability. He acknowledged the pain he had caused, expressing his regret and his desire to make amends.

At first I tried to play him off and act tough but sooner than I would have liked to admit, I felt my insides turning to mush.

With tears in my eyes, I listened to his heartfelt apology. In that moment, the walls around my heart began to crumble, replaced by a glimmer of hope and the possibility of true forgiveness.

***

Klaus's POV

While sitting with the woman and talking to her, I found out that I was falling even deeper for her. Being in her presence alone wasn't supposed to bring me so much happiness and contentment but it did.

I tried my best to resist the soulmate pull but it was too much to handle.

Due to how romantic I was beginning to feel, I decided to take a break from seeing her as I wanted to regain my animalistic nature back.

"I shall return," I said to her before leaving her and going to the sparring room to see Gail meditating on his own.

"What may I do for you master?" He asked to his feet as I immediately zipped into him with my fangs out. He knew I was here to fight with him.

"Fight me," I snarled as he nodded before engaging with me.

My heart was heavy with the burden of my troubled romance and I seeked solace and guidance from the immortal creature before me. The vampire, his eyes filled with wisdom and a touch of mischief, studied me intently as we zipped around each other with ease.

My punches laid out the man who moved like a professional fighter but soon enough my rage got the better of me as the shadows around me started to get out of hand.

This had the man starting to back away slowly before bringing me back to the present.

"You have to be calm and tell me what the matter is so I can help you," he said as I nodded and he grabbed a wooden sword which he tossed to me.

I laughed and tossed the sword to pick up a metallic one which he did too.

"Now we fight and you tell me what the problem is," he said as I nodded and jolted towards him.

Our swords clashed, the sound echoing through the training grounds. As we moved around each other, I spoke between heavy breaths.

"I am torn between my feelings for her and the pain I have caused her. I know I'm supposed to be that almighty vampire who shouldn't love but how can I do that when everyday brings me closer to her. I want to know everything about her. How can I find a resolution?"

The vampire parried my strike effortlessly, his voice calm and measured. "Love can be a dangerous dance, my King. It is often intertwined with pain and uncertainty. But in order to find your resolution, you must first understand the source of your conflict. That is why I told you to forget about love and focus on your duty to your people."

My brow furrowed as I dodged a swift strike from the old vampire. "I fear that my actions have scarred her too deeply. How can she trust me again? Maybe this is a trap."