3rd Person POV

Arelia, as beautiful as she may have been was also just as unforthcoming.

Just like a full blossomed rose with hidden thorns as sharp as daggers.

Such was to be expected after all, she had been practically kidnapped by the same vampire that was said to be her destined partner.

She wouldn't admit it, but she didn't give an ounce of hope not even a shred of belief in what Ambrose had said to her.

Yes she was confused even about how she felt toward Ambrose but that was the least of her worries.

All was of little interest to her expect the fact that Darius was indeed alive.

Sensing another's presence approaching the door Arelia had to hurry.

Her very hair hovered across the floor boards as she arose, Ambrose had just opened the door.

Unaware that she had just found the key to one of her problems.

The other problem was Ambrose himself.

She needed to find away around him, to sneak or to lie...she'd gladly do anything to see Darius even one last time.

Even if it was against the Thrasher of Dreams.

Little did she know that he was the head general of the royal vampire guard and the most trusted friend of Queen Estel.

Still, even if Arelia knew that she'd still barge her way through just to speak with Darius one last time.

To apologize, to say sorry for all the times they could've been...but never could.

Even though Arelia, more than anyone knew she could never truly love Darius...for he was like a brother to her.

A dear friend but never a lover. But if that's what Darius wanted...she'd gladly give what love she could muster up to him.

Ambrose on the other hand, she had no idea what would become of him.
What would become of her feelings for him whether they were to be real or made up from their unique tie to one another, that she so desperately wanted severed?

"You must rest little mouse. You and I have a few long days ahead of us."

Arelia looked everywhere and anywhere but in Ambrose's eyes.

She wanted to hate him and hated herself more for not being able to do so.

First he chased her, grabbed her like some free prize, then locked her in a room for good measure like she was some kind of animal.

Also not to mention he may or may not have attempted to drink her blood.

She detested of the fact that they were made for each other in means of one day marrying.

It was more likely if Arelia were nothing more than some type of sacrifice...that sounded more sane than what was being handed to her by Ambrose.

"Tell me...am I not a sacrifice? I mean really, come on. You can't really think I'm that foolish. To keep a human alive in the vampire realm must be against some type of law or decree to your kind. Even if you are of high status vampire."

"Well little-" Ambrose was just about to speak as he gestured his gloved hand to her to explain.

"I'm not little nor am I an actually mouse! I am Arelia and I'd feel more at ease if you stopped calling me by that ridiculous pet name. I'm not some catch you found on your night patrol. I'm a human, a living being that lives and breaths just as you do. So show some decorum toward a lady."

"As you wish. My dear Arelia."

Arelia's ears at this point were in fumes as Ambrose couldn't help but take in her words about comparing herself with me.

To be alive. To breath.

Was Ambrose even capable of living his life like Arelia.

A vampire hunter she seemed like, eyes that felt pain and anguish, rage and hate...even death seeped out of her eyes at times of rage and anger.

Yet here Ambrose was, thinking of how lovely those iris eyes were.

So intriguing, so memorizing. So unlike his, although they seemed to be keeping away from eye contact with his.

She was the most beautiful of humans he had ever encountered and also the most dangerous.

Ambrose honestly hoped she'd be the last because each human that had run into the vampire kingdom, by chance or by choice have all had to die by his sword.

So he prayed on everything, he'd bet his own life...he was even willing to beg for her life if it meant the Queen's approval.

Yes they were close but there were still times where the subject of humans was a sore topic to Queen Estel.

Especially since her very human lover tried kill her with a poison tipped arrow, burn her chest with a torch, as well as tried so far as to burn her alive in her own bed chambers.

So yes, Ambrose was more than worried that he'd be forced to kill his one and only destined partner.

Arelia Gravestone who was just a human.

He couldn't help but want to know her, not just that she killed vampires for her line of work...he wanted to know who she was as a living being.

He wished to know and even desired to know.

Unfortunately he knew all too well that he wouldn't be able to do what he wished to so easily.

Once the Queen arrives, he'd be lucky to see Arelia even once since the Queen Estel herself banned the existence of humans.

Unless Ambrose were to present a compromise that he knew Arelia would loathe most.

And speaking of loathing...he also knew that Arelia's so called friend never told Arelia the whole truth.

Ambrose connected his fist to the wall just beside Arelia which caused a sudden startle in Arelia.

"What the actually-? What was that about? Are you trying to kill m-"

"...at least let me say that I see you in no way as a 'catch' or as some type of animal to be locked away for safe keeping. You're not mine but that doesn't mean I'll leave you on the streets to be ransoming off to someone else. You say you wish to hate me. Then do so. I hate myself for the fact that your so-called friend isn't actually a friend. I'm livid with the fact that even though I wish to help you I'm only ever going to cause you more grief than relief of what bothers you most."

"Grant it Arelia, I am indeed a vampire. But does that really make me a lesser being from you? Just because I was born a vampire doesn't mean I choose so. But here we are... I live with the fact that I'm a vampire because that's just part of who I am. And there's no shame in accepting that because I use these abilities to protect those I care for. And that includes you."

"Ambrose...I know you mean well but...we are just too different."

Just then the royal horns rang at the peak of midnight.

"I must go. Stay here, please." Ambrose took one last long look at Arelia as to embed the very imagine of her in his mind until he could see her again.

To know she was safe was his first priority truly, but when the royal horn sounds...he must act upon being the royal general of the Queen most of all.