The Vampire King's Possession
Chapter 740. Outside The Castle

Chapter 740: 740. Outside The Castle

"Isn’t this what you wanted?" he asked, annoyed. "Why are you so surprised?"

"Well, I didn’t think you’d agree to it," Mauve mumbled, hiding her face from him.

"I don’t," Jael said as he slowly got out of bed. "But if it will help you feel better, then I’ll consider it." He stretched out his hand to pull her out of the bed but stopped at the wide smile on her face. "Don’t look so happy; you won’t be allowed to move around."

"Doesn’t matter," she said as she let him pull her out of the bed.

"Only you would think that," Jael said, moving his hands to her arms to support her.

Mauve hummed, steadying herself. When Jael was sure she wouldn’t tumble forward, he slowly let go of her arms. She grabbed Jael’s hand. "Let’s go."

"Very well," a displeased Jael said, but he had already agreed to this; he couldn’t decline now. Mauve also looked really happy, and he didn’t have the heart to ruin that.

They were halfway down the stairs when Mauve asked him an odd question. "Do you think I am stronger?"

"What?" Jael asked, looking down at her.

"Do you think I am stronger?" she repeated.

"I don’t understand what you mean. Do you mean physically?"

"Yeah," she replied.

"I don’t know. I don’t think so," Jael replied.

Mauve nodded. Was she just hallucinating? Maybe she shouldn’t have mentioned it to Jael. Just because she had been able to cut the string with too much force didn’t mean anything. It must have been loose.

"Okay," she replied.

"What do you mean, ’okay’? Has something happened?" Jael asked, a little worried.

"No, I was just wondering." She smiled at him. When she was sure, she would probably bring up the conversation again, and she’d also tell him that her eyesight in the dark was better. Not enough to roam the dark without help, but it was significant enough for her to notice.

"That’s an odd question to ask," Jael said, unconvinced.

"It is? Wouldn’t it be more odd if I asked to arm wrestle because I thought I was stronger?" Mauve joked.

"What are you talking about?" Jael looked down at her with an intense look in his eyes.

"I was joking." She giggled.

Jael gave her a look that said he was still unconvinced. "I promise," she added.

He looked like he was about to speak, but they were now at the front doors, and the guards were bowing to them. Jael lifted his hand to them while leading Mauve through the open doors. Her eyes widened as she stepped outside. There were barely any stars. The sky was a blanket of grey, with maybe a few twinkles.

"You promised not to move," he said as he laid her down the stairs.

"Cross my heart," Mauve replied. "You don’t need to remind me."

Jael looked puzzled at her words but just nodded. They got to the bottom of the stairs, and he was quick to lead her to the back of it.

Jael led Mauve carefully down the winding path behind the castle. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and night-blooming flowers. The lanterns along the path cast a soft glow, but Mauve found herself noticing the shadows more clearly than she ever had before. The details seemed sharper somehow—the delicate veins of the leaves, the movement of moths near the lanterns.

She didn’t say anything, unsure if it was just her imagination again.

"You’ve gone quiet," Jael observed. "Feeling tired?"

"No," she responded immediately, fearing that he might suggest she go back inside. "Just thinking. It’s so peaceful out here."

Jael hummed in agreement. "For now. But don’t let it fool you. Peace doesn’t mean safe."

"Always the pessimist," Mauve teased.

"And always right," Jael shot back, his lips quirking into a faint smile.

Mauve wanted to say there was no way anything would get her here when she was surrounded by vampires, but she didn’t want Jael to remember that, so she kept quiet and just enjoyed the scenery.

They continued walking until they reached the open field. The soft sound of weapons clashing grew louder as they walked closer. Danag noticed them first and was quick to rush toward them.

"Sire," he bowed. "I thought you were done for the night."

"No," Jael simply said.

Realizing that Jael had no intention of elaborating, Danag turned his attention to Mauve. "My lady," he said with a bow.

"Danag," she smiled at him.

"Get her somewhere to sit," Jael commanded.

"At once," Danag said, and off he went.

Damon soon appeared and gave a summary of what had happened while he was away, but Mauve was not listening as her eyes were on the field, watching the vampires. Two of them were going at it, with one of them obviously stronger than the other.

Standing to the side was Louis. He was the closest to the fighters but still kept a reasonable distance. Mauve wondered if he was the referee of some sort. Noticing her attention on him, he waved, and Mauve was quick to wave back—only to get pulled in the opposite direction by Jael.

Danag had found a seat and placed it as far away as possible. Mauve tried not to look disappointed. It was already a miracle she was here now, and she was starting to feel self-conscious. Every eye was on her except for the two fighters. Mauve wasn’t sure if they approved of her presence or not.

"Happy?" Jael asked, crossing his arms as he stood beside her, his eyes darting around.

Mauve leaned back against the bench, her hands resting over her stomach. "Very."

"Is this better, then?" he asked.

"Very much so," Mauve said with a smile. The breeze outside was completely different from the ones that came through her window. Mauve closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Her eyes immediately flew open when she felt a cool palm on her face. "Your face is cooler," he said. His hand moved downwards to her neck. "Hm."

"Hm, what?" Mauve cried.

He pulled his hand away. "Nothing."

"Did you think I was just lying to come outside?" Mauve asked with a smirk.

"I didn’t say that," Jael replied.

Mauve smiled and turned away from him. Louis was stopping the fight. One of the fighters was on the ground while the other stood to the side. Louis walked to him, raised his hand, and a shout echoed from the vampires around. He dropped the hand of the vampire and slowly approached them.

"Louis is coming," Mauve said.

Jael turned to the field. "What does he want?"

"Don’t be like that," she scolded. "I’m sure he just wants to say hi."

"Sire," Louis said as soon as he appeared. "My lady."

"Louis," Mauve grinned, standing to her feet.

"You should sit," Jael interrupted.

"I’m fine." She turned to Louis. "I see you’re busy."

"Yes, and your presence is affecting my job."

Mauve glowered at him. "At least pretend to be happy to see me."

"Why are you here?" he asked instead.

"I wanted some air."

Louis sneaked a peek at Jael; his disapproval was as clear as day. "Okay," he said and started to walk away. "Don’t wander."

"What do you take me for?" She glared at him.

She sat back down and scoffed, not missing the look Jael shot at her. He was about to speak when Erick showed up.

"Is this a good time?" he asked Jael. "It’s pretty important."

Jael looked at Mauve.

"Don’t worry. Leave," she said. "Danag is right here. I won’t move a muscle."

"I’ll just be a few feet away."

"Yeah," Mauve said, clearly irritated. They were all comfortable outside, but somehow both Louis and Jael were acting as though her presence could suddenly turn unsafe.

Jael walked with Erick, but they didn’t stop a few feet away. They ended up moving towards the side of the castle. Mauve wondered what the situation was. It must be pretty important for Jael to leave her—or was he finally starting to believe that it was safe for her to be out here?

She sighed and leaned on the bench. Would she never get to walk around the castle? She had been here for almost a year now and still didn’t know what the forest looked like. Or the trees close to the wall. She couldn’t even say how big the compound was.

Mauve stood from her bench, checking to make sure Jael was still out of sight.

"My lady," Danag said.

Mauve internally swore. She had forgotten about him. "Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. I just want to look at the trees." Mauve made sure to use ’look’ so he wouldn’t think she intended to move closer.

Mauve stood behind the bench, looking toward them. She heard Louis signal the start of a new match and saw Danag’s attention shift from her to the field. Mauve smiled and wasted no time slipping away. She would be back before Jael returned, she thought to herself.