Caius POV

"I'm proud of you," I whispered to my mate on the stairs- as we headed back to the main area of the castle. "It takes a lot of courage to stand up to someone like that, after they treated you like garbage- not realizing how special you truly are."

I knew those words were something that she needed to hear aloud. Those words were inspiring and yet so challenging at the same time. It was something that everyone- both humans and vampires struggled on a daily basis- although, it was more common with humans than vampires- with the ability of being able to move on. Being able to forgive the person and say something so bluntly without bowing down to the other person was something that not many people ever had the opportunity to have.

I noticed a light-pink blush that rose against Bella's pale cheeks and I knew that she felt a little embarrassed of my saying, especially with how much I barely noticed her small little 'thank you' that was barely audible.

I further add to her- enjoying making my mate blush and squirm, "I think I see some light coming from those lifeless eyes. Hopefully, after today- you'll start healing more."

It was true- considering it broke my undead heart knowing that the idiot who luckily was in the dungeons broke my mate's heart and ruined her life. Yet, there was still some part of her that was slowly returning to herself- one that I would gladly wait eternity for.

"I appreciate it, Caius," She sighed wishfully. "It just doesn't seem like it's fully plausible."

"Bella," I reassured her. "Since the time I've known you- you've been putting on a strong face, warming your heart up to me. You became rather adjusted in your life here- even in a short span of time. Yes, you're not one hundred percent going to be back to yourself. You have to realize healing takes time. Wounds don't heal overnight even the most traumatic ones like you have. Scars don't heal overnight, they stay with you. You have to realize you try your best in living and that is what counts. Sometimes, it's okay to do the bare minimum."

"Thank you, Caius," Bella responded after several minutes had passed. "For everything."

"Your welcome," I murmured.

Who would have thought that the most feared king of the Volturi was absolutely smitten with a human girl? Never in my thousands of years of existence would I have ever imagined this, and yet I enjoyed every minute of it. I thought to myself as I guided Bella up the stairs up to my wing as it was getting pretty late and so much had already happened in such a little time.

Occasionally, she would let out a small yawn and would stop to lean against the wall. A pained expression written all over her face, as she clutched her stomach and her side. I nearly forgot that she hadn't had much painkillers to help her with the pain, and she had probably aggravated her injuries through the walking she had done today.

Without any thinking, I quickly swept her off her feet and started carrying her bridal style to get to my wing.

"Caius!" She protested. "Put me down! I'm fine! It's nothing."

"It is not nothing ," I told her. "You are clearly in pain and it is my error, that I let you walk and forget to give you your painkillers to help. You are injured, no in buts about that. I will not let you aggravate your injuries because of your insolence."

That seemed to be the end of that conversation as Bella only sighed in response. I simply held onto her tightly, before flitting through the corridors and stopping once we got to my wing. I opened the door, and carefully laid down on the bed, making sure that her broken leg was elevated with a pillow.

"Here's some of your painkillers," I said, grabbing the orange pill bottle with some white pills in them. I offered them out to Bella.

Bella sat up a little bit, making sure that her injured leg was still on the pillow and leaned towards me to grab them. She held the white pills in her hand, but she made no move in putting them in her mouth.

"What is it?" I asked. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," She whispered, looking down.

"Well, why aren't you taking them?" I asked. "It's what the doctor prescribed and gave you to help with your injuries considering the fact that you're still healing from your wounds."

"It's not that," She said. "It's just I need something to drink to take them…"

Why didn't you ask? I wanted to retort that to her, but refrained from doing so. That would obviously probably offend my mate, and make her upset and right now, I don't think she realizes how much I am willing to care for her and probably isn't comfortable with anyone caring about her like this.

"Felix!" I said, raising my voice slightly.

A light knock was heard on the door, and Felix stepped into the room. He bowed in front of me, his red eyes flickered towards Bella with a hint of concern on his face, before returning my gaze.

"You called, Master Caius?" Felix asked.

"Yes… Get Bella some water and probably something light for her."

I didn't need to gesture towards Bella who was looking at us- never bother to interrupt between us.

"Of course, Master Caius… Anything else?"

"Yes, bar Athenodora from my room tonight. I doubt she would come, but just in case," I told him.

He bowed again and headed out of the room quicker than Bella had understood. I sat at the corner of the bed, looking at her.

"Why didn't you say anything that you were in pain?"

"I really wasn't…" She admitted, after chewing on her bottom lip for a couple of seconds. "It really just started to throb a little bit when we were heading down into the dungeons to see Ed- him. By then, I didn't want to say anything because I was already confronting him and talking about what I was feeling-"

"Next time, tell me if you're starting to get into pain… When all of this is over with that brat's trial- I'll take you to the doctor to get it checked out," I told her.

Bella didn't say anything and from the way, it seemed that the conversation ended. We waited for Felix's return with Bella's nourishments. He knocked once before opening up the door, carrying a silver platter that contained a glass of water, a pitcher filled with water and something liquidly in a bowl. He handed it to Bella and a look of concern on his face again, before he left.

"Now, I think you should take your painkillers," I told her, grabbing the pitcher off the silver platter and putting it on the table right by the bed.

"I know," She murmured.

She took a drink of the water in her glass after putting the pills in her mouth and she seemed content as she set down her glass and ate her soup quietly.

It was quiet in the room for a few minutes before Bella asked,

""Why did you bar Athenodora from your room tonight?"

Update (December 29th, 2023): Sorry this took so long, but between school and work- it kept me busy. I hope to fo finish this rewrite in the upcoming 2024 year.

Update (1/21/2024): I apparently do not know my own story so I had taken something out.