Ocassum

12| 'Bleed Bleed poor country'

'To have peace, and to be in love.

And that too, simultaneously?

Forget it Ghalib

Speak of something logical'

- Mirza Ghalib

CHAPTER TWELVE

Despite it being 9 in the morning, it's dark Klaus' office. Mixes of mahogany furniture and black chairs contribute to the dimness in the room. Not to mention the stern Elder who sits to my left, who is undoubtedly the spawn of the discomfort residing in the air.

My eyes drift across his features fine wrinkles across his face and whitening hair. Anyone would think he was in his late 50s. In truth, there might be a few extra zero's added to that guess.

His attention transfixed upon the papers in the folder he holds remaining as quiet as he was when we walked in.

Let's hit him.

Once more the thought seems very tempting, I picture the burst of joy I would feel at the contact of my little fist on his face in an attempt to coax repentance for his misdeeds. Or my open palm and his cheek creating a harshness across the room to which his acknowledgement of mistreatment would follow.

To force him to marry someone random.

What if we asked him to do the same he asked Klaus?

Bursts of fire shoot across my knee and run up my leg to my lower stomach.

From opposite me, Klaus sits leaned forwards. Forearms resting on his thighs, hands disappearing under the dark coffee table to draw my attention to him.

He narrows his eyes and tilts his head slightly face forming a questionable expression.

'What are you thinking about?' His words envelop my mind

I take a deep breath, suddenly feeling a surge of warmth in my cheeks.

'Plotting murder'

Whispering back. It takes Klaus a second to register and understand my words. A mix of confusion and amusement fills his pores and lifts his lips in a slight smile one that has my skin becoming warmer.

From the side, a small cough steals his attention as he looks at the Elder. Slowly I turn my head and watch as he slides a sheet of paper and turns it in front of me.

Looking at it, I read the top.

'Marriage License from the Royal Crown Court'

Oh, this is happening.

After my sudden agreement, Klaus spent the last of the night hours asking me repeatedly if I was sure, each time fuelling my body with a surge of something unknown.

Even now I can't seem to find a centilitre of regret.

I'm sure 16-year-old Winter would be very confused as to which book this scene comes from considering this is quite different to the typical marriage.

"You sign here"

The Elder points to my designated half of the page. I look up to him for a second, his eyes boring into mine with such an intensity that the urge to harm is reincarnated.

With a sigh I turn back to the sheet, my eyes scanning over the blanks.

'Full name'

I take the pen and sit forward, bending over the table slightly to write. Curving my W and looping the E