Summer 1492: Green grass blew gently in the summer breeze, the cool capable of ruffling one's hair even by sitting on the shade of a tree that is most welcome. Bird noises depicted that nature was at its most productive season, every creature radiating life and the sense of happiness that could alight all souls. Even on the warmer days the heat was bearable, it was even a comfort in a way. The harmony that was always spread during this season of the year had become a habit, one I could never get tired of, but I always made the most of. I was always calm in summer. Nothing predicted that this summer things would change. My heart would be tested again and on the same cruel way. And there she was. The moment I saw her I was breathless, remained petrified where I stood. The resemblance of her presence with one I had long lost and cherished as the first love, brought in an instant every memory of shared moments, the pain, the anger; all came rushing back. I cursed the girl whose image reminded me that such humanized perfection could ever exist again, I cursed my mother for the death of the original, cursed Niklaus for his determination to find this innocent girl, cursed the girl herself for even existing. But I most cursed myself for not letting go of Tatia all these centuries, having her invade my mind from time to time, never to be in rest. They were a replica of the same coin. Identical but it was proven soon that it was just on the looks. It was her image that drew me, how could I not set my eyes on such beauty that aspired everything I could ever wish to have in my arms? But her persona made me fall for her. And fall hard, harder than with the first one. Tatia had never allowed me in, she had never opened up about her dreams, her goals, she was as distant as humans were when encountering a crazed horse. But Katerina…I knew all of hers. We were friends once, she spoke with me freely, no restraints, no anything; It came naturally like the return of early spring swallows each year. Our conversations were of matters of the heart, of life, of everything. She introduced me to a whole new world. A world I found myself wanting to be immersed in & never come back. She had come to become to my own surprise the Light to my Darkness, the Sun to my Moon, wherever she stepped foot on she made the soil radiate her glow, making it sacred. Despite the battle with myself and my stubborn resolve to not allow another woman to capture my heart, it all failed miserably. Katerina worked her way into my soul, my mind, my hardened heart, she brought life inside me. For so long I was alive but not living. She changed that. That moment of realization of what she meant to me, I knew there was no way I would allow her demise. No, even the simple thought brought a pain like no other and I had sworn I would not feel it again. Especially with her, my eternal love. That thinking was what brought me to do something I deemed unthinkable, betray my family.
Not giving a second thought at the recklessness I was permitting myself to commit, I was found directing to the chamber she was sharing at our mansion. One tightly fisted hand lifted, rapping softly upon the closed door, enhanced hearing easily made out the shifting form within as a soft, groggy voice spoke through the door, "Just a moment." The unspoken request that I wait forced me to be patient. Rush and I will ruin everything. With a glance down each corridor to ensure that I was alone, I crossed my arms behind my back and waited. My weight shifted from one foot to the other, trying to find the appropriate sentences to say as nicely as I could without scaring her, what I had to or I would never forgive myself for losing her. The selection of words innumerable, yet time was an enemy that lasted just a few seconds as the door opened, my nearly faded determination refounded by the simple sight of her, I was sure my eyes glinted in delight instantly, and I heard my voice addressing politely
"I apologize for calling so late, My Lady," Without awaiting her response, I took a step forth, slipping into the room as I added hastily; "I would not have come if it were not urgent."
Taking a step back upon my approach gracefully, Katerina allowed my hasty entry, her concern obvious as she spoke, "What is it, My Lord?" Her frightened, but curious gaze urged me onward, her eyes following my movements as she quickly shut the door behind me. I turned to face the woman I was about to break all of my own rules for, for a long moment, finding myself hypnotized by the maroon irises that were transfixed on mine, before taking a deep breath, letting what had been tormenting me slip into the air, "The truth, Katerina, you deserve to hear it." Taking my eyes off her the moment my thought became known, I strode across the room to the window, glancing out into the vast darkness purposely. I was certain that anguish was reflected on my face, yet, I could not face her at what I was about to reveal to her. "You were not brought here to be a wife to Klaus." Pausing for a moment to gain strength, my words came boldly, "You were to be a sacrifice," I stopped there, closing my eyes as if to let the effect of one of my secrets consume me, before opening them once more and turning back to fix my troubled gaze upon the wide eyed girl that seemed to be speechless. Her reaction was among the expected ones, so I decided to continue steadily before being interrupted by the questions that were triggered, "He's going to kill you." A gasp. A nearly soundless gasp was all that was heard from her soft lips. An indication that reality might be starting to sink in her and I quickly added what was my true intention to all this, "I have come to offer my aid if you will accept it."
"I…" She paused as if choking over a lump in her throat, her eyelids fluttering rapidly by the processing of words, her strained voice finishing what was started, questioning my intention, "I do not wish to die, but why would you help me, my Lord? He is your brother…"
"And you are my friend, one I have come to love. Please, Katerina, we mustn't waste time." I stepped forth right after, one hand lifting to press against the soft curve of her cheek tenderly, my obscure eyes locking on hers almost possessively.
"You love me?" Her brow furrowed even as her head tilted to nestle against my hand, showing the sense of safety I had inflicted upon her from the very first moment our eyes met.
"Like I never believed I could, but I must know, do you wish for my help?"
"Yes," she nodded, her single word making my lips curve in a grin. Without any further hesitation I released her cheek after brushing my thumb against its soft surface one last time, bringing my wrist to my mouth while violet webbed veins under my eyes appeared, my eyes shifting to a darker shade simultaneously. Sharp fangs elongated completing the face of the demon I was perfectly concealing. I could see her eyes widening at the sight before her, but I didn't hold back. It had to be done. Teeth sliced through my skin smoothly, a trickle of blood marking the corner of my mouth as sorrow overtook the demonic features, "I'm sorry, this is the only way." As her head shook in denial and attempted to move away in fear of the monster she saw before her, her friend she didn't recognize under this facade, I took firm hold of Katerina's dark locks, yet, as gentle as possible and forced my bleeding wrist to her mouth, my gaze meeting her frightened orbs, obtaining a compelling hold as I spoke with authority, "Drink, you will be safe." Her lips close around my skin with obedience, taking in the substance seeping from the wound until it had healed completely, her brown eyes never leaving my own in doing so. The face of the beast fades as I return slowly to my usual appearance, pain filling my gaze while I remove my wrist gently and repeat reassuring words once again, with a brief nod "You will be safe, I promise. I won't let anything happen to you." Directly moving to justify what I had just said, my hands moved to take hold of the sides of her head, palms caressing the smooth skin of her face as I dropped mine to brush the softest of kisses across her blood stained lips, the touch of them awakening for a moment the desire to prolong it and declare the love I felt for her, but the plan had to be completed. I had to save her. Not anticipating the response to the kiss, I swiftly forced turn of her head, Katerina's neck breaking body fell limp against mine as I dropped to my knees, holding her lifeless body in my arms protectively. I kept looking at the serene expression of her face as death had fallen upon her, not even that could take away her breathtaking beauty. A near silent sob broke from reddened lips, mere moments after my head lifted, a blank, vacant expression shown in them. I was numb, mourning inwardly the unexpected turn of events that would secure her life. Wrapping my arms around her, our forms rose on steal legs, withholding her firmly as her lifeless body was encased in my arms, turning to glance for the last time the room that Katerina would never return to, before leaving, not casting a second glance at it. The plan has been activated. Katerina would be safe now.