A/N Thank you for your fantastic response to my new story! I really appreciate it!

It had been three weeks since the Princess Caroline had grudgingly agreed to marry King Damon in order to save her kingdom. She had not seen Nik nor Bekah since her acceptance. She had been lonely. But, today she sought them out as tomorrow she would travel to King Damon's lands where they would be married. She was repulsed by King Damon and yet she had to do her duty. It stung when she was forced to reject her dearest Nik and yet she knew it was necessary for everyone's survival despite her initial refusal. They were not in their quarters. She guessed Nik was out of the palace, avoiding her as he had been doing, and Bekah forced to sew with the ladies as her mother demanded. Bekah had apologised after her outburst with obvious reluctance but Caroline did not mind her avoidance. She deserved it. She ruined the love between herself and Nik. She rejected what Rebekah craved, freedom to love who she chose. She bumped into someone.

"Care-I mean your highness" Kol Mikaelson bowed with a theatrical flourish. He was the only one of their brood who seemed to understand her situation. Mayhap because he had long been her friend before he had gained friendship with his older brothers. "Nik is in the stables" He winked gallantly before strutting off, no doubt to find his next conquest.

Caroline immediately changed direction and headed for the stables. She cared not about her baby pink gown with its jewels being dragged through the mud. She only wanted to meet her Nik before she left permanetly. How long would he remain her Nik? Soon enough he would be betrothed again, maybe to the Lady Hayley. She would have to resign herself. She spotted him. He was tending to his beautiful dark stallion whom she christened Onyx once upon a time and he named her beloved horse Opal. They were mates.

"Lord Niklaus, I have come to say my farewell" Caroline choked out. "Forgive me Nik, my dear" She said in a far softer and more personal tone as she approached him cautiously. She did not want to upset him.

He listened silently. "Your royal highness has done me no wrong" He said coolly with ice blue eyes. He could not afford to demonstrate emotion. It would hinder his love from her duties.

"Nik please forgive me dearest but it must be done" Caroline pleaded as she took his hand.

She did not understand. She thought he was angry. He involuntarily smirked. Then, he schooled his features into a hardened stare once more. "Your ladyship should desist in your apologies"

"Nik I cannot leave without your forgiveness" Caroline burst out. She looked close to tears. "Nor will I as I love you so. But marriage to King Damon is my duty" She explained with eyes framed by glistening tears. "But I am scared Nik"

That broke him. Caroline had always been a strong woman and she was rarely scared. He pulled her in for a hug, all grievances forgotten. "Hush love" He muttered soothingly. They could not be found together. "I am not angry at you sweetheart. I am angry at circumstances. I am angry at your father but never you love. I wrongly believed I must distance myself but now it seems it has only drawn you closer. And yet Fate has her own plans" He finished wistfully, thinking of the life they would have had together. Marriage, children and old age. All things he would now forsake for he could love no other. He kissed the top of her head with a gentle tenderness. "You must not be scared. Show Damon the lioness I know. He will not hurt you"

She attempted to say something but it was lost with her tears. Finally, she spoke. "But Nik I have saved myself for you. I cannot give him that gift" Caroline insisted as she looked him in the eye.

"Then don't love" He said with a mischievious smile as he kissed her. It was the last desperate kiss of a lover who knew what he stood to lose. His face was pleading once more to refuse the marriage.

Caroline responded, her tongue like satin in his mouth, in a muffled tone. "You know I cannot refuse the marriage Nik" She reasoned as his hand began to caress her breast tenderly. She shivered in delight. They had been awaiting their marriage with great eagerness as they wished to truly be one in all senses of the word and yet that was being denied them. His other hand began snaking its way up her thigh with such delightful sensation. She ran her fingers through his hair, the setting sun turning it a reddish blonde silk. She took his shirt off.

He stopped abruptly. "My love are you sure?" He asked in all seriousness. He would not take her forcibly nor coerce her into giving him her greatest gift. "If Damon knows you are not a virgin-"

Caroline interrupted. "He will not know Nik. For who shall tell him? And Lady Katherine, my dear friend, has told me a way to conceal my loss of virginity" She insisted as she began unbuttoning her gown. Then, she took his hand and guided it to her forbidden area.

He was torn. He did not wish to ruin her. And yet they were consenting adults. He lifted her against the stable walls, her legs open for him and him alone. He entered her. And it inflamed his desire. How could he now allow her to marry another? His manhood swelled and he once more entered her, this time with primal savagery that caused her to moan in delight. His hands were busy cupping those wonderful breasts and giving them the love they deserved. She too stroked his chest and teased him with that lovely, mischievous smile. They made love for the first time. It was wondrous, thought provoking and above all the greatest experience in their young lives. It would be a moment the Princess Caroline and the Lord Niklaus treasured for many moons. They finally stopped, panting and moaning with fatigue. They lay beside each other in silence for minutes, cheek to cheek. Then, Niklaus wrapped his arms around her as she sat up.

"Come with me Nik" She asked in a moment of ingenuity. She was allowed to take a few members of her Court and Nik was her knight after all so Damon could not baulk.

He thought about it. Caroline alone, an easy target for Damon despite her ferocity. Women could be easily abused. And yet if he went with her he could protect her. He could champion her cause. But, would the temptation be too great? How could two lovers be so close and yet unable to be together? He yearned for a future with her as his wife. He made his mind up. "Sweetheart, would I ever let you go alone?" He teased. She huddled closer to him, his love her strength in facing the tyrant that was King Damon. "But, you must take others so as not to arouse suspicion. Bekah, Elijah, The Lady Katherine, Kol and anyone else you have in mind, my love"

"I will Nik. I intend to take all of your siblings, Katherine and the Lady Davina. Mayhap Sir Marcel and Dame Sophie too" She assured him as she went into the imperial Caroline planning mode. It would be as well planned as any military attack so as to keep her lover safe.

Niklaus pulled a face. "Even Finn?"

"Yes even your brother Finn if he will deign to accompany us" Caroline mocked. Finn was pompous and believed himself to be more important than his stature. But, she needed every ally if she was to fulfil her marriage to Damon and survive the process to rule her kingdom. She must be prepared for everything.

A/N Thank you for reading! Let me know if you liked it! Kaira x