Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created by L.J. Smith, as portrayed in the TV series created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. All rights to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Author's Note: So, you may have noticed that I'm not sticking exactly to the Disney version, and the difference will definitely become more obvious as we go along. However, I'm trying to hold on to the spirit of the story, and the TVD characters. I hope you'll like my version. I noticed I messed up a bit time-wise, with Jeremy on a different timeline than Damon and Elena. Whatever, it's a fairytale, right? : ) I'll fix it later… for now, it's nighttime at the castle… Enjoy!

BEHIND THE CASTLE WALLS

III

Damon could hear Elena's footsteps on the staircase, but he would not acknowledge her presence. Instead, he remained in his seat by the fireplace, a glass of wine in his hand. He had his back turned and as he sensed her approach, he spoke, his voice cold and detached. "You are too late. Dinner has already been served."

Elena felt her stomach contract in hunger. She hadn't eaten all day. But she would not let him know of her distress. "Then I suppose I shall retire to my quarters," she said coolly and turned to leave the room.

In a flash, Damon was behind her, his hands gripping her shoulders. Elena felt a hot breath on her neck and shivered. "So you do have some sense after all?" he commented dryly. "You are wise to fear me." It wasn't just fear that had caused her to shiver, but Elena would never admit to that fact. Damon spun her around, still holding her close. He reached up and pushed a silky strand of hair behind her ear. The delicate touch of his cool fingers on her cheek made goose bumps appear all over her body.

"You are pale. I shall have the cook prepare a meal for you. In the future, I expect you to sit down to dinner with me at a time I see fit."

Still shaking, Elena was left alone. Not trusting her legs to carry her, she fumbled for a chair and sat down. Soon, a servant appeared with a tray of food. Elena's mouth watered as her eyes fell upon the succulent quails and her nose caught a whiff of newly baked bread.

Damon watched from the shadows as Elena devoured the dishes before her. He could sense her ravenous hunger, her pleasure as the flavors met her palate. After a whiff of her perfumed hair, he had been ready to feast on her, to devour her. But he refrained from indulging. His immediate needs could be satisfied with any of the servant girls in the castle, but Elena… she was a rose among weeds. A rose which would blossom under his care, whose colors would deepen with time. One day, he would pick that rose, black as his soul, and drink in its heady scent. Yes, he could picture it now. With the snap of his fingers, he beckoned one of the servant girls and she dutifully followed him upstairs.

"Miss Elena?" Nameless asked tentatively. Elena rose from her seat, having finished her meal, and smiled at the girl. "May I show you to your chambers now, miss Elena?"

"My chambers? Will I not be returning to the basement?"

"Oh, no, miss Elena. Master Damon has instructed you be given your own room."

"Has he now? Oh, very well," Elena conceded, being too tired to argue. Besides, what could Nameless do about it?

Nameless hurried up the stairs, her dark locks bouncing. "Right this way, miss Elena," she whispered. She led Elena over to a heavy door and used all her strength to push it open.

Elena gasped. The room was beautiful. A fire was going in the fireplace and along with the candles around the room, it positively glowed. A large canopy bed occupied most of the space, but there was also a vanity, mirror and bench alongside one wall, and a writing desk by the window, facing the garden outside.

"The door to your left leads to your private bath, and the door to your right to a sitting room. The next room over is Master Damon's private suite."

Elena swallowed hard. A whole castle and she and the beast were only separated by a sitting room? How convenient, she thought dryly. She thanked Nameless for her assistance and insisted she go to bed. Elena would fare well on her own.

Elena listened at the door and when she felt certain that Nameless had left, she tiptoed out into the hallway, leaving her slippers behind. Without the warmth of the fire, Elena shivered in the drafty hallway. The cotton dress did not do much to keep the cold out.

Perhaps it was unwise to wander the halls of a drafty old castle at night, but Elena Gilbert was a curious woman by design. The oil lamp she carried with her lit up the darkness surrounding her, whilst casting horrifying shadows on the walls. The sculptures and artifacts that lined the halls seemed to come alive under the flickering illumination of the flame in her hand. Elena tried to not make a sound as she roamed the halls, looking for what she did not know. Perhaps an escape route? No. She had vowed to stay and so she shall. Perhaps she was in search of someone like herself, someone who was not beyond rescue. If she could free but one of the prisoners of the beast, she would die content. True, Jeremy was already free because of her, but having met Nameless, Elena knew she could not stand idly by as great injustice afflicted her fellow man. Perhaps learning the secrets of the beast's mind control would assist her in her endeavors.

At the end of the seemingly endless corridor, Elena came upon a staircase. Casting a quick glance behind her, she took a step. The staircase was made of stone, just like the floors and walls surrounding her, thus no creaky floorboard threatened to give her away. Elena shivered, her body already chilled through from her bare feet against the cold surface, but pressed onward.

The staircase was long and winding, and Elena suspected she was in a tower. Finally, though, she came upon a door. She reached out to turn the doorknob, but was stopped by a cool hand on hers.

"What…" a voice hissed "… do you think you are doing?"

Elena's heart raced. She had been caught. What would he do to her now?

Damon smiled at the increase in Elena's heart rate. The adrenaline coursing through her body would only make her taste better. As she started to turn around, though, he quickly replaced his smile with coldness.

"I… I am sorry," she stuttered. "I was not tired and…"

"And you thought 'why not invade my host's privacy?" Damon said, cocking his head to one side.

"I…" Elena was at a loss for words. But then, as his words registered with her, she spoke, her fear giving way to her indignation. "You are neither my host nor have you any respect for the privacy of others," she spat out.

Insufferable. That was the word that first came to Damon as he looked at the young woman before him. Delicious was the second one. "You are correct," he drawled as he ran his hand through her hair, pushing it back from her shoulders and trailed the big pulsating vein in her neck with his finger. "You are my property now, and I have no intention of respecting your privacy."

What Elena did next surprised both her and Damon. It was certainly not ladylike, nor wise given the situation, but the fury building inside Elena pushed all rational thoughts aside.

Author's Note: I know, it's insanely short, and a really mean cliffhanger… but you know I love my cliffhangers ; ) I hope to update later tonight to make up for it, can't promise anything, though… Thanks for reading!