England, 1492.
They kissed and didn't talk about it, despite the scene being engraved in their minds. The way their lips gently, almost in an insecure manner, molded together. The way Irina's eyes closed, while Klaus watched with eyes filled with warmth. They didn't forget the way Klaus smiled after they stopped kissing or the way Irina trailed her fingers over his cheeks, while the rain fell harder and harder.
It was like a page straight out of a fairy tale, a twisted one considering they were soon-to-be enemies.
They didn't talk about it again.
But, they fell into a pattern.
Secret glances, light banter and lingering touches.
Irina thought that it was very masochistic of herself, considering she was all too aware of the fact that her and Klaus wouldn't even get the chance to pursue whatever it was they had going.
Their love story wouldn't have a happy ending, she knew that.
She knew it would end with either her breaking him or him breaking her.
When she looked at Klaus, she saw the ending of their little love story already.
She would be the one to break him, because family came first.
Yet, despite knowing the ending, she couldn't stop glancing at Klaus whenever he was in the room.
She couldn't help the tingling she felt on her lips, as if they were remembering the ghost of his lips on them.
Though aside from friendly banter, she didn't allow herself to go further with Klaus. She already knew a heartbreak was bound to happen, no need to make it worse.
(She already was making it worse.)
Then, while she was walking around in the garden, Klaus sprung his trap on her.
"Love, you've been avoiding me," he casually said, "And I want to know why."
Irina didn't move as he walked over to her, didn't break her gaze from him as they stood in front of each other.
"I want to know why it affects you."
Bold, if not stupid of her to fearlessly say that.
"I asked first."
"Well, you can answer first too."
The teasing smile she gave him was just icing on the cake.
Klaus gave her a half smirk, leaning in close with his face.
Their faces were inches apart.
Irina imagined what would happen if he just leaned in a little closer or if she just stumbled forward.
Would they have another memory that they wouldn't utter?
Another kiss?
"It's okay love, I want to do it again too."
Klaus was death, yet why did his breath feel so warm on her face too?
Irina smiled and pinched the Original's cheeks playfully. "Sorry love, that was a one time thing. I do not do love, remember?"
She didn't remove her hands from his cheeks, offering him a smirk of her own.
He stared at her, a mildly surprised look on his face. As if he had expected her to suddenly turn into a blubbering mess of an idiot in love.
Hmph.
She wasn't in love with Klaus. She was just...
"What are you thinking about?"
Just what?
"Irina," Klaus practically demanded her attention.
"This," she blinked, "Is the second time you have said my name." she breathed.
"It got your attention, love."
Irina rolled her eyes.
"Be my companion for the upcoming dance."
The sudden statement made Irina startle in surprise, her hands almost dropping away from the male's cheeks.
Almost, if Klaus hadn't raised his own hands to keep hers there.
"Please."
Irina's eyes widened, Klaus never says please.
"Love..."
It made her heart clench, hearing him sound so desperate, as if he was losing her.
"Yes."
She leaned in, resting her head on his chest.
"Yes," she repeated, hiding the way her face was ridden in guilt. "Yes, I would love to Klaus.."
She wasn't supposed to be feeling this way.
"That's the first time you've said my name, love."
Irina smiled, raising her head to look at him.
She found him already looking at her.
"Should I call you Lord Klaus instead, love?"
He seemed amused, "If you are into that kind of thing..."
Irina laughed and playfully shoved him back, knowing full well that he allowed her to.
"What now?"
He brushed a stray strand of her hair out of her face, "You tell me," he answered.
"Join me for the walk you interrupted?"
In response he offered her his arm.
.o0o.o0o.
Irina twirled a stray strand of her hair between her fingers as she walked down the streets of England.
She would be lying if she said she was completely used to actually living in the 15th century.
"Ummm..."
Irina glanced at her guard, Trevor, who was making sure no harm befell her.
In her opinion she could defend herself, but she didn't say anything. It helped that even Rebekah was forced to take a guard when venturing outside the castle.
"Yes?"
Trevor seemed a bit hesitant, "I, ah, heard you and Lord Klaus..."
"Are good friends? Yes, the rumors are true."
Trevor nodded, taking the hint not to pry for information. He didn't even mention that Irina was now scowling and chewing her nails.
"Hey Trevor?"
"Yes?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
Trevor, despite being a vampire, felt a bit intimidated at the intense look Irina was giving him.
"O-of course..."
"I know what Klaus is. I know what you all are."
Trevor stopped walking, drowning out the chattering of the civilians around him as he looked at the young Petrova.
He resisted the urge to snap her neck, telling himself that Klaus would kill him if he did and that Katerina would hate him forever.
"More importantly, I know why they are being so kind to my sister. I don't want my sister to die."
Trevor didn't know if he should be relieved or not, because he too didn't want Katerina to die.
"When I came to England, I had a plan set up. Notice my use of the past tense?"
Trevor was about to ask what the girl meant, but she motioned for him to be quiet.
"See, I have some connections here and there, enough to get me what I want whenever I want, for just the price of a fancy knife."
Irina finally stopped chewing on her nails.
"I got myself the only weapon that can kill an Original, a white oak stake. I was going to kill Klaus and dagger his siblings. That was my original plan."
"A white oak stake..?" Trevor repeated, perking up a bit.
He didn't realize that if Klaus died, he did too. Then again, Irina didn't mention it, so how was he supposed to know?
"Yes, but...I got attached."
Irina looked down, a vulnerable look on her face. "I-I couldn't kill Klaus, I had countless chances...the day we..or even while in the garden...I always carry the stake around," she mumbled producing the stake from a sheath hidden behind the frills of the dress she wore.
"I can't bring myself to kill Klaus."
She sounded frustrated by that.
"I'll do it," Trevor immediately volunteered.
Irina looked at him, as if realizing he was still there.
Slowly, the emotional look she had morphed into a calm expression.
"No, that won't be needed..."
"Then how are we going to save Katerina?"
Irina chuckled, "We? There is no we."
Trevor looked at the girl, confused.
"Did you honestly think I would go up against Klaus without a failsafe?"
"What are you talking about?"
"In fact, did you honestly believe I would be foolish enough to let you live after telling you all this?"
Irina cruelly smirked at the confused vampire, "Jaryakat a zem, daryeet acza..."
Trevor's eyes turned yet black.
He closed them.
Then opened them back.
"Princess Irina, I am at your service," he bowed, "Just say the word."
"Carlos, be at ease. I am not a princess."
Honestly, Irina was embarrassed by being seen as a princess by the Travellers, just because she had given them the knife and even promised to help them out in the future.
She considered them a distant sort of family. The fact that they had easily welcomed her to their ranks was certainly a bonus to her, despite her not planning on travelling with them when she finishes what she came to do in England.
.o0o.o0o.
Hot baths.
Irina loved hot baths with a passion that could exceed even Finn's loyalty to Esther.
Barely fighting back a moan, she allowed her body to drop down in the tub filled with hot water.
After a few days of putting her backup plan together and bonding with Rebekah and Klaus, she felt exhausted.
Though a smile still played on her lips, recalling how she spent the day before arm-in-arm with Rebekah looking for a dress to wear.
Klaus had tag along with them, offering some flirtatious remarks towards her and some easy sibling banter towards Rebekah.
Rebekah and her even playfully flirted, both amused to see Klaus and his reactions to their antic.
"They're probably going to hate me soon..." Irina mused to herself, closing her eyes.
"Fire, thank you for today. Do not get me wrong, every other day with you was fun too, but today felt more special. Maybe because it's been a while since Nik and I spent a day together without any drama."
"You sure our love triangle doesn't classify as drama?"
"Very funny, but really. Thank you, you really are my best friend."
"Always and forever, right?"
The bathroom door suddenly opened, surprising Irina.
Letting out an almost strangled noise, she sat up to see who was the perverted idiot who had the galls to barge into her bath time.
"Katerina?"
All anger died down when she saw the panicked look her dear sister held.
"H-he..."
"Deep breaths sister," Irina soothingly cooed, reaching out for a towel.
"The ball tomorrow is not a normal one, it is a pre-victory celebration for Klaus. He is a vampire, sister. He plans to kill me so that he can become both a vampire and a werewolf. We have to run...!"
Irina had calmly wrapped the towel around herself while Katerina had explained the whole situation, not aware that she already knew.
Though the younger Petrova was also glad that Klaus nor Rebekah nor Elijah was anywhere within earshot at the moment.
"Katerina, I do not run without biting first. It simply is not in my nature."
"Irina, what are you saying?"
Irina sent her sister an almost malicious smile, "Tomorrow is our pre-victory celebration." she declared in a confident tone.
.o0o.o0o.
Rebekah watched as Klaus drained the blood of a young woman, carelessly letting the corpse fall down when he was done.
He wiped the leftover blood off of his mouth before sending his sister a questioning look.
Rebekah gave him a mirthless smile, "I wonder, what would Irina think of you if she saw you right now? What would she think of me?"
"She'd see us for the monsters we are."
Rebekah closed her eyes to block the view of the arrogant smirk Klaus held, uncomfortable at the mere mention of Irina, her best friend, hating her.
She wouldn't have anyone to talk to anymore.
Worst of all, she didn't want to ever see Irina looking at her with disgust.
"Forever and always, Rebekah."
In that moment Rebekah felt calm, she opened her eyes to see Klaus looking at her with confusion written on his face.
Probably because she was smiling.
"Fire isn't scared of monsters, so I won't be losing my best friend. You should be concerned about yourself."
"Oh?"
"After all, I'm not the one sacrificing her sister," Rebekah smugly pointed out, "Even if that girl is annoying."
She never really liked Katerina, but even she wouldn't kill the brunette. If only because Irina wouldn't appreciate it.
Klaus arrogant smirk fell off, but he didn't say anything.
Not like Rebekah was going to let him speak.
"What's going to happen? After you sacrifice the doppelganger, what will happen to Irina?"
Klaus looked at her as if contemplating if she was being serious or not.
"It's obvious," he almost scoffed, "She's going to stay with us. Forever and always, right?"
He was smirking again, but somehow Rebekah didn't see any arrogance in it, only warmth.
.o0o.o0o.
Katerina trailed behind her little sister hesitantly, allowing the younger girl to lead her through the streets and corners of England.
"Where are we going?"
She knew that curiosity was not something to be proud of, but she could not help but feel it.
"To get help. Two little girls can't really do much damage against vampires, silly."
Katerina frowned at her little sister's patronizing tone, "Are you mad at me?"
Irina stopped walking, causing Katerina to bump into her.
"Mad?" Irina repeated in confusion.
"You seem frustrated."
"Not at you, sister," Irina assured her sister with a weak smile.
She was more frustrated at herself for not going through with killing Klaus.
Most of her future plans involved killing Katerina's enemies. If she couldn't even go through with killing Klaus, how can she hope to kill future enemies? Would she just not go through with it and compromise again?
Katerina sighed in relief, "I am sorry," she apologized, and seeing Irina's confused look she added: "For being a bad sister. It is always you getting me out of trouble. I am the older one, so it must be me protecting you, not the other way around.. "
Irina gave her older sister's hand a comforting squeeze.
But she didn't really deny what Katerina said, because she really did pull their weight more often than not, but it was her choice.
She chose to do so.
"Let's go Katerina, we're almost there."
Not giving Katerina the chance to reply, Irina tugged the older girl.
She continued leading Katerina through the streets of England, ignoring Katerina's various attempts at trying to pry information about their destination.
"Irina, where-"
"We are here," Irina cut her sister off as the stopped in front of an old abandoned house.
Katerina threw her a skeptical look, as if contemplating whether or not she was still relatively sane.
Irina however just walked over to the door and calmly knocked four times.
The door went open and Katerina gasped, because there was no one behind.
Throwing her sister a secretive smile over her shoulder, Irina entered as if she owned the place and ignored Katerina's shouts.
"Irina!" Katerina hissed grabbing her hand to stop her.
"Sister, shh, you are being too loud."
Before Katerina could even retort, Irina pulled her into a spacious room.
What made Katerina not say anything was the fact that they were no longer alone.
"Irina, who are these people?" Katerina quietly asked while eyeing everyone around them.
There seemed to be at least a hundred people in that one very spacious room.
"Katerina, meet our family, the Travelers."
As if on cue all of the Travelers bowed and said: "Welcome back princess. Welcome back Katerina."
Biting back an embarrassed blush, Irina gave her stupified sister a cheeky smile.
"They are also mercenaries, so we get family discount. Simply amazing, no?"
"What is going on?" Katerina asked her sister, "Why are these people here?"
"To help us, of course," Irina's face softened, "They are going to help us get away from the Originals."
"The Originals?"
"Klaus and his siblings, they are the Originals. The first vampires ever created." Another voice answered.
"Trevor!" Katerina exclaimed.
"Carlos, so nice of you to join us."
Trevor winked, "Found those coffins for you." he informed.
Irina smirked in response, "It is only fair to make a ruckus on our way out. Who better than Finn and Kol?"
Especially Kol.
.o0o.o0o.
Chapter End.
.o0o.o0o.
