Chapter 7

Purely innocent

Lucien was lying on his hard uncomfortable cot, staring at the ceiling in the dark. The other three servants in the small room were asleep, but he couldn't sleep. When he slept, he dreamt about her. Anika. The dreams were far from innocent and he was aware how dangerous they were. If Kol would ever find out, he would be dead. Lucien had really tried to ignore how he felt toward Anika, but it had become harder and harder.

She was an incredible woman, she deserved so much better than Kol. She was a kind person, warm and sweet. Lucien cherished every moment he had spent with her, especially the few occasions when he had been alone with her. She had taught him some of her signs and he had observed her closely when she talked with Kol or his siblings. He still had a lot to learn, but he already understood many of her signs. He wanted to learn all of them.

Not that it would make any difference, but still… He closed his eyes and tried to get her out of his mind. That really didn't work, especially after what had happened few days ago. The memory made him blush, he couldn't help it. He had seen something he never should have seen. He had gone to her chamber, hoping to have a word with her after he had seen Kol leaving the castle. His intentions had been purely innocent; he had only wanted to ask if she needed anything.

Unfortunately he hadn't known that she had been taking a bath. She hadn't noticed him and obviously he should have left immediately, but he hadn't. Instead he had panicked and hid. At first he had managed to act like a decent man and keep his eyes on the floor, but eventually the temptation had been too much.

He was ashamed of it, but he still couldn't bring himself to regret it. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. If only she could be his… No, she wouldn't be. Even if she wouldn't be with Kol, Lucien would still have no chance with her. He was only a servant, why would she ever want to be with him? He sighed and tried once again to get some sleep. He barely had time to close his eyes when the door was suddenly yanked open.

"Get up!" a male voice commanded. "All of you!"

Lucien was the first one who got up; the other servants had to struggle to follow his example. One of Tristan's guards was standing in the doorway.

"Lady Aurora is missing," he stated. "Lord Tristan orders all of you to go look for her."

Lucien doubted that Aurora was missing, she was probably somewhere with Niklaus. They should have been more careful, Lucien had warned Niklaus about Tristan. All the servants knew that it was dangerous to even look at her the wrong way; Tristan was always watching her like a hawk. Lucien yawned while heading to the hallway after the guard had given all of them an area to search. Hopefully no one would find Niklaus with Aurora.

Lucien walked across the empty hallways when he suddenly spotted someone ahead. It was Anika. She was wearing a white nightgown and her long hair was down. Lucien's heart skipped a beat, he was glad to see her until he noticed that something was wrong with her. She was very pale and she was trembling.

"Lady Anika?" he said automatically, forgetting for a moment that she couldn't hear him. Quickly he stepped in front of her and touched her shoulder. She flinched and looked at him.

"Are you alright?" he signed, even though he could clearly see that she wasn't.

"Kol," she signed. "Please help me find Kol."

After that she collapsed. He caught her before she fell down and wrapped his arms around her.

"Lady Anika?"

She was unconscious and her body felt unnaturally warm against him. Oh no… Very gently he laid her down on the floor and touched her cheek. She was burning up. He needed to get some help. She needed a healer.

"You," a familiar male voice suddenly snarled.

Quickly Lucien looked up and saw Kol and Niklaus.

"My lords, please help. She…"

He didn't have time to finish his sentence when Kol zoomed towards him. Thankfully Niklaus stopped him.

"Kol! Stop it!"

"He hurt Anika!" Kol growled.

Lucien swallowed and stood up as quickly as he could.

"I did not hurt her, I swear. She… she is ill, please, my lords, she needs a healer."

Kol stopped struggling, his face went blank.

"What?"

"She… I just found her, she is burning up…"

"Let go of me," Kol hissed at his brother. As soon as Niklaus obeyed, Kol was next to Anika. He kneeled and touched her face.

"Anika…"

Gently he lifted her up into his arms and looked at his brother.

"Get a healer! Now!"

"What is wrong here?" Tristan's cool voice suddenly asked. He had just arrived with two of his guards.

"Lady Anika is sick," Niklaus said. "Do you have a healer here?"

"Of course. What is wrong with the lady?"

"Get the healer here!" Kol snarled.

Tristan's eyebrows furrowed, he didn't tolerate such tone from anyone.

"She has a fever, my lord," Lucien said quickly.

Tristan didn't even look at Lucien; he glanced at one of the guards.

"Bring the healer."

"Yes, my lord."

Tristan turned back to Kol.

"Take the lady to her chamber, I will send a servant to assist you."

"I can go, my lord," Lucien said.

Once again Tristan didn't look at Lucien, he simply waved his hand. According to Lucien's experience, that meant that he agreed. Kol didn't say a word; he turned around and started to carry Anika towards her chamber. Lucien and Niklaus were right behind him. Neither of them said a word, but Lucien could see how worried Niklaus was. He was worried too and he wanted to help Anika. She would be alright. She had to be.