The Land of the Dead – VII

Summary: Princess of Cælum, Caroline Forbes, finds herself forced in Infernum as a plot for revenge against her Father. As terror begins to consume the angel, she finds comfort from the enemy, an Infernum Prince. l Twist on Heaven and Hell l Klaroline AU

I do not own The Vampire Diaries or The Originals.


CAROLINE

I sighed with my back leaning against the door. My eyed reopened to gaze across the interior of the room. It wasn't long before I realised: this was Prince Niklaus' room.

I wouldn't have known if it wasn't for his familiar cologne lingering in the air and the many unopened letters addressed to 'Prince Niklaus Mikaelson' that were piling up on a large wooden desk in the corner.

I sighed taking a few steps further into his room feeling a little guilty for intruding on his personal chambers but it was for my own safety against the events outside. I walked around the edge of the room, glancing at the many unusual ornaments that were sat on different surfaces and shelves. I tried to keep my distance from the large lattice window which streamed light onto the dark sheets of his four-poster bed.

Two doors left the room and my inquisitive mind led me to explore his chambers further. The first door led into a large bathroom, with a grand mirror, corner bath and shower which could easily fit three people inside. I was puzzled as to why he needed so much space.

I swiftly closed the door and tried to open the next door. As my fingers turned the handle I found it locked. I paused for a moment wondering what Niklaus could be hiding from the outside world. If we were to be allies then I should be allowed to know at least one of his secrets.

Using my new found abilities, that he had taught me with his younger brother, I chanted softly as I kept my hand twisting the knob. It didn't take long before the door clicked and it had worked. I grinned at my mischievous achievement as my fingers pushed open the door.

Inside was a small room decked out into an art studio. It was filled with rows of different sizes canvases and racks with tubes of paint. I wondered over to the large wooden easel at the end of the room and gazed upon the finished artwork. It knew it was of Infernum, the Blood Rivers and were the largest indication. I'd never imagined I'd think that this country is beautiful but the way the artist had captured it…it was impossible not to. I was amazed at the talent.

Interested in what the artist had done before, I looked through the painted canvases that were in rows. Running my fingers along and choosing random ones. I found a few more of Infernum and its well-known landmarks like the Palace, before I found a section filled with people. I found a painting of Henrik, Rebekah, Elijah and one of what looked to be a scene from Viking England on Earth containing small children running around. The next one I looked up held a very familiar face, my Father's advisor. He was an angel and yet he was here in an Infernum art collection. I was certain it was him as the wrinkled features were a perfect match and the dark hair. What was his connection here?

I noticed a leather-cased book on a small table by the door. I unfastened the clip and opened it. It was a sketch pad filled with early ideas for masterpieces. I kept turning the slightly caramelised pages until I was greeted with my own features. I was in there. The artist was sketching me? But why? I had so many questions for whoever this room belonged to.

"Caroline?" A panicked Niklaus called softly, to indicate his arrival. I left the sketch pad open on the page filled with drawings of me and exited the room.

"I'm here," I spoke in a soft tone.

"Oh thank god I thought you were missing," he sighed, seeming rather worried. "It's nothing to worry about, just another incident to deal with. We'll just stay here while it clears." Before I could get another word out his eyes drifted to the open door of his studio when he realised where I'd come from. "What were you doing in there?" He demanded with a slight growl. He stalked towards me to reach for the door.

"Who painted those?" I questioned in a similar ordering tone as I stepped in front of him to block his path.

"What were you doing in there? It was locked." The Prince repeated with an interrogative gaze.

"I unlocked it," I admitted. He was about to continue but I spoke before he could. "Who painted those? I have a few questions for them."

"Then ask away," he muttered pushing past me to walk inside the room.

"Wait," I pondered on the thought. I hadn't considered that Niklaus was the artist…and yet this was his room after all. "This is your studio?" I asked, wishing for confirmation. I walked into the doorway, watching him closely inspect his private studio.

"Yes, it is part of my chambers…surprised to see a Prince paint?" He asked with a raised brow, assuming my judgement.

"No, not at all I just didn't think someone like you would want to paint. It is such an expressive art form."

"And you believe that I have no emotions to express?"

"I just…I never really thought a demon would…"

"It is why it's locked," he voice stern as a warning for me to never enter here again.

"I assume no one approves of your work?" I asked softly, my gaze never shifting from his lean figure.

"I don't give them a chance to disapprove," he muttered.

"You mean you've never showed these to anyone before?" Guilt was playing on my voice. He shook his head. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to intrude."

"Don't worry about it Caroline, someone was going to find this room sooner or later," he sighed glancing around the interior. I smiled softly, grateful for his forgiveness.

"I don't know why you don't share these." I gestured to the rows filled with ones of Infernum. "You're really talented, I'm sure your Mother or Henrik would love to see these." He chuckled softly.

"Thank you sweetheart," he nodded with a soft grateful smile. "You had some questions for me?"

"Yes, erm," I moved past him to one of the canvases pulling out the one of my Father's advisor. "Who is this man to you?" He hesitated before answering.

"He is…he is my Father," he revealed, bowing his head slightly before returning his gaze to me.

"Your real Father?" He nodded. "Your suspicions were correct about him being in Cælum. He is my Father's advisor." I put the painting back and faced the Prince again.

"I suppose you know him well?"

"Fairly," I shrugged. "He's always been around as I grew up and whenever I saw him he was very pleasant. He mentioned you to me once."


Eleven Years Ago, Cælum Palace

The small blonde haired angel clutched her teddy bear tightly as she stood behind the railings by the stairs on the palace landing. She could hear voices and her Father hadn't been home for a few days. She missed him dearly and hoped for his safe return.

"Princess," she heard a familiar voice call. She looked up to find her Father's advisor, she had no idea what that meant, walking closer.

"Is Daddy home?" She asked him. Her features saddened when he shook his head.

"I'm afraid not Princess Caroline, but I promise you he will be home tomorrow," he informed her. He crouched down to her level with a soft smile on his face.

"Really?" Her face lit up with the news.

"Yes, so why don't you get back to sleep and then in the morning when you wake up he'll be here waiting for you?" She nodded with a bright smile accepting the hand he offered to her with her spare one, the other was still tightly wrapped around her bear.

"Does your child miss you?" She asked, assuming that he had a family of his own.

"Honestly Princess I haven't seen my son since I was on Earth," he sighed. She noticed his sadness as she glanced up at him once they were in her chambers.

"If I was your child I'd miss you," she smiled, hoping it would cheer him up.

"Thank you Princess," he smiled, walking her to her bed.

"Maybe you should go and sleep and then they'll be there for you in the morning?" She suggested, giving him his own advice.

"Maybe," he chuckled, patting the bed for her to climb in. "Come on Princess, time to sleep." She nodded and climbed under the duvet with her teddy bear.

"Daddy will be home in the morning?" She asked softly, wanting confirmation one more.

"Your Father will be home in morning," he nodded, pulling the cover over her small figure. "Goodnight Princess."

"Goodnight Ansel."


"That sounds like him from what I can remember," Niklaus smiled at the story I told him. "I only saw him when Father was away. It's why I wanted to paint him, to help me remember him better."

"Is that why you sketched me?" I blurted out, curiously. His eyes widened slightly. "I found your sketch book…" I glanced behind me to the open book and his gaze followed me.

"You're slightly different love, as we're spending our nights together," I could hear the smirk in his voice at how that could be interpreted.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I raised a brow as I returned my gaze to him.

"I see you around love, with my Father I don't. When you're back home though, then it's a different story."

"So what is the reason for me at present?" I asked softly, unsure if I wanted to know the answer.

"You're quite a picture yourself love," he smirked and I blushed. "Honestly Caroline, I think you're a beautiful woman who's strong and full of light. The most light I've ever seen in Infernum and…I'm drawn to you, Princess." My breath caught in my throat, unsure how to react to his statement. I could feel my cheeks redden further by the second as he stepped closer to me. "I fancy you." He stated clearly as my wide orbs never strayed from him. The next thing that happened were his fingers intertwining with my own. I jumped slightly at the contact, glancing down at our fingers before returning my gaze to his face.

He was undeniably handsome but he's a demon…I'm an angel. It would never work between us. My parents would be horrified by the idea and where would we live? I would either be unwanted here, and he unwanted on my turf.

"There's no point Niklaus. It wouldn't work," I mumbled, trying to divert him from thinking this could happen. My fingers pulling away from his touch. My eye line went to the ground, not wanting to face his response.

"Because you and I are supposed to be enemies?"

"It's more than that Niklaus," I sighed, glancing down to the floor. He reached to touch me but I took a step back. "Just take me back to my cell please." My voice was quiet as I didn't want to hurt his supposed feelings anymore.

"Very well. Just let me check if it's clear." The Prince walked passed me to the door and vanished. A few seconds passed before he had blurred back into his chambers. "Everything seems calm for the moment but for your own safety I'd rather if we got there quicker than at your angel pace." I couldn't help but smile at what he was hinting.

"You want to carry me and whoosh me back?" He nodded.

"Only if you agree love."

"Why not," I shrugged moving closer to him. His placed his strong palms on my waist and mine moved to his shoulders. Our eyes lingered on one another for a moment before he lifted my feet from the ground.

He was warm and comfortable as I buried my head into the crook of his neck. The familiar scent of his cologne enveloping me.

"Close your eyes," Niklaus directed me and I followed.

I could feel a strong wind across my face as Niklaus blurred us to where I was supposed to be. When the cool breeze stopped, I opened my eyes to find him standing on the cool stone floor of my cell with his eyes on me.

"Thank you," I whispered as my toes met the ground.

"Pleasure sweetheart," he smiled softly. "I do hope we can continue our alliance after my announcement earlier."

"Of course," I stated immediately. "Why would that stop us from earning our reward?"

"Good," he started to turn back to the wooden door of my cell. "I'll come and get you tonight sweetheart for more training. Get some sleep."

"I'll see you then."

And he was gone, leaving me with the knowledge that the bastard Prince of Infernum had feelings for me.


A/N Thank you for your reviews! Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter!