"As evening twilight fades away, the sky is filled with stars, invisible by day."-Longfellow
Chapter 7: Strangers in the Night
One step at a time. I had to breath. No turning back.
After a day of frustration, Kol had responded to his brother in a letter and told me to pack my bags. We were going to Italy. With excitement, I packed and it had been easy since all of my new clothes were still in boxes. Immediately, the servants loaded the carriage and we rode off.
A few weeks later…
"What is your brother's name?" I asked Kol.
"Niklaus," he grumbled as the bumpy ride continued.
"Why does he request to see you?" I glanced at him from across the carriage.
"Something about my sister's newest suitor. Of course, Niklaus is against him. He never thinks anyone is good enough for the family." He rolled his eyes.
'Does that mean I'm not good enough for Kol? He comes from means, while I derive from dirt,' I thought to myself.
"I'm assuming you do not enjoy his company much."
"He can be a bit overbearing and is not always the nicest."
"As I recall, you are not always the nicest either." I raised an eyebrow with a flirty half smile.
"Excuse me, miss." He moved next to me. "But, I" He placed a kiss on my neck. "am" He kissed my neck again. I melted under his touch and giggled. "a gentleman." The next kiss fell on my cheek. Then, he ended it with a soft, sweet kiss on my lips.
"Yes, but you still play dirty," I stated.
"Name one time," he demanded playfully as he put his arm around me.
"Okay. Right now."
"Doesn't count," he teased.
"Then..." I bit my lip. "When you switched the name cards at the party so that we were sitting next to each other. And when you brought the blonde with you."
"I hardly count that evening as foul play. I think of it more as making sure you saw me." He flashed a genuine half smile that I found irresistible.
Earlier, we had discussed us. What it came down to was that Kol wanted to court me. That was exactly what I wanted. He was so good at making me feel comfortable that he even insisted that we have our own rooms. I thought it was implied but it was a nice gesture that he clarified. He really could be a gentleman.
We rode along for a few minutes in silence before I asked, "What if they don't like me?"
"Then, they shall have me to deal with," he replied confidently. "Do not worry." He grabbed my hand. "They'll love you. Besides, all of their energy is being spent on Rebekah's suitor. Look out the window," he said as he pointed. "We are here."
Everything was beautiful. This family simply had taste. The grass was green and there were flowers everywhere. A fountain sat out front and the house was extravagant. It was entirely made of fine stones with architecture that could impress the unimpressible. I had never traveled before. Now that I had the opportunity, I loved it.
He stepped out of the carriage first. Then, took my hand and helped me down. There before me, in front of the estate, stood two men that I assumed to be Kol's brothers and some servants.
"Hello, brothers," Kol said lightly. "Where's our sister with that suitor of her's?"
"Out with Alexander," replied the brother with darker hair. He looked to me. "You must be Mattie. I am Elijah," he kissed my hand and I curtsied. "And this is my brother, Niklaus." I curtsied again.
"Please, call me Nik," said the other politely with a strange look in his eyes. Then, he took my hand and kissed it.
Kol's brothers seemed charming. Why wouldn't he like them?
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," I replied with a smile.
"Shall we?" asked Elijah.
Kol put his hand on the small of my back and guided me up the stairs and inside. The servants followed with the luggage.
My room was in the east wing of the house and near Kol's sister's room. The three brothers were in the west wing. Every room was magnificent. Tall windows with curtains, mirrors, painting, and flowers. Each bedroom even had its own bathroom. This estate was at least triple the size of Kol's.
After freshening up, I attempted to find my way to the patio in the backyard for lunch. Of course, I had to ask for directions from a servant.
When I got close enough, I over heard Kol having an argument with his brothers. "What I do with my life is none of your bloody business! As for Rebekah's suitor, it's not my problem."
"It concerns the family. That means it concerns-" I heard one of the brothers say in a strong authority voice before stopping. It was as if they could hear me coming.
After a few more steps, I had reached the patio. They all rose from their chairs to be polite and Kol pushed my chair in for me. He was way better at that than Denis.
"I am terribly sorry that I am late. I got lost a few times even after I asked for directions."
"It's quite alright," answered Elijah from across the table.
A servants came over to the table carrying food and drink. Trying not to stuff my face, I acquired a moderate portion of the delicious food and attempted to eat slowly. Being a lady was so hard.
"Are your commendations satisfying?" asked Nik.
"Yes, very. Your home is very beautiful. Thank you for having me," I replied sincerely.
"The pleasures all mine, Sweetheart."
After that comment, Kol, who was sitting next to me, took it upon himself to hold my hand under the table.
The lunch was a tad awkward. The four of us discussed light and fluffy topics. Elijah brought up the weather, while Nik brought up the arts. The whole time, I felt a stare upon me. It was unexplainable. It even gave me a chill.
After, Kol excused us. Putting his arm around mine, he lead me to the stable. The horses were magnificent. Gently, I strokes a large black horse.
"Ever riden?" he asked. I shook my head. "Well then, let's take him out for a spin."
"Really!"
"Yes, really," he answered and instructed the stable boy to prepare the horse. Kol helped me onto the horse. Then, he swiftly got on as well.
The wind whipped through my hair as I giggled and gripped the beautiful man in front of me. He was my anchor and I was but the drifting boat. Or was it the other way around?
Everything about this country blew me away. It was like a breeze, calm, gently, beautiful, and yet it caused a fiery passion to course through my veins. In the countryside, green was all that the eye could see. The cities and towns were lovely as well, but they were more exciting and entertaining.
We stopped in the city closest to Nik's villa and window shopped. If I had wanted anything, Kol wouldn't have hesitated to buy it. But, I didn't need anything. Window shopping was just as fun and Kol did pick me a flower. It was a beautiful daisy and it was worth more to me than anything that he could ever buy.
In an urban area, it's easy to hear the talk of the town. Those people were crazy. They babbled on and on about creatures of the night. Didn't they know that those were simply stories to scare little children?
As it grew darker, we wandered away from all the noise. A river lay before us and so did a blanket? Kol had somehow set up a romantic evening. On the blanket, there lay a basket with food and wine.
He motioned for me to sit and he followed.
"When did you? How did you?"
"I have my ways, Darling," he stated.
"Thank you," I told him.
Kol opened the basket, took out the food, and opened the wine. Everything was delicious. After the meal, we layed on our backs watching the stars.
"All the locals could talk about today were creatures of night. They fear the darkness, but it's so serene when the stars are out. How can anyone believe in stories meant the frighten children?" I asked.
"Have you ever seen a vampire?"
"Of course not. They don't exist."
"Technically, but you wouldn't know. You'd have to see it to know and they could simply be hiding in plain sight."
"If they existed, it would be impossible to hide in plain sight. They can only go out at night."
"True." He smiled. "If they do exist, then you have me to protect you." I returned the smile and then, as I grew tired, snuggled into his chest. There, I was safe. There, I fell asleep.
