Chapter 9

Betrayal

Anika looked outside through the window, wondering where Nik was. It was getting late and the moon would be full tonight. He had mentioned earlier that he would perhaps go and grab a stein in the tavern with Elijah, but Anika hoped that he would be home soon. Not that Anika was worried, Nik never drank too much. Unlike Kol. Thinking about him made Anika feel sad, she could barely recognize him anymore.

Probably everyone in the village knew that he had been unfaithful to Hilde, but Anika hadn't wanted to believe that. She wouldn't have believed it, if she wouldn't have seen it with her own eyes. She had been picking berries in the woods and seen Kol with Mara, the wife of Hilde's brother. That hadn't been the Kol Anika knew. Her Kol had been kind and gentle, not a drunkard who bedded every woman he could.

Maybe Anika had hated Hilde when she had found out about Kol's betrayal, but Hilde certainly didn't deserve to be treated like this. She was Kol's wife and she was carrying his child. Kol needed to start acting like a man and take responsibility of his actions. Hopefully he would before he would cause even more damage.

Anika sighed and undressed, feeling the need to lie down. She had felt nauseous the whole day. Unfortunately Esther had seen her throwing up and asked was she with child. Her question had made Anika blush. What would Esther say if she would know that Anika and Nik hadn't even consummated their marriage? Nik had been beyond patient and Anika felt like the worst wife in the world. Nik was her husband; he had every right to… She turned around, reaching for her nightgown when she saw Nik and startled. Instinctively she covered herself with her arms. He smiled and apologized for scaring her.

"That's alright," she signed. "Did you go to the tavern?"

"Yes."

"Did you have a good time?"

"Yes, I did."

He was still looking at her and she tried her best to relax. He had every right to see her body, she needed to stop acting ridiculously and start to behave like a good wife. That was what she kept telling to herself, but her heart was pounding like a drum. Quickly she wore her nightgown and started to brush her hair. He sat at the table; his eyes were still on her.

"Would you like something to eat?" she signed.

He shook his head.

"No, thank you."

"Alright. I think I will lie down now."

They had shared a bed ever since their wedding, but she had never felt nervous before. For some reason she was nervous now. He removed his shirt and boots before joining her. For a moment they just lied there side by side until he took her hand and kissed it. She smiled at him and rolled on her side, leaning her head against his chest. They had slept like this before, but now she felt his hands starting to wander.

Slowly he ran his fingers up and down her back. Apparently he was done waiting and she couldn't really blame him. She was his wife, not Kol's. It was time for her to accept that and stop thinking about Kol. Nik leaned down to kiss her neck, she smelled the ale. It seemed that he have had to gather some liquid encouragement, just like Kol had before he had proposed to her… No, she needed to stop this right now.

Nik was a good man and he deserved a better wife. When he kissed her, she tried her best to kiss him back and relax her body. His touch didn't feel bad, but somehow it felt wrong. That was nothing but absurd. Nik's hands were still caressing her body and she made no effort to stop him. He was her husband, this was his right. She was determined to start acting like a proper wife, so she pulled the hem of her nightgown up and spread her legs open. He stopped kissing her and looked into her eyes.

"You don't want this," he signed.

"I do," she lied.

He smiled, but there was sadness in his smile.

"No, you don't."

He got up and got dressed before walking out. She felt awful, knowing that she had just hurt him. What was wrong with her, why couldn't she just forget Kol and be a good wife for her husband? She let out an exhausted sigh and curled up under a blanket. It didn't take long before she was asleep and she didn't wake up until someone was shaking her. Quickly she opened her eyes and saw Rebekah's face. She could tell right away that something bad had happened. Her first thought was that something had happened to Kol. Tears were coursing down Rebekah's cheeks.

"What have happened?" Anika signed.

It took a moment before Rebekah managed to reply.

"Henrik… Henrik is dead."


Anika wasn't sure was she awake or asleep. She felt very strange, like her insides would be burning. She was weightless, trapped inside a dark veil. What was happening to her? She tried to open her eyes, but everything was blurry. Someone was touching her and then she felt pain. It made her struggle, but strong arms kept her in place.

Kol… Where was Kol? She tried to struggle even harder, but it was useless. Someone was stroking her hair and cheek. It had to be Kol. He was here and everything would be alright. She felt the weight of his body on top of her and reached for his face. He was here… The pain continued, making her grab his tunic. Why didn't he make the pain stop?

He stroked her cheek again; his face was so close that she felt his breath. Desperately she reached for his face again and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He was here, everything was alright. His lips touched hers and she kissed him back more intensively than ever before. She was afraid that he would suddenly disappear. She couldn't lose him, not again.

The kiss lasted for a long time until she felt the darkness approaching her. She tried her hardest to fight it, but she didn't have enough strength. Kol was here with her and she knew that he would keep her safe. He wouldn't let anything bad happen to her.