Part 14

Tristan couldn't take it anymore. Livia had been in Lucien's suite the whole night. That had never happened before. Something was wrong, Tristan was sure of it. If Lucien had hurt her… Where the hell was Elijah? According to one of Dixon's men, he hadn't returned to the compound. He should have been here to look after Livia.

Tristan gritted his teeth and squished the steering wheel. He was sitting in a car in front of the hotel where Lucien was staying. He couldn't wait any longer; he needed to make sure that Livia was alright. He got out of the car and marched inside. Lucien's suite was on the top floor, as usual. Tristan kept his face completely callous as he knocked on the door. It took a while before the door opened by Lucien. He was wearing nothing except a towel wrapped around his lower body. Tristan's eyes narrowed.

"Well," Lucien said smirking. "This is a surprise. What brings you here?"

"Livia Mikaelson," Tristan replied coolly. "I need to speak to her."

Lucien raised an eyebrow.

"Right. I'm not going to even ask how you know that she's here, but you can't speak to her right now, she's sleeping."

"Sleeping?" Tristan repeated.

Lucien's smirk grew wider.

"Yes, that's right. We had a very long night and the lady needs her rest."

Tristan couldn't control himself; he shoved Lucien aside and marched in. He needed to see Livia. Unfortunately Lucien blocked his way.

"I don't believe that I invited you in," he stated.

"And I would move if I were you," Tristan replied icily.

Lucien's eyes widened.

"Oh my," he chuckled. "Are you serious?"

"What is going on here?" Livia's voice asked before Tristan managed to reply. She was wearing a creamy dress that truly complimented her body. She was beautiful.

"Everything is alright, darling," Lucien replied smiling. "Tristan was just leaving…"

"May I have a word with you?" Tristan asked, ignoring Lucien. His eyes were scanning Livia, looking for any kind of injuries. "In private," he added.

She seemed slightly confused and irritated for a brief moment before replying.

"This is not the best time, Mr. de Martel…"

"All I'm asking is couple of minutes. Please. I wouldn't ask if this wouldn't be important."

She hesitated for a moment before nodding rigidly.

"Alright, you can have couple of minutes."

"Thank you. May I offer you a cup of tea downstairs?"

"Fine." She paused and turned to look at Lucien. "Will you excuse me for a moment?"

"Sure darling if you really want to go with him?"

"Yes. I will be right back."

He smiled and touched her hair.

"I'll be waiting."

Tristan had to struggle in order to control himself, how dared Lucien touch her like that?

"Is everything alright, Miss Livia?" Tristan asked as soon as they were in the elevator.

She seemed confused as she looked at him.

"What do you mean?"

"You were in there the whole night," he said as calmly as he could. "Did Lucien…"

"Did he what?" Livia asked sharply.

Tristan bowed his head, he couldn't face her.

"Did he hurt you?"

She didn't say anything before the elevator doors opened.

"Why are you asking that?" she stated coolly and marched out. He followed her, still struggling to control himself.

"You know why," he murmured.

"Of course I do," she snorted. "Because you care so much about me?"

"Yes, I do…"

She stopped and turned to look at him.

"Alright, I'm done with this game of yours. I understand that the link between us forces you to "protect" me, that's the only reason why I have tolerated your people following me around. What I won't tolerate anymore is this…charade. We both know how you really feel about me and I want you to stop insulting my intelligence by pretending that you would actually care about me."

Tristan forced himself to look at her. There was still a hint of vulnerability in her blue eyes. He could still remember very clearly how she had looked at him all those years ago. The memory filled him with guilt and shame.

"Livia… You have every right to hate me, I don't except you not to. I am deeply sorry about what I did; I hope you can believe that."

She looked at him for a moment before replying.

"You were honest," she huffed. "Why should you apologize for that?"

Tristan stared at her disbelievingly.

"What?"

"I saw the loathing and disgust in your eyes," she stated icily. "I believe that's the only time you have actually been honest to me."

Tristan couldn't believe what he was hearing. Surely they weren't talking about the same night.

"No, that's not…" He paused and took a hold of her arm, gently leading her away from the lobby. She didn't resist as he led her to the empty hallway.

"Livia," he started. "We both know what I did to you and I can assure you that it was the greatest mistake I have ever made."

She flinched, like he would have slapped her.

"I see," she stated icily. "Thank you for making that clear. If there wasn't anything else, I believe I will go back to Lucien now."

"Don't," Tristan said tensely. "I know how this must sound coming from me, but you shouldn't trust him. You deserve so much better."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Does it amuse you to mock me?"

"What, no! I'm not mocking you…"

"Stop it!" she shouted and shoved him against the wall. He had never heard her raising her voice before. "You already made it clear how much I disgust you, what more do you want?!"

He stared at her disbelievingly.

"What? No, I didn't say… You don't disgust me."

"Really?" she snorted. "You just said that what happened was the greatest mistake you have ever made."

"It was," he murmured. "I… I have never been a kind man, but I had never… forced myself on a woman. I truly am sorry…"

"Wait, what? What are you talking about?" she asked.

"You know what. I raped you."

Her eyes widened, she looked completely stunned.

"No, you didn't."

"Yes, I did, there's no point denying it. I attacked you…"

"Yes, that part is true," she stated. "And yes, you did feed on me against my will, but what happened after that… Surely you know that I could have stopped you if I would have wanted to."

Tristan's mouth floundered open and closed, he had no idea what to think.

"What…what are you saying? Why would you…"

"I was curious," she muttered. "I wanted to know what all the fuzz was about and since you wanted it…"

It took a long while before Tristan managed to speak.

"But… I hurt you…"

"Yes, I would have appreciated if you would have been a bit gentler, but you didn't force yourself on me."

Tristan felt that he needed to sit down, this was just… He couldn't believe it. They were both quiet for a long while before Livia spoke.

"You have thought for all these years…"

"Yes."

"Oh… It all makes sense now. Why you thought that you have to pretend to care about me. Well, you don't have to anymore, your conscience is clear."

Slowly he looked at her.

"I wasn't pretending."

She blinked couple of times before replying.

"I saw the way you looked at me…"

"I wasn't disgusted with you," he cut in. "I was disgusted with myself. When I saw you lying under me and I realized what I had done…"

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "You didn't deserve to live with such a burden. I hope you all the best from now on."

They were both quiet again. Tristan was slowly starting to understand what this meant. He had a chance with Livia. He didn't care how much work it would take, he was going to make her his. Just like he had wanted for the last thousand years.