Forbidden Fruit

Chapter 13 - Day One-Twenty - Nothing was the Same

R-M Adult themes and situations

Forbidden fruit. A strong desire or craving for something all the more because it is not allowed.

Master. A man in a position of power of people working for him, typically servants/slaves.

Slave. A person who is legal property to another and forced into obedience.

Control. Power to influence behavior. Authoritative Mastery

Defiance. Being openly resistant to obedience.

Husband. Married significant of his wife. Master of household, life partner.

Wife. Married significant of her husband. Better half, life partner.

Marriage. Institution of being united in matrimony. Intimate Union of two entities.

Freedom. Power to Act, think, feel, speak unhindered.

Sin. Immorality committed against divine law.

Forsaken. Abandoned

Embrace. Hold, accept, support with great affection.

I apologize for the delayed update. I will never stop writing this story, and thank you for your support of it! You are always appreciated. Please enjoy this chapter!

~Kai~

Kai stumbled through the backyard of the Manor and Haven Point for a while. He tried to wrap his mind around the woman he betrothed him. He never meant to allow it to get this far. He never meant to fall in love with her. All he wanted was a temporary companion. Someone to see him through the days and help the time to go by before leaving Mystic Falls. He sat under the apple tree for a while remembering one of many encounters, in the lake. The woman with the green eyes. The woman with the scars. The woman who wore blue nearly every day.

(Flashback)

Bonnie and Kai finished swimming one grey-skied afternoon. It almost appeared a storm might come but it was taking its time. Making the day feel slowed, yet rushed. They sat soak and wet at the at the small rickety dock across the lake. He had his arm around her because the sun wasn't out and it wasn't warm. He felt the shivers of her body and her slight shaking. He wrapped her in his arms with his legs on either side of her and they just conversed. About everything and nothing. At times the conversations were menial and forgotten within seconds.

But there were certain conversations that stood out more than the rest conversations about her husband. He made sure to pay close attention to those because she spoke with the most passion when speaking of the man whom she married.

"He wasn't always so angry. It came over time. The drinking of the spirits brought it out. But he just didn't stop drinking. He was angry at everyone, including Lily and Stefan. It was, frightening, the looks in his eyes. Sometimes I never knew if I was family or slave." She spoke looking off into the distance.

"Was he ever tender, with you?"

"Yes, more often. He hit me few times. He didn't make it a habit to hit me. But as it were, he'd never hit me before college. As a very young girl he protected me. He sheltered me. He coddled my needs and saw to it, I rarely saw the punishment of his father. With everything in him, he protected me. It would be sixteen years before he ever laid a hand upon me. The first time he hit me, it was because of a man. A man who loved me, who's love I did not requite. But in his eyes, his jealousy could not handle the thought of another man's desire for me. He thought I desired this man."

"You are beautiful. Surely, this type of disturbance never vanished from even the furthest corners of his mind. Most men would have impure thoughts of such a woman. He had a right to protect you. I'm sure every day he regrets laying a hand upon you." Kai sad holding her tighter.

"I don't know. I am but sixteen. And a slave. It is rare I am in the presence of another male, to understand the lingering thoughts in the mind of a man. My exposure to everyday life was minimized until I began working in the French market. Then those men may have thought perversely. I wouldn't know. I had Marcel, who was like a brother to me. Well, he was, and later I find out he was warned of his distance from me." She turned her face to look him in he eyes.

"You have been alone."

"Oui. I mean yes, until the French market place. Then I had Marcel, and Lorenzo. But I've always had Stefan. And then Sarah. Lily is my mother, so she is there. Giuseppe and I were never particularly close. Marcel, has Sabine now. Stefan has Caroline. Lily is ill. Lorenzo has vanished most days. He makes rare appearances at the market place. Then there is my kin, my blood, Emily, who wants to leave me and go to France with Elijah and Katherine as their servant."

"You're not always alone. You have your servants."

"This is true." She smiled again. "You are the first person I have chosen and not had to share. You're my best friend and I adore you." She kissed his cheek and turned back towards the open water and the grey sky, leaning backwards into his hold. They sit there for minutes more in silence, before Bonnie gets up. "I should go before I fall ill to the conditions. I sense the rain is coming."

"I should head to get cleaned at the pastor's house and have supper. Thank you for another lovely day, Miss Blue." He grabs her hand kissing the back side gently.

"Why thank you Mister Malakai Parker. It has been a pleasant venture. Until we meet again." She smiled in character along with him.

"Until next time." He smiled before disappearing into the woods.

(End)

Now the novel of their friendship has come to an end, and he has violated the oath of a marriage by fancying another man's betrothed. Kai could be murdered for his friendship with Bonnie. His petty theft crimes, and violations of property trespassing. He needed to be far away from Virginia. His thoughts piled like barrels of hay, as he stumbled around the yard ready to swim back across the lake and head far from this property of Damon Salvatore's. He heard a carriage around the front side of the manner and didn't stick around long enough to be shot. He headed into the night to get lost in his last memory of his Bonnie Blue.

...

Her heart calmed down as she sat there with closed eyes remembering him. As soon as her eyes opened, she felt the greatest fear she'd ever known. The gentle, free spirit she was embracing, retracted into her now rigidly timid body. Just as she gave up hope, he stares back at her in the vanity from behind her. Her brush fell to the floor and so did her mouth. Her naked body froze.

"Surprise, surprise! You didn't think your husband would forget about your special day now did you? Happy Birthday my little Birdie."

He grinned at her like the seducer he was, and she felt a cold chill overtake her. He brought the cold in and she flushed before him all the heat from her body, when she spoke breathlessly. "Damon..."

..oOo..

Stefan had tended to business matters with Bonnie, in hopes to purchase Emily today. His maturity, and growing business opportunities, had contributed to his forgetting her birthday today. Not only had he been busy with that, but he and Caroline had been secretly finalizing the arrangements of their wedding day for the past couple of weeks. With the hostility between the two families, Stefan decided to give Caroline's mother whatever she wanted, to avoid the stress of fighting. His mother's illness was becoming more manageable, but his strength in family was vanishing as Giuseppe, had not been around, and to make matters worse, he was dragging Sarah along for the ride. Then he hadn't had word from his brother, and he and Bonnie were feeling abandoned. He was discreet about the wedding plans due to sensitivity to Bonnie and Damon's situation.

He also, became resourceful in business as he and Bonnie worked the market place. Stefan was maturing, and he could only thank his brother for leaving and forcing this upon him. Bonnie forcing him to think more about Lily, helped him to grow up as well, made Stefan realize he needed to be more selfless. Bonnie also helped to strengthen Stefan by way of dealing with his emotions.

Now he knew, he had to get Sarah back. So he planned to marry Caroline, and free Sarah of the clutches of his father. Stefan lie in his room and drowned his thoughts into the darkness. He remembered, how he kissed his brother's wife, and his guilt burned him up for hurting both Bonnie and Damon. Loving her could never flee his mind, but more than anything, his relationship with Giuseppe taught him the importance of his and Damon's relationship. He couldn't lose the only other man he trusted.

..oOo..

The moment she saw his face she grew fearfully. She thought he could smell her guilt, her sinful momentary lapse in judgement. Damon stood behind his wife, unaware she'd been sleeping in a different bedroom, since she chose tonight to bathe in the tub of the room they shared. Damon carried a small satchel, which he carelessly dropped. He looked upon the face of the woman he missed more than life itself and he smiled.

Bonnie hadn't seen that smile in years. It was the smile of the young man before college. She quickly, and fearfully covered her body with her hands and he kneeled behind her and put his arms around her. He kissed her shoulders and turned her to him.

Kai?

Kai who?

Her husband whom she hadn't seen in one hundred and twenty days. The man she loved more than life itself, who abandoned her by his actions was touching her.

"My little bird, I'm home."

Bonnie remained frozen. Damon looked in her eyes, and saw a mixture of emotions. He bit his bottom lip out of nervousness. He was nervous and worried. "It's me. I'm home. Please say something."

Bonnie's lips began to shake. Her nude body still on display, she stood up and moved past him grabbing for something to cover herself. Her emotions hit her like a ton of bricks. She had been fine. She was finally happy and finally understanding herself. She finally built up the strength to be okay, and now he was back in her presence making her remember what he'd done to her emotionally, when he abandoned her.

He felt her anger and he was left kneeling on one knee at her vanity. He picked up her brush and sat it on top of the vanity. He looked down at the floor and saw the mud that had been tracked in. He pardoned it for a moment considering the emotional state of his wife. He looked toward her and she was covering her body, and he stood up slowly watching her. He had the most peculiar feeling, but nothing mattered more than her in this moment. Her sniffing grew and she began to weep, into her chest, praying she was being silent enough not to give herself away. Her magnitude of pain was on a scale he couldn't fathom.

"Birdie, my love..." he walked a couple of steps near her. "Please look at me." She looked up from her chest but directly at the wall. He saw her throat swallow her agony. He took necessary steps to make it within a few inches of her radius.

He grabbed her arm delicately and pulled her into him. Her large gown covered her body but the silhouette of her body was visible. She refused to look at him, so he touched her lips with his. Softly. The gentlest kiss he'd ever placed upon her. She fell into his, as her tears fell down her face. He yearned for this. Her touch, her smell, her embrace. Before he left, he wasn't in the best frame of mind to love her. Even if all he knew how to do, was to love her, he had to learn to differentiate her societal status from her matrimonial status. He had to learn what it meant to let go of her, because he held on too tight. He had to learn what it meant to give her space and love her the way she deserved.

As his lips fell on the warmth of her love, Bonnie felt herself continuously warming to his touch. She opened her mouth accepting his deliverance. She closed her eyes, falling for his charm. She didn't stop his embrace. His hands felt her skin, giving her chills as they swept across her arms and shoulders dropping her guard while he familiarized himself with her. His lips traveled down her face, until the met her neck. Her arms maneuvered onto his shoulders. She had yet to speak. Her body was talking, as was his. He became hungrier, and his mouth traveled further to her chest, but the fabric of her gown was in the way forcing him to grab and tear.

It was too much in his way. His greedy need for her, forced him to pull until he heard the fabrics break and every thread popped accordingly as the stitching came undone, wear he destroyed it. He pulled up to look at her but her eyes were closed and he moved back to the skin of her breast, until her perfect, little nipple pebbled in his mouth. His manhood felt her arousal, and he was charged like lightening. He found the material again and tore at it until he exposed the skin of her body to the navel. "You are disturbingly beautiful. Even more so than I recollect."

Then suddenly she remembers how he left again, but before she could object, his body was on hers. His arms were pulling at her gown to remove it, and from the first time he saw her, coming home from college he wanted her. He wanted her, and for no other man to ever have her. She belonged to him. She was his. Since she was nine, she was his responsibility. But when she turned sixteen, she was something else. He left for four years and came back to a stranger. A young woman. A potential lover, and wife. A sophisticated, and educated woman of society, but a slave. His slave. She was his, and no other man shall ever have her.

Damon's hands were ravaging her, and she began objecting to his advances, remembering the anguish he caused. She grabbed for his hands pulling them off of her body. "Jeune Salvatore." She had forgotten she no longer called him that. She made the mistake forcing his correction.

"Bonnie, you no longer acquaint me with that title." He barked out between finding his lips from her clavicle to her shoulder blade. His greedy lips, hungered for her. Any part would do, but just something to taste.

"My apologies. But-" he interrupted her with a kiss, and deeply embedded his tongue inside of her, to keep her satisfied. Bonnie pulled up and away from him. "Stop. Damon." She hit his chest, but he couldn't hear anything but his hunger. "Please, Damon." She tried speaking louder than their bodies, but she couldn't. His lips worked themselves back to her neck and before he could work her up completely she yelled his name. "Damon!"

Finally, he stopped, and when he looked up she slapped him.

SLAP!

Her hand swiftly flew across his face, and offered him a lesson in patience and respect in the same sitting. He held his face, in shock, but he didn't show it. His face remained to the direction of the side, she hit it in. His hand held the skin, as she delivered quite a sting to his face. He bit down on his jaw and slight pulsing pushed through the veins of his temples and forehead. He didn't move or say anything. Just held his cheek and remained stunned by her boldness.

"I said stop." She looked at him. Not fearful, but agitated. She pushed him away and held her ripped gown together, closing her body from him. "I am not your property. I am your wife." He looked her in the face, feeling and seeing every ounce of anger she had inside of her. She walked past him and left him in the room, with his shock, and his anger. Still holding his cheek.

...

My Sweet Birdie,

A Business opportunity has arisen. I have no words on how long I will be away. I will return when things are legitimized.

With Sincerest Love, Your husband.

The words continuously replayed in her head. She memorized the way they looked on paper because she'd read the letter over and over again. She'd read the letter everyday. She sat on her bed in her room. Not their room. She cried as she remembered how he'd left her. She cried when he didn't give her a proper good bye. She cried when she felt unloved by him. She cried when she felt betrayed. She cried when she felt abandoned.

And now she cries feeling, confusion.

How did the day come to this? Her birthday. How had she not seen this forecast?

She remained in her room, alone for no more than an hour. She heard a quiet knock on her door. She, peaked at the door, tears welding once more in the ducts of her eyes. The knock was soft, but firm. She waited a few seconds. Then she stood up and walked to the door, slowly opening it. He stood there quietly. She was slightly fearful, yet ready for whatever punishment he would hand her. She looked at the floor for a long time. He put his fingers to her chin and lifted.

"My little bird, may I come in?" He asked softly.

She hesitated as her lips shook.

"Please?" He looked at her compassionately. She nodded her head and moved aside for him. He took three small steps until he was inside and he shut the door behind him, to keep from waking the servants. Bonnie looked at him questionably and backed away from him fearing the worst. He looked around before looking at her. "Is this your room, my love?" He looked up at her.

She nodded her head.

"Why?"

"Because, that other room belongs to a husband and wife, who love each other."

He gulped, and blinked twice before looking back into her eyes. "I'm your husband. And you are my wife. We love each other very much."

"I was a wife for one-hundred and twenty days, abandoned by her husband. Left to wonder why." Her face spoke of the magnitude of pain she felt. Anger she held on to. She stood against the wall, and couldn't hold his gaze. He approached her with caution as she remained defensive. Several small steps on the creaking wood of the house. He took his time. He gently approached her, and she started to shake more.

"My lovely little bird. My sweet wife. I know you are unsure-"

"Unsure? What is your pardon? Why are you behaving so peculiarly?" She asked this man. This man who spoke differently from her husband. This man that frightened her with his calmness. This man, who felt fragile in comparison to the man she married.

His final steps to reach her enclosed her between him and the wall. He touched her shoulder, then her cheek. Causing her to wince both times. He bit his lip in frustration. Yet, his frustration wasn't directed at her, it was directed at himself. He looked at her and grabbed her face with the sweaty palms of his hands, and stared at her long and hard.

"Please do not punish me." She whispered as tears fell down her cheeks. His lips shook listening to her.

"My love. I do not not wish to bring harm upon you. I have missed you for one-hundred and twenty days. My entire being is filled with emptiness, having not felt your touch, or seen your face. The sweet sound of your voice, and the love in your embrace. All I have thought about for one-hundred and twenty days, is getting back to you."

"If that were true you would not have forsaken me." Tears filled his sweaty palms.

"The moment I left, I missed you. But I had every reason to leave."

"I remember word for word your letter.

My Sweet Birdie,

A Business opportunity has arisen. I have no words on how long I will be away. I will return when things are legitimized.

With Sincerest Love, Your husband.

A business opportunity has a risen?" She said mocking him. "What business?"

"I cannot speak of it."

"Was it the woman your father wanted you to marry? You left for another?" She broken down crying. "A white woman. A wealthy woman. A woman that could help you acquire status?" She yelled.

"No."

"Liar!"

SLAP!

He tried remaining calm. He glared at her. "You will not lay another hand to me. I am your husband."

"You are my forsaken!" She screamed and cried turning her face away from him.

"No! No, I promise. Please, look at me." He yanked her towards him as she tried pushing away from him. "No. look at me damnit! One-hundred and twenty days I never stole faulty glances," he spoke so harshly spit flew from his lips. "Nor did I entertain another woman's conversation that was of an inappropriate nature. I looked at your face everyday and every night. I prayed." His face pleaded for her gentle glance. "Did you hear me? I said, I even prayed, my little Birdie. I'm different. I promise you. I beg of you, look at me." She turned to look at him.

"How can I put my faith upon you? The man who stands before me, is a man near unrecognizable. What security lies in your words, shall I need to seek the truth?"

He eased a small smile, and with a pang of guilt he looked down at her. "I shall prove it." He placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. She accepted it, because, after all he was her husband. "Please. Come darlin' let's go to our quarter. I'm weighted, and weathered. I just want to lay with my wife." She looks up at him nodding her head. He gently tugs at her arms and puts out the light.

As they walk to the room, Damon picks up the muddy footprints. He watches the light trail which leads up to the room. She hadn't had a chance to clean it up. She threaded slowly behind him. She watched him as he looked at the trail of mud.

"Why is there a trail of filth here?"

"Uh... I heard a disturbance in the property. I wanted to see to it no trespassers were on the land." He tuned and looked at her questionably.

"Darlin, trespassers? You are a woman. I was told by Kol there was a man on the property-"

"What! There has been no such thing!" She said in a hurry defending the thought of Malakai possibly having been seen there.

"No? You did not have Stefan hire a negro servant, then?"

"Oh. Well, that was all Stefan's dealings. Not mine. He hired Mrs. Brown's son Jesse. As coincidence fell upon circumstance, he worked for Caroline's family. He wanted to reunite him to his mother." Bonnie said modestly.

"I see. Why would Stefan...? Forget it. I'm exhausted. My point is, next time send him out to check the property. The darkness is not a place for a woman to be walking around property checking for trespassers. Any treasonous behavior is a matter for a man to see to." He said cautiously.

"My husband, you've been gone for one-hundred and twenty days. In this time I have become quite the resourceful and competent woman." She spoke casually.

He turned to her slowly. "Still, you are my wife. You are a negro. The men who surround Mystic Falls are dangerous which is why I brought you here, to Haven Point. Yes, there are less rebels and Kol has been distinctive in his care regarding you. Trust me. I did not leave you unprotected."

"What do you mean?" She asked nervously.

"You were being watched very closely. I gave you a bit of freedom my love. I allowed you to find yourself, and see who you were without me, but I did not leave you unprotected. What kind of man, would do that?"

"My husband, Kol Mikaelson and I did not see one another everyday."

"Don't you worry my darlin' Kol and Stefan's watchful eyes took time to cater to the needs of mine. And other sources. My point is, don't ever go wondering around the property alone. I'll have you know, it's not a place for a woman. Let alone a free negro woman. Let alone my wife." He kissed her forehead again.

...

Bonnie became increasingly worried about Damon's words. The meaning behind them had her frightened. She was nervous. She hadn't been alone with her husband in months. Let alone been intimate. She feared this. She wasn't ready for him in such a way. She just wanted to hold him, and be held. Before he left her, he was so cold towards her, she missed the nearness of his touch, the moments he remained gentle.

She waited patiently for her husband to get in the bed with her. But she was filled with trembles. Everything that had come to pass went through her mind in these moments. She held the blankets between her fingers fiddling with the fabric nervously. She looked nervous as she heard his foot steps approaching their bed. She squeezed her eyes shut and before she knew it, he was next to her placing a kiss to the corner of her mouth.

She felt his hand holding the back of her head, again gently. He pulled her face to his pressing, a more firm kiss to her mouth. She hesitated, and he felt her hesitance. But he knew she was not an experienced woman, so he just took the lead. He hadn't seen the woman just a day before anxious to kiss Malakai, and pressing her lips to him. The woman so starved for touch, she practically stole Malakai's kiss. She had not remembered those moments, in this moment either. She remembered she was a young, inexperienced woman. His lips opened hers, and her tongue pardoned his.

She kissed him, forgetting how much she feared being touched. His arms held her closer, and she still remained defensive. They had few sexual encounters, and the only gentle touch was their wedding night. She grabbed his hand which reached for her face, and stopped him.

"My husband. I am not ready for such haste. I am sorry. It's just, we haven't... it has been a while." He stared at her in surprise, yet, understanding.

"I understand. Then I shall hold you. It is your touch I have missed. Your smell. Your voice. Most of all your face, and smile." He laid their bodies back and turned her towards him. "I love you, and I have missed you." She smiled softly.

"As have I, you." A tear fell down her face again.

"I'm home. I'm never leaving you again. I promise. Do you believe me?"

"I don't know. I still cannot believe this. Do my eyes deceive me? Are you really before me?"

"I lay before you, a better man. I will never forsake you again." He kissed her tears. "I know it'll take time, but soon, you can put into me, your faith once more. I will prove to you I am cleansed of such darkness. I am going to be a better husband." His lips found hers, once more, and she accepted him again. He kissed her gently, and pulled away.

"Do you wish to discuss your journey?"

"Soon. Not tonight. Tonight, I just want to hold you near me, and never part from you again." His piercing blue eyes captured her soul and she held his gaze. "I shall tell you all I experienced, overtime. Tomorrow, we will visit Lily." His face frowned, knowing his mother wasn't in the best of conditions.

"Her health is improving." Bonnie said.

He nodded his head. "I know you have been hard at work my little bird. I am no stranger to the protection of your limitless love. Things are going to change. Everything. I am with you now. You don't have to worry alone. We'll see to it Lily gets better, then... once she's of good health, we will soon find the comfort in great change my little bird."

"What sort of change? My husband, am I to know of your plans?"

"Soon, my love." He kissed her lips softly. "Rest for now. Tomorrow will prove to be a prosperous, yet exhausting day."

He removed the rooms light and held her until he found comfort in her embrace. His eyes were shut and she remained cautionary of the man who lay beside her. This is not the same man who left, but she would await him in coming weeks to see has he been true to his words.

Now, she may need to be forthcoming of her friendship and adventures with Malakai, as Damon spoke of having watchful eyes on her while he was away.

A/N More things will be addressed later. Like Damon's dealings when he was away. I wanted to focus this chapter on his return to her.