Chapter 14

Mag paced back and forth in her bedchamber. She didn't know what to think. Her conversation with Lord Tristan made her nervous. What did he want from her? She closed her eyes and sighed. What she wanted was to speak with her husband. He hadn't been at dinner and she hadn't asked if his siblings knew where he was. Somehow it had felt too humiliating. Kol hadn't been at dinner either, he rarely was.

She remembered Kol mentioning that some noblemen spent time in a special room after dinner, if they wanted to have some "fun". He hadn't said what happened in that room, but Mag could guess. She had heard that the Count had several mistresses and he also enjoyed the services of courtesans as well as high class prostitutes. Was Niklaus in that room?

Mag clenched her fists and marched to the door. She was going to talk to her husband, whether he wanted to listen or not. Of course he wasn't in his bedchamber, so she headed to this "fun" room. What if he was there? With some other woman. Did Mag really want to see that? No, she didn't, but at least then she would be sure that there was no hope.

Her heart was pounding as she approached the room. Couple of guards walked past her in the hallway, but they didn't pay much attention to her. She heard the music, laughing and loud talking. The large wooden doors were open and a servant was just coming out with an empty tray. Mag swallowed and looked inside.

The room was full of drunken men and women who were entertaining them. Some women were dancing, others sitting on some man's lap. The men were groping and kissing the women who all had a very generous cleavage or then their breasts were bare. Mag's eyes widened, she had never seen anything like this. She felt nauseous; all she wanted was to get away from here. Thankfully she couldn't see Niklaus, but she caught a glimpse of Lord Francis who was just groping some young brunette. Mag was just about to leave when she heard a familiar voice.

"Hey! There's my favorite girl!"

Kol. He had two women on his lap; he pushed them off and stood up. It wasn't difficult to see how drunk he was.

"Mag!"

She didn't have time to react when he was in front of her.

"I caught you!" he chuckled as he lifted her up and tossed her over his shoulder.

"What are you doing, let me go," she demanded tensely, but he didn't seem to hear her.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, I will go now and enjoy my spoils of war!"

The other men in the room laughed and cheered him on. Mag was so embarrassed that her face was bright red, but thankfully no one could see that.

"Let me go!" she demanded when Kol carried her out of the room.

"I think not, my sweet lady," he chuckled. "I caught you fairly."

"This is not funny, Kol," she snapped and started to struggle.

"Oh, I love wildcats!"

He ignored her demands and carried her to his bedchamber. She was so angry that she slapped him when he finally placed her on the floor. His eyes widened.

"I was just kidding…"

"You had no right to do that, I told you to let me go! You think you can treat me however you want, just like everyone else does?"

He was stunned as he raised his hands in surrender.

"Hey…"

She bowed her head, ashamed by her behavior.

"I am so sorry," she muttered. "I…"

"It's alright; I'm the one who should apologize."

"No," she sighed. "I took my anger out on you, you didn't deserve that. I am so sorry that I slapped you."

He grinned.

"No need to worry about that, darling. I actually liked that."

She frowned and shoved him.

"Oh yes, just like that, darling! Punish me!"

"Stop it," she murmured, a flush was rising in her cheeks.

"You are so adorable," he chuckled and kissed her forehead. "My favorite girl."

"You are drunk," she huffed.

"That I am," he confirmed. "Drunk enough to do this."

She didn't have time to say anything when he suddenly drew her into his embrace and kissed her. For a moment she couldn't move, her mind was unable to understand what was happening. He smelled like blood and wine and his lips were desperately devouring hers as if his life would depend on it. Thankfully she managed to pull herself together enough to flat her palms against his chest and push him away. He didn't try to stop her when she took a step back.

"Kol, what are you doing?" she asked quietly.

He let out a joyless laughter and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I have no idea." He paused and slammed his fist against the wall. "I hate this. All of this. Do you have any idea how much I envy you for avoiding this…curse."

Mag could hear the pain and bitterness in his voice. She knew what he had lost. Silently she moved next to him and touched his shoulder.

"Come on," she said and guided him towards the bed. "Lie down."

Surprisingly he obeyed her without arguing. He grabbed her hand when she pulled a blanket over him.

"Nik is an idiot," he murmured. "You know that, right?"

She tried her best to smile as she squeezed his hand.

"Get some rest. I am sure things will look better in the morning."

She waited until he was asleep before she headed to her own bedchamber. Clearly she wasn't the only one who was miserable. Kol had seemed to enjoy this new life of theirs more than any of his siblings, but obviously it had been just an act. Deep down, he hated it just as much as Finn. Mag felt guilty now for not noticing anyone else's pain.

She wasn't the only one who had suffered. Kol had loved Henrik dearly, as well as he had loved his mother. Not to mention he had lost his magic. Mag realized now how terrible friend she had been. Yes, a terrible wife, a terrible friend, a terrible person. What she needed to do was stop feeling sorry for herself. Maybe she didn't have a child to nurture, but there were people who needed her. From now on she would focus on those people and…

She didn't have time to finish her thought when someone grabbed her from behind and a hand covered her mouth. Strong arms captured her and she was being dragged somewhere. Desperately she tried to struggle, but it was useless. She was trapped.