Chapter 14

I woke up before dawn. I didn't really feel tired. Rebekah was still asleep so I tried my best not to wake her. I washed my face and wore a beige gown Rebekah had borrowed me. It was beautiful and the fabric felt soft. I couldn't help but smile. I didn't want to think about yesterday or last night. I was grateful that Kol had passed out. He had scared me. It was funny that he expected me to respect him when obviously he didn't respect me at all. I wondered what would happen when he would wake up. I sighed and decided that I should do something useful. I wanted to earn my food and shelter. I opened the door and tiptoed out just to bump into Niklaus.

"I am sorry", I said.

"No, no, it was my fault", he mumbled.

Then I noticed the scratch marks on his face.

"Are you alright?" I asked. It looked like he had been attacked by a cougar.

"Yes, I'm fine. It was…a raccoon", he mumbled.

"Raccoon?" I repeated.

He seemed uncomfortable.

"Yes, nasty creatures. I caught one trying to steal our…chicken."

I had never heard that a raccoon would try to steal a chicken but I didn't say anything. I simply nodded.

"Oh. Have you cleaned those wounds? They look deep."

He looked confused like he wouldn't have even thought about the whole thing.

"Right, right…I should…Excuse me."

He almost ran towards the door. That was strange. But what he was doing wasn't any of my business. I was planning to go and boil some water when I heard Mikael's voice.

"Where is Kol?"

"I do not know", Esther replied. "I have not seen him this morning."

"He has not come home?" Mikael asked angrily. "When I get my hands on that boy…"

I swallowed and sneaked out as silently as I could. I ran quickly into the stable. Kol was right where I had left him. I kneeled next to him and started to shake him.

"Kol?"

"Go away…" he mumbled without opening his eyes.

"Kol, you must get up. Your father is looking for you."

I didn't want Mikael to punish Kol, especially since I didn't know what kind of methods he used. Papa had used to beat my brothers up with a stick or anything else that was within his reach. Sometimes when he had been drunk he had even chase them with his sword. Mama had cried and begged him to stop. Tatia and I had always tried to hide.

Now my brothers were bigger and stronger but I couldn't imagine any of them to raise their hand against papa. I was afraid for their own children though. I couldn't imagine Roland to be violent but Baldric had already slapped Danica when he thought that she was too loud. Wilhelm rarely spoke at all but I had once seen him cruelly torturing a rabbit. He had seemed to enjoy it. I leaned towards Kol and stroked his cheek.

"Please get up."

He opened his eyes and smirked. In the next second he had rolled me on my back and moved himself on top of me. I was too astounded to speak.

"This is a nice wake up", he said and touched my lips with his. He reeked of alcohol. I tried to push him away as gently as possible. I didn't want to give him more reasons to be mad at me.

"You must get up", I said as calmly as I could. "Your father is looking for you and he is angry…"

Kol chuckled.

"Yes, he usually is. There is no need to worry about that, my sweet."

I couldn't understand how he could be so calm. Mikael could be here in any minute. He just kissed me again. I tried to protest but his hands pinned my wrists above my head. I started to squirm under him. Suddenly I felt something against my thigh. It was his… My face was turning red. He looked amused.

"Feeling something you like, my sweet?"

"No…I…I mean…we have to get up", I stuttered feeling very uncomfortable. He smiled and caressed my neck.

"Are you sure? How about I give you a little taste of our wedding night. I promise that you would like it…"

I startled when someone cleared his throat.

"Good morning", Elijah's calm voice said.

Kol snorted and rolled on his back.

"You have a terrible timing, brother."

Elijah smiled.

"Father is looking for you."

"Of course he is. Could you tell him that I am doing something in the stable?"

"Something?" Elijah asked innocently.

"Feeding the horses or what ever. Would you mind?"

Elijah looked amused.

"Sure. I will tell him that you are doing…something."

I was too embarrassed to look at him.

"Now, where were we?" Kol purred right after his brother had left.

"I was leaving", I said before I could stop and think about it and stood up. I didn't get far when Kol stepped in front of me. He looked annoyed.

"What is the matter with you?" he snapped. "Are you refusing to show me affection?"

"No", I replied tensely. "But I would like to show you… affection somewhere more private."

He stared at me piercingly.

"That can be arranged. Where do you want to go?"

I hesitated. I really couldn't understand him. Couldn't he wait two more days?

"Perhaps we should go into your room if you still wish your brothers to watch", I muttered.

His eyes narrowed.

"What did you say?"

I forced myself to hold still and braced myself for a hit. I quickly covered my face when he took a step towards me. Nothing happened.

"I am not going to hit you", he said. He sounded tense. I slowly lowered my hands and looked at him.

"I am sorry", I managed to say. "I…I did not mean to be disrespectful."

He bit his lip.

"I suppose I haven't been exactly respectful either. Did I wake you up last night before I…fell asleep?"

I nodded.

"That's what I thought", he mumbled. "I apologize for that. And what happened before that."

I was stunned.

"Thank you", I managed to say.

He nodded.

"Let's just forget it. And if you want to wait until the wedding, that is fine. But there is something I want now."

I looked at him cautiously.

"What?"

He smiled.

"A kiss. A real kiss."

I was confused.

"But we just kissed…"

He shook his head.

"No, I kissed you, you did not kiss me. That is what I want you to do."

I wasn't sure what he meant but I had to try. He held still and looked at me expectantly. I swallowed and took a step towards him. He didn't move or gave me any instructions so I insecurely touched his cheek with my fingers. He didn't say anything so I ran my thumb over his lips and leaned closer. He was almost a head taller than I was but for the first time I didn't find him intimidating. He was letting me be in control. That was a new experience for me.

When my lips touched his, I felt his arms encircling my waist. I shaped his lips with mine trying to find the best angle. Apparently he liked what I was doing. I opened my mouth and in the next second his tongue was touching mine. It felt strange but not unpleasant. He tightened his embrace, sucking my bottom lip. I was breathing faster when our lips finally parted. He entwined his finger in my hair and touched my cheek. I saw some curiosity and maybe even warmth in his eyes when he looked at me.

"Very good", he said. "I believe we are going to get along nicely."

I wasn't sure what to say. At least he was now pleased with me and I wasn't afraid of him. I suppose it was a start. Maybe someday I would even love him.