. "You are willing to break my heart, Elijah's and possibly yours for that strumpet?" Her words were like fire spitting out her mouth with eyes piercing right through him. Rebekah kept it quiet for a moment, giving Niklaus one last chance to take it back but his silence was deafening.
"Fine! You're so called love for her... It disgusts me."
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
– REVELATION -
Rebekah was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding the ring that Niklaus had given her for her birthday. It had only been 7 days since she had discovered about Tatia, however, it seemed like it was a lot longer. The hours and even the minutes of the day dragged themselves painfully to add another miserable day to their feud. Neither of them could find any contentment in anything. Rebekah secretly wept every night as she grieved another day that had passed without making amends.
Niklaus was heartbroken. Not only his relationship with his sister was at its worst but his romantic relationship with Tatia had also seen better days. Gone was the initial attraction, the anxiety to discover each other, the lust and even the frenetic love. At least on her side since his remained intact, and that, was what hurt him the most. After Tatia found out about his lies she was disenchanted. Besides, the now confessed feelings Elijah had for her had only served to cloud the girl's judgment and confuse her even more about her initial feelings for Niklaus.
He tried hard to win her back and a big part of Tatia really cared for him. However, the bigger part of her was simply now thorn between the two brothers. Now, more than ever, Niklaus needed his family to support him but the timing to be in love and heartbroken could have not been worse. Elijah and him were in non speaking terms. Rebekah was only hostile to him and after the fight with Elijah, it had been made public that they were both in love with the same girl and his parents had clearly expressed their opinion.
"I will not allow a woman to destroy my family. You must both give up on the girl," Esther had said. "Stay away from her."
"So you were planning on leaving?" Mikael had also asked sarcastically. "You were going to sneak out with the girl, late at night, like the scoundrel you are. Such a shame that you're not even good at being a scoundrel. Unfortunately for both of us, you're still here, in my house. So you better follow my rules boy. I couldn't care less about the girl, but if you fall on strife with Elijah again; you'll regret it."
He was screwed. He was also sad, mad, heartbroken and in love. But above all of this, he was royally screwed. Giving up on Tatia was against every single instinct and desire that he had, but he could not pursue her without raging a war against everyone else. However, he would risk it. He absolutely would. If only he knew that deep down she loved him with the same passion and desire. But as much as it hurt him to admit it, he was not sure of it.
A single tear full of anger and frustration left his eyes.
On the other side of the Village, inside of her room, Rebekah continued looking at the shiny lapis lazuli ring, longing for the loving brother that had giving it to her. One she never thought would betray her. She could not believe how much things had changed. Her thoughts were interrupted when someone entered the room abruptly.
"Father," Rebekah whispered; somewhat scared, somewhat surprised and she automatically squeezed the ring and hid it in her hand, behind her back.
"I'm looking for Henrick."
"He's not here," Rebekah replied nervously.
Mikael nodded, and just when Rebekah thought that he was going to leave the room, he took a step towards her.
"What are you hiding in your hand?" Mikael asked, narrowing his eyes. Nothing ever escaped him.
"Nothing," she automatically replied. Knowing very well that the lie wouldn't cover it.
"Are you lying to me?" He asked and it sounded threatening.
She only denied it with her head and squeezed the ring tighter.
Her father acted instantly. He forcibly grabbed her hand and opened it, snatching the ring from her.
"What is this?" he hissed. "Who gave you this?"
Rebekah stayed silent. She knew her father was a very unfair and cruel man. However, his rage and injustice had never really been directed to her.
"ANSWER ME?" he yelled. "A secret lover, perhaps?"
"No!," she denied it right away. "It was just a birthday gift. Please give it back," she asked.
"From whom?" he questioned.
She should have known better. But he was so intimidating that she couldn't really lie to him anymore.
"Niklaus."
"Niklaus?" he repeated with disdain.
"He gave it to me as a present, for my eighteen birthday. Can I please have it back?"
Rebekah's hopes all shattered when she saw her father place the ring on his pocket.
"I'll do you a favor by holding onto to this," he said. "We wouldn't want you to confuse any possible suitors by wearing what might well be an engagement ring, do we?"
"Father please," she begged. "I will not wear it. I just want to keep it. Please!" she continued her plea, unsuccessfully.
"The next time Niklaus gives you such a fine present, make sure you tell him to redirect his attention and affection," Mikael said. "If you don't, then I will," he warned. "And I will not be as polite."
He walked out of the room, taking the ring and Rebekah's hopes with it. She sat on the floor and cried. She was still in tears when Niklaus walked into the room.
Rebekah quickly tried to hide herself. The last thing she wanted was to be so vulnerable in front of him.
Niklaus felt slightly awkward for a little bit. He didn't really know what to do. Usually, he would automatically go to her to comfort her but given the circumstances he would not be surprised if he was the one making her upset to begin with. Either way, he could not keep his thoughts for himself any longer.
"What's wrong, Bekah?" he asked in a whisper.
"Nothing," she automatically replied.
"Tell me, please," he begged. "Whatever it is. Even if it's my fault."
"Of course it's your fault," she spitted out. "Or hers, who cares?" she started crying more. "Since she came here everything has been ruined!" Rebekah yelled. "You, Elijah, Me.. All that we had planned.. everything!"
"It is not her fault," Niklaus tried to explain again.
"Of course it is!" his sister didn't give him chance to finish. "She has done nothing but provoke strife in this house! Between you and Elijah, between you and our parents, between.. you and I." She only whispered at the end as her voice broke.
Niklaus looked down, knowing that she was right for the most part. Yes, if Tatia did not exist neither would any of the current conflicts in his life. However, that did not diminish his love for her in the sightless way.
"I'm sorry," he breathed out. "I've said it a dozen times and I will say it a hundred times if necessary. I'm very, very sorry."
Rebekah had no heart to hear any more apologies. She wiped her tears and left the room.
Dinnertime dragged itself slowly and painfully. Mikael was absent from the table that night and no one said a single word. All the Mikaelsons were well aware of the wedge between Niklaus and Elijah over Tatia and since then none of them could agree on anything.
It was Kol who broke the silence that night with the simple, "Can I have the potatoes?" that ended up turning into the biggest fight the Mikaelsons had had in a long time as both Elijah and Niklaus tried to reach for the pot on the table at the same time.
After a second of both holding onto different sides of the pot Niklaus slowly took his hand off, and turned his eyes back on his plate, but he had not a bite on his mouth when Elijah spoke.
"So you are going to let me have this bowl of potatoes. How kind of you. It is so unfortunate that you are not so reasonable with other matters."
Everyone in the table took a deep breath.
"Well, if I don't let you have it, the gods know that you won't stop complaining and claiming that you saw it first, and I've had enough of that already," Niklaus fired back.
"So, you do acknowledge that Elijah approached her first?" Kol intervened showing clearly whose side he was in and going straight to the point.
"It is none of your business Kol," Niklaus replied.
Kol intended to stand up but Finn automatically put a hand on his chest, holding him back while he said, "Love it's not a competition. It's not about who accomplishes something first. It's about who's the right one to love."
"What about if none of the parts are right for each other? Rebekah added. Looking straight into Niklaus' eyes.
"ENOUGH!" Esther said, loud and strong. "I will say it to both of you, for the last time. This family will not be broken by the lust you might feel for that woman."
"Mother..." Elijah intended to intervene but Esther didn't give him a chance.
"This is my final word, and hear it well..." she took a look around the table and rested her eyes in both of her sons. "With my power, I can sense what's to come and I know something awful it's coming. The feud over this girl will not end well." She emphasised every word.
"I will not allow it. Starting right now, you must both give up on Tatia," she demanded, looking at them.
Elijah looked down and obliged and a couple of seconds later so did Niklaus.
"Let this be the last time this is spoken about," she finalized and left the table.
A day and a half later after the unpleasant dinner, Rebekah was walking through the woods, hoping that the strong scent of the oaks trees and the cool wind of the dying winter would clear her mind. Instead, she found the one thing that had burdened her heart and mind.
Niklaus and Tatia were wrapped in each other's arms, lips locked in a kiss like Rebekah had never seen nor felt before. She had only been kissed a couple of times. The first time by her mud pies buddy, Klint, when she was 8, and the second time had been two years ago by a passing village boy with whom she felt in love with after a late night conversation by a campfire that she had only managed to hold because her father, Elijah and Niklaus were out hunting. She had poured her heart out to him, the boy had kissed her, and as easy as he came, so was he gone the next morning.
While watching her brother and his lover, she could not help but feeling a little jealous. She cleared her throat loudly, disturbing the lovebirds.
"Rebekah," Niklaus gasped when he noticed her. Tatia simply lowered her head.
"I see you took Mother's request very seriously," she spoke sarcastically.
"She's my mother, not the boss of me," he replied.
"Yet you are unmarried and live under her roof, so convention dictates you listen to her."
"I won't have you tell me what to do," Niklaus said, raising his voice.
"Fine, then I'll tell you what to do," Rebekah spoke directly to Tatia. "Stay away from my brother. Both of them, or something awful will come upon us and you will be to blame."
"Please!" Niklaus mocked. "Do you really believe that lie?"
"What are you talking about?" Tatia asked.
"Oh! Niklaus hasn't told you? Well, I'm not surprised. He does hide things to his convenience."
"Stop now," he hissed.
"What is it?" Tatia insisted.
"Our Mother is a witch," Rebekah said, somewhat prideful. "A very powerful one. And she has made clear that your little tryst with my brother will lead us to something awful. Also, add to that my mother's clear instructions that neither Elijah or Niklaus must ever be with you again."
Tatia's eyes widened, her cheeks flushed. "Is this all true?"
Niklaus gave Rebekah a harsh look and took a deep breath when he looked at Tatia.
"I don't care about any of it. I love you and nothing will lead me away from you."
Rebekah burnt with anger.
"Have you forgotten what the spirits can do?" she asked, angry. "Have you forgotten how they tortured me when I saved you after father's beating!?"
"I have not." he replied. "But that only happened because you were a new witch. You could not control your power. You were confused and overwhelmed. All you needed were a couple of witchy lessons and you were fine."
"You are a witch too?" Tatia asked, surprised. "I cannot deal with all of this. I need to leave."
"No!" Niklaus begged. "Please don't."
"I can't do this Niklaus! Witches, spells, spirits.. All of it!" Tatia explained. "I have a child to look after and I simply cannot have this conversation right now."
And just like that, she ran away.
"Are you happy?" Niklaus asked Rebekah once the girl was out of their sight. "It will certainly cost me a lot to win her back."
"You won't," Rebekah said. "Not if I can help it."
"What is wrong with you?" Niklaus bluntly asked. "I understand that I did wrong when I hid her from you. I understand that I have let my love for her cause strife between us when I shouldn't have. I understand that I hurt you and I apologize; just like I have at least a dozen times before. But none of that justifies that you strongly stand against me, like an enemy, playing every card at your disposition to break us apart, denying me the possibility of being happy with the woman I've come to love."
Rebekah looked down. Her heart full with sorrow because of all the pain she knew her brother felt.
"I'm doing this for you. For our family," she said. "You must believe Mother. You must trust me!" she begged. "Your fight over this girl will bring us.."
"Enough!" he yelled. "I've had enough of the witchy nonsense."
"It is true!" she yelled too. "I know it."
"Have you been practicing!?" Niklaus asked, furious.
"No," she replied. "I do not have that power anymore."
"What?"
"I'm not a witch anymore, at least not an active one."
"I do not understand," Niklaus replied, genuinely confused. "When did you stop being a witch?"
"Right after I became one," Rebekah said. "When I went to Ayanna."
"Did she do something to you?
"No. The spirits did."
"What re you talking about?" he asked once again.
"Please listen," Rebekah took a deep breath. She had kept this secret to herself for months. And although the spirits had stopped torturing her, she still tortured herself with the tought of it.
"When father beat you. He hurt you really bad. So bad that you could've died. You would have died."
"I know," Niklaus said. "And you did everything in your power to save me. That hardly seems to be the same sister that is now opposed to my happiness."
"I want your happiness!," she clarified. "But more than anything I want you to live!" Rebekah felt a knot form in her throat. Her eyes became full with tears.
"Niklaus," she spoke as tears started running down her cheeks. "You should have died," she finally broke down. "If I had let nature's plan carry on, you would have died."
He felt a stabbing pain on his stomach. "Deep down I've always known that," he admitted. "I know I was deeply hurt. If it weren't for you I.."
"You don't understand," she cried. "It wasn't just an unfortunate event! You were supposed to die! It was what nature wanted. I intervened and used my magic to save you. That's why the spirits tormented me. Not because I became a witch but because of what I did with my power," she finally revealed.
"How do you know this?" he whispered.
"After I saved you, all the nightmares, the visions, the voices.. everything, was telling me to.." Rebekah cried, her whole body was shaken with just the thought of it. "It was telling me to kill.. you. All of you."
Niklaus stepped back. Puzzled, confused and shocked. He could not believe the words coming out of his sister's mouth.
"In my nightmares, I had Elijah's, Finn's, Kol's and your blood in my hands. Always."
"Why didn't you tell me of this before?" he asked.
"I did not understand what they meant. I was scared! I thought maybe it would go away with time but I started to feel like I was going crazy until I visited Ayanna. I told her everything and when we contacted the spirits they confirmed that I was being punished for altering nature's plan."
"And the plan was for me to die..." he whispered.
"That's why I had all those awful nightmares about murdering you and our other siblings. They wanted me to fix the mistake I made."
"Why?" he asked. "Why did they want me dead? And why they wanted all of us dead after I was saved?"
"I don't know," she was being honest. "Ayanna's best guess based on our spooky encounter with the spirits was that for some reason you were not supposed to live past your 24th birthday and when I changed that then all of us had to die in order to keep or restore nature's balance. She said something like, we needed to die as a punishment for actions we did in the past or to prevent something that will happen in the future. Either way I was clear that I could not do it. It did not matter how bad they tortured me, or punished me. I would never hurt any of you. So as a final punishment the spirits, or ancestors as Ayanna called them, took away all of my power."
"I cannot believe that you hid this from me all of this time."
"I guess we can both keep our secrets."
"What does that have to do with mother's revelation now?"
"I don't know either. But I know that the spirits already dictated your death once. When our mother spoke about seeing something awful upon us if you and Elijah pursue Tatia I couldn't help but being terrified that this is what had to be prevented. Two brother's fighting over the same girl. This could lead to something awful."
"So the ancestors have nothing better to do but to entertain themselves with a Village's love story?"
"I don't know!" Rebekah responded, annoyed at how lightly her brother was taking the situation.
"All I know is that nature had an awful predestination for you and I saved you but know mother is seeing it too. Just like the ancestors tried to used me, they might be using Tatia now. Please Niklaus, you must understand!
"I love her," he automatically replied. "How can this be happening? How can love be such a bad thing? I can't just give up. I need to go and find her."
"No! You cannot!" Rebekah yelled. "Are you mad? Have you been paying attention to all I've told you!?"
"I have and I'm forever grateful for all that you endured for my sake, sister. But after meeting Tatia I've become to know that life without such love is of not use at all."
"So you would die for her?" Rebekah asked strongly as a final point.
"I would," he replied.
When Rebekah found out that he would leave with her, she thought her heart had broken in hundreds of pieces, but no. She was wrong. This was it. Nothing hurt more than when she heard him resign life and everything they had ever built in the name of his lover for Tatia.
He turned around and walked away from her, sure that he would do anything to share his love with Tatia, however short lived it may be.
Rebekah watched him walk away, being left with nothing. No argument, no reason, nothing that would turn her brother back to her. Powerless and alone, her knees fell to the ground as tears rained on her face. What had they done to deserve this? She could not think of anything in the past or any awful action that they might do in the future worthy of this curse. Was her brother walking to his own death? Was it his own or the death of them all? She wished she could stop him. She wished she could just hold his hand and live through the storm that was about to come. She wished for a world without spirits, full moons, demons and witches. A world where they had no other role than to live fully and to love plenty, where the duration of their lives was not predestinated and numbered by faceless entities without the slightless care for whom one has loved, who loves us and how well one has lived.
But after all, she was only a village born, young girl. Who was she to make such demands? If there was somebody who could change the course of things, it was not her. It was someone else.
She stood up, straightened her dress, wiped the tears and ran as fast as she could.
When she finally reached home, gasping for air, she spoke.
"Mother, there is something you need to know."
Rebekah fell to her mother's feet, heartbroken, she let all of her demons out.
"I have not given up on this story. I never will. I have many future chapters ready. I'm very busy, I live in a country with poor internet and sometimes it just takes me a very very long time to write the chapters in between and publish them. If there's anybody out there who still follows this story, know that I'm grateful for your support.