CHAPTER 14
"Don't shoot. It's just me, little witch."
At first glance, Bonnie had thought it was Kol's past self. But she noticed he was dressed differently.
Bonnie didn't think, she just ran to him. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
"Kol," she murmured pressing herself closer. Then she pulled away and hit his chest. "What the hell are you doing? You attacked Leonardo!"
"Sorry Leo," Kol said with a grimace. "However, we need to leave immediately as I don't fancy fighting my past self for you."
"Oh crap," she groaned and rubbed her forehead. "I can't just disappear again. He'll go nuts and I – Kol."
"Hey," he cupped her cheeks and kissed the tip of her nose playfully, which made her giggle. "I can assure you I will go absolutely mad however, I will survive. As for you and I, we need to return to our own time."
Kol took her hand and they ran out of the garden together. Further down the street, he had horses stationed. Bonnie hopped and rode off with Kol.
Even if he hadn't said anything about the urgency of the situation, she would have known. Kol galloped out of the city and she spurred her horse onward to keep pace.
They rode through the rest of the night, not stopping until they reached a small village at dawn. Kol gave their horses to a groom at the small inn. One they had startled awake with their sudden arrival.
The inn was silent and there was a grumpy looking man at the entrance. He grunted and surveyed them with a dark look. But once he noticed their expensive clothing and her jewelry, he perked right up.
"We're almost at capacity," the innkeeper said with a shrewd look. "It'll cost you extra."
Kol growled, but she put her hand on his arm. He sighed and handed over a leather pouch that jingled.
"Will this suffice?"
"Yes," the innkeeper said failing to hide his glee. He tossed a key to Kol and told them which room was available.
Bonnie went upstairs with Kol and sank onto the bed in relief. Kol sat down next to her and brushed her hair out of her face.
"I've missed you," he murmured.
Bonnie smiled and took his hand. She kissed his hand lightly.
"Thank you for not leaving me."
Kol squeezed her hand. "I'd never leave you."
"Still," she sighed. "We abandoned Henrik. Do you know anything about him?"
Worry ate away at her. It had since she came through the portal.
"No, I'm afraid not."
Kol's expression closed down and he became unreadable. She hated it when he did that and it bugged her especially because she knew it was a skill he had perfected as a vampire.
"I'm so sorry we left him."
"It's not your fault."
Bonnie sat up and studied him. "Actually, it is. If I hadn't been so afraid you would have gone after him. But no, I was scared and it made me selfish. Which in hindsight was completely stupid because I was fine. I found you."
"You couldn't have known that," Kol said gently. "And I didn't need to insist you go through that portal. You could have just as easily stayed there with me."
Bonnie pulled her knees up to her body and put her head on top of them. She studied Kol in silence for a long time.
"If I had stayed, I would never have made it home. Not unless – unless –"
"Unless I turned you," Kol said finishing her sentence.
"But you didn't want that? Because you like that I'm a witch."
"I like that you are happy. You don't want to be what I am."
"Or –" she said slowly because Kol hadn't ever actually asked her if she wanted to turn. "You like having a witch in your corner."
"Silly girl," he tugged on her hair teasingly. "You don't know what you are asking."
"Don't I?"
"No," Kol spoke so flatly and with so little emotion she believed him.
"Maybe, I don't know what I'm asking for. After all you've lived it so you know, but the thing is, I don't know what I want at all anymore."
"You don't?"
Bonnie shook her head. "It's like I am two people. There was the girl I was before I met you. Everything was so simple, right and wrong. I had my friends and my enemies. Everything was easy. Then we got thrown together and now everything is so confusing."
"Apparently not so confusing."
Kol's fingers brushed her engagement ring lingeringly. She smiled wanly.
"But that's just it. You're not my enemy anymore and neither is your family, but when we go back? I have people, who want to kill you and your entire family. And I don't know what to do. I don't want to be a part of some big war. I just want to be with you."
Kol's smile was heartbreaking.
"To hell with all of them. We'll leave town. Travel the world."
"We can't."
"Why not?"
"I have school, my dad, my friends – I mean I can't just skip town."
"You were willing to stay in the past with me."
"That was different. I didn't have a way home and it seemed like the easiest solution."
Kol chuckled. "You can't leave town unless it's to sacrifice yourself by staying in the past? Yet you can casually discuss turning if it'll spare Henrik a little while of fending for himself. Do you have a martyr complex or is it simply that you are unwilling to admit just how madly in love with me you have fallen?"
Bonnie snorted and swatted his hand away from her. "You think highly of yourself, don't yah?"
"Do I? From where I sit you're the one that has accepted a marriage proposal each time, I've asked."
"And yet you're the only version of yourself that hasn't proposed."
"Technically, I didn't propose in Florence as I happen to think I don't need to ask more than once. As far as I'm concerned, the wedding was never off."
Bonnie would have laughed, but his seriousness stopped that reaction in its tracks.
"Yeah, because that would be easy to explain. I can see it now, hi dad so don't freak out, but I'm going to marry my thousand year old vampire boyfriend even though I'm only seventeen."
Kol rolled his eyes. "So dramatic, little witch. I can wait until it's less unseemly."
"Good," she grinned. "Because I so don't want to be the only married girl at graduation."
"Graduation?" his eyes lit up and he smiled. "As in school?"
"Yes, I told you. I'm in high school," she grimaced. "At least I think I am. Let's just hope Rebekah's compulsion did the trick so I can go back to school."
Kol pulled her onto his lap. He brushed her hair aside and gazed at her with a tenderness that took her breath away. His lips brushed against her and his breath fanned her face. She shivered and pressed herself closer to his warmth.
"Tell me you love me, little witch," he murmured.
Kol's lips ghosted along her throat and a thrill went through her. It had been a whole week for Kol even though he had the memories of her and past Kol bloodsharing. Whenever it had been a while between bloodsharing Kol somehow made it even better as if he was determined to make up for the wait.
"Hm," she sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you," she whispered in his ear. Her lips grazed the shell of his ear. "But you know that."
Kol's arms tightened around her. A thrill went through her at his touch.
"I love you, little witch. In a thousand years I've loved anything or anyone the way I love you."
Kol kissed her then and she lost herself in his touch.
XXX
Bonnie and Kol rode a steady course to Rome. Kol kept a fast pace and she got the sense he was worried about something. When they were just outside of the city, she glanced over at him and noticed he was keeping an eye out.
"Oh my God, what is going on with you?"
"Nothing."
"Liar," she snorted.
"My past self is hunting us down."
"Crap, but I should have known. You'd want an explanation at the very least."
"An explanation? Is that what you think I want?"
"Yes."
Kol scoffed. "Hardly, I want you back. I'm convinced you have been kidnapped."
"Oh."
"Oh, indeed," he agreed with a chuckle.
They rode into Rome. It looked just as it had in the paintings and renditions she had seen in her history textbook. The stone the city was made of was beautiful, it caught the fading sunlight and it almost seemed to glow. She could see the spires of the Vatican and paused. It wasn't just like the painting she had seen, she realized. It looked like it did in the photos from the 21st century. It was so much the same, Bonnie wouldn't have been surprised to see a car.
They had not made it far before two familiar faces came toward them. Bonnie and Kol dismounted and walked to meet them.
"Finally," Rebekah huffed. "We have been waiting a century."
"Give or take a few decades," Henrik said cracking a smile. "I'm assuming you have a good explanation for abandoning me in London?"
Bonnie winced. That familiar guilt swelled in her stomach.
"Father was chasing us," Kol said calmly. He grabbed Henrik around the neck and pulled him in for a hug. "I had to trust you could take care of yourself."
Henrik shoved him away and tossed his hair. He cracked a smile.
"You know me, big brother. I can fend for myself."
"I'm so sorry," Bonnie said throwing herself at Henrik and pulling him in for a hug. "We didn't want to leave you. It's all my fault! Kol wanted to stay, but I didn't want to go alone and –"
"It's fine, Bonnie," Henrik gently untangled himself from her. "Kol and I had already discussed what to do if we became separated. I'm only happy you're both unharmed."
"Well I'm miffed," Rebekah said turning her nose up. "I can't believe you kept this secret from me, Bonnie. As for you two idiots," she glowered at Henrik and Kol. "Do you have any idea the lengths I've had to go to keep Henrik from Elijah and Nik?"
"We're really sorry," Bonnie said with a grimace.
"Bekah darling," Kol said slowly. "I'm perfectly aware of what tyrants our brothers are."
"We've been looking everywhere!" Rebekah exclaimed. "Do you have any idea how many nexuses we've been by?"
"A lot?" Kol suggested with a flip smile and a toss of his head. A gesture, which made him look a lot like Henrik.
XXX
Rebekah and Henrik had shown them to Henrik's home. Apparently, it was his hiding place from the world, but especially from Elijah and Klaus. Bonnie wasn't surprised discovery was high on Henrik's lists of fears. Klaus wasn't known for being calm or reasonable.
But did he know how truly crazy his brother had become?
They sat on a sofa in one of the many parlors, which Bonnie assumed was something like an old-timey living room. At least that's what it looked like. Henrik and Rebekah sat across from them. Henrik was beaming and he kept shifting and bouncing in his seat.
"I am so excited you are here. I've missed you two," Henrik said with a goofy grin. His floppy dark hair moved in time with his movements.
Bonnie grinned. "I was so worried and I missed you so much."
"It was one week, little witch," Kol said with a teasing nudge.
"It was more than that for me," Henrik shot back with a dark look.
"Yes, yes, everyone is back together," Rebekah said waving it all aside. "What do we do now? And what is wrong with Bonnie? She looks rather peaky."
The language spell had done its job and translated the word to English for her even though she suspected they were speaking Italian. But Bonnie had never heard the word peaky before in her life.
"I look what?" Bonnie said glancing at Kol on instinct.
By now, she trusted him more than she was willing to admit. He was the one constant in all of this time travel insanity and he had yet to disappoint her.
"Tired, a little off color," Kol replied easily.
That was insulting, Bonnie thought. Yet she knew better than to get into an argument with Rebekah.
"We just need to work out where to go next. And I suppose Henrik will have to come with us."
"Do you?" Rebekah said with an eyeroll. Already, Bonnie could see the vampire was becoming the girl she had known in their present time. "It's been a nightmare hiding him from Elijah and Nik not to mention Kol, who is more observant than the two of them combined. Which reminds me, I must be back."
Rebekah disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"That was intense," Bonnie said.
"Dining room is this way. I will have the servants prepare something," Henrik said rising to his feet.
Bonnie watched Henrik as he walked to the kitchen. To look at him, she never would know anything at all had changed about him since the last time she saw him. However, his personality – the way he had offered to ensure she ate, it was entirely different. It was as if Henrik had grown up in the past hundred years and she was unhappy to say, she had missed it. She would have to have been there for it.
"He's different," she said quietly to Kol.
"He is," Kol agreed with a small smile. "I think perhaps it is for the better. Perhaps Bekah's influence has been stabilizing whereas mine was the opposite."
"Don't be stupid, Kol," Henrik said returning in the blink of an eye. "All that stuff you taught me in those first few months was invaluable. Do you think I could have hung on to my humanity long enough to find Bekah without that?"
Kol shrugged. "You have always been more than capable."
But Bonnie could tell he was touched. Just as she knew Kol was uncomfortable with the genuine gratitude Henrik expressed. Kol had grown more comfortable with emotions or maybe he had always been more comfortable with them around those he cared about than he let on, but he still didn't like it. He hadn't been able to let Henrik die yet he had never said more than a few sentences about it. Which was odd because he usually never stopped talking.
"Why did you go to Rebekah?" Bonnie asked out of curiosity.
"Kol and I had discussed what I would do if we got separated. He had warned me Elijah and Niklaus were dangerous, which I saw firsthand. And Kol was deranged according to himself so when I realized I look too young to blend in on my own, I figured my best bet was Rebekah or Finn. But Finn was in a coffin. Still is. Speaking of, how long can I expect Niklaus to be mental?"
"Where Finn will remain until he one day turns traitor," Kol said staring out of the window with an intense expression.
"Until he what?" Henrik blurted sounding more like the boy Bonnie knew than he arrived here.
"Klaus is always off his rocker," Bonnie interrupted hoping to distract Henrik. "I think it's a side effect of the vampire slash werewolf thing."
"Nah, Nik is simply a power-hungry tyrant. Best become accustomed to it, little brother."
"I am so relieved you are alright," Bonnie said. "You had us worried."
"No way," Henrik waved it aside. "You two should know better than anyone I can take care of myself."
"Don't we know it," Bonnie agreed with a smile.
A servant or what Bonnie assumed was a servant walked in. She must be a peasant because she bowed to them and lowered her head. She wore a plain brown dress. It had wide sleeves that reached her wrists and a scooped neckline. Her hair was pulled up into a severe bun. The skirt was full and she wore no jewelry. There was no mistaking her for anything else.
"Dinner is served," the young girl said with a smile.
They filed into the dining room and Bonnie was pleasantly surprised when Kol pulled her chair out for her. Blushing, she sat down and tried to ignore Kol's heated gaze. But that was only because if she let herself fully notice then her composure would be as good as gone.
And right now, she was tired. The ride to Rome had been draining and she needed rest before she could acknowledge this change between her and Kol. Because things had definitely changed there was no denying that. When he escaped London with her, it had proved something to her.
Something she had been careful to avoid realizing because she needed time. Time to think and time to grieve the life she had lost with warlock Kol fully. But she had accepted that it was in the past. Just as she had accepted Kol was not a monster just because he was a vampire. He had promised her, he could change and when he had gone through that portal with her because she was scared, he hadn't let her down.
Dinner was brought out. It was a several course meal with among other things something Kol introduced as a Saffron broth and Zanzeralla. Some of the other dishes Bonnie had grown familiar with already. By now, she expected watered down red wine with every meal.
"How do you like the renaissance?" Bonnie asked Henrik.
Henrik grinned. "It's brilliant. Is that what it is called?"
"I was rather fond of it as well," Kol agreed with a bright smile. "Have you met any of the famous artists yet?"
"Of course. Rebekah has introduced me to several," Henrik agreed matching Kol's smile. "I hope you get to meet Leonardo da Vinci. Pity he is in Florence. He's brilliant, a true visionary. And the women -" he sighed happily.
Bonnie giggled and covered her smile with her hand.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
It would be nice for Henrik. After all, he had been alive for over a century now. Several if she counted the centuries they had time travelled through.
"No," Henrik rolled his eyes. "Why would I want one of those? There are all these beautiful women out there and I just want to have as much fun as possible."
Bonnie glanced at Kol and saw he was smirking.
"That's my brother."
Now it was Bonnie's turn to roll her eyes at the pride she saw in Kol's face.
"I think I need a nap before we start working on a way home," Bonnie said stifling a yawn. "Maybe the player can show me to my room?"
"Which one of us?" Kol asked with mischief dancing in his eyes and a crooked smile just for her.
"Follow me," Henrik said getting to his feet and they followed him. "I'm assuming you will share a room?"
"Naturally," Kol agreed as Bonnie said; "I guess."
Kol shot her a look of exasperation.
"When are you going to realize you fancy me, little witch? If I stay away for a couple of nights will that do the trick? Because I will if it will help. Certainly, it will be torture to stay away however, I will persevere."
"Oh my God."
Henrik led them through a beautiful home. The walls and roof looked to be made out of marble. The stone was bright and gleaming. The walls were covered with paintings and statues. It looked to her eyes like the home of someone well off, which was hardly surprising. In their own time, the Mikaelsons were wealthy and lived in a mansion. Why should anything be different seven hundred years in the past? Kol's past-self certainly lived in luxury as she had the pleasure of enjoying in her time with him.
They arrived at the room and Henrik swung the door opening, gesturing them inside.
"Thank you, Henrik," Kol said when he showed them into their bedroom.
Henrik nodded and left. Bonnie knew he had little interest in hanging around when Bonnie and Kol acted like a couple. And if Henrik was anything like Kol, a new bedroom would be call for privacy. Bonnie blushed all too aware of what Henrik must think they were going to do.
But they hadn't. Not yet and they hadn't even come close. The furthest they had ever gone was kissing. Until Kol had come along, she'd only ever been kissed a few times by Jeremy. They'd had maybe two make out sessions and in either of those times, she'd never felt anywhere near the passion she felt with Kol.
And she knew Kol loved her, but what was truly holding her back was that warlock Kol had wanted to marry her first. Vampire Kol? She was pretty sure he would have had sex with her within two minutes of their first meeting. And somehow, that made her apprehensive. Then there was the knowledge that sooner or later they would be back in their time with all that it entailed.
She wanted to be with him, but she knew they needed to take things slow. They needed to be careful because this thing between them was still so delicate. Even though Kol had chosen her and loved her, she was still convinced it could all unravel at the slightest disruption. Which may be mostly because she felt like running every other second. She couldn't help herself, she loved Kol and wanted to be with him, but the situation was so much more complicated with him than it had ever been when he was a warlock.
Bonnie drew herself a bath in the attached bathroom. The walls and floor were made of marble. The ceiling had a painted fresca of ancient Greek goddesses. The sky behind the goddesses was dark blue with intense stars. Bonnie was amazed not only by the skill, but the beauty of the paint itself. Leonardo had made her appreciate the art of creating paint before applying it to the canvas. She wondered how many hours of love and careful thought had gone into this masterpiece.
There were several bath oils with heavenly fragrances and Bonnie helped herself generously to one that had smelled like lavender and rose. She sunk into the bath and let the hot water ease her sore muscles and alleviate her chill. Her eyes closed and she felt herself drift away as the fragrance enveloped her.
Slowly, her eyelids grew heavier and she sunk lower. When the hot water covered her mouth she gasped, swallowing a mouthful of water. She spat it out and rubbed her eyes. The taste of soap and perfume was in still in her mouth, she grimaced.
"Bonnie?" Kol said and she could hear him entering.
She sunk further under the bubbles. Kol chuckled and his voice was rough. She risked a glance behind her and saw he was in the doorway. He was watching her with naked desire. Another glance at the water told her she was covered by the bubbles. Now that she was certain, he couldn't see anything she relaxed all over again.
"I'm fine. Just enjoying my first real bath since I left Florence," she sighed in content. "This is much better than England."
"We had baths in England."
"But no bath oils," Bonnie sighed sinking deeper into the water. "It's incredible. And the tubs were smaller."
"It does look divine as do you, little witch."
Bonnie heard noises of clothes being shed behind her. She ignored that. By now she knew Kol well enough to know, he would never push for more or pressure her. Not even his vampire self. Instead, she closed her eyes and felt herself drifting back to sleep.
Bonnie jerked awake because someone's arms were holding her up. Wildly, she looked around only to taste Kol's blood on her lips.
XXX
When Bonnie fell asleep for the second time in the course of minutes, Kol was alarmed. She had slept earlier and she was passing out once more, it could only mean the spell had worn her down even more than he had suspected. It had been almost two weeks since they came through the portal. Bonnie should not still be this tired. However, the flight from Florence to Rome set back her recovery period.
There was a good chance the time travel spell had begun to tear her apart on a physical level. If that happened, she would die if she continued to cast it. He needed to talk to Bonnie however, first he needed to ensure she was alright.
He had been undressing to join her, but he only made it as far as removing his shirt. He rushed behind her and lifted her up into his arms. He didn't look when her breasts rose above the water line. If he did, Bonnie would have his head. No matter how much things had changed between them when he went through that portal with her.
His vampire face emerged and he bit into his wrist. He pressed his bloody wrist to her lips. It took a moment to wake her, but he knew the instant she was alert and understood the situation. Her hands covered his arm and his hand as her tongue lapped up his blood.
The sensation was euphoric. Bonnie tugged on his wrist, holding it to her lips. He could feel heat coursing through him and his cock hardened almost painfully at the touch of her soft lips. The feel of Bonnie's mouth on him never failed to arouse him. Her lips were full and soft, immediately filling his mind with images of other even more dirty imaginings.
Perhaps it was those fantasies that spurred him on, but he rose to his feet and lowered himself into the tub to sit behind her. He brought Bonnie's body to his and her back was flat against his chest. The water was warm against his skin and the bubbles felt almost as good as Bonnie's naked skin against his bare chest.
His wrist healed and her head fell to his shoulder. Her eyes were closed and a small smile played on her lips. He ran his lips along the shell of her ear and he grinned when he heard her heart skip a beat.
"How do you feel, beautiful?"
"Stronger," she murmured and her voice was nearly a moan.
Kol could hardly believe his luck when Bonnie turned around and pulled hair away from her neck. She tilted her head to the side, tempting him. Just the sight was enough for his incisors to elongate. His fragrance filled the air and he could smell her blood just beneath the surface of her skin. The sound of her heartbeat was enticing.
Yet a part of him knew this was a bad idea. Bonnie was still weak from the spell. If they bloodshared now it could weaken her further. But the way she was gazing at him – it was enough to make him come undone.
When he made no move to bite her, she arched her back further. The movement it caused her breasts to rise above the water. He had seen glimpses of them in the past underneath wet clothing, but to see her breasts as she unabashedly displayed them – his throat went dry and constricted.
Still, he restrained himself. He would not put her at greater risk. Slowly, Bonnie's eyes filled with uncertainty as they grew large and worried. She nibbled on her lower lip and he ached to take over that particular habit for her.
"What's wrong?" suddenly self-conscious, she wrapped her arms protectively around her chest. "Don't you want to...?" her voice trailed off and he heard the hurt there. She wasn't just asking him to feed, she was asking him to bloodshare. He had no doubt she felt as rejected now as she would if he rejected a sexual advance.
And that crumbled his resistance. He bared his fangs and he saw how her eyes widened in surprise and something else.
Lust.
My, he was rubbing off on the little witch.
"Of course, I want to," he murmured. "But you're still weak from the spell," his lips were already on her neck. "I'll only take a little."
His fangs pierced her throat.
XXX
Bonnie's eyes closed and colors burst behind her eyelids like fireworks. It was instant euphoria.
She moaned and her hands dug into his shoulders. She scratched her way down his back.
Just as always, heat filled her and her blood roared in her veins. She could feel Kol's presence. It might have been her imagination, but since they had grown closer, the bloodsharing had become more intense.
As always, it was over too soon. Kol withdrew and he pressed his bloody wrist to her lips. She saw stars behind her eyes.
Bonnie collapsed against him and she nuzzled into the crook of his neck. She could feel Kol's hard muscles against her body. She blushed realizing she was naked. The bubbles had long since vanished and Kol would be able to see everything. She didn't know whether or not it was comforting that he had probably seen this and more a few thousand times over the centuries.
"How do feel?" Kol murmured.
His fingers stroked down her spine. She shivered and pressed herself closer into his warmth. The water was starting to cool off and she said a simple spell to warm it again.
"I feel fine," she assured him kissing his chest softly.
"Good, because I'm not done with you yet, little witch."
"Hm," she sighed and nuzzled into the crook of his neck.
Kol's hand roamed down her stomach and she sighed. She blushed when his hand roamed between the parting of her thighs. Her arm was wrapped around his neck and she tightened it, pulling him closer.
"Is this alright?" he murmured.
Kol's incisors nipped at her earlobe. She gasped in surprise and giggled.
"Yeah," she breathed.
She pressed herself closer, not caring about the future. Right now, she was all too happy to bask in this moment. To be with Kol and actually be in love for once. It was something she hadn't had back in Mystic Falls. And Jeremy certainly hadn't loved her. If he had, he never would have cheated with a ghost.
Kol's finger slid along her slit and she moaned. She wrapped her hands around the tub for support. He pushed his finger inside of her and she whimpered. It hurt a little, but in a good way. He stilled, waiting for her to adjust.
"Still alright, beautiful?"
"Yeah."
He curled his finger and she moaned, tightening her hands until her knuckles turned white. He added another and started to move them slowly. Heat exploded inside of her and colors danced behind her eyelids. Heat was slowly building inside of her keeping pace with the slow movement of his hand.
His incisors brushed her neck. She arched her neck, pressing herself closer still. She could feel his hardness against her bum. His bite was for real this time and she braced herself for that initial slice of pain, but it was gone. Instead, it was sheer bliss. A moan tumbled out of her lips.
Kol's hand moved faster and harder. Colors danced behind her eyes and there was a quickening low in her stomach. It was an unfamiliar sensation yet not unpleasant. As always when she bloodshared with Kol, she could sense his presence. His essence, it was all around her and his arm around her waist kept her close to him.
The quickening inside of her built higher and higher until she shattered. She came with a scream. The colors behind her eyes turned to fireworks and she collapsed against him breathing hard. Kol withdrew and she whimpered in complaint. Something warm was pressed against her lips and some distant part of her mind knew it was Kol's bloody wrist.
The world came rushing back and she blushed. The experience had been intense and she realized how exposed she was to Kol. She hid her face in her hand.
Kol's hand went underneath her chin and he turned her face up to his. His lips captured hers in a hungry kiss. The flame of passion ignited once more and she turned around. Shyly, she trailed her hand down his stomach to grip his cock. She ran her hand along his cock, gripping him lightly. Kol's hand on top of hers guided her. He showed her how to grip him a little tighter and move her hand faster.
"Just like that, beautiful," he groaned in a husky voice that turned her insides to jelly.
Bonnie blushed at the praise. She kept going and discovered she enjoyed this a lot. It was strangely exciting to make him feel this way. She liked hearing the noises that he made. She kept up her ministrations until Kol came.
Now, she was blushing for real and he pulled her against him. He kissed her forehead.
"That was new," she murmured.
"It was," Kol said with a rough chuckle. His voice still had that husky quality and she loved it. "And you should get dressed before I break my promise, little witch."
Bonnie placed a soft kiss to his jawline. "What promise?"
"The promise to wait until we're married."
That made her feel more secure in her relationship with Kol and served as a reminder, her Kol wasn't gone. He was just changed.
XXX
"We need to go," Bonnie said looking out the window. One of the things, she loved the most was being in the past was how big the moon and stars appeared. The sky was such a beautiful shade of indigo. It must be because there was less pollution. She was going to miss the sky when she went back home. Maybe she would go to college somewhere with fresh air and stars. "Kol, I'm serious."
"I know," Kol heaved a sigh. "I think I can know the place of the next nexus."
"I definitely know it," Bonnie said flashing a smile. "And the time. I went through your grimoires."
"Good," Kol said and she could hear the smile in his voice. "When is it?"
"Tomorrow night."
"Did you say you went through my grimoires?"
"Duh," she said turning around to grin at him. "You have the most impressive collection of grimoires and books of shadows of anyone I have ever met. And I did what you would and snooped."
That earned her a laugh. "Suppose I can't fault you for thinking like a genius."
Bonnie grinned. "So do you have those books in our time?"
Kol's eyes warmed and she instantly realized her mistake. She had talked about returning to the present time in a way that made it sound like they would keep this thing they had going. And Bonnie still wasn't sure if she wanted to. She wanted to be with Kol, but she didn't see a happy ending. Especially not when his family and her friends went back to trying to kill each other. Even if all she wanted was to be with Kol.
And her dad would have a heart attack if he heard about the engagement. That alone was a big reason she should end things when they got back to the 21st century. She should have told Kol the last time they talked about their future, but she hadn't been able to bring herself to speak the words. Now however, she knew it was time to mention her concerns.
"Perhaps you would like to come over one night? I can show you the highlights," he said with a smirk, but there was heat in his eyes that caught her off guard.
"That might be alright."
"Might be?"
Kol sat down next to her and took her hands in his. Bonnie couldn't face his intense gaze and looked back at the night sky.
"Might be," she whispered and shrugged. "Your family is going to try to kill my friends again. And they're just going to keep trying to kill you."
"Last I checked you were in on that plan, little witch."
"That was before I knew you and with your reputation can you blame me?"
Kol laughed. "That is reasonable."
"Your family isn't better. Klaus has tried to kill us more than once."
"Pity you didn't kill him when you had the chance."
Bonnie snorted. "That would have killed you too. And Rebekah, she isn't so bad even as a vampire. I wish we could go back and everything would be easier, but the day we get back keeps getting closer and I don't see how this is going to end well."
Kol raised her hand to his lips and kissed.
"The same thing has occurred to me. I don't know if you have noticed however, I am rather brilliant."
Bonnie laughed in spite of herself. "I had noticed sometimes you're not completely stupid. But here's the thing even if we can get past all of the trouble with your family and my friends, I still don't see a happy ending for us."
"I can think of a few ways past that."
"How? You turn me? Because I honestly think sometimes the only reason you love me is because I'm a witch."
"We've talked about this. I love you for you. And I only want you to be happy."
Bonnie still wasn't sure she believed him. "I've heard a few things."
"I'm certain you have. However, Bonnie I will always love you whether you're a witch or not."
She cupped his face. "And I love you, but I still don't see how this will work out."
"I've lived a long time -"
"I'm starting to figure out just how long," she said with a smile.
Kol chuckled. "Yes, I suppose you are. However, my point is things don't go to plan. I've no idea where or how this is going end. The only thing I know with any certainty is that any plans we make it's out of our control. If it's your friends your worried about, I can handle them. They're nothing more than spoilt children."
That actually made her laugh. "They aren't. You can't blame them for hating Klaus."
"No, but I can hate them for trying to kill all of us."
"I wish I could take that back. I'm sure we can think of another solution."
"For their sake, they better," he twined his fingers into her hair and his lips brushed hers. He touched his forehead to hers. "Just promise me one thing, when we return you will stay out of your friends doomed to fail feud with my family."
Bonnie chewed on her bottom lip. "If Elena or Caroline -"
"Not Elena again," Kol groaned. "I swear if you don't stop trying to protect her, you're going to get yourself killed."
Bonnie pushed him away.
"I won't!"
"Bonnie my sweet," Kol reached for her hand and laced their fingers together. "She has not one, but two vampire boyfriends. It would be a small miracle if she only ends up turning."
"Damon isn't her -" Bonnie stopped talking.
It was hard to argue the facts when she thought about Damon and Elena at the Mikaelson ball. Elena had shown up with a Salvatore brother on each arm.
"You worked it out, have you?" Kol smirked. He squeezed her hand. "If she isn't involved with whichever Salvatore she isn't already involved with it won't be long. It's likely she has more in common with Katherine than she would like to admit."
"Maybe," Bonnie said at last. "But that doesn't mean I can let your psycho brother use her in any of his evil schemes."
"Probably for the best however, Nik does seem to have bigger problems than the doppelganger lately."
"That's true and honestly, I wish we could just run away. But I guess I have to help your family deal with Esther first."
Kol's eyes warmed and the look he gave her was hopeful. "Does that mean you aren't running away at your earliest convenience?"
"I don't know," Bonnie shrugged. "But I know I could never let Esther or anyone else hurt you."
"What if that isn't what your friends want?"
There it was, Bonnie thought. One of the main reasons she couldn't see a happy ending. Her friends would always be on the opposite side of Kol. And she couldn't turn on her friends because she loved them. But she also loved Kol.
"I don't know," Bonnie said deciding it was best to be honest. "All I know is I couldn't let them get hurt and I can't let you get hurt either. Or even your family anymore. Except maybe Klaus."
Kol leaned in and kissed her on the lips. It was a light brush of his lips. And she sighed. He touched his forehead to hers, his hand massaged the back of her neck.
"Perhaps we should simply skip town when we return to the present."
"I kind of like that idea. But I don't think my dad will."
Kol chuckled. "Suppose we will work it out once we are home."
Bonnie wrapped her arms around his neck and put her head on his shoulder.
XXX
Bonnie didn't want to leave the Renaissance behind. It was one of the nicer time periods she had been in so far. She loved the art and food and the clothes alone were worth the trip. Too bad this wasn't for fun.
She stood in front of the Trevi fountain with Kol and Henrik. The sun had long since set yet it was still gorgeous. The torchlights lit up the fountain and the statues so that it appeared to be on fire. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at it. She felt eyes on her when she glanced up, she saw Kol was studying her.
"What?"
"Nothing."
She grinned because his hazel eyes were soft and warm. There was a smile on his lips and he wrapped his arm around her waist. She put her hand on his chest and she wished just for the briefest moment that she could still feel his heartbeat.
Henrik snorted and fake gagged. "Could you two give it a rest with the goo-goo eyes?"
Bonnie blushed whereas Kol glowered.
"Perhaps you could shut up?"
Henrik rolled his eyes and was as always unconcerned with Kol's threats.
"I'm just saying it's bad enough I have to hear the two of you -"
"Henrik," Kol growled.
But it was too late, Bonnie had her hands in her face. She already knew what Henrik had meant and she had hoped that he wouldn't hear since his home was so large. But apparently vampires had even better hearing than she knew.
"Are you sure you want to stay here?" Bonnie asked.
"Yes," Henrik cracked a smile. "I still have some things I would like to do and I don't think Rebekah would forgive me if I left her now."
"No, I don't think she would," Bonnie said thinking about how cold Rebekah had been toward her since she learned the truth.
"However, you're always welcome to join us. Do you know where to find us?"
"Mystic Falls 2011," Henrik said with a broad grin. "I hope our paths cross again before that."
Henrik hugged Kol then Bonnie. She gave him an extra squeeze.
"You take care of yourself, alright?"
"I will."
Henrik was gone in the blink of an eye. Bonnie knew he tried not to roam around too much when Elijah and Klaus were in the same city as him. Instead, he preferred to lay low. Elijah and Klaus had been in Northern Italy until a few days ago. Henrik had delayed his trip out of town to see them off, but he would leave tonight. Go somewhere they couldn't find him. He'd talked of visiting Florence because Kol was apparently easy enough to avoid as he didn't spend all of his time scheming and looking for enemies.
Yet Bonnie suspected he found enemies anyway.
Bonnie kneeled at the center of the nexus. She began the ritual spellcasting all over again. Her voice rose and she could feel her magic rising inside of her. It hit a crescendo and she could see the portal opening before her. Black spots danced before her eyes and she blinked as she raised her voice fighting the exhaustion. She wiped the blood from her nose.
"Bloody hell," Kol said and followed that up with even worse curse words.
Bonnie didn't break her focus, but she felt Kol disappear in one of those movements that was too fast for her to follow. She kept going and she heard what sounded like a fight behind her.
She turned around just in time to see Kol on the ground. A scream caught in her throat and her eyes widened when she saw her Kol was standing over the Kol on the ground.
Oh my God, she thought panicking. Past Kol had caught up with them.
Kol looked over at her and her stomach twisted into guilty knots at the thought of what was she was about to do.
"I'm so sorry. Forgive me."
Kol moved in a blur and dragged her through the portal then everything went black as she passed out.
I know this is way past late, but I honestly had to cut back on the historical details because all of the research was majorly slowing me down *phew*. Also who do you think will come out the winner – Kol or his past self? And where do you think they will land – here's a hint, it involves sailing. As always thank you for reading and let me know what you thought of this chapter.
- Izzy
Guest: Thank you for reading and reviewing! Sorry about the long wait, but I'm hoping this chapter was worth the impatient waiting.
Guest: I would have loved to update sooner, but I just finished this chapter this week. Life has been crazy like you have no idea.
Guest: Yes, Kol went mad because Bonnie was gone. Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Guest: Thank you for readig and reviewing!
Guest: I guess no updates coming soon because that was posted in October, but I haven't abandoned the fic. I've just been super busy.
Guest: You were right it was present Kol. I can't answer any of your other questions because I don't want to post spoilers publicly, but you know you are onto something with most of it. Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Guest: So happy to hear you think it's great! Thank you for reading and reviewing!