Sorry for the lateness in this getting up!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! AND PATIENCE!

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Humid. Sticky humid air encircled her as she walked around the library. The air clung on her body while her fingers itched to caress the books in front of her.

Her eyes followed the shelf towards the far wall and her breath left her chest. She leaned back on the edge of the table. Her vision blurred and she closed her eyes. It was getting harder. Harder to concentrate. Harder to stand without her knees weakening.

"Talk to me."

She focused her gaze on the shelves. "There is not much to say."

Klaus frowned, leaning beside her. "Caroline."

"I know, but really," she began, moving her head to rest on his shoulder.

His arm snaked around her waist and pulled her closer. "What did you think to find here?"

Her head nuzzled against his shoulder. "Something to help us with Mikael."

"There is not much to find, is there?"

"No, I haven't found anything except the air is sticky."

"Sticky?"

Her head lifted and caught his eyes. "Do you not feel it?" Her voice was innocent and full of worry. "Something is in the air. Something," she trailed off with a far-off gaze.

"I feel it too, love."

His soft voice broke her trance and she sagged against him. "What is it?"

"The war," he answered, solemnly. "It's in the air. When the air shifts into the uneasy stickiness. The smell of acid and burnt flesh. War is coming. Nature knows it, my Lily."

"That must be what I sense, then."

Klaus nodded, searching her eyes. "Yes, I imagine so."

Caroline's hands rested on his chest and leaned further into his body. "Mikael's gaining ground, but he still cannot cross the boundary."

"No, but we can."

"He can still find a way through. The witches who came through the gate could help."

Concern and distrust flashed across his face. "Your mother cleared them."

"Yes, she did, but," she began, bowing her head. "I guess you are rubbing off on me."

He chuckled, curving his finger under her chin, lifting her face to see her eyes. "My Lily is not very trusting. How rare," he teased.

She pushed his chest with the palm of her hand. "Don't tease."

He smiled, his dimples creating a sexy expression, making her knees shake. She nearly staggered forward, sighing when his arm wrapped around her body. "One of the things I love about you is your positivity. When you fail to show any, it's a shock."

She caressed his face, stroking his scruffy beard. "I'm sorry, my love," she whispered, realizing the words she spoke, and smiled tenderly at his softening gaze. "But it's just, I'm worried."

His thumb stroked the curve of her chin. "I know, as am I, but I ask you to remain positive." He gazed into her eyes. "It is your positive outlook that keeps me hoping and strong."

She moved her hand to the back of his head, threading her fingers through his hair. "Well then, I shall endeavor to remain on the positive side, if only to keep you strong."

"Now who is teasing?"

"I'm serious, Niklaus," she scolded, though her eyes sparkled with joy. "I want nothing more than us all to survive this. If you are taken from me…"

He nodded, pulling her closer, aligning her body with his, securing her to him. "I feel the same, but we must not give in to the fear, love."

"I know," she whispered, rubbing her nose along his. "We must be strong for we are stronger together."

He hummed, burning for the woman in his arms. His lips crushed into hers, pouring the passion and love he felt into one action. The fear of something happening to both of them pushed them forward. He twirled and lifted her on the table.

The skirt of her dress was pushed up with his rough hands sliding up her legs. Her hands trailed down the front of his dark shirt, loving the feel of his muscles underneath. "Darling, we may need to carry this somewhere…oh," she cried as he nibbled her throat. Her eyes flashed and her body shook with passion.

He chuckled, flicking his tongue on her skin. "Shall I stop?"

She gasped, holding him tighter. "Don't you dare!"

"As you wish, love," he growled, feeling her hands caress his waist, rubbing over him, sensuously. "Caroline," he whispered, huskily.

"I know," she returned, loving the way his eyes flashed with a golden hue. "It's alright," she encouraged, seeing his urgency.

He nodded, hoping for the best as he entered her, his pants opening only in the front, and her undergarments ripped beyond repair. He filled her completely, giving her a pleasure that only he could.

Her head fell back; her mouth gasping before a moan could be heard. She was exquisite. A wild woman, natural. It was different this time. It was animalistic, rough, but still tender and full of love.

His hands clenched her to him, his thrusts becoming ardent and full. She surrounded him, holding him tight with her legs wrapping around his waist. The table rocked beneath them and soon his shirt fell to the floor with the bodice of her dress coming down to reveal her full pert breasts. Her hands roamed over his chest, her nails scratching his skin.

His eyes flashed once more and a devilish smirk appeared across his face. "Oh, that's dangerous, Lily."

She smiled, flicking her tongue across her teeth, sucking her bottom lip. She moaned. "Live dangerously," she whispered, rocking her hips.

He chuckled, pushing deeper inside. "I do. I love you, don't I?"

She laughed, loving this side of lovemaking with her King. Her heart pounded as their chests connected, her breasts brushing against his bare chest. Their lips connected and before she could process, he lowered her on top of the table, thrusting deeper into her.

Her mark burned, slightly, and again she felt the knot form inside her womb.

A mating dance. That was what it was.

She groaned, clutching his shoulders. Her skin glowed with sweat, as did his. The warm glow of light surrounded them, sheathing them in a loving bubble as their moans and actions became harsher, stronger.

The table cracked beneath them, but neither cared for they were too entranced in each other. Fear, love, want, and other emotions drove them towards completion.

With a cry from both of them, they discovered ecstasy. Pure ecstasy in each other's arms.

They remained connected for moments afterward before Klaus straightened and pulled her with him. His eyes searched her and his right hand caressed her neck, bringing her lips to his for a tender kiss.

She hummed, caressing his chest, hating being separated from him. "If this is what joy feels like, I never want it to end."

He chuckled and rubbed his nose against hers. "Neither do I, love."

With his assistance, her dress was secured and her hair was neatly arranged to drape down her neck, held by a ribbon. She was an angelic beauty, and she was all his. He couldn't help but smile at the thought.

She blushed with a kind smile, touching his face. "What has brought that gorgeous smile on your face?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with affection.

He laughed, lowly, his face reddening with the dimples deepening on his face. He turned, wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to his body once more. "You, my darling Caroline," he answered, contentedly.

Her arms snaked around his neck, smiling brightly. "Me?" she inquired, happily.

He nodded, brushing his lips over hers. "Even with war upon us, you light my life in ways I never imagined possible."

"Oh, Klaus," she whispered, searching his eyes.

His hand caressed her neck, tracing the mark with light touches. Shivers rang through her body, causing trembles, marvelous trembles. "Whatever may happen, I want you to remember how much I love you," he remarked, softly.

Tears filled her eyes. His tone was tender and longing. "Oh, my King," she cried, wrapping her arms tighter around him, holding him closer.

He held her tightly, grateful for these moments. He stroked her back, pulling back only a fraction. "Did I hurt you before?" His voice held a teasing note, trying to break the solid moment.

She laughed through her tears, shaking her head. "It was beautiful, like always."

"Love, I think it was more than beautiful," he returned, wiggling his brows. "It was…"

Her eyes flashed, but a smile played on her face. "Us," she concluded, touching his forehead with hers.

Humming, he held her, hoping the moment would last.

Last for all eternity, knowing, somehow, that it would not.

At least for a while.

~XXX~

His hand traced her bare shoulder as her head rested on his chest. His lips brushed over the top of her head; thankful he had not damaged her beyond healing.

Her head played on his chest, stroking his skin with a flutter of touches. Their breathing had slowed to normal after the rigorous lovemaking from nearly an hour earlier.

She slid her head back, catching the expression on his face. "What's wrong?"

Stefan breathed, heavily, and searched her eyes. "I was just thanking the higher power that I did not harm you."

She smiled, touching his face, smoothing the brooding crease on his forehead. "I knew you would never harm me, Stefan, but that is not the reason behind your solemn expression."

He smirked, raising his free hand to her face. The marks on her face had melted into smoothness which erased them. The markings on her chest had faded to reveal her flawless, tanned breasts. She was still perfection, at least to him.

He traced down to cup her breasts, an action which caused her to gasp and push forward to keep his touch on her. "I don't want to lose this," he whispered, raising his eyes to hers.

Her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth and her expression melted into understanding. "You have no need to worry, Stefan," she returned, firmly. "Everything will turn out as it should." She caressed his face, skimming down to his hand on her breast. "I have faith it will."

"Then you have more than I, darling," he remarked, carefully.

Her body jerked upright, letting the sheet fall to her waist, uncaring to seen by him. Her hair flipped behind her with the newly acquired mark shining on her neck. A circular knot rested on the side with a heart directly in the center. The circle reminiscent of Rebekah's undying love, a never-ending knot and the heart for Stefan, for his heart, which was hers and intertwined with his.

Her eyes flashed with anger and he nearly groaned at the remark he had made. "Did you not have faith I would save you?"

He clasped her hand with his. "I never doubted that my love, but reaching my transformed self is not the same as fighting side by side on the battlefield."

"Do you doubt we will survive?"

He shook his head, hating the sorrow he read in her eyes. "No, I do not, but I doubt we will come out of the war unchanged."

Her blonde curls fell forward and her shoulders sagged with uncertainty. "You're right. We may not come out the same, but, Stefan, no matter what, I will always love you," she vowed, vehemently. "That is what the marking confirms. Our love will withstand everything thrown at us."

"I do not doubt my love will change, Rebekah, and I do not doubt yours, either."

Reading between the lines, she inhaled deeply. "You're unsure of whether we will succeed in defeating Mikael."

Her speculation caught him off-guard. It was not surprising as she saw through him so many times in their relationship.

Sighing, she straddled his hips, capturing his face between her hands. The action made them both groan upon contact, and she smiled, only for a fraction before shifting, lightly. "Hear this now, Stefan Salvatore," she began, her eyes becoming demanding. "We will defeat Mikael. We will succeed in finding peace for our family. We will. I have not spent the past thousand years searching for my true happiness only to find it and lose it because of some insane revenge."

He caressed her hips, smiling at her rant, knowing she was speaking the truth for he believed the same. For too long, he had searched for his love only to find it in the woman who had turned him. The woman who was a perfect mix of angel and demon. The perfection embodiment of love. A true goddess who owned his heart in more ways than he imagined possible. "Well, when you put it that way," he uttered, pulling her to lay completely against him, only to capture her lips in his.

She shifted her body to accept him inside her, as her hands threaded through his hair. As she rocked above him, she understood his fear as surely as her own. Somehow, in the back of her, she realized no one would come out the same, but love would hold them together.

All they had to do was love and hold onto love.

~XXX~

Damon hated the sense of someone watching him. He hated it. He hated attention.

Attention always seemed to draw the darker side of him. Which was the reason behind the sarcasm.

He hid behind it like a shield. A shield to keep the others out. He rounded the corner and froze. His blue eyes widening, taking in the person in front of him, realizing she was the one who had been watching him. She always did.

He nearly staggered back, before placing the mask on his face. "What are you doing here?"

His tone was cutting and she knew for good reason, but it did not stop her from lifting her chin, defiantly. "We've come to join the fight."

"After cursing my brother, you think you're welcome here," he bit off, charging around her.

Grace sagged, pivoting to study his dark head as he tried to march away. "Elizabeth welcomed us."

He stilled and whirled around, eyes flashing. "That doesn't bode anything for the rest of us."

She pushed herself forward, closing the distance between them. "Damon, I never intended to go this far."

"You mean to go against everything you believe."

"No, I mean, I never intended to hurt you or Stefan."

"And you think I'll just accept your apology."

"I never asked for you too," she responded, sadly. "But I had to say it anyway."

Damon's jaw clenched and he searched her emerald eyes. "Were you the one who cursed him?"

Her head shook, slowly.

"Who did?"

"I don't know," she answered. "None of my sisters were responsible for releasing the Berserker. Cleo knew the spell, but she never performed it," she paused, holding his eyes. "Enzo could have. He knows more about magic than any of the Five."

"Besides Mikael," Damon concluded, frowning.

"Yes," she confirmed.

"That does not excuse the fact that you sided with him, Grace," he spat, coldly. "After everything, you sided with that bastard!"

"I know, but I had no choice, Damon."

"You always have a choice, Grace, you just chose the easy way out."

"Did you think it was easy?!" she questioned, tears forming in her eyes. "Did you think it was easy siding against you?!"

"I imagine it was."

She growled, throwing her arms outward. "Oh, you pigheaded son of a jackal!" she shouted, the air shaking around them. "I had no choice but to side with my sisters. I saw their downfall, and I wanted to prevent it. I could not allow them to die without trying to save them," she continued, tears streaking down her cheeks. "I did not know it would end with me siding against you until it was too late."

He swallowed, eyes conveying the pain of betrayal. "Did you save them?"

His tone cut through her soul. Her body ached with pain from his biting remark. "For the time being, they are safe."

He scoffed, turning on his heel, still holding her eyes. "I hope it was worth it, Grace," he scolded, rushing away, leaving a breath of wind in her face.

She sighed with sadness and shook her head. "Not on a whole, it wasn't," she whispered, walking in the opposite direction.

~XXX~

The darkening skies above her made Elizabeth frown even more. Too long had the skies plagued her mind. "Oh, sister, what are you up to?" she asked in the silence.

"My lady."

She glanced over her shoulder before her eyes lifted to the skies. "Mari has awakened."

"Yes," Cleo answered, stopping beside her. "She is still weak. I fear she will not be much help."

Elizabeth shook her head. "No, she will not. At least, not in the battlefield," she returned, calmly. "But she can fortify the castle by protecting a few members of the family."

"She may be too weak."

"No, she has just enough strength, Cleo."

"Who will she need to protect?"

Elizabeth closed her eyes. "My daughter and the King."

"Why would they need protection?" Cleo's eyes narrowed. "They are powerful themselves."

"Yes, but while the others will fight on the front lines, Mikael will attack from within," Elizabeth revealed, solemnly.

"Do the others know?"

"No, and you are not to say a word."

"How will Mikael even enter the castle?"

Elizabeth breathed out and her eyes shifted to silver. "Because Mari and I will let him in."

"My lady," Cleo breathed out, her eyes widening. "After everything," she trailed off, shaking her head.

"Yes, after everything," Elizabeth began, sighing. "The only way to protect the King and Queen is to get their final battle on even ground, which means to allow Mikael and only Mikael inside the castle walls. No one else is to enter the castle," she ordered. "Promise me, Cleo."

Cleo swallowed and saw the determination in Mother Nature's eyes. Nodding her head, she relented. "I promise, my lady."

"And you will tell no one of this, not even my own daughter," Elizabeth ordered, sternly.

"Should she not know?"

"She will know when the time comes, Cleo, I assure you."

Cleo licked her lips, her mind reeling from the information. "Very well then, if that is what you wish, it will be done."

"Good, now, I have some final preparations to make, have your sisters ready for battle at dawn."

"As you command," Cleo responded, watching Elizabeth disappear in the castle with a heavy heart. "We will protect the King and Queen with our dying breath," she whispered, raising her eyes to the full moon. "And I will die protecting Mother Nature."

In the sky, the moon blinked.


Please be kind!

I know! It's been two months, but December was hectic and then I got distressed when I was passed over for a job. Well, depressed is more like it, and I didn't feel like writing or proofreading what I had written, so my fanfics got pushed back. I apologize!

I'm midway through getting the next chapter done and will have it up tonight or tomorrow at the latest. I'm trying to get all my stories wrapped up because I want to move on to new ones and get the old ones over with.

Next Chapter: Save the Queen

Until Next Time...