Hello my lovely readers! I want to apologize for the delay in this update. I've been pretty busy of late, not to mention dealing with a family crisis, but anyway, here is the next chapter! I hope you enjoy!
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! YOU GUYS MEAN SO MUCH TO ME!
Please remember to review at the end! :)
~Two Days Later~
Caroline had gone to bed a few hours ago, but her heart was so heavy she didn't think she could survive.
She missed her mom, her flowers, and her life. Her thoughts from two days ago came into her mind, and she cried as she realized they were becoming true. She was beginning to think of the underworld as home. How could she? Maybe the voices were right. Maybe she had betrayed her flowers.
Maybe she had.
How could she fall in love with the Lord of the Underworld in such a short time? She turned into her pillow, and grasped it tightly. She knew how, but she still couldn't believe it. She had allowed herself to see his human side, and, in doing so, opened herself up to slowly accepting his dark side. She looked up to her left and focused on the painting. A simple gesture, that meant so much.
Why was he doing these things? She didn't know. Perhaps he was lonely, and needed a friend and some companionship. Maybe that was it.
Still, the pain in her heart was not as wide as it was when she first arrived, and that made it hurt worse. She was betraying her flowers. How could she do such a thing? The only thing she had left was her hope that Klaus would let her leave to tend to her spring. She was their light. They needed her. Surely Klaus would not keep her there with his kindness breaking through. Surely he would allow her to travel back, and allow her to tend to her duty. He could even bring her back, if he wished to, once she was…
What was she thinking? Was she seriously considering returning down here? She sniffed as she buried her face in the pillow. Yes, she was.
Her cries became muffled as her face buried completely into the pillow. She felt a warm hand touch her shoulder, and she jumped only slightly as she lifted her head.
Her red, puffy eyes blinked a few more times as she gazed on the man standing next to her bed, wearing his usual silk pants, but no shirt.
Klaus had heard her cries from down the hall, and, though he tried to ignore them, he couldn't. He felt a pull towards her cries, and he knew she needed something, or someone.
When she had turned her head to look at him, he felt his heart break at the sight of her in so much pain.
He opened his mouth, but quickly closed it, and slowly sat down beside her, with his body facing her as he brought his left leg to rest on the bed. She slowly turned over to her left to face him, but kept her eyes downcast. He reached forward and lightly brushed his fingers over her cheek, catching the stray tears falling steadily down her cheeks.
She closed her eyes at the touch of his fingers, and she felt the pain once again. This was the reason why she was crying. She was falling in love with this man, and she couldn't stop herself.
"Are you alright?" He asked, pulling his hand back to rest on his left knee with his other hand.
Caroline sniffed, and moved her right hand up to her face to wipe her eyes. "I'm just a little homesick." She whispered, bringing her hand down to rest her head on it.
Klaus closed his eyes and lowered his head. He should have known. "I see." He whispered, trying to bite back the hurt, but Caroline heard anyway.
Sitting up quickly, she placed her right hand on top of his left, causing him to look up. "I'm sorry." She whispered, not really understanding why she was apologizing.
Klaus' eyes widened at her words, but he kept his mouth closed.
Caroline wanly smiled as she lowered her gaze to her hand resting on his. "I just miss my mother and my flowers." She added, tears filling her eyes once more.
Klaus felt his heart constrict in his chest. Guilt over keeping her away from her home began to eat at his heart and soul. How could he keep her?
Slowly she lifted her gaze once more to his face, and saw the pain on his face. "I'm not saying that I hate it here." She began, trying to erase the pain on his face. "I just miss the light." She whispered, lowering her eyes once more.
Klaus clenched his jaw, and slowly nodded. "I understand." He whispered, through clenched teeth.
Caroline smiled to herself. "I don't think you do." She whispered, turning her head, away from him.
Klaus narrowed his eyes. "How do you know?" He demanded, causing her to turn her head once more to look at him. Her eyes widening as his tone became dark and lonely. "Do you know what it's like to only be allowed to go above only three times every year, to see the light, to yearn for it, and then to come down to this darkness?!" He shouted, standing up, and walked to the door.
Caroline shook her head as she threw the covers off of her, and stood up. Practically running to him, she touched his right arm with her left hand, and stopped him.
"How long?" She asked, watching as he turned around to face her. Her blue-green eyes searched his deep azure eyes.
Klaus lifted his head in a slight cocky way, but mainly in defiance. His eyes asked the question, though his mouth remained closed.
Caroline sighed. "How long have you been watching the light?" She asked in a low voice, her hand remaining on his arm.
Klaus jutted his jaw forward, and closed his eyes. "Ever since you were transformed into a Goddess." He answered, slowly opening his eyes.
Caroline's eyes widened, and her mouth opened. "Five years." She whispered, dropping her hand from his arm. "You have been watching me for five years." She added, meaning to be a question.
Klaus tilted his head to the side, and moved his eyes above, avoiding her gaze.
Caroline didn't know if she should be freaked out or flattered. No one ever took an interest in her that long, even if it was the Lord of the Underworld who was doing it. A part, a major part, of her thought it was sweet.
A small smile crept on her face, and slowly she lifted her left hand and placed it on the right side of his face, causing him to glance back down at her.
"Why?" She asked, in a low whisper, searching his eyes.
Klaus sighed, as he took in her light shining through her eyes, radiating from her soul. Should he tell her? He wondered, as his eyes held hers. He shouldn't feel this way about anyone, but he did. He cared for her. He understood that now. He had been falling in love with the Goddess of Spring from the first time he laid eyes on her.
He really didn't have to tell her. She could see it. He could tell, as her eyes widened and the light shone brighter than he had ever seen.
Caroline felt such warmth fill her soul as she read the answer in his eyes. The ache she had felt earlier dissipated when she realized the truth. What she had wished for in her life, a man to love her, to care for her, had come true. It just came from a man who was the most feared and despised.
Did she care about that? At first, maybe, she did, but now…no.
No, she didn't care. He had shown her kindness, and she had begun to fall in love. Or was she already in love with him? She smiled as she thought of the answer. She wasn't completely, but she was beginning to.
Closing the distance between them, Caroline placed her lips on his in a gentle kiss. She pulled back and stared in his eyes. She blushed at the intensity of the stare, but she didn't move back.
Klaus didn't know what to think. His feelings seemed to overwrite his darkness. With slowness, he raised his right hand and the stroked her face with the back of his knuckles. Caroline leaned into his touch slightly. Her right hand moved to his chest, and her left lifted to grasp his right hand.
She smiled lightly, as she squeezed his hand. "I never got to thank you for the painting." She whispered, gazing into his eyes.
Klaus sighed. He inhaled sharply, as he stepped back, but not too far. "You seemed quite taken with it." He whispered, with emotion catching in his voice.
She smiled and gave a small nod, as she glanced at the painting briefly. "It's very beautiful." She whispered, looking back at him.
Klaus inhaled slowly, but didn't say a word as her eyes captivated his. "Not as beautiful as the woman I captured in it." He whispered, in a low voice.
Caroline blushed, and her smile lit up the room, causing Klaus to smile in return.
She tilted her head, as she searched his eyes. "You don't have to flatter me, Klaus." She said in a low tone.
Klaus narrowed his eyes. "I told you before, Caroline, I only speak the truth." He returned firmly.
Caroline nodded. "I know." She whispered, her smile waning. "I'm just not used to hearing such things." She added, lowly.
Klaus frowned. "A woman as beautiful and warm as you should be." He stated, in a firm tone.
"Do you really believe that?" She asked, searching his eyes.
Klaus nodded. "I do." He answered, in a finality tone.
She smiled and leaned forward. Still holding his hand in her left, she wrapped her other arm around his waist, and laid her head on his chest.
"You can be so charming when you want to be." She whispered, nuzzling his chest with the side of her face.
Klaus closed his eyes slowly as his free hand caressed her back. Yes, he could be charming, but only to her. She was changing him, and he decided, he wanted to change, for her. Only for her.
They stood there for a little longer, until Klaus felt her slowly go limp in his arms. With a small smile, he lifted her in his arms, releasing her left hand, and carried her to the bed. Gently laying her down and covering her up, he watched as she turned to her left side, and nuzzled her face deeper into the pillow underneath her.
She was so beautiful and peaceful. Even in her sleep, her light shone in the darkness. Klaus smiled, as he pushed her blonde hair, which had fallen, from her face. Fighting his better judgment, he leaned down, and placed his lips on her right temple with a feather light kiss. Straightening he gazed at her sleeping form one last time before turning on his heel.
"Klaus."
He stopped, thinking he misheard. Turning his head, he looked down and found her opening her sleeping eyes.
"Stay with me tonight. I don't want to be alone." She pleaded in a sleepy tone, but still held a cry.
Klaus swallowed as he nodded, and moved to the other side of the bed. As he crawled under the covers, he watched as she turned over to face him, and once he got settled, her next words froze him entirely.
"Hold me."
He looked down into her eyes, and gave a slow nod as he opened his left arm wanting her to come the rest of the way, giving her the choice.
Caroline wasn't sure why she had requested this, but she knew she wanted to be held, and who better than the man who made her feel safe in his arms.
She smiled as she snuggled into his embrace, and softly laid her head on his bare chest. His presence enveloped her as it usually did, and for the first night since she was kidnapped she slept peacefully, in the arms of her captor.
~X~
"Will you hurry up?" The third man asked nervously, as he looked around.
The first man lifted his head and growled. "If you are in such a hurry, perhaps you could help, Alaric." He stated, in aggravation.
Alaric shook his head. "And risk the wrath of Klaus?" He asked, looking around him. "No way." He stated, nervously.
The second man rolled his eyes. "How did we even get stuck with him?" He asked, moving his hands over his project.
Alaric narrowed his eyes. "I was put here as a punishment, just like you two." He stated, with vain remembrance.
The first man smirked. "Yes, for loving a little nymph, how did that work out for you?" He asked, sneering.
Alaric growled as he lunged at the first man. "You'll pay for that, Alexander!" He shouted, wrapping his hands around his throat.
The second man ripped them apart. "Will you two behave?!" He shouted, finally separating them. "Do you wish for them to wake up before we are finished?" He asked, staring at them both.
Alexander and Alaric glared at each other, and shook their heads. "No, Connor, we don't." Alaric stated, glancing at the man.
Connor shook his head, and motioned to the chains. He smiled as the chains loosened slightly. "There, now we can return to the fields." He stated with pride, but glared at the other two. "Unless you would rather they wake up and find you both." He added, watching their eyes grew wider. "I didn't think so." He stated, turning towards the entrance to their home.
The Despair Fields.
~X~
Caroline moaned lightly as she began to stir from her rest. She felt something move on her side, and felt her pillow lift up then down. Sluggishly she opened her eyes, and found her left arm draped across a bare abdomen, and her head was resting on the bare chest. Slowly she lifted her head, and smiled at the peaceful expression of a sleeping Klaus.
She moved her eyes down, and smiled as she took in his well-muscled abs. He was strikingly handsome. With well-formed abs, slim stomach, broad hips, and his arms with rippling biceps. His face was a wonderful addition, a strong jaw, a cleft chin, broad forehead, which could crease when he was angry or surprised. His narrow nose gave a dignified look, especially when his lifted his head in a defiant manner. His narrow wide eyes were one of the best features. They held the deepest secrets of the darkest god, as well as so much anger and pain, and yet they held such softness when they gazed at her.
Her eyes moved to his lips, and smiled as she took in his thick, voluptuous, rose colored lips. She bit her bottom lip as she remembered the softness of them. Lifting her left hand and lightly touched his lips, she traced them, careful not to wake him. She smiled as she moved to the side of his mouth, where his hidden dimples rested. She had only caught a glimpse of them a few times, and it was enough to make her insides melt. Another great attribute to his face was his scruffy beard. She smiled as she remembered how it felt against her face as his lips caressed hers.
Her fingers continued to trace his stubble, unaware that his eyes had opened from the first time she touched his lips with her fingers.
His eyes traced her face as her eyes seemed locked on the movements of her fingers. Her blonde hair had fallen into waves to the right side of her face, and cascaded down her shoulders. The spaghetti strap of her nightgown was lose, and Klaus watched as it slowly slide down her right shoulder. He averted his eyes, and focused on her face.
Her blue eyes had a bright light shining through them, and were focused on her fingers tracing his beard. He wanted to smile at her fascination, but he thought it would scare her.
Slowly her eyes moved up to his and her fingers stilled their movements, as her eyes held his.
He lifted his right hand and tenderly touched her face, moving behind her head, gently pulling her blonde hair from the right side of her face to the back of her head.
She smiled lightly as she felt her head dropping down, closer to his face. She tilted her head, slightly to the left and placed her lips on his.
She realized then, when their lips met, that the voice of reason in her head had all but gone. She no longer heard that voice telling her this was wrong. All she heard was her heart telling her this was right, so right.
She felt her mouth open as slowly his tongue made its way into her mouth. She moaned into his mouth as his tongue caressed hers. Her right hand stayed on his face, and tried to weave through his sandy hair, but it couldn't go far.
Her mouth opened wider, as his tongue went deeper, and her tongue entered his mouth. She wanted to smile when she heard him groan.
Gently he rolled them over, and she couldn't complain, as their lips never separated, allowing her right hand to weave through his hair, and her left caressed his bare back.
Gradually he pulled back, when they needed some air, he watched as her eyes opened, and the light shown brighter than he had ever seen.
He sighed, and wanted to say the words he had just discovered, but couldn't. He smiled as she smiled brightly at him, and he got up the nerve.
"I'm falling in love with you, Caroline." He whispered, not really knowing how she was going to react.
Caroline seemed to stop breathing. This is not what she expected when she woke up this morning, in his arms. Should she say the words back? She wanted too, but what would happen? Would saying the words be the final step in her betrayal? Would her love be the final push for her to be his for all eternity? She still had her duties. Would the Bennetts name another Goddess of Spring because of her love for the Lord of the Underworld? Should she risk it?
Klaus watched as her face, which once shined so brightly after he kissed her, dimmed in conflict. He felt a pain in his heart at his stupidity for saying words he never should have said.
Caroline watched as his eyes clouded over, and she realized she had to react or he might close himself off once again, and she might never bring him back.
Taking a deep breathe, she took her chance, hoping and praying the flowers and her mother would forgive her.
"I'm falling too, Klaus." She whispered her eyes capturing his, and holding them.
Klaus felt his pain ease at her words. His eyes searched hers, and the words sank into his soul.
She smiled as she saw his eyes filled with affection and softness as before. Pulling his head down, gently, but firmly, she captured his lips with hers.
She had taken the final step onto the long road of betrayal, but somehow she knew it felt right.
It had to be.
~Bennett House~
The three Bennetts smiled as they watched the admission.
"She has nearly succeeded." Ayanna stated, clasping her hands in front of her.
Emily smiled. "Now we must wait until she has finished." She remarked, glancing at the others.
Sheila nodded. "But will she finish in time?" She asked, looking at Ayanna. "He is falling, but with each passing day the darkness grows, and Elizabeth can't hold it much longer." She replied glancing at the orb as it changed from the two almost lovers, as they pulled apart, and just gazed at each other.
Ayanna nodded. "This is true, but something will happen, which will cause this love to be secured, and Caroline will no longer feel the pain." She said, stepping closer to the orb.
Emily tilted her head. "What pain?" She asked, turning her gaze to the orb.
Sheila narrowed her eyes. "What will happen?" She asked at the same time, also looking at the orb.
They stood in silence as they watched Klaus stand up with Caroline, and softly kiss her lips, before leaving the room.
Sheila smiled at the gesture, but her eyes widened as the image changed.
"Caroline's pain is her feeling that she is betraying her flowers and her mother, but this is false." Ayanna stated, staring at the image. "Her love for Niklaus is what will save them. It is not betrayal. On the contrary, it is truth." She added, turning to the others. "She will come to realize this when her love is complete." She finished, with a smile.
"How will it be complete?" Emily asked, watching Ayanna smile brightly.
"When she realizes that Niklaus is the one for her, her soul mate." Ayanna answered, gladly. "And that will happen when she returns to her mother." She added with a smile.
Emily and Sheila's eyes widened at her words.
"How can it be complete?" Sheila asked, breathlessly.
Ayanna smiled as looked at the orb with a scene of Klaus painting an image of Caroline. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." She whispered.
Sheila smiled and nodded. "That it does." She paused glancing at Emily. "That it does." They replied together.
What did you think?
Remember NO HARSH COMMENTS! PLEASE!
I know that this romance may seem rushed, but if you read mythology, you would know that romances are sometimes rushed. I hope you approve with the way this is heading. They still have a ways to go and many trials up ahead.
Oh, this will not be the only update this weekend! I'm working on the next chapter right now, and should have it up later today or tomorrow!
Until Next Time...