Chapter 28

"Here we go," Lucien hummed while gently placing Fay on the sofa. He couldn't remember the last time he would have seen her so upset. All thanks to Kol. Lucien was furious, but right now he needed to concentrate on Fay. Gently he cupped her face and caressed her cheeks with his thumbs.

"Sweetheart? How are you feeling?"

She didn't reply, but the dog started barking. Lucien frowned as he saw Kol entering the room.

"Have you not caused enough harm already?" he asked icily. "What more do you want?"

"I would watch my tongue if I were you," Kol replied. "I have been polite so far, but that can change."

"And I don't recall inviting you to my house," Lucien stated, keeping his eyes on Fay.

"I am here for Fay."

"Hmm. I doubt that she wants you here either."

Kol didn't reply to that, he simply walked over to the table and poured himself a glass of wine.

"Please, make yourself at home," Lucien snorted.

Kol didn't reply to that either, he sat on an armchair and took a sip out of his glass.

"Not bad," he stated. "A little too dry for my taste."

"Yes, let's talk about wines," Lucien snorted. "I cannot think of anything more important."

Kol emptied his glass and placed it on the table.

"Look, normally I wouldn't tolerate your attitude from anyone, but I will make an exception this one time. For Fay. I would however advice you not to test my patience too much."

"You certainly have not changed," Lucien huffed. "Just as arrogant as always. It seems to run in your family."

"As I said, I am here for Fay," Kol replied coolly. "I want to help her."

"How?"

"I have traveled a lot during the last centuries. I have met very powerful witches and shamans..."

"They cannot help her," Lucien cut in.

"How do you know?"

"Because I have already asked," Lucien replied tensely.

"I bet I know more witches than you, I will find someone who can fix her..."

"She is not broken," Lucien snapped. "No one can change what happened to her, but to me she is perfect."

Kol was quiet for a moment before replying.

"I always liked her," he murmured. "She was... is a nice girl and I genuinely want to help her. Believe me, that does not happen very often."

"I believe you," Lucien huffed. "I only want her to be happy."

"Hmm. Because of the compulsion?"

Lucien looked at him and frowned.

"No. My feelings for her are my own."

"Does she feel the same way?"

"Of course she does," Lucien snapped. "What exactly are you implying?"

Kol shrugged.

"I just want to be sure that she is with you because she wants to be, not because she can't express her thoughts and feelings."

Lucien stood up and glared at him.

"Are you accusing me of taking advantage of her?"

"Are you?" Kol asked.

"No!"

"Alright. I would like to hear that from her."

"You have a lot of nerve," Lucien snapped. "You come to my house uninvited and think that I would simply let you harass the woman I love."

Kol stood up as well.

"I am not going anywhere before I know that she stays with you willingly. If I won't hear that from her, I will take her with me."

"You will not touch her," Lucien snarled.

"Let her speak then," Kol replied.

Lucien pressed his lips together.

"I am not stopping her, but I cannot force her to speak either. Her condition is... complicated."

Kol crossed his arms.

"Explain it to me."

Lucien was furious and he considered calling his men. He couldn't risk Fay getting hurt, not when she was completely helpless.

"Sometimes she doesn't speak or react to anything around her," Lucien replied tensely. "I believe that is her mind's way to protect itself."

Kol glanced at Fay who was still sitting on the sofa.

"What do you do when that happens?"

"It has not happened for a long time," Lucien snapped. "And it would not have happened now if you would have just left her alone."

"Well, I am not leaving before I have talked with her," Kol announced. "If you try to stop me, I will take her with me right now."

"She is not anyone's property!" Lucien shouted. "Not anymore. She is an amazing woman and she deserves to be treated respectfully."

"I agree," Kol replied. "That is why I can't leave before I am sure she is safe here."

"Of course she is..."

"If this was the other way around, would you take my word for it?" Kol asked.

No, Lucien wouldn't, but he also didn't want Kol anywhere near Fay.

"I admit that I do not particularly like you," Kol continued. "But right now, I am only interested in Fay's wellbeing and I will make sure that she is alright. I owe her that much."