Chapter Two
Beginnings
And finally, an heir was born.
Celebrations erupted all over the vast Ebanne lands when the announcement was made. After years plagued by stillbirths and miscarriages, Alix, Duchesse d'Ebanne gave birth to a healthy baby girl at dusk on the 10th of October 1126. Alix and her husband Sir Adhemar were overjoyed.
Caroline d'Ebanne grew into a precocious child. When she was as young as six, she began going on wild horseback rides through the woods surrounding Auxor Castle, her family seat. Her father taught her to swim young, which inspired her to test the highest cliff she could jump from into the Garonne River. An accomplished tutor was found to give her an education far exceeding that which was given to other girls at the time, as well as most boys. She excelled in her studies and became fluent in many languages. She turned into a great fencing champion, secretly learning the art of the sword as well. She loved her homeland and was uninterested in straying far from home, which she did occasionally when forced to accompany her mother on matters concerning the duchy. All the people of Ebanne adored her.
When Caroline was ten, her mother's fourteen-year-old cousin Eleanor d'Aquitaine came to visit. They bonded instantly and took to horseback racing in the countryside. The next year, Eleanor inherited her father's duchy and became the wealthiest, most powerful woman in Europe – and most eligible maiden. She was married to the king of France soon after. Caroline promised herself she would never be forced into an unhappy marriage as Eleanor had.
Alix was the second-richest woman in Europe, but her husband was only a knight, with no titles or lands of his own. With the intention of gaining his own land and wealth, Adhemar left Auxor in 1138 to join a crusade.
Caroline's happy childhood came to an end the day he left. Her previously warm and loving mother hardened. She became cruel, condescending, and aloof. She no longer let Caroline roam free and forced her to focus doubly on her studies. If Caroline disobeyed her in any way, the corporal punishment was severe.
She also told her daughter the family secret. Their family were of a long line of witches; both Alix and Caroline were powerful witches. There was a secretive coven that lived in the woods surrounding Auxor. Their coven leader was Alix's younger sister Adelaide, and her daughter Sophia was Caroline's cousin. Alix only let Caroline meet them if she was accompanying her, claiming if their enemies caught wind of their association, it would have catastrophic consequences for the family.
As Alix's reign of terror grew, so did Caroline's quiet rebellion. While she obediently focused on her academic studies and trained with her mother in witchcraft and governing, she risked Alix's wrath by sneaking out of the castle using the underground catacombs and meeting with the coven. As the coven expanded on the training her mother gave her, she befriended her cousin Sophia. The two girls took to running through the woods, attempting to predict the future, telekinetically making objects hover in the air, and generating sparks from their fingertips.
This is what they were doing one spring afternoon when two visitors arrived at Auxor. Two visitors who would forever change Caroline's fate.
Kingdom of France
1139
Rebekah Mikaelson glanced out the carriage window with a bored look on her handsome features. Flowers bloomed across the lush fields and birds chirped loudly from the towering trees of the old forest. The southeastern lands of France that made up the Ebanne territory were admittedly prettier than the northern lands they were coming from, but she knew they were headed to another gloomy fortress. She sighed.
"Onwards to another drafty old castle inhabited by foul-smelling humans," she drawled.
"My sources tell me Auxor Castle is grand and airy, its residents highly educated," her brother replied lightly from his seat across from her.
She ignored him. "I detest France, Elijah. Can't we move on to Spain?"
"We can leave France once we have exhausted all our options here," said Elijah. "The coven that inhabits these lands is reportedly one of the most powerful in all of Europe."
Rebekah sneered. "Witches are untrustworthy."
"Witches are Niklaus' only hope," he reminded her, referring to their cursed brother, who was currently being kept in a northern castle. They would have him escorted to join them once they had established a relationship with the coven.
"Niklaus is lost to us," she scoffed.
"He is not lost to us. We will find a way," he said determinedly.
"It's been 25 years, brother," Rebekah warned. She slumped into her seat. "None of the other covens have been remotely successful in lifting his curse. Why do you think these witches will be any different?"
Elijah set his jaw. "We must not give up on Niklaus. He would not do that to us."
Rebekah returned to staring out the window moodily, her mind in Italy.
Would he not?
Caroline and Sophia rushed to the edge of the road when they heard the caravan. Perhaps the three carriages held treasures from faraway lands. It would be even better if it was Caroline's father returning home. But they both knew it was most likely an emissary from one of the other dukedoms, sent on affairs of the state.
"I must return. My mother will expect me to be there to receive them," Caroline said dully.
Sophia nodded. "Let me know if they've brought anything exciting."
"Definitely," Caroline promised. She rushed to the tree where she had tethered her horse, knowing she had limited time to beat the newcomers to the castle. She galloped across the emerald fields, the wind whipping her long blond hair back and burning her eyes.
The great doors to the keep swung open, revealing a grand hallway. Elijah raised a brow at Rebekah, who turned her nose up at him with an unimpressed scoff. He chuckled. They were led to an antechamber where a woman in her thirties was waiting for them. She was lovely, Elijah noticed, with an olive complexion, hollow cheeks, and bright blue-green eyes. She was clearly the duchesse. Her demeanor was not unkind, but not especially friendly. Her velvet robes were embellished with gold brocade, flaunting her wealth. Underneath her silk mantle, he saw she had thick hair the color of mahogany.
"Alix, Duchesse d'Ebanne, I presume," Elijah said, bowing.
"You presume correctly," the duchesse replied. Her voice was dark and husky and like her demeanor, not exceptionally warm.
"Your grace, I am Elijah, Earl of Wessin, and this is my sister, Lady Rebekah. We are relations of your husband and wish to stay for a time, as our own home was recently ransacked by northern invaders," Elijah explained.
The duchesse stared at them. "What is your family seat?" she inquired.
"Noire Castle in the western Holy Roman Empire, your grace," Rebekah supplied.
"My husband is currently on a crusade in the Far East. But he is of no noble family," she said, her voice laden with skepticism. "How did you say you were related to him, again?"
Rebekah flashed to her. "We didn't," she purred, pupils dilating.
Once the compulsion was done, Alix's demeanor warmed considerably. She called for mulled wine and they all sat, discussing her duchy.
"My daughter will be down shortly to meet you. She will be the next Duchesse d'Ebanne," Alix explained smoothly.
"What is her name?" Rebekah inquired.
"Caroline. My only child."
Elijah looked into the duchess' eyes once more. "Tell me, are there any witches in the area? True witches?"
"No," said Alix.
The siblings exchanged a disappointed glance, but neither had expected answers about the mysterious coven to come easily.
"You know nothing of a coven rumored to inhabit your lands?" Elijah murmured.
"No."
Elijah dropped the compulsion. Rebekah stared at the duchesse suspiciously, not quite trusting her. But then a slip of a girl appeared in the doorway, distracting them.
Her pale hair was adorned with fine jewels and like her mother, her skirts and robes were made of expensive cloth. She had her mother's eyes and hollow cheeks, but otherwise, must have taken after her father. Her coloring was startlingly similar to Rebekah's - they could pass for sisters. Though she could be no older than twelve, she held herself like a queen.
"This is my daughter, Caroline d'Ebanne," Alix introduced. Rebekah detected the hint of pride in her voice, even though it was evident the duchesse was trying to hide it. "The Countess of Ramnulfid."
Caroline smiled brightly at the siblings.
"Welcome to our home."
They bowed.
"Caroline, this is the Lady Rebekah of Noire and her brother Elijah, Earl of Wessin."
"Well met, Lady Ramnulfid. You are the picture of loveliness and poise."
Caroline curtsied, pleased. "What brings you to Auxor, Lord and Lady?"
"We are distant family, on your father's side. Our family seat was ransacked, and we are staying here on your mother's good will while reparations are made."
If Caroline saw through their lie about her father, she did not show it. "You will be safe here," she promised.
"How sweet of you, my lady," Elijah replied, a slight smile on his lips.
The vampire siblings decided to stay at Auxor, even though their host denied the existence of a coven. They knew the witches could easily hide their presence in the forest. They would have to do some digging. In the meantime, they folded into society at Auxor quickly, with Elijah forming friendships with the knights and joining them on their hunts and watch duties. Rebekah did not have much patience for the ladies of the castle, but she was intrigued with Gregory, Caroline's tutor. He was a scholar from the Holy Roman Empire and taught Caroline arithmetic, literature, mythology, Latin, German, English, Catalan, Spanish, history, philosophy, and rhetoric. Rebekah was in awe of his vast intelligence and wanted to learn more herself, as she felt entirely uneducated. She joined Caroline's lessons to expand her knowledge. It was through this that she started to appreciate the young noblewoman, whom she quickly found to be brilliant. Rebekah had not had a female friend since she was human and sought out ways to be part of Caroline's life. The girl was extremely busy – when she was not at her studies, the older women of the castle taught her the domestic arts. Apparently, her mother trained her in ruling the dukedom, but this was done privately. When she managed to escape all her duties, she was galloping off on her horse, and never asked for company.
There was scant talk of religion – mass was held every day, but Alix only attended occasionally. On her mother's orders, Caroline always went, but often hid a book inside her prayer book, secretly disengaged from the service, Rebekah noted. Caroline seemed both afraid and defiant of her mother. Though Alix was not a particularly warm person, she was never cruel to her daughter in front of Elijah or Rebekah, and certainly seemed to care a great deal about her education. When she asked Elijah what he thought of it, he was amused.
"Why do you care, Rebekah? Have you grown fond of the little human?"
"So, what if I had? You and everyone else are always antagonizing me about falling in love too easily. I haven't so much as batted an eyelash at a knight since we arrived. I've been concentrated on studies and Caroline, who may be my first real friend since I was human," Rebekah snapped angrily.
Elijah stared at her in shock. "My apologies, sister. I did not mean to offend. You are right, you haven't even spared a second glance at the knights here. I am proud of you. I believe a friendship with Caroline will be good for you – and good for our cause."
"Well, we aren't friends yet," Rebekah admitted sheepishly. "But I want to be. We get along well in our studies, but she spends so much time riding."
Elijah smirked. "Though Lady Caroline indeed spends much time riding, she usually uses that as an alibi to visit her friends in the forest."
Rebekah looked at him, confused. "What friends? How do you know?"
"When I am with the knights on a hunt or daily rides, I sometimes see her in the woods, or by the river. The others do not, as they do not have my eyes and ears."
Elijah paused.
"I believe she is in contact with the mysterious coven we seek."
Rebekah's jaw dropped. "Really?"
"Yes. If she spends all her free time in the very woods where we believe a coven of powerful witches is hiding, it is safe to assume she is acquainted with them."
"And her mother has no idea," Rebekah concluded.
"Caroline hides much from her mother. Alix does not exactly wear her heart on her sleeve."
Rebekah rolled her eyes. "I know a little something about tough mothers."
"It will be a good starting point for a friendship with her," said Elijah. "Then, you can ask her about the coven."
"Don't push this, Elijah. I don't like the idea of using Caroline."
Elijah stared at his sister, surprised. "You must really care for her."
"I see myself in her. I suppose she's who I wish I had become, if I'd been given a proper education and didn't have four older brothers and deranged parents."
He watched her sadly. "I am sorry you were so overshadowed."
Rebekah stood suddenly from her seat on the chaise. "The past is the past," she declared, and quickly made her exit. Elijah watched her leave.
Two days later, Caroline and Rebekah were studying with Gregory. The lesson was coming to a close. They were learning about biblical lineages, a dreadfully droll subject, meant for hermits in caves and monasteries, in Rebekah's opinion. Both girls were intensely relieved when Gregory dismissed them.
"Ladies, I will see you tomorrow. I promise we will not look at the lineages again for at least a week."
"We are most obliged, master," Caroline grinned at him, rising.
"Tomorrow, we practice our Latin, so be prepared."
The girls nodded. Instead of lagging behind to talk to Gregory, the Original followed Caroline out into the hallway.
"Lady Caroline, I was wondering if I may join you on your ride today?" Rebekah asked nervously.
Caroline hesitated. "Um. Can you ride?"
Rebekah bristled. "Of course, I can ride! I am a notable horsewoman, I promise."
Caroline smiled, still unsure. "Yes, of course. I'd love the company."
The two went their separate ways to change into riding clothes, Caroline wondering if she could find a way out of it and coming up with nothing. It wasn't that she disliked Rebekah – far from it. She appreciated having company for her lessons, respected her intelligence, and enjoyed her stories at dinner. She was very worldly. But riding Arabia through the fields before meeting up with Sophia and the witches was her only time to herself, and she valued that time greatly. Her mother had slapped her the day before for messing up a stitch, and just last week, forbade her from eating all day because she had gotten mud on her mantle. She had been locked in her room, in fact. It was freeing to be out on the fields, away from Alix.
It didn't used to be this way, she thought miserably. It had started when her father had left. Before that, Caroline had had a blessed childhood, and loved her parents equally. But now, she used all her prayers on begging God to send her father back to her, because before he'd left, her mother had been an entirely different person. Rebekah and Elijah's presence had improved things somewhat, but really, her mother was just subtler about punishing her around them.
Rebekah emerged from her chamber excited. Caroline did not seem thrilled with the idea of company, but she had agreed to it, which hopefully meant something.
Yes, it means she has manners, she thought sourly, before shaking negative thoughts away. The two girls met up at the stables. Caroline picked out a stallion she thought would be a great fit for Rebekah. He was feisty, a chestnut named Solomon.
"I think you're the perfect person to tame him," Caroline smirked.
Whether she was sincere in her statement, or trying to rile Rebekah up, it did not matter, because she was right – Solomon put up a fight at first, but Rebekah quickly understood what he wanted – to gallop without much push. Once the two were halfway through the fields, Caroline smiled widely. It seemed she had been sincere.
"You were right, it is a perfect fit," Rebekah told her.
"I can see," Caroline grinned. The two galloped around for a bit before deciding to trot through a trail in the woods that led to the river. They got off the horses in a small, hidden spot on the riverbed, and sat eating apples Caroline had brought along.
"Are you betrothed?" Rebekah asked. It seemed likely her companion was, since she had such an impressive inheritance.
A dark look passed over Caroline's face. "His name is Andre Fortinbeau, the second son of a marquis from Anjou. He's not particularly connected, but he has some money," she said with disinterest. "Maman claims that is a good thing – it means he will not resent me."
"When will you wed?"
"When he returns from the crusade with my father," Caroline sighed glumly.
"Have you heard from Sir Adhemar recently?"
Caroline's frown deepened. "We have not heard a word since he left last year, and I'm worried. A concern my mother does not seem to share," she scowled.
"Your mother is a very busy woman," Rebekah said carefully.
"You could say that," Caroline muttered.
The Original decided to move on. "Do you have any friends in the castle?"
"Besides Gregory?" Caroline laughed.
Rebekah smirked. "Anyone younger?"
"There are a few I spend time with when I have it. The sisters Matildie and Theron, and a knight named Perceval."
"Tell me about this knight. He has a legendary name."
"He is very kind and writes me poetry. I sometimes join the knights on hunts, and we ride together. He courts me," Caroline blushed.
"He is more than a friend, then," Rebekah teased.
"He cannot be anything more than that, as is our fate," Caroline said softly.
Rebekah was about to reply when her sharp ears heard a noise in the woods. She snapped her head to the west, her eyes darting, searching. She spotted a girl with dark red hair, about the same age as Caroline. The Original guessed she was a member of the coven. She lay down to hide herself in the wildflowers so the girl would continue her approach.
"Is Elijah your only family?" Caroline asked.
Rebekah hesitated. "My parents are dead. I have three other brothers, but they left our home many years ago to chase adventure. Elijah is the eldest and inherited the earldom. He looks after me," she half-lied.
Caroline nodded. From the corner of her eye, Rebekah noticed the girl was much closer to the riverbed.
"It must be nice to have someone who watches out for you like that," Caroline said wistfully.
"I think you have many people in your life who do that, Caroline," Rebekah replied.
Caroline turned to look at her. "Do you think?" she cut off, noticing the girl in the woods.
The girl did not see Caroline shaking her head, and came out of the trees, barefooted and with brambles in her hair. Rebekah sat up, looking at her.
Both Caroline and the girl froze. The redhead's eyes snapped from one blond to the other and back. She looked as if she were about to dash back into the trees.
"Sophia, it's alright," Caroline called to her.
Sophia paused another moment before stepping forward. Rebekah smiled at her as she approached.
"Hello," Sophia murmured in a melodic voice.
"I'm Rebekah," the vampire said.
"Rebekah, this is my best friend Sophia. Sophia, Lady Rebekah is a guest at the castle," Caroline said quickly.
"Are you a witch, Sophia?" Rebekah asked kindly, deciding to go for directness.
Sophia's eyes widened. Caroline's narrowed.
"I mean no harm, I promise. You see, my mother was a witch, as was I, for a time. I recognize one when I see her," Rebekah rushed. Then she noticed the panicked and slightly guilty look on Caroline's face. She realized something important and sent Caroline a pointed look. "In fact, I recognize two witches."
The shock on her friend's face told her all she needed to know.
"You won't say anything?" Caroline asked.
"To do so would be a betrayal to myself," Rebekah confirmed.
Sophia smiled at her. "I am glad of it, my lady."
She sat down with the pair, and the three talked of witchcraft, of knights, and of mothers.
After that day, Caroline and Rebekah truly became great friends. They delighted and pestered Gregory together, flirted with the knights, swapped stories at dinnertime, rode their horses, and met up with Sophia often. Rebekah met more of the witches; they were not sure what to make of her at first, but gradually came to trust her. It was the best summer of Rebekah's life.
In autumn, Elijah cornered his sister, brandishing a letter in her face.
"Our brother tried to kill himself again," he informed her.
"Did it work?" she replied callously.
He glared at her. "It did not. He is getting worse, Rebekah. I know we both enjoy this place, but we've forgotten we came here for a reason. We need to approach the coven."
"It was your idea to come here; don't drag me into this."
"Don't be petulant. I won't ask nearly as nicely as you will," he threatened.
"I won't forgive you if you harm a single one of them. In fact, you should consider them under my protection," she ground out.
That startled her older brother. "Why such a deep attachment?"
"They are Caroline's friends. And my friends; they're special."
Elijah rolled his eyes. "As wonderful as that is, Bekah, we are not here to make friends. We are here because you attached yourself to a member of the Five, and nearly let our family be destroyed. Ask the witches to help us, or I will," Elijah said calmly.
Rebekah slapped him. "Forgive me for having a heart, brother," she exclaimed before rushing from the room at Original speed.
She went straight to Alix's bedchamber, dilating her pupils as she approached the duchesse. She'd suspected a while that Alix had lied to her brother when he'd tried to compel her, but now was the time to confront her about it.
"How are you able to fight off our compulsion?" she demanded.
Alix raised one sardonic brow, unmoved. "I have heard rumors of your species. Immortal. Blood drinkers. Impossibly fast and terribly strong. Is the sun aversion just a myth?" she questioned.
"My family is special; we're the first ones," Rebekah replied, distracted. "Then, you did fight off Elijah's compulsion when we first arrived," she confirmed. Her eyes returned to normal. "How were you able to do it? Lie about the coven?"
Alix laughed coldly. "Whatever you are, however extraordinary, you are no threat to my coven."
Rebekah dropped her fangs. Alix stared at them with curiosity but no fear.
"Your coven?" the Original hissed. "You're a witch, too?"
Alix sneered at her. "Where else would my daughter get her magic? My pathetic husband? Certainly not. The historic House de Morganne, changed to the House d'Ebanne to hide our true identity when opinions on magic soured, is a royal house of witches. We are direct descendants of Morgan le Fay, and thus one of the most powerful covens in the world. Our connection to the House of Poitiers means nothing - my father's bloodline means nothing. My mother's means everything. She inherited from her mother, I inherited from her, Caroline will inherit from me, and her daughter will carry on the line, as it is meant to be."
Rebekah pulled her fangs back in, astonished. "Why did you pretend to follow our compulsion?"
"I knew you were powerful, and that I had to watch my step," Alix told her with a shrug. "I wanted to see what you would do. You came for the coven. Why?"
"Our brother was cursed when he killed a brotherhood of vampire hunters called the Five. For 25 years, he has lived in misery."
"And you think my coven can break his curse."
"Can they?"
Alix sighed. "They might try, since you have befriended them. But I doubt they will be successful; your kind is so new, so unknown. Usually, a curse needs to sort itself out on its own."
"For a quarter of a century?" Rebekah said drily.
"It may be much longer than that," Alix warned her. "I keep my distance from the coven unless necessary. It is how my family protects itself."
"You allow Caroline to see them."
"Caroline acts against my wishes," Alix scoffed.
Rebekah tilted her head to one side, studying the duchesse. "She's doing exactly what you want her to do. Educating herself in witchcraft, secretly. You want her to rebel. Why?"
"My regards to your family, but I hope you understand I am doing all I can to protect mine," said Alix, turning away from the vampire.
"Are you? Why are you so harsh to Caroline? Why do you not let her see you love her?"
Alix flinched. A shadow flickered across her face. "Someday, Caroline will understand my actions. But it is none of your concern," she added coldly. "Ask Sophia for a meeting; her mother, my sister Adelaide, is the coven leader - she will agree."
"My thanks, Duchesse," Rebekah said, knowing she was being dismissed. She couldn't hold back a final provocation. "I hope you know what you're doing with Caroline."
"As do I," Alix whispered into the darkness after she'd disappeared.
A few days later, Rebekah and Caroline were with Sophia and some of the witches, practicing. Caroline had stolen some swords from the knights and was sparring Rebekah, who, for someone who had never so much as held a blade before, was doing surprisingly well. She must have picked up more than she realized while observing her brothers.
Sophia was holding a sphere of purple fire in her hands. "Why bother with swords when we can do so much more?"
"We can't always use our magic, Soph," Caroline argued as she blocked a lunge from Rebekah.
"You can't master everything," her cousin shot back.
"I can try."
A minute later, Rebekah had won: Caroline was pressed up against a tree, the blade inches from her throat.
"I win," the vampire gloated.
Purple flames wrapped around the sword like tentacles. She dropped it in shock, then looked up at her friend in dismay.
"Cheater."
"Gotta use all my resources," Caroline said smugly.
"What happened to mastering everything?"
"Survival comes first."
"It was a sparring match!"
"Shut it, you two," Sophia muttered. "Some people are doing real work."
"I resent that," Caroline retorted, but sheathed her sword anyway.
Rebekah watched the witches chant and move objects and interact with nature for a long time before asking what she needed to ask.
"Sophia, does the coven ever help outsiders?"
"Sometimes," Sophia shrugged. "Usually very sick children, or a traveler who gets lost in our woods. We scare off interlopers."
"Do you think you could help me?"
Sophia seemed surprised. "But what could you possibly need help with?"
Rebekah grimaced. "My family is dear to me, and although we sometimes fight, we look after each other, always and forever. My brother Niklaus is in danger. He has been cursed, and it has driven him mad for over 25 years."
"Twenty-five years?" Caroline echoed, disbelievingly.
"You trusted me with your secrets; it is time you know mine. Elijah and I are not from the east, we are not distant relations to your father," she told Caroline, who was not surprised – she must have known that as soon as she'd heard the lie. She continued. "My family, faster and stronger than anyone else on this earth, is also immortal," she admitted. "Niklaus faces an eternity of madness."
Sophia and Caroline shared a shocked look.
"I will talk to my mother about the matter, Rebekah. I trust you, and I want to help," Sophia finally said.
"Oh, thank you so much. I will give you anything you want – protection, money, land."
"The Morganne Coven does not deal in currency but in favors. If we help, we may later call on you for assistance; a favor for a favor. That is our way," Sophia explained.
"They've agreed to help us?" Elijah asked as he walked down the narrow parapet with his sister.
Rebekah had received word from Sophia's mother the day before, a week after asking for help.
"She means to meet with us in the forest tomorrow night to get more details. She said they do not know exactly how they will proceed with a creature they know so little about; they need more information."
Elijah nodded slowly. "Hopefully this means we can send for Niklaus from the north soon. He has killed another guard. If we're not careful, we'll run out of them."
"If we bring him here, we must be extremely careful. I should take precautions to ensure Caroline's safety," Rebekah muttered distractedly.
Elijah sent his sister a swift, searching look of alarm.
The next day found Caroline shaking with excitement as she ran from the stables to the inner keep, a letter clasped in her hand. She hoped it was a letter that could change everything.
Sir Perceval saw her as she entered the castle and stopped her.
"What has you in such a rush, my lady?"
"It has to be word of my father! He must be returning home, I know it!" she gushed.
"I am happy for you, my lady," he said before hesitating. "Does that mean your betrothed is also to return?"
Caroline's shoulders slumped. "It might," she said quietly.
Perceval summoned up a smile. "Then it was double the reason for excitement, Lady Caroline."
Caroline stared at him. "I think not, Sir Perceval," she replied before turning to find her mother.
The knight stared after her, a small smile on his face at her admission.
"It is not word of your father, Caroline," said Alix.
Her daughter was pacing the room, agitated and nervous as she waited for her mother to read the letter. She stopped dead in her tracks.
"But – but how could it not be? It's been over a year since he's left!" she argued, directing her anger at her mother.
"If you were more observant, you'd have noticed the Aquitaine seal on this letter," the duchesse said meanly.
"Aquitaine-?"
"Quiet now, Caroline," Alix threatened. She spent a minute rereading the letter before setting it down carefully.
"The Queen sends for you," she finally said.
Caroline stared at her. "The Queen," she repeated dully.
"My cousin Eleanor requests you at her court," Alix elaborated.
"Why?" Caroline asked, dumbfounded.
"Because as queen, she needs loyal family members surrounding her. She is young and strong and has many supporters, but court is a treacherous place. She also claims to need a skilled horsewoman, as all her ladies are unskilled with horses."
"A riding companion! Is that what I should be subjected to?"
"It will be an honor to serve queen and country," Alix said, a hint of warning in her voice. Caroline ignored it.
"I am needed here! I have my lessons, and - and - how will I continue to study witchcraft at court?"
"Your studies will continue upon your return. This is not forever."
"I have to protect the coven," Caroline said stubbornly.
"You? I think not. That is Adelaide's duty. My duty. Not yours – not yet."
"Do you even know Sophia at all?" Caroline cried. "Your niece?"
"Yes, though perhaps not as much as your new friend Rebekah does."
Caroline glared at her mother. In the hearth, a log snapped and fell into the orange embers. "Rebekah is a friend. Her mother was a witch!"
"Yes, her mother was a witch, no doubt killed by her bloodthirsty children," Alix snapped. "Don't be naïve, Caroline."
Caroline was taken aback. "Why would you say such a thing? Rebekah and Elijah have been great friends to us."
Alix laughed coldly. "They would see us dead if not for needing the coven."
"They would not!"
"They are unnatural creatures, made by a mother who feared their deaths. She made them very fast and powerful, as I'm sure you've noticed."
"And immortal," Caroline snapped. "I'm not stupid; I know they have been touched by magic."
"Did you know they drain humans of their blood to survive?"
Caroline sneered. "That's ridiculous."
"Is it? An undead, immortal creature cannot continue to appear human without blood. But it also cannot supply its own blood. It must instead leech off of living beings. They sneak out several times a week to feed in the countryside. Sometimes, they are not quite so patient and feed within the castle walls. I must say, they are very neat about it – not one death."
Caroline shook her head furiously. "I don't believe you."
"Believe it," a voice said from the shadows.
Mother and daughter both swirled around to see Elijah climb through the window. He straightened out and brushed some dirt off his shoulder.
"Unfortunately, Lady Caroline, your mother speaks the truth. My sister and I are Vampyre. Immortal, fast, strong, able to compel humans to do as we wish, and cursed with an insatiable desire for blood," he said soberly.
Caroline gasped.
"Lady d'Ebanne, tonight, Rebekah and I meet with your coven. We will hopefully find a way to help our brother, and then we will leave your lands for good," he promised.
Alix nodded, tight-lipped.
"As for your daughter," he continued, "you may think it not my business, but I feel compelled to warn you. My sister has grown an attachment to the Lady Caroline and may make plans to keep her with us forever, out of loneliness. You see, she quite misses our mad brother, and has found a dear friend in your daughter. But Caroline is barely thirteen, far too young for the Change. If you send her to Queen Eleanor, I assure you, she will be safe from my siblings. I know you want Caroline to stay human, inherit the duchy, and continue watching over this coven. I do not wish to be an obstruction to those plans," Elijah said in his strange, ever-polite manner. "We did not come here to interrupt your lives."
Alix had whitened as he talked. She nodded wordlessly. He bowed before jumping out the window again. Caroline sat down on her mother's bed in dismay.
Alix crossed to her writing desk and began writing a response to Eleanor.
"You will leave next month," she said as she wrote. "The knights will escort you. It's smart to be in Eleanor's good graces. Stay away from the king – I have heard nothing but bad things. You do not want to bring shame to the family, nor betray Eleanor. Keep to the queen and keep to yourself."
As her mother wrote furiously, Caroline slipped off the bed and out the door.
That night, Elijah and Rebekah met in the dark hallway, ready to head to the woods. Caroline appeared just before they departed, her pale face shadowed under a black velvet hood.
"Let me come with you to the meeting," she begged. "I don't care what you are."
Rebekah held out her hand. As soon as they gripped fingers, all three disappeared.
Caroline felt as if she would never take another breath. By the time they stopped in the clearing, her heart was beating faster than it ever had, and she had not taken one step. It was exhilarating.
"That was incredible," she gasped out, her breath visible in the chilly air.
Rebekah smirked. Elijah frowned.
"I do hope you know what you are doing, little one," he said disapprovingly.
Caroline stuck her tongue out at him. She wanted to stay angry with him for telling her mother to send her to court, but she understood he did it out of concern for her. He rolled his eyes.
"It's like having Kol around," he muttered.
"Who is Kol?" Caroline asked, but he was saved from answering by the arrival of the coven.
"Vampyres, you have requested a meeting," a voice said from the darkness. Though Caroline could not see the witches, she could feel them. She knew her companions could see them with no problem.
"Lady Adelaide, we need help with our brother. He is stricken with a curse," Elijah spoke.
Adelaide came forward, Sophia at her side.
"How did he come to be cursed? A witch?"
Rebekah shook her head. "From a group of vampire hunters that called themselves the Brotherhood of the Five. They were stronger than average men and had weapons that could desiccate us. They used these weapons on all five of us, but our brother Niklaus was immune because he is half-werewolf. He killed them all. Just a few days later, the visions began."
"Visions?"
"Yes. The slain hunters' ghosts haunted him. They could appear as any being, dead or alive. It drove him to madness, and he has been out of control for over 25 years. We keep him in a castle in the north, isolated, and under protection of vampires we made, but he sometimes gets past them. He is the strongest being in the world."
Adelaide steepled her fingers together, deep in thought. Crickets chirped. The moon shone bright. A wolf howled. Caroline pulled her cloak around her and shivered.
"I am afraid I cannot do anything without seeing him myself, and even then, I make no guarantee. You are the first of your kind to cross our path. It may take a long time to figure anything out at all," Adelaide finally said.
"That is all we ask for," Elijah replied. "And for payment?" he asked.
"As my daughter told you, we do not seek rewards. When the time comes, we will ask for a favor. It may be tomorrow; it may be five hundred years from now. You will know it is us – our seal is the same as the d'Ebanne seal." Adelaide showed them her necklace, adorned with a golden pendant of a phoenix with a pentacle on its chest. "D'Ebanne, Morganne – it is the same house."
Elijah nodded. "We will send for him at once."
Rebekah looked at Caroline, who shook her head imperceptibly. The Originals flashed off into the night.
In the silence and darkness, Caroline walked up to Adelaide and Sophia. "I require your advice, Aunt."
Adelaide nodded. She turned to dismiss the coven, then gestured for Caroline to follow her. They walked silently through the woods, Sophia trailing behind. It didn't take long to reach their house, a cottage in a glen. As soon as they entered, Adelaide twisted her hands around, shuttering windows, creating a fire, and sending a kettle to hover over it.
She sat at the table when she finished. Sophia stood in the corner as her cousin paced afore the fire.
"Speak, Caroline," Adelaide ordered.
"Maman is sending me away," she blurted out in distress.
"To the Queen."
"Yes! How did you know?"
"You know Alix tells me everything."
Caroline sighed and ran her fingers through her blond tresses. "Of course, I know. She confides in everyone but me."
"Your mother has her reasons, Caroline."
"Well, what do you think of banishing me to court?"
Adelaide hesitated. "It is not a banishment. You are very young. Eventually, you will learn why your mother does the things she does. I think it best you listen to her."
"Elijah said Rebekah is thinking of turning me," Caroline announced.
Adelaide stared at her, shocked. "She has no business!"
"I don't think I'd say no," the young witch said quietly.
The water boiled. Sophia leapt forward to attend to it.
Adelaide and Caroline stared each other down.
"Alix treats me as if I'm an unwanted wretch. As soon as my father left, she became cold and uncaring. And now she means to send me away from my home, my friends, my life. To the stinking, devious, pernicious court. Why on earth would I want to leave here for there? Why should I continue to be a weak human when I can be so much more?"
"Caroline, what they are is not a blessing, but a curse. I have heard stories of one who travels around, creating as much bloodshed as possible. He must be part of their family. You would only live a half-life. No sun, no children. You would not get the same enjoyment out of food, or water, or air. You would watch from a distance as those you once cared for died and moved on to another life. You would be forever unchanging and alone. I beg of you, do as your mother says, and go to court. Your father and betrothed should return from the east soon, and that might be enough to pull you out. The vampires will still be here in the years to come, I can promise you that. This curse will take a very long time for us to figure out, if we can at all. You'll still have the opportunity to choose that path, if you so wish it. But promise me you will not give up your life so easily. Think on it; you're only thirteen," Adelaide finished in a stricken tone.
Caroline nodded slowly. "Alright. I promise not to be hasty. I promise to go to Eleanor."
"Will you stay here tonight?" Sophia asked.
Caroline shook her head and pulled her hood over her face. "I need to think. I'll take the catacombs." She left.
Sophia watched her go. Adelaide sighed.
"That poor, lost child."
Three weeks later, Caroline was all packed. Most of her things were on the carriage already, which would leave at dawn of the next morning. Tomorrow is the winter solstice, she noted mournfully as she watched dusk overtake the horizon. As the year ends, so does my life here. If only Papa came back; he would fix everything.
There was a knock on her door.
"My lady, the Lord Wessin and Lady Rebekah request your presence in the great hall," said little Marie, her maid, from the doorway. Caroline nodded.
It had been awful telling them she was leaving. Rebekah had cried. Even Elijah, who had supported her leaving, was surprisingly solemn.
"Please don't go; we'll take you away. You're like a sister to me," Rebekah had begged.
"I must inherit Ebanne, and I cannot do that as a vampire," Caroline had reasoned.
"There are ways around that, Caroline. Please," the Original had said.
"I am sorry. Maybe I will change my mind later, but for now, I must remain human and do what my mother says."
Caroline cringed at the memory. She had avoided Alix at all costs since the morning after agreeing to go to court. Shaking her head of all depressing thoughts, she looked up in the great hall and spotted her friends.
"We thought you might like to join us for our first meeting with Adelaide and Niklaus," Elijah explained.
Caroline immediately perked up at the thought of meeting one of their siblings. Rebekah saw her look.
"Niklaus is dangerous, far more than either of us. We fed him, so he won't be thirsty, and there will be many vampires present guarding the witches. But as he is so unstable, it is hard to guess what he will do," she told her friend.
"The coven can take care of themselves," Caroline said breathlessly.
"We have learned the hard way to never underestimate our brother," Elijah warned.
The trio headed out into the growing night, back to the same clearing. As they approached their destination, Caroline heard a terrible growling noise, worse than any wild animal she had heard scream.
"Caroline, meet Niklaus," Elijah introduced.
Her jaw dropped. A lean man with dirty blond hair was struggling against thick ropes that were burning into his flesh. Six men held onto the ropes, and two others were holding him directly. Even more dotted the edges of the clearing. Caroline ran forward, screaming.
"Stop that! You're hurting him! It's burning his skin off!"
Elijah rushed after her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Caroline, it's for everyone's safety. It will heal. It heals as soon as it stops touching him."
Caroline barely heard Elijah, for Niklaus had looked away from the sky, at her, and his gaze on hers felt like fire scorching her face, her chest, her entire being down to her soul. Her breath hitched and he stopped growling. They stared at each other. He looked so hurt and confused and miserable, but most of all, agonized. He was a man in his own personal hell. Elijah pulled her away, and she stumbled a little, reluctant to stop looking at that terrible gaze. Rebekah put her arms around Caroline.
"I know it's difficult to see, but we cannot risk harm coming to you or the witches. They won't help us heal him if they think he's a threat," she whispered in her ear.
Caroline could not stop staring at the vampire-werewolf hybrid.
"So, this is your dear brother," Adelaide remarked, appearing in the clearing. "He's in no condition to be answering questions then?"
Rebekah sighed.
"What's it to you, witch?" Niklaus snarled, making Caroline jump.
Adelaide smiled. "Good. Let us begin, then." She rolled up her sleeves as the witches surrounding her began chanting, Sophia among them.
"Tell me, vampire, are you ever lucid, or can you no longer tell the difference between nightmare and reality?"
Niklaus groaned against the pain. "I know this is real because it hurts less than my nightmares," he said between his teeth.
"Fascinating," Adelaide said. Caroline could tell she was enjoying herself.
"How many different apparitions appear to you daily? Ghosts? Spirits? Ghouls?"
"Do you count as a ghoul?" he taunted.
"How many, Nik?" Elijah snapped.
"Over thirty," he acquiesced. And then screeched with a new kind of pain.
"Ah, ah, ah. Tell the truth," the witch smirked.
"F-Fine. I once cou-counted over fifty," he gasped out, glaring at Caroline's aunt.
"Much better," Adelaide nodded. "And they encourage you to destroy yourself, yes?"
"Yes," he said. "Always whispering in my ear."
"And it is mostly the Hunters that appear to you?" Adelaide asked.
"I see them every day, but there are others. My mother is often around. As is Mikael."
"Mikael?" Adelaide pressed.
He didn't respond. The witch looked to his siblings.
"Our father," Elijah supplied before hesitating. "But not Niklaus'. Our mother had an affair. It was not revealed until after we had turned and made our first kills. Killing someone activates the werewolf side. He became wolf at our first full moon as vampires and our mother's betrayal of our father came to light."
"I see," Adelaide murmured. "So, your witch mother did not think of everything when she made the spell."
"She suppressed his werewolf side immediately, but the damage was done. Mikael despised Niklaus for what he represented."
"He despised me my whole life," Niklaus corrected darkly.
"How much do you know of these hunters? How old was their Brotherhood?"
"They were created by a witch only a few years before we crossed their path," Rebekah said.
"Do you know their plan? How did they intend to destroy all vampires?"
Elijah and Rebekah shared a long look, having a silent discussion. Niklaus glared at them.
"Elijah," Niklaus warned.
"They sought the Cure to vampirism," Elijah finally declared, ignoring his brother, who growled at him.
Adelaide's eyebrows rose high on her forehead. "A cure? And does it exist?"
"We don't know. They were killed before they departed to find it. We do suspect it is real, though," Rebekah said haltingly.
"Ah. Then the Brotherhood will continue to seek this cure."
"No. The Brotherhood is no more. I killed them all. That is why they haunt me, because I stopped them from completing their mission," Niklaus said flatly.
Adelaide inclined her head in concession, but Caroline could tell she disagreed.
"In fact, one of them is here right now. He is standing at the edge of the woods there," Niklaus added, gesturing towards the other side of the clearing.
The witches turned to look, but Elijah and Rebekah only frowned.
"There is nothing. We cannot feel the presence of a ghost," one of the witches said.
"Does he try to break away from his guards often?" Adelaide turned to Elijah and Rebekah.
"It has been more frequent as of late. He's gone through several phases," Rebekah told her.
Adelaide opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by the deranged vampire.
"Forgive me! I was just trying to make you happy! I thought we were far enough away!" Niklaus screamed into the night.
Elijah paled and Rebekah looked away in agony.
"Please, please. You must understand, I would do anything to bring you back! I wanted to see them, too, I did. But I know now it wasn't worth it! Look at what has happened because of that night!" Niklaus sobbed, staring at a space less than five feet in front of him.
Caroline pitied the mad vampire. He was clearly a broken shell of a man.
"Henrik, Henrik. Please," he begged quietly, kneeling into the soft earth. "Please…"
"Niklaus!" Elijah said sharply, but his brother did not seem to hear him.
"Nik, come now. Henrik is not there. Henrik would never blame you for bringing him to see the wolves," Rebekah said soothingly.
He did not respond. He bent forward to press his face into the ground. Caroline heard him chanting, but it was not in a language she understood. Rebekah went to his side and stroked his back while Elijah turned towards Adelaide.
"I fear we've lost him for the night. To continue now would be useless and wasteful for all parties," he told her.
"Who is Henrik?" she questioned.
Elijah's lips tightened. "Our youngest brother. He is dead," he explained frankly.
"Did his death lead to your witch mother casting the immortality spell?"
Elijah nodded.
"Your brother carries many demons. We will discuss amongst ourselves tomorrow about what we have learned tonight and reconvene the following night to try a few different things," Adelaide said.
Elijah bowed his head in gratitude before turning to Caroline.
"Come, Caroline. I must get you home quickly so I can help Rebekah bring Niklaus down. We're keeping him deep in the catacombs beneath the castle."
Caroline nodded wordlessly. She watched the siblings on the ground, Niklaus still chanting and Rebekah rubbing his back and whispering in his ear in the same foreign tongue. Snowflakes had begun falling gently from the darkening sky. One fell on Niklaus' eyelash, making her notice his very pretty blue-green eyes.
"Caroline," Elijah said sharply.
She snapped her head away from his siblings and walked to him. He gathered her in his arms and whooshed back to the castle. Once she was in her bedchamber, he made to leave once more.
"I will see you in the morning to say goodbye," he said.
"What will you do to him?" she asked softly.
Elijah hesitated as he gazed at the small girl huddled in her cloak in the middle of the dark room. She was white with fright but did not tremble. He was proud of her.
"He may calm down and go to sleep. If he gets violent again, we'll have to snap his neck."
"Oh," she said, looking at the floor.
"It will be alright, little one," he said before jumping out the window.
If only I believed that, he thought to himself as he flashed back to his siblings.
Caroline left her home the following morning. She had had an early meeting with her mother who told her to remember her lessons, but never use her skills. It only served to anger her more, and the rest of the farewell was awkward and stiff. She escaped to visit Adelaide and Sophia, who was upset. She saw Gregory and Perceval right after. Rebekah and Elijah appeared just as she was about to enter the carriage. They both looked exhausted.
"Write me often," Rebekah demanded as they hugged.
"Of course. Every week," Caroline promised.
Elijah bowed to her, smiling sadly.
"I wish you all the best, Lady Caroline. Please accept this gift as a token of our gratitude for your kindness and friendship," he said, handing her a parcel wrapped in cloth.
"Directly in the heart," Rebekah winked.
Caroline nodded blankly and took one last look at her home before entering the carriage. The driver took off immediately. She sat numbly as she was whisked past all her favorite places, her mother's words of warning about her powers whirling around in her head, along with Niklaus' pleading from the night before. So much had changed in such a short time – Rebekah and Elijah had only arrived in Auxor a little over half a year ago. They had opened her eyes to a new world. She wasn't sure if she'd be satisfied with a normal human existence anymore – since knowing them, she had slowly been filled with a yearning she did not quite understand.
She unwrapped the parcel from the vampire siblings. A wooden stake ending in a very sharp point emerged from the cloth. There was a note written in Rebekah's delicate script.
Just in case.
Caroline ran her finger over the point and smiled. This wasn't a goodbye. The gift was a promise, a promise that in one way or another, vampires were part of her future.
A/N: Hi there, kind readers! I just wanted to say a few things about this chapter. I mixed history with my own imaginings here. Eleanor of Aquitaine was a real person, and I tried to keep everything about her as accurate as possible. In my mind, the fictional Duchy d'Ebanne covers the southeastern tip of France. Though European nobility pretty much always follows agnatic primogeniture (male preference), there are rare cases in which females inherited (as was the case with Eleanor of Aquitaine, since there were no male heirs left). Caroline's house is a family of witches, so I bent the rules a little bit and made her house one of matrilineal primogeniture. As always, thanks for reading. ~L