Chapter 4

8 months earlier

Niklaus was disgusted with himself as he quickly washed himself by the well and changed his pants. At least he didn't have to worry about his mother or Rebekah seeing the sticky white stain in his pants, Fay was the one who washed their clothes. Fay… He glanced at the stable where she was sleeping after he had put his mouth on her like an animal.

He could still taste her juices in his mouth and he had to fight the urge to march back to the stable and take her. None of this was right, he needed to stop this. He was taking advantage of an innocent girl. A girl who trusted him and loved him. He did care about her too, but he didn't love her. He loved Tatia, but unfortunately she belonged to Elijah. And Fay… How had he let things go so far with her?

His heart had been broken and she had been there when he had needed a distraction. Sweet, warm, loyal Fay. He had desperately yearned for the softness of a female body, especially when the moon was full and she had just been… there. She had allowed him to touch her. He truly was despicable and he most certainly didn't deserve her affection. The only decent way out of this would be wedding her. Would that really be so bad? She was a sweet girl and in time he would surely learn to love her. Yes, maybe, but… She wasn't Tatia. His one true love. How could he ever love anyone else?

Fay sat by the campfire, trying to stay warm. The night was cold and she was too restless to sleep. She was waiting for Niklaus and his siblings to return. They hadn't really told her where they were going, but she wasn't a fool. They had barely fed from her at all during the last few days and she knew how strong their thirst was. She couldn't deny that it scared her. All of them, except Niklaus scared her.

What that spell had done to them… It was horrible. Yet she hadn't even considered running away from them. How could she leave Niklaus, especially now when he needed her more than ever before. Her love for him hadn't changed, not even after what had happened that night. She knew that he blamed himself, even though she had tried to tell him that she didn't blame him.

She knew that he hadn't wanted to hurt her; he had only wanted to save her from his father. Thankfully his father hadn't known that she and Niklaus loved each other. His siblings didn't know either and Fay had no intention to tell them before Niklaus would be ready. She was hoping that eventually she and Niklaus could build a life together. Perhaps that would be possible after they would travel to the old world. They should reach the sea soon.

"Hello there," Master Elijah's voice suddenly said, startling her.

Fay got to her feet as quickly as she could. Master Elijah was smiling at her; she noticed that he was a little drunk. Where had they found alcohol?

"Hello," she replied quietly.

"Where is Finn?" he asked.

"I don't know, master. He… He said that he needed to take a walk."

"Hmm. He shouldn't have left you here alone."

"I am fine. Truly."

He looked at her for a moment and touched her hair.

"You are cold."

She didn't have time to reply when he sat by the fire, pulling her with him.

"Come here," he hummed and wrapped his arms around her. "I shall warm you up."

She was too confused to protest, although she couldn't understand what he was doing. He, as well as his brothers, had carried her when she had been too weak to walk and she was pretty sure that sometimes they had held her in order to keep her warm, but this was different. She wasn't weak now.

"Master, you really don't have to…"

"It's fine," he hummed and lied down on his back. "Come," he added, patting his chest. "Lay by me."

She hesitated for a moment before obeying. He wrapped his arms securely around her again and smiled as he looked up at the night sky, his hand absentmindedly caressing her back.

"The stars, they truly are beautiful," he murmured. "Almost as beautiful as you, my sweet Tatia."

Fay tensed; she didn't know what to do.

"Yes, they are, master," she said as calmly as she could.

He didn't even seem to hear her; he buried his face in her hair and pressed her tighter against him.

"My love," he murmured. "Stay with me."

It didn't take long before he was asleep. Fay couldn't move, he was holding her too tightly. She was relieved when she finally heard Niklaus' voice.

"Fay? What….?"

"He is asleep," she said quietly. "Could you help me up?"

Niklaus frowned as he moved Elijah's arm and lifted Fay up.

"Thank you," she said smiling.

"I'm really sorry, Elijah doesn't usually…"

"It's alright, he didn't hurt me." Fay paused and sighed. "He called me Tatia."

"What?" Niklaus muttered tensely.

"She was his betrothed, was she not?"

"Yes, she was."

Fay couldn't help but to feel sympathy as she looked at Master Elijah. He had lost the woman he had loved.

"Poor man," she sighed and wrapped her arms tightly around Niklaus. She couldn't even imagine how losing him would feel like. "He must have truly loved her."

"Yes," Niklaus murmured. "She was…something special."

"I don't know what I would do if I would lose you," Fay said quietly.

"I am right here, sweetheart," he replied and patted her back. "I will always look after you."

She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I love you, Niklaus."

A pause. Fay was too happy to notice it.

"I love you too."