Part 2: Treacherous and Self-Indulgent
Written for Klaroline Fanfiction Week Day 3 - Historical Fanfic Day. This is a follow-up to my work in A Beautiful Symmetry, Chapter 90: Part 3 – Klaroline AU Week. Thanks for all of the asks and encouragement to write more from this world. Enjoy!
Warning: Some sexytimes. :)
Flames raged across the slain oxen, making the pools of blood sizzle while the hides blackened and curled. Alaric's body had been prepared with perfumed animal fat, sacred spices and honey. He'd been denied a true warrior's battle as he'd succumbed to death in his bed rather than during glorious battle. Caroline barely contained her glee as she noted the absence of his cherished weapons and shield.
The mighty tribes that Caroline ruled had flooded the valley in an outpouring of solidarity, raising their torches to the night sky while the ancient death rites commenced. As Queen of the Brigantes, her sovereignty had been destined from birth and over the years, she'd increased her people's territory through clever blood alliances and ruthless battle strategies. Her union with the dim-witted Alaric had been an important political alliance to strengthen ties with the Saltzman Mountain people. She'd had their allegiance for a time, but she'd foreseen a day when their changeable spirits would turn from her.
It often was said that Caroline was a brash, impulsive woman. But she could be patient. She'd bided her time, enduring the union with that repulsive old man for the sake of her people. However, when the Romans invaded, she saw her chance to further her ambitions. While her new Roman allies believed her assertion that the Iceni people had poisoned Alaric, it was clear that the Saltzman Mountain people disagreed. Their pointed absence from the burial ritual showed her that they knew the truth.
The curl of the flame along Alaric's sagging jowls nearly matched the curl of her smile as she recalled the serving girl's distressed scream upon finding his carcass bloated from the poisonous rare mushroom powder, discretely slipped into his wine. Niklaus caught her eye from across the pyre, the heat in his gaze almost rivaling the flames that charred her former husband's flesh. Upon confessing to Niklaus the dark deeds she'd set in motion, she'd been elated to discover that her lover shared her thirst for violence and welcomed her clever scheming.
In the aftermath of her revelation, their coupling had been quite vigorous. She'd led him from her private river stronghold down to the hot springs. There was a giddiness to her step that she'd only ever felt when they were together. From the way Niklaus eagerly had clawed at her back whispering lusty promises, he felt the same.
They littered the stone path to the springs with their garments, panting against each other's lips as they descended into the delicious warmth of the water. She clenched his curls in her fist, holding him to her breasts as he lapped at her flesh. "Elskan mín," she whispered, slipping into his mother tongue to call him her love. It fueled his ardor to hear her speak the languages of the Great Northern tribes.
He raised his head, a carnal gleam in his gaze as he hoarsely replied, "Kærasta," his affectionate way of calling her his darling. She loved the feel of his hands molding her body to his, savoring every curve. She pushed him back against the limestone, eagerly straddling him. His kisses became desperate as he grabbed her hips, settling her more firmly against him.
She grasped his stiffening length between them, her strokes urgent as she craved his moans at her throat. He bucked against her, writhing under her clever fingers. The heat that surrounded them became too much to bear and she finally eased him inside, breathing in his familiar scent with a gasp.
He rutted his hips, moving her in a sensual rhythm that made her blood pound like she was riding into battle. The water churned and swirled around their thrashing bodies and she began to chase her pleasurable release. He worshipped her body like a man possessed, the press of him driving her to madness. Every touch, ever whimper and moan passed between them, growing until their ecstasy washed over them.
As they floated together in the springs, passion gave way to peaceful contentment, and they finished making their plans.
The sharp crack of the flames pulled Caroline from the memory, reminding her of the unpleasantness still to come. Her spies had sent word that the Saltzman Mountain people were gathering their forces, planning to march against her. Just as she'd anticipated, the Romans had fallen in line and already positioned their forces to defend her territories. Once Alaric's people were soundly defeated, she'd command the Roman army to sweep across the Iceni lands as well, claiming her enemy's lands for her people.
Niklaus was careful to maintain a respectful distance across the pyre for appearance's sake, and she anxiously awaited the day when she could cast aside her false mourning so that he could proudly stand at her side as a proper consort. However, she knew the Romans would support and even encourage their union after the traditional mourning period had passed. They would assume that such a union would bind Caroline to their cause, along with all the tribes she ruled.
However, Niklaus was the son of a powerful chieftain, and regardless of the alliance he'd struck with Romans, his loyalty always would belong to the Great Northern tribes who'd forged his body and spirit. Like the turbulent sea, the Romans' rule would ebb and Caroline and Niklaus' people would be free once more.
Caroline could be patient.
Part 2: The Ghoul Next Door
Written for Klaroline Fanfiction Week Day 4 - Humor/Comedy Fanfic Day. This is a follow-up to my work in A Beautiful Symmetry, Chapter 55: Part 1 – Klaroween Bingo. Thanks for all of the asks to write more from this world. Enjoy!
"I didn't think it would be so big."
"Surely you've handled bigger, love."
"Yeah, but it's been a while," Caroline panted, feeling a slight twinge in her arms from holding the same position for so long. Coffins were heavier than she realized.
A chance meeting in the woods where two strangers happened to be burying their kills at the same time somehow led to inappropriate flirting and now Caroline was helping Klaus carry coffins into her house because he suggested they might prevent freezer burn better than the body bags she'd been using. And once they finished unloading the coffins, she fully intended to explore those heated glances the cocky Original kept sending her way.
Her skin felt too tight; a sure sign that it had been far too long since she'd taken a lover. Her people weren't known for their gentleness, and she'd broken an inconvenient number of pelvises over the years before she finally gave up on humans and indulged in the carnal pleasures other supernatural creatures could offer. The Original Hybrid appeared to be quite sturdy, she inwardly thought, allowing her assessing gaze to trail over the powerful lines of his well-formed body.
She had just started visualizing the exquisite cabernet she'd pour for them — maybe set out some tangy gorgonzola-stuffed tonsils and put on some music — when a voice startled them both.
"Care!"
Temporarily forgetting they were ancient, powerful supernatural creatures, they both froze, the two coffins they were carrying awkwardly caught between them as they exchanged twin looks of panic.
Caroline put on an overly bright smile as she slightly turned to face Matt, one of her very human employees at the wine bar. "Matt! Hi! Umm, what are you doing here?"
"I brought over those oak-aged merlot cases the distributor had screwed up during last week's supply run." He ducked his head shyly, adding in an endearingly hopeful tone, "I knew you were stressed about it, so I picked them up myself rather than risking another late delivery."
She was stunned. "You drove more than three hours to secure tomorrow night's shipment? Wow, someone's after a raise."
"Someone's after a bit more than a raise," Klaus muttered, throwing a completely unnecessary glare at Matt.
The uncomfortable silence deepened, and Caroline followed Matt's curious gaze and nearly dropped the coffins. "Oh! These are...umm...well, coffins, obviously," she said, wincing at her high-pitched voice — like the screech of a freshly castrated 'Nice Guy'. "And we're using them to..." she trailed off helplessly, looking over the curved tops of the coffins to see if Klaus had any ideas.
Klaus quirked his eyebrow, an amused expression on his face, but otherwise seemed content to watch her flounder for an excuse. Asshat. And here she'd been planning on seducing him with the fancy appetizers. Now, he'd be lucky if she offered him a stale Funyun.
"To...help decorate for some theme nights we're doing at the wine bar," she finally blurted out, hastily adding, "You know, like instead of Christmas in July, we're hosting Halloween in...March," she finished lamely.
As the weird silence stretched out, she finally nodded at Klaus, stupidly expecting him to say something helpful, but of course, he was content to just flash that dimpled smirk of his. Thinking fast, she continued with, "And there will be drink specials like 'shrieks and shiraz', and 'merlot massacre'."
Matt eagerly stepped forward to help her carry her end of the coffins. "Or how about 'sauvignon boo'?"
After another uncomfortable silence, Klaus flatly said, "Well, clearly Caroline uses the gold standard in her hiring practices."
"Yes, I do," She quickly answered, giving Matt a reassuring smile. As the three of them managed to shuffle into the dining room, she said in an overly cheerful voice, "Okay, let's just set these down over here and then we're done!"
She hoped Matt didn't notice the way she and Klaus instinctively relaxed as he started toward the door, and then immediately tensed when he stopped midway to ask, "Hey, mind if I use your bathroom first?"
"Sure," she chirped, fervently hoping that she'd remembered to put away the floor sander she'd been using on her extra-curly toenails. That one would be hard to explain.
The moment he left them alone, Klaus asked in irritation, "Why can't we just compel your idiot human?"
Caroline wildly waved her arms at him, hissing, "Keep your voice down! I put vervain in my employees' drinks." At his incredulous expression, she shrugged defensively. "What? I like to level the playing field for humans. It's only fair since most of them have no idea what's really out there."
He crossed his arms in front of his chest, grumbling, "Or, you have a fondness for humans who are trying to get in your knickers."
"Seriously?! That's not even...that's ridiculous...I mean, my people don't even wear knickers." She blushed at his intrigued expression, awkwardly explaining, "There's umm...extra chafing that happens because our skin is very sensitive."
It was clear from his sexy smirk that they'd be exploring her particular sensitivities soon, but then Matt's uncertain voice interrupted as he called out, "Uh, Care?"
He's in the living room. Fuck! That's where they put the other coffins and tested out some of the corpses to find the right fit. She forced herself to move at a more human speed, grateful that Klaus did the same. As they rounded the corner, she felt panic start to sink in at the sight of Matt kneeling beside one of the corpses hanging halfway out of a coffin. Would he assume the bodies were part of the wine bar's theme night decor?
Matt unexpectedly started poking a corpse, shuddering. "Wow, they're really cold. What did you make the corpses out of? Frozen turkeys?"
"Among other things," Klaus lied smoothly.
Caroline hurriedly explained, "Klaus is my...body expert." At her hasty explanation, Klaus made a choking noise, looking ridiculously pleased with himself.
Matt nodded in understanding, picking up what appeared to be a bit of ear that had broken off when they moved the corpse from the freezer. He sniffed it, causing both Caroline and Klaus to recoil slightly. He helpfully told Klaus, "It still kinda smells like lunchmeat though, so you might want to rethink your ingredients."
