Chapter 11 - The Spiritual, Physical and Metaphysical Connection
Last time...
The odds turn in Katherine's favor when she realizes she has something that Klaus wants: Doppleganger blood to save Caroline. She plans to use her knowledge of Elena's location to get Klaus to leave her alone along with Elijah's help. As she shares her plans with her daughter Nadia, a red haired hybrid attacks her and Elijah, compelling them to do her bidding, the extent of the red haired hybrid's compulsion unknown. She leaves Katherine with a book that Elijah recognizes as an ættartala; A Norse genealogy book in which the key is the howling wolf medallion given to Bonnie by Manning...
A/N We have reached 200 reviews! Love it! Now on the road to 250 :)!
BTW, if you haven't noticed, we are hitting another 200 benchmark with the favorites! Don't tell me I'll have something else to celebrate soon?! Can't wait!
I rewrote the klaroline smut. Hope you enjoy this version ;).
Also, I underestimated how much I need to touch on before I close this arc out (Kennett, Katherine, of course the Vow stuff and how it affects Klaroline, Damon, Stefan and Elena (yeah, they are still in this fic), the drama at New Orleans ie: Bekah, Hayley and Esther, and of course Manning (A lot right?!)) so I'm hoping I can get it all in between this chapter and the next. Anyways...This is my longest chapter EVER! 8,000+?! Wow...
I didn't edit it yet, so please forgive what mistakes you see.
Special thanks to those who started:
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Words to know moving forward:
ættartala - An Old Norse term for genealogy which is "the family tree or history...that shows the line of descent from an ancestor or earlier form, especially that of a specific person or family."*
allvaldr - An Old Norse term for sovereign or monarch which is the "ruler or permanent head of a state, especially a king or queen."*
Answer to guest reviews at the bottom!
Caroline POV
I let out a groan as I turn around completely naked in the bed, my hand falling on warm skin.
My eyes snap open, startled by the unexpected sensation. I pull back a little from a guy's chest in front of me, and I look around. It's still dark, but there is enough light for me to notice being in some kind of old hut and the "bed" we're on not being a regular bed at all. There isn't a mattress but fur skins covering what looks like hay poking out from under it. My read of my surroundings lands on the small sunlight casting shadows on the hip my hand is resting on, a thick fur blanket barely covering the lower half of my partner.
I follow the trail upward, appreciating every inch of toned muscle which, feels so familiar under my fingertips, I have no doubt who they belong to.
But this is a dream (feels like one anyway) and if not here, then where can I give in to what I want to do him every time I'm around him? Since the woods, I find my strength to deny him close to nothing. It doesn't matter if we're in public, or I am mad at him, or that Kol and Bonnie had walked in on us too many times or him having a baby with...
Ugh. I can't even finish the thought, the mental picture of Klaus and Hayley hurting more than I want to admit.
All that doesn't matter in this dream though, because here, the minute I touch him or he touches me, I don't have to think of stopping because I feel guilty being attracted to the Original Big Bad of Mystic Falls. I can just BE. I don't know if it's because of that freaky vow thing Bonnie was talking about but I physically can't get enough of Klaus like air.
And he feels, I touch his arm in silent awe, so good. Like the smoothest velvet that seems to come together with your skin at the smallest touch.
Giving up self-control, I lean forward to kiss every patch of skin I can see, imperfections that turn into perfection as I continue my display of affection. He responds by stiffening the second my lips touch him. His right hand, hesitant at first, starts brushing down my side, making me lightheaded. I hum in delight when he reaches my butt to give it an encouraging squeeze, bringing me up so I can suck hard on the skin closest to me in reply. He rewards me with a sharp, loud hiss which echoes in the hut. His reactions go to my head, making me feel powerful; he is so responsive to everything I do. It's like I can do no wrong, everything feels incredible to him and everything he does feels incredible to me. I would like to think it's because we are that good in bed together with his bajillion years of how many sexual encounters (can we say intimidated much?) and me serving as the finally attainable blonde distraction, but deep down, I know why everything feels so good.
It's because it's HIM, undeniably Klaus, that everything feels like so much MORE. More than sex, more than a distraction.
Tyler, Matt, nobody made me feel half the things Klaus makes me feel against my will and that discovery opens the gates to let wetness gather in my core as things start to heat up between us. His hands become more daring, pulling me so close, I can easily feel his hardness sliding up and down my slit, rubbing nicely on my excited clit. I moan in between the kisses I lay on his chest, on his feather tattoo, his moles, his scruff covered cheek before I lay one last hesitant kiss at the corner of his raspberry lips, my heart thundering in my chest
I do nothing for a few seconds, our heavy breaths being the only sound in the hut before he finally...
Finally...brings his right hand up to grab my cheek firmly in order to guide my lips to his. At contact, an explosion of pleasure rocks my body and my mouth parts to let out a pant he cuts off with his demanding tongue. It's a wonderland of adventure in his mouth, searching every corner for the spots that drive him wild. I'm so focused on exploration, I didn't even know he slipped his hand in between us until I feel two fingers slide into me.
I gasp out wantonly, inadvertently breaking our kiss. I cradle his head against my chest, feeling his warm tongue lick and suck lazily the curve of my breast as I ride his expert fingers shamelessly. The ridges of his callous thumb glides over my clit, the perfect friction, and I jerk inadvertently aganist his fingers, so incredible it feels.
I feel his knowing smile on my chest before he curls his fingers in me, beckoning my orgasm closer. I moan out his name, my hooded eyes seeing him lift his head up in response. Dreams tend to be unforgiving when it comes to visual details, but this is obviously a very vivid one where I can see everything that is Klaus.
From his moles, to his tattoos, the outline of his dimples and his eyes...
Those amazing, piercing, stormy blue eyes which are unrelenting in scanning my face. He swallows hard when he raises his hand to caress my cheek, not stopping his ministrations down below and I close my eyes, wanting so much to feel this loved forever.
He breathes into my face, murmuring "Caroline," and I think I might die from the way my heart soars. But when he adds a heart felt "my love" to it, I fight back a powerful wave of emotion that causes my sex to clench around his fingers in excitement. He kisses me sensuously before he goes back to avidly reading my reaction to every move his fingers make his eyes hungrily eating up my expressions. When he simultaneously hits my clit and the hyper sensitive button inside me, my head falls back but with his free hand, he tilts my head back towards him, holding it steady as the inferno of my upcoming orgasm rises.
"Keep your eyes open Caroline."
I slowly manage to do it through my turned on state, meeting stormy blue eyes darkened with lust.
His eyes drop to my lips when I lick them, encouraging him to bring me over the edge.
I know he can take me there, but I feel him purposely denying me the end, clearly on a mission to watch which of his movements makes me squirm. He pulls back a little, just to do something else to my body that makes me start swearing like a sailor.
It riles him up, my dirty talk.
His jaw tightens up, his grip on the back of my neck increases, and he momentarily forgets himself, increasing the tempo of his ministrations on my core.
I yelp at the change of speed, my mouth dropping open as my brain fills with the words "Yes!" "Right there!" "Oh God!" and finally...
"Please don't stop Niklaus," I moan helplessly at his mercy.
There is something in saying his full name, a part of me knows, which took note from the last time we were like this. It does something to him, triggers something primal.
And primal is definitely what I want.
My theory is confirmed when I see a flash of gold streak through his eyes, the black veins crowding his face and I stop breathing.
He's beautiful, I think in awe.
Noticing my insistence gaze, I see him clench his teeth, taking controlled breaths in an obvious effort to bring his face back to normal.
No...
I quickly dip my hand in between us and stroke him.
His head jerks up with a gasp to look at me in shock, his gold eyes and his face creasing into failing restraint and then pleasure.
"Caroline..." he lets out a strangled warning.
"Shh..." I say reassuringly, kissing him. "You won't hurt me," I whisper againist his lips. I allow my own vampiric features to come into play, wanting him to know I'm giving him all of me too. "Don't hide from me," I say breathlessly.
We stop all movement to take in each other. His thumb gliding over my fangs and my fingers feeling his veins.
I start to feel subconscious after a full minute goes by. I never let myself show anyone my vampiric features willingly. The insecure Caroline in me starts thinking this was a bad idea but I didn't want him to change his face back. It's the real him and it's so...
"...Beautiful," he finishes for me. "You're so...beautiful."
I swallow hard, throwing him a smile. "I was thinking the same thing...Niklaus."
His eyes burn a brighter gold before he lets out a savage hiss, flashing his fangs.
So hot...
"You haven't the faintest clue what it does to me to hear my birth name fall from your lips my love," he says with a growl.
My heart splutters to a stop like a broken down car when I hear him say that again: My love...I replay in my head, really enjoying the sound of that way more than I'm ready to admit.
I open my mouth to respond, but just then, his fingers start moving inside of me again and my brain crashes. My eyes flutter shut, yet I remember his voice telling me to keep them open and I do so.
My breathing is coming out hot and heavy, feeling the end coming. He leans his forehead on mine, his movements slowing down.
Oh enough!
I take control by grabbing his shaft again, now the one reading his expressions as I stroke him relentlessly, gliding my thumb over the head.
I know his control is gone when I feel his fingers moving faster and faster within me. I buck into his hand and he grabs my face roughly to kiss me with mind numbing passion. Our kiss gets deeper, all consuming. I hear him moan, his hand dropping to palm my breast, rolling my nipple between his fingertips.
I arch into him, our lips still locked as he pushes me back down, smiling naughtily at me.
Oh he wants to play?
I take him off guard when I change our positions in vampire speed.
I smirk at his surprised, then pleased expression. It then twists, his eyes squeezing shut, his mouth dropping along with mine as I lower myself slowly into his rigid cock. With every inch I take in, I feel his grip tighten around my hip till painful, but I really don't care, greedy to have all of him.
I bite down on my lip when I finish, a fang piercing my lower lip, no longer moving to appreciate all of Klaus inside me, big and throbbing. I see his eyes follow the trail of blood seeping out of my cut lip, not breaking his stare when he sits up, holding my lower back so I don't fall off him. When he gets close enough, his tongue darts out to lick up the blood from chin to my lip, sucking on it greedily. Shivers of delight roll through me as I reward him with a kiss. Once in a sitting position, he wastes no time wrapping his right arm to grab my left hip in a display of hybrid strength. Keeping my bleeding lip hostage, he starts to move me up and down his shaft, so slow it drives my insane with how good it feels. Up and down he takes me, every now and again his manhood rubbing just right on my inner walls, my clit, my slit, making me tremble.
He pulls back when my cut heals, only to take a nipple in his mouth, sucking and licking it. I'm not even over that sensation yet when he lifts my leg, not breaking our up and down rhythm, to plunge even deeper inside me in a new angle that makes me see stars.
"Fuck..." he gasps at the same time my pussy starts clinging tighter around him like saran wrap.
It isn't long before we start to lose ourselves to our lovemaking. My long awaited orgasm squeezing his manhood tightly to force a groan from him.
"You feel so incredible love," he murmurs huskily in my ear while pushing into me so hard I cry out.
"Come for me," he breathes, no higher than a whisper, his accent hot and heavy.
I can't help it. The way he's fucking me, the way he holds me strongly against him as his cock goes in and out...
With a yell, I come hard and I catch him watching me, not stopping our movements before his own orgasm overtakes him, a satisfied moan leaving his lips before he falls back into the fur bed, eyes closed, a content smile on his face as his face returns back to normal.
I fall forward on top of him, exhausted with a ghost of a smile on my own lips, fangs gone.
I don't know how much time passes that I just lay there on his chest, enjoying the aftermath of our amazing lovemaking, not stopping in exploring lazily with my hands the body which brought me so much satisfaction. I take notes of the times he holds his breath, when he moans or his grip tightens on me when I touch him in certain areas, loving how responsive he is to everything I do.
"I don't want this dream to end," I say quietly.
I feel him shift under me so he can grab me by my neck gently to bring me in for a sensuous kiss.
"It doesn't have to," he replies against my lips, cupping my face to his. "We've only just begun."
A renegade tear escapes my eye. I hate how reality is crashing down suddenly on me, but I can't help it. "It's already over. You and Hayley..." I start brokenly.
He cuts me off. "Do not think of her Caroline! You...You have no idea what you mean to me. This dream we're sharing right now..."
I didn't hear anything else after that, the happiness dream bubble pop as I realize what is going on, my anger boiling.
How dare he...
I glare at him, but I don't move, because honestly, it feels so good to be in his arms.
Hell if I let him know that though, especially with what I know now.
"This is low. Even for you," I growl in disapproval, stopping him mid sentence. "Entering my dreams? Really?"
"Love..." his eyes are gentle and filled with something that almost makes me look away. "I did no such thing," he finishes softly.
I read his face, seeing the truth and a glimmer of satisfaction.
"Then how am I...How are you..." I stammer, totally confused.
He sighs tiredly, his eyes fluttering close as he rests his forehead on mine. "Caroline..."
I know that tone. I've heard it before.
I grit my teeth. "I swear, if you start with that Vow stuff..."
"Sweetheart..."
There it is again. I explode, wrenching myself harshly away from him, taking the blanket with me. "I don't know what's going on, but I don't want to be with you! Not anymore!"
He is in my face in an instant, equally furious. I totally focus in on his rage, not his well toned sexy as all hell naked body that is screaming for me to touch it and get round two of our sex fest started.
"Well tough luck sweetheart!" he shouts in my face. "Because this," he gestures between the two of us, "is happening! The Vow has connected us and evidently this connection will get stronger, whether you like it or not!"
"Like hell! You were supposed to be a one time, scandalous sex experience!" I retort heatedly.
"Sure about that love?" he snaps back with a dark smirk. "Because you could of fooled me with the way you took me inside of you, over and over..."
Unbelievable. "You're disgusting," I spat at him, turning away, but he grabs my arm, pulling me to him.
I ignore the jolt which spreads from his touch directly to my private parts, suddenly needing him.
His eyes widen as well, and I know it isn't one sided. I resist looking down, knowing I'd find a very ready Klaus. My head fills up with erotic images anyway when he gets close enough for me to feel his hardness against my leg.
I let out a shuddering breath, pressing my hand on his chest for support. It makes things worse, because then it's skin to skin and I just want more. His heart is thundering under my touch and is calling for me to lean forward and kiss him.
My mind tells me to pull away, but instead, I draw closer, feeling his arm wrap around me as I start to caress his chest. The room growing warmer and warmer with each touch.
He hums at the contact, his eyes fluttering closed. "You must feel that my love," he utters huskily in my neck, my heart skipping a beat when I hear the phrase "my love" drop from his lips again. "We are much..." he kisses my shoulder. "...Much more."
I moan helplessly when he kisses my neck, my hand growing so limp with pleasure that I drop the fur blanket in my hand. He takes advantage of my weakness and brings my naked body flush against him. I just want to die from the amount of tingles that dance through my body the moment all I feel is him.
It is so hard not to lose myself, to not give in and just feel more. Forgot everything and BE with him but I'm determined to stay logical. This can't happen. This can't work!
With everything I am, I manage to say no, bringing his ministrations to a halt, putting some space between us.
Seeing his hooded eyes filled with desire, my brain stutters to start up again with it going on vacation just a second ago. I take a deep breath, blinking rapidly to gain some semblance of thinking power, forcing my brain to work. Finally, I stare into his eyes to say softly: "You're going to be a father Klaus."
I see his jaw tightened at my words, his body going rigid at the unwelcome reminder. "You swore you'd give me a chance!" he growls.
"I know!" I say exasperatedly. "But there is no room for me with a baby in the picture! We..."I swallow the lump in my throat. "We can't happen. Not anymore. I know you wanted to be my last love..."
"...And I will be," He vows, his eyes pinning me down to express how much he meant it. "Caroline..."
It's too painful to hear more so I silence him, placing a finger gently on the lips I love kissing, his eyes closing as if under a spell.
I move it to place one last lingering kiss on his lips in good-bye.
He feels it. I know he does, because he reaches out to me, but everything is under a haze now, my chest heavy with emotion, my eyes filling with so much water that I wake up, crying in the hotel pillow in my room with Bonnie's arms eventually wrapping around me in comfort as I cry even more on her chest.
After awhile, I manage to get my sobs down to little sniffles.
"I am so tired of the drama Bon," my words of despair coming out muffled as I say them into her shirt. "I just want to be happy and all I get is pain and I'm like seriously, why can't the universe stop getting on my case and just let me be you know?" I wipe my face with back of my hand tearfully, sitting up. Bonnie shifts so she gives me enough room but not too much so I can feel her comforting presence. It doesn't stop the rising frustration I feel towards my life right now though which launches me into a rant.
"I just want to first!" I cry out, fresh tears falling from my face. "For once! Just let me be the girl that has it all! But no! All I get is a supporting character role in maybe a B class TV show that just happens to be real life for me and love interests that leave me high and dry while the one I actually have a chance of having something real with lives a bajallion miles away, is having a twilight baby with ultra were slut whose name isn't worth mentioning..."
Bonnie lets out a laugh. I look up, raising a questioning eyebrow with a loud sniffle.
"If only all this was a show, Care," says Bonnie. "Who knows? It might be! We could be in our own version of The Truman Show!"
Unwillingly, I feel a smile start to spread on my face. "Can you imagine?" I respond, my voice still rough with tears. "A secret group of fans, begging for us to hook up with certain guys. God! We'd probably have ship names! Like Kennett or..."
She glares at me. "Uh, Kennett? Try Beremy."
I act like I'm thinking about it but I don't change my mind, just to rile her up. "Um...No. So Kennett. You don't think I see the little flirt-o-war you two have going on? Way more interesting to watch than Beremy."
"Just like Klaroline is way more entertaining to watch than Forwood," she shoots back.
My smile falls off my face instantly, the fresh burn of more tears coming to the surface.
Bonnie's smile disappears too and she's immediately apologetic. "Sorry. Bad joke."
"No...No..." I try to mumble reassuringly to her, wiping my face quickly.
"I can't believe this is real for you too," she continues with a shake of her head. "You love him."
I freeze at her words, lifting my eyes slowly to meet hers. "Bon..."
"It's so obvious Care! I've known you all my life! If you don't love him, which I doubt, you at the very least care about him, otherwise you wouldn't be sitting here, devastated that he's having a baby with someone else!"
"I..." I struggle to find some convincing denial but fall short, so emotionally done.
"He isn't worth it Caroline!" she says in sudden earnestness. "I know you're attracted to baddies like him and Damon, and it probably felt really good to sleep with Klaus given how old he is..."
Understatement of the century, I think guiltily.
"...But he isn't good for you! He killed Tyler's mom, nearly killed Elena I don't know how many times..."
"I know! I know!" I cry out exasperated, not knowing what to do.
"So turn whether you feel for Klaus off Care!"
Seriously Bonnie?! "I can't! Don't you think I've tried?!"
"Try harder! He's having a baby! What? You want to play step mom to were slut's spawn? Constantly reminded of the night he slept with her, not you?"
I wince, her words hitting my heart.
"I didn't think so," she says trimphantly.
"What do you suggest I do Bon?" I retort, now angry. "Especially with this Eternal Vow thing, huh? He isn't going to let me go!"
"Oh yes he will. I'll break the Vow."
My eyes grow wide in shock, just before the door slams open, bouncing off the nearest wall, and revealing an enraged Klaus, the heat of his gaze falling on Bonnie. Kol comes up behind him like giddy schoolboy watching a classmate brawl.
Klaus and Bonnie simply stare each other down, their hate for the other plain on their faces.
"Problem?" Bonnie says with sass.
"Besides Big Brother and I hearing the entirety of your girly girl chit chat? Not at all darling," he says with a naughty twinkle in his eye. "I personally am a fan of this Kennett ship. Glad I have your vote Sister," he ends with a wink at my direction.
"I'm not your sister," I grumble, unconvincingly while trying to push out the part of me that liked the idea of being Caroline Forbes Mikaelson, Caroline Mikaelson, Caroline F. Mik..." Okay stop!
"And there is no Kennett," adds Bon with a narrowed gaze, but I catch a hint of blush on her cheeks and ghost of a smile on her lips. I feel a smile coming on my own face watching them before Klaus blows all easygoing energy to hell.
"You're not breaking the power of the Vow, witch," he says, voice full with the promise of pain.
"Oh, finally admitting it exists then, Brother?" Kol asks with a satisfied grin before Bonnie can reply . "Something juicy must of happened. Any rated X dreams you care to share?"
My mouth drops open. So that dream was because of the Vow!
Kol lets out a chuckle, pointing at my face. "You do?! How was it darling?" he asked, eagerly.
I blush furiously, turning away.
"That's good?" he surmises quickly, gleefully . "Well, the perks of the Vow gets only better sweeting. The melding of your souls may be just spiritual now, but then it'll get physical, metaphysical and then..."
I'm at peak attention, anxious, yet wanting to hear more, but Klaus viciously cuts in, a slight panic passing through his eyes as he glances at me, then back at Kol. "Enough! Stop. Talking. You're still on shaky ground as it is."
I narrow my eyes at Klaus disapprovingly. I'm so done with him hiding things. He's not going to get away with it.
"Oh yes. I'm a bad boy for revealing your indiscretions with your lady werewolf friend," says Kol, his eyes widening in remembrance and clearly not caring that Klaus just warned him to shut up. "How were you going to talk your way out of that one?"
The mean, stern, stone faced Bonnie returns, sitting up and folding her arms in defiance. "He isn't. Because Care is officially not sticking around with this baby business going on. We turn Caroline into an Original first after we kidnap Katherine from Elijah and unlink her from Care..."
Seriously?! "Wait," I interject, "That's why we came here? I thought we were going to negotiate with them!" I say, glaring at Klaus for not mentioning the kidnapping bit. The deep sea of secrets just keeps growing and growing with him!
"And we will," says Kol mischievously. "But who says we can't have a bit a fun before that? I want to see the Petrova Doppleganger sweat a bit."
Klaus' mouth twitches into a breaking smirk. "Elijah does need to put in his place for trying to use Caroline against me," he agrees spitefully. "It's only poetic justice that I do the same through his beloved Katerina."
I shake my head, not even bothering to argue with him about his childish antics. The kidnapping of Katherine wasn't great but at least he's not talking about killing them. Katherine isn't exactly innocent either. She did turn me into a vampire and kidnapped me to get at Klaus so I guess some type of payback wouldn't be horrible.
"Then we can break the Vow," adds Bonnie firmly. "Klaus can go on being the hybrid daddy of New Orleans and the rest of us can go back to our lives," she ends in a sarcastic, cheery tone.
A slow, evil grin spreads on Klaus' face at her say. "So daring little Ms. Bennett with your cute little quips and snide comments. You might think yourself all powerful with that trinket around your neck, but Hybrid speed has me snapping your neck before you can lift a finger," he spat.
"Do that," I jump in, angry he just threatened Bonnie in front of me, "And you can shoot your chance with me to hell."
His eyes widen with clear hope, and I immediately realize my mistake.
"So there's still a chance then?" he says to me.
The longing look he gives me makes me hesitate, makes me want to say yes, but before I can say a word, Bonnie kills it.
"NO!" she shouts at Klaus. "Why don't you go back to New Orleans, huh? Go back to playing Mr. Mom and leave Care out of it! Just forget about her playing third wheel to your spinoff of Breaking Dawn you have going on over there!"
I cringe at that last bit as I see Klaus' rage ripple through him, fighting himself to stop from lunging at her. She should be dead, especially after that, but somehow he manages to keep himself in place, and I know it is because of me, making butterflies flutter in my stomach.
"This isn't your business and my life is no sordid, disco glitter vampire novel," Klaus growls. "Furthermore, not to nitpick love, but the Eternal Vow, is oh!" His eyes widen exaggeratedly as if a light bulb went off in his head and places a hand quickly over his mouth in mock surprise. "That's right! Eternal!"
I roll my eyes at his sarcasm.
"Translation: Unbreakable," he ends smugly. "So sorry, little witch."
Unfortunate for Klaus, Kol is on a roll today in pushing his buttons and can't resist pushing another. "Not exactly Brother," he chimes in using a educating tone, lifting one finger in interjection. "According to a certain witchy handbook I've come across regarding such matters, it can be broken. It's just that dear old Bonnie needs to do it chop chop before the Vow ascends all three levels of connection," finishes Professor Kol.
Bonnie smiles triumphantly while Klaus' eyes narrow into tiny slits. If they could, they would burn Kol into ash. Finally, Klaus says: "Couldn't keep that bit to yourself could you?" he says in utter disgust. "Just had to be a bloody know-it-all right here right now."
"Yep," affirms Kol, unapologetic.
"I swear Kol, there's a dagger at home with your name on it," Klaus starts, seething. "Better yet, I have a white oak stake that wishes to get reacquainted with your heart."
I roll my eyes and turn to Bonnie, leaving the two brothers to go at it. "Ignore them Bon," I say gently, hearing their raised voices in the background. "Just focus on breaking that Vow and..."
"No!" shouts Klaus suddenly behind me, furious. "She'll do no such thing! Caroline..."
I whirl at him, pissed. "And why not? She's right Klaus! What's the point of being bound to someone you can't be with?!"
He narrows his eyes at me and takes a determined step towards me to say something, but his eyes fall on Bonnie, his expression darkening: "Leave," he demands.
"I'm not..." she starts to argue.
"Come Bonnie," chimes in Kol, "We have a immortality spell to get down to save your friend remember? You can focus on breaking their bloody Vow later."
She hesitates, looking at me.
"It's cool Bon. I got this."
She throws one last glare Klaus' way, then walks off. I barely hear the door click shut, before I feel a displacement of air and Klaus' face is millimeters in front of me.
My breath hitches as his husky, accented voice washes over me.
"Now tell me again you want Bonnie to break the Vow."
His insistent, burning stare makes my heart beat like a jackhammer within my chest, but I keep myself neutral. I HAVE to be neutral!
"Tell me you want this all to end," he says quietly, swallowing hard, his eyes bright with emotion, tugging at my heart strings. "Tell me you want no future with me," he says softly, raising a hand to touch me, but I jump back, remembering how strong the desire to have him assaulted me the moment we touched during our shared dream.
"Don't," I say with a hard tone.
He looks on amused, obviously knowing why I jumped back. "I didn't do anything love," he says innocently.
"You were going to touch me. Don't." I further clarified.
He moves like a wolf cornering his prey and in the same pace, I move away, starting up a weird circular dance between us. His every movement is purposeful, insistent, while mine is defensive, cautious.
I don't like how this is going, I think, warily taking note of the level of lust and possessiveness leeching on him. It's a look I've never seen, so intense and overwhelming...Something's changed.
"It's true what Kol said," I say more to myself than to him. "We're connected even more now," I say genuinely scared. "What else was Kol going to say? How bad does this get Klaus?"
He hesitates, internally debating.
"You can't keep hiding things from me!" I cry out in exasperation. "First Hayley, then the whole Katherine kidnapping thing, now this? When is it going to stop? You want forever but I can't even trust you because you keep lying to me!"
"I've never lied to you love."
"You know what I mean! Just tell what's going on!"
"Fine!" he snaps angrily, ceasing his movements. "You want the truth? The truth is I don't want to scare you off!" he snaps angrily. "Satisfied?!"
I stop moving too. "Is it that bad?" I say quietly, concerned.
He runs a hand over his face, then throws his hands up helplessly. "Well that's just it isn't it? It's a matter of perspective. The deepening of our connection via the Vow, the timing, albeit, far from ideal, is something," he lets out a mirthless chuckle, "I can't find it in me to hate because..."
His eyes meet mine, full of tenderness. "It's with you."
I suck in a deep breath, a stampede of shivers and tingles running throughout my body at his words. When he comes closer, I can't find the strength to move, the anticipation rising with his every step. He's so close, keeping his hands clenched at his sides to restrain himself from touching me.
"I know it frightens you," he says, searching my face. "Caring for someone other than my siblings, being bonded to anyone in such an irrevocable way..."
He forgets himself for a moment, reaching out for me. Before he pulls back, I step into his arms, his body stiffening and his eyes widening slightly in surprise, his hands staying mid-air near my cheek but still not touching me.
I look at his face, taking in his fiery, passionate gaze, his sinfully full lips...
"Scary," I finish for him quietly, closing my eyes. "It's scary."
"...May be just spiritual now," I hear Kol's voice in my head, "but then it'll get physical, metaphysical and then..."
"And then..." I find myself saying aloud, my voice shaking a little. I'm not ready for this. I'm am sooooo NOT ready. It's too much, too fast! I've barely accepted that I'm attracted to him! Bonnie's got to do something! I can't...
I stop breathing, everything crashing down on me. I feel the room turn, my body going limp and then strong arms catching me before I fall. Instantaneously, an all consuming heat envelopes me so quickly and potently I gasp as I feel him pull me closer. I hear him take a sharp intake of breath at the same time, then a hiss when I push up mindlessly against him. I feel his rock hard erection rubbing on my core, and I buck my hips into him, loving the friction. His lower lip grazes my earlobe, his hot breath tingling my skin before his lips descend, laying feather light kisses along my jawline.
"Don't be afraid," He murmurs. "My Caroline..."
His words trigger a need to feel more of him.
More.
I slip a daring hand under his shirt, feeling along his abs, down to his groin, unbuttoning his jeans...
I want more...
"Caroline love," he moans out my name when my hand slips into his pants, grazing his length, each word coming out with effort.
I nuzzle up into his neck, inhaling his scent that I swear now smells so irresistible I can't stop myself from sucking on his skin, his flavor being the sweetest honey.
More...
And I get more when he grabs a handful of my hair, pulls me off his neck, and kisses me forcefully, his tongue pushing past my lips to inject his lust for me.
Yes...
There is no room, just me and him, kissing, caressing, and sounds of our moans and groans. I rip his shirt, and he lifts me into his arms, my legs wrapping like a vise around his lips.
Our breathing comes out hot and ragged when we pull apart long enough for Klaus to pull down my shirt to expose a breast he eagerly soaks it with attention.
I let out a sigh of satisfaction, enjoying the feel of his lips on my skin. I need him so much...
He's the only one who can make me feel like this. That can make my body physically beg for him.
Suddenly, he lets me go and flashes to the other side of the room, breathing heavily, his hybrid features full force.
The haze that I'm under lifts and like a bucket of cold water being splashed on me, I'm jolted back to reality.
My hand flies up to cover my mouth in shock, stunned with what just happened. For a moment there, I couldn't control wanting Klaus. I just mindlessly started making out with him and I wouldn't have stopped! So high off Klaus! That high reminds me so much of the first person I killed when I turned. The ecstasy, the rush, then the crash to earth when I came down from the bloodlust and realized I killed someone...
Exactly the same, except it isn't the need for blood that drives this.
It's a physical need for Klaus.
A physical need for Klaus which has awakened an annoying voice in my head which demands me to go back to him.
Touch him.
Kiss him.
Ravage him.
I stiffen, grabbing my hair in panic as it just keeps going! The feelings taking root and locking in...What's happening to me?!
"Caroline," calls Klaus in concern. "Love. Take a breath. Don't let it overwhelm you."
He takes one step towards me and that's it. I bolt out of the hotel room as fast as my vampire speed can take me.
Klaus POV
There are no words in any language, ancient nor current that can express the way my heart tears into pieces when Caroline flashes out of the room, eager to get away from me.
The rejection floods me, then a blinding rage that I take out on a nearby dresser.
"Want to go out for a midnight snack?" interrupts Kol.
I turn my back at his carefree voice, opting to view the scenic view from the hotel room instead of launching myself at Kol.
The melding of our souls through the Vow would of been a hard adjustment but manageable, yet Kol with his unfiltered mouth, had to spit out my indiscretions with Hayley, making everything that much more difficult.
"Keep talking, and see if you don't wake up back on the Other Side," I growl.
"So I've graduated from dagger threats to outright death ones! Really, you shouldn't have. You're making me blush," he chirps.
I don't respond long enough to hear him sigh. "You had to tell her sooner or later Brother," he says solemnly, no longer joking.
I turn to him, furious. "Yes! On MY terms!" I bellow loudly.
"You mean never until she arrived to New Orleans only to be greeted with Hayley and a babe on her tit!" he shot back.
I ignore how right he might of been about that. I would've of postponed telling Caroline, yes, wanting things to be perfect as long as possible. Nonetheless..."It wasn't your decision to make!" I shout at him.
"You're right, it wasn't! Forgive me, Brother, for wanting you to have a shot at genuine happiness instead of one based on lies!" he replies heatedly.
I step back, stunned at the sincerity I see on his face.
"Bonnie was right," continues Kol, irritated but clearly disappointed. "So paranoid that everyone is out to get you that you can't appreciate when someone is sticking their neck out for you because they care. Yes, I could of gone about how I said it differently, and partially it was to hurt you but mostly...forget it. Next time I'll keep my nose out of it. Bloody headache anyway. If you want to kill me, go ahead and try. We can take it outside. I..."
"I've lost her Kol," I say quietly, serving up a moment of vulnerability as a form of apology. Kol still shouldn't have said anything about Hayley, but after his words, I found it hard to justify staying angry at him. At the end of the day, getting Hayley pregnant is solely my fault and blaming Kol for putting that information out there won't change that.
There is nothing but silence for a moment.
"I don't think so Brother. Remember, the Vow doesn't come into being unless both of you feel strongly about each other. Just like it takes two to kiss, two to make out, two to tango, two to have sex..."
"Okay fine," I say hurriedly before he goes further. I suppose he's right. The Vow wouldn't exist unless she felt something as well. Yet, with Hayley and the child in the picture...
I shake my head. "She's right. I cannot ask her to be with me with this Hayley situation unresolved."
Kol shrugs. "Then resolve it."
"How?" I ask at a loss.
Kol shrugs again. "I don't know. I am not the bloody full time problem solver of the family. Elijah's the wise one remember? Another reason why you might not want to kill him or do anything permanent to his Katerina."
I let out a huff of frustration, but say nothing, knowing he's right. "So what would you propose? Hmm? That I pardon Katerina?" I reply incredulously.
"I suppose it comes down to what you care for most: Your pride, or maintaining a relationship with your brother who can possibly help you get the woman of your desire. Your choice."
"Or I just let Bonnie break the Vow and let Caroline go," I can't help but say begrudgingly.
"Or that," Kol concedes with a nod. "But that takes a certain selflessness, faith, and a surrender of control that honestly Brother, you aren't capable of."
I glare at him, ready to say something but my phone interrupts me.
I glance at caller ID, raising my eyebrows in surprise at the name I see there. Kol watches me with interest as I pick up.
"Well now. Isn't it our long lost Rippah?" I say with a smirk, making Kol roll his eyes once he connects who is on the other line. "I suppose you are calling me with good news?"
"Did you find Caroline?" Stefan asks.
I frown. My lightheartedness gets shot to hell when the memory of Caroline bolting out of the room comes forth at the mention of her name. It is also not lost on me the Rippah's attempt avoid answering my question.
"Yes..."
"Great!" interrupts Stefan enthusiastically. "Where is she?"
I roll my eyes, irritated at his happiness about Caroline. A little too happy if you ask me.
"Love to tell you mate, once you tell me the oh so joyous news that you and Damon have found your precious Elena," I reply.
Stefan sighs. "We thought we did, but it was a false trail."
"Of course. Utterly useless," mumbles Kol. I stifle a snicker, secretly agreeing with him.
"If we can keep the negative, unhelpful comments to a minimum, that would be great," retorts Stefan, unhappily.
"It would also be great if you lot could learn to be productive but, clearly, that's like asking for rain to fall at will," snaps back Kol.
"It isn't our fault that someone clearly lured us away from Elena to stop us from joining in on the real party, wherever that is," I hear Damon grumble in the background, sifting through a room.
My curiosity perks up. "Oh? And where did this supposed lure lead?"
"To some ancient, dingy shop in England. Such a ridiculous waste of time. Now. You mind telling us where you are? Better yet, put Caroline on."
"She's..." I think of an excuse. "Detained. We're in Australia for a few more hours since we have a few loose ends to tie up with a certain 500 year old dopplewench. Then back to the States."
"Katherine," says Stefan. "Can't say I'm sorry for her. She went too far messing with Caroline and stealing Elena's body."
"Tell me..." I start.
"Uh Stefan," Damon's voice comes in insistently from the background.
"Hold on Klaus," mutters Stefan. I listen in, interested in what sounds like a discovery of some sort. The next moment, I hear Stefan moving then coming to a stop. "What Damon?"
I hear a shuffle of papers. I hear Stefan draw a deep breath. "What the hell?"
"You think it's real?" ask Damon. "Because if it is..."
It gets quiet, much too long for liking.
"What is it?" I eventually demand.
Damon reads aloud: " 'To my beloved, flamed haired assassin: It is in your capable hands that I leave their future in. You are the only one, save myself, who owes them your life. You will not fail them, even if I do. Forever yours.' I can't read the signature, but I swear it looks like those cave writings back in Mystic Falls that Alaric was studying when we were trying to learn more about the Original Family once upon a time."
"Take a picture of whatever it is you are looking at," I tell Stefan. "If what Damon says is true, Kol and I should be able to read it."
It isn't long before I hear a chime of an incoming text. When I open it, I freeze, along with Kol who stares at the picture speechless.
It's a flawless drawing of a smiling Caroline and I on boat, staring off into the sea, my arms wrapped around her. What Damon read is on the bottom of the drawing signed in Norse script that stops my breath.
When I read the year next to the signed name and take note of the medieval attire Caroline and I or wearing, my brain wants to shut down, but my eyes keep taking in the picture displayed on the phone, reading the year and the norse writing over and over:
"Forever yours, Manning. The year 972," I mumble, tonelessly.
"The metaphysical connection of the Vow," whispers Kol in an awed voice.
A/N I know! So long... *wipes brow* It's out of the way now, but it's an important chapter to lay the groundwork moving forward. For sure, the Kalijah vs. Kennett and Klaroline face off. Then on to New Orleans where things aren't really nice. At least I get to kill people over there who are begging to be kicked out of this fic. Please review. You guys must have so many questions or comments (I hope :-/).
*Old norse translator courtesy of freelangdotnet and English definitions courtesy of Bing dictionary.
Answer to guest reviews:
Guest - My fic is "amazeballs." Lol! Thanks! I guess that means you like it. I finally updated too :)
Another Guest - You don't have to wait any longer. The new chapter is here!
Tauruskch - I thought the sneak peak would be better than having nothing at all. Sorry if it just made it worse :(. Hope you like this chapter as much as you liked the sneak peek!
