"Are you even listening your majesty?" Charlie called out with his thick Scottish accent as he lowered his sword to his side. I shook my head as I came out of my own thoughts. The dark king had been on my mind constantly for the past two months.
I dreamt of him and swore I could hear his voice at times. I'd wake up at night and have to do a double take cause I'd see him sitting at my desk chair, his legs propped up, and his hands crossed lazily behind his head.
"I'm sorry Charlie. I've been in deep thought quite a bit today." He smirked and took a swig of water handing me a cup at the same time. Charlie was a bigger man with quite a large frame, he stood at six feet four inches and was a very novel guard of the court in his early days but with age he retired to teach royals how to be master sword fighters. No one was better than Charlie Bransfield "the sword is an extension of the arm" was his famous saying for each of our classes.
"You know this is important. You've nearly mastered how to use your stele and memorized all the angelic runes. You've passed all your royal classes and are beginning to get the hang of using your witch powers. But for some reason you have trouble using a piece of metal?" I sighed heavily.
"It's different you know. When I use my stele and do spells it's all me I don't have to think of the next big move an opponent is gonna use on me. It's simpler I guess." Charlie shook his head and laughed.
"You are the most stubborn Royal I've ever worked with. And I've worked with a lot of stuck up brats who believed they could do anything and didn't require any of my help. Those Royals never live up to be anything more then a famous last name. But you Caroline there's something about you, you believe you can't do it because of self doubt. Why do you believe you can't do it Caroline? I've seen you do things no one else on this planet can, anybody can use a sword only few can master it. You Caroline are part of that few." His words flowed through my head feeling me with a warming feeling.
"Thank you Charlie I don't know what it is. Maybe today I should take a break from classes and focus on royal business."
"Are you worried about the dark king?" My eyes shot up but luckily he was turned away putting the swords up on the wall.
"What do you mean?"
"There's whispers of the court the dark king and a few of his forces are on the border. They've been stationed there a few days. I believe you actually had a meeting with your advisors after this and I was told to keep my mouth shut." I smirked as his face blushed with embarrassment.
"I'm the Queen it's okay Charlie I needed to know." I said it quickly before I passed him a gold coin and spun on my heels.
"Go buy yourself a pint Charlie." I heard his deep chuckle echo across the ball room just as the doors slammed shut behind me.
My heart thundered within my chest as I fast walked to my room. I needed to see for myself what the dark king was up to. I knew he would come back one day with one plan or another to take over my kingdom. I just didn't know it would be so soon.
I remember what he had said, "I don't rationalize until I distance myself from you. If I can't see you, hear you, smell your rose scent, be reminded of you I'll be able to realize how irresponsible this is." I know if Klaus was face to face with me maybe he'd turn his back on whatever plan he deemed the right thing to do.
"Caroline!" I sighed as Kais loud voice echoed out behind me in a high pitched singing noise.
"What do you want lord Kai." He ran up behind me and spun me around wearing a long frown.
"How have you been Care?" I smiled happy to actually see him. Bonnie and him had been gone for days staying with Bonnies family.
"I'm sorry Kai." I gave him a tight hug and he picked me up spinning me.
"There she is!"
He set me down and I straightened myself out as guards passed and bowed there heads at me in courtesy.
"I've been good Kai just busy. What of you though? How is Bonnie?"
He smiled at the mention of her name they had fallen quickly in love. I don't believe neither had said it yet but there eyes said it all.
"She's good I'm good... we're happy. Thank you Caroline I resented you for weeks after the situation. I'm sorry for leaving you all alone in that time but I'm happy I got my head out of my ass and realized how amazing and caring you really are and what you did was." I was unsure what to say. For a month Kai ignored me every time I attempted to talk to him. It was like a wall came up between the two of us. I broke his heart I deserved what I got.
"I would do anything to see the people I love happy. I would do it all again just to see the smile you're wearing right now." Kai went to speak but from behind him another lord yelled his name.
"I've got to run Queen but I'll be sure to catch up with you later." He gave me a wink as he turned and ran down the hallway.
I ran towards the stables careful to keep away and out of sight from others. The large bag full of knights leathers, boots, and a helmet bounced up and down on my back as I ran. I sneezed as the smell of the cologne I had put on to cover my scent hit me in a wave.
As I hopped up onto the horse and wrapped my legs around it I felt a sense of relief flood over me. I hadn't left the kingdom in months. Meetings and classes were a constant throughout my day, free time was a laughable idea of the past.
I whipped the reigns and lurched forward. Pulling out the map I packed I scanned it for visible geographical markings to lead me north to the border. First I'd have to make it past the farm land, over the mountains, and through the dark Forrest. They were stationed right on the lay lines.
I road turning to watch the kingdom disappear behind me as I made it to the gates I sighed heavily as Jacobs was the one stationed there.
"Queen where is it you think you're heading?"
"I'm going to the village knight though you have no right to question me on my whereabouts." I snapped as he rolled his eyes. "Do you know I can have you beheaded for that sort of disrespect.
My hair blew as the wind caused me to shiver.
"Cut the shit Caroline I basically raised you, more than the king ever did." I jumped off my horse without a second thought and laid a right hook into his jaw.
"I will not tolerate it jacobs. Do not speak ill of my Father or else it'll be the last thing you do."
I jumped back on the horse and whipped the reigns causing the stallion to take off past the guard who stood there shocked and angry.
The water rippled as I filled my bottle and drank down the fountains clear water. I had taken survival classes so I knew the basics. I turned towards my fire and picked up the stick blowing on the squirrel before I took a crunchy bite out of it. The sounds of distant animals and crickets rung throughout my ears in the silence that surrounded me.
I was alone but oddly enough I felt less alone than I did at the kingdom.
Time passed quickly and soon the fire began to die out and I was ready to go through the second stretch of land the mountains.
I stood and began kicking out the fire. As soon as I turned to step away a loud crunch fell behind me. I spun towards the sound immediately I reached for my stele. I recognized it as footfall and knew someone was watching me.
"Don't be a coward show yourself." I heard a swoosh and turned it all directions whatever was with me either left or moved further away. I took that as my opportunity I grabbed my bag and water bottle jumped on the horse and rushed off not looking back to see what had been stalking me.
Halfway through the mountains the sun began to fall casting an ominous darkness throughout the thick vegetation.
I felt myself nearly jump with every sound but I reminded myself to remain composed throughout the whole ordeal.
As I closed in towards the border I stopped to put on my knights gear. If any of Klaus' men saw the light Queen in there midst who knows what they'd do. As I put the helmet on I tied Anna to a tree. I rubbed her head promising to return soon. I fed her an apple and carrot saying one last goodbye before I heading on foot the rest of the way.
I contained my hisses of pain as I drew a hearing rune onto my shoulder. I had been watching in the tree line along the boarder for hours waiting for any sign of Klaus.
After hours of moving along the boarder I had finally caught onto their trail. Klaus had spies along the boarder but past that they had a base camp with at least thirty men stationed there.
I sat in a tree looking down as two of his men walked past.
"You have a lot to learn kid, I've known M for over a hundred years. He asked me to join him as a trusted lord of course I accepted and now look at me I'm night watch and I can barely feed my family." The taller one said with a a chuckle.
"So when do you think I'll get my ring?" The shorter man asked.
"I just received mine save the Kings life and you just may get fifty years taken off your wait." Their voices faded as they walked further away. I knew their routine so they'd be walking back this way in about ten minutes now was my chance to go.
I climbed down the tree proud of how easily I did it. Before I could barely climb up the treehouse. I gripped my bag as I took off running past the boarder and into the Dark kingdoms land. I felt a pain in my chest as I ran across those last protective lines that made it a crime for anybody to take my life. Now that I was breaking the agreement all was fair in love and war.
I slid into a ditch as I came into view of the little set up Klaus had established many of his men scattered around the place. Some on watch and some just socialized with others.
I put a spell on myself to block the sound of my heartbeat. Who knows how many of them were vampires and young bloodthirsty ones at that.
I laid there for a while just watching the men trying to get an idea of why they were there.
And then something happened, something different. A loud hush fell over the men as a figure stepped out of the biggest tent. He walked in between the men creating a walking space. A horse galloped seemingly out of the shadows and a man dropped from the horse.
I quickly traced my hearing rune and closed my eyes to listen.
"A word your grace?" There was no noise as both the men began walking back towards the tent. I watched and focused all of myself on the tent.
"Marcel what is it?" My heart dropped as his thick British accent hit my ears. For the first time in two months it was real and not my own imagination.
"I was scouting the mountains there was someone from the light kingdom following our tracks. I couldn't get a good look of them before they ran off. I don't believe they saw me but they were heading this way." I heard the unknown man rush out. I heard Klaus let out a large sigh before a loud crash erupted.
"You let a weak peasant of the light kingdom get away!" I heard him roar I jumped at the fierceness in his voice.
"We'll check the perimeter for any signs of trespassers." Klaus didn't respond. I watched as the men hurried out of the tent and gather fifteen men. They ran for the tree line. I began whispering a invisibility spell as I pulled out a vile of rose liquid and herbs from my bag and gulped it down. I watched as lantern passed by me. No one stopped to take a second glance. I sighed in relief that the spell had worked.
I felt a tug as a yawn escaped me. I was tired from the twenty-eight hours of riding and hiding. I closed my eyes and continued to force them open. But eventually sleep took me and soon I drifted off.
I woke startled as men rushed past me.
"Klaus!" A few of them yelled out. I rubbed my eyes as I slightly sat up to get a good view of what was happening. The sun had began its rise so the sun casted a fiery glow across the piece of open land. I nearly gasped as the men pulled a large white horse behind them. Anna.
"Ah you brought me the culprit. Tell me what was it you were doing sneaking around our camp?" Klaus asked to the horse in an un amused tone.
"I'm sorry king we couldn't find the owner but-" Klaus reached forward and ripped the mans heart from his chest. I held a hand to my mouth to cover my gasp.
Klaus raised the heart above his head and turned to look at his knights.
"This is what happens when you disappoint me. You've wasted my time and resources for a bloody horse!" The men didn't move an inch as his voice echoed across the clearing.
"We shall never have a repeat of this again." He said in an all to quickly calm voice. He smirked as he threw the heart next to the mans body. I felt an odd feeling come over my body and I knew the invisibility spell was wearing off. I began searching my bag for another vile desperately as Klaus turned to walk back into his tent.
"Sir what of the horse?"
Klaus stopped and turned.
"Behead it, and place it back in its original spot. The real culprit will take this as a sign." The words left his lips and without another second to search for the vile I ran toward the men as one of them raised their sword towards Anna. I made it past the men moving too quickly for anyone to take notice before I crashed my body into the man just as he went to lower it. I felt the sword slide across my side but luckily I had saved Anna she was safe.
All heads turned to me as the loud crash hit their ears and the smell of blood filled their nose.
I hissed in pain as I rolled over and quickly stood. I reached for my stele but couldn't find it. My eyes fell on it, it was at least five feet away. But before I had a chance to even think my arms were being held behind me and I was forced down to my knees.
I watched through my helmet as Klaus turned and looked at me. He stood by his tent a mere twenty feet away looking at me with a threatening smirk.
"It looks as though my men were right. A knight, I wonder how big your balls must be? You know your Queen would be quite disappointed if she found out you broke her treaty." I didn't speak back I only pulled on my arms failing to knock the men off of me.
"Compose him!" Klaus roared. I felt my body double over as one of the men punched me in the face with an amount of force I had never experienced. I felt myself slump but quickly I squared my shoulders to make myself look bigger.
Klaus stepped closer stopping right behind my stele. I thought maybe he hadn't seen it but quickly he squatted down and picked it up twisting it in his fingers.
"A shadow hunter? You know I actually believed my fathers men had killed the last of you. You wouldn't believe how much my men hate your kind." I tried to pull forward but the men kept a tight hold. Klaus laughed at my pathetic attempt.
"You are brave knight but very very stupid as well. You will die here." He shoved the stele into his pocket and began to walk away. I watched him go up to one of his knights and grab the sword from its sheath.
"Thank you." He quipped sarcastically for dramatic effect as he turned back towards me and spun it in his hand as he came closer towards me.
"For the crime of trespassing on unauthorized land I sentence you to death at the hands of... well myself." He raised the sword and went to go swing it. I closed my eyes and waited for the blow but it never came. As I slowly opened them I saw him smirking. "You know it wouldn't be very fair if I didn't look into the eyes of the man I'm killing before I did it... remove the helmet." I struggled against the men but it was roughly ripped from my head. I felt my hair fall and I kept my face completely straight as mine and Klaus' eyes met. He couldn't do the same though. His face fell into one I had never seen before on him. Complete disgust filled his eyes. I felt myself recoil with sadness but I remained composed.
"The Queen?" A few whispered.
"Isn't it our lucky day King! We could all take turns with her and kill her slowly." The man to my right whispered viciously in my ear. I felt him lick the side of my face. But not a moment passed before Klaus flashed forward and used his sword on the man. I felt my body fall back as the other man released me. Blood splattered over my face as the mans head landed at my side.
"I want all of you watching the boarders now!" Klaus roared as I saw pure rage in his eyes. "If anybody fucks the bitch it's me!" No one questioned him or stuck around to see what he would do next. They all quickly hurried off. Soon the whole camp was deserted though the men couldn't be too far away.
Klaus didn't say anything or even look at me as he grabbed my upper arm and roughly hauled me up. He began dragging me to his tent not giving me a chance to stand on my own.
"Klaus stop!" He continued. "You're hurting me!" With that he released me and I fell to the ground.
I brushed myself off as I looked up at him. He held a hand to his head and sighed.
"Come." He held open the tents door not looking back at me.
I stood leaving my dignity on the floor as I walked past him and into the room.
I closed my eyes as she walked past me and her sweet bloods scent filled my nose. I didn't know how I hadn't noticed earlier it had been her.
She looked different. Her hair was in Viking braids and she wore gear I had never seen her in before. She was no longer a princess or Queen she was a warrior.
I closed my tent and lit sage.
"Setting the mood?" She snapped as she sat on my bed with a grunt. I turned towards her and softened my eyes.
"It allows us privacy without the chance of prying ears." I stepped closer to her and I watched her flinch as I did so. I didn't stop though. I went down to my knees and looked into her eyes.
The girl had an already spreading bruise across her face and her shirt was soaked in blood.
Caroline's POV-
"What are you doing here Caroline? Look what you've caused. Now I have to get you back without any of my men asking questions. Do you know what position this puts me in?" I didn't even think before my hand reached out and came across his face with all my force. I felt my blood boiling.
His face changed to pure rage as he backed away from me and grabbed a chair slamming it into the ground. My body reacted before my mind did. With my last bit of strength I stood and ran for the exit. This was anything but the Klaus I knew. I heard a swoosh and felt my body hit his as he flashed in front of me. I began hitting him begging him to let me go. But he just took my hands into his and held me against his chest. Together we breathed both of us were angered beyond believe but together our heartbeats slowed and steadied.
"Calm down love, you know I'd never hurt you." I sighed backing away from him and taking my place back on the bed. I let a shaky breath out as I pulled my knees to my chest and tried to think about what to say.
I heard Klaus let out a sigh as he went to a chest and opened it. He pulled out the same sweater vest he game me the night I had fallen into the well.
I watched as he squeezed it and looked down at it in his hands.
"Here..." he whispered walking over to me and handing it.
I raised my hands to remove my shirt but quickly I stopped myself. "Turn around." He scoffed and just looked at me amused.
"Really." He said after he realized I wasn't joking.
I just glared at him. He sighed rolling his eyes as he turned reluctantly. I waited a few seconds eyeing him before I quickly stood and removed my shirt and pants.
"My bag it has more clothes in it too." I said not wanting to wear the shirt that held many memories. A short period of time had passed but things with me and Klaus had changed... he seemed different.
He turned to look at me and I yelped turning around.
"Klaus!"
"Oh stop it Caroline." He spun me and ran a hand over my rip cage.
He seemed solely focused on my wounds.
I huffed as I lowered my arms knowing he wasn't going to listen to me.
I watched as his eyes scanned my stomach and slowly went back up to meet my eyes.
"It's deep but you should be fine." He raised his sleeves and bit into his wrist. I shook my head no.
"How is it even possible you've gotten more stubborn than before." He groaned.
"I got smarter Klaus. I learned things, I became good at things, and I've changed. How should I know I can trust you?" The statement seemed to anger him more than anything that had happened since our reunion.
He once again bit into his wrist since it had already healed and pressed it against my lips. I tried to reject it but he didn't give up. I opened my mouth wrapped my lips around his wrist and sucked. I drank down three gulps before I quickly pushed him away.
"I help you get back and then we're done here okay." He said quickly. I went to respond but he exited the tent leaving me confused before he nearly immediately returned with my bag. I reached out to get it but he ignored me as he emptied it out on the floor and began going through it.
"Hey!" I interjected but he shot me a look that said move and I'll kill you.
"Sit!" I felt my body shiver at his command but not out of fear... out of lust.
"Water bottle, clothes-" he threw me new pants and continued searching. "Map, food, ahhh an empty vile." He held it up and smirked at me.
"Now what would you use this for? How long have you been watching us?"
"Long enough to see how ruthless you truly are. I would feel sympathy for your men if they weren't just as bad as you. Ugh I can still smell his breath on me." I shivered knowing the man had wanted to rape me.
Klaus flashed forward and I nearly backed away until I felt him wiping my face off with a piece of clothing.
"If I had known..."
"What Klaus you would of stopped it. What if it wasn't me underneath that helmet? What if it was just a scared girl who had gotten lost, would you have let them rape her?" He stayed quiet flinching at my words.
"The war broke any sense of sympathy within these men. They watched their friends and families die. I am not the type of man to harm a women in such a way but it shouldn't be a surprise to you that these men would be up for the opportunity." I felt disgust towards the men outside the tent. So close to me.
"So what this is how you keep them tame?" He pulled away from me and sighed.
"I don't know how your opinion on me could have changed so much since the last time we spoke."
"Klaus... this hasn't been easy on me. Watching you kill those men- I don't know it just wasn't the Klaus I remember."
"You have your ways of ruling and I have mine. You have to show strength to get loyalty." I shook my head disagreeing. I grabbed the pants and sweater vest and began pulling them onto my body.
"Everyone had a bit of good in them, people can be saved if they want to be."
Klaus scoffed.
"It goes to ways love. As much as you want to deny it there's a much stronger allure to darkness." This time I scoffed.
"There's no allure to darkness Klaus." I looked up as I finished dressing and saw him deep in thought.
"Then what was it Caroline? What drew you to me?" I felt my breath hitch. I shook my head knowing I was about to make a mistake. I stood before him and reached my hands up he flinched but settled as I put my hands on his face.
"Your strength, your determination, your bravery. But most of all the way you cared, you cared for me and right now I feel as though you just want to get rid of me... I came here to know what it is you want. I thought I would have more time before you organized an attack on me, I suppose I was wrong." Klaus' slowly broke out into a smirk.
"Well it seems you owe me an apology love. I'm not here to plan an attack on you after all."
"Than why are you here Klaus? If you wanted to talk you could of sent a rider to deliver a message. What is it you want?" I whispered trying to deceiver his plan.
He bent his head and moved but a few centimeters away from my lips.
"I couldn't get you off my mind love... I tried to ignore every urge to come here but I couldn't. I couldn't let them hurt you." I gulped at our closeness.
"Let who hurt me." He just shook his head in deep thought.
The space between us closed as he smashed his lips against mine and backed me into a bookshelf.
I wrapped my legs around him feeling him lift me higher and harder against the book shelf for balance. It wasn't just any kiss but to be honest any kiss with Klaus wasn't just a kiss. Every moment I had thought about Klaus was pushed into this very second. It was passionate and hot and simply... it was perfect. I felt him tugging at my shirt and my heart sped up. I wanted our bodies to meet more than anything but right now my brain took over and managed to think straight.
"Klaus..." I whispered breathlessly.
He seemed lost not noticing as his lips moved to my neck and ravaged it.
"Klaus hold on." This time he heard and he quickly stopped and looked into my eyes.
"What?" He said breathless too.
"Why. Are. You. Here." This time I wasn't letting myself get distracted.
"Because-"
