Part 9

"Hey," Elijah said, placing his hand on Hayley's shoulder. "Is everything alright?"

"Sure," she huffed. "I'm glad I don't have to listen to live porn anymore."

Elijah smiled; he couldn't help it. He hadn't really wanted to know so much about his brother's sex life either.

"Are you hungry?"

Hayley shook her head.

"No, thanks."

They were alone in the living room, standing in front of the window. Hayley stroked her baby bump absentmindedly while looking outside.

"I'm not going to be your brother's prisoner," she murmured. "He can't keep me locked up until I give birth."

"No, of course not," Elijah assured. "But I believe he's only trying to protect the child…"

"No, he's trying to control me," Hayley cut in. "Just like he tries to control everyone else. I mean, look at Kol for example. He didn't tell any of you that he has a wife. Does that sound normal to you?"

"Our family is very…complicated," Elijah replied. "I'm sure you've seen that already."

"Sadly yes," she snorted. "And this isn't what I want for my baby."

Elijah didn't know how to reply to that. He did understand Hayley's concerns, but he also hoped that she would give Niklaus a chance. Despite all his flaws, Niklaus would never harm his own child. Elijah knew his brother well enough to believe that. A part of him felt guilty for developing feelings for Hayley, but he couldn't help himself. Niklaus had often mocked him for always falling for damsels in distress. Perhaps that was at least partly true.

"Finally, they're finished," Rebekah huffed while entering the room.

"Yes," Elijah murmured, moving away from Hayley.

Rebekah poured two drinks and handed the other one to Elijah.

"So, where's Nik?" Rebekah asked.

"In the study, I think," Elijah replied. "He had something to do."

"Yes, dealing with Kol's messes," Niklaus snorted from the door. "Again."

"What messes?" Elijah asked.

"More dead vampires."

"What makes you think it was Kol…" Rebekah started.

"Their hearts had been ripped out," Niklaus cut in. "Among with few other organs."

"Okay, it was Kol," Rebekah huffed.

Niklaus marched to the bar cabinet and poured himself a drink.

"It seems I need to have another talk with our brother."

"How did you hear about the dead vampires?" Elijah asked.

"Marcellus called me. The vampire community in New Orleans isn't pleased at all."

"Then handle them," Kol's voice said from the door. "Aren't you supposed to be the King now, Nik?"

Elijah turned to the door and saw Kol entering the room with his wife. He had wrapped his arm around her waist, she was wearing one of Rebekah's dresses.

"Why is she wearing my dress?" Rebekah protested.

"Apologies, sister, I didn't think you would mind," Kol replied smiling charmingly.

Rebekah rolled her eyes and huffed. Kol's wife observed everyone in the room, she had a calm smile on her face.

"She was certainly loud, were you torturing her or something?" Rebekah snorted.

"No," the other woman stated cheerfully. "We had sex." She paused and touched Kol's cheek. "He's an amazing lover..."

"Ew, I don't want to know," Rebekah cut in. "He's my brother for heaven's sake, would you like to know about your brother's sex life?"

"My brother is dead," she replied smiling. "I didn't like him. He was bad."

"Bad?" Rebekah repeated. "And yet you married Kol?"

"He's not bad," she giggled and touched Kol's hair. "He's mine."

Elijah barely registered the conversation; he was staring at Kol's wife. He couldn't understand why, there simply was something about her…

"Elijah?" Hayley's voice called.

That snapped him out of it, he cleared his throat before looking at Hayley. She didn't look pleased at all.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Maybe your brother should introduce his wife."

In that moment Elijah noticed that Niklaus was also staring at her. He looked like a predator who was stalking his prey. What was going on? Sure, she was a beautiful woman, but this was something else. Neither of them had reacted to her like this when they had met her.

"Flora, these are my brothers Elijah and Niklaus, my sister Rebekah and Hayley, Nik's one-night stand," Kol said.

"That's nice," Hayley snorted. "Always a gentleman."

Flora looked at Hayley for a moment before turning her eyes to Rebekah.

"So, where did you find her?" Rebekah asked.

"From a bad place," Flora answered for Kol. "It was dark there. No time or place."

"Right," Rebekah huffed. "Well, you've always liked the crazy ones, so I'm not really surprised…"

"Watch it," Kol snarled. "No one disrespects my wife."

"He's so sweet," Flora giggled and looked at Rebekah. "And he likes you, so I like you too."

She paused and turned her eyes to Elijah.

"Hello," he greeted her.

She didn't reply, she simply stared at him for a moment. Something about her look was making Elijah very uncomfortable.

"So," he started. "How long have you two been married?"

"For a while," Kol replied.

"I see. Is she from here?"

"Yes, and you can address her directly," Kol snorted. "She can understand you fine."

"Of course, I apologize."

She wasn't looking at Elijah anymore, her eyes were now on Niklaus. He was still staring at her.

"Nik," Kol snapped. "Manners."

"What?"

"It's not polite to stare at a lady."

Niklaus' lips curved into a smirk.

"I'm simply curious to know more about my sister-in-law. She seems like… a very interesting woman."

Kol's eyebrows furrowed, but Flora took his hand before he managed to say anything.

"Kol," she hummed. "I'm tired."

Kol looked at his wife and smiled.

"Let's get you to bed then, darling."

She nodded and kissed him. The kiss was long and passionate, there certainly was nothing chaste about it. Finally, she pulled away and licked her lips before looking at Niklaus.

"I killed those vampires," she informed, smiling sweetly. "They were bad. Just like my brother. I don't like bad people."

Silence followed her words; she broke it by giggling as Kol lifted her up.

"It was nice to meet you all," she hummed cheerfully while Kol carried her out of the room.