Don't ever stoop to sniff out the spirit
Whose scent is beyond sense and wit
Just lean forward, let's be cheek to cheek
You will have found the fragrance that you seek.
- Rumi, Like This
Spring, 1861
"Maeve," Klaus strolled into the garden with the usual smirk adorning his face as his blue-green eyes lit up when he saw her reading amidst the vines, enjoying the sunlight.
"Nik," she looked up, surprised. "When did you arrive?"
"Should you ask every time I visit?" He humoured, sitting beside her on the bench.
"And not be polite? What do you make of me, Klaus?" Her eyes twinkled with mischief when he got up and held out his hand.
"Please humour me with more of your politeness while I take a walk," he grinned when she accepted his hand.
"What brings you here?" She asked.
"Business. Do you think the Council will let me take over this town?"
"Lord no! Mercy on the townspeople!" She laughed seeing his expression turning sour. "There is no business. But I know when you lie. Tell me."
"I fancy this girl. She has grown on me these past few years. Beautiful, kind, understanding, never gauges me for my colorful past, brave," he turned towards her as they stopped walking while she raised her eyebrows with a smile expecting more. "She has an uncanny ability to tell when I lie," he confessed after a moment and the smile from her face disappeared.
Klaus gazed at her tentatively, trying to reach a decision. He brought his hand to her face and caressed her cheek lightly with his fingers, his eyes flickering to her rosy lips for a moment.
"Klaus..." She started but he had already pulled her to him and the next second his lips crashed onto hers. Her eyes widened and he felt her soft lips against his own. He could hear her heart beating rapidly in her chest and savoured how melodious it sounded. His nose brushed against hers as he moved his lips in rhythm. Their eyes fluttered shut as he initiated the contact even more firmly—she was warmer and so soft than he had ever imagined.
His hand snaked around her waist, making her jump in surprise as she exhaled into his mouth, her nose prodding his delicately. Her eyes opened, lashes batting rapidly when she pulled away, making him frown.
"I shouldn't have done that," she said, taking a step back. "I believe I have mistakenly led you on. It was never my intention to come to this. I should have stopped you. Forgive me, please." She continued mumbling.
"I've had affections for you," Klaus stepped towards her, "For very long, Maeve."
"This is wrong," she told him. "I do not feel the same."
"It felt right to me," he looked at her.
"I have always considered you a dear friend of mine and you will remain so. But I cannot reciprocate how you want me to," she cried.
"You will one day. I shall wait, Maeve," Klaus' voice almost begged her to reconsider.
"I fear you will be disappointed. Do not do this to yourself," she avoided meeting his eyes.
"Do you love another?" He asked her when she looked at him and shook her head in denial.
"Please forgive me, Nik," she said, tears brimming in her eyes. "You shall always be my friend but expect no more. I will always love you."
"But not how I want you to," he replied grimly as she stepped closer and kissed his cheek.
Klaus closed his eyes and breathed. The girl he had affections for, did not love him back.
"I promised my eternity to you and it shall remain so. As your dearest friend, as your Maeve," she said.
"Klaus' Maeve," he stated after a while, putting up a hesitant smile which she returned through her tears.
"Damon Salvatore has asked you to accompany him to the party?" Elijah asked his wife who was inside the walk-in closet looking for something to wear at the event.
"Indeed. Nothing fazes him the slightest," Adelia peeked out from the door to look at him.
"You could have gone with me," he sounded perturbed.
"I cannot be seen with you that often. It might seem suspicious regardless of my wish to be at your side," she explained, leaning against the door.
"As I said last night Lia, a neanderthal," a voice echoed from the doorway and the Original and his wife turned to see Rafael leaning against the door.
Adelia's face lit up as she rushed forward to engulf her dearest friend in her arms and Elijah pursed his mouth at the comment, exhaling deeply.
"How are you here?" She mumbled into his shoulder as Rafael caressed her hair.
"I am flying out tonight. To France," he replied before looking at the Original. "Pleasure seeing you too, Elijah."
"I am sure," Elijah huffed, turning a page of the newspaper and Adelia glanced at him in displeasure. He felt his wife's gaze on him and politely asked, "I am a good host. Tea, coffee, anything Rafael?"
"Just a promise to leave Adelia alone. You are uncharacteristically... clingy for a vampire," he smirked, seeing Elijah trying to control his temper.
Adelia elbowed him for the comment.
"What is your business in France?" Elijah asked, changing the topic.
Rafael took a seat across the Original and sighed, "Witch business." The couple perked up at the mention and the friend looked at Elijah. "I will tell you if things go accordingly."
Adelia disheartened, shrugged her shoulders and walked inside the closet. The Original nodded at Rafael who smiled back assuringly.
"So what's the plan?" Rafael humoured.
"There is no plan, you stay indoors, Raffie," the witch shouted from the closet.
"Actually there is. We are attending a party," Elijah smirked and Adelia came out to glare at him.
Rafael and Elijah looked at each other and smiled conspiratorially.
The youngest vampire rubbed his hands together, "Who are we threatening?"
"No one," the witch answered and then turned to her husband. "I request you be cordial in Damon's presence."
"I understand," Elijah dejectedly agreed, still unhappy with the knowledge of the Salvatore accompanying his wife.
Adelia grinned and held out two dresses in front of her, "Now green or blue?"
"Green." "Blue," the husband and the childhood friend simultaneously answered.
The witch looked between them before an audible sigh escaped her mouth.
"Have you spent much time in Richmond for your book? There's such a wealth of history there," Carol asked Elijah as they sipped their respective teas.
"No, I'm focusing mostly on the smaller regions of Virginia. Lots of research. Strictly academic," he replied.
"That's fascinating."
"Damon," the Mayor called him over when he arrived with Adelia, who was wearing blue. Not surprising.
"Carol."
"What a surprise. Who is this?" She asked, referring to the young woman at his side.
"Hi," Damon and Carol exchanged kisses on the cheek, "This is Adelia."
"This party is wonderful Mrs. Lockwood. I am Adelia Laurentis."
"Certainly a new face in a small town and call me Carol," she said, shaking the extended hand and glanced at the Original. "Elijah, I want you to meet Damon Salvatore. His family is one of Mystic Falls' founding families."
"Mm-hm," the Salvatore replied as looked at the older vampire. "Such a pleasure to meet you."
"No. Pleasure's mine," Elijah said as they shook hands and then turned towards his wife. "Adelia, lovely to see you," he kissed her knuckles.
"So what brings you to Mystic Falls?" The mayor asked the woman.
"I was in the country sorting out some business and it led me to this delightful little town and then my good friend Damon asked me to be his companion for the night," the heretic replied.
"Did he now?" Elijah raised his eyebrow.
"I certainly did," the Salvatore answered.
"Why don't you people talk? I will join you later," Carol excused herself as she moved on to tend to other guests.
"Damon, what do you want?" Elijah said when the Mayor left them alone.
"I definitely need a stronger drink than this tea if I am going to deal with you two," Adelia informed, noticing the virtual daggers the men were throwing at each other.
"We are not that bad, beautiful," Damon smirked, not breaking eye contact with the Original.
"Adelia, I recall your aversion to chatty wives so why don't we go somewhere else?" Elijah suggested, holding out his hand.
"You know your witch well, don't you?" The Salvatore questioned when the said witch placed her hand in Elijah's.
"I would say this statement gives me enough motivation to get drunk while you two execute your power plays," she smirked.
"Adelia, I do not find this hilarious," her husband told her as they followed Damon.
"You should, Mr. Smith. I am diffusing the unresolved tension," Adelia replied with a grin.
"You are so funny Lia," Damon pressed his lips into a tight line.
Adelia took a seat while the other two vampires regarded each other with hostility.
"What can I do for you, Damon?" Elijah asked.
"Yes, kindly get to the point," she sighed, already knowing the result of this confrontation.
"I was hoping we could have a word," Damon replied.
"Where's Elena?"
"Safe with Stefan. They're laying low, you know, a bit of a werewolf problem," Damon informed them.
"Oh, yeah, I heard about that," her husband said.
"I'm sure you did since it was your witch that saved the day and Adelia was the show-stopper with the heart and the head. Bonus points," replied Damon, smiling at the witch.
"You are welcome," Elijah inferred when Damon sat down on the desk.
"I have been looking into grimoires to save Elena's life. It's getting difficult to concentrate with the recent influx in the town," the female vampire stated.
"Which adds to my confusion on exactly why you're here?" Damon turned to the Original.
"Why don't you just stay focused on keeping Elena safe and leave the rest to me," Elijah told him and moved to exit the room, but Damon vamp-sped in front of him, blocking the way out.
"Damon, what are you doing?" Adelia asked the Salvatore, getting up from the chair.
"Not good enough," Damon blurted out when Elijah grabbed him by the throat and crashed him into a wall. He in retaliation held the Original's throat who easily pulled it off of his neck, making sure to crush his hand as the Salvatore whimpered in pain.
"You young vampires, so arrogant," Elijah held him up against the wall by his throat. "How dare you come in here and challenge me?"
"Elijah, let him go," Adelia came forward to stop the men.
"Miss Laurentis, I would prefer if you didn't involve yourself in this," the Original made her stop in her tracks.
"You can't kill me, man. It's not part of the deal," Damon said.
"Silence," Elijah commanded, and grabbed a pencil lying on the desk and stabbed the Salvatore in the neck with it—he couldn't deny that it brought him great pleasure to pike the neck of a man who was hitting on his wife, repeatedly.
Damon clutched at the pencil, yelling out in pain and fell against the desk. He proceeded to remove the wood with a groan and clasped his hand over the bloody wound when Elijah whipped out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the blood off his hands.
"I'm an Original. Show a little respect," he dangled the handkerchief in front of the vampire who took it immediately to place it on his wound.
Adelia tried to move past her husband to get to the injured vampire when Elijah stopped her by the wrist, making the witch glance sideways at him.
"The moment you cease to be of use to me, you're dead, so you should do what I say. Keep Elena safe," Elijah finished and swiftly left the room.
Adelia watched him go and then sauntered towards the desk to pull out tissues. "Elijah is not to be trifled with. He is patient, but he can get worse than Klaus if you get on his bad side," she told him while kneeling down and cleaned his wound, eliciting hisses from Damon.
"You should have warned me!" He exclaimed when she glared at him.
"I didn't know you were this foolish to confront him!" She retorted and got up. "But that's what you get for underestimating an Original. You are lucky there's his deal with Miss Gilbert or else I'd be throwing your heart in the trash can instead of these bloody tissues," Adelia finished angrily, discarding the used tissues in the bin and marched out of the room.
"How long is this gonna take?" Caroline asked as they planned to interrogate the young Martin.
I don't know. He's fighting me," Bonnie replied when Luka moved his head around, fighting the spell as she worked her magic.
"Please stop. Please," Luka said, closing his eyes when Bonnie successfully put him into a trance.
"When the poor guy is telling you to stop, then you should stop," a voice said from the doorway as the occupants whirled around to see a man munching on an apple.
"Who are you?" Caroline asked, unnerved at the sudden presence.
"Doesn't matter, sweetheart, but people call me Rafael. Perhaps you should reconsider interrogating Luka over there," he smirked, taking another bite of the fruit.
Caroline sped forward towards the man who easily gripped her neck, pinning her to the door, "I believe someone did not generously save your life last night for you to commence on what people would call crime? Drugging, abducting, forceful questioning. I expected better from a Sheriff's daughter." He threw her into the opposite wall as she crashed onto the floor over the glass.
Bonnie concentrated, looking at the vampire to inflict a spell but moments later nothing happened. Jeremy gulped beside her, coming to stand in front of the witch.
"So you are a witch?" Rafael drawled. "Funny. Magic doesn't quite work on me."
The Bennett tried again but still came up with no results and she took a step back, pulling Jeremy with her. Caroline came up to stand beside them wary of the vampire's intentions.
"What are you doing here?" Jeremy asked.
"His father was getting worried and he might have wonderful little things in store for the Bennett when he comes to know what has been done to his son," the vampire smiled.
"Who is Luka to you?" Bonnie hesitantly questioned.
"Fortunately Luka Martin falls under my someone's protection. I reckon you know her? Adelia Laurentis?" Rafael glanced at Caroline to see her stiffen.
"So he is working for Elijah?"
"I apologise but I need to retrieve her cargo," Rafael sped over to the circle and picked up Luka before disappearing in a second.
Jules leant against a shotgun as she continued to stare at Damon, "You know what the great thing about buckshot is? It scatters through the body. Maximum damage," she finished pointing the gun at him. "Where's the moonstone?" She asked him.
"Get over it, honey. You're never gonna get it."
"You looking for this?" Elijah appeared, leaning against a banister as he twirled the moonstone in his hand. Everyone turned to look at him while he walked down the stairs to place the moonstone on an end table and silently backed away, "Go ahead. Take it."
One of the werewolves rushed forward, but Elijah immersed his hand into the wolf's chest and took out his heart. The man fell down onto the couch, dead.
Two other wolves sped towards him but he plunged his arms into their chests and ripped out their hearts as well. Jules wolf-sped out of the house when she realised the situation not in her favour.
The Original walked over to Stevie, who was crouched down when he was pulled him up from the ground the next moment.
"What about you, sweetheart, hmm? You want to take a shot? Yes? No? Yes?" Elijah humoured and asked, "Where's the girl?"
Damon looked around and answered, "I don't know."
"It doesn't really matter," he replied and punched the werewolf in the face who fell dead on the floor.
Elijah removed the chains strapping Damon, "So you realize this is the third time I've saved your life now?"
"You never let me forget," Damon stated unamused when Adelia entered the house, fiddling with papers in her hands.
"Hey Damon, I forgot my clutch here," she started, looking up from her papers to see the dead bodies adorning the floor, "... nice turn of events."
"You are late. Would have appreciated your arrival while they were torturing me," the Salvatore sarcastically whined.
"Sorry I missed the action," she quipped and glanced at her husband. "Your handiwork Elijah?" She asked.
He instead rewarded her with a look and she stopped further comment, noticing his serious demeanor.
The Original pocketed the moonstone and took the clutch that sat beside it and gave it to her when her phone buzzed. She received the call without any delay and frowned hearing the things being said. Adelia cut the call, looking at Salvatore. "Good night Damon, see you tomorrow."
Elijah navigated her out of the house. It certainly didn't go unnoticed by Damon who looked at the retreating pair with eyes narrowed at the Original's hand on the witch's lower back.
A knock resounded the door of the Forbes Residence as Caroline opened it and the smile immediately disappeared from her face seeing Adelia standing there with Elijah not far behind.
"We have the invite but we won't enter. Invading one's sanctuary is not what we do for pleasure, Miss Forbes," Adelia started.
Bonnie and Jeremy hesitantly approached the door to stand beside the blonde vampire.
"If you weren't children then I would've punished you for your stunt. I believe that is what happens you do not have proper parental guidance. But I won't blame them, I shall blame you."
"He was a threat to us!" Bonnie narrowed her eyes.
"I am a threat to you right now. Drug me, I dare you!" Adelia glared at the witch. "Magic is given to you for helping others, Bonnie, but if you intend to harm, know that I make better poisons."
"How can you take their side?" Jeremy said, agitated.
"I believe we are teetering on misunderstood morals to even consider a fair side, Mr. Gilbert. If you are able to do this to your friend, then whose side do you think Adelia is more likely to take?" Elijah tilted his head to fix the teenagers with a stare.
"I do not harm children but I do believe that when a child considers harming others for his gain, he shouldn't be considered one. I am not Luka's parent and therefore I will leave it to Jonas to avenge him the way he sees fit. I will not stop him and neither will Elijah."
"As for your interrogation, Luka retrieved the moonstone under my orders," Elijah informed them. "The boy remains in Adelia's protection and you three remain in mine."
"Caroline, you've been silent all the while. I was surprised when Rafael informed me of your involvement. You were tortured by the wolves, held against your will and you agreed to do the same to a boy your age," Adelia gave her a mocking smile.
"I-I don-" Caroline spluttered to form some words but the heretic interrupted.
"You were vervained, Luka was drugged. Both abducted to fulfill revenge ploys. I thought I knew you better than to let the same happen to another."
A tear rolled down Caroline's chin and she looked away.
"Ah the young Gilbert. I met your aunt tonight, a wonderful woman," Adelia drawled and the boy froze.
"I might remind you that I am an Original and hence can compel vampires. I haven't done that out of absolute respect and courtesy," Elijah said, playing with his daylight ring.
"You have already showed me that you are capable of making adult decisions and therefore next time any of you try having a repeat of this, I will retaliate," Adelia said and turned on her heels before walking towards the car.
"Remember, my word only stands for so long. Do not make me regret taking you under my protection. I happen to not do well with betrayal. Good night," Elijah finished before fleeting behind his wife and opened the car door for her as she sat inside.
Adelia placed her clutch on the shelf and dropped her set of keys in the adjacent drawer when she saw Elijah looking at her with a blank expression as he removed his watch.
"Now onto another set of matters, I was worried about you. You weren't responding to my messages and I thought the wolves had done something," he said with concern apparent in his voice.
"Forgive me, Elijah. Miss Sommers held me up for a chat," she replied and moved towards him to peck his lips with a smile to ease his worries.
The witch entered the kitchen while removing her heels and poured two glasses of bourbon and picked them up, drinking from one of them.
The other glass shattered to the floor when she turned around to see Elijah standing behind her this close. He cornered her against the white marble counter and pressed his lips to hers.
She immediately responded and moved her lips against his, depositing her glass over the counter and tangled her fingers in his hair. He hungrily devoured her mouth and used his fingers to unzip her dress when she raised her arms to get out of it.
As the dress hit the floor Adelia backed the Original against the opposite counter and reconnected their mouths, he groaned loudly.
He held her hips and turned them around, making her sit on the counter as he got rid of his jacket while her hands started unbuttoning his shirt. She was halfway through with its progress when he pushed her down flat over the cool surface and kissed her bare stomach, earning a sigh of pleasure from Adelia.
"I was going to say I am very tensed and worried," she said, breathing heavily.
Elijah looked at her, "Do you wish for me to stop?" He slowly trailed his fingers up her thighs, stopping at her lace panties.
"I very much prefer this to stress induced hairfall. Please continue," the witch slyly smiled when her husband hooked his thumbs in her panties to remove it down her legs.
When his lips touched her core, her back arched from the sensation and her hand caressed his hair while the other gripped the counter edge behind her head tightly. She pulled at his soft tresses as he continued his torment for minutes when a wave of pleasure washed over her, making her shut her eyes as she breathed deeply, coming down from the high.
She opened her eyes and Elijah kissed her straightaway while his hands caressed her sides, starting from her brassiere to her knees to instantly hook them behind his back. Adelia heard the sound of his belt unbuckling and before she knew it, he was inside her with a groan.
The witch tilted her head back at his action as he latched onto her earlobe with a content sigh. The sensations overwhelmed her sanity when he moved his hips with precision, making her moan. Her hands moved over his back and untucked his shirt to touch his heated skin gently.
Elijah's movements sped up when she continued nibbling his throat as her legs wrapped itself tighter around his hips, making them both exhale together in pleasure.
The fluttering in her stomach grew in knots and she tipped her head hard. He bit her neck, breaking her skin when they stiffened as pleasure overtook their senses and crashed into waves, their moans reverberating the walls of the room. Adelia's spine tingled off the high as Elijah breathed heavily into her neck.
Klaus stood alone in his studio, overlooking the lit skyscrapers of Chicago when his phone beeped with a message. Sighing, he read the text and internally cursed. It seemed Elijah wasn't leaving him anytime soon.
Downing the drink in hand, he closed his eyes and his senses immediately acquainted itself with the silence in the penthouse. Would it be so bad to reach out to Elijah after so many decades?
His fingers glided across the contacts in his phone, stopping at his name and tapped it with a bit of hesitation.
Elijah stirred, hearing his phone ring and his hand reluctantly left Adelia's waist to look for it.
"I'll get it," her sleepy voice halted his movements and he nodded gratefully, eyes still closed. She sat up and took the ringing phone from the nightstand and accepted the call. "Hello. Adelia Laurentis."
Klaus froze at her voice and his grip on the phone immediately tightened.
"Hello?" Adelia glanced at the screen again and frowned seeing an unknown number. She clutched it between her ear and shoulder, buttoning up Elijah's shirt around her frame and walked outside on the balcony.
Klaus opened his mouth to answer but nothing came out and he closed his eyes with a sigh.
"Adelia. Something wrong?" Elijah called out from the bedroom and she looked back and smiled.
"Nothing," she answered her husband before disconnecting the call.
Klaus let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding and threw the phone over the couch, rubbing his eyes.
The witch closed the balcony door behind her and kept the phone back on the nightstand. A hand immediately shot out, pulling her onto the bed making her giggle.
"Who was it?" Elijah nuzzled into her neck.
"No idea," she replied as he kissed her collarbone when the clock beside them ticked to one.
January, 1860
They heard a beautiful melody being played upstairs in the midst of a downpour. The strings of the cello strung together to create a musical piece, jolting all of the occupants of the house.
"Adelia," Sharel explained to the vampires.
"It is lovely," Klaus said as his lips turned up but it soon fell when he saw Elijah getting up and going upstairs. He followed his brother's exit with his eyes until he was out of sight.
Elijah followed the sound and soon came across the music room. Her back was to him as she stared out of the French doors, her fingers working the strings with finesse. He leaned against the door while she continued watching the rain hit the glass, blurring the view.
The smell of the rain hitting the ground mingled with her sandalwood fragrance, enlightening his senses as he walked over the piano that sat in the corner. He took the seat and pressed a key, the sound resonating the empty room which brought Adelia out of her trance as she stopped to look sideways at him.
The Original glanced up from the instrument to find her looking at him when he started playing the earlier tune without breaking the stare. She turned her gaze outside after a while and positioned her bow over the strings to play with him, making his lips twitch.
Their tune danced in harmony as the perfect melody echoed the hallways. His fingers glided over the black and white keys as her fingers slid down the strings to measure the tones. He noticed her gaze and they both smiled at each other.
The symphony cascaded their beings as her fingertips vibrated over multiple threads, creating the perfect contrast to his smooth ones.
The bow moved rapidly in accordance to his foot, their reflection over glass doors as a candle flickered in between them; her eyes twinkled when a genuine smile graced his lips.
Her right foot outstretched itself while her head tilted as she closed her eyes lost in the moment, catching his attention.
Elijah wanted those tied up locks trailing down her back, his fingers to curl around them and caress her delicate neck and taste those supple lips as his senses filled him with her scent.
Adelia glanced at him and looking up from his piano, Elijah stared back.
Introducing
Fawad Khan as Rafael Desmond
"I consider you my little sister."