A/N :There are no words for me to express how grateful I am with all the beautiful reviews and messages I have been receiving for this story. It is really making me incredibly happy! Every review makes me do the happy dance I swear!
Some of the reviews are also helping me quite a lot, some are giving me ideas and some make me reconsider many things about this story. All of the reviews do inspire me and make me want to write more!
Sooo big hugs and kisses to everyone that took the time to read and to leave a comment as a user or as a guest!
Now I could keep going and going but we do have a Wedding Night to go to, don't we? ;)
See you at the end!
P.s _ I own nothing. Just my keyboard!
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A million thanks to my AMAZING beta Anastasia Dreams.
If it weren't for her this story wouldn't be the way it is right now, hell it wouldn't be posted to begin with!
Songs used as inspiration for this chapter :
Caruso by Lucio Dalla.
Chapter 3 : Wedding Night
Te voglio bene assaie
ma tanto tanto bene sai
h una catena ormai
che scioglie il sangue dint'e vene sai…
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The night was progressing slowly. The next few hours seemed to pass in a dreamlike manner for Caroline. She was now aware of her environment more than before, but she was still trying to keep her mental distance. She kept staring with empty glances. She didn't want to admit it, but her dance with Klaus left her emotionally drained.
She tried to show him that he wasn't affecting her and that he had no power over her. His seductive words and his low and husky voice did not tempt her. She wasn't one of those women that would be enamored by him just because he had a beautiful face. His inside was ugly and scary and she wasn't going to forget that just because his voice held a sensual note.
His gentle manners were meant to lull someone into a false sense of security. She had to admit that for a moment there he had her under a trance, but that wasn't what made her heart throb with terror. No. It was the realization that this was the man she would be spending her life with. It was a reality that she could not avoid. He was too real and too close to her.
From the moment they swayed on the dance floor she felt like she was surrounded by black smoke and searing fire. Aside from her brothers she wasn't used to being surrounded by strong willed men and now she felt like she was the lamb that had to deal with the hungry wolf.
Klaus seemed to be polite and gentle with her, but the way his eyes would turn from ice to fire scared her. He had hellfire in his heart and she was not used to dealing with men like him. Not in the way it was now expected of her. And it was clear now more than ever that there were certain expectations of her. After her dance with Klaus she danced with her father-in-law.
He put a gentle, fatherly, hold on her and she was more creeped out than ever. The way he was looking at her scared her and their slow pace was a trial that she wasn't prepared to deal with. She had no difficulty in believing that he was the root of all-evil. Maybe all these were childish thoughts, but that man was scaring her and the protection he bestowed upon her wasn't giving her any sense of security at all.
"You are part of my family now Caroline," he had told her moments before he let her go. "Behave accordingly," he warned her.
She felt like she was suffocating. Every member of the Mikaelson family had that effect on her. It was just too much for her to handle. Suddenly she blinked. What was she thinking? She wasn't going to give up that easily.
Like a shockwave it occurred to Caroline that she had to react somehow. She couldn't keep acting like she was lethargic. She realized that if she was to survive in this family she had to defend herself. She had to be the person she used to be before she was coerced into this marriage. Damon always kept telling her that no one was as stubborn and as irritating as her. Maybe now she would have to prove him right.
It was at that moment of her epiphany that she saw Kol was about to come closer to her. This night was already a disaster and she wasn't about to dance with him too! Klaus and Mikael were enough! So, she took a deep breath and decided to stop her self-pity and follow the advice Klaus gave to her. Well, it was actually more like an instruction, but she wasn't going to drown in her sorrows anymore.
"A smile can get you a long way," he had told her while they were dancing. Maybe he was just right about that.
She smiled her most radiant smile and walked towards her guests. Rebekah and Kol wanted to make her feel trapped and helpless and she wasn't going to play their game anymore.
She was Caroline Salvatore, she was known for being the center of attention and she could also be the meanest girl in the room she wanted too. Now she had to remind herself of that more than ever.
For the first time tonight she really looked around her. She took in every detail. Looking at the splendid celebration she came to the conclusion that this was what Mikael meant. This was what was expected from her. To be a beautiful, silent, doll surrounded by lavish things and people that meant nothing to her.
It was a dream wedding, for sure. Made out of her worst dreams, but who was she to judge? It wasn't like she was forced into this. Only she was. She had to stop hoping for this night to come to an end. She had to become the perfect hostess and the happy bride for the rest of the evening.
She replayed the night so far in her mind. She knew that she had acted like a lifeless puppet all evening. Klaus had tried to talk to her while they walked their way from the church to their garden party, but she didn't even spare him a glance. She didn't know him enough to tell if he was irritated or indifferent towards her behavior. His expression betrayed nothing. While they were dancing he seemed pleasant enough, but after their dance he once again kept his distance, his expression impassive. Which, in all honesty, was something that she was really grateful for.
The truth was she was running out energy. She didn't want to talk to him or see him. She didn't want to spend time with him and yet it seemed that she was stuck in an impossible situation that she couldn't find her way out of. So, at the beginning of the night she had waited until they reached their destination where more people than just him would surround her. Back then she just didn't know if that was a better or a worse option. Well, when people started asking for the groom to kiss his bride she knew it was the worse option after all.
Caroline started scanning her environment with interest this time. She kept mingling and talking to people while she was taking in every detail. Major and minor. She had to be careful from now on. She would have to observe everything. She wasn't safe and she would have to be on her toes.
Her wedding was quite the event; white lights were strung across the garden and torches were lit with glowing, trembling flames. Fancy chairs and round tables, with elegant tablecloths of fine linen and beautiful bouquets of flowers in their centers, were set up on the grass. There was expensive crystal filled with champagne and porcelain china with gourmet delicacies. Small candles were everywhere and there was even a champagne fountain and ice sculptures. Cater waiters passed by with silver trays. A live band was set up along with a made up dance floor. The violins were playing classic themes; a singer was singing old and new songs. Women were dressed with expensive, extravagant and elegant gowns and men in fine suits and tuxedos were enjoying the night, smiling and laughing. All of society had gathered to celebrate the event.
It had been a long time since she had attended something like this. Going to college had been her chance for a normal life away from pointless superficial nights like this one. When she was a little girl and her parents were having balls at their house she would always sneak out of her room and hide in a corner and dream of the time that she would be all grown up and she would get to wear a beautiful dress and dance all night long. Usually, Stefan would catch her and they would dance and laugh together. Damon was always making fun of them.
Caroline had grown up, but the reality was much different from her fantasy. In all honesty, for some time she lived for events like this one, but eventually she saw them for what they were. She changed and after a while she started avoiding celebrations like these. She considered them boring and fake. A world that looked made out of gold when in reality it was made out of blood. Nonetheless, she was very good in organizing these kinds of events when it was required, but not this time.
Ironically, she didn't have a say in organizing her own wedding. She didn't want to anyway, not that she was asked. This was all Rebekah. She had to admit that if this were not the wedding out of hell she would be the first one to admire the work her sister-in-law put into this. It was a little bit much for her style, but it was well executed. The perfect reception for the imperfect people.
Many Italian songs were played. Courtesy of Rebekah, for her future husband and her new family. Everyone knew that the Salvatores had roots in Italy. Her grandparents had lived there a long time ago. She always used to enjoy those songs. Her mother used to listen to them all the time. It was funny how in times of pain and insecurity she would always find shelter in the memory of her mother. This moment, though, those memories were hurting her even more. Her mom wasn't there to advise her, to help her, to hold her. So when her mom's favourite song started playing she had to blink back the tears.
Te voglio bene assaie…
Her parents always danced to that song. Her father used to listen to it when he was alone in his study years after her mom passed away. In the end they loved each other. He was a tough man and she was a sensitive woman, but they always balanced each other. Her mother stayed by his side until the end. She didn't like anything in their world, she despised it with all her heart. Many times she was depressed and sad, but she would always genuinely smile when her father was present. Her dad would do the same with her.
Caroline wanted, she craved, a love like that. She wanted passion in her life. To be free to love and to be loved. To be able to love without fear. She wanted more than just what she got. Maybe she was a dreamer. Maybe she was just a crazy, silly girl. But the song that was playing right now was just one more painful reminder of what she had lost tonight. What she would never get.
ma tanto tanto bene sai…
She looked at Klaus from a safe distance for a moment. Her gaze penetrating and persistent. She could never love a man like him. She wanted to give herself completely to someone that would be able to touch her heart and her soul. To someone that would be able to understand her hopes, her dreams, everything she wanted in life. She knew that she was breakable and he was a man that was used to breaking others and deriving pleasure from it. A man like that could never love a woman like her. She doubted that a man like that could love, period. She looked at her ring.
h una catena ormai..
She translated the lyrics in her mind. It was true, chains were holding her down and her blood was melting in her veins, but it wasn't out of love. It was out of despair and that was killing her. She looked at him again and this time he looked at her too. She found herself shuddering under his intense gaze.
che scioglie il sangue dint'e vene sai…
She was startled from her thoughts by Stefan. His eyes shone with his need to talk to her. She sighed. She had been avoiding him all night, but now she couldn't. They used to sit together listening to that song. She would cry in his arms listening to that song and missing her mom.
"Dance with me?" Stefan said with a pleading look while he extended his hand towards her.
She looked at her brother and without saying anything she took his hand. He led her to the dance floor and whirled her close to him. Something was different now. Something was amiss. The comfort she was unintentionally seeking from Stefan wasn't there this time. It was all gone.
It was the first time that as hard as Stefan tried he wasn't able to connect with Caroline. His baby sister was distant and her eyes seemed vacant. Guilt enveloped him instantly. All night he had watched her, moving like a ghost at first and then playing at being the perfect bride, even though, he could tell she was struggling.
He hated himself for not standing up for her even if he knew that this was what would keep her safe. Or at least this was what he hoped and kept telling himself. He stared at his sister's face, but her eyes kept looking everywhere except at him. Her usually happy face seemed sad and the light he could always see in her eyes faded as they danced to their mother's song and his heart clenched painfully in his chest. At that moment Caroline reminded him of their mom more than ever.
"Caroline, I…" he didn't even know what to say and he hesitated.
Caroline didn't even look at him.
"Don't say anything." Her whole body was tense as she tried to maintain her civil posture, but right now her whole being was throbbing with the need to scream at everyone. She wanted to tell her family that she hated them all. Even though what she hated the most was that deep down she still loved her family despite the betrayal and that was what hurt her the most.
"You will always be my sister Care," Stefan said as he felt her putting up walls that he didn't know if he would ever be able to break down.
For the first time she stared at him. She really looked at him, her eyes never leaving his. She stopped dancing, took a step back, stood motionless and watched him with a glare he had never seen before, not in her. Damon could master such a look, but not her. Never her. Until now.
"I used to be your sister, Stefan, but thanks to you and Damon I am not a Salvatore anymore. I am a Mikaelson now," Caroline said with a hard voice, leaving him alone as the song faded
Stefan watched her as she moved towards some of the guests, her face a mask of cold indifference. This was not his sweet, carefree sister.
Damon approached him patting him on the shoulder to gain his attention. Stefan didn't take his eyes of Caroline and he didn't even care that he was standing still in the middle of the dance floor. What have they done?
"What's going on?" Damon asked with a worried tone, his face betraying nothing to the world.
Stefan turned and looked at his brother. "We should celebrate, we have our alliance now," Stefan said unemotionally as he turned to leave. "We just lost our sister forever," were his last words as he moved further into the gardens feeling the need to breath fresh air more that ever.
. . .
Rebekah kept a close watch on Damon Salvatore. Her eyes roaming over his form as she wished him to be someone else. If he was, maybe they could even have a good time together. Unfortunately, he wasn't. She had to avoid this marriage, no matter the cost. She had three weeks ahead of her. Three weeks. In any other case, she would be turning to Klaus for help, but seeing that he had given in and married Caroline it would be almost impossible to get him on her side now.
Kol came near his sister and was surprised to see that all her attention was on Damon Salvatore. For a moment his eyes glittered with danger. He still couldn't believe that his family had formed ties with these wretched people. If it were up to him this celebration would have had only one conclusion. Every last one of the Salvatore's would have been scattered in the garden in bloody pieces. Well, if not everyone, then at least Damon. God, he hated that guy like no other. His blood boiled as his sister scanned the man from head to toe with lust filled eyes.
"You've changed Bekah, settling for a Salvatore is quite a sign of weakness," he said playing with his champagne glass. Suddenly the taste of the bubbly liquid became bitter in his mouth.
"I am not settling, but he is my husband to be is he not?" she said without taking her eyes from Damon. She almost smiled at the murderous look that was on her brother's face. Maybe, she didn't need Klaus after all. Kol hated Damon like no other, especially considering their past. So it would be safe to assume that he would help her. She just needed to think everything through. She knew that she would have to say all the right words to provoke the right reaction out of him. "What about you, Kol? Don't think I haven't noticed how your eyes have been glued to our new little sister all night?" she said with distain.
Kol smirked and looked at Caroline again. She kept avoiding him all night. How sweet of her to be so disgusted of him. Klaus was on the verge of killing him. That was definitely making his night.
"Well, Bekah she is family now," he said smiling like a Cheshire cat.
He laughed at Rebekah's expression as he heard her making a choking sound at his comment.
"Relax darling, Caroline is our brother's little toy now, we should help her adjust…" He said slowly drinking his champagne.
"Yes, we should, because we don't want her to be uncomfortable do we? If she suffers then her brothers suffer." Rebekah's tone was laced with false sympathy.
Kol's smile got even wider. His sister turned her face to him and used her most adorable smile, the one she always used on him and Klaus when she wanted something from them.
"Then Damon suffers," she said with a sweet voice.
"Isn't that what we really want, sister?"
"Perhaps," she said giving him her most conniving look. "But we were already scolded once, so would you really be willing to help your baby sister out?" she innocently asked.
"And spit right in the face of father's rules?" he said looking at her like that was something that concerned him.
Rebekah's expression was serious now.
Kol smiled again but this time it was a twisted smile.
"I am in"
. . .
Damon watched his sister from afar. Caroline didn't spare him even a glance and he didn't dare going anywhere near her. He wasn't Stefan, as Elena had told him so many times now. He didn't have soothing words for her, besides his relationship with Caroline had always been rocky. She would hate him forever, now. He was used to people hating him, anyway. He turned around and watched as Elena ran after his brother. Just looking at her was making his heart ache.
He didn't miss the way Rebekah's eyed him. She was hot. He could give her that. He should be trying to get to know her, but right now all he wanted was to go and get drunk. He knew that he would have to leave Caroline here tonight and that made him feel uneasy. For the first time he wished for Giuseppe to be here. That way he wouldn't have to be holding back.
He looked at Kol. He was itching to kill something and Kol would make a perfect candidate, especially after his little speech. Family ties or not he would have to get him alone soon, maybe break some of his bones again. No one could threaten Caroline and walk away unscathed. Unfortunately, he wouldn't be here to keep her safe 24/7, but he could pass his message clearly if he had too. He also had to have faith that Caroline would be able to take care of herself. Guilt engulfed him momentarily, but he shook it way. This marriage had to be done. His with Rebekah had to happen too.
He looked at Rebekah again. In three weeks he would have to marry her and something kept telling him that she wasn't such an easy person to be around. It didn't matter; in the next few days he would have time to deal with Barbie Mikaelson.
. . .
Klaus was standing on the opposite side of the gardens carefully watching the interactions between the Salvatore's. Damon and Stefan always looked in control, but this was the first time that they seemed to be losing their ground. Their little sister was riling them up quite successfully. He smirked at that thought. Who would have though that a little blond college girl would hold such power? On a second thought, though, he knew from personal experience how annoying little sisters could be to their brothers.
He kept sipping a glass of champagne as he looked at Caroline talking to some of their guests. At the beginning she was distant, but after their dance she became the perfect hostess. He had to give her that. She wasn't letting her discomfort show and she even smiled. She had an amazingly sweet smile. She was polite with everyone and they seemed enchanted by her. All the while, though, she discreetly kept herself away from him and his family. His parents kept glaring at him, motioning to him to go to his wife, but after their dance he kept his distance too. While his body was always far from her, his eyes never left her.
Her sweet face wasn't the only thing that he found interesting about her. After their dance, he could still feel her in his hands. Her body had fitted his perfectly and as her curves swayed seductively, every movement of her body had ignited desire in him.
As the song ended and she removed herself from his hands he had to control himself from bringing her closer to him again. Indulging in his thoughts.
Klaus would have time for that later tonight he kept telling himself. Sexual desire was not an unknown feeling for him. Usually, it would take some time in order to get the object of his desire. He always enjoyed the hunt and he was always after women that would play or to be more exact, pretend to be hard to get. Those games would never last more than a few days. Sometimes only a few hours. This time he was grateful that he wouldn't have to wait. Caroline was his for the taking. Images of what was to come kept filling his mind and he had to exercise all of his self-control to wait until the time was right.
Klaus kept entertaining his guests, always smiling and joking while he was starting to get more irritated by the minute. Most of them were finding the right opportunity to ask him favours and according to his father today he couldn't decline. This was his wedding day so according to their traditions he had to be more…agreeable.
The fact that Kol was immensely enjoying the situation was enough to make him start shooting people. What was making him really furious, though, was that every man was appreciatively looking at his wife. He wasn't the only one dreaming of what her body was capable of. She was the center of attention and with her innocent face and killer looks she would certainly feed many male fantasies tonight and because of that his nerves were all over the place. Especially, considering that in a few hours sweet Caroline would be having her wedding night. With him.
He breathed deeply and continued watching her from afar.
He had seen her dance with Mikael and he smirked. His beloved father probably told his wife to behave. He wanted to laugh at that. Mikael and his speech tonight made everyone think that he would be the one to keep Caroline safe. That his word still mattered. It was for the best, though. He didn't want to show any of his intentions tonight so Mikael's intervention was the right thing to do.
In reality, no one would be able to touch Caroline. Not unless he wanted them too. Her safety and well being depended on him and only him. And he did need her.
Now, he had to concentrate on more important matters. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes. His father was right. The world was changing and the move they made with the Salvatore's gave them, gave him, more power. He had to make good use of that power and make the right decisions. He might have married a Salvatore, but that didn't mean that he was about to give away his power to them. A power, that in order to get, had cost him even his soul.
After Elijah's unfortunate fate he took over. People didn't know it, but he had managed to overpower even Mikael. Everybody outside their circle thought that Mikael was still in charge, but that was far from the truth. He had turned the tables, it took him some time and a few corpses here and there, but he was finally in charge. Mikael knew that his time was up. If he wanted to survive he would have to respect and obey his bastard son. That gave him a sickening satisfaction like no other.
The old man still had loyal men with him, but he also knew that with Finn and Elijah dead Klaus was the next in line so he took advantage of that. He let everyone, aside his family, believe that Mikael still held power, but in reality everything was under his control. He was the one that decided to proceed with this wedding. With the Lockwoods coming into their territories he had to gain access to even more power and Caroline was a convenient card up his sleeve. Her family had access to places he couldn't expand his control. Until now.
Her also being such an attractive creature was just adding to the mix. He was pleasantly satisfied with the fact that he would also derive pleasure from her, but most importantly she was a perfect pawn in his game. One that he would have to keep close to him. This night was just the beginning. No one knew it, but after tomorrow everything would change. He had made sure of that.
Tonight he would keep his allies close and his enemies even closer. His family and Caroline's might have a united front against the Lockwoods, but a good player knew that every plan of action needs a good back up and then a plan b and a plan c and so on. This was the perfect opportunity to see who were loyal to the Salvatore's and to gain their attention. He needed to know who would be a loyal pawn and whom he would need to kill.
Unfortunately, the fact that his damn brother was flirtatiously raising his glass towards Caroline at every chance he got was definitely not helping. His anger was flaring and the look of discomfort in Caroline's eyes when Kol tried to go near her was making him want to tear his brother into pieces. He had barely controlled himself when his idiotic brother gave his speech. For the first time he saw real fear in Caroline's eyes and that surprisingly angered him. She knew how to compose herself, though. An admirable trait for sure. Somehow, he also knew that Caroline could handle Kol. Her indifferent pose and her pride were enough to tell him that the last thing she needed was a knight in shining armour; not that he could ever qualify as one anyway.
Moments ago, he caught her staring at him. Her eyes were carefully studying him.
He couldn't deny that it was like a gravitational pull and that caught him off guard for a moment. Right now, though, after her dance with her brother, his wife seemed to not have any intention of looking at him ever again. He emptied his glass and excused himself, leaving his flute on the tray of a passing waiter. Then he moved towards his little brother exactly at the moment that the annoying brat was going to go after Caroline, again. Party time was over for Kol.
While Klaus was heading towards his brother Rebekah found the right opportunity to approach Caroline.
Caroline had moved a little bit further from the celebration. The guards didn't stop her and kept their discreet distance, but she knew that their eyes were always on her. Supposedly it was for her safety, but it didn't feel like it. She kept walking further into the gardens. She needed to breathe, to have a minute to comprehend what had happened in her life in only a few days. She was married. To Klaus.
She stood next to a torch, the flames were casting glowing shades all around her and making her wedding dress seem like it was made out of gold. After her dance with Stefan all she wanted was to go somewhere where she would be able to be herself. She heard a noise and she turned around to see where it came from. She thought she saw a shadow near some trees, but before she could tell if it was her imagination or not Rebekah's reprimanding voice took her by surprise.
"You shouldn't be that far into the gardens, you might get lost…sister."
Caroline momentarily closed her eyes at the sound of Rebekah's sarcasm. She took a deep breath and put, yet again, another smile on her face and turned around. Rebekah wasn't alone. With her was a young girl, around their age. She had black curly hair and a sweet smile. Caroline looked at the two girls and Rebekah gave a glare to the other girl. The girl bowed slightly and took some steps back. Rebekah turned all her attention to Caroline now.
"You are right, Rebekah, I shouldn't have, thanks for your concern" Caroline said with her most kind voice.
"No need to thank me, what are families for after all…"
The smile in Rebekah's face was making Caroline feel even more uneasy. She looked towards the celebration. She couldn't see Klaus and Kol anywhere. Nor her own brothers and Elena.
"Right…" Caroline said cautiously. There was something in Rebekah's eyes that she really didn't like. She was yet again up to something. She looked at the unknown girl, but said nothing. She didn't know if she should ask her name or not. If anything she knew that she should tread carefully from now on.
The girl behind Rebekah remained silent. She was wearing a simple dress. Nothing like those that the guests were wearing tonight.
"Did you like the arrangements tonight? I hope everything was according to your taste," Rebekah said as if she cared what Caroline thought.
"Yes, very much so. You did a beautiful job, Rebekah. I am only hoping to return the favour," she said dryly.
The two girls stared at each other. They both understood perfectly well each other's intentions.
"Maybe we should go back," Caroline said, wanting to get away from Rebekah. She started regretting leaving the celebration and even though she was smiling, internally she didn't want to spend any more time competing with the girl. She already had enough problems.
"Actually, you won't have to Caroline, you have to get ready for your…wedding night"
Caroline took a sharp breath while her face lost all colour.
Rebekah motioned to the girl to come closer. When she did Rebekah smiled sweetly.
"Caroline this is Anna. She is working for us,"
"Hello Mrs. Mikaelson, " the girl said smiling.
Caroline tried to catch her breath. She didn't want to show Rebekah or anyone any signs of weakness, but she couldn't do this. She felt her body turning rigid and her heart slowing down. Each slow heartbeat was more painful than the one before.
"Hello, Anna. It's nice to meet you," she whispered without being able to look at Anna's eyes.
"Anna will escort you to my brother's bedroom so… you can get ready," Rebekah said with a knowing smile.
Caroline slowly glared at Rebekah unable to contain her disgust.
"Thank you Rebekah, for everything. And just so you know, I will never forget your kindness…sister."
With those words Caroline followed Anna unwillingly all the while feeling Rebekah's glaring at her.
.
.
.
.
All noises slowly faded in the background.
Anna led her through the gardens and into the mansion. Her new home. Her first impression was that this was a really big house, but now that she was inside she could see that it was gigantic. She hadn't visited this house before. They had taken her from her home straight to the church, which was far from the main house. Besides, a few days ago when Elena asked her if she wanted to meet her future husband again before the wedding Caroline had declined. Actually, she hadn't said anything and Elena knew that her reaction meant that not seeing Klaus before the wedding was probably the best thing for everyone. It wasn't as if Klaus had made any effort to meet her before they got married either. He didn't care for her and she should never forget that. At least their feelings were mutual.
For a moment she stood and stared at the extravagant chandelier that hung from the tall ceiling at the massive foyer, the grand staircase, the marbles and the decorations. She sighed and then followed Anna.
As the servant girl was walking her in to the living room and straight up the marble stairs she kept stealing glances. Her heart pounding with every step. This was such a cold house. It seemed more like a mausoleum. It was huge with heavy furnishing and old paintings. The chandeliers were made out of crystals and gold. It was literally a golden cage and she was trapped inside it. It wasn't so hard for her mind to start creating horror stories with murders and tortures inside this dark place. Stories that ended up with her being the victim.
She was after all "happily" married with the murderer that owned the house, and her.
As their footsteps clattered down the halls she kept peaking around and she noticed the cameras that were discreetly placed in every corner and ceiling. She was accustomed to those from her own home, but that didn't make it any less confining. This was no way for someone to live. Being constantly watched and guarded, never having any kind of privacy. It was a very luxurious prison, but nonetheless a prison.
Anna showed her a few doors telling her which room belonged to whom. They passed Rebekah's, Kol's and Mikael's and Esther's room and they turned into a darker corridor. She couldn't exactly tell, but the paintings that were hung on these walls were different. They seemed less cold and detached. Finally, as they reached their destination Caroline bit her lip as she was about to lose it and start running in the opposite direction.
Then, Anna escorted her into a really large bedroom. Hers and Klaus's room. The thought of spending more than an hour in this room and the reality of the whole situation was making her feel dizzy and disoriented. She suddenly felt exhausted. Her whole body worn out, the fight leaving her. This was so wrong and she couldn't find a way to fix it. The wedding band on her finger felt like scorching fire, reminding her that she was part of this room now. Just like everything else in here. She looked around feeling appalled.
It was a lavish place for sure. Dark red and ivory were the prominent colors. The fire that was roaring in the fireplace was giving an iridescent glow to the room. There were two doors that probably led to the bathroom and to a walk in closet. There also was some Victorian style furniture, a daybed couch and a wooden table with a vase full of roses. Heavy curtains and two glass doors that led to a patio balcony. The dresser held a huge ornate mirror that was opposite to the king sized bed.
The bed captured her attention. This was a room that most people could only dream of, but for her it was like it was taken from a nightmare. She had to sleep with her…husband on that bed. She tried to push her fear aside and search for her inner calmness, but then her heart just stopped and she blanched. Over the satin sheets that were covering the bed was placed an elegant nightgown. It was made out of silk and lace. It was the color of champagne and was long with a cut on the right side that would probably go up her thigh. She looked around. The roaring fire in the fireplace, the lit up candles and the scent of roses were all an ideal romantic scenery that screamed sex. She cringed at the thought. She didn't want him to touch her. This was supposed to be a beautiful moment for her with the man she loved. Not this. Her eyes burned but she kept her tears at bay. She wouldn't cry. She would never give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
"Mrs. Mikaelson?"
Anna's voice brought her back to her dreaded reality. Mrs. Mikaelson, this was who she was right now. She had to get used to that.
"Yes, Anna?" she asked, her voice sounding perfectly calm, hiding her inner turmoil.
"Would you like me to help you get out of your dress?" Anna asked with a timid smile.
Caroline instinctively tugged at the wide skirt of her wedding dress.
"No, Anna, that won't be necessary," she said with a dry throat.
"Is there anything you would want me to do for you, Mrs. Mikaelson?"
Yes, stop calling me that! A voice screamed in her head.
"No, thank you. That would be all. You can go," Caroline said unemotionally.
The girl left, leaving her alone in her new bedroom. Caroline took some steps and stood in the middle of the room. She rubbed her temples and tried to take deep breaths. She then walked towards the balcony. The light breeze was what she needed right now. She could see the gardens and a beautiful lake that was illuminated by small lights on a stone path. Strangely, the view had a calming effect on her.
As was expected guards kept moving around outside.
She sighed and closed her eyes. She tried to find comfort in her memories and reach one that would become her safe haven. A place for her to go in her mind when things would turn out to be more that she could handle. She had a feeling that she would need that safety net soon.
She thought of Matt. How he always smiled at her. How he made her feel special and appreciated like she was the only girl in the world for him. They had waited for the right moment. The right moment that would sweep them both away. She had not planned to wait for much longer. She wanted Matt to make love to her. Him! Not …Klaus.
She was about to panic, but she tried to think about Matt again. Maybe if she kept thinking of him when the time would come…maybe it would be easier that way. She would close her eyes and she would pretend that it was Matt's hands and body on hers. Could she do that? How would she be able to give herself to a man while thinking of another? She felt disgusted and horrified with herself and then she felt angrier than ever. They had forced her to marry a man she loathed. She was not the one that was supposed to feel disgust and horror; it was supposed to be the other way around.
All of the sudden she felt a shiver and it wasn't from the wind. All of her instincts screamed at her and she turned around to see Klaus standing a few steps away from her. Leaning on the glass door and looking at her.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't heard him coming in. Their gazes locked and she couldn't look away. He moved closer to her and she held her breath. In the dark, he seemed more threatening than ever. She didn't know what to do or what to say. He stood in front of her and he smiled. It was an almost gentle and understanding smile. Her green eyes got lost in the blue color of his. She could feel his breath touching her face, making her uncomfortable. She was the first to look away.
"Aren't you cold?" she heard him asking her. He seemed kind and concerned, but she knew it was just a façade. Men like him were never kind or concerned about another's well-being.
She took another deep breath that made her smell his after-shave and she had to control herself. She stood her ground, but it wasn't easy. He was already invading her personal space. She looked at him again and this time she watched him carefully. She couldn't deny that he was a beautiful man. His blue eyes, his dirty blond hair and he had dimples. Evil men shouldn't have dimples. She scolded herself. What the hell was she thinking now? She was alone, far from home, on a dark balcony with a stranger that happened to be the leader of a mafia organization and her husband. It couldn't get any worse than that.
God she had to sleep with him. How was she ever going to do that?
"Caroline?" his voice was persistent.
She shook her head startled.
"No, I am fine," She said while her body slightly shivered.
Ok, maybe she was a little bit cold. She just didn't know if it was because of the weather or because of her fear. She turned her gaze away again. She couldn't stand looking at him right now.
His smile got wider. His eyes looked at her. He could tell that she was cold. Her strapless dress wasn't that warm and she had been rubbing her arms moments before. She hadn't heard him coming closer to her and he used those moments to just watch the girl, who now belonged to him in silence.
She was a really beautiful woman. A beautiful woman that despised him. He couldn't help but admire her. She didn't want to become his wife, that was obvious, but her pride was there. It showed when her vows slipped from her soft lips, when he kissed her, when they danced together. She didn't allow anyone to see that she was in pain.
He could tell. After all this time, he had become an expert at detecting fear in others. Caroline could hide it well, but not well enough. Not from his eyes. She feared him and he was afraid that she also hated him like no other. He shouldn't really care that much about her feelings though. She was after all just a means to an end. But he also couldn't overcome the fact that this was not an easy predicament for either of them. She was his wife, but he didn't know her. All he knew was that she belonged to him now. He would have to learn to care for her. It wasn't necessary, but maybe he could do that. He was always taking close care of his valuable possessions after all. He could never love her, but he could learn to care for that beautiful creature. They could be good together.
Klaus took his jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders. She didn't move when his arms circled her, but he could feel her whole body becoming rigid. She was like one of his wild horses. He had do approach her very slowly and carefully if he wanted to tame her. He took a moment before he removed his hands. Her scent was enticing. He walked away from her. Not very much, but enough so she could at least relax a little bit. He looked at the small lake. He had chosen this room because of the view. This part of the gardens was filled with roses and old wild trees. It was one of his favorite views and he hoped she would like it.
They stood in silence under the stars. Caroline was afraid of her own voice. Even though the warmth of his jacket and the fact that he wasn't talking to her comforted her.
He leaned to the rails and looked at her. "Your brothers left a while ago," he said.
She bit her lower lip, but didn't say anything. She was looking anywhere, but at him. Her anger was building up inside once more. She didn't want to hear anything about her brothers ever again. She didn't want to be here.
"They said that they would come to visit us soon," he said, his gaze never leaving hers. She said nothing.
He sighed. This girl was really stubborn.
"It's getting colder, maybe we should get inside." His voice was low as he moved towards her and gently placed his hand at the small of her back. She turned around without saying anything and went into the room. He closed his eyes for a moment his hand falling to his side. He followed her and then closed the glass doors and silence enveloped them. The only sound in the room came from the fireplace. He could see that she wanted to avoid him and for some reason that made him feel bad. Women used to fall at his feet not the other way around. A part of him wanted to take her right then and there, but another…
"Caroline are you ever going to look at me?" his voice was low and she took a deep breath. He moved closer to her and stood in front of her. They were both standing beside the bed.
"Look at me." His voice was gentle, but his tone was commanding. She glanced up at him and he almost took a step back. The flames in her eyes could burn anyone right now. The despair and anger in them made her look even more beautiful in his eyes. He felt something more than just desire. He had to make her his.
"I know that this isn't easy for you, but if we don't try this is going to be even more difficult for both of us,"
Caroline pressed her lips together. She was about to lose it and lash out on him, but she restrained herself. She didn't want to admit it, but he was right. On the other hand she wasn't just going to submit to him. Just because he said so.
"What do you want me to say?" she retaliated, moving away from him and throwing his jacket on the bed. She felt exposed without it shielding her, but she didn't want to have it on her. She didn't want anything that belonged to him to be anywhere close to her. The wedding ring in her finger felt like dead weight.
"You might think that this charade could get easier, but truth is that this marriage should never have happened. I don't want this, any of this. And you know it. You took away my choice and you just don't care," she accused him, unable to control herself any more.
Her words stung and he could feel his temper changing. She was provoking a side he didn't want to show to her. He didn't want to hurt her. Not just yet. Not without a valid reason.
"Careful sweetheart, I do appreciate honesty, but you should mind what you say." The intensity and the threatening gleam in his eyes warned her not to push him.
Caroline looked at him for a moment. Her eyes shining with disgust. She wasn't trying to disguise the rage she was feeling. She should have known that she wasn't free to speak her mind anymore. She finally averted her eyes, looking away and swallowing any retort she might have had for him.
He stepped closer to her and caught her chin in his hand forcing her to look at him again. She had a spirit that was calling him closer and closer. He could tell she was afraid of him, but she was fighting it. She was too feisty for her own good. He didn't know if he should get angry or admire her.
"You really are an innocent aren't you love?" his lopsided smile, taunted her, "This was never a choice for me either." His eyes travelled slowly from her eyes to her lips. "But this doesn't mean that this…charade as you may call it has to be …unpleasant."
She wrenched her face away from his hand and took a step back. His smirk showed that he was enjoying this. For him it was a game and for her torment. There was no way out of this. Dragging the inevitable wasn't helping her. Especially when she was dealing with Klaus Mikaelson.
"What do you expect from me?" the question slipped out in a whisper and she could feel her eyes burning again. She clenched her fists. She wasn't going to cry, she wasn't. Not in front of him. Never in front of him. That was a vow she was never going to break.
All amusement was gone now. His expression turned deadly serious. He approached her and his hand slowly caressed the length of her arm from her shoulder down to her palm.
She felt her skin burning at his touch.
He took her fisted palm and brought it in his lips kissing her knuckles.
"To be exactly what you are Caroline… my wife." His gaze never faltered.
Her hand trembled and she pulled it away.
"That will never happen. Some empty words on an alter don't make me your wife."
Her voice was so low that he could barely make out what she said. He smiled. His …wife was really brave. She was a Salvatore after all, he should have expected it.
His eyes changed color. They mirrored the darkest shade of blue. They turned black. She wasn't a Salvatore anymore, she was a Mikaelson. She was his. With that thought, without letting her protests sway him anymore, his hand wrapped around her waist pulling her firmly to him.
"That is where you are wrong love," he whispered in her ear.
She held her breath, her whole body freezing.
The sensual note in his voice evoked fear inside of her. She didn't try to move, he had her in an iron embrace. His close proximity making her shudder.
He moved his head so he could look at her. He stared at her eyes in a way she couldn't read.
"You are my wife." Every word held a finality that was killing her. She couldn't take it anymore, she closed her eyes.
He looked at her, at her lips and at her wet eyelashes, and he frowned slightly. What he was feeling was something he would never have expected. His eyes slipped over her lips again, he wanted to taste them. But this was not what was confusing him. She was a beautiful woman after all.
What was taking him by surprise was that this was an urgent need that he hadn't felt in years. He had kissed her in front of everyone at the church and the celebration, but that was nothing in comparison to what he wanted to do to those lips now that they were alone.
Maybe it was her innocence, maybe it was her defiance mixed with her fear, but he hadn't felt that kind of need in a very, very long time. He was always surrounded by women that were more than willing to offer pleasure to him. He never had to try in order to gain affection. He liked the chase, but it was never real. Women were basically falling at his feet and he was choosing the most convenient one depending on his mood. Most of them were attracted by his name and his fortune. Others by his looks or by some idiotic fantasies they had of making the bad boy fall for them. In any case, he was always surrounded by too willing femme fatales throwing themselves at him shamelessly.
He had never thought that he would end up married to a girl that not only hated being anywhere near him, but also seemed to have no sexual experience at all. He could tell by her posture, by her eyes. He could tell that she had barely even been kissed before. That was making him feel strangely attracted to her. His most possessive side was awakened by this sweet, little girl. No one would ever touch her again and if he was right that would make him her first and her last lover.
He slowly circled her, without his arm ever freeing her, until he stood behind her pressing her to him. Her back crashing into his chest as the palm of his hand settled on her stomach. With his other hand he brushed some stray blond strands of hair from her neck and he could feel her trembling.
"There is no turning back." With his free hand he started unhooking the small buttons of her wedding dress. Slowly, one after another. The fabric slowly opened exposing the pale skin of her back.
She instinctively held the front side of the bodice to keep it from sliding down. It was as if this was her last shield. If she would let it go she would be gone. She felt him tightening his hold around her waist bringing her impossibly closer as his lips placed a soft kiss on the crook of her neck.
She could feel her cheeks blushing as he slowly caressed her back. His touch was warm and she bit her lip. She wanted to tell him to stop, but her mind was blank. His lips found the pulsing vein in her neck and her whole body throbbed.
There was a long moment of silence and all he could hear was her breath. She was in his hands. Her scent was driving him crazy with need. Her soft skin was beneath his lips and her trembling body under his hands.
"You are mine now." His voice was low and seductive in her ear as he unfastened the last button of her wedding dress.
He pressed his face in her hair and she felt him breathing deeply. Without even realizing it she leaned her body back and suddenly she was more scared than before. Her body seemed to have a will of its own. Her knees grew weak and if it weren't for his hold she would have fallen down. He was making her shiver, making the moment last.
He sighed while smelling the sweet scent of her hair.
"Goodnight Caroline," Klaus whispered, his hot breath tickling her ear. He removed his hands setting her free. He turned away and left the room gently shutting the door behind him.
He was gone.
She couldn't breathe. She gulped and looked over her shoulder holding the wedding dress tighter to her.
What had just happened?
She stared at the door, unable to form even a coherent thought.
I love you very much
very, very much, you know
it's become a chain
that melts the blood inside the veins, you know...
A/N :Well this was their first night as a married couple. No smut, not yet, please don't hate me!
Klaus and Caroline have a long road ahead of them. Things are not going to be easy, this is just the beginning.
Tell me what you think, I am actually very eager to know. Nice? Good? Awful? Crawl into a hole and never write again? Let me know!