Queen Athena, He addresses her, and my lady, but they sound like insults from his tongue, politeness and deference twisted into mockery.It's the way his lips twitch into a lopsided smile. In the sarcastic drawl of his voice. In the glint in his eyes as he measures her like she is a simple courtesan.
She pulls her cloak tighter around herself, glaring at him from across the deck. The sun catches the silver handle of his sword, a bright flash that almost hurts her eyes, and she turns back to watch the sea that lies ahead, still and silent under blue august skies. In less than a week's time, she'll be setting foot on new soil, a foreign place with foreign people.
She knows as deeply as one can that Niklaus Mikaelson doesn't consider her a queen. He didn't care for the customs of her people. But that doesn't matter now. Not with so little time left.
She can feel the weight of the crown on her head. Something she promised she would never give up. As much as she resents Niklaus's presence and his attitude, he let her keep her crown, and for that she is grateful.
"How about a game of chess?" he asks, leaning into the doorway of her quarters like he owns the ship and she's the one hitching a ride rather than the other way around.
It's past nightfall and her ladies in waiting have already gone to their own cabins after attending to Athena. It's improper for Niklaus to be here, as improper as his suggestion.
Of course, Athena knows that Niklaus does not care. He doesn't care for much she finds. That's why he makes no effort to hide his 'intimacies' with the many ladies on board.
She see his teeth marks.
"Surely it would be more appropriate if you asked Kol."
He snorts, and the derogatory note in his voice makes it clear what he thinks of that suggestion. "While I am sure my brother makes a decent executioner," he pauses to smirk knowingly at her, "he lacks the patience to be a good chess player. I prefer my opponents to pose a little more of a challenge. It makes the victory so much sweeter."
The gall of that man. The implication that he's taking victory for granted grates on her nerves. Of course, that's the whole point; it's a tactical move to appeal to her competitiveness, to ensure she's not going to deny the game. Of course, she knows that.
It doesn't stop her from tilting her head and pointing to the chess set on the small corner table."Very well, my lord. Set up the board, then."
The look of satisfaction make her want to take her words back, but she holds her tongue.
Changing her mind now would seem like a weakness, worse than allowing herself to be manipulated into agreeing in the first place.
Her eyes follow him as he walks into her cabin, pulling the door shut behind him. The room is large enough but she can't quite shake the feeling of claustrophobia. It's not a new experience. Niklaus does that everywhere. Even large halls and spacious chambers seem to shrink themselves in his presence. It's a skill he shares with all his siblings (well the ones she has met anyways), and even a skill present in Athena's mother, whereas Athena herself never quite learned to master it. She isn't sure if she wants to, she always prefered being the ruler who was loved rather than feared."I presume you prefer white?"
It's amazing how much condescension Niklaus puts into that assumption. Truth is, Athena doesn't care much for the colors' potential symbolism, nor is she particularly keen to be the one to open the game.
She raises an eyebrow. "And you? Black for your aesthetic if nothing more?"
His lips twitch, and she knows she won the opening gambit without moving a single figure yet.
Athena beats Niklaus in twenty three moves.It's rather fitting that it is her queen who lures him into a checkmate at the end.
His fingers brush against her as he reaches across the board and offers the black king to her in a effusive gesture of defeat, and the touch lingers a moment too long."Well played, Queen Athena. May I offer you my services for a prize for your victory?"
"I would rather decline," Athena offers with a smile infused in fake sweetness. "I've seen too many times what your vows of loyalty are worth." It's a pity really, because someone with Niklaus's experience in politics and his ruthlessness in getting what he wants would be a valuable asset if she were still on her throne, facing the hounds that wanted her crown. But its not worth the risk of finding herself stabbed in the back, metaphorically or literally.
Instead of being offended, Niklaus throws back his head and laughs, deep and geunine and rich like the full bodied wine Athena had too much of during the game. "While that certainly is a wise choice, those really weren't the kind of services I was offering."
He lets his gaze trail lazily over her, from head to toe and back, lingering on her clevage and lips, on where her hands are resting in her lap, still holding his king in her fingers. It takes her a moment too long to understand his meaning, and when she finally does, the sheer audacity of the offer renders her speechless and sputtering.
"You're mad."
Leaning back into his chair, he watches her with eyes heated by wine and unconcealed desire, the black of his pupils almost swallowing the the blue completely."Come on, Athena."
She swallows deeply when she realizes this is the first time he gives her no title. "I'm sure your ladies have shared all the delightfully indiscreet things I can do. Aren't you a little curious? I suspect you've hardly been blessed with skilled lovers in the past. Queens are meant to hold onto their virtues with a grip so iron clad," He pauses a small smile teasing his lips. " Of course the experience you faced prior that drove you away from your throne-"
She's at her feet at once.The sound of her flat hand connecting with his cheek loud in the cabin, louder than the sea raging outside. "Don't you dare-"
He catches her wrist before she can hit him again. "Relax. I wasn't belittling what you went through, I was merely making a point. What those men did to you-"
"Is none of your concern, Lord Niklaus." Her voice is icy enough to make him stand a little taller.
Pulling her arm from his grip, she glares at him."You're welcome to keep slapping me if it so pleases you. Though I am sure that is not quite your sort of thing."
She flushes angrily, her cheeks turning a bronzed red. "It's not."
"I expected as such," he drawls, but he doesn't look like a man conceding any kind of defeat, standing far too close so she is unable to evade the heat of his body, nor the scent of wine and sea clinging to him.
His dubious...offer still stands, that much is obvious, and he won't back down until Athena rejects him, firm and clear. She smiles warmly, invitingly, letting Niklaus even bend down to get closer to her lips."You're right my ladies and even the servants have spoken of how skilled a Mikaelson tongue is. Unfortunately they can never tell if its you or Kol, you two have the habit of running through the same women." She takes a step forward haughty and proud. "My bet is it's Kol."
She swiftly turns away after that. Letting him leave on his own, trying to ignore Kol's signature laughter from somewhere outside on the boat.
When she wakes up in the morning, the sea is calm and still once again, glittering like a tapestry of emerald green and sapphire blue.
On deck, the three Mikaleson's stand, engrossed in a conversation with the captain. By the way the captain and Rebekah exchange meaningful glances there is something more than friendship between them. It makes Athena smile some. Even though both Kol and Niklaus hold sour expressions.
When she arrives all heads turn towards her."Queen Athena," Kol says, lip curling. "Captain turner informs us we should reach the port where are brother lays in wait for us in less than a day."
She inclines her head polietly. "Very well. What does that mean for me?"
"We still need you." Rebekah says quickly. Her blonde hair braided around in a crown on top her head. Her blues glimmering enough to rival the sea that stands behind her."Although you are still not familar with the customs of this land." Niklaus shifts uncomfortably, an off motion on him.Offering his arm, she only hesitates for a second before taking it and being moved away further on the deck."What of it?" Athena speaks offhandedly.
"This land captializes of the sale and seizure of men, women, and children with skin like yours."
His words make her look down at her arms compared to his. She is a light golden brown whereas he looks like porcelain. For a second Athena evaluates her obvious differences from all around her. Her hair isn't as stringy and straight as theirs, her's is spiral curls that reach to her waist. Her eyes look different too. Much wider and open and the color of the pure gold she wears on her wrists, neck, and ears. Hell even her body shape wasn't like theres. While they were tall and willowy, she was short and curvy.
She supposes she should have expected as such from this foreign land."Why?"
"Power, money, hatred, wanting to feel special by making others feel less. There are many reasons why. Do you understand what this means for you?"
She feels a rush of anger so deeply she doesn't know exactly how to handle it. And her eyes almost burn with tears. Standing upwards stiffly. "I am a queen. I am not a slave."
He smirks, looking pleased. "Good, hold onto that fire. My family will keep you protected, but you will have to burn those who will think less of you."
She sighs, the breath bringing forth the smell of the sea. "If that is all-"
"I am afraid not. You must wear a corset."
She curses rather loudly at that.
She is a vision in burgundy and gold.
The dress, made of the finest of fabrics so no one could ever question her place in society. It's a purposeful move on Niklaus's part. The corset is uncomfortable and she can see the way he grins when he catches sight of her cleavage.It makes her want to slap him again.When they arrive to the dock and the servants are working tirelessly to unload, she stands, firm, watching the man who waited on shore for their arrival.He has thick chocolate hair and matching eyes. And when he greets her his face never changes.
"I am Elijah Mikaelson, It is a pleasure to meet you your grace."
He offers his hand up and smiles at her hesitance. "I won't hurt you."
Raising an eyebrow she laizily drops her hand in his, "Yet."
He seems surprised by her pessimistic nature yet still places a crodial kiss on her hand. Athena nearly flinches away from how cold his lips are. And when she looks into his eyes all she sees is an empty vault of nothing.
How can you hide away so easily?It doesn't take long for the others to come forth while she keeps her attention on the sea. She will miss it's night rages and the rocky feeling of the sea beneath her. It all happened so fast and yet so slow.
One minute she was laughing with her friends, often finding herself gazing wistfully out the palace windows ruling as any queen should. The next is she is disgraced and forced off her throne.
Her mind reels from her dream as she jumps awake, her hand reaching for a crown that isn't there.
Stefan loses patience with himself - and Athena - when Lexi insists they go out to celebrate. And Lexi being Lexi, wants him to talk to Athena first, before the fun can begin.
So here they are, outside the Medici mansion.
He's all bravado as he exits the car, but he's a shaking mess by the time he's bypassed the mansion and gone straight for the house he knows through Caroline, that Athena lives in. He calls on courage as he lifts his hand and knocks on the door.
"Come in."
Stefan sighs. He was kind of hoping that Athena would actually answer the door. Maybe if he just waits out here for a while, she will be forced to -
The door opens.
Stefan's breath catches.
Athena looks equally taken aback. "Stefan," she breathes in surprise before she clears her throat. There isn't a smile in sight. "Are you - umm - is everything okay?"
He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. "No, Athena," he says, all of it just coming tumbling out. "Everything is not okay, because we haven't spoken in a while and I hate it, and I'm sorry, okay? I know I'm mainly to blame for, well, everything, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
Athena instantly deflates. "Oh, Stefan," she murmurs. "I'm sorry, too."
"I was convinced you must hate me, and just the idea of never talking to you again is..." he trails off.
"Yeah," Athena quietly agrees. "It's been a strange couple of days. I didn't realise how much time we actually spend together."
Stefan feels the melancholy roll off the Goddess, and he risks a step forward. All he wants to do is reach out and touch her; reassure her in some way. "I don't want to fight like that ever again."
"Ditto," Athena says, sucking in a breath. "We won't."
"No, we won't."
She manages a small smile. "Caroline did a great job of the Grill for your birthday," she says. "I just got back from there, and they're just finishing up with the final touches."
There's something in her voice that forces Stefan to take yet another step forward. "Are you not going?"
Athena ducks her head slightly. "Honestly?"
"Always."
"I was hoping I would be able to skip it," she confesses; "but It's your birthday and If I miss it the school will be brimming with rumors, you know?"
"Probably," he agrees, "Why wouldn't you want to go?"
Athena nibbles at her bottom lip, visibly thinking about her response. "I think it's the idea of being around that many people," she finally says; "everyone still has so many questions and mix that with alcohol, they don't care how it comes out. They just want to know."
Stefan remains silent, his eyes never straying from Athena's perfect face.
"I guess I do enough avoiding in everyday life; It gets tiring," she adds with a shrug, as if she's revealed nothing remotely profound.
"I get that," Stefan finds himself saying.
Athena hums. "I think you do."
They stare at each other for the longest time and, the moment Stefan reaches out for her; Athena flinches. It's nothing to do with him, they're both sure, but it doesn't make the hurt or guilt any less.
"I'm sorry," he says, automatic and true.
"No," Athena says. "I'm sorry."
Stefan shakes his head. "I think this conversation has had enough apologies."
"I agree," she mumbles. Then: "I assume you're going to the grill?"
"I am."
"Can I ask you to stay? I know you and Lexi probably have some plans but I have alcohol and- and I got something for you. For your brithday."
"You did?" His eyebrows jump up and he genuinely looks shocked. "And you know about Lexi?"
She smiles. "Elena talks a lot."
He chuckles then, because, of course.
Athena laughs lightly, the light reaching her eyes in a way that steals Stefan's breath. If Athena is going to keep smiling at him that way, he's going to end up doing everything he possibly can to make sure it stays. "Come on, aren't you curious?"
Instead, his hands twitch at his sides. "I am," he agrees.
It's definitely going to be interesting.
When Stefan finally escapes the hurricane of emotions he's feeling in Athena's presence, he goes straight to the car needing the insight only his surprising blonde friend can offer.
Lexi is sprawled out fiddling with something on her phone and threading through her hair.
It's a picture of ease, and Stefan loves it.
"You were right," Stefan suddenly says, his eyes on Lexi. "But, you were also wrong."
"Oh?"
"It's more than that," he whispers, as if the confession is too profound to say in a normal voice. It might be, for all he knows, because he should not feel anymore for this girl who's walls are so high she doesn't let anyone in.
And, when he realises that, his chest burns.
His body follows a beat later.
Lexi being the pro she is at helping him comes back to the house, any evidence of his emotional rollercoaster wiped away.
Lexi emits all the charm she can and in less than a minute she has Athena endeared to her. All smiles and warmth.
So if three of them ignore his birthday party, and instead stay in watching cartoons and drinking cheap wine...well it's no one's business but theirs.