Part 4
2 years later
Dafne sank a piece of cloth into a water bowl and carefully wiped her face and neck. She was tired, but she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. Her master was restless and it was only the matter of time before he would send for her. She had her own little room and she was more than happy about that. With a sigh she closed her eyes and concentrated feeling the water on her skin. It was late, so perhaps she should try to get some sleep before… Her thoughts were cut off when someone grabbed her from behind and a hand covered her mouth. She didn't startle much, she knew who it was.
"Hush, little one," a male voice whispered in her ear.
She held still as he released her and turned her around. His face looked pale in the dim candlelight; she could smell the blood and the alcohol. He and master Klaus had been away for few days, Dafne couldn't deny that she had enjoyed the peace. Sure she had learned how to deal with all of them, but she preferred simply serving Elijah. Lady Rebekah had made it clear that she didn't like Dafne and masters Kol and Klaus… Usually she did her best to avoid them.
"Did you miss me?" Kol hummed and ran his thumb over her cheek.
"Of course, master Kol."
He smiled and pulled her closer.
"Hmm, I missed you too, little one. No one satisfies my thirst quite like you."
She didn't move or make a sound as he sank his fangs into her neck. He wasn't unnecessarily rough and he didn't take too much, but she didn't like this. Feeding one master would have been enough; she had hoped that his brothers would eventually lose their interest in her. Kol wrapped his arms around her and backed her up against the wall. She had learned how to control herself, her heartbeat remained steady and she was breathing calmly. With a satisfied sigh he pulled away and licked his bloody lips.
"Just what I have been craving for," he hummed and parted her lips with his thumb. "Open your mouth, little one."
She obeyed and swallowed the few drops of his blood. As he had said to her since the first time he had fed from her, this was "their little secret". She belonged to his brother and despite of his vile nature, he didn't wish to openly step on Elijah's toes. If Dafne wasn't mistaken, her master had become somewhat attached to her. The feeling was mutual; he had been good to her. He had never laid a hand on her and he had been very generous to her. She had her own room, enough food to eat, clothes to wear and even some time for herself.
She was free to take a walk in the garden and he often took her riding with him. She enjoyed that very much and if she wasn't mistaken, he enjoyed her company. Perhaps that was the problem. Dafne had learned to understand all her masters and her mistress a little bit; she had noticed that Kol and Klaus couldn't stand anyone getting something they couldn't get. They had thought that Dafne would be nothing more than a meal to Elijah; they hadn't expected her to become something more.
"That was nice," Kol hummed and leaned closer. "Will this be the night, little one? Will you finally grant me a kiss?"
"I am afraid not, master Kol," she replied calmly.
"Hmm, what a pity." He paused and took something out of his pocket. It was a necklace. A bloody necklace. "For you."
"Thank you very much, master Kol, but I cannot accept this. My master would ask questions…"
"Do not insult me by turning down my generosity," he warned.
"Forgive me," she said quickly and curtsied. "Thank you for your generous gift."
He smiled and touched her cheek.
"You are welcome. Now…"
He didn't have time to finish his sentence when a knock on the door interrupted him.
"Dafne?" a servant girl called Giulia called. "Master Elijah wants you in his chamber right now."
"Alright, thank you," Dafne replied.
Kol's eyebrows furrowed, he didn't look pleased at all.
"Please excuse me, master Kol."
"Hmm, fine."
She curtsied before hurrying to the hallway. Wine… She went to the kitchen and picked up the wine carafe and a goblet before heading to her master's chamber. Hopefully she would be able to calm him. He had a lot on his mind; there were many things he was struggling with. When they had met, she had quickly noticed how exhausted he was. He had talked about his brother who was in a coffin. This brother was like the rest of their family, but apparently he had never given in to his bloodlust. If Dafne wasn't mistaken, Elijah envied him.
Elijah had said that he had done many things he wasn't proud of. He was struggling with his guilt. With the darkness within him. He was afraid that it would eventually devour him. What scared him the most was that some part of him wanted to give in to the darkness. He was tired of the constant struggle. Dafne hadn't been sure what to say when he had talked about his thoughts to her. Usually she didn't have to say much, he only needed someone who listened to him and was there when he wanted some company. She hurried to his door and knocked.
"Enter."
The room was dark; he was sitting on the armchair in front of the fireplace.
"Come here, Dafne," he murmured. He didn't turn to look at her.
Quickly she walked over to him and poured him some wine.
"Thank you."
Silently she lit up a candle before settling on the fur in front the armchair. It felt soft and warm, she became even sleepier. Sometimes she had fallen asleep, but he had never been angry about that.
"You are tired," he stated after a long silence.
"Yes, master, a little."
"I want you to sleep here tonight."
"Of course."
He emptied the wine goblet and poured himself some more. It seemed that he didn't want to talk tonight; he just wanted her to be here. She moved closer to him and touched his leg.
"Come here," he murmured and scooped her up. Obediently she settled against his chest.
"You feel warm. I need you to share that warmth with me."
"Yes, master."
It seemed that he was having a very bad night. He never let anyone else to see that and she knew that he would be back to normal before dawn. He was a very complex person, she had learned that. He would bury his deepest thoughts and be the noble one of his family. That was what he wanted to be.