Part 14

England, 1492

Dafne felt completely numb. She didn't move or make a sound, not even when the man lying on the bed beside her took her hand and kissed it. There was a wide grin on his face, he most certainly looked satisfied.

"That was…" he hummed. "…even better than I imagined."

She still didn't say anything, she was disgusted with herself. Apparently she really was what Kol had called her all those years ago. A whore. Maybe she had done this for Elijah, but did that really make any difference? Basically she had still sold her body. She hadn't seen any other way to save Elijah from Klaus' wrath.

Seeing Elijah falling for Katerina Petrova hadn't been easy, but Dafne hadn't truly understood how deeply Elijah cared about this girl. He had helped her escape before Klaus had managed to break his curse. Thankfully Klaus didn't know for sure that it had in fact been Elijah who had warned Katerina. If he would know, Dafne doubted that she would have been able to save Elijah. She didn't think that Klaus would have made this agreement with her. One night in exchange for Elijah's safety. Klaus wouldn't dagger him now, as he had planned to do.

"Shall I leave now?" she asked, managing to sound perfectly calm.

He rolled on his side and looked at her before touching her cheek.

"Now why would I want that?"

"I do not wish to bother you…"

He muffled the rest of her sentence by pressing his finger against her lips.

"You are not going anywhere before I say so, love. The night isn't over yet."

She didn't say anything, she felt completely defeated. Used. Like she would have been nothing more than an object. Kol had said that she was pathetic and perhaps he had been right. For so many years she had stayed by Elijah's side, giving him everything she had. He had never mistreated her or promised her anything, but clearly he didn't consider her as his equal either.

Just because she didn't show her feelings, didn't mean she wouldn't have any. As soon as Elijah had met Katerina Petrova, Dafne had become invisible to him. Elijah had never looked at her the same way he looked at Katerina and Dafne understood now that he never would. Yet she had immediately been ready to do what ever she had to do to help him. Was that not pathetic?

She had turned down the man who had in his own twisted way loved her and just slept with another man who had for so many years treated her as his personal walking supper. And for what? Because of the man who would never feel what she hoped him to feel. The man who had trapped her in this miserable existence for all the eternity. And why? Because he hadn't wanted to give her up. It didn't matter to him what she wanted. No one cared about that. Klaus certainly didn't care. To him this was all about getting what had been denied from him. Suddenly Dafne felt nothing but exhausted.

"I am tired, my lord," she said calmly. "Could you be so kind and let me sleep?"

He frowned.

"The agreement was one night. Can you see the sun rising?"

"No, my lord."

She had no strength left to fight; it would be easier to just let him do whatever it was he still wanted to do. Tiredly she lifted the blanket that was covering her naked body.

"Go ahead."

She wasn't looking at him, but she felt his eyes on her. It took a long while before he spoke.

"Dafne, I… Perhaps I… I didn't…"

The door to his chamber flew open before he managed to finish his sentence.

"Brother, I must speak with you…" Elijah's voice started. He froze when he saw Dafne and Klaus. She grabbed the blanket and covered herself as quickly as she could.

"Dafne?" Elijah murmured disbelievingly.

"You really need to learn how to knock, brother," Klaus stated.

"What…what have you done?"

"Nothing she didn't agree to," Klaus replied. "Isn't that right, love?"

"Is that true?" Elijah asked tensely.

Dafne didn't have much choice but to nod. She couldn't tell Elijah about her deal; he might try to attack Klaus and get a dagger in his chest. And technically Klaus hadn't done anything she hadn't agreed to.

"I see," Elijah stated coolly. "And may I ask how long you have slept with my brother?"

Suddenly Dafne felt anger, what right did he have to judge her? They weren't together; he had made that more than clear by ignoring her whenever he met someone more interesting.

"I believe I have the right to sleep with whoever I choose," she replied.

He looked stunned for a brief moment, but he got over that quickly.

"You most certainly do. Feel free to continue, I apologize for disturbing you."

He marched out and slammed the door shut.

"Well…" Klaus said. "That was…"

"I am leaving," she cut in firmly and stood up, carelessly dropping the blanket on the floor. She had no reason to cover herself anymore. Surprisingly he didn't say anything when she started to get dressed. Not that she would have cared about his threats. No, she has had enough. The look in Elijah's eyes had been the last straw. After everything she had done for him… She was sick of being used. She wasn't his or anyone else's property.

"Are you hungry?" Klaus asked. "I can ask a maid to bring you something to eat…"

"No, thank you. I only wish to rest."

"Yes, get some rest, love. I would like to have a word with you after you wake up."

"Sure. Good night, my lord."

"Please, Dafne, you can call me Klaus."

"Alright, as you wish."

She curtsied and walked out. Determinedly she headed to her chamber, but she had no intention to rest. No, she would pack what she needed and leave, as she should have done centuries ago.