Chapter 8
Loyalty
Ginna looked at her brothers calmly; they were both stunned to see her. Grand entrances had never been her thing, she didn't like to draw attention to herself, but she couldn't deny that a small part of her enjoyed this. For once Niklaus was actually speechless. She hadn't planned any of this; she wasn't supposed to even be here. It seemed that Tristan had "forgotten" the mention some things to her and they would most certainly talk about that later.
Right now Tristan didn't show in any way that he was surprised to see her and she didn't show that she was displeased with him. They always worked out their differences in private; she would have never made a public scene. That would have been nothing but distasteful. Not to mention she needed to concentrate on her brothers right now. Maybe she was displeased with Tristan, but no one talked to him like Niklaus just had, not when she was present. Apparently her brother hadn't changed at all.
"Ginna…" Elijah murmured. He had moved in front of her and he was still staring at her.
"Hello, brother," she greeted him.
"What…what are you doing here?"
Ginna raised an eyebrow.
"It's nice to see you too."
"No, no, that's not what I meant. What…"
"What the hell are you doing with these idiots?" Niklaus finished.
Ginna looked at him calmly and took Tristan's hand.
"I don't believe that I appreciate your tone, brother."
Niklaus' eyes widened before he burst into laughter.
"Oh my… You can't be serious. Are you actually sleeping with him?"
Ginna smiled.
"Well, if you must know, yes, I do share a bed with my husband."
Both of her brothers looked stunned.
"What?" they snapped almost simultaneously.
"Tristan and I are married," Ginna stated calmly. "We have been for a long while. I apologize for not inviting you to the wedding, but it was a modest ceremony, we didn't want many people there."
The whole room was unnaturally quiet after her words, Ginna was aware that everyone was looking at them, waiting to see what would happen. A part of her regretted for causing the whole situation, but she was also glad that she had finally confronted her family. However, she would have preferred doing this more privately. Elijah was the one who spoke first.
"Why?" he murmured. "Why would you marry someone like him?"
"Because I love him," Ginna replied simply.
"Well, isn't that sweet," Niklaus chuckled. "I always knew you weren't exactly smart, but this…"
"I believe you should leave," Tristan stated coolly. "I don't appreciate anyone disrespecting my wife."
Niklaus' eyes narrowed, Ginna could tell that this was about to get ugly.
"It's fine," she said and touched Tristan's hand. "My brother isn't known for his manners."
"Perhaps we should continue this conversation somewhere else," Elijah cut in.
"No," Niklaus snorted. "I think our sister has made it clear where her loyalty lies." He paused and emptied a glass of champagne before carelessly dropping it on the floor. "Let's go, this party is dead anyway."
Lucien smiled at Ginna before wrapping his arms around two women.
"Lovely to see you again," he said and followed Niklaus.
Elijah didn't move, he was still looking at Ginna. A brunette in a red evening gown appeared next to him.
"Elijah?"
"Hayley, this is my sister," Elijah murmured.
"Hello," Ginna stated.
"Hi," the brunette replied cautiously and glanced at Tristan. "You're…his wife?"
"Yes," Ginna replied smiling. "I'm Ginna de Martel."
"Right…"
"You…took his name?" Elijah asked disbelievingly.
"Yes, I did." She paused and looked at Tristan. "Do you have a moment?"
"Of course," he replied smiling.
"Please excuse me, brother; I need to have a word with my husband."
Elijah pressed his lips together; he didn't seem pleased at all.
"Of course," he stated rigidly.
"Excuse us," Tristan said and offered Ginna his arm. She wrapped hers around it and they walked out together. Neither of them spoke before they were in his study and he had lit up a candle that entailed a silence spell. No one would be able to hear them now.
"Well…" he started, clearly amused. "That was interesting…"
"You have some explaining to do," she cut in. "What is going on here?"
He smiled and touched her cheek.
"May I say first that you look absolutely ravishing, my love."
"Nice try," she huffed. "Start talking."
He nodded.
"I will, but I meant what I said, you look beautiful. And I have missed you."
"I have missed you too, but that doesn't get you off the hook, mister."
"I know," he replied smiling. "And I apologize for not telling you that I'm coming here."
"Why are you here?" she asked.
"There are things here I need to take care of."
She frowned.
"Does that have something to do with you trying to recruit Niklaus' foster son?"
"Mr. Gerard, yes. I thought that he could be useful."
"How?"
"Well… I have no doubt that he will try to spy on us on Klaus' behalf, so I thought it would be best if I decide what information he gives to your brother."
"Makes sense. That is, if he has a real chance to pass the test. Does he?"
Tristan bit his bottom lip.
"He could have. But if he doesn't pass… Well, it would be a shame since your brother is still… fond of him."
Now Ginna understood. Marcel Gerard was here because of her. Because Tristan wanted Niklaus to suffer.
"Tristan…"
"He caused you pain. You shed tears because of him."
Ginna's eyes softened as she cupped her husband's face. It was true that she had cried and mourned after learning that Niklaus had killed her father. Twice.
"You don't have to fight my battles for me," she said gently.
"I know, but you can't ask me not to look after my wife."
She sighed and kissed him.
"Right back at you. Speaking of which, Finn called. Aurora has fled."
"Of course she has," Tristan sighed. "Did she make a lot of mess?"
"Yes, but Finn handled that. He promised to come here if I need him." She paused and looked at Tristan. "Do we need him?"
"What do you mean?"
Ginna crossed her arms.
"I can see that you're hiding something from me. I want to know what that something is. Why did you come here?"
