AN: I do not own TVD or TO.
Uncertainty.
Uncertainty filled her.
It made her stomach quiver and her knees tremble.
There was so much to be uncertain about. The prince had caught her breaking several laws and had offered to teach her. The foreign princess has caught her with an illegal weapon. They were two different people who could easily turn her over and watch her hang.
She knew why the princess had kept her silence, but his was still in question. Should she remain within the safety of the castle? Should she accept his offer and learn?
Elena took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She clenched her fingers tighter around the oak box and braced the slim chest against her hip. She knew if she were to lift the box any higher she would hear the jars of powder rattle.
"The princess is expecting me," Elena spoke in her most regal voice. She schooled her features into an indifferent mask.
The guards nodded before knocking on the door. "The lady Katerina is here, your highness."
Elena gripped the box until her knuckles turned white. She cleared her throat delicately even as her eyes blazed with indignation. "Lady Elena," she corrected him.
A crimson stain flooded the man's cheeks as he stammered an apology and informed the princess he had made a mistake. A soft voice emanated from within the chamber beckoning Elena to enter.
She slipped past the guard and resisted the urge to glare at him. It stung to be called by her sister's name, but she could hardly blame the man. Typically she dressed in more sombre colours in stark contrast to her sister, but she had donned a soft blue silk for the wedding.
"Lady Elena," Lexa greeted as the door was pulled shut.
"Your highness," Elena dipped into a curtsy. The action was made slightly difficult by the box in her hands.
Lexa pressed her lips together. She removed the veil with trembling fingers and let it fall onto the chaise before the fire. "You know my deepest secret," she attempted a weak smile, "and you're keeping it. I think that earns you the right to my given name. There is no need to stand on ceremony in here. May I use your name?"
"That would be nice," Elena nodded. "I'll be honest," she set down her burden when Lexa pushed aside a handful of silks, "I've grown quite tired of being called 'Lady Elena', the only one who uses my name these days is my sister."
"It gets annoying doesn't it?" Lexa watched her face as she lifted the lid. "It makes me feel so separate from everyone."
"I understand the feeling, Alexandria," Elena lifted a couple of jars with pale powders.
"Lexa," she wrinkled her nose when she smelled an overly sweet powder, "my name is Lexa."
"Alright, Lexa," Elena poured a small amount of powder into a bowl and added some water from the basin. "Can I ask you a question?" She looked up from mixing the paste. "You don't have to answer it if you'd rather not."
Lexa chewed on her lip and nodded slowly.
Elena applied some of the paste to her fingers and gently rubbed it over the scars. "I know what this symbol means," she ventured after a moment of silence. "Rumors reached us in Bulgaria of the hunters who would carve it into the faces of…"
"Witches," Lexa whispered.
"Yes," Elena murmured. "I'm not going to tell anyone, I promise you that." She met Lexa's wide green eyes. "I'm just curious how you survived. From the reports I heard and read they would… kill their victims. And if they were woman…"
"They endured horror before the end," Lexa cast her eyes towards the fire.
Elena fell into silence as she blended the paste until it faded into her skin. She was just about to give up on receiving an answer and pack up when Lexa caught her hand.
"I wasn't…" She trailed off and swiped away a tear.
"You don't have to," Elena squeezed her hand.
Lexa exhaled slowly. She looked through her lashes to see Elena's kind eyes. "I know," she murmured, "I know I don't have to tell you anything, but I… I… I need to talk to someone about this, and I feel pretty confident you'll keep my secrets."
"Of course," Elena smoothed the silk skirt. "You know my darkest secret too." She tucked a curl behind her ear when she thought about how Lexa literally held her life in her hands.
"That secret is safe with me," Lexa rushed to assure her. "I admire you for it actually. Perhaps if I had learned as you clearly did then I would have never found myself in this position." She motioned to her cheek.
Lexa took a few deep breaths and closed her eyes. She could see the edges of the room coming into focus. She could feel the rough planks beneath her bare feet. She could smell the blood on her cheek and hear it fall to the table top. Her hands had been pinned to the small of her back as one man had held her face to the table.
The echo of her scream reached her ears when she remembered the second man hiking up her ruined skirt and groping her thighs.
"I wasn't r-raped," Lexa forced her eyes open. "They didn't get the chance to… but they did try." She turned to Elena. "I am my father's only daughter. When I was abducted by hunters the entire guard was sent out to find me. My brother's broke down the door to the room I was being held in. The hunter… his hands…" She released a shuddering breath. "A minute later and it would have been too late. They shipped me off a week later to a place I'd be safe."
Lexa gasped in surprise when slim arms wrapped around her torso. Her head fell into the crook of Elena's neck. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she returned the hug.
"I'm sorry," Elena murmured. She offered Lexa a lace handkerchief when she pulled back.
"Thanks," Lexa dried her eyes. "Now tell me Elena… am I going to get married in a few hours, or will I be carted off and burned?"
"You tell me," Elena lifted a small looking glass for Lexa to use.
"That's amazing," she turned her head. The paste had completely covered the scars and blended into her face seamlessly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Elena took back the mirror and handed Lexa the jar. "I never use any of this so you're welcome to have it."
"How does it work?" Lexa eyed the powder and sniffled.
"Mix a pinch with a small amount of water and then spread it over the area you want to cover," Elena wiped the residue off her fingers. "It's such a small area that this will probably last you a year or maybe two."
"You know I meant what I said?"
"What's that?"
"I really could use a friend," Lexa set the jar on her vanity.
"So could I," Elena smiled. "Shall I help you with your hair?"
"I'd like that," Lexa fingered the comb before passing it to Elena.
It was several minutes later when the guards announced the Princesses Rebekah and Caroline.
"Good afternoon," Rebekah folded her hands over her stomach. "We've come to assist you…" She trailed off when she saw Elena threading a green ribbon through Lexa's braid.
Elena used a hairpin to secure the braids in a crown around Lexa's head and left the majority of her curls tumbling down her back.
"Thank you," Lexa nodded politely, "but I already had help. There is not much left to do."
"Now that's where you're wrong," Caroline smirked. Her eyes darted to the closed box on the table before falling to the bag in her hands. "You still have to put on your dress, and before you can do that you need to put on some perfume."
"Are you implying that I smell?" Lexa's brows shot up.
"Of course not," Rebekah shook her head.
"We apply perfume so that every inch of you that Kol encounters smells sweet," Caroline explained. "Since your hair is done we'll get on with the rest." She motioned for Lexa to stand and stepped in front of her. She placed a drop of the fragrant oil behind each of her ears, on her wrists, and at the base of her throat before sliding to the ground in front of Lexa.
"What are you doing?" Lexa stepped back when Caroline lifted the edge of her shift.
"Would you rather do this part yourself?" Caroline motioned for her to sit. "I'm just going to put some perfume behind your knees and along your thighs."
"Why would he smell my thighs?" Lexa crossed her arms but allowed Caroline to quickly apply the perfume.
Caroline covered her laugh with her hand. "Because, like my own husband, he is an experienced lover," she snickered when the other woman in the room blushed, "who, from all accounts, is 'dedicated' to the pleasure of his partners."
"That is not something I needed to know about any of my brothers," Rebekah rolled her eyes and dropped to sit with Elena.
"Sorry Rebekah," Caroline shrugged.
"Woman are not meant to enjoy…" Lexa blushed again. The colour extended down her chest and brought the smell of roses to her nose.
"Oh darling," Caroline grinned, "have I got news for you."
"Will you dance, my lady?" Damon stepped into her personal space. He raked his eyes over the soft blue silk and her exposed collarbone.
"I find myself inclined to remain by the fire, my lord," Elena lowered her eyes. She could feel him leering at her. "I'm rather cold this evening."
"All the more reason to move," Damon smirked, "it will get your blood pumping." He lifted his hand expectantly.
"No thank you," Elena glared and retreated closer to the fire, "perhaps you will find my sister more inclined." She saw fire flash in his eyes when she peeked back over her shoulder.
Elena exhaled and held her hands out. The gooseflesh on her arms receded as the heat licked up her skin, but still a chill remained. Silk was definitely a poor choice for this country; unfortunately it was one of the only acceptable ones for a wedding.
"As much as it pains me to agree with him I find I must."
Elena's head turned to the left where he had taken up a silent post beside the fire. A teasing light danced in his eyes.
"You know he's right," Elijah nodded towards the centre of the room, "moving would most certainly warm you."
Elena spun slowly and followed his gaze to where Damon was now spinning her sister around the dancefloor. "No more than the fire," Elena frowned, "there is a chill that's settled in my bones; I doubt anything would remove it now."
"Do not doubt the power of exercise," Elijah murmured. He took a small step towards her.
"What if I do?" Elena shifted to face him. She tilted her head back and met his eyes. "What if I prefer to remain here where I know I'll be warm?"
Elijah searched her face. His expression turned serious as he stepped forward until he was as close as he dared be while they remained off the dancefloor.
Elena swallowed and tipped her head back. She thought he must run exceptionally hot because once again she could feel heat rolling off him. Her eyes flickered to his lips when they moved.
"That is your decision," Elijah caught the hesitation in her eyes. "You can change your mind anytime." He glanced over her shoulder to where Nik was motioning to him. "If you'll excuse me, Lady Elena," he inclined his head, "I am being summoned."
"Of course," Elena shivered when he retreated. She watched him walk across the room and bit her lip.
Elena jolted when slim hands grasped her elbows and spun her around. She could see Lexa being led from the room by the queen and Caroline; per her countries 'tradition' the veil was still in place. She could see Kol being ushered out a few seconds behind before she finally looked to see who had taken her arms.
"Kat," Elena frowned. "What are you doing?" She dug in her heels when her sister started to pull her in the direction of the door where various courtiers were leaving.
"It's time," Kat grinned.
"Time for what?" Elena sighed. Knowing Kat it would be something completely inappropriate.
"The consummation ceremony," Kat giggled and rolled her eyes. "It's tradition for courtiers to witness the wedding night of royals; there can be no doubt about the validity of the marriage."
"Kat," she gasped and wrenched her arms free, "I don't want to see that. She'll be nervous enough without having an audience watching her."
"They won't see anyone, 'Lena," Kat sighed and put her hands on her hips. "It's a special room with screens built into the walls; apparently you can only see silhouettes." She held out her hand for her sister. "Come on, 'Lena, live a little. Aren't you the least bit curious?"
Elena stepped back and blinked. She was curious, but not about this; she had received a rather full explanation from Caroline earlier when she'd been prepping Lexa.
"No, I'm not," Elena shook her head. She watched Kat sigh before hurrying off after the rest of the court. Elena turned on her heel and started through the empty corridors.
She had nearly reached her room when a second set of footsteps sounded behind her. She recognized her mistake when she paused to look over her shoulder and hands closed over her hips.
"Rudeness will not be tolerated."
She gasped loudly and tried to squirm away when he pulled her flush against his chest. A large hand pressed into her abdomen and began to slide lower. Her stomach turned as the silk was pushed between her legs.
"Let me go!" She had meant for it to sound harsher, but her voice came out in little more than a whimper.
"You see- to be un'er the 'pression tha' you ha'a'choice," the voice slurred. "In case you are forge'ing you belong t' me."
Elena looked over her shoulder and recoiled when the smell of wine hit her. "You're drunk," she tried to reason with him, "I don't belong to anyone; we're not married yet. Now let me go."
"S'only a month," Damon pressed her into the wall, "why wait?" His hips ground against her behind.
"I'll scream," Elena struggled against his hold. Nausea rose in her throat when her ankles were exposed to the air. Her dress was around her knees when the scream finally tore from her throat. It died when a hand closed around her throat. Her head began to swim; she heard the footsteps approaching from a distance and crashed to the floor when she was released.
Gasping for breath Elena just saw his boots disappearing around a far corner.
"My lady," Adelaide fell to her knees. She quickly righted Elena's skirts as more feet pounded around the corner. Her eyes had seen Damon's back fleeing around a corner.
"Is the lady alright?" One of the guards watched as Adelaide laid Elena's head on her shoulder.
"She will be fine in a moment," Adelaide assured them. "Lady Elena was unfortunate to stumble upon a rat," her nose crinkled, "it's run off now."
Elena heard them muttering something about swooning women as they spun around and returned to their posts.
"Why did you lie?" She whispered as Adelaide helped her to her feet. She was certain bruises must be forming around her throat.
"To preserve your reputation," she hastened Elena into her room and pulled the door shut. "I have seen women shattered for less. Are you hurt?" She lowered Elena onto a low chair and inspected her throat.
Emotionally or physically? Elena lifted her chin so Adelaide could inspect the bruises. Finger prints marred her olive complexion. "He didn't succeed if that's what you mean?"
Her stomach quivered. A few minutes later and she would have been ruined… a fallen woman. Was this how Lexa had felt? Had her body trembled? Had she felt the phantom hands on her skin after the act?
"I'll get some tea," Adelaide straightened up. "It will soothe your throat."
Elena lifted her hand to her neck. She hadn't realized until that moment, but her throat burned. Each breath burned on its path towards her lungs.
"Thank you Adelaide," Elena turned towards the fire. Her mind buzzed nervously when Adelaide left and bid her to lock the door.
She could stay put in her bed chamber and hope nobody ever touched her again, but she had learned over the past year that hope was overrated.
She could inform the queen of her betrothed's many activities and have the marriage called off. Adultery was one of the few reasons a wedding would be canceled, but that would require destroying her sister in the process.
Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew the choice she was going to make. She had changed and was halfway through the garden before she'd made the conscious decision.
I meant for this chapter to have more in it, but it was starting to get long, so the next one will catch up with Lol and Elejah.