I do not own TVD or TO.

Kat stifled her scream and took hold of the princesses' arms. She pulled them hurriedly back towards the fire. The heavy chaise was moving; scraping across the floor.

"What do we do?" Rebekah hissed. Her eyes darted to the chamber door where the shouts of men could still be heard; they had been attempting to enter the room since the women had barricaded themselves.

"I don't suppose your sister hides weapons in her bedchamber?" Caroline gazed furtively into each corner of the room.

The wooden legs screeched over the stone as the women pressed themselves farther against the stone wall by the window.

"The only weapons she had she took with her," Kat swallowed and shook her head.

There was a brief pause when a hard grunt sounded through the door. It was clear that those who were trying to break in had managed to injure themselves just when they'd been starting to gain ground.

Kat felt her blood run cold when his hard disembodied voice barked orders for the men to continue with their task. Her eyes grew round when she heard a soft click.

Rebekah was the first to scream when the hidden door swung open.

Caroline slammed her hand over her sister-in-law's mouth and pushed her onto the floor behind a trunk of silks.

Katerina was the first to move. She was across the bedchamber in a matter of seconds to throw her arms around Elena's neck.

"You're alright," Kat blinked back her tears, "I've been worried sick," she pulled back and caught her sister's hands. Her eyes narrowed when she felt the ring. "What's this?"

Elena followed Kat's eyes but before she could answer a warm hand settled on the small of her back.

"That would be her wedding ring."

Rebekah shoved Caroline's hand from her mouth and drew in a shaky breath. The blood drained from her face at the sound of the voice that she never thought she would hear again. She cast a disbelieving look to Caroline before climbing to her feet.

In that moment she didn't care if he was a ghost. She didn't care if she was lost to grief and gone completely mad. She didn't care if she was touched in the head. Rebekah ran across the room and wrapped her arms around Elijah's back.

"Sister," he smiled and hugged her tight. "Are you alright?"

"I will be," Rebekah shook her head and laughed.

"How about moving in so the rest of us can get out of these tunnels?"

Elijah rolled his eyes but stepped aside nonetheless.

Rebekah's eyes grew round when Kol stepped through behind his wife. They were quickly passed by Nik.

He moved around his siblings with a quick nod. Nik was barely two steps away when slim arms wrapped firmly around his neck.

Rebekah couldn't bring it in her to be exasperated by the very public display of affection. Normally Nik and Caroline were enough to make her gag, but right now she didn't care; her brothers were alive. The messenger had lied, or been misinformed.

"Where's Finn?" Rebekah whispered in deference to the voices in the hall. They would surely hear her if she spoke any louder. Her heart clenched when Elijah shook his head. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly to dispel her tears before turning her gaze to Elena. "Did you say wedding ring?"

"I did," Elijah nodded.

"So I've lost a brother and gained a sister?" Rebekah didn't miss the way Elijah's hand lingered on the slim brunette.

Elena nodded once. Her head snapped towards the door when she heard a loud bang.

"That would be my 'betrothed'," Rebekah grimaced and followed her gaze. "Perhaps conversations," she nodded to Elena and her brother, "could wait until we are free of this room."

Elijah nodded before motioning the three women into the dark tunnel. "Stay straight," he instructed, "until you find Adelaide. She will direct you the rest of the way to Kol's room."

Kol paused when he reached the hidden door that let out at the base of the tower. His shoulders tensed. Spinning on his heel he pinned his pursuer to the wall.

A small grunt reached his ears; it was very familiar.

"Lexa?" He sighed and shook his head. "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?"

"Following you," she stepped from the wall and rolled her shoulder back.

"You were supposed to stay in our chamber," he exhaled. Her features slowly came into focus in the dim light of the tunnel. "It's not safe out here."

"Why do you think I followed you?" She tilted her head and sighed. "The last time I let you out of my sights someone tried to kill you, and then you nearly killed yourself from overexertion."

Kol took a deep breath and met her bright eyes. "How long would it take me to convince you to stay here, or go back?"

She tilted her head and considered.

"Three days," she cocked an eyebrow, "at least. And even then I'll likely still follow."

"What are the chances of convincing you to join the others in the tunnels?" Elijah threaded a hand through his hair.

Elena tipped her head back and met his eyes. She could hear the scraping of wood over stone by the door.

"The odds are not in your favour," she forced a smile. Her heart drummed in her chest when the chaise was finally pushed far enough away that the door could swing open.

She read the panic in his eyes when the door slowly swung inwards and Damon's crooning voice called for Rebekah.

"Elena, please?" He cupped her cheek and opened the door a crack with his free hand. "I don't want you getting hurt."

"I am fully capable of defending myself," she whispered. Reaching behind her she pressed the hidden door shut and heard the click.

"You're a very stubborn woman," he shook his head fondly.

"I know," she chewed her lip. Arching her neck she pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "Don't die," her words were little more than a whisper.

"I wouldn't dare," he smirked, "my wife would have my head." He exhaled slowly before turning towards the sound of heavy footsteps.

The footsteps echoed on the winding stone stairs as they ascended the tower. Truthfully she was starting to feel a little dizzy as they walked round and round. Needing to focus on anything else she broke the silence that had descended around them; on the off chance someone was around the next bend she limited her voice to a whisper.

"Your mother…"

Kol paused and glanced over his shoulder. He held out his hand for his wife before continuing around the corner.

"Yes," he murmured. They were twelve steps from the top; he waited until they were three away before stopping and pressing her to the wall. "Finn is…was as well," he tipped up her chin and slid a loose curl behind her ear.

She lifted her hand to smooth the hair at the back of his neck and caught his distant gaze. "I'm sorry."

"Thank you," Kol smiled sadly and pressed a kiss to her brow.

Lexa closed her eyes and basked in the feeling of his body covering hers and his lips on her forehead. She had never imagined when she left Sicily that she would grow to love him, but she had. She wanted to forget everything else and just hold him, but she knew she couldn't; there were certain things that needed to be done.

She exhaled slowly and lifted smoothed her hand around his neck to rest over his heart.

"Do you think they knew about your mother?" She swallowed and met his dark eyes. "You said there was only one cell that could hold her."

"There is a chance they got lucky," he tilted his head. "The tower only has three cells, but on the off chance they did I want you to stay here."

"Kol…"

He pressed a finger to her lips and stared into her annoyed eyes.

"Just for a moment, darling," he promised. "Give me a moment to ensure it's safe. Please? I want you safe," he slid the hand that had been on her hip to her stomach, "both of you."

Lexa swallowed and nodded once. She caught his wrist before he could climb the rest of the way into the tower: "two minutes," she whispered.

"Well, well, well," Damon smirked, "look who has returned to the fold."

Elena inhaled sharply and held on to Elijah's arm.

"The disgraced Lady Petrova," his eyes cut Elijah, "and the ghost."

"I'll thank you not to insult my wife," Elijah's eyes narrowed.

"I'm going to bypass the question of how you're alive," Damon drew his own weapon, "and jump straight to offering your 'widow' my heartfelt condolences. Then perhaps I'll kill her as well."

She gasped when her body was pushed backwards across the bed. Elena rolled to the opposite side and landed on her feet when the first clash of metal reached her ears.

Spinning on her heel she dropped her cloak as the blows were traded back and forth. Each ring of steel made her abdomen quiver with fear. She knew he had pushed her to protect her, but in spite of being afraid she was angry.

Elena saw the moment Damon knew he was losing. It was the same moment he was backed up to the foot of the bed; his sword was knocked from his hand.

Fear makes men do terribly stupid things.

Her heart stopped when his hand closed around her elbow. She was preparing to reach up and throw him over her shoulder, but her eyes widened in fear when it was neither his hand nor arm across her throat.

She arched her neck when the cold steel was pressed to her throat. Her free hand grasped his wrist before realizing it was a futile task. The blade would slice through her carotid artery if she tried to free herself.

Damon released her elbow long enough to tear the belt holding her sword from her waist. The second the scabbard hit the floor he took wrapped his arm around her waist and kicked the sword beneath the bed.

"Drop it," Damon gasped, "or I'll slit her throat."

Fear curled down her spine at the hard edge in his voice. Her wriggling body stilled when he pressed the dagger closer to her skin.

Breathe and think…

Elijah sword fell to the floor with a clatter.

Breathe and think…

"Now kick it away," Damon lifted a heavy brow and waited.

Elijah narrowed his eyes but did as requested; the blade skittered into the far corner of the room. He held up his hands palms out and took a step closer.

"Let her go," Elijah froze when Damon shook his head.

"I don't think so," he slid the tip of the knife into her neckline and tugged downwards.

Her heart stuttered when the fabric ripped. The steel was placed against her throat again.

"You see," Damon lifted the arm from her waist and quickly tore open her shirt, "I had every intention of ruining her the other night."

She had never longed for a corset more in her life than in that moment when the cold air hit her chest; hers had been ruined by the rain. She felt her nipples harden and gasped when her breast was groped.

Elena knew the only reason Damon still lived was because of the knife at her throat; she could see it in Elijah's eyes. The light was murderous; she had only ever seen him look that angry when he had found the bruises on her body.

She blinked back the tears when a few unknown men entered the room. They dodged Elijah's blows and pinned his arms to force him to the floor.

The taller of the men looked to Damon. Elena felt him shake his head slightly and saw the man sheath a short dagger.

"I was even under the impression I had until Katerina revealed herself to your sister," Damon pinched her nipple hard.

Elena winced in pain. Her entire body froze when his hand forced its way beneath the waist of her trousers and cold metal pressed between her quivering breasts.

Breathe and think…

"It's clear," Kol had barely turned around when his wife was at his side.

"Which door?" Lexa stared at the three cells before her eyes lit on the oak.

"Witch door," Kol chuckled. He lifted a key from a hook and frowned. "They must not have thought anyone would come looking for her."

"Is it just the key?" Lexa tilted her head and examined a few of the runes etched into the wood; she only recognized one. It was the same rune that had been carved into her cheek.

"It's a magic key," Kol nodded and slid the key into the lock. He turned it and grasped the iron handle before pushing it open. He groaned when he was propelled backwards across the tower.

Lexa stifled her shriek and darted to his side.

"Mother," he rubbed the lump on the back of his head.

"Kol?" Esther stepped out. The blood drained from her face when she laid eyes on a son she had thought forever lost to her.

Lexa held her hand over the bump and started mumbling something in Latin. Her eyes popped open when his hand covered her mouth.

"You've used enough magic today, darling."

Esther fell to her knees and gently pushed Lexa's hand away. A few choice words smoothed out the lump and eased the growing headache.

"I thought you were dead," she leaned back and stared at her son, "I thought you were all dead." Esther turned her gaze to Lexa. "I feared I would find you at the bottom of a staircase with a broken neck."

"Why would I have a broken…" Lexa held Kol's hand when he sat up. "You knew about the baby?"

"My dear," Esther smiled and climbed to her feet, "I have carried seven children. I recognize the early signs of pregnancy… Luckily for you the Salvatores did not. How did you get out?"

Lexa stood and followed down the stairs.

"Elena," she swallowed and tucked the loose curls behind her ear again. "She learned of their plans and helped me from the castle. We rode all night to warn them."

"Thanks to her quick thinking only Finn lost his life," Kol held up his hand to stop them at the foot of the stairs.

"It would seem I owe Lady Petrova a debt of gratitude," Esther held up her skirts to keep from tripping. "She saved most of my children and my grandchild. Why did she do it?"

"I'm thinking her motivations were very selfish," Lexa smirked and met Kol's eyes.

"Saving you was selfless," he pushed open the hidden door and pulled his wife into the tunnels. Closing the door he went quiet when footsteps paced by and up the stairs. "Never thought I would be sneaking around my own home," he mumbled.

"What did she want?" Esther murmured a quiet spell and held up her hand to illuminate the dark corridor.

"She wanted to know the man she loved was safe," Kol shrugged. He caught the light in his hand and led the way back towards his chamber.

Caroline couldn't stop staring at him. She had yet to release her death grip her right hand had on his left. Her left hand ran slowly up and down his arm to reassure her that he was truly there and not just a figment of her imagination.

"I'm right here, love," Nik caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.

Caroline closed her eyes and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Don't you ever leave me again," she stepped back and glared at him when he had the audacity to laugh. "I mean it, Nik. Never again; you are not allowed to die," she jabbed a finger into his chest.

"Caroline…"

"No," she shook her head, "you can't die and leave me again. I thought I lost you and it nearly destroyed me." Fire flashed in her blue-green eyes. "You don't get to die on me… in fact I'm going to go ahead and insist that I die first."

"Very well, love," he nodded solemnly, "but I am going to insist that it not be until you are old and grey." He lifted his hands and cupped her neck. "You may go first, but only when we are both too feeble to stand."

Caroline rolled her eyes and sighed.

"That is at once incredibly romantic," Rebekah leaned against Lexa's vanity, "and way over the top."

"I don't know," Kat sighed, she crossed her arms over her stomach, "isn't that what everyone wants?"

Nik ignored them both and pressed a kiss to his wife's cheek. "I do have one job to do before we start working towards old and grey though."

Caroline caught his wrist before he could step back into the tunnel with Adelaide.

"Don't die!"

"Now," Damon eyes flickered to Elena's exposed torso, "I think I'll make you watch me fuck her."

He surprised them both by pressing an almost soft kiss to Elena's neck.

She shivered in disgust and tried to wrench her body free again.

"I do love it when they struggle," he chuckled. His hand pressed firmly against her sex when he rocked his hips forward. "Do you feel what you're doing to me?" He whispered loudly so her husband could easily hear. "Can you feel how hard you're making my cock?"

Elena knew it was a very bad idea to antagonize the man holding a knife to her throat. It was a very, very bad idea; horrible really, but it seemed she had moved past the realm of fear.

"Am I supposed to be feeling something?" She swallowed and arched her neck to avoid the steel. She could feel the bulge against the curve of her ass.

"Maybe I'll share you with my guards over here," Damon growled. He pulled his from her trousers and pulled sharply.

Elena saw her opportunity when he had to lower the knife. It was much harder to rape a woman in trousers; skirts could be hiked up, but trousers needed to be pulled down and since hers were molded to her body it required both hands.

As soon as the knife moved from her neck she brought her right hand to the crucifix around her neck. Much like Rolf, Damon assumed she was praying and thought nothing of it.

She ducked forwards and drove her arm hard back over her head. The wet gurgle bubbled in his throat.

She couldn't stop the scream when her body pitched forwards under the weight of his. She didn't hear the knife hit the floor, but she did hear the heavy blows and masculine grunts coming from the foot of the bed.

The unmistakable sound of steel moving through flesh made her heart leap into her throat.

She felt Damon's body twitching on top of her and breathed a sigh of relief when he was pulled away. There was a hollow thud before she was pulled up to sit on the edge of the bed.

There was something wet on her neck. It was warm and sticky and she had a decent idea of what it was; her suspicions were confirmed when Elijah wiped her skin with his sleeve and it came back covered in red.

"Are you alright?" He tipped up her chin so he could see her dark eyes.

"I think so," she shuddered when she remembered how he had touched her. She felt the overwhelming need for a hot bath; she wanted the water to burn away the imprint of Damon Salvatore on her skin. "Did you kill them both?" Her eyes caught part of the prone bodies on the floor.

"You didn't hear the things they were saying about you," Elijah followed her gaze. He stood and offered her a hand. "Let's find you something to wear."

She nodded once. Holding the edges of her ruined shirt in one hand and his hand in the other she did her best to ignore the bodies on the floor and lifted the lid of a mahogany chest.

Her breath caught in her throat when the ring of steel on steel sounded in the corridor.

"It sounds like Niklaus did his part," Elijah reached for his sword where it had landed on the other side of the chest.

Elena pulled a fresh shirt from the chest and let the torn material slide down her arms. She had the new one on and was reaching for her own sword when she caught his eyes.

"What?" She sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "I'm not staying in here with them." She nodded to the men littering her floor.

"I know," he nodded. He shook his head with a humourless laugh. "Just stay close to me."

She nodded and pulled her sword free of its scabbard. Before they could enter the corridor however he caught her wrist and pulled her back into the bedroom.

"Elija…"

Her annoyed sigh was cut off by his mouth pressing firmly against hers in a desperate kiss. She slid her left hand into his hair and moved firmly against him. Heat spread from her lips to her toes. She felt extremely cold when he pulled away; it settled over her like the winter snow.

"I love you," he stared into her bright eyes.

Just like that the snow began to melt.

"I love you, too," she brushed her lips over his one last time before following him into the corridor.

One more chapter... I'm thinking the epilogue will be combined with the next chapter...

Next story to work on is Consequences... keep an eye out for the new chapter