Edited by my wonderful friend and fellow writer - klovec.
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A fist pounded and the door banged open, ripping Caroline from the depths of her sleep. Disoriented, her pulse shot to a frantic beat in her head. For a slight moment, too tired to remember exactly where she was, she thought herself home. With a dart of fear it all came back to her.
Klaus.
The capture and her imprisonment.
"Hell's Fire!" Klaus roared. "Who dares disturb me?"
Light flooded the room and he sat up violently, angling his body to shield hers. Were they under attack? Had the Angels come for her at last? Her breath stuck in her throat
"Hello, Nik," drawled a smooth voice.
All of Caroline's hopes shattered. This could be no Angelic rescue. Next to her Klaus tensed, his muscles tightening. Barely restrained violence radiated from him and she feared for whoever dared wake them.
"Get out," Klaus ordered between clenched teeth.
"And here, I thought you would be happy to see me."
Caroline slid to the side of Klaus, attempting to peer around him to see who their visitor was. Her movement must have been noticed because there was a sharp intake of breath from across the room.
"Kol, if you don't leave now, I swear I will make ribbons of your intestines."
Klaus' threat had no effect on the man judging by his throaty chuckle. "You have company of the female variety? Or at least, I am assuming female. One never knows, though, you have lived like a monk far too long."
"If you don't get out of here I will-" Klaus snarled like he swore the vilest oath.
"Yes, I know," Kol interrupted with a cheery tone, "you will wear my intestines like ribbons or some such nonsense?" He moved further into the room, closer to the bed. "You can come out, darling. I mean you no harm."
"Stay where you are, Caroline. Kol is leaving. Now."
"Caroline," the intruder she assumed was Kol cooed. "What a pretty name. Let us see if the name matches the face."
Curiosity prickled her at this man, this Kol, who would speak so casually to Klaus. He appeared to have no fear of the Devil. Maybe he could be an asset or ally to her? The person who would help her get Klaus to send her home?
"Come out, come out, pretty Caroline," sang Kol in a singsong voice.
Klaus reached behind himself to grip her arm and keep her in place. She easily avoided his hold and with a burst of energy she scooted around him, scrambling off the bed. The man in front of her startled, his mouth falling open at the sight of her. He struggled to speak for only a second, before instantly composing himself.
"An Angel, Nik?" Kol hooted. "I am proud, truly proud."
While he grinned at her, his gaze sized her up. She became painfully aware of the tangled curtain of curls cascading down her shoulders, the thin white silk of her negligee.
"That is enough!" Klaus got to his feet. "You have seen my guest; now go back to wherever you came from."
"Where are your manners, brother? Mother taught us better than that."
Caroline rush of hope that he would be able to help her disintegrated. Klaus' sibling would not assist her in an escape.
"I am Kol." He swept her an elegant bow. "Klaus's younger, more attractive brother. And, I am very, very pleased to meet you."
Caroline's etiquette wouldn't let her to ignore the gesture. She curtsied as much as she could in the negligee. "Pleased to meet you too." The incredulity of the situation stuck her hard and she started to giggle. Here she was exchanging pleasantries with her captor's brother, like they had just met at a social event.
Kol laughed with her and it was her turn to look at him. He stood tall and slender, an impish look about him. His dark eyes glittered in a sharply angled face and his short, brown hair looked as if it was sticking up in back.
"So what is a pretty Angel like you doing in Hell? Did you fall from Heaven, darling?"
Caroline giggled again at the corny lines.
"Enough," Klaus spat out. "Kol, you need to go and Caroline, get back in bed."
"Is that any way to speak to a pretty girl? No wonder, you never get laid."
Klaus advanced on Kol, his fists held out and ready to do damage.
"I know, I know, the truth hurts." Kol danced out of his brother's way and to the other side of the room. Reaching the small round table laid out with brimstone wine, he picked up a crystal goblet.
"You're about to hurt." Klaus stalked to towards the table.
"Allow me a drink first and then we'll talk." Kol uncorked the bottle pouring wine into three glasses. "Drink, brother, you will need this." He handed a goblet to Klaus who took it with an angry sound. "Join us, Caroline."
"I don't really drink."
"Of course, you do. You are with my brother aren't you? That drives even an Angel to drink, doesn't it?"
Once again, Caroline couldn't stop laughing. Klaus turned to glower at her. She could tell he didn't want her anywhere near his brother. Didn't like her even to speak to him. Not caring why or considering the repercussions, she joined the two of them at the table, taking secret delight in knowing she irritated Klaus.
Kol handed her a glass and leaned on the table with his elbow to look first at Klaus and then at her, merriment in his eyes. "So tell me how do an Angel and a Devil hook up? Is there like an online dating site? Or maybe a singles group I could join?" Kol took a sip of his wine. "How did this all happen?"
This time Caroline couldn't laugh. She looked down at the drink she held. "He stalked and kidnapped me because I dared purify souls that belonged to Heaven."
"They didn't belong to Heaven, they belonged to me," Klaus retorted.
Kol took a deep drink of brimstone, for once seemingly at a loss for words. "How romantic you are, Nik."
From the smirk on Kol's face, Caroline knew she was right in her assessment that she could not trust Klaus' brother at any cost. It appeared he actually might admire Klaus' actions in regards to her.
"Is there a reason you are here, Kol? Because if you don't start explaining yourself in the next five minutes I swear I will -"
"I know." Kol drained his glass and poured another. "I will start missing body parts."
Klaus' brother turned his gaze to Caroline and for once his eyes gleamed with something other than amusement. It made her very uneasy.
"Can you be trusted, Caroline? Because as pretty as you are, if you can't keep a secret, I have no qualms cutting out your heart and eating it for dinner."
Kol smiled at her, a cold, cruel smile that froze her to the spot. Her blood iced in her veins and sickness rolled into her stomach. He would do it, too. She knew it. His overt threat of violence scared her more than anything Klaus had said or done.
Klaus must have sensed her terror because he reached for her hand, twining his fingers with hers in a touch of reassurance. "Don't worry. Kol wouldn't dare touch you. He knows better."
Caroline attempted to swallow back her fear, to face the monsters in front of her bravely.
"She can be trusted. She belongs to me." Klaus smiled down at her, his hand lightly squeezing hers in a show of affection that made her ill.
Kol regarded her, still unsure. "What if she escapes?"
"Rebekah bound her with magic. She can go nowhere I don't wish her to."
Caroline wanted to cry. She was stuck here, more so that she ever dreamed.
"You have outdone yourself, Nik."
Kol sounded proud, like he admired his brother for destroying her life. It was all enough to make her scream. Instead, she took a deep breath. "You don't need to speak as if I am not here. As for your stupid secret? How old are you? Two? And who exactly am I to tell? The walls? Or the furniture? I am trapped in your bed chamber," she threw at Klaus, her voice now shaking with anger.
"Be careful. This one is dangerous," Kol laughed, his eyes once more gleaming with mirth.
"I know." Klaus pounded down his drink and then thumping his glass back on the table he turned to face her. "Caroline, I am about to trust you with something that could destroy me. Earlier you asked me to honor my word. Now, I am going to ask for you to give me yours and honor it. I need to know that you will not reveal anything you are about to learn to anyone."
"You can be trusted now, can't you, darling?" Kol asked.
"Give me your word, Caroline." Klaus' hold on her hand tightened and she turned to stare at him. His blue eyes held a fierceness she had not seen before and he carried an intensity within him she didn't understand. For once, not even a hint of a smirk could be seen. Whatever he wanted to tell her, he carried it deep within.
"You would trust me? After everything that you have done to me? You don't think I would betray you at the first change I got?" Caroline asked.
Klaus lifted her hand to his lips, placing a kiss. "I don't."
"How can you believe that?"
"Give me your word and I will tell you everything."
"How can you possibly trust me? Is it because I am an Angel?"
Klaus laughed, it carried no joy or mirth. "You're being an Angel has nothing to do with it. If anything it makes you more untrustworthy."
"How is that possible? Angels are the servants of the Divine."
"And can't be trusted." Klaus let go of her hand to caress the side of her cheek. "I would trust your word, only yours."
Caroline shook her head. "I don't understand why."
"Because you have honor. Even here in Hell and as my prisoner, you can't hide the truth of who you are. You shine with it."
Kol made gagging noises. "Enough. Your foreplay can wait until later."
"But, I hit you in the head with a bottle and I lied to you," Caroline said softly, lowering her gaze.
"You hit him in the head?" Kol laughed.
Caroline nodded and bit her lip.
Kol laughed harder.
"So, love, give me your word and I will trust you. Trust you with my life."
His somber voice cut her right in the heart. Klaus wanted to unburden this to her, wanted to trust her. He was willing to risk his life with her. It made no sense.
"Just tell her what's going on. I am growing bored," Kol groaned.
"Be quiet, Kol."
Caroline gazed at Klaus, unable to look away. His eyes, they held a torment that maybe she could ease and help herself at the same time. "I give you my word, Klaus. I will keep your secrets -"
"Finally," Kol interrupted Caroline. "Can we get this finished now? As fun as you two lovebirds are I do have other plans for the evening."
Caroline held out a finger. "On one condition."
"Condition? You are throwing conditions out now?" Kol slapped Klaus on the back. "Cheeky thing, isn't she? I understand the appeal outside of the looks even more now."
"What condition?" Klaus asked, glaring at his brother.
"I want your word. Your word of honor that you will uphold our earlier agreement."
"Agreement?" Kol perked his head up. "What agreement is this?"
Klaus frowned and Caroline knew she had him. He would not refuse now. Especially, if he didn't want her to spill to his brother about their agreement to delay intimacy to get to know each other. Satisfaction at her cunning flared bright within her, bringing a triumphant smile to her lips.
"You drive a hard bargain," Klaus said, his tone grudgingly respectful. "You have my word."
"Nicely done, darling." Kol winked at her. "Now, about that agreement? I want to know details."
Caroline laid a finger over her lips. "I am honor bound by my word."
"Nik," Kol pretended to whine. "You've created a monster."
"Enough," Klaus snapped at his brother. "Caroline..." he paused, his fingers tapping on the table. "I am planning a coup to overthrow the King from Hell's throne and kill him. Rebekah, Kol and my other brother Finn are helping me."
Caroline inhaled sharply, shock striking through her like lightning. "What? Your father? Why would you do that?"
"It is time for his reign to end."
"But, he is your father and anointed king. How can you think of killing him?" Caroline's hand went to her mouth. "It is patricide."
Klaus pounded the table with his fist. "He doesn't deserve to live and rule."
"She doesn't know, does she?" Kol interjected, taking another drink of brimstone. "He murdered our mother and if Nik doesn't do something soon, he will be the one with ribbons for intestine."
Horror sickened her, bile blooming in her stomach. What kind of family did they have?
"Drink up, little Angel. Brimstone wine will make it all better." Kol handed back the goblet she had set down earlier.
"Your father killed your mother?" Caroline wanted to say she was sorry, to offer comfort. From the grim set of his mouth and the brutal look in his eyes she didn't know if it would be welcome. Still, she couldn't resist. She laid her hand over his on the table, a gesture of sympathy. He fisted his fingers and she thought he would shake her hold off. He didn't. He started to relax under her touch.
"He slit her throat while we all watched," Klaus said, his voice flat.
"Why would he do that?" Caroline asked, her heart heavy at such cruelty. "He made children with her. Must have loved her once. There must be a reason why?"
"He doesn't need a reason." Kol shrugged. "He is king."
"Too long we have lived by his whims. No longer. He must pay for his crimes."
She couldn't argue with that. Not with him having murdered his wife, the mother of his children. "He will have a trial?"
Kol hooted with laughter. "How innocent she is."
"There shall be no trial. He has already been judged guilty by me and now I shall be his executioner."
"You will need to move fast, Nik. I found out why Mikael is above ground and it is not drinking and whoring." Kol took another drink before continuing, "He seeks the weapon that can kill you."
"There is nothing that can touch me. He wastes his time."
"He has found a way."
For the first time, Kol was sober. He didn't need to say he worried about his brother. It was there in his face and in his words.
Klaus looked taken aback. He yanked his hand from under Caroline's. "Tell me."
"The Lance of Longinus."
Caroline gasped.
"Exactly." Kol pounded back the last of his wine.
"It does not exist," Klaus said, his voice taunt. "It can't. After all this time it must have been destroyed or melted down."
"It is a holy artifact. It can't be destroyed. It carries the blood of Christ, which makes it incredibly powerful." Caroline turned her gaze to Klaus, worry swelling within her. "You need to stop him from finding it. Who knows what damage your father could do with a weapon of that magnitude."
"So, I don't know what you are doing here while I am risking my life chasing after Father." Kol waved his hands in the air for emphasis. "But you need to speed it up before he comes here and skewers you with the spear like a toothpick."
"You make it sound as if I haven't been making alliances and overseeing the harnessing of souls," Klaus answered, his voice cold.
Kol cast a sly look at his brother. "Oh, I can see you that you have been making alliances. Those of an Angelic nature."
Klaus didn't bother to react to Kol. Instead, he stared off into the distance.
"Klaus?" Caroline lightly touched his shoulder, catching his attention. "Your father can't be allowed to have the spear."
"Let him have it." Klaus took her hand in his. "He will come here prepared to do battle and he will find no one to take his side. I have already turned a third of his nobles against him, it will only take a bit more creative pressing to turn the others. If he wants to fight, he can fight an army of his own court."
"But...he could kill you," Caroline whispered.
Klaus touched her hand to his cheek, a soft curve to his lips, like she initiated the intimate gesture.
"So worried for his life already? I never thought you to be so impressive in the bedroom? Tell me is he everything you hoped and dreamed?" Kol winked at her.
She yanked her hand from Klaus's like his touch soiled her. "If he is dead, his father will have the spear. That is all I care about."
"Way harsh, Caroline," Kol mocked.
Klaus frowned. "I will have the spear, the throne and my father on his knees. And if the spear is as powerful as you say it is, I will rid Hell of my father forever."
"No...no. It isn't supposed to be used that way. Klaus, it is a Holy Relic." Caroline looked up at him, pleading with him. She couldn't let him do this. Let the spear be used for something so unholy.
"It is what I want it to be and I shall use it how I see fit." Klaus took her face in his hands, his touch tender. "I shall right the wrongs of Hell, love. What higher purpose could the spear have?"
Caroline moved away from him, leaving his hands to fall to his side. "Can't you see? It is not meant to be involved as an instrument for your plotting."
Kol piped up, "Do I sense trouble in paradise?"
"Enough," Klaus snapped. "Both of you."
"You want the spear so badly, darling? Just use your womanly wiles on him when he is done with it. Offer him something he can't refuse." Kol looked at her with teasing eyes. "From what I see, he will not refuse you."
Caroline couldn't believe what Kol suggested. Did he know? Guess that they hadn't been together in the carnal sense? He must see how little power she had over him. She could barely keep him from taking her as it was. Then again, maybe she did have something to bargain with. Her innocence. Heat poured through her, flooding her cheeks with color.
"Ah, the little darling sees it now. Look at her blushing." Kol cocked his head at her. "You need to be wary, brother."
Klaus moved away from the table, holding his hand out for Caroline and ignoring his brother. "Kol, you need to get back to the surface. Keep your eye on Mikael and let me know as soon as he finds the spear. I will need to be ready for him."
"Kol, you need to get back to the surface," Kol repeated in a high-pitched voice. "That is all the thanks I get? I can't even get one night of debauchery in Hell before I go back to spying?"
"I appreciate your service, but I am tired and I would like to get some sleep in before I get back to work tomorrow with the important work of claiming the throne." Klaus scowled at Kol. "And no, you can't stay here even one more hour. You need to get back to your post." Klaus tired of waiting for Caroline to join him, returned to her and put his hand around her waist. He drew her close to him. "Caroline is tired as well, aren't you?"
She knew he wanted to agree so she did the opposite. "I am quite awake. I think I shall find a book to read."
Kol laughed boisterously. "She would rather read than go to bed with you? Darling, come with me and I will show you such a good time you won't be able to walk when I am finished."
Once again, color pounded into her cheeks.
Klaus' hand tightened on her waist. "You will speak respectfully to Caroline or I will use my sword in such a way you will never be able to please a woman again." Klaus flashed his brother a cruel smile. "In any way."
Kol smirked. "Much apologies. My tongue does run away with me and I would much prefer to keep it for other pursuits than talking."
Caroline bit her lip. She knew he meant something she didn't understand from Klaus' short laugh in response to his brother's quip.
"Leave us."
It was a royal command and flashing a grin, Kol left the room.
"Now you know everything, love." Klaus led her to the bed. "No secrets between us."
From the way he spoke to her, the roughness of his voice, and the flash of unease in his eyes, Caroline knew how rare that must be for him. How could he trust her with such things? It came to her slowly. Because she was his captive and had no one in the world to tell and no hope of ever being free.
"What is that look?" Klaus lightly caressed the side of her face, tucking a curl being her ear.
"Nothing. I am just tired." Caroline moved away from him, crawling into bed and turning away. He followed, putting his arm around her, trapping her with his body.
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Caroline paced the marble floors of Klaus' bedchambers, her silken skirts swishing around her ankles. With no windows in the room she had no idea what time it was. Klaus had left a while ago, mumbling about an important meeting and that he would return soon. With an unwelcome kiss, he left her to sleep.
Soon after, Dimina arrived to dress her in a new gown. This one was a light blue silk, shot with silver threads. It floated decadently on her body like gossamer. Such luxury had to be sinful. Only with nothing else except the flimsy negligee from earlier or the emerald dress to wear she had no choice. She could either allow herself to be seduced by such luxury or go completely nude. She chose to give in to temptation.
Now alone, with the silence thickening to cotton around her she wondered if she might go mad. She wasn't used to being so solitary with nothing to do. It made her miss her work for Elijah and her time with Elena. At the thought of them, a sharp pin of pain jabbed at her heart.
The door thudded open and she whirled around.
"Klaus," she greeted, her voice almost too eager.
He stood in the doorway, a pleased smile about his lips. "Happy to see me?"
"No...I - I mean, I don't know." Thrown off balance, her anxiety at having him there warred with her happiness at no longer being alone.
"You will be." Klaus moved into the room, stopping to gesture with his hand at someone outside the door. A huge, hulk of a man with dark hair and eyes followed pushing a silver cart in front of him. On top of the cart, were domed platters along with dishes.
A flurry of different smells assaulted Caroline, all of them related to food and her stomach almost growled.
Klaus moved to the table with matching chairs from where they had the brimstone wine the night before. "Leave it on the table, Rajanak." He pulled out a chair, motioning for Caroline to join him.
She walked over to the table with cautious steps, sitting down in front of the table.
Klaus joined her while the servant she assumed was Rajanak laid a place setting out for her and Klaus. China plates, crystal glasses and silver cutlery. Next, came the domed dishes of food. With a flourish, the lids were lifted to reveal a glass bowl overflowing with ripe fruit, a platter of some kind of golden toast with powdered sugar, croissants and a tray of various types of pastries.
"You have outdone yourself. I am most pleased," Klaus praised Rajanak. The servant bowed and left the room. "What would you like to taste, Caroline?"
"Nothing, thank you," she replied, ignoring the way her mouth watered from looking at the spread before her.
"Nothing?" Klaus scoffed. "Is this a new game you play? I know you haven't eaten since you arrived here."
"I'm not hungry." At that moment her weak stomach failed her, growling angrily.
Klaus chuckled and scooped fruit on to their plates. "Not hungry? Eat." He added pieces of the toast and croissants.
Caroline sat back in her chair, trying to resist the food before her.
"I have seen starvation before. It will not look good on you." Anger edged his voice. "This is not a fight I want to have.
"I'm not trying to fight with you." Caroline looked miserably at the food on her plate, the glistening ripe fruit, the buttery croissant and the toast that smelled of what she thought might be cinnamon.
"Then why aren't you eating?"
"I can't."
"Of course, you can." Klaus glanced at her sharply.
Caroline moved her plate away, her hands nearly shaking. She wanted to devour every bit of food on it. "That's not it. This is all looks good."
"You try my patience and I am not a patient man."
"I'm sorry that you went to all this trouble, but as an Angel I am only allowed to eat manna from heaven. That with which the Divine gifted to the Israelites for nourishment."
"I know what manna is," Klaus replied, his voice dangerously soft. "So you would starve rather than eat anything other than that?"
Caroline clenched her hands in the skirt of her gown. "I don't wish to starve."
"Then you will eat what Hell gifts to you, what I provide for your nourishment."
"I can't," she argued, her stomach growling again.
Klaus ignored her dilemma and her misery. "If you don't eat what is on your plate, I will force feed it to you myself." He speared a strawberry with his fork and laid it in front of her. "I promise you the experience will be of little enjoyment to you. Now eat."
"But -"
Klaus silenced her with a dark look, the threat in his eyes forcing her hand to the fork that held the strawberry.
She lifted it to her lips, breathing in the unique fruity scent. She wanted to try it, truly she did, only it was so very wrong. Never before had such a delicacy passed her lips.
"Take a bite," Klaus commanded.
Caroline nibbled off a tiny piece, the juice exploding in her mouth. At first the fruit puckered on her tongue, only to turn to ripe sweetness. It tasted similar to sugar mixed with the green of living things and sunlight. It was magical. She moaned and leaned back in her chair, setting the fork with the remaining piece of berry down.
"Was that so terrible?"
His smug tone, shadowed her pleasure. She was a terrible, fallen creature to have enjoyed partaking in such human delight.
"Tell me...how does your heavenly manna compare?" Klaus picked up her fork and with a wolfish bite devoured the remaining strawberry.
"It is not anything like this." Caroline gazed at the rest of the fruit on her plate with longing.
"I'm sure of that." He stabbed his fork into a blackberry and handed it over to her. "Try this one."
She took the fork, staring at the plump berry, black as night. "I shouldn't."
"Are we back to this again," Klaus sighed. "You will eat until you are full and your belly no longer hungers. Don't turn this into a battle you can't win."
Did she really want to fight when she hungered so? Wouldn't the Divine wish for her to take nourishment where she could find it, even if it was at the hands of a Devil? She took the blackberry into her mouth, nearly rolling her eyes at the tart and sweet. "That was wonderful,"" she said breathlessly.
Klaus smirked at her. "That is only the beginning. Eat up."
"Does all food taste this wonderful?"
"No," Klaus chuckled. "As a child Rebekah and I abhorred vegetables much to the frustration of our mother. She would try to find ways to hide them in other foods, but we always knew and caught her tricks. We would refuse to eat them or feed them to the hell hounds."
Caroline giggled at the images of a younger Klaus and Rebekah trying to outsmart their mother. What cute children they must have been. The second the thought crossed her mind, she tried to yank it out. They were her captors, responsible for her kidnapping. How could she possibly consider them cute?
Klaus laughed and the strange sound of joy falling from his mouth, forced her gaze to him. He looked happy. Discomfort prickled at her. They weren't supposed to be enjoying each other. Not even for a moment. She stuffed another piece of fruit into her mouth, trying not to feel anything.
"You must try some of the French toast. It is my mother's recipe and she always added extra cinnamon." Klaus picked up a small pitcher and poured a thick liquid on her piece and then on his.
"What is that?"
"It is maple syrup. I used to drown my breakfast food in it, but as I got older I learnt restraint."
Klaus picked up his fork and knife and elegantly cut a piece off of his toast. Caroline observed his actions and then did the same.
"This is new to you, isn't it?"
Caroline set down her knife and fork. "Am I doing it correctly? I have never done this before."
"You are doing fine, love."
Pride heated her cheeks and she lifted her fork to her mouth taking a delicate bit. The toast was crunchy around the edges and soft in the middle and the taste was like nothing she ever experienced. It was sweet and slightly spicy and she reveled in the different tastes. Swallowing, she quickly cut another piece.
"I am guessing you like the French toast."
Caroline nodded; too busy chewing to speak up.
He chuckled again, finished his toast and then leaned back to watch her eat.
"What?" She asked, self conscious of his stare.
"I enjoy watching you eat. Being the first to introduce you to such pleasures."
"Did your mother do this often? Cook for you and your siblings?"
At her questions, Klaus' joviality and his ease of manner slipped from him quickly as it appeared.
"Occasionally." He frowned. "Mikael never cared for her in the kitchen much. It wasn't the role he intended for his queen, but she enjoyed the hearth. It gave her practice. Cooking is an activity similar to spelling and witchcraft, and she enjoyed them both."
Caroline choked on her toast. "Your mother was a witch?"
"Yes. It made her very valuable as a demon of noble birth. Too valuable for Mikael to not notice."
"It was not a love match. Even in the beginning?"
"No," Klaus replied coldly.
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, not sure how to handle his anger. He had every right to be furious and while she didn't want to feel anything close to sympathy for him, she did. "I'm sorry."
His gaze snapped to hers. His eyes held a sorrow she didn't expect to ever see. She could see nothing of the monster in him now, only that of a hurt and grieving son. An arrow to her heart, she couldn't let him suffer alone.
"I don't want your sympathy, Caroline," he growled. "I don't need it. Not from you or anybody. I shall have my revenge when he kneels at my feet."
"Revenge will not release you of your pain. It doesn't work that way."
Her soft words only seemed to enrage him further.
"Then I shall get my release between your legs. That would go a long way in helping me release some of my pain."
Caroline looked down at her plate, her appetite completely gone.
"You want to know me? Then know me carnally. The rest can come later."
She said nothing.
Klaus pounded the table with his fist. "I know. We have an agreement. One I have foolishly agreed to honor." He took a deep breath, like he fought for calm. He picked up another piece of fruit, this time with his fingertips. Leaning over the side of the table he held it out to her. "Try this one."
"I am no longer hungry."
"Maybe not, but you will try this."
There existed a cruelty and a command behind his words that she feared not to obey. Her mouth surrounded the edge of the firm fruit and she took a bite. Tart and sweet, its juice burst in her mouth. It tasted different than the berries. Dangerously so, yet she couldn't pinpoint why. She hungered for another bite and another.
Having given her a taste, Klaus devoured what remained of the fruit.
"What is it?" She asked.
"An apple." He caught her gaze, a slyness in the black of his pupils. "It is from a cutting of the Original Tree.
Caroline choked, sickness filling the back of her throat. "That from which Eve gave to Adam?"
"The very same."
The symbolic connotations were not lost on her. "You are a monster to feed me such a thing. You are forcing me to fall ever further from my home." Tears welled in her eyes, falling down her cheeks.
Klaus left his chair to kneel at her feet. "You are home, love." He kissed the wetness on her cheeks, like he savored her sorrow.
Caroline thrust her chair back, standing to her feet. "This will never be my home. Feed me all the sinful apples you wish. I will never fall so far, I cannot return to heaven."
"We will see."
"You have fed me, now go. Leave me to my peace."
Klaus moved to her, his fingertips tilting her chin up. "I will leave, but not because you wish it. I have several meetings I must attend today, but tonight is for us. I have plans."
"Plans? I would prefer to be left alone."
"Not once you see what I have prepared."
Klaus pressed a kiss to her lips, gentle and achingly sweet. He wanted her to respond, to give him a taste and she refused. Jerking her head back, she stalked away from him.
"I will be back. Until then enjoy your pacing," Klaus said, laughter in his voice. "It will make seeing me again all that much sweeter."
He knew? How could he have heard her? Was he purposefully leaving her alone to stew so she welcomed his company eagerly? Caroline kept walking away, pretending she didn't hear him laugh as the door shut behind him.
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Caroline stared at the crackling fire a book perched on her knee. After Klaus left, she paced until she thought she might go crazy. Exhausted, she collapsed in front of the fireplace with a book. Anything to distract herself until Klaus returned to execute his plans for the evening.
The creak of the door opening startled her and her book fell to the floor. "Klaus?"
"Sorry to disappoint."
The haughty female voice didn't even grate on Caroline's nerves, so grateful was she to have company. "Rebekah."
"Miss me?"
"Not really," Caroline replied, attempting to sound disinterested and failing.
"Ah, my brother has kept you busy then? He is always so hands on with his obsessions."
Blood bloomed in Caroline's cheeks, hot and stinging at the woman's sly innuendo. Rebekah stepped into the room. This time she wore a sleek, purple gown that emphasized her figure.
Did she always dress so stylishly Caroline wondered? Margaretha followed a heap of white silk in her arms.
Rebekah cocked her head to look her over from head to toe. "You look no worse for the wear."
"Is there something you wanted?" Caroline picked up the book from the floor. "Otherwise, I am busy right now."
"I can see that." The young woman rolled her eyes. "Are you actually reading one of those boring art books?"
"There not boring."
Rebekah reached her side, yanking the book from her; she threw it in the fire.
Caroline gasped as the paper pages erupted into flames. "How could you? What will I tell Klaus?"
"Tell him whatever you want." She shrugged. "He will have a bit of a tantrum, but he always gets over them."
"If you are going to burn his books you are going to have to leave."
"How sweet. You care about him already," Rebekah's voice was falsely sweet. "I don't take orders from you so if I want to burn his whole library I will."
Caroline stepped in front of the bookshelves, determined to battle the woman to save the books.
Rebekah gave Caroline an approving look. "You're so protective. But, don't worry. I wouldn't really do it."
"Oh. Good." Caroline walked back to Rebekah in relief. "What is it you wanted from me?"
"I thought we could have a little chat and then I am going to dress you for your evening with Nik."
Caroline throat dried up. "Chat?"
"Sit and we'll talk." Rebekah sat in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace and Caroline joined her. "Nik filled me in on Kol's visit last night. He told me he trusted you with his plan to destroy our father. I am not sure I would have, but what's done is done."
"I don't know who you all think I can tell locked up in here," Caroline retorted.
"That is about to end and if you do anything to ruin our plans, I swear I will make suffer. I don't have my brother's fondness for you, so trust me, I will throw you into Hell's Fires if you move against us."
"What is with your family and all the threats? Is that the only way you can think of to inspire loyalty?"
Rebekah laughed at Caroline's frustration. "How amusing. You are so innocent of Hell and our ways. In a way, it is refreshing."
"It is not my intent to amuse you. Have you never had any positive encouragement growing up?"
Rebekah's face-hardened.
Caroline knew she treaded on dangerous ground. Still, she felt compelled to keep going. "Not even from your mother?"
"What do you know of my mother?" Rebekah lashed out.
"Very little, other than what Klaus has told me? How she liked to cook, how she hid your vegetables and that your father killed her."
"Klaus spoke to you of our mother?" Rebekah asked, an expression of shock on her face. "What have you done to him?"
Caroline shook her head. "Nothing but listen to him."
"I don't believe you." The woman leaned forward, her fingers digging into the arms of her chair. "You have used your body and his lust for you against him. You are cruel in the worst possible way."
"No. No. I never intended that." Caroline averted her eyes, color pricking her at her face. "What he shared, he did freely. Outside of the bed."
"Freely? Is it free when you manipulated him with sex?"
Caroline's heart dashed to the floor at the truth of Rebekah's accusations. She might not have coerced knowledge from him, but she used his desire for her against him. She sensed Rebekah's shrewd gaze on her and she stared back at the woman, trying not to cringe at her accusations. "I never used myself to gain information from your brother."
"You speak the truth, don't you?"
"I try not to lie," Caroline said, her voice cracking with misery at what she acknowledged. Only days ago, she would have said she never lied. She was no longer as pure as she used to be. Not with her manipulation of Klaus to keep her innocence intact longer. But, surely, that must be justified?
Rebekah sat back in her chair a smile on her face that Caroline could not interpret. "Maybe you will be good for him. I never thought I would see the day-" Her mouth snapped shut and once more she studied Caroline, before speaking, "You will help us with our plan, won't you?"
"I don't know. I can't really get involved in your politics. Especially, when you are using the Lance of Longinus for nefarious purposes."
"That old thing?" Rebekah wrinkled her nose. "Get over it."
"I can't. It is not meant for Hell's use."
Rebekah waved her hand. "Enough. You will help us and you know why?"
"Because you will make me suffer," Caroline sighed.
"No. Because you are an Angel and it is in your nature to help and serve the good. What we do is just punishment. An 'Eye for an Eye' like your bible says. Besides, Hell needs Nik."
"What can I possibly do? I will not break Heaven's rules and commandments."
Rebekah clapped her hands with excitement. "See I can do positive encouragement. I didn't threaten you once."
Caroline couldn't help but laugh at the woman's joy. Rebekah joined in, her infectious giggles bringing a smile to Caroline's face.
"Now, Nik is holding a party tomorrow night. In attendance will be several of Hell's most prominent families. You will be there too."
"Me?" Surprise sped through Caroline's whole body, her heart thumping in her ribcage.
"Yes, you. Isn't it exciting?"
Her surprise turned swiftly to anxiety. "I - I don't know. I have never been to a party."
"Trust me, Caroline. You will love it. Especially, since I planned it."
"But, I don't know what to say. Or do?"
"That is why I am here." Rebekah rolled her eyes. "First of all, you talk about how wonderful Nik is, how he stole you from Heaven and how happy you are to be here now."
Caroline laughed, this time the sound was harsh. "So, I am to lie."
"Of course."
"The story is he kidnapped you -."
"He did do that," Caroline interrupted.
Rebekah stared at her like she was stupid. "Then you don't have to lie, do you?" She tapped her finger against her chin. "Then you just need to act besotted and in love. It will show off how virile of a Demon he is that he can have an Angel fall for him."
"It is lies. All of it."
"No, Caroline. It will be truth eventually. I know it."
Caroline buried her hands in her lap, digging her nails into the fabric of her dress. "You are insane."
"I know these things. I can see them sometimes. Like a premonition and I just had one," Rebekah replied coyly.
"I will never feel anything for your brother but disgust," Caroline bit out.
"Deny it all you want. I sense spring in the air.
Caroline fingers itched to go to the bookshelves and starting throwing books at the woman.
"Now, that is decided and taken care of. I need to get you ready for tonight."
"Nothing, nothing is decided," Caroline said, in a helpless tone. Rebekah had to be just as mad as her brothers. How did one family breed such insanity?
The woman whirled out of her chair, her gown swishing around her. "We need to get you ready for tonight. It is so very important." Rebekah walked over to the mirror where Caroline tried on the emerald gown the other day. "Margaretha, help Caroline get into her dress."
When Caroline remained seated, Rebekah huffed and motioned for her to come.
"Where exactly am I going tonight?"
"The opera," Rebekah replied, her whole body almost bouncing with excitement.
"Here in Hell?" Caroline held her breath, hoping the impossible. That it would be on earth and Elijah might be able to locate her.
"Of course. Where else would it be?"
Caroline exhaled, disappointment weighing her down like stone. "I can't go to an opera."
Rebekah looked at her, her eyes narrowing. "Why not? Is it the singing? Because I could swear Angels sang. Don't you lift your voices to heaven in praise?"
"That is true." Caroline tried to think of a reason she couldn't go and failed. Rebekah did speak the truth. Still, it felt wrong to attend such a event.
"Nik loves opera so you will have a lovely time. He knows all the words to the libretto's. Which is nice. You don't have to sit and figure out what on earth is happening."
Margaretha started unbuttoning the back of Caroline's dress. It fell from her in a slippery waterfall to her feet.
"You will love this gown. Margaretha outdid herself. We made it look as angelic as possible. You need to shock everyone there and get them talking. That way they will not be able to refuse Nik's invitation to the party. They will be so curious about you."
"There will be others there at the opera?"
"All the noble families in Hell."
Anxiety nipped at Caroline's lungs, devouring her breath. She couldn't possibly do this. Meet all those demons. Who knows what would happen to her in proximity to all that depravity
"Don't worry you will be fine. Nik will be at your side."
Margaretha pulled the dress over her head and did up the pearl buttons on the back of the dress.
"Oh." Rebekah clapped her hand over her mouth. "I did so good. You look perfect. Just like an Angel."
Of course, she looked like an Angel, Caroline wanted to hurl at the woman. Instead, she stared at her image in the mirror. The strapless gown hugged her figure, the folds falling elegantly to the floor. The fabric was a heavy white satin embellished with small pearls along the hem. It made her look ethereal, the epitome of innocence."
"Hair up or down, Maragretha?" Rebekah asked, only to answer her own question. "Down, most definitely. It makes her look like a virginal sacrifice on her wedding night. The demon families will eat this up."
"I don't want them to eat up anything," Caroline said, her voice trembling with nervousness.
"They won't really eat you. I mean that symbolically." Rebekah looked at Caroline like she was an idiot. "What do you think of the dress?"
"It is white," she said, the only thing she could come up with that would not be an insult. She did feel more comfortable in the color. Only a little, because the tight gown emphasized her figure way too much. Her breasts seemed to stick out and her bare shoulders were completely sinful.
Rebekah stepped back to look Caroline up and down, assessing. "I will have to think of something different for the party. Maybe blood rose red, with some for your hair. That will be most shocking."
Caroline shuddered and turned to Rebekah. "Please, no."
"Don't be ridiculous. You will be a masterpiece. Well, besides me. I have the most wonderful gown to wear. Oh, and my jewels are simply to die for." Rebekah preened in the mirror. "I will be gorgeous when it is all put together."
"Rebekah, about the blood roses-"
"We will have to get ready together. Margaretha can do our hair. It will be so exciting."
"Please -"
"Don't worry you will do fine tonight," Rebekah interrupted her again. "You will not disappoint us."
The steel in Rebekah's voice, silenced Caroline.
"I should go. Nik will be here soon. Come Margaretha." Rebekah strode towards the door. "We will talk more tomorrow. And don't wrinkle that dress."
In a flurry of purple, Rebekah was gone, her servant with her.
Trying not to think about the opera and party, Caroline picked up another book from the bookshelf. Afraid of Rebekah's wrath she didn't sit down. She stood against the wall to keep from crushing wrinkles in her dress. Looking at the cover of the book, she got ready to read about the Impressionist Movement while she waited for Klaus.
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Thanks for reading and all your reviews. They mean everything to me. Sorry this was kind of a filler chapter. I promise the next one will be much better. Klaus and Caroline have their first date. :D I promise I won't make you wait long. It will be up this weekend.
Also, I have been nominated for Update for the Month at the Klaroline Magazine along with some other really great writers. If you get a chance go and vote. I will put a link in my profile for those that need it. If you have any questions you can find me on tumblr under the same name as here.