Thanks to my good friend and beta klovec.
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Caroline perked up at hearing footsteps stop outside of Klaus' bedchambers. He must be here. Her nerve endings crackled with anxiety and she took a deep, steadying breath. Turning away from the door, she stared at one of the pages in the book she held. She pretended to read, faking a nonchalance she didn't feel.
When the door opened, she didn't even turn around. Light footsteps moved towards her and she gripped the book tighter in her hands.
"Miss me?" Purred a velvet voice from behind her.
Caroline slowly turned around. "Not particularly." She assumed a bored air and glanced up from her book, only to have her mouth dry to dust. Klaus looked like he stepped right out of one of the rich Impressionist paintings she paged through earlier. Every inch the grand gentleman, he wore a black tuxedo with white vest and tie. His eyes sparkling at her, his hair smoothed back and a smile tugging at his lips, he appeared exactly like how she assumed a romantic hero would look.
"You're staring, love."
"I'm sorry." Caroline's flesh flooded with heat and she stared fixedly back at her book. "You look different."
"I am glad you approve," he chuckled.
Her cheeks became even hotter. "I didn't say that."
Klaus moved closer to her, his gaze roving over her figure. The intensity of his stare, it scorched her flesh and she fought not to cover her chest with her hands and adjust her gown. "That's unfortunate. Because I approve of the way you look. Very much."
"It was Rebekah." Caroline used his sister's name, hoping to stop him from looking at her like he wished to devour her whole.
"Who chose the dress? Yes, I know. But, your beauty outshines it."
His extravagant compliment sent flutters to her heart and she cursed her weakness. How easily she succumbed to vanity now.
"I have something for you," Klaus said, his voice soft.
Caroline noticed then he carried an embossed leather case in one hand.
"I don't want anything from you."
"Whether you want it or not, I'm giving it to you." He started to walk away. "Join me at the mirror."
She stood where she was until he turned and gave her a pointed look, one she couldn't ignore. With an exaggerated huff, she joined him and stood in front of the mirror.
"Close your eyes."
"I am not some subject you can command," Caroline argued.
"I will not ask again, sweetheart. Close your eyes."
Defeated by the steel in his tone, Caroline gave in.
The leather case snapped open. Something cool and light circled her neck to fall right above her cleavage and Caroline fought to keep her eyes shut.
"Open them."
Caroline did, and catching sight of herself in the mirror, a small sound of surprise fell from her mouth. A necklace hung from her neck. One that sparkled with hundreds of diamonds. The stones appeared to hold all the colors of the rainbow and her fingertips reached out to touch their beauty. Never before had she worn jewelry or something so stunning. It took her breath away.
"It's beautiful," Caroline whispered.
"Not nearly as much as it's owner."
"No. No." Guilt swarmed her, sucking away her happiness. Angels couldn't posses such a vain thing, not matter how much she might want it. "I can't accept a gift like this." She reached behind her neck to try and find the clasp.
Klaus caught her gaze in the mirror, frustration etched in the hard planes of his face. "Yes, you can."
"It is unseemly."
"For heaven, yes. You forget you are in Hell now and you have a position to uphold."
"Oh, yes," Caroline countered, her voice fraught with bitterness. "Your captured Angel. Your whore."
"Hardly that, love. Considering you still hold your virginity," drawled Klaus.
Caroline winced at his bluntness. "It doesn't matter they will all believe it."
"I wasn't finished yet." Klaus opened the leather case again.
"What? Earrings now? A bracelet? Another gift to bribe me to feel better about this whole charade?" Caroline fell silent when he lifted a diamond tiara with pearls and placed it on her head. Delicate and made to match the necklace, she could find no words to express its magnificence.
Klaus pressed his lips to her bare shoulder. The kiss branded her, marking her through flesh and bone. "Not my whore. My Queen for the night," he murmured against her skin.
"Queen," she repeated, a shudder of horror racking her body. She was an Angel, a servant to the Divine. Worldly titles corrupted. Like the Devil, he was, Klaus was systematically destroying everything Angelic about her. "Not your Queen. Not even for one night. I am an Angel."
"An Angel that belongs to me."
"I belong to the Divine."
"Do you see the Divine here?" Klaus exaggeratedly looked around his bedchambers. "Because I don't. Accept your fate, Caroline. You will be whatever I say you are."
She whirled around to face him. "They will come for me."
"They will never make it pasts the gates," Klaus replied snidely. "Abandon your hopes. You will only be disappointed."
"I will never stop hoping and praying."
"Prayers they cannot hear."
Caroline closed her eyes, fighting back her tears. She would not cry in front of him again.
Klaus placed his hands on her shoulders. "Enough of this. You are ruining not only my gifts to you, but the special evening I have planned for us." His voice lashed at her like a whip. "If this is your way of getting to know me, I think our agreement is at an end. I will cancel our outing and we can spend the night here. "
Fear clutched her lungs, strangling her of breath. "No. Please."
"Then you will thank me for my gifts and enjoy them." Klaus adjusted the necklace, his fingers skimming along the edge of diamonds.
"Yes." Caroline wet her lips nervously. "Thank you for thinking about me."
"Was that so hard, now?" Klaus put his hands on her hips, drawing her closer to him. "I think a kiss of gratitude would be the perfect way to make amends."
She rested her hands flat on his chest. Tilting her head up, she pursed her mouth and shyly placed a peck on his lips.
Klaus chuckled and swooped down, kissing her hard at first. Parting her lips and forcing his way in like the conqueror he was. He plundered her mouth, and Caroline knew he was trying to claim her, make her accept she was his. She stood still, forcing herself not to react, not to swoon into him. She fought hard, yet the sparks of passion always dormant in her flashed to flames. She burned within, yearned to shove her hands in his hair and yank his head even closer to hers. With a small moan, she kissed him back. He smiled against her lips, acknowledging his win, her descent into corruption.
Then his kiss changed, became softer, his hands moving from her waist to cup her face with gentleness. Having coaxed a response from her, he now sought to draw out her pleasure. To tease and arouse. Caroline ached with need, for him to touch her, run his hands over her sensitive, burning flesh.
Someone coughed and harsh reality intruded. She was kissing Klaus, practically begging for him to ravish her in front of an audience. She yanked her mouth from his, propelling herself away from him.
Klaus sighed, "Yes, Rajanak. I know. If we don't leave soon we will be late." He held out his arm for Caroline to take, like a gentleman of old.
Caroline hesitated, assaulted by nervousness, she didn't know whether to take his arm or run.
"Come, love. You don't want to miss this treat."
She could do this. Could be brave. She would hold her head high and let these demons see she had nothing to be ashamed about. Caroline placed her fingertips lightly on his arm and let him lead her out of the room.
A quick walk through the shadowy hallways of the palace and they arrived at the theatre. Klaus paused in front of a set of gold double doors. Servants raced to open them, standing at attention on either side of the doorframes.
Caroline's heartbeat sprinted into a frenzy, sending her blood pressure soaring. She felt faint and she stiffened her posture, refusing to collapse to the floor.
"Show them the Queen you are," Klaus murmured near her ear.
She gripped his arm and walked by his side through the doors.
Dim light surrounded her and it took a minute for her eyes to adjust. The sounds of shuffling, footsteps and the rustle of fabric filled her ears. Blinking, she realized that she stood on a small balcony overlooking the main theatre seating. In front of her stood the stage with red, velvet curtains. Taking a step towards the balcony rail, she looked down at what appeared to be hundreds of demons dressed in extravagant, formal wear all staring directly at her. They weren't sitting and she realized that they stood in respect and deference to their Prince.
Whispers and small voices swirled around the theatre and Caroline knew they talked about her. She squared her shoulders and forced a slight smile to her face. She refused to have a single one of these demons see how uncomfortable she was.
Klaus place his other hand on top of hers and leaned in. "You are doing perfect, love."
"They are talking about me, aren't they?"
"They have never seen an Angel before. Or such beauty." Klaus inclined his head politely at the masses below him. "Once we sit, they will stop standing and looking at us." He led her to the other side of the theatre box where two gold throne like chairs sat.
Caroline sat carefully on the edge of one of the seats, trying not to crush her gown. Klaus joined her on the next chair. With rustles and thuds the rest of the audience took their seats. The lights started to dim in the huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling and the orchestra struck up a song. The music reverberated in the room, the vibrations thudding into Caroline like her own heartbeat. Nothing like the simple Angelic verses she normally heard, the sounds of the full orchestra sent her head swimming with delight.
"You look like you have never heard music before," Klaus said a look of delight in his eyes.
"Not like this, I haven't."
The heavy, stage curtains parted and Caroline clasped her hands together in excitement, her guilt momentarily forgotten. An opera. She never dreamed she would watch something like this. "What are we seeing?"
"Orfeo ed Euridice. One of the most romantic operas ever written."
The stage filled with the scene of a funeral. Orfeo sang of his grief at losing his loved one. Overcome, he couldn't even say her name. The beauty of the singing, the mourning for a lost love brought a lump to Caroline's throat and tears welled in her eyes. He would never see Euridice again since she had gone to the Underworld. His lamentation, the sweetness of the singer's voice sent first one tear rolling and then another. Orfeo's pain became her own. To her surprise, Klaus reached over and took her hand in his.
When Amore showed up offering a way for Orfeo to get his love back, Caroline nearly cheered. He had to do it. Find a way to regain his Euriduce. He made a bargain; he would take her from the Underworld. Except, he could not look back at his love or he would lose her all over again to Hades. The curtain came up, the lights flickering back on and applause shook the theatre. Caroline joined in wholeheartedly. Never before had she seen anything of such magnificence.
"It is over?" Caroline asked, turning to face Klaus. "He hasn't gotten her back yet."
"No," he chuckled. "There are two more acts to come."
"What will happen? Will they be reunited? Please tell me they will?"
Klaus smiled, amusement making his eyes dance. "You will have to wait and see."
The door to the balcony opened and Rajanak and another servant entered. He carried a silver stand and the other man held a tray on which sat a bottle and two crystal glasses.
"Brimstone wine?" She worried he would force it on her. She didn't want the fire in her the alcohol caused.
"No. Something you will like even more."
Rajanak set down the stand and took the bottle from the tray and popped the cork. The other servant handed him the glasses.
Caroline nearly gasped at the liquid pouring from the bottle. It bubbled and fizzed like one of nature's geysers. Rakanak filled the goblets and handed them to Klaus. Then the servant deposited the bottle in the bucket like stand.
"You will enjoy this." Klaus handed her one of the glasses.
Caroline eyed it suspiciously. "What is it?"
"Try it first and then I will tell you." Klaus held his glass next to hers. "To getting to know each other." He then clinked his glass to hers and took a sip of the drink.
"This is what is called a toast?"
"Yes. Now is the part where you drink up."
Caroline lifted the glass to her lips. The bubbled tickled her lips and she giggled. Such a playful liquid couldn't be bad, could it? She took a small drink and giggled again. It didn't taste like anything she ever had before. Sweet and dry at the same time, it tickled and buzzed down her throat. "What is it?"
Klaus laughed at her wonderment. "It is called champagne."
"Oh. I have heard of it."
"What have you heard?"
Caroline lowered his gaze, her face heating. From the champagne or her embarrassment she didn't know. "That it is the drink of lovers."
"So it is."
Klaus' voice, so low and husky made her think of kisses. His kisses. Especially, the passionate one they shared right before the opera. She took another drink of the champagne.
Whispering and murmurs swelled in the theatre and Caroline glanced once more to the floor beneath her. Again, she was the center of attention. The Demons milled about, drinking their champagne and while they didn't point she knew they discussed her and Klaus. She turned her head, not wishing to be caught showing the slightest interest in them or what they might be saying.
"Is it supposed to bubble and tickle like this?" Caroline giggled again at the strangeness of the drink.
"Yes." Klaus laughed.
"It has to be sinful," she sighed.
"Do you consider monks to be holy? Servants of the Divine?"
Caroline nodded.
"Champagne is their invention. They made this very bottle you are drinking from."
Taken aback, she stared at the drink. Could such a thing maybe be a gift from the Divine? She so much wanted to believe, because she wanted to take another sip. "You speak the truth?"
"To you, always."
Caroline nearly rolled her eyes. She didn't believe that to be true. He was a Devil after all. Still, this time, she believed him. "It makes me feel like I am floating in the clouds."
Klaus smiled and topped off her glass.
She took another sip, rolling the champagne over her tongue before swallowing.
Once again the lights dimmed, the curtain opening on a new scene. Caroline nearly wept again when Orfeo begged to be let into the Underworld. Refused by the Furies and Cerberus she feared his love might be lost forever. Overcome, she took another drink of her champagne, letting it fizz through her veins. Let in to Hades at last Orfeo experienced the beauty and wonder of Elysium.
"This is supposed to be heaven?" Caroline leaned close to Klaus.
"Yes, in a way. It is the afterlife for heroes and those related to the Gods. Here they can live out eternity in happiness."
It seemed so strange to her. This afterlife. There were no souls, no rebirth. For Orfeo it would be his heaven and yet he could not find happiness there. For some reason his pain, his desolation even within such golden perfection hit her hard. In a way, she could relate. Raw emotions she could not swallow back, overwhelmed her and she let out a small sob.
Klaus turned to her, worry in his face and he draped his arm over her bare shoulders. She didn't even try to struggle and move away. She let his warmth and touch comfort her. Filled with confusion, she drained what remained of her champagne.
Orfeo cried out for Euridice to be brought to him and they returned her to him.
The act ended. The bright light of the chandelier hurt Caroline's eyes and she found it hard to focus. Rajanak came back with another bottle of champagne, which Klaus waved away. The servant took her goblet from her and disappeared. Caroline wondered if she floated. Her bones no longer seemed to weigh her down. Heat encompassed her, radiating from Klaus's body and she snuggled into him.
The opera started up again and Euridice begged for Orfeo to look at her. She believed he no longer loved her, that he committed adultery. She sang of her grief, her pain at the loss of his love. Orfeo couldn't take it anymore and he turned to look at her and she died before him. He decided to kill himself and join his love.
Caroline wiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks, unable to stop crying.
Amour appeared to stop him and Euridice was brought back to life. The lovers rejoined, ended the opera. The cast of the show swarmed the stage to take their bows and Caroline nearly burst out of her chair clapping with elation. She wanted to watch the whole thing over again. She turned to Klaus and his blue eyes lit up with pleasure. The smile on his face, it nearly took her breath away. He glowed with happiness, something she had never seen from him before. It confused and pained her all at once and before she could dissect her emotions, he stood up.
"Did you enjoy your first opera?" He held out his hand for her and she took it, rising to her feet.
"Oh, yes! Very much. When can I go again?"
Klaus laughed, the joyful sound making her smile. "You can attend every performance, if you wish it."
Caroline took his arm and he led her out of the opera box.
"It was amazing. The music, the costumes and the singing. Oh, and the story. I have never before known anything so romantic." She knew she rambled, but she didn't care. Her feet seemed to barely touch the ground and it felt like her blood bubbled and fizzed with champagne.
Klaus chuckled, nodding at her musings
They reached his bedchambers and shadows crept over her happiness. Returned to her prison, Rajanak opened the doors and they went inside.
Cold slipped over Caroline and she moved to stand in front of the fire crackling in the stone fireplace. She rubbed her bare arms with her hands, trying to get warm.
"Shall I order more champagne?" Klaus asked.
"No. I think I have had enough." She still felt the effects of the champagne, as if she could float away, like feathers in the wind.
He moved behind her, shrugged of his tuxedo coat and draped it over her. "You're cold." He wrapped his arms around her. "Rebekah told you about the dinner party tomorrow night?"
The magic of the evening dissipated before her eyes. Guilt swallowed her whole. He had been so perfect at the opera she had let herself forget for a moment that he was the Prince of Darkness. That he wished to use her Holy status in his plotting for the throne.
"I am to be your Angelic pet for the night. Show everyone how powerful you are."
At her dull tone, he turned her around to face him.
"It is more than that. I want your help, for you to be at my side. If I am to succeed, there are certain noble families I must win."
"You want my help?" Caroline asked with a harsh laugh. "After everything you have done to me?"
"Done to you?" Klaus snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her body toward his. "I have been nothing but honorable with you. Given you more allowances than I have ever given anyone."
"You kidnapped me! Practically raped me! You are a monster!"
He gripped her shoulders, looking down into her face, his pupils streaked with amber. "Would a monster have shown you the leniency I have? It has been several days and you are still a virgin. I have honored you and my word. Do you have any idea what the other Demons, all of Hell, would think if they found out?" His fingertips dug into her flesh and he seemed to want to shake her until her teeth rattled, but he didn't.
Fear stabbed Caroline's heart and she replied with as much calm as she could muster, "You have honored your word and I am grateful for that."
"If you are so grateful why don't you show it? You fight and challenge me at every turn."
"Send me home, then. You won't have to deal with me ever again. I swear, I will never purify another soul."
"Don't ever ask me that again. This is your home now," Klaus roared, his pupils exploding with golden fire.
Caroline's stomach sank to the floor in terror. She could see the Devil, the demon within him.
"You will never see Heaven again unless it is in my arms." He cupped her face in his hands, as if through sheer will he could force her acceptance. "Do you understand?"
She knew what he wanted to hear but she couldn't say it. Couldn't give up all her hope of seeing Elena, Elijah and her other Angelic friends again. She remained silent.
With a cry of rage, Klaus released her. He stalked over to the brimstone wine ever present on the table and poured himself a drink. He drained the goblet, only to fill it again.
Caroline didn't know what to say, what to do. Balanced on the knife's edge of so many emotions, exhaustion seeped into her bones.
Klaus continued to drink in silence, but his anger hung thick in the air like a living creature. She considered going to bed and leaving him to his fury. Only, when she looked at him, the way he stared at the bottle of brimstone - it made her ache on the inside. He looked so lost and miserable.
It made her think of his family, how his mother was slain before him by his own father, the way he and Rebekah seemed broken on the inside. There was a bone deep loneliness about him and it touched her more than his sweet kisses or his angry threats. With a sigh, she accepted her fate in his plans.
She stepped towards him, her gown floating around her. Klaus paused in his drinking when she reached him. She could tell he struggled to speak to her and before he could say something hurtful, she touched the side of his face with her hand. His light stubble was soft against her palm and she cupped his cheek, enjoying his warmth. He closed his eyes, leaning into her touch.
"I will help you," Caroline whispered.
Klaus clasped her hand, moving it from his cheek to his lips. He turned her wrist and pressed an intimate kiss to her palm. "Then, I cannot fail."
"Come to bed, Klaus. I am tired and you will make yourself sick with all that brimstone. We can talk about your plan in the morning."
He smiled, his eyes blue eyes softening to the color of a calm sea. "Yes, love."
Caroline took him by the hand and led him to the four-poster bed. Yawning, she climbed in.
"Did you wish to change?"
"Too tired." Caroline curled into one of the pillows and he followed. Once his arms encircled her, she allowed the champagne haze she still felt to lull her to sleep.
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Klaus paced the wood floor in his study. The room looked nearly the same as it did before he destroyed it the other night. All of the furniture had been duplicated and restored to its rightful position. Everything except the Caravaggio. Damaged beyond repair, he burned it himself.
"Nik, what do you want me to do? He is demanding a meeting."
"He can demand all he wants. I will see Elijah burn in Hell's fires before I agree to a meeting," Klaus snarled.
Finn held out a stack of parchment. "I don't think he is going to go away. Not judging by these letters he keeps sending."
"Written requests. That is all they are. He can do nothing more."
"He is threatening Holy War. Raising an Angelic army and storming our gates."
Klaus grabbed the letters and stalked to the fireplace. "This is what I think of his threats." He tossed the parchment into the fire. The letters crackled, the flames eagerly devouring them until nothing remained.
"The Demon families will not stand for this. They will not wish for war."
"They will do as I tell them."
The malevolence in his voice caused Finn to wince "Our situation is precarious enough as it is. Are you willing to risk everything for her?"
"I won't have to. Elijah can threaten all he wants. Caroline will stay where she is."
"Caroline? That is her name?" Finn asked eagerly, unable to keep his interest at bay.
He stiffened. He hated even hearing her name spoken from someone else's lips other than his. He knew it was ridiculous, but he didn't want to share any part of her with anyone. Even her Holy name.
"You don't have to answer." Finn clapped Klaus on the shoulder in camaraderie, like they were sharing confidences. "I understand your reluctance."
Klaus violently shrugged off his brother's hand. "You understand nothing."
"I do. She is special. Like my Sage."
"She is nothing like your Sage." He laughed, the sound insulting. "There is none that can compare to Caroline."
"We all think that when we are smitten with another." Finn smiled smugly.
"I am not smitten."
"You took her to the opera last night."
"Since when do you listen to gossip like a fish wife? It is beneath you." Klaus eyed the brimstone wine. He wanted a drink. Dealing with Finn always made him thirsty. The only thing that kept him from imbibing was remembering the look in Caroline eyes when she worried he would make himself sick last night. He did drink too much.
"I can't avoid it. All of Hell is speaking about your outing."
"What are they saying?"
"Do you really care? I thought you didn't like gossip?" Finn pointed out with sarcasm.
Klaus shrugged, forcing a disinterested air. He walked to his desk, taking a seat behind it. "I don't really. But you will tell me because it might be important to what we are doing."
"They are in awe of Caro-," Finn halted at Klaus' glare. "Your Angel. They speak of her beauty. How her light amazes them and they wonder how she can shine so bright even in Hell. They have never seen the like. Most of all they wonder if the Prince of Hell will soon have a Princess?"
"A Princess? No." Klaus frowned. He needed to say it, the idea that had been building inside of him ever since she courageously stood her ground against him. He could no longer avoid the inevitable. Even if it was never part of his plan. There would be no sating himself of Caroline. Somehow, in these last few days she slipped under his skin. The light in his darkness, she filled in the empty cracks of his black soul. When he was with her, he could taste happiness. He knew now, he would never let her go.
"I shall give Hell a Queen."
"A Queen?" Finn's mouth dropped open.
Klaus smirked at Finn's inability to speak.
Finally, his brother found his voice. "She agreed to this?"
"No, but she will." Klaus leaned back in his desk chair. After last night, he knew he reached her. He must have touched some part of her heart and if he didn't, he had all eternity for her to learn to love him.
"You can't force her into a binding ceremony."
"I won't have to. Everyone has a price, a point at which they will compromise. I only need to find out what hers is." He thought of her kindness, the gentleness of her soul and her righteous fury when provoked. These were all things he could use against her.
Finn shook his head. "She is an Angel. She will never agree to align herself to you. King of Hell or not. Besides with Elijah on the warpath there is a good chance you will have to return her."
Caroline smiling at Elijah, looking up at his estranged brother with joy at being rescued - it sent rage spiraling in Klaus's chest. His heart had a spasm, his vision blackened and he flew from his desk, pinning Finn against the wall by his neck. "Don't you ever say that again. Or even think it. Caroline is home where she belongs and I will pluck Elijah's limbs from his body one by one before I ever give her back."
His brother gasped and clawed at Klaus' hands.
"You will do everything in your power, Finn, even if it means your own death, to keep her here and safe. Do you understand?"
Finn made a gurgling noise of acceptance and Klaus released him. He wanted to believe his brother would obey his commands, only Finn had proven to be slippery in the past. "Do I need a blood oath from you?"
"No," Finn said, his voice rattling in his throat. "I will do whatever I can. But you can't ignore Elijah. He will not drop this."
"He will once she is bound to me as Queen. There will be nothing he can do then."
"Yes...but until then? We need to remove Mikael as a threat, crown you and have a binding ceremony. All this with Elijah raising an army. Then, there are the Demon families. What happens if they find out what Elijah is doing? They will flock to Mikael's side."
Finn spoke the truth. Klaus started pacing again. He needed the gift of time. A way to keep Elijah at bay while he finished allying himself to the remaining demon families. "Fine. Reply to Elijah that I will meet with him."
"You're going to see him? But, you said Caroline was staying here?"
"He doesn't know that," Klaus explained, trying to be patient with his brother. "If he thinks the he can negotiate with me to get her back, he will cease trying to attack Hell. This buys me time."
"Will he believe you, though?"
Klaus smiled, pleased with himself. He could feel the pieces of his plan falling into place again, his future once more assured. "Trust me. He will believe anything we tell him."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because he has no other choice. If he wants to get her back, he knows he will have to play by my game and my rules."
"He must care a lot about Caroline to go to such extents to get her back."
Klaus whipped his head around to glare at Finn. He remembered his visit to Elijah. The protective way his older brother acted in regards to her, the admiration that shone in his eyes when he spoke of her and it made him want to destroy his office all over again. Fury simmered in his belly, pressure building in his chest and he knew his eyes flashed gold.
"Nik...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything." Finn backed away from him nervously.
"He wants to use her. That is all," Klaus replied, his tone ice cold to his ears. Maybe if he said it enough, he would start to believe it himself. "She has the power to cleanse souls and bring them to Heaven. You know this."
Finn nodded slowly in agreement.
Klaus took a deep breath, reassuring himself that whatever existed between Elijah and Caroline was forever over. He would make sure they never saw each other again for all of eternity.
"When do I get to meet the new Queen to be?"
"She will be at my side during the party tonight."
Finn blinked several times. "Are...are you sure that is wise? Have you spoken to Rebekah about this?"
"Since when do I need my sister's approval to execute a plan?"
"You don't. I just thought..."
"Don't think, Finn," Klaus countered, his tone bordering on rude. "Not when it comes to my decisions where Caroline is concerned. I can't imagine you would want my input about Sage, now would you?"
Finn laughed shakily. "No. Sage would be furious at you even speaking about her." He shrugged an apology. "You know how she feels about you."
"And I her. Yet, here I am, actively working towards freeing her."
"You are working towards making yourself King," Finn replied almost bitterly.
"That too." Klaus touched Finn's shoulder to reassure him. "Don't worry. I promise to see to her release. You will dance together at my binding ceremony with Caroline."
Finn inclined his head. "I would enjoy that."
"Draft a letter back to Elijah. Something that encourages and threatens him all at once. He will expect that. Tell him I will meet with him on neutral territory tomorrow at the earliest."
"I will take care of it and have it dispatched before the party tonight."
"Good."
Finn started heading towards the door, only to pause. "Have you shown Care - I mean, your Angel, the gardens yet? She might enjoy that. Sage always found them romantic."
"Don't you have work to do? Because I know I do."
Klaus waited until Finn was out of earshot before turning to where Rajank stood guard in the corner of his study. "Have guards posted at the garden entrance and exit. I think Caroline might enjoy a walk outside."
Rajank nodded and took his leave.
Returning to his desk, Klaus sat down once more. Just another hour, he promised himself and then he would reward himself with time alone with Caroline. Trying to work, he kept thinking of being near her, holding her in his arms and smelling her seductive scent. Becoming instantly aroused, he made up his mind and left the room. Everything else could wait.
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Thank you so much for reading. I can't tell you all how much I appreciate your reviews and messages. I am overwhelmed by how nice everyone has been about the story. Thank you.