Edited by the wonderful klovec
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Klaus stalked to the gates of Hell, hordes of demon soldiers parting and bowing at his approach. His footsteps echoed on the stone floor, mingling with the rustle of chain mail and the clank of swords. Cool night air shrouded him and he breathed it in, freezing his heart to a block of ice. He wanted to be frozen inside so nothing his brother said or did would affect him. Klaus needed to be sharp and keep his wits about him if he wanted to destroy Elijah and this connection his brother felt to Caroline.
At Klaus' approach, the gates to Hell cracked open with a rusty rattle. Several stories tall and made of black iron, the sharp tips dipped in gold, it took the strength of a hundred Demons to move them. A millennia or so since they last opened, the soldiers grunted and pulled on them until they were wide enough for Klaus and his army to exit behind him.
Outside lit torches hung from the exterior palace walls, brightening the courtyard. The light revealed in precise rows and dressed in pristine white, the Powers, Heaven's warrior Angels. Hundreds of them, they carried swords, weapons that shone with Holy light. The Powers glowed in the darkness of Hell, a beacon of pure light to attract wayward sinners and blind their enemies. In the middle of the warriors, standing apart and wearing an immaculately tailored charcoal, gray suit was Elijah. A traitor among such righteousness, it took all of Klaus' sanity not to fling himself on his brother and slowly strangle every sanctimonious breath from his body.
Finn rushed to join Klaus, his mouth falling open at the sight of The Powers. "He brought a legion?"
"Purely for show. These are intimidation tactics. He will not fight us tonight."
"I wish I had your confidence," Finn replied, his voice nearly cracking. "How do you want to handle this, Nik?"
"Elijah wanted a meeting. I will give it to him."
Finn looked to Elijah and then to Klaus, his lips twitching with nervousness. "Just the two of you? Together? Here?"
"I don't think he is going to go anywhere else," Klaus answered coolly, centering his gaze on Elijah.
Finn pulled out a small, thin dagger from inside of his of his tuxedo coat pocket. "If you are going out there, take this. It is spelled and dipped in Hellfire. It will kill a lower Angel and maim one of the higher orders."
"Put that toy away, Finn. Elijah won't attack me. He knows I am the heir."
"But, what of the other Angels? They might not be able to kill you, but they could hurt you."
"This is just a little talk."
Finn shivered at Klaus' cold tone and he quickly covered for it by slipping his dagger back into his coat pocket. "At least take your personal guards with you." He snapped his fingers and several soldiers rushed forward.
"I'm not about to give Elijah or any of his followers the illusion I am afraid of them," Klaus said, his tone cutting.
"You are just going to go out there? Alone? Nik...please."
Klaus answered Finn with an icy look and stalked into the courtyard, like he ruled already, his gaze pointed directly on Elijah. His brother didn't even wince at his glowering stare and Klaus smirked. Before this night was out, he would make sure that Elijah understood Caroline would never leave Hell. She was home now.
At his approach, the Angels around his brother shifted uncomfortably and murmured among themselves. They didn't expect him to come to them alone, which pleased Klaus. Already, he had the upper hand.
"You wished to see me, Elijah?" Klaus called out, his smirk becoming a grin at the nervous actions of some of the Angels at his approach. Some of them outright trembled, their swords swaying in their hands. Klaus was sure they never saw a Devil before and at least they had the good sense to fear the Prince of Darkness.
Several of the Angels jumped in front of Elijah to protect him. They tensed, holding their swords out as Klaus continued to approach. His brother murmured something and they lowered their weapons.
"We couldn't do tea again? Or maybe some brimstone in your little cottage?" Klaus drawled.
Elijah frowned and stepped forward. Klaus noticed he looked tired. Lines marred his brow and his hair wasn't nearly as perfect as normal. He suffered and the evidence of it pleased Klaus as much as it infuriated him that his brother was so invested in reclaiming Caroline.
"Tea might have been acceptable if you hadn't waited so long to answer my missives. You tied my hands, Niklaus. Forced me to act."
"This is quite the reaction. Did you explain to all your followers that this show of force is over the loss of one little Angel?"
"Caroline is not one little Angel," Elijah replied through clenched teeth. "And you know it."
"What does she mean to you brother? Aren't you supposed to be celibate? Not form romantic attachments?" The question was like a punch in his gut and Klaus tried not to think of Caroline with his brother. The two of them intimate and cozy, giving each other tender glances over tea. His chest tightened, his breath catching and sticking in his lungs. He reminded himself he needed to be calm. Remember Caroline was his for eternity.
Elijah took a menacing step towards him, his entire form vibrating with restraint. "You will return her to me now."
"Why? She is quite happy where she is." Klaus smiled, releasing the breath he held. He took perverse pleasure in the thought that if not for his calling, Elijah would surely have attacked him by now.
"I swear if you have hurt her I will not hesitate to return the favor."
There it was. Elijah's Devil side. He couldn't hide it where Caroline was concerned and Klaus hated him for it. The emotion he heard in his brother's voice. It heated his blood, melted the ice he so carefully surrounded his heart in. Elijah cared for Caroline and Klaus wanted to hurt him, see if Angels healed as quickly as Devils did.
"Don't worry, she is unharmed. For now."
"You will not touch her."
"But, she so enjoys it." Klaus taunted.
Elijah's eyelids flickered, his breath coming in short pants and his eyes, the pain in them - Klaus reveled in it.
"You truly are our father's spawn."
"Take that back," Klaus growled low in his throat.
"You defiled an Angel. What you have done to Caroline...the act of it...there is no greater malice or depravity."
Klaus tried to shake of the condemnation in Elijah voice. Only it bothered him in a way he couldn't comprehend that his brother thought he hurt Caroline. His temper no longer simmered under the surface, it spiked to boiling. "You think the only way I could have her is through rape? I am the Prince of Darkness, seducer and corrupter of the innocent. I did nothing with her she didn't already want and desire."
"Tricks and lies," Elijah threw at him, his hands fisting at his sides as his pain transformed to anger. "You deceived her, stole her innocence from her. I know you used the blood roses against her to bend her to your will."
"You still don't understand how they work. I used them to free her from the strictures of Heaven's repression. I showed her where her true desires lay."
Elijah took a deep breath, slowly uncurling his hands. "Give her back to me so Heaven can heal her from your destruction. Maybe restore her light."
A plea. Even now, his brother still valued her, recognized her worth. Klaus' blood roared in his veins. "Don't worry. Under my touch, she shines even brighter than before."
Elijah flinched, his whole body shrinking before Klaus. "You destroy her with your lust and perversions. She is the Divine's chosen, gifted with his Holy light."
Blood burst in Klaus' head and he knew his eyes glittered gold. "I pervert nothing! She is mine to do with as I please. And, I could care less about her light or her gift. I want only her, unlike you." It was true. Caroline - all of her, with or without her light, enthralled him. Not only his match intellectually, she untwisted the knots in his insides and kept his monsters at bay. His desire for her, it ate at him constantly – took all of his control to tame, but in the end it would be worth it. When she succumbed at last, he would lay his kingdom at her feet.
Elijah looked at him strangely; his eyes piercing their way right into Klaus like Holy daggers. He couldn't take the scrutiny, wouldn't allow his brother to read him and lay him bare. He turned away.
"Niklaus," Elijah said softly, wonder in his face. "You care for her. Is she innocent still?"
"Of course not," Klaus snarled. "What do you mean?"
"When you speak of her, I can see the boy I knew in the man. After all this time, part of you has not changed."
Streaks of red popped in Klaus' vision and he stepped closer to Elijah, his hands outstretched to twist and break his brothers neck. "There is nothing left of the boy I was. Let me kill you so I can prove it to you."
The Angels nearest Elijah rushed in front of him, thrusting their swords at Klaus. Elijah shook his head at them and with looks of confusion they lowered their weapons.
"I will not fight you." Elijah looked to his warriors. "And they will not either."
"Why not? Let's show your followers your true colors. You are not a true Angel. Your emotions for Caroline betray you. Have you told them about her?" Klaus pointed a finger directly at his brother. "You know she laughs about it. Poor love sick Elijah."
His brother blanched, bowing his head. "It's not like that."
"You wish it."
"No. I wish only for her safety. Where is she?" Elijah demanded.
"Right now?" Klaus smiled wolfishly at his brother. "She is with our sister."
His brother looked at him sharply. "With Rebekah?"
"Yes. So nice of you to ask about her. Find out how she has been since Mikael murdered her lover. Did you know he still seeks to make an arranged marriage for her with another Demon family."
"I didn't realize." Now it was Elijah's turn to look away as if Klaus' scornful gaze burned him. "You make it seem like I don't care. That I feel nothing for my family."
"You left us, Elijah!" Klaus knew his rage divulged his true feelings only he couldn't suppress it. His fury flared underneath his flesh, blistering a path directly to his heart.
"For good reason. Why can't you trust that what I did, I did for you, for our family."
Klaus laughed, laughed so hard his stomach ached. "Yes. That is exactly what I thought as I endured another one of Mikael's beatings."
Elijah stepped out from among his protective soldiers and when they rushed to move in front of him, he gestured for them to stay put. "I was trying to stop that." He held out his hand to Klaus, his eyes shining with unfettered emotion. "I didn't want to tell you this. Not until I had success, but you force me to divulge my true intentions. My leaving to join the Angelic orders, it was all to work at undermining father's rule and authority. I left to have the Divine's ear. To get help for you."
"You lie!" Klaus spat. "You would say anything to get Caroline back?"
"I am telling the truth. I need her to return home because she is needed to save you. Her taking the souls for Heaven from Hell, it causes ripples. Ripples that won't be ignored. With her power, the balance between Heaven and Hell will be destroyed. The Demons will interfere, Lucifer himself, maybe even the Divine. They will demand Mikael's head."
Shock blinded Klaus, his breath dwindling to nothing in his chest. All this time, everything he believed about his brother leaving, it was a lie. Elijah hadn't left for personal glory or even to repent his birth. He left in some misguided belief he could actually help.
"Return Caroline to me and we will continue our work to take down Hell," Elijah said, his voice eager.
"Your work? I want nothing to do with it. I will destroy Mikael on my own. In fact, I would rather burn in Hellfire then take any help from you."
"But, together we can -" Elijah cajoled.
Klaus tensed, his chest tightening and he fought for control. "There is no together. Nothing can make up for your betrayal."
"You say that now, but with time..."
"No! You are not a part of this family any longer. You made your choice."
Elijah straightened to his full height, his gaze intent with purpose. "Then give Caroline to me."
Flames of fury and rage leapt within Klaus, burning free any lingering misguided feelings he had for his brother. He let the fire burn until he didn't see Elijah before him any longer, until he was reborn in the white-hot blaze of his anger and he saw only the enemy.
Klaus flew at an unsuspecting Angel, yanking his sword from him with a grunt. The weapon gleamed and sparked in his hand. He wondered that he could even hold it, that the Holy item didn't burn him. The same thought shocked the Angel to stillness. Klaus knew his eyes glowed yellow and feral and he used this to his advantage. He growled at the Angel, slicing the air in warning to stay put. It was enough to have the warrior stepping away in fear. The other Angels reacted, shouting and circling him and Elijah with their swords. With a roar, the Demons at the gate surged forward surrounding all of them.
Advancing on Elijah, he was surprised at his brother's dead calm. Especially, when the sword never wavered in Klaus' hand. Not even when with a flick of the weapon he aimed it inches from Elijah's chest.
"How long can you survive without your heart, brother?" Klaus twisted the blade, letting it glint dangerously in the light of the torches.
"You will not take my life," Elijah replied calmly.
"And why is that?
"I have information you need."
Klaus stepped closer to his brother, settling the tip of his sword right over Elijah's beating heart. "I need nothing from you."
"Not even the Lance of Longinus?
"What about it?"
"Our father searches for it even now, but I know where it is hidden. I will give it to you in return for Caroline."
He dug his sword into Elijah's skin, knowing he punctured through the surface of the flesh. Blood bloomed up from the cut, the dark staining his brother's white dress shirt and suit coat. "You think I will make such a trade?"
"What do you care for Caroline if you can have the weapon to kill father?"
"She will never go back to you, to be your puppet."
"I can guarantee she would rather be in Heaven than your prisoner here in Hell," Elijah answered smoothly. "Why don't we ask her?"
Klaus dug his sword deeper into Elijah's heart until his brother gasped. "You will die before you see her again. Unless it is at her feet, begging for her forgiveness for using her in your ridiculous plot."
Elijah smiled through the pain Klaus knew he must feel. "I know her. She will understand when I tell her my reasoning. Let her come home."
Damn him. Caroline probably would forgive him.
"Return her to me, Niklaus. Take the Lance."
"Keep it." Klaus yanked the sword from Elijah's heart, prepared to walk away. "I will destroy Mikael whether or not he has it. And as the future Queen of Hell, Caroline will not leave my side."
The smile disappeared from Elijah's face. Shock contorted his features, followed by a flash of anger. His brother growled low in his throat and Klaus prepared himself for an attack. He lifted the sword once more, pointing it directly at his brother. He could tell Elijah fought for control, from the thinning of his lips to his deep inhalations of breath. Only when his cool mask was back in place did his brother speak, "You can't do this. She belongs in Heaven, was born of the Divine's touch. She is pure and if you don't free her, you will taint her forever."
"She belongs in Hell at my side."
"You would murder her light. Destroy who she is, everything that is Holy about her. If you care about her at all you will let her go."
"You want her to shine, to use her Holy gifts? Her light will shine even brighter in Hell's darkness then it ever would above in Heaven," Klaus sneered.
Elijah glared at him. "It doesn't work that way."
"It works however I want it to." Klaus lowered the sword to his side. "We are done here. Go home, Elijah."
"Wait! Has she agreed to any of this? Does she want to bind herself to you, be your Queen?"
Klaus waited too long to answer. Elijah stared at him and there must have been something in his expression, something that gave away he had yet to get Caroline's consent.
Elijah smiled, but it wasn't one of triumph. If anything, his brother appeared to pity him. "She will not give up her holy orders, not even to be Queen of Hell. Let me take her back to Heaven."
"I will kill you before that happens."
"You already had the chance and didn't."
"I won't end your suffering that easily," Klaus growled. "You need to live with the knowledge that everything that has happened with Caroline is your fault. Without your decision to use her as a weapon she would still be safe in your care. I never would have seen her then. Think of that when you rot up in Heaven and she rules in Hell."
Elijah flinched, bowing his head and Klaus rejoiced in his pain. His words hurt his brother more than if he had ripped out his heart.
"At least, let me speak to her," Elijah said at last. He approached Klaus, his hands held out in appeal. "If she wishes to stay with you I will leave peacefully with my army. Otherwise, you give me no choice. I will find a way to stop this insanity of yours."
"You grasp at straws. There is nothing in Heaven or Hell that can stop me," Klaus scoffed. He started walking away, dismissing his brother. Elijah moved to catch up, touching his shoulder, forcing Klaus to face him.
"Please. I speak now for both of you. Let her have a choice or she will never forgive you."
"Remove your hand before I chop it off," Klaus said coldly.
Elijah withdrew from him. "A choice, Niklaus."
Fear took Klaus over, filling his gut and spreading into his heart. He drowned in it. "She already made it."
"No. You made it for her. Can't you see the difference?"
"Enough! Tell your Angels to back away and go home or I will command my Demons to attack. I will not hesitate to start a war with you, Elijah. And, I hardly think your Divine One would approve. Especially, with your emotions so heavily engaged."
Elijah frowned, his eyes glinting with anger. He flicked his hand at a nearby Angel. The soldier stepped towards Klaus, sword at the ready to keep him from leaving.
"Get your Angelic vermin out of my way," Klaus taunted. "Or I will shed Angel blood this night."
"I will call him off, but first I want to speak to Rebekah and Kol."
"Consider the message delivered. Now get out or this little meeting of ours will turn into a bloodbath."
Elijah's soldier moved closer to Klaus, looking to his master for an order. His brother shook his head with a strained sigh, "Let him pass." The Angels that still circled them started whispering among themselves, their swords still drawn. Elijah beckoned them to withdraw. They parted, allowing Klaus to leave and walk towards the outer ring of his own guards.
"I will see her, Niklaus."
Klaus forced back his unease at the promise in his brother's voice. Once more, he knew fear and this time he buried it, furrowed it so deep inside he hoped never to feel it again. Giving Elijah his most ferocious smile, he threw the Holy sword at his brother's feet, with complete disregard for the relic.
"Leave and don't come back, Elijah."
His brother flinched and fell to his knees before the sword, a blessing leaving his lips.
Klaus' guards opened ranks to allow him to pass and with a smirk he left Elijah kneeling before the gates of Hell.
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Caroline stood up from the chair she sat in at the sound of voices outside of Klaus' bedchambers. She tossed the book she stared at the past few hours without comprehension to the cushioned seat. Clasping her hands in front of her to stop their shaking, she forced herself to breathe. She didn't know who would walk in the door. Klaus, Rebekah or maybe Elijah himself to take her home. The door started to open and she mentally prepared herself for whoever would enter.
"Finn?" Her heart fell at seeing him. She didn't know if it was because she wished to see Elijah or because Finn wasn't Klaus.
Klaus' brother exhaled with relief at catching sight of her. "Good. You're not sleeping."
"How could I sleep knowing you were meeting with the Angels?"
"You knew? Did Rebekah tell you?" He pursed his mouth before speaking, "Nik won't like that. She wasn't supposed to say anything."
"She didn't tell me anything." Caroline tried to be patient, not to scream at him to tell her what happened. Somehow, she knew Finn couldn't be rushed.
Finn rubbed at his forehead. "It probably doesn't matter now anyway."
"What do you mean?" Caroline asked carefully, keeping her voice void of emotion.
"Because I am going to take you to Klaus. The two of you need to talk."
Caroline gaze flew to him. "He wishes to see me? Tell me what happened tonight?"
"Not exactly. But, he needs you."
"For what? Klaus needs only his own ego and inflated arrogance," Caroline said flatly.
"Not anymore, Caroline." Finn looked at her, a plea in his eyes. "I won't pretend to guess at your relationship, but I know my brother. I have never seen him more happy and more tortured than he has been these weeks with you."
Caroline blinked, unsure of whether she should be offended or not. "I torture him?"
"Tortured or happy? What does it matter? The thing is you make him feel things he hasn't felt in a thousand years. You're good for him."
Speechless, she could only look at Finn. He gazed at her so earnestly, she knew he meant it.
"Which is why I'm going to take you to him. He shouldn't be alone."
"What do you expect me to do?" She asked, finding her voice at last. "I barely understand him. He pulls at me from every direction. I don't know what I want when I am with him. Whether to scream at him, slap him or -"
"Kiss him?" Finn said, giving her a smug look. "So like Sage and me in the beginning."
Caroline hands went to her cheeks. Already, she could feel the sting of heat there. "That isn't what I meant. You put words in my mouth I didn't intend."
"Do I?" Finn cocked his head, regarding her knowingly. "I heard about the opera and I saw you dancing. You care about him."
"I don't. I care only about getting home."
"That would definitely explain why I caught you kissing my brother in the garden tonight. Do you normally kiss people you don't care about?"
At his sly, knowing tone, Caroline's chin went up. He attempted to toy with her just like the rest of his siblings and she wouldn't tolerate it. Finn may be smitten with Sage and appear like the nice brother, but he was just as much a Devil as the rest of them. "Tell me about the meeting with the Angels? Am I to return home?" Caroline asked, abruptly changing the subject.
A slow smile spread over Finn's face. "If you want the answer to that you will have to speak to Nik."
"You won't tell me?"
"If you really want to know, let me take you to my brother."
Caroline knew he wouldn't budge, no matter how much she begged.
"Fine."
Finn waited for her to join him and then he opened the door for her. Exiting the room she saw Klaus' servant Rajanak waiting for them. He beckoned for them to follow and then with his hand at the hilt of his sword that hung from his waist he led them through the shadowy marble hallways.
"Where are we going?" Caroline whispered, afraid that she might end up in some torture chamber, dungeon or worse.
"Nik's study. It's kind of his sanctuary. Especially, now with you here in his bed chambers."
"How unfortunate that my capture has inconvenienced him so." Caroline rolled her eyes.
Finn looked away from her with embarrassment.
Rajanak came to a stop in front of a set of dark wood doors. He grunted and started to tap on the door.
"Don't bother. Nik will want this interruption," Finn said.
He swung open the doors and Caroline stepped into the study. Dim, the only light came from the roaring fire in the fireplace and a lamp on the massive desk in the back of the room. Anxiety buzzed through Caroline and she stood taller trying not to show her apprehension.
Klaus lounged in a large wood chair with tapestry cushions in front of the fire. Next to him, on a low table sat several brimstone wine bottles. Most of them appeared to be uncorked, probably already empty.
"Finn. I told you. If you don't leave me alone, I swear it will be your heart I cut out and not -"
"Look who's here to see you?" Finn smoothly interrupted. He stepped aside, revealing Caroline's presence.
Klaus turned his head and Caroline stepped into the light. He jerked to a standing position, anger in the set of his mouth. "You would bring her here? Now? Take her back to my rooms."
Caroline studied him, taking in his disheveled appearance. His white tie was undone, hanging around his neck, several buttons of his dress shirt unbuttoned. His eyes looked bloodshot and his hair was mussed, like he ran this hands through it multiple times in agitation.
Finn sent her a quick reassuring smile and ducked out of the room. He left her? Alone with Klaus? Nervousness spiraled in her stomach. Rajanak stepped forward to remove her from the room and Caroline glared at him.
"I'm not going anywhere, Klaus. Not until you tell me what happened tonight."
"Get out, Caroline. I'm not in the mood." He sank into his chair, a drink in his hand.
Rajanak moved closer to her and she hurried out of his way, to stand in front of Klaus. "Well, I am in the mood."
"That's a first," Klaus retorted viciously.
Caroline took in a sharp breath. "Don't change the subject. We need to talk. Send your servant away."
"Or you'll do what?"
"Nothing. I can do nothing. I have no power, no say in anything around here. You want me to be your Queen, yet you refuse to let me in."
Klaus tilted his head up, venom in his eyes. "You play dirty. Hell becomes, you love." He motioned for Rajanak to leave.
Caroline lowered her eyes, his words punching into her stomach like a fist. Had she changed since her capture? Was Hell's darkness already leaving a mark within her? It didn't matter. Once she returned to Heaven, she would be purified. "I play no games with you."
"They why are you still here? When I want more then anything for you to leave."
"Do you really wish that? Because I think you want more then anything for me to stay." Caroline knelt in front of him, her white gown puddling around her in a pile of silk. If he thought she played games, then maybe she would. Anything, to get the knowledge she sought. "Talk to me. Tell me what transpired tonight." She took his hand in hers, pressed a kiss to the palm and laid it against her cheek.
He cupped the side of her face, his touch tender, reverent. "I will not let you go, Caroline. Not even with a legion of Heaven's warriors at my gate."
"The Power's? They are here?" Shock ripped through Caroline, tearing at her carefully held composure.
"Does that please you?"
Klaus' gaze pierced her, his dark eyes seeking out what she hid in her heart. Emotions whirled within her and she struggled to make sense of them. Her family coming for her should fill her with elation. While, it did make her happy, that happiness triggered a heaviness within her soul. The troubling realization crippled her and tears stung her eyes.
"Tears of happiness, love?" He snarled, yanking his hand back from her cheek. "Dry them. I made it quite clear to them that you're not going anywhere."
"I don't understand." She didn't know if she meant the words for herself or him.
"It's simple. I will bring about Holy War before I let them take you back to Heaven."
Caroline turned her head from him, wiping at her tears. "You would shed Holy blood? For what? My innocence? I will gladly give it to you if you return me and end this war before it begins."
"It's not that simple anymore." Klaus gripped the arms of the chair, his fingers digging cuts into the wood. "I want it all. Everything you have to offer for now and all eternity. I want you as my Queen."
"So you will bring about bloodshed in my name?"
"Yes."
It was a promise and with a small cry, Caroline rose from the floor, stumbling towards the fireplace. She pictured her friends and family torn apart by Demons, blood soaking their white Angelic robes and she wanted to sob at the pain of it.
Klaus stood and moved behind her, nearly touching her. She could feel his heat through the silk of her gown, the warmth shimmying over her bare shoulders and upper back. She hated it, how it made her tingle, made her want to curl up into him. He was evil, a Devil, but some part of her always tried to forget that truth.
"Even if I hate you forever, refuse to be your Queen - you would still keep me here? Go to war with the Angels?"
"Will you let it come to that?" Klaus swept her hair back from the side of her neck, his fingertips tracing the curve of her shoulder. "I know you aren't indifferent to me. You like my touch, desire it even." He pressed a kiss to the sensitive skin his fingers just stroked and she shivered. "In time, you will come to care for me. Enjoy your place here."
"Now, it is you who play dirty," Caroline replied, her voice raw. "You would lay this at my feet? Have me responsible for the safety of the Angels at your gates?"
Klaus slowly turned her to face him. "You could stop this war with a word. Bind yourself to me. Be my Queen. With that decision there would be no other option for them but a peaceful retreat."
"You know this to be true? Was Elijah there? Did he agree to this?"
"Elijah," Klaus spat the name, like it was the worst kind of oath. "Was there leading the charge.
Rivers of relief coursed through her and she smiled. "I knew he would come for me."
"You think him so Holy when he has done nothing but abuse and use you. You will never see him again, even if I have to kill him myself," Klaus lashed out.
Caroline recoiled in horror. "You would murder him? For what? He has never been anything but kind to me."
"Do you really believe that to be true? All those times he sent you for souls, he risked your life. He knew they belonged to me and he still sent you into danger. What would have happened if I hadn't seen your value, your worth. I ...I might have done something I would forever regret and couldn't take back."
His voice, it held a quality to it she never heard before. Fear. She tried not to let it affect her, not to let it sneak into her heart.
"I had a job to do, Klaus. It is my duty to serve. Elijah is my leader, I am sure he had good reason to send me after souls.
"Good reason?" Klaus nearly shook with anger and Caroline realized he was trying to maintain some semblance of control with her. "He did it all for himself. For purely selfish reasons."
"That makes no sense. He had nothing to gain. He gave new life to souls that lost their way. Souls I could purify of sin."
"He had everything to gain," Klaus retorted bitterly. "There is so much you don't know. Things he should have told you. You don't know who he is."
Unease rattled inside of her. Caroline remembered days ago, in Elijah's cottage, when they spoke of his connections in Hell. How he would stop the Devil that followed her. He seemed to change before her eyes. Then earlier that night, Rebekah's suffering at hearing his name.
"If I could spare you pain at his hands I would." Klaus pinned his gaze on her, begging her to understand. "If I was someone other than who I am, I might remain silent. Only, I want nothing to stand between us. I deceived you from the beginning. I didn't want you to know how Elijah betrayed me, betrayed my whole family."
"No. No. I don't believe it." Caroline shook her head, refusing to accept what he said.
"Caroline...Elijah is my older brother. He helped raise me and then he defected to Heaven like a coward. Instead, of staying here and facing Mikael with us."
Shock shattered her, cracked her heart open to the knowledge that everything she believed about her friend was a lie.
"When he sent you after my souls, it was to destroy Mikael by limiting the number we received. It would have worked, but he used you like a weapon, risked your very life."
Caroline's world rocked off its axis and all she could do was stare at Klaus, the truth of his words pounding into her head.
"Elijah. He's your brother?"
"Yes. Born after Finn. But none of that matters. We don't need to speak of him again. "
She stepped backwards in disbelief, everything Klaus revealed undermining what she thought she knew of her world. She tripped over her gown and would have fallen to the floor if Klaus hadn't caught her in his arms.
"Let me go!" Caroline struggled in his embrace, trying to force him to release her.
"Not until you are calm."
"You are all monsters. Elijah with his lies and you -." Everything fell into place with a monumental realization. "Did you kidnap me to get back at him? Has this all been about revenge? Was everything a pretense? Your sweet talk, your kisses?"
"No! Never!"
Caroline couldn't stop the laughter that bubbled in her throat. "You found the ultimate way to get revenge and destroy him - take his Angel and make her Queen of Hell. What a fool I have been."
"No, love. Never a fool. Elijah tricked you, but I have never been anything but honest about what I wanted from you and my plans for ousting Mikael from the throne."
"You are the same," Caroline accused him, tears running down her face. "You have both used me for the same purpose. He used my light to garner souls and you took me to the opera, the party, using my presence to bring followers to your side."
"I wanted you at my side and to be a part of my plan. Not make you an unknowing party to it." Klaus smoothed back the curls at the side of her face while still holding her tight. "I never lied, or deceived you to get your help."
Caroline stared into his dark blue eyes, if only she could see the truth reflected there. She didn't know what to believe. "Maybe not, but you kidnapped me, are keeping me your prisoner. Now, that I know the truth, send me home."
"I will bring about Holy War before I let you leave me."
"Why?" Caroline asked, her tears falling faster.
"Does it matter?" He threw at her, the beginnings of anger in the clench of his jaw.
"Yes. It does matter. I want know why I am being punished."
Klaus held her tighter, his muscles hardening with his fury. "Punishment? It is a punishment to endure my kisses, spend time at my side? You lie to yourself if you believe that."
"I don't know what to believe anymore. I only know I want to go home," Caroline sobbed, thrusting herself away from him. She didn't want him to hold her, to be close to him. It only confused her more.
"You do know what to believe." He stepped towards her cautiously. "Search your instincts and you will know which of us, Elijah or myself to trust. Which one of us lied to you?"
Caroline did know and the truth tore at her, ripped her reality to pieces. She didn't want to face it because to do so would be mean the destruction of her very beliefs. Elijah, Heavens leader, acted like the Devil he once was and Klaus for all his faults...She couldn't even continue that train of thought because it only made her dangerously more confused.
"I want to go home. I miss my sisters. I need them," Caroline cried. She wanted more than anything to speak to them, to pour out all the strange emotions that spun inside of her like the crazy carnival rides she once saw at a fair. Maybe if she could hear Elena's gentle insight and receive Bonnie's wise counsel she would at last understand what it all meant.
"You are home," Klaus snapped.
"No. This will never be home." Caroline wiped her tears with her hands. "Home is where I am needed and loved. Where I can work to bring happiness and light to those who need it most. My sisters must be so worried. Let me speak to Elijah and send a message to them."
Klaus' jaw hardened. "You will never see him again. I will not allow it."
"Not even to set my sisters worries at ease? Or to hear news of them?"
He remained silent, his eyes cold.
"Why? Do you fear he will tell me something different than what you did? I thought you were being honest with me?" Caroline lifted her head stubbornly.
"He doesn't deserve to ever see you again. He is the enemy, love. Not me."
"No, Klaus. Can't you see? You are the enemy. You keep me here; forcing an existence on me I did not choose. Elijah, misguided as it might have been, wished only to help you."
He glowered at her.
"Maybe you are afraid. Afraid of what Elijah would tell me?" Caroline taunted.
Klaus lifted the crystal goblet he placed on the low table earlier and took a long drink before speaking, "I fear nothing Elijah has to say. I don't want to see you hurt anymore then you are."
"Funny." Caroline moved towards him, poking him in the chest with her finger. "You care if he hurts me, but not whether you do."
Footsteps and shouting echoed from the hallway and they both turned to stare at the doorway. Rajanak stood across the threshold, his sword out before him. Standing beside him was Rebekah. Her long hair was tangled and her face white as the robe she wore over her negligee.
Caroline's heart thundered into her throat. Was it the Angels? Were they attacking?
"Nik!"
What now?" Klaus asked, his voice deadly calm.
"Mikael. He has returned."
Caroline's vision blurred, her head starting to spin.
"How do you know?"
Rebekah's hand went to her throat, like it hurt to speak. "He came to see me. Asked me about my new sister. He knows about Caroline."
Fear snaked through Caroline's insides, leaving cold in its wake until she wondered if she were made of ice.
Klaus roared in anger and threw his goblet in the fire. It broke with a crackling sound and the flames exploded, flying high in the air.
"He wants to meet her. He said to tell you that he wants her presented at court tomorrow."
Caroline looked at Klaus. Murderous rage gleamed in his eyes, his muscles bulged and she knew he could barely control himself. He reminded her of a trapped animal, fighting for its very survival.
"Let me hide her, Nik," Rebekah begged. "I can take her to some witches I know. They will keep her safe."
"Can they protect her? I will not put her anywhere her safety is not guaranteed. Mikael will not hesitate to hunt them down and when he does..."
He didn't need to finish the sentence. Caroline knew Mikael would kill the witches and make Rebekah, Finn and Klaus suffer for her not obeying his command.
"I'm not going anywhere," Caroline said softly.
Klaus turned to her, joined her side. "I will not let you stay. I would rather suffer punishment then have him-."
"I'm not running away," Caroline interjected. "He might be King, but he is a petty tyrant. I am an Angel, created from the Divine One's own hand. He will not touch me."
"Caroline, you don't understand Mikael or his cruelty. There are so many ways he could torture you without ever touching you." Klaus took her hands in his, his eyes turning gold before her.
"I don't care. I will not cower before the King of Hell."
Klaus opened his mouth to argue with her and she cupped his face. This time she didn't manipulate with her touch, she comforted. "You tell me I am to be a Queen here, then let me be one."
A long shudder went through Klaus and he struggled for words.
"Rebekah, tell your father I look forward to meeting him."
"Caroline," Klaus growled. "I can't let you."
"She made her choice, Nik." Rebekah said, pride in her voice. "I will tell father."
Klaus waited until his sister's footsteps faded, before speaking, "I would never force you to do this."
"I know. But, I need to do this." Caroline suppressed a shiver of fear at her decision. She needed to be strong. For Klaus, his family and most importantly herself.
"I need another drink." Klaus walked over to the low table where the brimstone wine bottles sat and poured himself another glass.
"Wait. I want one too." Surely, she was allowed to imbibe now. Fortify her newfound bravery.
A small smirk quirked his lips. "Your wish is my command." He splashed only a small amount into a crystal goblet and held it out for her.
"So how many of these glasses have you broken over the years in a temper?" She took the glass of brimstone wine from him.
Klaus responded with an un-amused look. "Too many."
"I can imagine." Caroline looked into the glass, at the dark red liquid and before she could talk herself out of partaking, she threw back the whole glass and swallowed. The wine scorched a path down her throat and into her stomach and she tried not to cough. Instead, she savored the strange sensations, the burn of the liquid. It set her whole body tingling. Not like the champagne. This drink would never be fluffy and fun. There existed a different kind of pleasure to be found with it. Something dark and shadowy she refused to fear.
"Caroline," Klaus murmured in surprise and then he too drained his glass in one swallow.
"You're right. I don't think there is anything else like it in the world." Caroline handed him the empty goblet. She could feel the wine working a dark magic within her. Her head felt light and her body like it could float away. "I don't think I should have another."
"No. One is more than enough for you." Klaus returned the glasses to the table. "I think it is time for bed. Tomorrow will be here soon enough and you will need all your wits about you to deal with Mikael."
"Bed, yes." Caroline made her way towards the door, her feet not even seeming to touch the ground. She might have swayed a little, because Klaus' arm went around her waist, helping her stay upright. She leaned into him. Why did it always feel so nice to be held by him?
They walked together through the halls of the palace, Rajanak in front of them sword drawn.
"Is he always with you? Like your shadow?" Caroline giggled.
"Since...Eli - my brother left, yes. He is the most loyal of my personal guard and I am going to assign him to protect you now that Mikael is back."
Caroline sobered at Klaus' unwillingness to even speak his brother's name. Such a strong reaction could only mean his pain over Elijah's defection still stayed as strong as the day he left. She could understand in a way. She too was lied to and deceived by Elijah and yet her heart went out to him. How he must have struggled to leave his family, to have them believe him a traitor, when all the time he worked towards saving them. Something needed to be done, this situation fixed, but she didn't know how.
They reached Klaus' bedchambers and a guard was already there. She didn't recognize him and Klaus didn't even greet him, giving him only a cold stare. The guard opened the doors for them, his face showing no emotion at all.
"Rajanak - stay out here with Mikael's lackey. From now on Caroline, is your responsibility. Remain at her side and go where she does when I am not here. Her safety is your first priority. Even over mine. Do you understand?
The hulk of a man grunted and nodded. His hand went to his sword and he glowered at the guard already there.
Seemingly satisfied, Klaus led Caroline into his rooms. The doors shut behind them.
"Does he ever speak?" Caroline asked, collapsing on one of the chairs in front of the fire. The brimstone still affected her, making her limbs feel like they were made of cotton.
"No." Klaus answered flatly, moving to stand in front of the fireplace. "He once made the mistake of coming between Mikael and I. He tried to defend me and for it he lost his tongue."
"I'm sorry." Dread assaulted Caroline, fighting the lethargic effects of the brimstone wine. This was the true Devil she would meet tomorrow. What Klaus dealt with growing up with such evil, she couldn't even comprehend. His father, the man who should love and protect him and his siblings, instead, tried to break them. Mikael gave them all the gifts of fear and hatred.
Klaus stepped toward her and held out his hand to help her up. "You should go to bed, love. Let me call Dimina to help you with your dress."
"I'm too tired." She took his hand and stood to her feet. "I will be asleep by the time she gets here."
"Then allow me."
She started to protest, but he moved to stand behind her. Once again, his heat surrounded her, edging away the cold of her fear and foreboding. Her objections died in her mouth. Klaus took her long curls in both of his hands, lifting the heavy weight from her back and settling it over her shoulder. He leaned in, his breath feathering along her ear and inhaled.
"You smell of sunshine, blood roses and everything beautiful in life."
Caroline sighed when his lips pressed to the side of her neck. His mouth seared the delicate flesh and she quivered deep within. He lifted his head, his hands reaching for the buttons on her gown. He undid one button and cool air slashed against the revealed skin. It lasted only a second, before he quickly brought his mouth to the spot with a kiss. The innocent touch, it made her tingle everywhere. Desire coiled within her, peaking her sensitivity. Every part of her hummed.
Klaus continued to the next button, bestowing another hot kiss that electrified her bones. She trembled, her nipples budding almost painfully and deep within she liquefied. Again and again he freed the buttons, his mouth branding her down her back. Passion fluttered within her and when his mouth moved from her back to nip at her neck she gasped. He chuckled lightly. Only, to suckle at her skin and she hungered for him to kiss her. To put his hot, wet mouth on hers. What was wrong with her? The two of them were at odds and ends, she was still his prisoner and an Angel and yet, she burned for him.
Caroline's dress fell forward as he finished the last of the buttons. She gathered it in her arms in front of her, covering herself as modestly as she could. Klaus' fingers went to her corset, nimbly undoing the laces until her backside was completely bared to him. He yanked the undergarment from her, tossing it to the floor. With his mouth on her neck, his hands went to her hips. His fingers spread heat to the bare skin there and she moaned and arched into him. Through his clothes she could feel him, that most male part against herself and when he ground into her, she cried out.
She could barely stand. Sparks of fevered pleasure flared in her, spreading to her tight nipples and between her legs.
"Klaus, you have to stop," she moaned, not wanting him to do so at all. She yearned for what happened next, wanted it more than anything and her sinfulness shamed her.
"I know," he murmured against her ear. "This isn't the right time."
He left her with a reluctant sigh and Caroline wanted to cry at the loss of him, how cold she felt.
"Where are you going?" She called after him.
"I need to think," he replied, not even turning to look at her. "I will be back before morning."
Caroline wanted to run after him. Only her dress barely covered her and he moved too fast, the door closing behind him before she took one step.
"Klaus. Please wait," she whispered, even though she knew he couldn't hear her.
Slipping on a negligee from the wardrobe, not even the icy silk could ease the heated fever thrumming under her skin.
She climbed into bed, every part of her aching for him. Confused by the violence of her emotions, she turned her head into the pillow and cried until she fell asleep.
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I apologize for the long wait between updates. The holidays can be all consuming and my editing obsession very annoying. Thanks for all your love and reviews and I hope you will keep reading and enjoying in the new year. I wish all of you the best in 2015.