Edited by the amazing klovec.
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Caroline woke with a start, the heavy scent of blood roses perfuming the air. She sat up to find a single bloom on the pillow next to her. The spicy, fragrant scent besieged her and brought vividly to life the night before.
Klaus.
His kisses, his hands roving her body, discovering all the places that made her moan and pant. What they did together... the very thought of it painted her cheeks with heat.
Gathering the silken sheets around her nude body she rose from the bed and went to the wardrobe, slipping on an ivory colored, satin negligee and robe. She shivered at the touch of the cool fabric on her flushed skin. With a flicker of worry, she wondered at how comfortably she now wore such luxurious fabrics. How she accepted these little sins as her reality now.
Sticking the thought into the dark recesses of her heart along with all her other trespasses, she vowed to worry about it later. When the memory of Klaus' body molded to hers wasn't so recent and she could no longer smell his scent on her. She walked towards the table in the room laid out with what had become her favorite breakfast; fresh fruit and a platter of buttery croissants. The note folded on the table could only be from Klaus' hand. She picked it up, revealing underneath a leather case with a gold clasp.
Caroline - forgive me for not being here when you awoke. I hope this small token of my affection makes up for the loss of my company this morning.
Klaus
Caroline set down the note and opened the case. Her breath stilled at the beauty. Nestled on white silk was a delicate tiara fashioned of gold with roses made of dark red rubies. A matching necklace with bracelet and earrings sat underneath. The set held all the fire and beauty of the blood roses themselves. The vibrant, crimson stones and their exotic beauty called to Caroline, a sirens song she couldn't refuse and she ran a finger over them. Already she could feel the weight of the stones on her skin.
Voices murmured outside and the opening of the bedroom door had her slamming the jewelry case shut.
"Klaus?" She turned around, her heart fluttering.
"Sorry, darling. Hate to disappoint," Kol purred, barging into the bedroom, Rebekah in tow.
He wore the remains of his tuxedo from the day before. His jacket gone, his shirt unbuttoned and his cufflinks missing. Rebekah wore a lovely dress in green, looking as always like she stepped right out of a painting.
"My...my...what an evening you had."
Color flared into Caroline's cheeks at the sly cast to Kol's tone. Glancing around the room, she knew how damning things must appear to Klaus' siblings. Her formal gown lay in a pile of silk on the floor before the bed and by the fireplace, thrown over a chair hung Klaus' bloody shirt.
"Leave the girl alone." Rebekah smiled at Caroline and then to her surprise she kissed her on the cheek. "She is to be our sister now."
"Poor thing," Kol teased. "Saddled to all of us for eternity."
Caroline didn't know what to say. They must think after what happened yesterday that she truly decided to bind herself to Klaus.
"I can't wait to put together your binding ceremony." Rebekah practically bounced on her toes. "It will be perfect. You won't have to worry about a thing. I shall plan it all to perfection."
Kol walked over to the table, plucking a strawberry from the crystal bowl and popping it in his mouth. "What's this?" He flicked the clasp on the leather case open and let out a low whistle. "That is a fortune in rubies.
"What?" Rebekah rushed over to the table to stare at the jewelry. "Nik gave these to you?"
"Yes, but I can't keep them."
"Of course, you can. They are magnificent!" Rebekah picked up the ruby necklace, holding it into the light. "Not a single flaw in any of these stones."
"Makes you wonder what one has to do to get such a gift, doesn't it, Bekah?" Kol looked directly at Caroline, his eyes dancing with devilish delight. "What exactly did our little Angel do?"
Unable to form a response, Caroline pressed her hands to her cheeks, trying to hide her blushes.
"Leave her alone," Rebekah scolded.
Kol picked up the note Klaus left, imitating his brother in a high falsetto as he read it. Caroline didn't mean to giggle, but he sounded so ridiculous. She tried to force a frown and take the letter back, only Rebekah beat her to it.
Klaus's sister folded the note, setting it back on the table. "That is not meant for you," she reprimanded, with a smack on the shoulder. "Give Nik some privacy."
"Please, Bekah. It is hardly private how he feels about her." Kol batted his eyelashes comically. "Oh Caroline, beautiful Caroline, let me fight my father for you. Make it clear to all of Court how much I adore you."
Caroline sobered at the sharpness in his voice, barely hiding his worry. She wondered what he would do to her if she didn't bind herself to Klaus. Would he cut her heart out for hurting his brother?
"Stop it, Kol," Rebekah sniped and turning to Caroline she sighed, "It really is romantic what he did."
"Romantic because he wiped the floor with father? It could have turned out differently and then what?"
"But it didn't," Rebekah said firmly. "And look at this." She picked up the ruby tiara, appraising it. "Nik had these made for her. He must have been planning on this for a while. They look exactly like mother's roses. I wonder if they are for you to wear at the binding ceremony."
"Is that all you can think about, Bekah?" Kol groaned. "You're obsessed."
"Caroline, you lucky girl." Rebekah held the tiara up to Caroline's head. "You will look like a queen in this for the ceremony. I have no idea what I can possibly wear to compete with you"
"No one is going to be looking at you. They will all have eyes on our new Queen.
Kol sarcastic tone did not match the intense, look he gave her. It sent chills straight down her spine. Did he know? Guess at her uncertainties and know how much she still wanted to return home?
"You will wear red, of course, to go with the rubies." Rebekah returned the tiara to the box and eyed Caroline up and down. "Something very sultry and un-angelic. Something fitting your new status."
"Rebekah...I - I don't think -"
"Just leave it all to me," Rebekah interrupted. "I will take care of everything."
Kol smirked at Caroline, his eyes icy and she knew he understood exactly what she was trying to say - that she didn't know if there would be a binding ceremony. "I would suggest you get a rush on that planning, Bekah."
"Maybe we could do it by the end of the week. I will just need to get the staff to work harder. That and figure out my own attire." Rebekah clapped her hands together. "This is so exciting."
The world crashed into Caroline and she struggled to catch her breath. She was suffocating, drowning in her insecurities, her inability to give Klaus and his siblings what they wanted. She didn't belong here. As much as last night meant to her and how strong her feelings for Klaus were, she needed to return home. Her loyalty belonged to the Divine one, to the path he chose for her with her gifts.
The door banged open once more.
"Rebekah...Kol," Klaus greeted, his voice barely civil. "Must you meddle in every aspect of my life?"
"We only came to welcome our new sister to the family." Rebekah's petulant tone didn't match the happiness of her countenance.
"Nice rubies, Nik." Kol smiled wolfishly at his brother. "It makes me wonder what kind of occasion calls for such a priceless gift."
"Think very carefully about whether you want to continue this line of thought," Klaus growled.
Kol shuddered in mock horror.
Klaus swept his arm in the direction of the door. "Now that you have seen Caroline, don't you think it is time you made yourself scarce?"
"Why?" Kol asked with a short laugh. "So you can find a way to gift Caroline with sapphires next? You will eventually run out of stones. And then what will your enticement be?"
Klaus glowered at his brother. "You really need to be going."
Rebekah piped up in an attempt to change the subject, "There is so much planning to be done for the binding ceremony. Am I right in thinking the rubies are for Caroline to wear for the occasion?"
Klaus stepped to Caroline's side. "She can wear whatever she pleases as long as she is there." He tipped her head up with his fingers, pressing his mouth to hers.
His lips, so very warm and soft on hers, made it nearly impossible not to kiss him back. Before she could sink into him, he pulled away.
Caroline blinked to find Kol and Rebekah watching them with equal amounts of surprise, amusement and what appeared to be happiness.
"Are you going to stand there and gawk?" Klaus drawled. "Because Caroline and I have business to attend to."
"Business?" Kol laughed sardonically. "More like getting busy."
"Enough." Klaus advanced on his brother. "Can't you behave yourself for Caroline's sake?"
"Hard. I shall try very hard." Kol have Klaus a pointed look.
Klaus made a move towards his brother.
Caroline covered her mouth at Kol's innuendo. For the first time she understood what he meant and it sent her blood on fire with embarrassment. Rebekah laughed in merriment and Caroline wasn't sure if she laughed at Kol or Caroline herself.
"I knew I should have cut your tongue out!" Klaus snapped.
His brother responded by sticking the appendage out teasingly and rushing toward the door.
"And shouldn't you be in Mikael's shadow this morning?" Klaus threw at him.
"I can't follow him too closely." Kol paused in front of the door, his countenance now sober. "It would be suspicious."
"He's been all over hell," Klaus replied flatly. "Get to work.
Kol bowed with an elegant flourish. "Off I go. Enjoy yourself, darling Angel and make Nik work hard for it."
Klaus growled, but by the time he made it to the door to cause damage to his brother, Kol was gone.
Rebekah laughed and turned to Caroline. "He only taunts and harasses because he cares. You will get used to it."
"Time you left too, sister," Klaus said, annoyance in the tilt of his head.
"I have no idea why?" Rebekah teased.
"Caroline has a meeting with the Eiseth family to heal their son."
"I don't know that I can do anything for the boy." Caroline clasped her hands in prayer. "My powers might be weaker now outside of my home."
"Home?" Klaus asked sharply.
"I...I meant heaven."
Klaus joined her, taking her hand in his. "I know what you meant, love."
Caroline blanched at the hateful look in his eyes.
"I didn't think Caroline still had her powers. Not with my spell," Rebekah said, a calculating slant to her eyes.
"Mikael was sure of it." Klaus let go of Caroline's hand to slide his arm around her waist, pulling her close in a possessive gesture.
"Klaus, I can't promise anything," Caroline said carefully. "I hope you made that clear to them."
He smoothed his thumb down the side of her waist and the small touch set her tingling.
"You don't need to see them if you don't wish to."
Caroline nodded, trying not to think about how broken hearted the family would be if she didn't. "No. I need to do this."
Klaus's thumb started to make circular movements against the silk of her negligee, the stroking reminding her of the other place he made those same touches last night and Caroline locked her knees together to keep from shaking.
"Now, Rebekah, some privacy so Caroline can get ready."
"Fine, but later Caroline and I need to discuss binding ceremony. There is so much work to be done. What date were you thinking, Nik?"
"The earliest possible."
"That is what Kol and even Finn suggested too. Hell's Fire! You men think alike," Rebekah said with sarcasm. "Once you get the girl, you can't wait to officially claim her."
Caroline knew it was more than that. They must guess at her reluctance to bind herself to their brother and her misery jabbed right through the desire Klaus stoked within her.
"Take care of it, Rebekah. I know you will make it a grand affair befitting a future King and Queen."
"At least you don't doubt me." Rebekah preened, a hint of color in her cheeks at Klaus' compliment. "Fine. I will take my leave. Shall I call for Dimina to help you with your dress?"
"Yes, please," Caroline rushed out. For once she was thankful for the intricacies of her clothing. Dimina would allow her some time and space away from Klaus.
Rebekah gave her a small nod and in a whirl of green she left the room.
Caroline's heart collided right into her ribcage at being alone with Klaus. She stepped quickly out of his embrace, trying to put some distance between them.
"You didn't need Dimina to get you dressed." Klaus stepped towards her, a predatory look in his eyes. "Don't you remember how good I am at buttons?"
Caroline lowered her lashes, remembering how deftly he unbuttoned her dress the other night. "I don't need you to do that."
"Maybe I want to," he purred.
"You...you should go. She will be here soon."
"Then let me give you a taste of what you have to look forward to later."
Klaus' mouth captured hers, quickly coaxing a flame from her. He kissed her hard, urgently, like he needed to assure himself that he could still affect her. Caroline couldn't hold back, the fire burned so brightly in her now. She gripped the back of his head, giving herself completely into the kiss. He moaned and ran his hands down her back, cupping her buttocks. Lifting her, Klaus adjusted her perfectly against his hardness. She could feel his thickness through his pants and her negligee and it was too much. Caroline ground herself against him. She pressed that special spot against him, the friction sparking to life all her nerve endings.
Heaven's, she wanted him. Wanted him naked, moving in and out of her once more. This terrible desire of hers for him, she couldn't seem to quench it.
Klaus lowered her to the ground, giving her a lingering kiss before he pulled his mouth from hers. She moaned at the loss of his body, all those electric sensations that drove her wild.
"Enjoy your time with Dimina," Klaus drawled. "I'll be back to get you when you are finished."
Caroline swallowed dryly, her whole body flushed and trembling as he calmly swaggered out the door.
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Caroline took a deep breath, grateful for Klaus' guiding hand on her lower back while he led her through the Demon crowd. The courtiers parted in front of them, falling into bows and curtseys outside the drawing room. Stepping through the open doors, she found even more Demons, their gazes trained on her.
"I thought we were meeting only the Eiseth Family?" Caroline whispered.
"Apparently everyone at court wanted to watch an Angel at work." Klaus slipped his hand down her lower back to wrap around her waist protectively. "Do you wish to have them removed?"
"No. They're fine. But, what if I can't help? I told them I couldn't guarantee anything."
Klaus tipped his head down to look at her. "I think you underestimate your powers but if you wish to leave we can. Showing up today is more than enough to send a message. It shows that you care."
"Of course, I care. Children shouldn't suffer. Demon or human."
"I am glad to hear that you no longer find Demons to be the epitome of evil." He smiled at her, a true smile and it hit at her carefully built walls. The whole walk to the drawing room she had been so careful to be standoffish and removed. She didn't want him to think things changed between because they were intimate last night. Only it seemed, she shouldn't have worried about him changing. She was doing it enough for both of them.
Moving further into the room, Caroline barely noticed the chandeliers, the painted ceilings and ornate furniture. She only saw the small child with reddish hair and closed eyes lying on a chaise in the middle of the room. Kneeling in front of their son were Hantin and his wife Naevina. They stood up at her approach, their eyes alight with fear and hope.
Hantin stepped towards them, bowing. "Help my son, Samai - and you shall have my family's allegiance."
"I shall have it regardless," Klaus replied coolly. "You have been giving a great honor with this meeting."
The Eiseth patriarch frowned.
"For which we are very grateful. Anything you can do for Samai... we are in your debt." Naevina gave her husband a pleading look.
Hantin's expression softened at the mention of his son.
"I'm not sure there is anything I can do, but I am willing to try." Caroline started to kneel before the child and Klaus took her arm to stop her.
"The future Queen of Hell does not kneel." Klaus gestured to Rajank for a chair to be brought forward.
At his announcement of her future title a murmur went through the crowd. Caroline could hear the whispering all the way at the back of the room and her cheeks burned.
"Klaus. I am not their Queen and I hardly need a chair," she reprimanded.
He ignored her, leading her to take a seat in the elegant, tapestry covered chair Rajanak procured.
Caroline sighed with annoyance and sat down. She gently touched the child's hand. There was not a single response or acknowledgement from Samai.
"How long has he been like this?"
Naevina stepped to Caroline's side to answer in a pained voice, "For five days. He was sick for several weeks. Tired and without an appetite and then he collapsed and has not woken since."
"Is this normal? For Demon children to get sick?"
"No. It is most unusual. But he is not fully Demon." Naevina looked to the floor with guilt. "I am partially human, born of a witch dragged down to Hell many years ago. I never thought when I bound myself to Hantin that we would produce a child that wouldn't survive due to his heritage. These bindings with witches used to be common long ago and many children were born who lived long lives."
"That Samai is part human actually bodes well for his recovery," Caroline replied with what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "Human children are constantly sick and they recover just as quickly as they succumb to illness. If he is not fully Demon I think I might be able to help."
Caroline leaned forward to brush the curly, reddish hair away from Samai's face. His face was warm. Unnaturally, so. "If it is acceptable to you, Naevina, I am going to lay my hands on him and see what I can find within him."
"Please."
The way Naevina's voice broke at that one word, wrenched at Caroline's heart. With a gentle touch, she laid her hands on the child's chest. Unsure, of what to do, she started to pray. Only, like she expected, her prayers disintegrated upon leaving her lips. She wanted to cry. How could she do her Holy work with her powers bound so she couldn't reach the Divine? It was Klaus' fault. He had systematically destroyed everything Holy about her so he could to get her to fit in Hell. Anger thundered in her and she forced herself to breath through it, shut it away so she could focus on Samai.
"What is happening? What is she doing?" Hantin asked anxiously, rushing towards her.
"She is trying to help. Now step back or I will have Rajanak force you back," Klaus snapped.
Caroline shut out Klaus, shut out all the Demons and focused on Samai. She set her hands over his heart, feeling the steady rhythm under her touch. She might not be able to pray, but maybe there was something else she could do. When she touched souls, she shone her light on them. Perhaps, she could clean out the sickness with her light?
"Samai, if you can hear me, open your heart and let me in. I want to bring you home to your parents," she whispered to the boy, hoping he could hear her words.
Maybe he did? His heart seemed to speed up and she took faith in the small reaction. Caroline thought of the sun on her face, the glow and heat of it from the day in the garden with Klaus. How it freed and lightened her entire being. She pictured herself like a blade of grass in the sun's rays, peeping out of a seed, thrusting through the dirt to dance in the light and nature's gentle breeze. Her hands felt warmth and she looked down at them on Samai's chest. They glowed.
The crowd of demon's noticed and the room burst into gasps and shocked murmurs. Caroline dragged her thoughts back to the child and the light. She didn't know what to do next. So she focused again on the garden, the ancient trees in the sun, the lake with the lily pads. Filled with peace and happiness the thrust of darkness against her light startled her.
Inky blackness surrounded her hands. Like mud, it stuck between her fingers, coating her in it's thickness. It butted up into her light and it hurt. The pain of it shook her off balance. Never before had she felt this deep ache within. She dug deep into her heart, her gaze going to the boy's white face. This evil sickness, this pain, she knew it came from whatever existed within him. Tears filled her eyes and she knew she had to fight it. She couldn't let it win. Because if she did, Samai would die.
Caroline thrust herself into the darkness, forcing her light to shine. She took the darkness and did something she never did before. She sucked it within herself.
The child gasped, his back arching. His eyes flew open and Caroline smiled at him. He stared at her, his green eyes blinking away the haze of sleep. Then he smiled back at her.
The entire room burst into noise, Hantin and Naevina openly crying as they rushed to their son's side.
Dark, cold oozed into Caroline, coating her heart and she shivered. Klaus' hands surrounded her shoulders.
"Caroline? You are well?"
She heard the worry in his voice and she touched his arm to reassure him. Only, she wasn't well. The sickness was inside of her. She needed to get out of here, focus on purifying herself.
"Everything is fine. I only need some air."
Klaus moved in front of the chair to take her hand and help her up. She stumbled to stand and his arm was instantly around her waist. Caroline leaned into him, grateful for his strength. No one must guess at her weakness. Not when they were rejoicing at Samai's recovery.
"Everything is not fine," he snarled. "You can barely stand."
"It is just because I am tired. This took a lot of my energy."
Caroline looked to Samai and already he sat up. His mouth ran a mile a minute as he chatted with his parents. Naevina threw her arms around him and Hantin turned to look at Caroline. He got up and walked towards her and Klaus.
"Anything I can do for you, Your Highness. You have only to ask. You have given me my son back. I am your servant," Hantin said gruffly, unshed tears in his eyes.
Klaus stared at him coldly and Caroline knew he was angry on her behalf. That she seemed so weak from the healing.
"His Highness accepts your offer and is very pleased he can count on you when dealing with Mikael," Caroline said softly for Klaus.
"I accept your allegiance, but you owe your son's life to your future Queen. She gave him back to you." Klaus tightened his grip on her and Caroline appreciated it. Waves of tiredness flowed through her.
Naevina with Samai in her arms joined Hantin. She handed their son to Hantin and kneeled at Caroline's feet, her head bowed in reverence.
"I am forever in your debt. Our family shall always be of service to you, my Queen." Naevina spoke with all the religious fervor of a novice with her vows.
"Please stand up, Naevina. I did only what my gifts from the Divine allowed me to"
Naevina rose up, her gaze somber. "You didn't have to help us and I will not forget it. I lay my powers at your feet and will serve you until my dying day. "
"No. You mustn't do that," Caroline replied with a vehement shake of her head.
"Just accept. You will offend her offering if you don't. It is a great honor to have a witch in your power," Klaus murmured near her ear.
Caroline nodded and tried to smile, only it hurt to do so. "Thank you Naevina. I accept your gift."
The woman curtsied and returned to her husband and son.
The cold dark that Caroline ingested from Samai ballooned inside of her, sending ice into her blood stream. She shivered, her hands numbing and the room started to take on a strange hue.
Klaus must have guessed at her illness, because he started to lead her out of the room. The Demons moved aside for them and Caroline was thankful for Klaus' hold on her. She used his strength to help move her unsteady feet out of the drawing room.
Shadows encroached her vision with every step she took. Her whole body trembled and it took all of her will power to put one foot in front of the other. She started to fall and found herself in Klaus' strong arms.
"What's wrong, love? Talk to me!"
She heard his scared voice, but it pained her too much to answer. So very tired, all she wanted was to sleep. She turned her head into his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heart increase as he now flew through the hallways of the palace.
"Rajanak - get Lady Rebekah!"
"Rebekah? Why did he want his sister? She only needed to purify this darkness and it would be gone. Unable to stay awake another moment, she slowly closed her eyes, falling into blissful sleep.
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Klaus ran through the halls of the palace, Caroline in his arms. He needed to get her back to his rooms where she would be safe. He didn't trust any of the Demons in the palace, not even those who swore their allegiance to him. Anything could happen and did in the dark, marble hallways. At least in his chambers, he would have Rajanak and his own carefully chosen guards at the door. With them watching his back, he could focus fully on attending to Caroline.
She was so light in his arms, hardly weighing anything. It made him worry even more. Was she not eating enough here? He didn't have the manna she normally ate, but he had gone out of his way to find tempting meals to treat her with.
Rajanak threw the doors to his chambers open and Klaus rushed Caroline to the bed. He laid her down gently, afraid that the slightest movement would cause her pain. She looked so pale, her face white against her long, black eyelashes.
"Caroline, love. You need to wake up," he coaxed, not caring that the guards around him could hear the panic in his voice.
She didn't move in the slightest, didn't even acknowledge by a sound that she heard him.
Klaus' heart smashed into his throat, his fear causing his lungs to swell until he could barely breathe.
"Is anyone going to get Rebekah?" He shouted, not even bothering to use his sister's title. He didn't know what he expected his sister to do, but with her magic she might be able to help get him answers. He should never have let Caroline near the Eiseth Boy. It hadn't been his idea to begin with, but he knew if he took her decision from her, she would have another reason to hate him.
He took Caroline's hand in both of his, gripping firmly, like he could will his strength into her. Klaus tried not to think the worst, but life had never done anything but betray him. He should have known happiness was not for him. Hadn't it been proven to him over and over? Every time he had a taste of it, it was torn from him.
Life now served him the ultimate punishment. If he lost Caroline, it would destroy him. Brought into his life by Elijah's meddling, she had come to mean everything to him. Her smile, the tender looks that seemed only for him, even the way she fought him - it brought him to his knees. Looking into her beautiful face, thinking of what she meant to him and how it could all be gone…the pain. It was unbearable.
"Nik? What is it? What's happened?"
Rebekah's voice intruded on his fear and misery and he struggled to find a way to speak.
"Is it Caroline?" His sister rushed to him, kneeling beside him. "Hell's Fire! What happened to her?"
Klaus tried to answer, only his terror killed the words in his mouth. If he spoke his worries, maybe they would come true.
"Nik. You have to talk to me," Rebekah said, her voice severe. "I can't help Caroline or you if you don't speak to me.
He took a deep breath, barricading his fear behind the wall of anger already swelling within him. "She healed the Eiseth boy and then she got weak and passed out in my arms. The healing... it didn't go right, I think. I don't know." Klaus released Caroline's hand and stood up. "I'm going to murder the entire Eiseth family for this."
"No, you aren't," Rebekah replied hoarsely. "That's not the answer. Caroline might have only fainted. We don't know anything at this point."
"Then do something to find out! Just don't sit there and look at her!"
Rebekah stood up, her mouth pursed with frustration. "I get you're upset, but you need to calm down. Getting yourself worked up is not going to help Caroline or me figure this out."
"Fix this, Rebekah." Klaus intended his words to sound like a demand, only they came out a shameful plea.
His sister's expression softened. "I will do everything I can." Rebekah sat down on the bed next to Caroline and took her wrist. "Her pulse is steady. There is nothing abnormal about it." She touched Caroline's forehead. "No fever either. If anything, she is a little cold."
Cold. He tried not to think about what that might mean. He pulled at the thick, velvet coverlet on the end of the bed and spread it over Caroline's form to warm her. "Have more wood put on the fire," he commanded one of the guards in the room. Several rushed to do his bidding.
"Nik?"
Klaus turned to find Finn standing in the doorway. "Hell's Fire! What are you doing here?"
His brother flinched at his anger. "Rajanak sent a servant to fetch me. What happened? Is that Caroline? Is she sick?"
"Of course, it's Caroline." Klaus sent Rajanak a hateful look. The servant overstepped his bounds by summoning his brother and he would have to deal with him later. "And...she...I don't know," he finished, helplessly.
"Don't worry, Nik." Finn joined him by the bed. "She looks really pale. Like white as a sheet."
Klaus glowered at Finn.
"But, I am sure whatever is wrong, she will be fine," Finn nervously rushed to add.
"You don't know that." Klaus ran his hands through his hair.
"Would the two of you give me some space?" Rebekah asked with irritation. "I can't work any magic with the two of you breathing down my neck."
Finn started to back away. When Klaus didn't move, he touched him on the shoulder. "Nik, you need to let Rebekah do her thing."
Klaus heard his brother, but his legs didn't want to move. He feared if he left Caroline's side for even a moment he would lose her.
"I mean it, Nik. Move away!" Rebekah turned around to glare at him. "I know you care about her, but I can't do a think with all your negative energy."
"Fine," he snarled, plucking at his simmering rage once again to overcome his fear. Even in his anger, he was gentle as he picked up Caroline's hand to press a lingering kiss. Her skin, so icy to the touch sent his blood barreling through his veins in terror.
Klaus stepped back and when Finn handed him a glass of brimstone wine, he gave him a thankful look. The alcohol burned down his throat, searing his stomach and he let it distract him.
"What happened to her?" Finn asked.
"She healed the Eiseth boy and whatever she did, she got sick and collapsed."
Finn poured a glass of brimstone wine for himself from the bottle sitting on the table by the fireplace.
"Has that ever happened before?"
"How would I know?" Klaus retorted.
"I mean, when you used to watch her with the souls?"
Klaus' hand tightened on his goblet as he remembered the way he used to watch her, obsessing about her body and the delights to be had from her unwilling flesh. Now, the thoughts bothered him. Especially, after their passionate night together. The closest to happiness and peace he ever came.
"She would get tired sometimes," he answered, taking a long gulp of what remained of the wine. He hated to think how he had once been the cause of her tiredness.
"Then that is probably all this is." Finn poured more brimstone into Klaus' glass. "She healed far from Heaven, that has got to cause stress to her body.
Klaus glanced at Rebekah for a moment as she started chanting in a foreign, ancient tongue. "I should have never let her try."
"This is not your fault. How could you know this would happen?"
"Rebekah bound her powers, her ability to pray. It might have hurt her when she healed that boy. And, if it did... "
"Don't even think that," Finn said. "She will wake up from this fine."
Klaus looked at Caroline, she was so still. He drained what remained of his drink. Finn didn't even comment, only poured him more wine.
Together, they watched while Rebekah worked over Caroline. Over and over his sister chanted, clouds of magical mist whirling around her. Nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. Klaus couldn't take it any longer and he started to pace. Back and forth never far from Caroline, his goblet of brimstone never empty.
Rebekah finally stood up and Klaus paused, holding his breath until it seared his chest.
"I'm sorry, Nik," Rebekah cried, filmy tears in her eyes. "There is nothing more I know to do."
Klaus' world erupted in flames, red blurring his vision and his hands clenched at his sides.
"Nik...before you go all crazy and start murdering demons. There is another option," Finn said, jumping in front him.
He tried to move past Finn, but his brother held out his hands to stop him. Didn't Finn understand? He needed to kill the Eiseth's for daring to request Caroline's help. It was their entire fault and he wouldn't rest until their blood flowed.
"Thoth...Nik. Think. Thoth. He is older than all of us and might know what to do. Tell him, Rebekah," Finn pleaded.
The suggestion brought a gasp from Rebekah.
Finn walked towards him slowly. "Mikael said he had seen Caroline's powers before, well, Thoth might know something about that and if he does, he might be able to help."
"That idea is actually brilliant," Rebekah touched Klaus' arm, to get his attention "Nik, listen. That demon is almost as old as Lucifer. He can help. I know it. "
Finn cast an insulted look at his sister. "You don't have to sound so surprised that I should have a good idea. You all sometimes forget I am the oldest around here. I have lived a lot longer than all of you and there is an intelligence and experience that comes from that."
Rebekah groaned. "I was so proud of you and now you ruined it."
"You were?" Finn smirked. "Wait until you find out I'm right about Thoth."
"What do you think, Nik?" Rebekah asked.
Klaus tried to make sense of the idea, to set aside his blood lust. Could they be right? Up until now, he always saw Thoth as a meddling old scribe. But if he could help Caroline, he would raise him higher than anyone else at court.
"Bring him to me." Finn started to leave and Klaus added gruffly, "Don't mention to anyone Caroline is not well. I won't have them gossiping about her."
Finn nodded and left.
Klaus moved back to the bed where Caroline still slept like the dead. He sat down next to her, taking her hand. "Don't worry, love. You will be up and feeling better soon. Just hold on tight," he crooned.
"She will be fine, Nik." Rebekah smoothed the velvet coverlet over Caroline's slight form, tucking the ends in. "She hasn't been asleep long. We are probably worrying about nothing and she will wake up and think we are all crazy standing here watching her," Rebekah laughed, a hollow sound that did nothing to reassure Klaus."
With a hesitant touch, Klaus skimmed Caroline's pale cheek with his fingertips. Her icy skin, mocked him. With all of Hell's heat and fire at his disposal he couldn't even keep her warm.
"She's so cold."
Rebekah moved to him, putting her hand on his shoulder.
For once the tables were turned and she reassured him, offered comfort. He remembered when Matthew was murdered. When she sobbed in his arms, screaming and raging. Would it come to that for him? No, he wouldn't be content to mourn in private. He would make the world rain in blood and fire.
"Nik!" Finn shouted eagerly from the doorway. "I have him."
Klaus stood to his feet and turned to find his brother practically shoving Thoth through the door. The Demon, the eldest of their kind, was white haired with a long grizzled beard. His eyes were nearly back and his ears slightly pointed. With short, stooped shoulders he didn't attempt to retract his leathery and ragged wings within himself like everybody else. He wore an outfit that fit in with the Elizabethan era. Klaus had never seen him wear anything different. It must have been a favorite century of his.
"All of Hell knows you have him now, Finn," Rebekah replied with sarcasm. "So much for keeping this a secret."
Thoth scowled at Finn, brushing his shoulders off like the Original Family member soiled him with his touch. "You, Sir! Your manners need some work."
"Forgive my brother. Finn gets a little overzealous when he is given a mission to complete," Rebekah apologized.
"A mission?" Thoth glanced from Finn to Rebekah with a stern look. "Is that why I was dragged from the archives without so much as a polite request?"
Klaus shuttered his rage behind a wall of ice to answer coolly, "You were brought here because your Prince summoned you. I have need of you."
"Need of such an old Demon as myself?" Thoth's curled his thin lips into a small smile.
"Yes," Klaus snapped.
"This wouldn't happen to be about your future Queen's sickness, would it?"
Finn's eyes widened. "I swear I didn't say a word to him." He turned to Thoth. "How can you know that?"
Thoth cackled. "You think I am blind to what goes on here at court? I have my own ears throughout the palace. All your secrecy, when I have known what you have been up to all along."
Fury cracked the ice within Klaus and he stalked to the elderly Demon, towering over him. "If you serve Mikael, I will spill your guts here on the floor."
"You will do nothing of the sort," Thoth retorted.
"And why is that?" Klaus asked, menace in his voice.
"Because I serve no one's interest but my own. Why do you think I have outlived every Demon alive?"
Klaus took a deep breath. He needed to calm himself, change tactics and find a way to bargain with Thoth. "What is it you want?"
"Would it surprise you if I said nothing?" Thoth asked, a crafty look in his eyes.
"Yes," Klaus growled. "Everyone always wants something."
Thoth shrugged. "I do not. At least not at this time."
"Then you're willing to help?" Klaus asked, his voice tight to keep his desperation at bay.
"I am most willing to serve my future King and Queen."
Klaus stared hard at Thoth, trying to determine if he meant it. The Demon's dark, eyes told him nothing, except he didn't fear him. That lack of fear made Klaus nervous. What hold could he have over him if the Demon could care less that Klaus wouldn't hesitate to kill him?
"You must trust me, young Prince," Thoth said dryly. "I intend your Angel no harm."
"Nik, let him look at Caroline." Rebekah stepped towards Klaus, setting a reassuring hand on him.
"It can't hurt," Finn added. "You did have me get him. Might as well have him do something besides stand here."
Klaus nodded and stepped aside so Thoth could see Caroline. The elderly demon moved close to the bed and when he kneeled to touch her wrist, Klaus grabbed his shoulder. "No one touches the Queen without my permission," he growled, knowing his eyes flashed gold. He didn't care.
"You wish me to exam her without touching her?" Thoth asked, for the first time annoyance coloring his tone.
"You want Caroline well? Stand down, Klaus and let him look at her," Finn commanded.
For the first time in his life, Klaus obeyed his brother. He coiled his muscles tightly, read to spring into action the second Thoth did something suspicious to Caroline.
"They said she healed the boy but collapsed outside the drawing room?" Thoth checked her pulse, nodding at the steady rhythm.
"Yes." Klaus took a deep breath. "She got weak right after she started glowing. Her light...it was there and then it was gone."
Thoth leaned it to place his ear over her heart and it took all of Klaus' willpower not to lift the Demon from her and throw him across the room. He knew his possessiveness was misplaced, but no one should touch Caroline. Only him.
"It is as I suspected." Thoth sat up to touch the side of her face. "Yes, just as I thought."
"What? What is as you suspected?" Klaus bit out.
Thoth stood up. "When your Queen used her light to heal, she couldn't purify the same way she used to. She is far from heaven and without the ability to pray and replenish her light, she is fighting the boys illness within herself."
"Can she do that? Fight it and win?" He held his breath, waiting for an answer.
"It will take some time, but light always wins out over darkness. An Angel's light can't be extinguished, only dimmed. You must allow her to heal herself and when she is ready she will wake up.
Klaus smoothed back one of Caroline's curls from her face, trying to process what this meant.
"This is good news, Nik," Rebekah said softly.
"How long will it take?"
Thoth fastidiously smoothed the wrinkles from his tunic and doublet from kneeling. "It depends."
"On what?" Klaus asked.
"The strength of her light and the power of the Eiseth's boy's illness." Thoth gazed back at Caroline. "She is young and healthy... for an Angel. It shouldn't take long. Keep her warm and she will come back to you."
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Caroline floated in and out of consciousness. She knew she heard Rebekah at one point, speaking magical incantations. Maybe Finn was around as well? She thought she might have heard him? What she remembered most was Klaus. She couldn't hear him, but she sensed his fear and anger. It vibrated through her, on an invisible thread that connected them. It pained her she couldn't comfort him.
Someone spoke she didn't recognize and a delightful shiver fluttered through her at the touch of warmth on her face. Klaus. She recognized his heat, his gentle hand. She captured the flicker of warmth on her skin from him, coaxing it to spread through her veins all the way to the black ice in her heart. Concentrating on the ember of heat in her chest, she pictured it sparking to a flame and then a fire. She let the inferno of heat surround her heart, melting the ice within. The fire within her roared, eating away at the blackness, purifying it to until nothing remained.
Able to move at last, she opened her eyes to find Klaus talking to a stranger near her bed. He looked so scared and angry. His eyes were dark and hooded, his jawline tense and she knew that inside he was a powder keg ready to explode.
"Klaus?" She whispered.
The room fell silent and Klaus fell to his knees before her.
"Caroline?"
She sat up, surprised to find Finn, Rebekah and the stranger all staring at her. "Why is everyone here?"
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine. I only fainted."
"You did more than faint." Klaus furrowed his brow. "You passed out outside the drawing room and I couldn't wake you up. I didn't know what was wrong."
From the intensity in his eyes, she knew he worried still. Caroline touched his cheek lightly, smoothing her fingers over his stubble to reassure him. "The healing took more of my power than I expected and without prayer I had to take the darkness within."
A look of guilt flitted over his features before he steeled them once more. "You never should have tried to heal that boy. This never would have happened then."
"You look like you have not suffered for your little nap," the stranger interjected, approaching the bed. He bowed. "I am Thoth, Hell's chief archivist and I am at your service."
Caroline smiled at him. "I am pleased to meet you. Although, I am not sure why you are here?"
"It was my idea to send for him when you wouldn't wake up," Finn said proudly from across the room. "And, I was right. He knew exactly what happened to you."
"Finn, do you want a medal?" Rebekah rolled her eyes. "We hardly needed him. Caroline woke up fine on her own."
"But, what if she hadn't?" Finn pointed out, a smirk on his face.
"Enough you two," Klaus barked. "Caroline has been through a lot and should rest."
Caroline started to remove the blanket that covered her to stand up. "I feel fine now."
Klaus started to stop her, only she slipped to her feet too fast.
"Love, please. You should lay back down for a bit."
"I am not about to spend what remains of the day in bed. I am fine. Truly."
Caroline stepped over to Thoth. "Thank you for coming to see me."
"I am pleased that I could be of service to our Prince," Thoth replied. "Now, I would like to offer my services to you. If ever you should have questions about your powers you should come to me. I might be able to help. The archives are filled with knowledge."
"You have seen her powers before?" Klaus asked a sharp edge to his tone.
"Something similar, perhaps?" Thoth gave them a smug look. "You should visit me sometime in the archives."
"Thank you. I will have to take you up on the invitation," Caroline replied politely. How could she tell this kind Demon she knew she wouldn't have need of his help? Eventually, she would return home to Heaven and the Angels and they would help her understand her powers and everything would be back to normal.
"Since your Queen is feeling better I shall take my leave of you. Finn your work is piling up in the archives. I expect your presence soon to take care of it," Thoth ordered before bowing once more and leaving the room.
"He is a terrible curmudgeon to work with," Finn grouched.
Rebekah ignored her brother, throwing her arms around Caroline. "I'm so glad you are feeling better."
"We both were," Finn added. "I would hate to lose a sister so soon after acquiring one."
Caroline embraced Rebekah awkwardly, unsure of how to react. "I'm sorry for worrying you. I didn't know I would react that way to the healing."
Klaus gave his siblings pointed looks. "While I appreciate your help, Finn you should pay a visit to the archives and Rebekah -"
"But Nik, we have the binding ceremony to discuss. Caroline and I have so much work to do. Hours and hours of work that we should start," Rebekah teased.
"Don't torment, Nik," Finn told his sister. "If this had been Sage, I would have thrown us out of here by now."
Rebekah rolled her eyes.
Klaus' heated gaze fell on Caroline and she realized if Rebekah and Finn were to leave she would be alone with him. Alone with the distraction of his hands, mouth and his heat. They needed to talk. However, she didn't know how to tell him what lay in her heart without hurting him and herself.
"Come, Rebekah." Finn headed towards the door. "Let's leave them alone. I am sure they have more important things to do then stand here talking to us."
"Fine." She pouted for only a moment before speaking up, "But tomorrow, Caroline and I are going over the details for the binding ceremony."
"We could talk now? You don't need to go." The very thought of the binding ceremony had Caroline's heart plummeting to the floor with nervousness, but it seemed the lesser of the two evils.
"Yes, they do," Klaus replied firmly.
Rebekah smiled and blew her a kiss. "Tomorrow will be soon enough. You two have fun."
"You know, Rebekah if you are looking for ideas for a binding ceremony, Sage had some great ones. If you want I could -"
"Enough, Finn," Rebekah snapped.
Caroline swallowed dryly as they left the room followed by several guards and Rajanak.
"Are you sure you don't want to lay down and get some more rest?" Klaus asked, his voice still thick with concern
She stared at the bed, images of them together from the night before flashing before her eyes. Desire bubbled in her blood, sending heat into her cheeks. Caroline avoided looking at Klaus, afraid he would guess her sinful thoughts. "I'm sure."
Klaus chuckled and she knew he understood exactly what she was thinking.
Caroline forced her gaze from the bed and took a shaky breath. "We should talk about what happened last night…between us."
"Is that what you really want to do? Talk?" Klaus narrowed the space between them, his hand caressing the curve of her cheek. "Because I can think of a lot more entertaining things we could do."
The flash of heat on her skin, his sweet touch, made it hard to focus. "Klaus….we can't."
"Can't what, love?" The color in his eyes shifted, the blue becoming even more intense.
"Let it happen again," Caroline whispered softly.
His hand fell from her face and his jaw hardened. "Make no mistake, Caroline. It will happen again and again. Because I will never give up. I will always be here…waiting and wanting you.
Klaus' dark promise crashed into her, leaving her breathless and weak and she struggled to find the words to argue with him.
He smirked, fully understanding her speechlessness. "I thought today I would show you my art collection. Would you like that?"
The cordial offer so at odds with what he just spoke left her only able to nod her head.
"I thought you might like that," Klaus teased and held out his arm for her and she took it.
Caroline promised herself once she found the right time, she would bring up the topic again. Because he needed to understand, she didn't belong here no matter how much her feelings were engaged. Until then, she would let herself enjoy this moment with him. Stitch it deep within her soul so that when she returned to heaven she would remember it always.
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Sorry for the long wait. I hope you are still here and reading.