Chapter Two
When Klaus finally came to me, it had been almost two months since I last saw him. Two months since his birthday. He had brought Katerina to Scotland while Elijah was away in Spain. The two of them even went to London for a fortnight. I was certain that Klaus had fallen in love with her. I was sitting on the chair reading Homer's Iliad that Elijah had given me. Then I felt arms embracing from behind while I was still seated. It was my husband, it was Klaus. He kissed the top of my head and I felt something on my neck. I touched it and looked. It was a jeweled necklace and it was exquisite, sapphires encrusted with tiny diamonds. Klaus clasped the hook and it sat delicately on my décolletage.
He bent and kissed my neck sensually, trailing kisses and nibbles up my throat to my earlobe. "I've missed you My Love…"
I was angry hearing it. I knew he was lying to me. How could he possibly miss me? He was gone for two whole months. He had left me locked up in the attic while he enjoyed his dalliances and liaisons with the doppelganger and his various mistresses. I immediately sat up and moved away from him. I pulled the necklace from my neck and threw it away.
"Do not touch me Niklaus!" I cried, my eyes blazing furiously as I stared at Klaus. "I waited for you and you never came! For days and weeks on end. You think you can buy my forgiveness with some stupid necklace?"
Klaus stared angrily back at me. "Buy you? I don't have to buy you Elly! You're already mine! You're my wife!"
He used his vampiric speed and within a split second he stood in front of me. Klaus stared right at me, his pale blue eyes were like icicles, piercing right into me. He touched my cheek but I turned away. Klaus wouldn't have it and he just held my cheek and turned it back so that I could face him. He pulled my head close and kissed me but I struggled and tried to push him off.
"Let go of me…" I seethed. "Don't touch me. Not when I can still smell your mistress' perfume on your shirt."
Hearing that Klaus loosened his grip on me and let me go. I stared directly at him. He gave an indifferent shrug and looked away. Not out of guilt or remorse. Klaus never felt those emotions.
"It doesn't mean anything Elly…You know that." He said and sat down on the one of the chairs. Klaus gave a satisfied, evil smile and I was trying my best not to cry.
"It meant something to me!" I screamed, I couldn't control my anger anymore. "My husband is unfaithful. He would rather spend the night on his birthday with his mistresses than his own wife!"
"I was drunk Elly." Klaus said and rolled his eyes. "I knew you'd be angry with me so I thought it best to spend the night away."
"Two months Klaus! You were gone two whole months!" I shouted.
"Yes but I'm back now." He said and smiled at me.
Klaus walked to me and pulled me in his arms. He kissed me again and although my lips did not move under his, I did not struggle. I just fell limp in Klaus' arms. I was too tired, weak from my self imposed starvation and maybe I really missed having him embrace me. Klaus lifted me up and carried me to bed. He lied next to me, holding me in his embrace.
"God...I've missed you so much Elly..." Klaus whispered in my ears as we lied on the bed.
"Hmmm..." I sighed and held his hand, playing with his fingers while I hummed that tune he would always hum.
"I can finally be free Elly," Klaus told me. "The ritual will proceed soon Darling. On the next full moon. We have the witches and our werewolf. We'll get a vampire too. Elijah has the moonstone and all will go as planned." He continued. My eyes felt heavy and I just wanted to sleep.
"Elly are you listening to me?" Klaus asked.
"I'm tired Niklaus..." I said softly. "Tired and weak."
"That is because you haven't been eating..." He sighed. I heard Klaus biting into his wrist and he fed me his blood. I pushed his hand away but he held it firm over my lips.
"Drink Elly, my blood will make you strong," Klaus coaxed and soon I latched on sucking his blood with such force. I grew ferocious and drank more of it. I never understood why his blood had such elixir like qualities. It was like an addictive drug.
"Elly!" Klaus yelped after a while and pulled his hand away. I supposed I was too rough even for Klaus. I turned and smiled at him, his blood dripping from the sides of my mouth.
"I think I want more Niklaus..." I told him and licked the sides of my mouth."It's delicious..."
Klaus gave an odd look of surprise and then I saw a smile formed on his face. He took the small dagger that was kept in his belt and I watched as he made a small cut on his neck and pulled my head to it. I suckled on it and I felt Klaus' hands moving underneath my nightgown. He cupped my breasts and I moaned as his fingers played with my nipples. I tore my mouth away from his neck and looked at him seeing the desire that hazed in his eyes. I felt my desire for him grow as well.
Klaus pulled me in and kissed me deeply. So deep I was left almost breathless. It was as if he was taking air away from me. The kiss grew more hungry and needy, our lips meshed and tongues tangled and my fingers started digging into his clothes. I started to unbutton his vest and pulled it off him and then the white tunic underneath. Klaus had pulled my white thin nightgown off my shoulders and I was almost naked before him. I shivered in the cold and he pulled me closer and pinned me down on the bed.
"I want you so much Darling..." He whispered huskily and I only smiled as he moved between my legs and kissed my lips again.
I sighed as Klaus unfastened his leather breeches and yanked it off forcefully, throwing it to the floor. When he finally entered me, I almost felt relieved. I had my husband back. Back in my arms, in my bed. I didn't know for how long though. He would leave soon. It was a definite thing. There must be a way to keep him there with me. Keep him close and make sure he never goes to another woman's bed. I hated being away from him.
He didn't last that long though and I didn't orgasm but it did not matter. I just wanted to be with him. Klaus released himself and collapsed on top of me before he moved beside me. He lied on his stomach and I saw that his eyes were closed. I sighed and moved to rest my head right on the back of his shoulder. My fingers running through his curly gold hair that seemed longer than before.
"You need a haircut..." I murmured and kissed the back of Klaus' neck. "It's the fashion Elly...longer hair.." He said and chuckled lightly. I frowned hearing that. I never liked the idea of men sporting longer hair.
"If you leave me again. I will run away Niklaus..." I cooed. I felt sleepy and rolled over to the other side, letting my head rest on the pillow. Klaus moved and I saw his face right above me.
"If you run away Elly, you know I'd find you," Klaus told me with an arrogant smile. He bent and kissed my lips. "I will always find you My Love...You belong to me Elly... Always..."
"Body and soul...forever," I continued and smiled at him. Klaus smiled tenderly back and kissed me again. "How about you? Do you belong to me Niklaus?" I asked and caressed his perfect, angelic face.
"You know I do Elly. I belong only to you...Yours forever." Klaus smiled and started kissing down the valley of my breasts, trailing kisses and nibbles down my stomach. It was ticklish and I giggled. "What are you doing Klaus?" I asked him and looked down at him.
"Giving you pleasure Darling," He smiled and gave a wink.
"But I want to sleep..." I frowned at him. "I'm tired Niklaus."
"Then just lie back and rest..." He said with a grin. "Let me do all the work."
I sighed and lied back down as he kissed and licked at my intimate woman parts, making me squirm and thrash about before I finally reached my peak and had my orgasm as well. I would never have thought that Klaus could be considerate but he surprised me sometimes. He moved up and pulled me in his arms. I immediately arched my neck so that he could take my blood. Klaus held me in a spooning position and bit into my neck, the blood flowed from my veins and into his mouth and he rocked me gently in his arms that I fell to sleep moments later.
I looked out the window one late afternoon and watched the scenes unraveling before me in the rose gardens below. Elijah was there with the doppelganger. Katerina was wearing a dark green gown that seemed so plain on her. I couldn't help but smile a little spitefully to myself, pleased that Klaus didn't get her the prettiest of dresses. The green gown seemed so old fashioned and dowdy. I looked at the beautiful silk pink and peach gown I was wearing with its lovely gold threading that came straight from Venice along with other dresses my husband had gotten for me. The kirtle was beautifully embroidered in gold threads and it had delicate puffed sleeves. Klaus even bought a lovely jeweled clip for my hair. He wanted me to look like a princess.
Elijah and Katerina were laughing and talking to each other. It was strange to hear Elijah's laughter. I had never heard it in so long. He seemed happy for a while. Just a short while.
"She really looks like me..."
I heard my sister's voice and immediately turned. I smiled at Karina who pulled me in for a hug. She was still dressed in that long white and gold gown. The wreath of wildflowers that were on her hair. Elijah had buried my sister in her wedding dress. My sister stood beside me as we looked out the window, watching Elijah and Katerina talking to each other.
"You could be twins Sister," I sighed, Katerina looked so much like Karina but I could tell the difference not just because Katerina's hair was curly. She didn't have that gracefulness about her that Karina had. Katerina's eyes sparkled mischievously and I knew that she could not be trusted, so unlike my innocent sweet sister.
"It's nice to see Elijah smile." Karina commented. She was smiling happily and I wondered why. Her husband was with another woman and she did not seem disturbed.
"You're not jealous?" I asked her, surprised by it.
"I just want him to be happy Elly," Karina sighed. "Even if it's with another woman. If Elijah falls in love again. It would please me."
"How could he ever be happy without you?" I looked at my sister. "I would never want Klaus to be in love with another. Bedding a woman is one thing but to love her. I would never tolerate it." I said furiously. "I will kill her first. Right in front of him."
"So vicious Sister?" My sister looked at me and gave a bemused smile.
"He's mine Karina. Klaus is mine." I told my sister firmly and Karina only gave a nod.
"Ah, looks like your husband is back..." Karina said and I looked out the window, seeing Klaus walking towards Katerina and Elijah. The front of his shirt was bloodied and he looked like a mess. His hair disheveled. I cringed seeing the blood. What did he do the previous night?
I watched as Katerina walked towards Klaus and he held out his hand and wrapped his arm around her waist. I gritted angrily seeing that. I hated it. Why did he have to show affection to the doppelganger? He was just using her afterall. Couldn't he just keep her imprisoned somewhere?
"Careful Sister...don't let your jealousy rule over your sharp mind..." Karina shook her head and warned me.
"He doesn't love her. I know it. Her life means nothing to him." I told Karina sharply and she only sighed.
"Milady."
I turned around, surprised that it was Rosemarie standing in the room. I didn't even hear the locks. It wasn't even sunset yet. I wondered what she was doing up so early. Rosemarie stared at me, shocked that I was talking to myself. I only sighed. "I was speaking to my sister Rose." I explained to her. "My sister Karina, she was here."
"I'm sure she was Milady..." Rosemarie said kindly and gave a small bow. She brought with her a tray of food.
"Lord Klaus wants you to eat Milady..." Rosemarie said and placed the tray on the table.
"But I'm not hungry." I frowned at her. Rosemarie nodded and explained, "Yes Milady but Lord Klaus will punish the human servants if you refuse to eat. He would rip the cook's heart out in front of all the kitchen staff for failing to feed his wife."
I groaned hearing it. Of course Klaus would do that. Blackmailing me with the lives of the human servants. I pursed my lips and went to the table where Rosemarie started to serve me. "Why are you here?" I asked Rosemarie. "It's not sunset yet."
She smiled at me and spoke, "I spent the night here. Trevor was here. We slept in one of the guestrooms. He sneaked in to meet Katerina."
"So they have been intimate?" I was curious and needed to know more. Such intrigues and scandals amuse me, especially since I had nothing much to do in the attic.
"Oh no..." Rosemarie shook her head. "Trevor would never do that. Lord Klaus would know and he would have Trevor's head." Rosemarie sighed. "He just wanted to keep Katerina company."
I looked at Rosemarie and she seemed worried. "What is wrong Rose?" I asked her. She looked at me, a little hesitant and started. "I worry for him Milady. Trevor's getting too attached to Katerina and I fear that she is just playing with him for her own amusement."
"Yes..." I said. "She looks like a wench who would do something like that. Playing with men's heart." I told Rosemarie in disdain.
"She tried to seduce the Lord Klaus..." Rosemarie whispered to me.
"What?" I cried out. I was furious hearing it.
"That's what the servants told me. She sat on Lord Klaus' bed one night naked, waiting for him but he never returned of course."
"Oh My God..." I uttered in horror. "I would have her neck..." I fumed.
"She is naïve Milady." Rosemarie shook her head and chuckled. "Katerina thinks that Lord Klaus would ask for her hand and make her his wife. She could then be a rich and powerful English noblewoman."
"Except that Klaus is already married. I am his wife!" I said hotly. I didn't like the idea of some silly twit of a doppelganger thinking that she could weasel her way through and take my husband away. It only strengthened my resolve to get rid of her.
"We have to get rid of her Rose." I told Rosemarie. She only shook her head. "It would be a death sentence to any human or vampire Milady. Lord Klaus needs Katerina for the ritual."
I kept quiet and finished my meal. It was roasted pheasant that I found too tough but I just ate it. I was surprised when my husband walked in, still with his bloodied clothes. Rosemarie saw him and gave a quick bow. She stepped back when he walked towards us, in fear of Klaus, as her head remained bowed, her eyes to the ground.
"Darling..." Klaus greeted and opened his arms. I stood up and moved towards him, falling into his embrace readily. I felt relieved that he did not bed Katerina. Klaus held me close and ran his fingers through my hair.
"It's good that you're eating..." Klaus murmured and kissed my forehead firmly. He probably saw the empty plate on the tray.
"I do not like that doppelganger of yours..." I told Klaus as I leaned against his chest. "She tried to seduce you. I hate her Niklaus. Get rid of her..." I whispered harshly
"Fret not my Dear," Klaus whispered and stroked my back gently. "I will get rid of her soon. She means nothing to me Elly..." He said and pulled away so he could look at me. Klaus smiled at me, his pale blue eyes glittered almost evilly but I didn't care. He was my Klaus, my evil, cruel monster. He kissed me gently and I smiled when I pulled away.
"What happened Niklaus?" I asked him seeing his bloodied shirt and gripped the front of his tunic.
"I was bored Elly. Took the boys out and we had a feast..." Klaus grinned. "Some tavern somewhere..."
"Did you bed a whore!" I demanded angrily. I didn't believe that Klaus would just killed people. He had probably slaked his lust as well. Klaus eyes only narrowed angrily at me. "What if I did?" It sounded like a taunt to me.
"Some dirty tavern whore!" I screamed. "Are you insane Niklaus?"
"Rosemarie leave us!" Klaus ordered her. Rosemarie nodded and bowed before leaving the room in a hurry. I heard her rushing off down the stairs and the sound of the lock and key. I was locked up in the attic with my husband.
"You have your aristocratic women Klaus! Why would you bed some common trollop!" I yelled.
"Because maybe I had a taste for a tavern wench last night! What business is it of yours!" Klaus argued back.
"I hate you!" I screamed, so infuriated that he would even question me. I took the plate that was on the tray and threw it at him. He ducked and the plate came crashing on the floor, breaking into pieces. "You know I won't have it! What diseases you'll bring home with you!" I hollered.
"I washed myself of course Elly." Klaus sighed. "And I'm a vampire, an Original. We do not have diseases."
"Why do you always do this to me Niklaus?" I sobbed, my tears flowed in torrents. It was just all too much. With the doppelganger and the stupid curse. My husband going away for days or weeks on end, bedding upperr class aristocrats or dirty tavern wenches. "Am I not enough? Why do you have to go look for another?" I sat on the bed and cried.
"I am a man Elly. It's different with men..." Klaus said and sat beside me. "We have this insatiable need to be with women. As many as we could."
"Elijah would never do that to my sister...He was a faithful husband to her." I told him and stared at his face, fury in my tear filled eyes. "And I wager that Anthony would never do that to his wife if he ever has one..."
"But I'm not any of them Elly..." Klaus said. His tone had gone cold and callous. I looked at him and his eyes probed mine. And then he made himself clear, telling me what was expected of me.
"I am not Elijah and I am not Anthony. I am your husband and you will accept that. You will accept that I have my whores, as you call them and my women. You will put up with it even if it displeases you, even if it upsets you. That is what you will do. You are my wife Eleanna and you will not question me again. Especially not in front of the servants. I will not be humiliated!" He said sharply and I grimaced as he held my head firmly in his grasp. Klaus sighed and his eyes grew tender as he leaned his forehead on mine.
"You know what happens when I'm angry don't you Elly? You don't want that. Have I made myself clear Darling?" Klaus asked softly as he held my cheek.
I looked at Klaus and nodded absently. He would kill those that I have become attached to. I knew he would, if I ever pushed him that far, if I crossed the line. Trevor, Rosemarie, my maidservants, the stableboys, the gardeners, the cooks. And I knew that I could not make them pay the price. It would not be fair to any of them. They did not deserve to have such cruel punishment especially for something that was not their doing.
Klaus smiled at me and kissed my lips gently. My tears still flowed but he never bothered to brush it away. I wondered he derived some sort of pleasure by making me cry. Maybe my tears were signs to assure him that I still loved him, that I cared too much, I would allow myself to be hurt by him. He pinned me down on the bed and kissed me passionately. I did not feel like making love to him but I knew it was futile to deny him. He was Klaus, my husband, my lord. I belonged to him.
So I welcomed his kisses and his touch. Be a good, faithful, patient and obedient wife to him. Of course it was all a lie. I could only be true to myself. I set about to plot against him in my mind as I lied in Klaus' arms later that evening. He was already fast asleep. I was going to get Trevor to steal the moonstone. He would give it to Katerina and make sure she escapes her fate.