Disclaimer: Ain't mine.
Truth
Bonnie sat in the corner quietly observing all the women in her cohort. She knew they all had their reasons for being here but she never imagined someone might want this life. Several women flitted about the room giggling, happy to be given to a vampire. Bonnie wasn't stupid. She got why some women were into this.
It was a week of parties so you could meet rich, powerful, and often times sexy men. There were sponsors who dressed you in silks and satins, and acted as your matchmaker/madam. You were waited on hand and foot, and in the end you could end up living a very cushy life if you gave them what they wanted, an heir.
Bonnie wanted to curse the witch who figured out the spell to let vampires procreate with humans, witches, and lycans. She wanted to double hex the Gemini coven for coming up with the vitch ritual. Maybe she could break Silas's curse so vampires could procreate amongst themselves again. Then they could stop this degrading and dehumanizing practice.
Yes Bonnie, be the witch to give the world pureblood vampires again. Be the witch that gave vampires the free reign to terrorize the world again. As much as she hated it, vampires needed humans, mages, and weres to produce heirs. Real heirs not some stranger they turned to stave off loneliness. It is the key to the Blood Witch's Treaty, young women and men offering themselves up as surrogates and donors.
The witch looked up at Gretchen Smith. The strawberry blonde was genuinely overjoyed to be here. Her green eyes sparkled every time a courtesan walked into the room. Gretchen watched these women in admiration. It's clear she wanted to be just like them. She wanted to be Lady Salvatore.
It's all anyone had been talking about, the concubine who had made it to high court, and married one of the princes of White Oak Castle. No one seems to notice the other concubines populating the lower courts. Men and women relegated to second-class citizenry as "pure blood" royalty looked down on them from the halls up above. Bonnie glanced out the window at Barrister Donovan swinging a raven headed little boy in his arms.
That will be her in nine months, if she conceives. Stuck in a life because she can't bear to abandon her child even if it is half monster. There are others in the room that clearly feel the same way she does. Trapped here because they needed money or the healing power of vampire blood, and then there is Simone Bassett.
The few minutes the woman was in the room she sat with her back straight as an arrow. Her mouth pulled into a tight line. They all got the picture. She was better than them, better than this. It infuriated Bonnie that after five minutes of being in the companion dinning hall, Simone Bassett had received sponsorship from Lady Vanessa. Clearly the high court thought she was better as well because the rest of them had to wait hours before another courtesan even condescended to enter the room.
One by one the ladies of the high court came in and chose their pet projects of the week. Bonnie was relieved when Gretchen was chosen so she could stop fidgeting. Bonnie was about to venture to the buffet table again when the room grew silent. Bonnie turned glancing at the two blonde women in the doorway. Bonnie heard someone whisper Lady Caroline, and suddenly it made sense. Their hero was in the room. Bonnie turned back to the food.
She didn't need a sponsor. She didn't need to be primped and polished so a monster could use her as an incubator. Matter of fact all she needed was a turkey baster and a good specimen and her contractual obligation would be filled. Her vamp could set her up with a small cottage in the lower town and a shop to do healing, he could visit with his child on weekends, and when he or she is of age, Bonnie would move out of White Oak Castle.
The witch was about to grab the last slice of chocolate cake when a manicured pale hand beat her to it.
"Oh. I was about to grab that." Bonnie said smiling, gesturing to the dessert.
"Yes. That's why I had to beat you to it." Lady Caroline said reaching for a fork. She jumped when all the forks flew up and glued themselves to the ceiling.
"Hey." The blonde said staring up at the utensils.
"Oh. Did you need one of those?" Bonnie said smiling. Lady Caroline stared at the green-eyed witch. Not sure what to make of her.
"Not really. I can just eat it with my fingers." She challenged.
"Really? The Princess of White Oak Castle is going to stuff her face with creamy gooey chocolate cake? In front of Lady Camille? In front of her fan club?" Bonnie asked.
The lady looked around the room and as she expected all eyes was on the two of them.
"Do you know who I am?"
"Really your going to play the my husband is a VIP card?"
"No, I'm going to play I could be your greatest asset card, but you have decided to piss me off."
"No you decided to piss me off when you stole my cake. It's the only good thing about this place." Bonnie admitted.
Caroline wanted to snap back at the witch but she recognized the same fear and sadness she felt five years ago when she was in the same situation. At the time she was convinced being separated from her mother was almost just as bad as losing her to cancer.
"How about you give up a fork, and I share the last piece with you." Caroline said remembering the loneliness and isolation she felt.
"Lady Caroline sharing with a lowly concubine?" The witch asked surprised.
"No. Just Caroline sharing with…" The blonde looked at the witch expectantly. Bonnie wanted to turn away, but she could use an ally. Caroline could help her find a decent match.
"Bonnie. Bonnie Bennett." Caroline smiled.
"The witch who bested Lord Damon in court. I should have known." Lady Caroline said smiling at the witch. The forks floated from the ceiling and arranged themselves neatly on the table. The blonde picked up one handing it to Bonnie. "I have a feeling we are going to be great friends."
-o0o-
Niklaus had never been to the lower court. He had heard the ballroom there was exquisite, but he wasn't expecting this. Apparently, his father was overly fond of his concubines. Its opulence almost matched his own royal court. In many ways the room was more remarkable because there was less ornamentation.
The king sat on the throne as each companion was being introduced. As usual Stefan was to his left and Marcel to his right. Greta, Camille, and Vanessa rounded out the party. Every vampire and hybrid in the country was in attendance. They all wanted to know why the Hybrid King was at a pairing ball. They all gossiped about the presence of Mage Royalty, and the kooky witch stirring up trouble in the lower court.
Personally, if Caroline was his wife, the witch would be dead. He certainly would not be letting his wife sponsor her. But hey, he let Stefan and Marcel handle their own houses. The witch better had not cross Greta or Camille. Greta would cut out her tongue then steal her magic before he could even get his hands on the girl. He would hope that Camille would defend herself as well but he knows she would let the incident go unchecked. The two couldn't be more different. He often wondered what common thread caused his attraction. He was about to start comparing their breasts again when the announcer bellowed out the introduction he had been waiting for all night.
"Introducing the Caster of Shadows, Second Priestess of the Traveler Coven, Emissary of the Triumvirate, The Third Child of the High Priestess Morgan Bassett and the Merlin, Gerard Du Lac, Simone Bassett."
The king watched the woman enter the room. She was beautiful. He would have no problem bedding her if it were not for the hungry look buried in her eyes. She hid it. She hid it well, but Niklaus recognized a predator. It's how he had held the throne for so long.
He tried to tell himself it didn't matter. He could let her bare his seed to fulfill this silly prophecy. She could do with the half blood what she wished. The truth was he didn't like being used, and he had a feeling that the Caster of Shadows wasn't here to play mommy dearest.
The sorceress hadn't stepped a foot into the room before she was being asked to dance. Niklaus watched as Lorenzo twirled her around on the floor. He should cut in. The sooner he made up his mind the better. He leaned over to whisper to Marcel when he noticed Lady Caroline enter the room.
A second later the announcer was introducing another candidate. The petite woman walked into the room hesitantly, her green eyes glancing nervously about. She didn't want to be here, well neither did he.
Her dress was simple, yet classy. Her shoulder length hair was waving around her face. She was kind of strange looking. Her features pretty, but they were not symmetrical, and her smile was crooked. The king caught himself smirking.
He stopped when she glanced at the throne her mouth twisted in disgust. That look told him everything he needed to know. So this was the troublemaker. The witch better be on her best behavior if she knew what was good for her. The king rolled his eyes and swaggered over to Simone Bassett.
-o0o-
Bonnie didn't need fancy things she just needed family, friends, and some of Gram's home cooking, but as she glanced around the ballroom she couldn't help being impressed. Everyone was dressed in the finest silks. The buffet table was lined with delicious and hard to come by treats. The musicians were masters of their craft, and the men and women that inhabited the room were handsome. Lady Caroline had somehow managed to make her look like a courtesan, instead of the country bumpkin that she was.
Bonnie could spot a spell when she saw one. She couldn't let herself get wrapped up in the glitz and glamour. This was a business transaction. Most of the people in the room looked down on her and all the candidates in the room. She glanced up at the throne, and at the reason why she was here.
The king was watching her, a condescending smirk on his face. He rolled his eyes and dismissed her within seconds of sizing her up. Bonnie was fuming. She could feel her power rising inside of her. It took a few minutes, but she pushed it back down. She didn't want to die trying to kill an immortal despot. She definitely didn't want Lucy to die because of her actions.
She decided to make her way to the chocolate truffles. Hopefully she would catch some nice vamp's eyes that always wanted children. Yes, some nice older widower who ate bunnies and squirrels instead of people.
"Ms. Bennett, Lord Malachi, requests a dance." A young vampire said to the witch just as she was biting into her truffle. Bonnie sighed. She wished for humble widower and got a homicidal warlock. Every mage knew about the sadistic varlock working for the king. Yes, this was the fairy tale of her dreams.
-o0o-
Across the hall, Greta was staring at Niklaus and Simone. Something was wrong. Niklaus had never had any interests in humans besides food. It was she who introduced him to their other uses. It was something they shared. He always told her what he was thinking. His lips wouldn't budge on the subject of Ms. Basset.
Why was he interested in her? Sure she was pretty, but so was every other woman he had bedded. The girl had magick, but it was comparable to hers. He couldn't possibly want to mate with this woman. Could he?
Niklaus didn't want an heir. He was afraid the child would do what he did to his father. An heir was an enemy, especially a hybrid of werewolf, witch, and vampire. The being would be unstoppable. What was he thinking?
This was Kael's doing, the old dragon never liked me. This is your fault Greta. You should have never stopped working on the spell. I've grown complacent, and now this traveler bitch is here. If he ever hinted that he wanted a child, if he ever gave any clue, I would have finished the research. I could have given him an heir.
It has to be her magic. He's after a werevitch. And she's after my crown. The Caster of Shadows has more than enough power to bear the hybrid. Hell, she has the magical genome to bear the next Merlin. Imagine a werevitch the next Merlin. If that's what Niklaus wants there is no way I can stop this. He would kill me, or worse banish me.
Worry spun in the bottom of the vitch's gut. Her whole adult life has been dedicated to loving this man. She wouldn't be cast aside for a power hungry whore. She needed a plan and it needed to be discreet.
Greta's head snapped to the center of the room as latent power rolled over her. The vitch grabbed Marcel's collar.
"Who is that?" She breathed.
"That is the incorrigible Bonnie Bennett." Marcel said eyeing Greta strangely. He removed her hand from his collar as a servant rushed to straighten it.
"The witch who outsmarted Lord Damon, and charmed Lady Caroline?" Greta asked as an idea began to draw together.
"Yes." Marcel said not liking the look on Greta's face.
"What's her story?" Greta asked watching Malachi's apprentice proposition the girl.
"Her cousin pledged for blood and money right before Niklaus enacted the ban on pairing ceremonies. The cousin thought she was free and clear. Gets married, has kids, then six months before her 26th birthday Niklaus removes the ban. Bonnie takes her place so she won't have to leave her kids. It's kind of sad. The Bennett name holds weight in the mage circles, and she was Emily's apprentice. She had her whole life ahead of her. She probably could have been one of the three intersects on the triumvirate. Now she's going to be a whore. I don't understand humans."
"Emily Bennett, the leader of the blood coven? Any relation?"
"Her aunt."
"Really?" Greta says smiling.
The blood coven hates Niklaus. They still blame him for the blood witch's disappearance. They used to be the most powerful coven of witches until Qetsiyah disappeared and their members fractured.
Greta could feel the girl's power from across the room. She could definitely bear his heir, but wouldn't want to. She would never have to worry about Bonnie Bennett wanting the crown. The girl was clearly uncomfortable. Niklaus would never look on this girl as his equal. Greta smiled as she sauntered off towards Lady Caroline.
-o0o-
Niklaus flirted, listening to Simone drone on and on about magic and her newly appointed position in the Order of the Mage. He had only been speaking to her for a moment but he already knew her intentions. She was leech. She wanted to be the next Merlin, and saw his sperm as a way to achieve that.
Niklaus didn't want an heir, but that doesn't mean he wanted his child being used as a blip on someone's resume. He also didn't want his child to grow up and want daddy's crown. Maybe if she took the infant with her to the traveler's complex then it wouldn't be a problem, but how would the child stop the war between him and his siblings if he or she was away.
Niklaus hated prophesy. He had a good mind to head back to the upper halls and take his chances. Maybe he could sway Elijah and Rebekah. Finn he could handle, but Kol, that bastard would be a problem and he would poison Rebekah against him.
Simone was in the middle of some story about her louse of a father when she shivered. Her head turned towards the Bennett Witch. Niklaus eyes narrowed.
"Are you okay, Ms. Bassett?" Niklaus asked, his brow raised.
"I'm fine. That girl. She's a witch." Simone asked glancing at the Bennett girl again.
"From what I'm told a Bennett witch. Is there a problem?" Niklaus said curiously.
"No. No problem at all." Simone said watching Bonnie. Niklaus turned to the girl again. He watched as Malachi's pet slinked over to her. The Varlock had eight pureblood children. He couldn't possibly want to sire a half blood.
Niklaus observed the barely hidden disgust the girl displayed as she danced with the varlock, the condescension as she answered his questions. She thought she was too good to be here. She thought she was better than all of them. She was judging the lot of them, the virgin mage from the country. He had good mind to break her himself, but he had other things to attend to. Malachi would surely put her in her place.
-o0o-
"You did really well last night. Twelve dances. Three with Lord Malachi. Two with Lord Damon. You definitely have the court interested." Caroline said as her and Bonnie walked through the gardens.
"Interested? I didn't want t be interesting. I want to get this over with. Why do they do all of this?"
"It's supposed to be more romantic, more civilized."
"Being paraded around like a poodle, so I can be a vampire's whore. Yeah I feel like Lizzie Bennett."
"Really?"
"It's all I could think of."
"Look everyone doesn't look at it that way. Some vampires genuinely want children. They were crushed when the curse was cast. This gives them hope."
"And Lord Damon is their fairy godfather?"
"No, Lord Damon is a pimp, but there are some princes out there."
"Gretchen must be dancing with them. All I'm getting is Lord Malachi and Damon"
"Sir Tyler is a good man. He fell in love with a vampire and turned to be with her. She died in the war. He's held out all these years, but I think he's getting lonely. He has an estate in the countryside."
"He did seem okay. Does he eat bunnies and squirrels?"
"No. Mostly brunettes. He should be our goal."
"I actually think he has eyes for Lexa, and she's a sweet girl. I don't want to ruin anyone else's chances. She deserves some happiness after what happened to her mother."
"You are so compassionate and loyal Bonnie. You don't deserve this."
"Neither did you."
"It worked out pretty well for me, and it's going to for you too."
"We shall see."
"So enough with this. Obviously, you like to read. Want to go to the library? I could get a book to read while I attend upper court today, and you can get one to read in the companions' halls. We could stop by the kitchens when we are done."
"Are you supposed to be hanging out in lower court? Your not going to get into trouble are you?"
"I bore my husband children, and turned to be with him. I didn't sign over my free will. Besides, everyone goes to the library. It's one of the only places were members of the lower and upper houses can interact, which is why it is usually deserted."
Bonnie sighed. "I can't believe this is going to be my life for the next nineteen years."
"Well at least, you'll have me to keep you company."
-o0o-
Niklaus came to library when he needed to think. The usual patron came in got what they wanted and went about their way. Although the library was open to both houses no one dawdled here. It had become unfashionable over the years. The pure bloods and vitches didn't want to be seen slumming it, and the concubines, and humans didn't wanted to be seen as groupies, even if they were.
It was idiotic and he knew his own prejudices were probably the source of it, but he wasn't a dictator. He liked his subjects to have free will, their own minds. It let him know that they wanted to follow him. That he was a good leader or at least someone they feared. The King browsed his favorite section when a certain green-eyed witch rounded the corner and nearly plowed right into him.
"Oh. Excuse me." She said barely looking up at him. She had scrawled a few titles on a piece of paper and was currently looking for them. Niklaus knew he shouldn't, he had other things to do.
"Do you need help finding anything in particular? I know this section well." Niklaus said nonchalantly.
"Oh. Are you the librarian?" Bonnie said stopping and turning to him expectantly.
"The librarian?" Niklaus said flabbergasted. This girl had some nerve. If I were staying in a castle I would make it my business to know whom the King was. Granted he was dressed plainly and bore no signs of royalty so he could be left alone. Half his knights would not recognize him. He only let a few people up close and personal.
"Yes, the cataloger of books, novels, artifacts, and periodicals." Bonnie said smiling her crooked smile.
"Oh, so you're a comedian and a troublemaker. I know what a librarian is and no, I am not him. But I am familiar with most of the books here. If you require my assistance."
"Ooh. You're fancy. How long have you been a vampire?"
"Are you asking my age? Your quite nosy too aren't you?"
"I thought only ladies were suppose to be shy about there age?" Niklaus chuckled.
"Is that so. Tell me what book your looking for, and I may reveal my secrets."
"Frankenstein, The Woman in White, and The Three Musketeers."
"So a connoisseur of the classics. I'm surprised you're not asking for Pride and Prejudice. You have that look about you."
"What look is that?"
"The Austenite look. Swooning over Mr. Darcy, the rich, shy bachelor who is secretly harboring feelings for you. You do know Jane Austen died, poor, unmarried and a virgin right?"
"Probably because she couldn't find a man smart enough to appreciate her for what she was, one of the first great English novelist. Too threatened by her gift, and afraid of her legend."
"Or she was a harpy who wouldn't let a man unlock her knees unless he lived up to her soaring standards." Bonnie turned on her heel and marched back round the corner. Niklaus followed her.
"So, you are an Austenite."
"Thanks for your offer of help, but I think I would like to explore. Get a feel for the place myself."
"It's a huge place. Could take some time."
"I'm sure I can manage it. I mean you did it, right?" Niklaus pursed his lips.
"Are you calling me stupid? Why, because I do not share your love of mundane romance novels?"
"I haven't said one word against you even though you seem to take pleasure in insulting me."
"Now, I'm the bad guy."
"Look why don't you go back to your corner, and I'll find a real librarian to help me since this big cavernous space is too big for my feeble female mind to navigate."
"You could, but he wouldn't know it like I do."
"God your arrogant. The paid administrator wouldn't know his own workplace better than you. And, why is that?"
"Because it's my library. I built it piece by piece, I found, and or approved each volume myself."
"What are you one of the Hybrid King's lackeys? Another puppet he uses to terrorize the countryside?"
"Bonnie." Caroline gasped walking up on the two of them. Bonnie turned to the Blonde confused.
"Your majesty, please excuse Ms. Bennett. She is unschooled in court decorum." The blonde said her head bowed. Bonnie looked between the two vampires. It couldn't be. He looked so regal last night, so larger than life. Here, he looked like a man, a very attractive man.
Niklaus was annoyed at the interruption. He wanted to hear Bonnie's thoughts on him. Then gloat when he revealed who he was. He wanted her to know the power he wielded.
"I believe it is your job as her sponsor to train her in such matters, Lady Caroline. Maybe less time in the library, more time teaching her who the royal court is. The proprietors of her future lifestyle."
Caroline bit her tongue, to keep from giving the King a piece of her mind. She looked over to Bonnie who was seething. She could tell the witch was holding back as well.
The lights begin to flicker in the library. Niklaus glanced at the weakening wicks. Then at the witch who was visible concentrating. A minute later the lights returned to their normal strength. He eyed her. No sign of wear. This girl was more powerful than he originally thought.
Caroline grabbed the witch's hand and led her from the room. Bonnie Bennett wasn't a troublemaker she was trouble. In the end she was just like all the rest. She came to the upper court for blood, money or power. Then acted like they were sacrificing virgins when the court required payment. It was a business transaction. She entered into her contract with eyes wide open, and then had the nerve to play the devout victim.
He had wasted enough time playing with the witch. He still had not decided on Simone, and Greta had that look in her eyes again. She was up to something. Why couldn't they all be more like Camille? Niklaus knew he would kill himself if he only had the saintly Camille to warm his bed. Greta was a handful but at least she kept his life interesting.
He knew she would view Simone as a threat. It could not be helped. He couldn't reveal the prophesy to her yet. She would kill herself trying to bare his child. She was so dedicated. Sometimes he wished he loved her half as much as she loved him. He often wondered what it would be like to be enraptured.
At least, Camille knew his affections were constricted. She had been slowly nurturing her "friendship" with Genevieve, but Greta wouldn't budge, no matter how hard Malachi tried. It was a mess, and Niklaus still had no idea how a child would make it better.
-o0o-
"Malachi desperately wants a mage heir, all of his children were born of a pureblood vampire ages ago, and they have since left. None of his children have magick. You could bare him a vitch, and go back to your life." Caroline explained nibbling on a piece of cheese.
"I'm not leaving my child in the hands of that monster. He or she would grow up to be just like him or worse, like Silas. If I take Malachi's offer, the contract would have to be strict and ironclad. There will be no copulating. The conception would be aided with magic."
"Lord Damon…"
"Lord Damon has seven concubines and a wife. I will not be the latest addition to his harem. His interest is pure curiosity. I will not be accepting his offer, if he makes one."
"Tell that to Lady Elena. She's stop speaking to me once she found out I was your sponsor."
"Sorry."
"No need to apologize. You did me a favor."
"Sir Alaric asked after you."
"The drunkard?"
"So did Duke Jeremy, and Sir Luka."
"The Duke seems young. Who is Sir Luka?"
"His father is leader of Sapphire Coven, his mother pureblood vampire, and his sister is Greta, the King's Vitch."
"Pass."
"Because his relation to the King." Caroline asked a hint of suspicion in her voice. Bonnie ignored the tone and gave into to her curiosities.
"Is Lady Greta the King's wife?"
"She's the closest thing he'll probably have to one. They've been together a really long time. Almost fifty years."
"And Lady Camille?"
"Camille has been around for thirty years, but she has taken a lover. Gossip says she planning to leave the King for Lady Genevieve."
"Really?"
"Yes. I'm sure he's aware of it. Between, Greta, Stefan and Marcel the King knows everything."
"Hmm." Bonnie uttered. She tried to let the subject die but could not.
"He called me a troublemaker." Caroline smirked.
"Yes, you and Ms. Bassett are the talk of the court." Caroline informed. She went back to the fruit and cheese on her plate. Bonnie was silent then added.
"He is not what I expected." Bonnie said thinking about their exchange in the library.
"What did you expect?" Caroline said observing her friend.
"The devil incarnate." Bonnie answered honestly staring at the grape in her hands.
"Well…the devil was very handsome, charming, and could make the angels weep with song. Half the angels of heaven followed him to hell." Caroline stated softly.
"Thank you." Bonnie sobered. Her back straightened. "I needed that."
"Needed what?" Caroline asked innocently.
"The truth, my friend. The truth."