A/N Helly guys. I'm sorry it took me longer than I thought to update this story, but to make it up to you, there's also the smut I skipped last time. If you have anything you like very much or not at all, please let me know. And now, have fun with it.
It had been a long time ago, since Katerina had last woken up with a genuine smile on her lips. Elijah's hand still laid on her stomach and his breath tickled her ear. She rolled over onto her side and looked at his face, still relaxed in sleep. She liked watching him like this. When he was awake, his mind too often had to deal with worries of all kind, so he seldom looked peaceful. But when he was asleep, all the worries seemed to have vanished and he looked much younger. Gently, as if not to wake him, Katerina reached out to push a strand of his hair back.
"I appreciate your affection, my dear, but it is kind of spooky if you stare at me like that", Elijah said, startling Katerina und smiling her.
She huffed. "Please. You're an original. As if there was anything able to spook you."
"You are." Elijah pulled her even closer and nuzzled her neck. "You manage to spook and surprise me all the time. And you never cease to amaze me."
Katerina smiled. "Go on. I could get used to awaking to compliments."
"You are beautiful. And clever. Strong. A survivor. Passionate." Elijah turned them around so Katerina was lying on her back. After every word describing her he lazily kissed her skin, forming a path from her neck to the hem of the top she wore to bed. "You know what you want and you're not afraid of it. You fight for those you love and sometimes even for those you don't. You're a challenge. You drive me crazy. Sometimes insane, even." Gently he pulled the top over her head and dedicated his attention to the soft skin of her breasts. Honesty shone in his eyes when he looked at her. "But still, there is nothing I would rather do than spending time with you and rediscover the girl I met five hundred years ago."
"Just stop talking", Katerina breathed and pulled Elijah in for a bruising kiss while her hands worked on his pyjama shorts, brushing 'accidentally' over his erection. Taken by surprise Elijah groaned and simply ripped off her own shorts with one hand to remove the last obstacle separating his fingers from her wetness. Finally, Katerina managed to get off his shorts and started stroking his hardening length. Elijah broke the kiss and again started kissing a trail on her skin that led him to her breasts. Gently he sucked on the little buds and when he bit her skin without drawing blood, Katerina gasped and pressed him closer to her body. The fingers of his right hand as yet circled teasingly around her wetness now entered her and set up a quick pace.
Katerina squirmed beneath him, trying to answer every thrust of his fingers with her hips and Elijah stopped his movements to look at her. "You have grown to be quite impatient, my dear." He ignored her glare, abandoned her breasts to pull her in yet another kiss and withdrew his finger only to tease her with the tip of his member. Their tongues fought each other in a fight neither really wanted to win. With her hands pressing on his chest, Katerina signalled Elijah to change positions. Willingly he grabbed her and turned himself on his back. With a fling Katerina managed to get her hair over her shoulder and looked directly into his eyes, while sinking slowly on his member.
Elijah groaned and closed his eyes for a second, laying his hands on her hips and helping her in her movements, bringing them both closer to oblivion. One of his hands reached for her breasts, playing almost lazily with the hard bud. Katerina leaned forward to kiss him to stifle her moans, her long hair tickling his torso. Her movements became frantic, her breath ragged and it only took Elijah's finger on her clit to let her explode. When her walls clenched around him, Elijah followed her suit.
Katerina just came lying on top of him and tried to catch her breath. "You were saying something when I interrupted you?" A smirk was playing on her lips while she looked at the vampire.
A quiet laugh escaped Elijah's lips. His arms laid almost protectively around her slim body and he stroke through her hair every now and then. "The summary of it all would only be something you already know. I love you, Katerina. I never stopped doing so."
"I know. But it feels good hearing it every now and then", Katerina admitted and shrugged her shoulders.
"Then I shall say it more often", Elijah promised and kissed her forehead gently. "Do you have some special plans for today?"
"Katerina shrugged again. "Meeting with Kaleb-Kol. He said he would be looking into some spells for me. I don't know if he does so because he wants to or is forced by Marcel or your mother. Just in case it's some sick joke of Esther, I'll be careful. I'm not so stupid as to believe in every spell someone gives me."
"What kind of spells?"
"Spells to give me back vampirism or to practice Traveler magic. It seems a good idea to have some sort of weapon as long as I don't have my fangs back. Don't worry, Nadia is coming along and will look at the Traveler stuff before I start with it. She knows how does things should look like." Katerina cocked her head. "Why are you asking?"
"I only wanted to know if there was something for you to do when I meet with the witches. It seems as they were slowly willing to form some sort of truce. In that case-"
"I know. I'll be careful when practicing." Katerina sighed. Life would be that much easier if witches and Travelers hadn't their own war going on. After two thousand years they still managed to rip each other's heads off.
Elijah nodded. "I'm counting on that. And tonight we could visit a mask ball organized by the human fraction. Introducing you properly to society, if you want to call it that. Niklaus will be there too, I hope. It's important he's showing respect to all fractions, not only to himself." He frowned in doubt.
"You don't have to tell me. What about Rebekah? Bet she wants to shows off those new shoes of her, that bitch."
"Katerina", Elijah scolded her, but he seemed to lack the gravity.
Katerina huffed and rolled down of Elijah's body. "What? I saw them first and I would have gotten them, if she hadn't manipulated the clerk. That's no fair play and if she desperately wants to play the game like this, then fine. I coined the term 'goddamn bitch', she won't stand a chance against me."
Elijah sighed dramatically and covered his eyes with his forearm. "Here I am, trying to work out a reasonable truce between different fractions in a city overrun by supernatural inhabitants when I have a raging war in my own home. Maybe I should start with the two of you before I aim for higher goals."
"I would consider it the other way around", Katerina replied nonchalantly. "If you manage to form a truce in New Orleans, you might have a chance to work with your sister and me. Maybe." She grinned her cheshire cat-grin and propped herself up on her elbow. "But I like the idea of the mask ball. Maybe I have some time to look for a fitting dress."
"Why don't you take Nadia along? I would love to have her accompany us, if she doesn't object."
Katerina shrugged and climbed out of bed. "I'll ask her. But first I have to shower. Wanna join me, my Lord?"
"Too bad I cannot use the spells Kaleb brought along", Katerina sighed. "Don't you know some that don't require a great group of Travelers?"
"I do, but none of those would help you against vampires or werewolves." Nadia threaded an earring through her earlobe. "Travelers rely on group magic, while single magic requires are huge amount of personal power. You would need a group to teach you some basics before you are able to perform spells on your own."
"What about this body-switching-thing you wanted me to do? That would have been single magic as well, wouldn't it?" Katerina frowned and pulled up the zipper in the side of her green ball gown. It was made from a light fabric so as to fit in the warm climate. The colour was similar to the one she had worn in England five centuries ago and her curls fell lose over her shoulders.
Nadia shrugged. "Well, yes. But this spell is our trademark, if you want to call it that way. More basic isn't possible. Besides, it wouldn't be amiss if you would learn Czech for using Traveler magic. Pronunciation can be a real bitch."
"Swearing in Czech doesn't count, I guess?" Katerina smirked and put some lipstick on.
Nadia smiled. "No. But it's a start."
A knock on the door let both women turn around and Katerina went over to open it. Elijah stood behind it, already in suit and a black mask with silver scrolls on it covering the area around his eyes. "My ladies, the car is waiting. Since I have more chances reminding the both of you to be punctual instead of my lovely siblings, I would suggest we don't wait and drive on ahead." He bowed his head to kiss Katerina and whispered in her ear: "And may I add, you look absolutely gorgeous, my darling." He looked up again, winked at her and walked over to Nadia to offer her his arm. "May I escort you downstairs, Nadia?"
Nadia reached for her own silver mask and accepted his offer tentatively. "You may." She knew she would never be best buddies with Elijah; neither seemed he be the type to it, nor did she long for his friendship. But he was important to her mother, so somehow she had to get along with him if she didn't want to lose her. Katerina followed the two of them with a genuine smile on her lips, her own mask, which was just a negative to Elijah's, in hand.
The drive to the mayor's house was not long, but silent. Reaching their destination, Elijah got out, opened the door and helped Katerina and Nadia out of the car. "Let me help with your mask", he mumbled and took it from Katerina's hands before stepping behind her. His touch was light when he tied the ribbons into a knot at the back of her head. Then he offered both women his arms. "Shall we?"
Together they climbed the stairs to the mansion and were welcomed by the Mayor himself, wearing a white mask. "Elijah Mikaelson", he said tethered, fear pouring from every pore. "I see you received my invitation. And who are your lovely ladies, if I may ask?"
"Katherine Pierce", Katerina introduced herself with a sweet smile, while the Mayor took her hand and trembling kissed the back of it. "I'm an old friend of the Mikaelson family. And this is a close friend of mine, Nadia."
"I am honoured to meet the both of you." The Mayor bowed nearly unnoticeable. "Please. Be welcomed."
From inside music was playing and some people were already dancing. Laughter could be heard now and then and people were especially chatting near the rich buffet. Candles were the main sources of light and flowers occupied every free surface. Liveried waiters were weaving through the crowd, wearing slim red masks of their own.
"I'll get us something to drink", Nadia offered and wrested herself from Elijah's arm, only to dive into the crowd.
Elijah sighed. "She still does not particular like me, does she?"
Katerina rolled her eyes and instead of giving him an answer, she took his hand and pulled him to the dancing people. "I'm not here to indulge in boring small talks with people I don't care about. It's been ages since we last danced."
"I fear you won't be able to escape those boring conversations for ever, but there is no shame in delaying the inevitable." Elijah took her left hand in his right and laid his own left one gently on her waist. "But I will save my breath and not tell you that you should be careful what you're saying. Most of those only look out for a weak spot they can use against you."
"I've played this game before", Katerina assured him and shrugged her shoulders. "England, France, Russia, America… the rules are the same all over the world. Might be this is the first fun I'll have since Atlanta."
Elijah arched one eyebrow. "Are you going to tell me that your time in Mystic Falls bored you? According to the complaints you should have had a lot of fun."
"Please. Those kids are whiny and Damon and Stefan were just pissed that I posed as Elena. Which, admittedly, was kind of fun." Katerina fluttered her eyelids innocently and let Elijah lead her through the dance. It was a simple waltz, nothing the two of them couldn't perform straight away, but Katerina liked the feeling of giving up the leading role once. They may danced a little bit closer than the waltz recommended, but neither of them objected.
The song ended and it was rather reluctantly that Elijah led her back from the dance floor. Nadia waited near a wall, sipping at a straight vodka now and then and talking with a middle-aged man.
"Ah, Mr. Mikaelson. Will your brother be joining us this evening as well?", the man asked with a polite, but reserved smile.
Elijah returned the same smile. "He intended to, but Niklaus never honoured punctuality. Father Kieran, may I introduce to you Katherine Pierce?"
"A new supporter of your fraction, I assume?"
"A new supporter of the town's peace", Katerina corrected. "But yes, vampires have a special place in my heart. Although some would argue I don't have one anyway." She smiled at Father Kieran after winking at Elijah. "Why don't you and I have a little chat? I am sure we want to achieve the same things and maybe you and I could help each other." She linked her arm with his and led him in the direction of the buffet.
And so Elijah and Nadia were left alone. Elijah cleared his throat and hesitated a moment, before he asked: "Do you like to dance, Nadia?"
"I'm not a very good dancer. I never learned it properly. At least not Standard. Never had time for it while I looked for mother. I'm much better with firearms", Nadia explained and shrugged her shoulders.
"I could show you, if you would like to. Most dances are not too complicated and I doubt we would make ourselves friends if you would pull out your gun. That is if you had one with you." At least Elijah hoped she didn't have one with her. He honestly doubted her dress would leave room for a firearm but he really didn't want to find out whether he was wrong.
Nadia was quiet for a few more moments, then she downed her drink and put the glass on the free surface between a delicate flower vase and a bunch of candles. "Fine. Why not?" She took the Hand Elijah offered her and followed him to a quieter corner.
"Alright. Put your right hand on my shoulder. Straight back. And hold your chin up. We will start slow. It does not have to be a Viennese waltz from the start. You just follow my movements. And breath. I do not intend to hurt you", Elijah added with a smile. His steps were slow and he sensed Nadia's tenderness and reluctance to let him lead her. "Dancing does not work without at least a small amount of trust. One can move without out, but real dancing… I understand that you had to be hard in order to survive. I have seen this before, you resemble your mother more than you may think. But right now you can let your guard down. Only for a few minutes."
"Every time a man tells me to let my guard down, I want to reach for my gun", Nadia muttered but tried to relax.
Elijah looked at her closely for a moment. "You do not give away your trust easily, do you?"
"No. Never have. The only man in my life who never hurt me was my father. And even he couldn't protect me from the monsters under the bed."
Pity shone in Elijah's eyes. "If you want to talk about-"
"I think have a problem", Katerina interrupted the two of them, a little bit out of breath. "Your mother is here. She approached me like we were old friends, wanted to know how long I had you wrapped around my finger and that kind of stuff. I told her to fuck off and she gave me this." She handed Elijah a piece of domino paper.
He looked at it with a frown. "She is inviting us to dinner? What does that mean?"
"I don't know. But I do know that I don't trust her. And neither should you."
"What about me? If she knows I'm your daughter…", Nadia trailed off.
Katerina gulped. "She knows. And she wants you to be there, too. That's not good, Elijah."
He nodded grimly. "No. It's not."