Chapter 11

Thou shall not kill

Klaus looked at his girl from head to toes and licked his lips. She was truly beautiful. Everything he had hoped she would be. Her eyes were the most beautiful ones he had ever seen. Bright amber. Her curly auburn hair reached her shoulder blades. She was wearing a short pink nightgown. She was standing in front of that warlock looking at him cautiously. She looked calm but he could hear her heartbeat. She was terrified.

"What do you want?" she asked.

Klaus smiled.

"You", he said simply.

Zora looked tense.

"Fine, you found me. Just kill me or do what ever you're going to do. No one else needs to get hurt."

"I assume you are referring to your friend over there", Klaus said charmingly.

Zora took a step closer to the unconscious warlock. She seemed determined to protect him.

"You should know my love that normally I would have killed him already", Klaus said smiling. "But this time I'm willing to make an exception. Call it a wedding gift."

Zora looked confused.

"What?"

"If I have understood correctly, he is like a father to you isn't he?"

Zora didn't say anything. She was still trying to understand what he was saying.

"Well, it would be kind of rude of me to kill my future father-in-law, don't you think?"

Zora's eyes widened when his words hit her. She looked shocked.

"If this is your idea of a joke, I don't find it funny", she said trying to keep her voice steady.

"Oh no my dear, I'm very serious."

"You want me to… You must be out of your mind!"

Klaus laughed.

"You belong to me my sweet Zora, can't you see that? You are unique, special, just like me."

"I'm nothing like you", Zora said with a shaky voice.

Klaus raised an eyebrow.

"Really? I'm afraid I have to disagree. Just think about it, have you ever felt truly accepted just the way you are?"

"Yes", she replied coldly.

"By him? Or that witch? Oh please! If they truly accept you, then why have they bound your true potential?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I think you do. Those little full moon rituals?"

"You don't know… They only wanted what's best for me."

"No, they were afraid what you are, what you could do. That's why they wanted to restrain you."

"That's not true."

"Yes it is. Believe me I know, my mother did the same thing to me. But now, I'm finally my true self. You can be too."

"I already am", Zora said. "This is what I am and I rather die than ever become someone like you."

Klaus smiled.

"You are still so young my love. But don't worry; we have time to get to know each other. Soon you will see things more clearly, I promise you."

Zora looked at him disbelievingly. She seemed confused and tense.

"What… You can't be serious about that… marriage thing. Why would you want that with someone you don't even know?"

"First of all, I do know you, and second of all… I'm not talking about just some normal marriage", Klaus said patiently. "There is a very special ceremony I have in mind."

"No", Zora said firmly.

"Excuse me?"

"No. I'm not going to marry you or what ever you are planning, so you might as well kill me now."

Klaus was amused.

"I'm sorry sweetheart; did I give you the impression that I was asking your approval?"

"You can't force me…"

"Actually, I can."

Klaus moved with his vampire speed and grabbed Nathan.

"Stop!" Zora shouted.

Klaus' hand was on Nathan's throat. Zora tried to reach them but Klaus was too fast.

"Careful now, love. It would be a shame if I would accidently break his neck."

Zora stopped moving. He could see the fear in her eyes.

"Please just let him go, he can't breathe", Zora pleaded.

Klaus loosened his grip a little but he didn't let go of Nathan's throat.

"Now, where were we? Oh right, I think I was just proposing you. So tell me, will you make me the happiest man alive? Well, maybe not alive but you get the idea."

"Please put him down first", Zora said desperately.

Klaus rolled his eyes and dropped Nathan to the ground.

"There, happy now?"

Tears started to fill Zora's eyes.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked quietly.

Klaus was starting to get annoyed.

"Look, sweetheart, I have been nice to you for now, but I'm really starting to lose my patience. We are leaving so if there's something you want to take with you, I suggest you get it now."

"I want to say goodbye to Nathan."

Klaus smiled.

"That won't be necessary, love. He's coming with us."

"What? No! I'll come with you, ok, just leave him alone."

"Well let me think about that… no."

Zora looked desperate.

"Please, he has nothing to do with this."

"Now, now, he's family. And I believe his presence will help you to adjust better. See, I'm already thinking what's best for you."

"So, you're blackmailing me?" Zora said coldly.

"No, of course not! I'm just pointing out that I wouldn't hurt my father-in-law, but a warlock who had hidden something that belongs to me… Well, that's a different story."

Zora's face was emotionless.

"I want your word."

"Excuse me?"

"Give me your word that no harm will come to Nathan."

"And what do I get in return?" Klaus asked charmingly.

"I will agree to your stupid ceremony."

Klaus smiled.

"Agreed. You have my word. Elijah, could you please help daddy dearest to the car?"

Elijah had stayed out of sight but Klaus knew that he had observed them. Klaus was amused to see a guilty look on Elijah's face. He didn't look at Zora. She on the other hand was looking at him very accusatively. His poor brother seemed to be in trouble now. Elijah threw Nathan over his shoulder and carried him to the pier. Klaus held out his hand for Zora. She didn't take it. He tried to touch her hair but she pulled away. Klaus smiled.

"Just know my sweet, when next full moon comes, you and I will be one, in every sense of the word."

Zora turned her back to him and followed Elijah. She would come around. Klaus was sure of it. Who knew, maybe someday she would even love him.