Chapter 12

Poison running through my veins

Zora felt completely numb. She was sitting in a big SUV with Nathan, Klaus, Elijah and some poor man who was their driver. Obviously he had been compelled and he was acting like some kind of robot. Nathan was still unconscious. Elijah, who was sitting next to the driver, hadn't said a word but Klaus seemed to love the sound of his own voice. He was sitting between her and Nathan. Zora tried to stay as far away from him as possible. She hadn't looked at him or spoke to him. Zora truly regretted that she hadn't got dressed before they had left. She was just wearing a nightgown. Unfortunately she had been too upset to think about that earlier. She felt exposed and Klaus' staring didn't help. Suddenly Elijah took off his jacket and handed it to her without saying a word. Zora was mad at him but she accepted it gratefully. Klaus didn't seem pleased.

"If you need something, you ask me", he said.

Zora wanted to laugh.

"Why? Because you care so much about my well-being?"

Klaus forced her to look at him

"You will soon be my wife so it's best if you start acting like one. You know, the whole love, honor and obey thing."

"Sorry to burst your bubble but that's not going to happen", Zora said coldly. "You can force me to go through that ceremony thing of yours but that's it. I will never be your wife."

Klaus smiled and touched her cheek softly. Zora turned her head away.

"You have spirit", Klaus said. "I like that but a little advice; it's not smart to test my patience too much."

"What ever", Zora murmured. "We can always break up."

Klaus grabbed her chin.

"I think you are taking my kindness for granted. Maybe I should break couple of daddy's bones. How does that sound?"

That was too much. Zora felt all of her suppressed emotions coming out. Fear, anger, helplessness, frustration, hopelessness…

"Don't you dare touch him!" Zora yelled and attacked Klaus.

He was clearly surprised. She hit his chest and scratched his face until he grabbed her hands tightly.

"Are you crazy?" he asked annoyed.

"I hate you!" Zora yelled furiously. Tears were falling down her cheeks. "I hate you, I hate you!"

"I will teach you manners…" Klaus started menacingly but Elijah's strong and determined voice interrupted him.

"Niklaus! A word."

Zora hadn't even noticed that the car had stopped on the side of the road. Elijah stepped outside and looked at Klaus expectantly. Klaus seemed to try very hard to control himself. Finally he smiled and let go of Zora's hands. He didn't say anything when he stepped out of the car. Zora was shaking and she couldn't hold back her tears. She moved next to Nathan and leaned her head to his shoulder. This was all like a bad dream. She really wanted to wake up.

Klaus was furious. No one had ever spoken to him like that. Elijah looked at him calmly.

"You must control yourself", he said.

Klaus scowled him.

"You saw how she behaved. That's not acceptable."

"Seriously brother, she has spent her whole life running from you and now you took her with you against her will and threatened the only person who she cares about. What did you expect, that she would fall into your arms and give you a kiss?"

"No but I'm not going to tolerate that kind of behavior", Klaus said annoyed.

"Give her time, that's the least you should do for her. And try not to act like a jerk, usually women don't appreciate that."

Klaus raised an eyebrow.

"Are you calling me a jerk?"

"Yes", Elijah replied.

"Well, you're probably right, but she better learn how to behave. I'm not going to always be so sympathetic."

Elijah rolled his eyes.

"Just try to be nice. You must understand that this isn't easy for her."

"Yes, yes, I'm all about understanding. But this whole emotional thing is boring me, so maybe we should find some tolerable hotel. I think I have enough of this road trip for one night."

"That's a good idea, she could probably use some rest. And she needs some clothes."

"Yes, I'll take care of that sir Lancelot. Unless of course you want to give her the rest of your clothes."

Elijah seemed amused.

"I was being polite. You should try that sometimes, it might work better than being a jerk."

Elijah went back to the car before Klaus could think of any snappy comeback. This whole thing annoyed him. She was so… emotional. Klaus couldn't really understand why. He had let that warlock live just to make her happy. Ok, and maybe because having leverage was always a good thing but anyway. Klaus hoped that she wasn't going to be this difficult the whole time. Things would probably get easier after they would settle down. And especially after the ceremony. That was definitely something to look forward to. He would soon have everything he had ever wanted. He would become even more powerful than he was now. Klaus smiled. Not even Elijah knew that part. Neither did his sweet bride. Klaus remembered the exact moment he had heard about that from an old witch. It was hard to believe that was twenty years ago. Now things finally began to fall in place. Klaus went back to the car and looked at his bride. She had fortunately stopped crying and was leaning to that warlock. It was probably better to let her be for now.

"There's a hotel nearby", Elijah said.

"Good, let's go then, I'm starving", Klaus said cheerfully.

He was in control again. Everything was as it should be.