Chapter 15

Mea culpa

"Garret! How nice you could come", Klaus said.

"Yes", the warlock replied seriously.

He wasn't much of a talker. And he didn't have any sense of humor what so ever but he was very skilled warlock. Garret was in his early forties, he liked to dress formally, usually he wore a suit and a tie, and he seemed to love a hair gel. His short dark hair was always combed along his head. He reminded a mortician or maybe some mob hitman. The thought made Klaus smile.

"Did your flight go well?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Ok then. Well, make yourself at home, just a moment. Hey, you there!"

One of the maids was dusting in a hallway.

"Yes sir?" she asked.

"This gentleman will be staying here, show him one of the guest bedrooms and make sure he settles in."

"Yes sir."

Klaus turned to Garret.

"I'll let you unpack. Then we have some catching up to do."

"Yes."

Garret picked up his suitcase and followed the maid. They passed Zora in the hallway. She greeted the maid kindly.

"Good morning, love", Klaus said smiling. "Did you sleep well?"

"Fine, thank you", Zora replied and headed to a terrace.

Klaus followed her. They hadn't spoken since last night when he had kissed her. She was wearing one of the dresses he had given her. She looked beautiful.

"I hope you didn't feel lonely in that big room all by yourself", Klaus said smirking.

Zora scowled him.

"Just leave me alone."

"Now, why would I do that? Especially since we had such a good time last night."

"Speak for yourself."

"Oh come on, we both know you liked it. Just think about all those nice dreams we shared…"

Zora tried to slap him but Klaus grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him.

"Let me go", Zora said tensely.

Klaus smiled and touched her cheek.

"Why are you fighting me? We both know you want this."

"No, I don't!"

"Really? Then why is your heart beating like a drum?"

Zora tried to turn her head away but Klaus grabbed her chin.

"And you are blushing. Just admit it, you want me."

"I hate you", Zora hissed.

"Love, hate… What's the difference?"

Before Zora could say anything Klaus kissed her. It was a very passionate kiss. Klaus was pleased when he noticed that she didn't fight him so hard this time. When he let her go, she backed away. He could see anger and confusion in her eyes.

"Don't tell me that you didn't like that", he said contently.

Zora looked at him contemptuously.

"You just love this, don't you? I bet humiliating others is what turns you on."

"No my sweet but if you want to know what turns me on…"

"No, I don't! You are the most arrogant, egoistic, obnoxious, cruelest bastard I have ever met!"

Klaus looked at her amused.

"Ouch, that hurts. You forgot handsomest."

"Right, sure."

Zora tried to leave but Klaus blocked her way.

"Get out of my way", Zora said angrily.

"Come on, love, don't be like that. This doesn't have to be unpleasant for you."

"Is that a joke? You dragged me here against my will and force me to marry you or some sick thing like that. How exactly isn't that unpleasant? Now let me go!"

Klaus raised his hands in the air smiling. Zora went back inside. She just wanted to go to her room. She felt a tear falling down her cheek and hated herself even more. As much as she hated Klaus, he was right about one thing. She was attracted to him. Zora wanted to kick herself. It was just a physical thing. It had to be. Zora was walking so fast that she bumped into Elijah.

"Are you alright?" he asked concerned.

Zora wasn't going to break down in front of him so she just nodded and ran to her room. Zora closed a door behind her and lied down to her bed. She was disgusted with herself. How could she have let him kiss her again? And even worse, how could she have liked it? He was a monster. He was her enemy. There was a knock on the door.

"Go away!" Zora shouted.

"It's me", Nathan's calm voice said.

"Sorry, come in."

Nathan opened the door. He looked very serious. Zora stood up.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"You could say that."

Zora waited for him to continue but he didn't.

"Has something happened?" she asked.

"I saw you with Klaus", Nathan said simply.

"Listen, I know what you must think but…"

Nathan laughed bitterly.

"Do you really? You have no idea what I have… Funny how it has all been for nothing."

Zora had never seen Nathan like that. She didn't know what to say.

"Lucilla died to keep you safe", Nathan said coldly. "And this is how you repay her, by making out with the man who caused her death?"

Zora was shocked.

"No, it wasn't like that I swear…"

"I was ready to die for you. None of this would have happen if you would have just let me die. But no, you had to put us both in this situation! Are you happy now Zora?"

Tears started to fill Zora's eyes.

"I… I'm sorry, I didn't…"

Nathan turned around and walked out. Zora couldn't hold back her tears. Nathan was right. This was all her fault.

...

Klaus was still at the terrace. It was a beautiful morning. And he had proceeded nicely with his bride. It was only a matter of time when she would give in. But he had to admit that he was enjoying the challenge. And now Garret was here so everything was in order. He just had to make sure that no one would know the truth about the ceremony. Elijah had thought that it would break the curse and make Klaus a hybrid. Klaus had let him believe that.

"What did you do?" Elijah asked.

Klaus turned to him.

"Well, good morning to you to brother."

"I just ran into Zora", Elijah said. "She seemed upset."

Klaus grinned.

"Oh, we had a nice conversation. I think she's starting to warm up to me."

Elijah rolled his eyes.

"But another thing, I'm having a party tonight", Klaus said smiling.

"A party?"

"Yes, I have been waiting twenty years to finally meet my Zora so I think celebration is in order."

"What kind of party are we talking about?"

"Just something modest, few guests, Champaign, music, dancing…"

"Right. I hope you don't get carried away this time."

"Oh please, when have I ever got carried away?" Klaus said but continued before Elijah could say anything. "Actually don't answer that. But this is going to be fun brother, you'll see."