Chapter 18

I will be the one you run to

Zora blinked her eyes. She didn't know where she was. Then she realized that she was still alive. What a disappointment.

"How are you feeling, love?" someone asked.

Zora turned around and saw Klaus lying next to her. She was in his bed. Zora tried to get up but she felt too weak.

"Easy now", Klaus said and pushed her gently on her back.

Zora looked at him cautiously.

"What are you going to do?" she asked as calmly as she could.

Klaus smiled.

"Well, that's a good question, love. You do know that you broke our agreement, right? So I don't have to keep my word either."

Zora swallowed.

"Is Nathan alive?"

Klaus waited a moment before he answered.

"Yes sweetheart, he's fine."

"Fine?" Zora asked disbelievingly.

"Yes, I haven't torture him or anything."

"But… what are you going to do then?"

"First of all, I want to know why you did this", Klaus said.

"Like you care", Zora murmured.

Klaus grabbed her chin and made her to look at him.

"This is what's going to happen now; you will answer all my questions truthfully. Every time you lie, daddy will lose a limb. And believe me, I can tell if you're lying. Is that clear?"

"Please just hurt me if that's what you want. Hit me or break my bones or what ever you want to do."

"No, no, no. What kind of a man you think I am? Of course I won't hurt you, I just hurt daddy."

Zora hold back her frustrated tears.

"Fine, I get it, you want to humiliate me."

Klaus touched her cheek.

"What I want is you to answer my questions. Do that and daddy will be fine."

Zora was tired of fighting with him so she just nodded. Klaus smiled.

"Good girl. Now, why did you do this?"

Zora bit her lip. She really didn't want to have this conversation with him.

"There are many reasons", she said quietly.

"Such as?"

"You", Zora said coldly.

"Ok, I'm one reason, what else?"

"Please don't make me do this", Zora pleaded.

"Answer the question", Klaus said firmly.

Zora couldn't hold back her tears any more.

"Fine! Because it would have been better to everyone if I was never born! Happy now?"

Klaus wiped her tears away with his thumb.

"Why do you think that?" he asked.

"Isn't it obvious? My parents died because of me, Lucilla died because of me, Nathan never had the life he deserved because of me, I'm nothing but a freak. Abomination. I don't belong anywhere."

Klaus touched her face gently.

"You belong with me."

"That's comforting, since you are a psychopath killer."

Klaus smiled.

"Maybe but that doesn't mean that I couldn't understand what's it like to be unwanted. You and I… we're special."

"You mean a freak."

Klaus shook his head.

"No my love. I really hope you could see yourself like I see you. You are a queen and that is how I'm going to treat you, if you let me."

Zora didn't know what to say.

"I will always accept you, just the way you are", Klaus said.

No one had ever said that to her. Zora looked at Klaus. He seemed sincere.

"I don't know if I can do the same for you", Zora said quietly.

"That's ok, we have time", Klaus said and wrapped his arms around her.

Zora's first reaction was trying to push him away but he stroked her hair calmingly. When she saw that he wasn't trying to do anything else she stopped struggling. She didn't really want to be alone right now. His presence was somehow comforting. Zora was too tired to think why she shouldn't be doing this or anything else. She just wanted to lay there and forget everything else.

...

Klaus listened to Zora's steady heartbeat. She had fallen asleep but he was still holding her close to him. He was very pleased with himself. Elijah had certainly been right about that compassion thing. But he had meant every word he had said to her. She was his queen. What a pair they would be if she would just give in completely. And she would, Klaus was determined to make sure of that.

"Soon my sweet", he whispered. "We will be one."

Klaus raised his head when someone knocked the door quietly. He got up being careful not to wake Zora and went to the door. Klaus saw Elijah and went to the hallway to talk to him.

"How is she?" Elijah asked.

Klaus smirked.

"Fine, that compassion thing really worked."

"I'm glad to hear that. Hopefully you keep that in mind."

"Sure, sure. Have you seen Garret?"

"I think he's downstairs."

"Hmm. I must talk to him about the ceremony. Next week is full moon."

"Why are you still insisting to go trough with it?" Elijah asked. "You are a hybrid already."

"Yes but I told you, it will seal my connection with Zora. She will truly be my mate or wife, how ever you want to put it."

Elijah seemed suspicious.

"I never thought you as a husband type."

"Well, I'm full of surprises", Klaus said grinning. "Maybe you should think about settling down as well, brother. I think it would suit you."

"Perhaps", Elijah replied.

Did he suspect something? Well, it didn't really matter. Klaus had more important things on his mind. Like having a word with his cheerful warlock. He wasn't going to let anyone ruin this ceremony. Not when he was finally so close to accomplish his goal.