Chapter 24

Jealousy

"What is the matter?" Elijah asked.

I wondered should I ask him what I wanted to know. Would that be too nosy? I decided to ask anyway. After all, Klaus was my husband. Elijah looked thoughtful when I signed him my question.

"To be honest, I am not sure. I believe Niklaus had some quarrel with Kol but that was a long time ago. I am not sure what that quarrel was about but things have been complicated between them ever since."

My guess was that Elijah knew more than he was telling me. But I was able to put the pieces together. Only one thing could cause such a grudge between two brothers. A woman. Elijah was probably trying to spare my feelings so I didn't ask him was I right. It had been a long day so I was looking forward for my bath. For some reason the maids didn't seem to find it weird that I was going to take a bath in Elijah's room. I didn't think that Klaus would be back before the morning and I really felt that I needed to bathe. Elijah stood up when one of the maids said that my bath was ready.

"I shall go to the parlor, take your time", he said smiling.

I nodded and he left. The maids helped me to undress and climb into a bathtub. One of the maids asked me did I need anything else. I understood her but it crossed my mind that I must practice my French. I smiled at her and shook my head. They bowed before they left. I really enjoyed the peace and quiet. Not to mention the feeling of warm water on my skin. I closed my eyes and relaxed.

Then I started to think about Klaus. I tried not to but I couldn't stop myself. What was he doing right now and with whom? I didn't know if he had other women and I really wasn't sure did I even want to know. He had always been possessive and Elijah was the only man besides him who I was allowed to spend time with. I had truly become attached to Klaus during our years together and in many ways he was a good husband but sometimes I felt that I was more like his property than his wife. But I wasn't going to complain. I was very much aware that things could be much worse.

I let my whole body sank under the water. It felt nice. I opened my eyes and saw someone looking at me. I lifted my head above the surface as fast as I could but I couldn't see anyone. That was strange. I could have sworn that I saw a face. Maybe I was just tired. This had been a long day.

...

Next morning Klaus had returned from his walk. He was already in the dining room when Elijah and I get there. I leaned towards him and kissed his cheek. He smirked and pulled me on his lap. He started to kiss me and caress my back. I felt uncomfortable since Rebekah and Elijah were there as well. I tried to get up but he didn't let me.

"Did you miss me sweetheart?" he asked.

I nodded and signed to him that we should do this in our room, not here. Apparently he didn't agree.

"They won't mind, we are married after all."

"Good morning everyone!" Kol said cheerily when he marched in.

I felt that Klaus was holding me tighter.

"Good morning", Elijah and Rebekah replied.

He looked at me and grinned.

"Well, your wife certainly looks lovely this morning, Niklaus. Like some kind of…water nymph."

What was he talking about? Klaus scowled him.

"You can keep those comments to yourself", he said coldly.

"Of course, brother", Kol replied. "What ever you say."

He smirked and winked to me when Klaus wasn't looking. Then it hit me. A water nymph… Had he been watching me when I was taking a bath? That was just absurd. Why would he have done that? I couldn't think of any reason. Surely he had better things to do. I certainly couldn't make that kind of accusations without any proof. Things were already tense enough between Klaus and him.

"So, what is everyone planning to do today?" Kol asked when we were all eating our breakfast.

"I will meet a friend of mine", Rebekah replied. "She always has the best rumors from the court."

"I am not sure yet", Elijah said. "Perhaps I will look around."

I signed to Klaus that maybe we could take horses and go with Elijah. I was curious to look around as well.

"We can go later", he said and smirked. "First I have something else in mind."

He wrapped his arm around my waist and gave Kol a warning look. It sent a very clear message. Mine. I couldn't help but wonder were all men so territorial. Klaus had been jealous sometimes before but never like this. When we first got married, he was jealous about my relationship with Elijah. I explained to him that what I had with Elijah was different than what I had with him. I cared about both of them.

It took years before Klaus got over that. I was grateful that we wouldn't be in the same place with Kol very long. I had no interest to go through it again. And besides, this was different. Kol definitely wasn't like Elijah. Klaus stood up and took my hand.

"Excuse us", he said and lifted me in his arms.

I really hoped that he would have let me walk. Everyone must know what he was planning to do anyway. I felt embarrassed so I buried my head in his chest, not wanting to look at any of his siblings. He carried me to our room and ripped my gown off without saying anything. I signed to him that he could ask if I wanted this. He looked at me and touched my cheek.

"I am your husband Anna, why would you not want this?"

I signed that I didn't like to be treated like some object. His face was suddenly blank.

"Have I ever mistreated you?" he asked demandingly.

I shook my head and tried to explain that I didn't mean to offend him but he grabbed my hands and kissed me.

"Enough talking", he said and pushed me on the bed.

I didn't resist. I did enjoy having sex with him but I just hoped that he wouldn't have to be so possessive all the time. I sank my nails into his shoulders when he thrust into me.

"Mine", he growled. "You are mine Anna, are you not?"

I tilted my head back and barely managed to nod. His kisses were passionate and he left a trail of bite marks on my skin. He wanted to mark me as his although no one except him would ever see that part of my body. And my skin would heal soon. But I didn't mind him licking all the wounds clean. When he finally wrapped his arms around me and started to stroke my hair I hoped that he would believe that he had nothing to worry about. I didn't want anyone else but him.