Happy New Year, fellow KCers! I hope your holidays were wonderful and that this year ahead is chock full of happiness (and hopefully a KC takeover of TVD and TO-hey, I can dream, right?) So fun fact for the day: today is apparently the 1 year anniversary of my starting this story! Crazy! I still can't believe how awesome you all are and how supportive you've been of this story, even though I'm a slow at writing it. For that, you have my love and thanks! Anyways, enough talk-on with the chapter! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: At this point I'm sort of glad I don't own either TVD or TO because I'd probably die of embarrassment of owning some of the worst character assassinations known to the TV world.

Chapter 16

The hour immediately following the wedding was a blur to Caroline, as she and Klaus were whisked away back to the castle in a splendid coach. The thundering roar of cheers and whistles from the lips of their loyal subjects exploded all around them as she mustered a bright smile, waving politely to the people lining the streets as they sailed past. The air was warm, and made even warmer by the feel of her other hand safely ensconced in her new husband's, who sat silently beside her. She glanced at him, wondering at his silence, and found him looking at her once more, just as he had been ever since he had led her down the aisle…ever since the first kiss they had shared.

He looked at her as if she were the dawn after an eternity of darkness and swirling shadow. As if she was the most precious possession he had ever owned.

Possession.

How true that was. She was now his. She belonged to him—just as much as he belonged to her. The thought struck a chord in her being, and she was surprised to find the idea was not an unwelcome one. It almost made her smile. Who would have thought that she, Caroline Forbes, had the highest claim one could ever have on another being, and on the King himself of all people?

Her heart did not stop fluttering until they arrived back at the castle, only increasing when Klaus assisted her down from the coach, drawing her close as she alighted on the ground, his strong arm supporting hers as he steered her inside.

"The feast will begin in a short while," he finally spoke to her, his lips brushing her ear. "You may go and refresh yourself beforehand, if you wish."

"Thank you," she replied softly, reluctantly pulling herself away from his warmth. "I shall be down soon."

He smiled down at her, swiftly pressing his lips to her cheek. "Do not take too long, my lovely wife. I find my temper grows shorter the longer you are absent from my side."

With a roguish wink and one last stroke of her cheek with his finger, he strode off in the direction of his chambers, leaving Caroline feeling rather lightheaded, and rather furious that she felt so.

The man is entirely too charming for his own good, she thought not for the first time, trying fruitlessly to stop the frantic pounding of her heart. Once inside her chambers, she splashed some rose water from the basin on her vanity on her face, cooling her reddened cheeks.

A knock at the door stopped her ministrations.

"Come in!"

She was nearly knocked over by two squealing bodies throwing their arms around her in a tangling embrace.

"Elena?" She gasped, meeting her friend's laughing brown eyes. "And Lexi! What-"

"You didn't think we would miss your wedding, did you?" Elena crossed her arms in mock offense.

Caroline shook her head, laughing. "How could I have ever doubted it? You are a Gilbert, after all, and we all know nothing stops a Gilbert."

"Or a Branson," Lexi chimed in, her bright eyes crinkled with mirth.

"I don't suppose Katherine smuggled you in to the ceremony without my knowledge? I didn't notice you among the crowd," Caroline frowned, bewildered. She had been so wrapped up in the anxiety of the wedding proceedings she had barely noticed the hundreds of faces watching her, let alone any familiar faces.

"Oh, no. Rest assured, we were cordially invited by Bonnie," Lexi replied exchanging a sly glance with Elena. "However, speaking of smuggling…we might have done a bit of our own." She turned toward the door. "You can come in now!" She called out.

The door burst open, revealing a familiar pair of dark eyes.

"Your Highness," Stefan bowed formally before her, and Caroline's mind immediately flashed back to that morning that seemed like years ago, where he had made that same gesture in gentle mockery. How different things had turned out to be than what she had imagined on that far-off day, before she had been swept up into life at the palace…into Klaus's life.

Seeing Stefan bow, as if he were no more than one of the nameless palace guards, made her cringe in embarrassment.

"Oh, Stefan, get up, I'm no royal to you," she choked out, tears of joy filling her eyes at finally seeing him again.

He soothed her with a warm embrace. "Let me look at you." He took her in, lips curved upward in approval. "You are the most radiant bride I have ever seen." He hugged her again, whispering in her ears so only she could hear. "Your mother and father would be so proud of you. As am I."

Caroline gripped him tighter. "Thank you," she whispered back. Straightening, she pushed him back, frowning. "Wait, what on earth are you thinking, coming in here? No one can know we're related, remember? Someone could see you!" she hissed frantically, shoving him toward the door.

"Don't worry, Caroline. We made sure the coast was clear before I slipped away. Besides, I was already here in the castle, as I am on guard duty tonight at the feast." He shook his head. "I just wanted a chance to congratulate you in private."

A lump grew in her throat. As much as she had begun to accept her new life, she would miss Stefan. They had been through so much together for so long…it was difficult to leave him.

But she must. She had already done so as soon as she uttered her vows.

Casting aside the melancholic thoughts, Caroline swept him a regal courtesy, barely concealing a grin. "I accept your congratulations, good sir. You may now kiss the royal hand." She held out her hand graciously, to the amusement of the other girls.

Stefan rolled his eyes, but readily complied. "I thank you for this great honor, Your Highness. But alas, it seems our time together has come to an end, as duty calls me once more to my post." He squeezed her hand affectionately one last time, and turned towards the door, stopping to give Elena a brief kiss on her cheek before he left.

Blushing furiously, Elena turned back to Caroline, ignoring Lexi's muffled giggle. "Do you need any help preparing for the feast, Caroline? Anything at all?"

"No, I only need to take a few minutes rest. I shall be down soon." Caroline said, smoothing out her dress and glancing at her reflection in the mirror, swiping an errant curl out of her face.

"Are you sure?" Lexi asked.

"Be off with you! Go enjoy yourselves, I'm sure that the guests have already mostly arrived after all," She laughed, but as they turned to leave, it was her turn to gather them into her arms. "And thank you-both of you-for bringing Stefan here, and for taking care of him. It means so much to me," she said softly.

"It is no more than you'd do for any of us," Elena replied truthfully. She squeezed Caroline's hand. "We'll see you in a little while, Care." With one more affectionate smile, she turned and followed Lexi out the door.

Sinking down into the nearest chair, Caroline felt a sense of emotional exhaustion overwhelm her. Rubbing her temples, she took in a deep breath, savoring a few precious moments alone before facing the evening of revelry and socializing with a whirlwind of guests.

As she closed her eyes, however, her mind suddenly flashed to Klaus and the memory of his kiss. Heat stirred in her as she recalled the feeling of his lips pressing ever so gently against hers, his hands splayed across her back, holding her steady, coaxing out her pleasure, so unlike his harsh, violent demeanor.

It was a sweet contradiction—one that Caroline could not help but want to explore further.

She wondered how it could be between them, if only she allowed it. If only she took a chance on him, as he had dared her to so often.

The idea had tempted her over the last few days, only increasing with as the wedding drew near, and now that the event had finally happened, she found herself treading on very dangerous ground, as if she were on the brink of some boundary that if, once crossed, she could never return from.

Shivering, she finally stood, staring at herself in the mirror. She could do this.

She could face Klaus. Hadn't she faced him many times before and succeeded?

Except this time was different.

This time she was his wife. And it was not his feelings she did not trust. Not this time.

Oh, no. This time, it was her own.

In all his long existence, Klaus could not for the life of him think of a time when he had ever felt this content. Seated on his magnificent throne, looking down on the scores of his loyal subjects feasting and making merry, he felt every inch the king of the supernatural realm.

Even more so because of his beautiful bride at his side.

His queen.

Try as he might, he simply could not take his gaze from her. The white of her gown only enhanced her fair porcelain skin, her keen eyes twinkling every bit as brightly as the diamonds sewn into the dress.

She looked like a veritable goddess sent to him for a dual purpose-to both torture with beauty and heal with her kindness. An appealing paradox, one that he was all too willing to put his faith in.

Driven by his near desperate desire to hold her in his arms again, Klaus rose and offered her his hand. "Might I have this dance, wife?"

That he could now call her by that title only heightened his hearty mood. One more way, however small, in which to show that she belonged to him, and him alone.

He smirked as he caught the red blush stealing across her cheeks, her heartbeat increasing just so, her body speaking that silent, timeless language of attraction that revealed her feelings more clearly than he knew she would admit. At least for the present. Despite their union, he knew Caroline was not yet ready to fully accept him into her heart, however much he wished otherwise. However, patience had always rewarded him in the past, and he saw no reason to press forward forcefully on this particular matter either. Besides, it would make victory all the sweeter when she finally gave in to him and surrendered her heart into his keeping.

And he knew from experience that where a woman gave her heart, there also lay her passion.

Thoughts of Caroline tangled up in his bed ran unchecked through his mind as the lady in question politely accepted his arm, and it took all of his willpower to not simply flash her away from the celebration and thoroughly ravish her in his chamber.

Instead, he held her gracefully in his arms, holding her close one moment and gliding away from her the next, only to meet together once more, as the dance required.

He recalled vividly their first dance in this hall, where she had so easily engaged him with her wit and yet dismissed him in the same breath. Much had changed since then, and once more he felt that surge of possessiveness as they danced, not as king and subject, but now as husband and wife.

"Are you enjoying the feast, my lady?"

"Quite so, Your Highness," she replied. Her face was drawn in a sweet smile, but something in her eyes gave him pause.

"Is something amiss, sweetheart?" He frowned slightly when she shook her head, a little too quickly. "Look at me, Caroline." He searched her gaze, noting the anxious glint in her expression, the tenseness of her shoulders. "Tell me what is troubling you."

His plea had the desired effect, as Caroline shoulders drooped a bit as she sighed. "There is…something that we need to discuss." She met his gaze then, still with that nervous air about her. "I know that we are married, but tonight…it's just that I do not—"

"That you do not wish for our vows to be consummated tonight?"

She trembled in his arms, but kept her gaze firm. "Yes."

Klaus cursed himself for forgetting, or rather, pushing the detail to the back of his mind. Of course he had known she would ask this of him, but in this moment, surrounded by her scent, her body so pliant in his arms, knowing that he finally succeeded in having her by his side, he had foolishly clung to a sliver of hope that she would not turn him away, that she would somehow come to him of her own accord this night.

But it was not to be. Not yet.

Patience, he reminded himself sternly.

But that did not mean he would give in without a fight.

He allowed a wolfish grin to appear on his face before his hand came up to caress her neck, relishing in her small gasp. "Are you certain that is what you wish, my love?" he breathed in her ear, placing a lingering kiss on her cheek, rewarded with a quiet moan that escaped her lips. "I would be neglecting my duty as a good husband if I did not see to my bride's pleasure on her wedding night." He drew back just enough to press his forehead to her own, and, heedless of the audience surrounding them, pressed his mouth to hers in a searing kiss. "What I would not give to see you in my bed, flushed with pleasure, as I bring you to ecstasy again and again," he murmured against her lips, drawing her lithe body ever closer to his own, his blood pumping through his veins.

"Klaus—I…"

"If you but say the word, sweet Caroline, I shall give you such pleasure as Aphrodite herself could not fathom, and such passion that the bow of Eros could not stir with an entire quiver of his arrows." He spoke softly, entreating her, his words clearly affecting her as he heard her heart pounding ever faster, her blood singing in her veins beneath his touch.

She closed her eyes briefly, and he felt victory within his grasp when suddenly her eyes snapped open with determination.

"No. Please, Klaus…please do not ask it of me." Her tone was pleading, but firm.

Holding her stare for a moment, he finally relented, forcing his features into a cool mask. "Very well. I shall do as you request…but do not think that I will stop desiring you, Caroline," he lowered his voice to a quiet growl. "You will come to me, one way or another. And then—" he shot her a wicked grin—"then you will understand the true meaning of pleasure."

She opened her mouth to retort, but the dance had come to an end, the applause and cheering of the guests cutting off her reply. Instead, she arched her brow in challenge, sank into a deep curtsy, and turned away.

Too pleased with her reaction to his words to be angered at her rather abrupt departure, he took his leave of the dance floor in good humor, which could not even be stopped by the drunken congratulations and general harassment of his person in the forms of Marcel and Damon. In truth, he welcomed their hearty company, joining them for a few drinks, skillfully returning their barbs about his shackling marriage with a forceful wit of his own; but his eyes never strayed far from the shining burst of light that was his wife, as sure as ever that he would have her in his bed, and sooner rather than later.

This had turned out to be one of her most magnificent parties yet, she had to admit it. The sparkling ballroom looked breathtakingly splendid, with festoons of white roses and blue hyacinths adorning the tables amid scrumptious foods accentuated by the burnished sparkle of their silverware. Wine veritably flowed out of carafes of crystal and glass, and the flames on the chandeliers cast a golden glow over the grand affair, illuminating the rich hues of silks and satins worn by the multitude of the court, the chattering of voices echoing through the enormous hall. In her gown the color of fresh blood, Rebekah sipped delicately from the crystal goblet, pleased with her success. Or rather, her and Caroline's success, though that was an insignificant detail she was quite willing to overlook as various nobles heaped praise and adulation on her management of the feast. Accepting the compliments with cool politeness, she moved about the room, sharing a dance here, eating some delicacies there, never lingering in one place for too long. That is, until her interest was caught by a pair of grey eyes, curly brown locks, and a tall muscular frame, all comprising one of the handsomest men she had laid eyes on—or at least, in recent memory. He returned her curious look with a winning smirk.

That was all the invitation she needed. Setting down her glass of wine, she prowled over to the stranger to where he stood near the entrance to the ballroom, half-hidden in the shadows, away from the crowded gaiety of the feast.

When she reached him, he bowed, kissing her hand reverently.

"My lady Rebekah," he said with polished ease, straightening before her.

"Have we met before, sir?" she returned, even as she was sure she had never seen him around. She would not be able to forget as handsome a face as his so easily.

"No, my lady, we have not."

His eyes gleamed strangely as he said it. Almost like he-

Rebekah realized her mistake a moment too late. Quick as lightening, the man thrust a wooden stake right into her heart, stuffing a large cloth soaked with vervain into her mouth to stifle any scream she might have made. But it made no difference. Her throat was dry as the desert, and she could feel every painful inch of her body doing the same, her skin turning a sickly grey. She panicked, willing her body to move, but to no avail.

"I look forward to becoming better acquainted with you—although I'm afraid it will be quite painful for you, my lady. Such a pity…"

The last thing she felt was his heavy footsteps carrying her further and further away from any hope of rescue.

Then the darkness consumed her.

Stefan was not one for large celebrations. In fact, had this not been in honor of Caroline and her marriage, he would have gladly exchanged places with one of the guards down at the gate, where he could exist with relative peace and quiet. However, seeing Caroline up on the throne next to the king gave Stefan a swell of pride and happiness. He knew that his cousin would do well—by heaven, he had known since she was a child that she was born for greatness. There was no doubt in his mind that she would do all in her power to be a good and just ruler, no matter how difficult the Original family could be.

Especially the king.

Stefan noted with interest the manner in which Klaus carried himself around his cousin. Any man in the room would have to be an imbecile to not recognize the territorial stance he took up whenever she was near, practically glaring at any nobleman who gave her the slightest passing attention.

It both unnerved and satisfied Stefan all at once, knowing that Caroline would be well-protected inside the castle walls, but concerned that the king would suffocate her spirit. After all, Klaus was used to having his own way, and Stefan chuckled to himself, picturing the rude awakening the king would have when Caroline inevitably lost a hold of her own formidable temper.

His hopes for the ending of the witches' plight through Caroline's influence put aside, Stefan could not help but think that the two were indeed a worthy match, that might grow into something more than just polite, friendly tolerance. And if the king's current behavior was any indication, one of them at least knew what it was to care for another, however improbable it might be coming from a cold-hearted vampire.

Speaking of the vampiric royalty, Stefan found the lady Rebekah passing just by his post on the perimeter of the hall, her shocking crimson gown arresting his attention. He thought not for the first time that she was lovely, but cold as ice, a queen of some wild northern land of snow and frost.

Her beauty led him to turn his head and search the room for another beautiful woman, although his dark-haired Elena could not be more different that the blonde Original vampire. He thanked his good fortune for the light and warmth that Elena brought into his life, smiling as he caught sight of her across the hall conversing cheerfully with Caroline, Lexi, and to his mild dismay, Damon.

He tensed as he watched his elder brother, a coil of pain rearing its ugly head inside. Despite their differences and the opposite paths they had taken in life, Stefan felt that subtle ache in his chest returning that only came at the memory of his wayward brother.

He barely even recognized Damon from the carefree youth he remembered all those years ago; but seeing him now, smiling and enjoying the celebration, awakened Stefan's long-held hope that Damon might not be a lost cause after all.

Perhaps, if he reached out to him, tried to mend their relationship, they could regain some semblance of how it was before their father turned Damon away.

Perhaps they could be brothers again.

Stefan sighed heavily. A fool's hope, he told himself...but something he hoped for all the same.

But first and foremost, he hoped that Damon had done as he asked and kept an eye on Caroline. The fact that she had not brought Damon up in any conversation was a good sign that the dark-haired vampire was keeping his mouth shut-for once-but Stefan worried that it would not last. Damon was volatile on his best days, and he was risking much in even trusting Damon's word; but Caroline was intelligent, and he knew that like as not she would figure it out before too long. He could only trust that his brother would not do anything stupid that would put her in danger-either to the Council or anyone else.

Indeed, he had half a mind to corner Damon tonight and remind him of his promise.

Turning his attention back to his duty, however, he suddenly felt uneasy. Being a blessed with magic had its advantages, and Stefan had an innate sense of knowing rather quickly when something was not right. Frowning, his eyes swept over the hall, glancing to Caroline and Damon with their friends, to where Klaus stood engaged in a good laugh with his three brothers, and back where Rebekah had passed him by a few minutes previous—to find the blonde Original missing from the spot he had last seen her.

The sense of dread growing ever potent, he searched the ballroom for any sign of Rebekah, looking for a flash of crimson velvet, all the while telling himself that it was nothing, that surely she was in some dark corner or simply blending into the crowd. But after he had made a thorough sweep of the hall, she was still nowhere to be seen.

Quickly, he traced his steps back to where he had last seen her, near the entrance to the hall, and what he found stopped him in his tracks. Barely discernible, a few drops of blood stained the white marble of the ballroom floor, along with the faint scent of vervain.

Rebekah had been taken.

Making a split-second decision, Stefan hurried into the darkness, swiftly drawing his sword, concentrating his mind on one single thought.

He only hoped his message would be received in time.

Caroline had spent the better part of the evening flanked by her friends and engaging in pleasant conversation with hordes of well-wishers. Every so often, to her chagrin, she found her eyes straying to her husband as he too made the rounds; more often than not he caught her eye, returning it with a dimpled, satisfied grin. His seductive words during their dance had affected her, whether she liked it or not.

She found herself, after a while, smiling back.

Something Kol had taken notice of rather quickly.

Caroline had been chatting animatedly with Katherine and Sage, who had seemed it her duty to share her experience as the first vampire who had married into the Original family. It was encouraging, knowing that someone else understood what she was currently going through, although Finn was certainly different in nearly every respect from his more volatile brother.

Sage had just launched into the story of her first fight with Rebekah—what she had termed an 'initiation' of sorts—when an exaggerated sigh sounded from beside her.

"Ah, poor Caroline. Sentenced to a life of misery shackled to the most pig-headed Mikaelson with a penchant for painting and a short temper," the dark-haired Original teased as he took up a position next to Caroline, shaking his head in mock sympathy.

Sage snorted. "That's rich coming from you, Kol. I'm surprised you haven't stumbled over from the weight of your inflated head, particularly when the ladies are fawning over you so."

Kol narrowed his eyes at the red-haired vampire, ignoring Caroline's amused giggle and Katherine's unladylike grunt of laughter. "If I fall over from an inflated body part, my darling sister-in-law, I can assure you it won't be my head," he replied suggestively.

"Kol!" Caroline smacked him lightly, equal parts revolted and amused at his bawdy joke.

"Oh, look, Bonnie's coming over here," Sage said nonchalantly.

Instantly, Kol straightened up. "Where?" He looked about nervously, as if expecting the witch to appear out of thin air beside him.

"Oops, my mistake. I thought that was her approaching us. A trick of the light, I suppose," Sage finished primly, casting Caroline a wink.

"Very amusing, Sage," Kol scowled, folding his arms over his chest as Caroline fought to keep a straight face.

"Consider that a taste of your own medicine, Kol."

"Medicine that seems long overdue," Katherine interjected smugly.

"Touche," he replied. "But I believe I have overstayed my welcome here chatting with you old married maids—I've a need for some company of the young unmarried female variety tonight and the night is fading fast." He cast an appraising look at a passing brunette, who shot him a coy smile as she floated by. "I take my leave of you, ladies—I truly do pity you for your choice of marriage partners. Adieu!"

Without a backward glance, Kol strode away.

Caroline shook her head while Sage huffed. "Of all the arrogant, insensitive, childish pricks, Kol is the worst."

"He is certainly a piece of work," Caroline agreed lightly.

"More like a masterpiece, if you ask me," Katherine muttered under her breath.

She turned to retrieve a glass of champagne on a nearby table, needing the alcohol to strengthen her for the hours left of the feast. As she reached for the crystal glass, however, a jolt of panic ripped through her skull, a fog swirling behind her eyes.

Caroline….Caroline….help, dear one….get help…please…Caroline…

"Caroline?"

Katherine's concerned voice broke through the fog.

Choking out a gasp, Caroline nearly dropped the glass. That voice sounded oddly familiar...

Caroline...

Her heart clenched. She knew that voice.

It was Stefan's.

"Why Caroline, whatever is the matter?" came Sage's worried tone from somewhere beside her.

Still reeling from the feeling of terror that had gripped her, Caroline tried to collect herself. "It's nothing, I...I need some air. Please excuse me."

Not waiting for a reply, Caroline strode off. She could feel Katherine hot on her heels as she scurried as fast as she dared out onto the cool night air of the terrace, which was blessedly empty of any guests.

"Caroline, what is going on?" Katherine asked anxiously, grabbing her arm to steady her. Only then did she notice how badly she was trembling.

"Something's happening-I can't explain, but I think it has to do with Stefan. He's in trouble," Caroline explained rapidly, a note of fear rising in her voice as another wave of terror gripped her. "Katherine, we've got to find him!"

"You mean you have some sort of magical mind-connection happening?" Katherine swore under her breath. "Damn-Caroline, listen to me. We need to alert Elijah and the king before we do anything-I should have told you earlier, but I didn't want you to worry-"

"Tell me what? Katherine, we don't have time for this!"

"Last night I overheard some guards talking. Don't know for sure, but it sounded a lot like they had a surprise planned for tonight. And not a good one either." Katherine gripped her hand hard. "Maybe they had nothing to do with this, maybe they do, but either way, you and the others could be in great danger. Promise me you'll wait here while I get help and then we'll think through this before running straight into trouble and getting ourselves killed."

"Katherine, I'm not-"

"Promise me, Caroline!"

"Alright! I promise!" Caroline fumed. "But hurry!"

Satisfied with her answer, Katherine sped out of the terrace, quick as a flash.

Caroline waited about half a minute before yet another wave of pure fear shot through her body, the voice pleading in her head. And this time, it was clearly the voice of her cousin calling to her.

Caroline...the woods...help us...Rebekah...help Rebekah...

Caroline went stiff with dread at the new message. Stefan in trouble was bad enough, but overpowering an Original like Rebekah took a great deal of cunning and someone with a formidable amount of power to subdue her.

Her gaze locked on inky darkness of the woods surrounding the rear of the castle, her hasty promise to Katherine already forgotten, Caroline broke into a swift run into the night, praying that she would make it in time.

Two lives depended on it.

Yes, that was a cliffhanger. Yes, the pace went from 0-60 in like 2 paragraphs, and I regret nothing. Yes, I have already started writing the next chapter so HOPEFULLY I will have it up quicker.

Holler at me in the reviews! :)