I'M SO SORRY! I've been trying to figure out how I want to continue and I've finally finished with this chapter! I haven't edited it a ton, I just want you guys to see it and read it! Please please PLEASE let me know what you think of it, because personally, I love it :) Thank you for being patient as I've taken SO long to update!
Cheers to all of my faithful readers and reviewers. And I challenge you guys to not just tell me that you like it, but to tell me why you like those things and your favourite parts. And don't just tell me you don't like it, but tell me why, and what I can do differently!
"It's your birthday?" I hiss in his ear, holding my champagne glass up to my mouth, trying to hide my distress. Many other people call out to Klaus or wave, but he only nods to them but his attention is still on me.
"You wanted normal." He looks at me now, his eyes twinkle with humour. He's enjoying my shock.
"Yeah, I wanted normal like maybe a movie or dinner—but your birthday party? Why didn't you tell me? How old are you?" I ask, even though I'm not entirely sure I want to know.
He raises his eyebrows at me.
"Everyone is staring at you." I murmur through a tight smile at a few gentlemen, and an older lady who looks as if she's walked right out of the 1920's and is now lost somewhere in the 21's century.
"They're bored, this party is dull," he says under his breath, then leans in close to whisper in my ear, "Besides, they're not staring at me love. With how you look right now I'm surprised the women still have their dates." Something in the way he says things like this, makes it near impossible to breathe.
"Well," I purr; my words quiet and intimate, for his ears only, "You may be a bit bias but, I'll take the complement either way. Besides," I bight my lip, "You didn't give me the chance to get you a birthday present. I guess you'll have to settle for an impromptu gift..."
"Niklaus!" The tight-rope of sexual tensions between us pangs loudly, and coils in on itself like it's been cut with a sharp knife. We look over to see who would be rude enough to spoil this fiery moment.
An older, hansom gentleman with salt and pepper hair and thick rimmed glasses calls from across the room and waves. He's standing with a group of what look like at least a dozen intellectuals with frown lines and smart looking bowties and elbow patches.
"Ahh," Klaus lets out an irritated sigh, "Hold that thought." He empties the remains of his champagne into his mouth, but he must not like it; he grimaces at the empty flute, as if the taste was off. With his free arm he pulls me tightly to his side.
"Friends of yours?" I ask, taking another sip of my own drink, my palm slick again my glass, my blood pumping just a little bit faster. Warmth blossoming in my stomach as the side of my body runs the length of his, his hand holding firmly to my hip. He's warm, the music is gentle, and I don't want him to let go.
"University professors." He answers, and when I look up at him in surprise, he wastes no time in capturing my mouth for his own. In the middle of this crowded room, he crushes me against him in the most intoxicating way, and then he releases me. My hand slips down his arm, over his wrist and grips his fingers for just one more second as he walks away from me, towards the surprised looking crowd of stuffy professors.
I sigh, my cheeks flush as I tip the rest of my champagne back, finishing it off in one gulp.
"Can I take your glass Miss?" I sharp looking butler holding a tray asks.
"Oh," I set my glass down and he smiles and nods, "Thanks." I feel so out of place here. Somehow as soon as Nik left my side, I feel as if I'm a little kid playing dress up. This room is filled with strangers, and all these girls are looking at me like I'm a piece of meat. If only they knew what I could do with a flick of my finger.
"Caroline?" a small, feminine voice makes me jump.
I turn, finding a beautiful, petite, black haired goddess standing next to me. She's holding a cigarette in one hand and a tumbler of scotch in the other. My defences go up immediately with the way her eyes seem to scrutinise my every pore.
"Yes?" My voice is high as the ugly jealous monster wraps itself around my vocal cords and tries to scratch this girl's eyes out with my words.
Her eyes melt into a catty narrowed glare disguised with a smile on her lipsticked mouth.
"I thought so," Her eyes quickly skim down my dress; an unimpressed smirk pleats her lips.
I cross my arms tightly, my fist aching to put this chick in her place.
"Clara."
Klaus's voice makes me jump, I hadn't realised he had returned to my side. The way he addresses this woman standing in front of me now is less than warm, but it's also familiar, and somewhat casual.
"Klaus," an uncomfortably warm smile stretches across her lips. Her teeth are white and she smells strongly of expensive perfume. "It's been a long time." The way she purrs these words to my fiancé cause my spine to stiffen. I stand up straighter, leaning into Klaus. I feel as if I'm marking my territory.
"On the contrary, I believe it's been just the right amount of time." His response is quipped and blasé.
I bite back a smile. Take that, flirt.
Just as Clara is opening her mouth to respond, she is cut off by an keen Elijah, his timing to perfect to be a coincidence; making it obvious that this not-so-fun exchange had a few eavesdroppers.
"Caroline," Elijah greets me, just the smallest bit over-eager. "Would you do me the honour of the next dance?" offering me his hand, he leaves me with no room to refuse.
"Oh," I blink a few times, my mind taking a moment to catch up with my body and the scene in front of me. I glance at Klaus, hoping to get a yes or no from him, but he stays passive, giving nothing away; making me decide on my own. When I look back at Elijah his eyes are on Klaus. It's a knowing look, cold and intrusive. "Sure." I answer hesitantly. As soon as the word is out of my mouth his eyes snap back to me and his look softens.
Klaus pulls me close, his lips barely brush against my temple, his breath warm on my skin, his fingers curling almost painfully into my hip. I take in a short breath and try to hear the words he whispers into my ear.
"I'm holding you to that impromptu gift..."
Before I have a chance to answer or even absorb his words, he's released me, putting space between our bodies. And when I look at him, he looks casual; his expression gives away nothing of our whispered innuendos.
Taking Elijah's waiting hand, I allow him to lead me towards the dance floor, leaving Klaus and the little sexpot Clara behind.
We join the few couples that are already floating across the dance floor; a few of them offer us gentle smiles as they spin around us.
We dance in silence for a while, the song is unfamiliar to me, but Elijah seems to know it quite well and leads me effortlessly along with the melody.
I thought we would be talking, I thought he had some wise Elijah words for me. His usual spiel about Klaus and me, or life, or love; but we dance in silence. I catch only a few glimpses of Klaus, still standing next to that woman, over Elijah's left shoulder. Thankfully Klaus looks less than interested, his eyes on Elijah and me as the persistent Clara hands him another glass of champagne. My eyes narrow, but Elijah makes a point to spin and turn us away from them.
As the song draws the a close, the discomfited silence reaching an all-time high, Elijah stops me short, releasing my right hand but holding fast to my left.
"The pleasure is all mine," his long fingers reach the base of my wrist, and touch the leather cord, makeshift bracelet which holds my new piece of ancient jewellery given to me the night before. "Miss. Forbes," with a slight shift of his fingers, he turns the bracelet, bringing the ring to rest on top of my wrist. He doesn't take his eyes off of mine, but the deliberate exposure or my new diamond and his embellishment of my last name makes it obvious that he knows exactly what's going on here.
But, how does he know...
XXX
Klaus's point of view (Three weeks earlier)
Throwing my keys down on the entryway bench, they fall to the floor. Not bothering to pick them up, I saunter into the living room, already smelling the patronizing stench, rolling off of his black tie and his superior demeanour.
"Elijah." I sigh, greeting my brother with as much warmth as I can summon. His back is turned towards me; he's staring into the fire the roars in the fireplace, a half full tumbler of whisky in his hands.
"These surprise visits are almost starting to feel routine." I pull my jacket from my shoulders, throwing it on the nearest chair. "Please come in. Make yourself at home." I pray my voice comes off as cold as I intend it, as I pour myself a drink. Swirling a single ice cube in the liquor before taking a long pull. The familiar burn is welcome after a night of hunting; already feeling mildly intoxicated from the high liquor count in the blood of my earlier victims.
"And you brother, never cease to shock me." He counters, turning towards me; his eyes are dark from the backlight of the fire.
Narrowing my eyes at him, I fall into the corner of the couch, resting my feet on the coffee table, scattered with unfinished art work, and plans for new renovation.
"I trust this isn't a call of pleasure? As usual." I say, drumming my fingers on the leather of the sofa.
"It was." He nods, taking a slow drink from the glass in his hand. His other reaching into his jacket pocket, he produces a small velvet box. I freeze, mid drink, and watch as he turns the box over in his hand, watching it as if it was the most fascinating thing that ever was. The same ring that sat on the finger of the late Eden Prayer, the wife of a close cousin of mine; who died many years ago at the hands of a viciously jealous witch. The same box that was sat on my bedroom dresser earlier this evening.
Once; Twice; Three times.
My mouth has gone uncomfortably dry, and I down the remainder of my drink before the ice has a chance to melt.
"And you brother..." Elijah says slowly, evenly. "Are a force to be reckoned with."
XXX
"Well brother, if you're quite done monopolising my date," Klaus doesn't even wait for a response from his brother. I'm still mute with shock as Klaus takes my hand out of Elijah's leads me more towards the middle of the dance floor.
"He knows," I hiss under my breath as Klaus's other hand wraps around my waist, pulling me against him and begins moving us idly to the melancholy tune.
"And?" His fingers curl into my hip, sending shivers through the pit of my stomach.
"And..." But I can't think of a single thing to say. I've agreed to marry this man, spend the rest of eternity with him, people are going to know. There's going to be a wedding. A wedding... "And nothing." I suddenly feel lightheaded, gripping his shoulder tighter as we move.
Sensing my tension, Klaus glides us easily to the edge of the dance floor, moving through the other couples, and then dropping his hand from my waist he holds fast to my right hand, tugging me away from the crowd. We get a few sheepish smiles, and a few eye rolls from the people around us as Klaus slides open a heavy wooden door to what looks like an office/library and pulls me inside.
I laugh, a little breathless, and smooth the front of my dress. It's a dark red, knee length dancing dress with a full, flowy skirt and deep crew neck that shows off just the right amount of skin.
Closing the door behind us, Klaus grabs hold of my hand once again, pulling me in, and in one fell swoop has me up and in his arms. Taking advantage of the close proximity, I wrap my arms around his neck and press my mouth to his, and I don't pull away until we're both breathless.
Swinging my legs slightly, he gets the hint and lets my legs go; setting me and my four inch heels back on the ground.
"Who was that?" I walk backwards, towards the large desk, clasping my hands behind my back as Klaus watches me. His eyes narrow slightly as my question registers.
"Someone from the past." My shoulders slump and purse my lips, making it obvious that this answer is not adequate. His sighs, shaking his head with a frustrated chuckle. "She was Marcel's... Friday night girl."
"Oh," I nod, sitting on the edge of the desk. "Well she sure seemed interested in you." I hate the insecurity in my voice. I swallow hard.
It takes a moment for him to react. I feel unbearably vulnerable as he walks towards me. I slide myself further onto the desk, griping the edge with both hands.
His fingers find my bare knee, slipping a few inches under the skirt of my dress; goose bumps appear where his skin slips against the soft skin behind my knee. Grabbing my firmly, he pulls himself in, hooking my leg around his waist.
"So?" He breathes against my mouth, my lips parting automatically, our breath mingling together, intoxicating and distracting.
"I hate her." I whisper back and try to close the small gap between our lips, but he resists, a twinkle in his eye. I narrow my gaze at him and his cocky/sexy as hell smirk.
"Such harsh words from such a beautiful mouth Caroline," he makes a quiet, sexy noise in his throat as he slides me closer to him on the desk. "Why the hostility?" pressing his mouth to the sensitive skin just below my earlobe, my head spins.
"Because she can't seem to keep her slutty minx paws off of you." All I get in return is a deep chuckle.
Ass.
When he draws my mouth back to his I try to pull away. Two can play at this hard-to-get game. Plus I'm pretty sure he just laughed at me. But he cups the back of my neck, drawing me in to his irresistible taste. After just a second, I place both my hands firmly on his chest and use my vampire strength to push him away, trying my best to appear to be less effected by what his touch does to me.
He unexpectedly moves away, as if he wasn't resisting at all. It was all too easy, not at all the reaction I usually get when I try and play the try-and-catch-me game. His expressing shows that he's as surprised as I am. I smirk, I guess I do affect his concentration like he effects mine. This thought makes me sit up a little straighter.
He opens his mouth to say something, but the chorus of Happy Birthday coming from the main hall interrupts him. Fixing my mussed hair, I chuckle and reach other to fix his as well. Then taking his hand, I tug him towards the door easily.
"Come blow out your candles."
XXX
Klaus's point of view
It's late; Caroline's hair is lying across my pillow, she's fast asleep. I'm exhausted from a night of mingling, dancing and sex, yet I'm awake. Interlocking my fingers behind my head I stare at the unfinished paintings propped against the far wall, feeling less than motivated to tackle any of them.
Caroline sighs, saying a few incomprehensible words in her sleep, and removes her hand from around my abdomen, rolling to the other side of the bed.
I watch her for a moment as she settles quietly, her breathing even and calm.
Standing up I search for my discarded clothing strewn across the floor. A black long-sleeve and jeans, I leave the room as quietly as I can, hoping my absence doesn't wake her.
I find the coals in the fireplace still smouldering dimly, cocktail plates and empty glasses decorate every flat surface, reminding me of yet another reason I don't enjoy large parties.
Finding the only clean glass left in the cabinet, I blow any dust that may have settled in it, and find a decanter of expensive scotch that had been tucked away from tonight's guests.
Pouring a generous amount into the glass, I bring it up to my lips.
In a moment, time seems to cease. An innocent droplet of scotch runs down the neck of the glass bottle in my hand, and as the liquid in the glass touches my tongue, the bead of liquor runs down my thumb.
The pain is insurmountable. Is if a whole has been burned through the skin of my hand, my mouth seems to fill with fire. It shrouds me, scalding my throat as it trickles down my oesophagus. My hand instinctively releases the bottle clutched in my hand, hitting the side of the table is spills across the floor. As it touches the wooden floor, the effervescence liquid seems to burn and spread.
I'm unable to breathe or speak, my body seeming to be in shut down.
"Ooh, ouch..." That voice... That girl. "So sorry about that." Clara comes into view, walking around me, cocking her head to the side as she studies me in my desolate state. "It was too easy really...getting a hold of the last white oak stake, finding a way to turn it into an innocent little powder, then sneaking it into your never-ending liquor supply. Feeding it into your system slowly over weeks and weeks...I mean," She takes the glass from my hand, as I remain paralyzed. "I'm just lucky you're a raging alcoholic."
"How was that icky champagne tonight?" She smirks, watching as the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Remembering how strong Caroline felt to me tonight. Her vampire strength usually affecting me less than a little bit. Clara tips some of my drink into her mouth, scrunching her nose, "Ugh, yeah fair enough, this is kind of a strong batch."
Forcing words to form, my mind fuzzy; my head pounds excruciatingly.
"Why?" The only word I'm able to get passed my stiff lips.
"You see Nik, you think you can just do shit and get away with it." She's pissed, she's furious. "You think you have the world in your hand. That you're invincible, but you know what? You're not." Stepping up so close that I can smell the Original poison on her breath, her lips quiver as if she's about to cry. "You can't just rip Marcel's heart out, and expect to get away with it. Was it worth it Klaus? Worth losing everything?" and with that, she throws the remainder of the drink in my face.
It burns my skin, my eyes, I cry out and sink to my knees, bracing myself on my hands and lowering my head to the ground. The last thing I hear is the hollow sound of her footsteps getting quieter. My skin burning, my heart slowing, and I still can't breathe.
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