It kills me not to know this but I've all but just forgotten
What the color of her eyes were and her scars or how she got them
As the telling signs of age rain down, a single tear is dropping
Through the valleys of an aging face that this world has forgotten

Rise Against - Savior

Chapter 30

Last night

"You…" Kol hissed through clenched teeth. "Do you have any idea…"

He wasn't really sure what he wanted to say, he was furious. The thing was that he wasn't angry at her, he was angry at himself and currently at his brother for daring to touch her. Of course he knew how absurd that was, none of this made any sense, but he was actually jealous. Reading about her feelings towards him had been the most dreadful experience of his life, he loved her, but he certainly didn't want her to feel like that. At least he didn't think so. No, definitely no. She was his midget for heaven's sake.

Unfortunately he had trouble imagining it when he looked at her now, glancing at him defiantly. This face and this body didn't belong to her, but he certainly recognized the stubborn look in her eyes. She had done this because of him, because he had humiliated her when she had hoped to experience something she had dreamt about. The ugly truth was that this was how she would have looked like if he and Nik wouldn't have ended her life. She hadn't been a child for a long time.

"You know what, midget," he snapped, wanting to hide the guilt he was feeling. "You are spoiled and selfish; you do not care about anyone except yourself."

She flinched; clearly his words had hurt her.

"That is not true…" she muttered.

"Really? Did you think about anyone else when you so carelessly risked your life? And for what, for this?"

He snorted contemptuously and glanced at her from head to toes. She was blushing and she clenched her fists.

"I do not expect you to understand," she muttered angrily. "Perhaps I didn't want to be…disgusting."

Well, she certainly knew how to hit the nerve, like he wouldn't feel guilty enough already. She glared at him angrily and turned away.

"I am not finished," he snapped and stepped in front of her.

"That's too bad, because I am," she snapped back at him and tried to get past him.

His eyes narrowed when he grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him.

"I have had it with your whimsicality," he snarled. "I should do what Elijah should have done a long time ago; give you a spanking you won't forget!"

Her eyes widened, but she got over her surprise quickly.

"Alright, if you insist," she replied coolly. "But I hope you are at least planning to give me flowers and offer me dinner first."

He tightened his grip on her arm, although he was careful not to hurt her, they glared at each other for few seconds before bursting into laughter.

"Dear lord…" he chuckled. "That sounded creepy, didn't it?"

"A little bit, yes," she giggled, her cheeks were bright red. It was strange to read her so easily, he hadn't bee able to do that when she had been in her own body. She had written in her journal a lot about her curiosity towards intimacy and as normal as that probably was for any adult, he didn't like the idea at all, it was…confusing. Unfortunately he was in no position to tell her what she was and wasn't allowed to think, he was the one who had put her in this situation for the rest of eternity. Well, he and Nik, but that didn't make him any less responsible. Funny, he had never felt responsible of anything he had done and he had certainly done some pretty nasty things along the centuries. But her… She blinked few times and looked up; he gazed at her intently and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"I am sorry, I did not mean those things I said," he murmured and buried his face in her hair. Her scent was very different, but she was still his…Eva.

"No, you were right," she said. "I was selfish and stupid and I almost got myself killed."

"No, you are not selfish; anyone would have done the same. I just wish you wouldn't have taken such a risk."

She pulled away and smiled.

"You were worried about me?"

"Do you really have to ask that?" he huffed. "Of course I was. And… I am sorry about the…"

She lowered her head.

"I am sorry too."

"Yes, yes, we are all sorry," Nik huffed, for a moment Kol had completely forgotten his presence. He glared at his brother when Nik wrapped his arm around Eva and led her towards the campfire.

"Come on, princess, you should enjoy for the rest of your night."

She smiled at him and sat down next to the campfire, he sat down next to her. Kol was about to give his brother a piece of his mind for interrupting, but Nik was right, Eva only had few hours left in her adult body and it would be cruel to ruin that. Silently he moved next to her and sat down on her other side. None of them spoke for a while; they all stared at the flames. Slowly Eva's left hand took Kol's hand and her right hand Nik's. The whole situation was strange, but there was something natural about it. Basically she was sitting between the two men who had killed her, but who also loved her. Kol couldn't help but wonder was his brother feeling the same guilt than he was, soon she would look like a child again. How would she handle that after experiencing what it was like to be an adult? Sure her day hadn't been perfect, but did it really matter?

"Can I ask you a favor?" Eva muttered after the long silence.

"Sure," they both replied almost simultaneously.

"Could you…maybe not mention this whole spell thing to papa and Rebekah?"

"Well…" Nik started. "I am afraid they already know."

Eva's body tensed.

"They do?"

"Yes, Rebekah was with us looking for you."

"But…where are they now?"

"Distracting Demetrio," Nik replied, neither he nor Kol had liked the idea of sneaking around, but since they had been in a hurry, that had been the smartest thing to do in order to get Eva out in time. Personally Kol couldn't have cared less if he would have had to kill every single person in that villa, but according to Nik Demetrio was one of the most powerful warlocks he had ever met, his bloodline went way back to Ancient Greece. According to some foolish fairytale, one of his ancestors had even created an immortality spell, some fellow called Silvanus or Silas or something. Right, sure. But either way, Nik and Rebekah hadn't wanted to risk Eva's safety by simply attacking Demetrio, Rebekah had assured that she could capture his full attention while her brothers would get Eva back into her own body.

"What?" Eva gasped. "No, no, we have to go back…"

"They are fine," Nik said and touched Eva's shoulder. "Demetrio won't miss his daughter before the morning and I intend to return this body to the villa by then."

Eva seemed distressed; she stood up and took a deep breath.

"Let's go."

Kol and Nik stood up as well; Eva was already heading towards the horses.

"I would like to ride by myself," she said.

"Sure, sweetheart," Nik replied. "Kol can use some exercise."

Kol glared at his brother, but didn't say anything; this wasn't the right time to argue. Thankfully the old witch's cottage wasn't very far away. Eva turned to look at him.

"Is that alright?"

Kol smiled and lifted her on the horse.

"Sure, midg… Eva."

Despite of the moonlight, the small path was dark, but that didn't make Eva any more careful, when her horse started to canter, she closed her eyes and spread her arms, like she would be flying. Maybe she thought that she was. Nik stayed next to her and Kol behind her in order to prevent her from getting hurt, a human body could break so easily. Fortunately they reached the witch's cottage without any incidents; Eva seemed tired when Kol lifted her down. She glanced at the cottage and touched her arm.

"Agata said that she won't remember anything afterwards," Eva muttered. "I hope that is true."

"It doesn't matter," Nik said, he had just dismounted. "I will still have to compel Miss Salvatore before I take her back."

"Salvatore?" Eva asked.

"Yes, that is Demetrio's family name."

"Oh… I did not know that."

Eva lowered her head, she looked sad.

"Alright, we better just…"

"One more thing," Kol interrupted her.

She turned to look at him.

"What?"

He grinned and stepped in front of her, taking a hold of the back of her head.

"This."

She was stunned when he captured her lips in an intense kiss; he really wasn't sure what the hell he was doing. Perhaps a part of him wanted to take away the pain he had caused her and give her what she had asked. It was just a kiss… No, it wasn't, he wanted this to be special for her. He was a good kisser and he knew it, but now for the first time he kept the tempo slow and the small bites and sucking tender. She was breathing fast when he pulled away, she seemed confused.

"I thought you deserve to know what a good kiss feels like," he said and grinned.

Nik rolled his eyes.

"Very amusing. Come on, sweetheart."

Eva smiled and leaned towards Kol.

"I have had better," she stated teasingly.

Kol raised his eyebrows.

"Ouch."

Nik was chuckling, Eva grinned and kissed Kol's cheek.

"Don't worry, I still love you."

Kol grinned as well.

"You are a naughty girl, midget."

"I know," she replied and turned to the cottage. "I learned from the best."