I'm sorry about the hiatus, I had some problems with this chapter. Sorry if it turned out bad.

Part 27

When Nadine got over her shock, her first reaction was simple. She bit Kol's hand as hard as she could.

"Hey!" he protested, but he didn't let her go. "I am trying to help you."

She ignored his words and struggled with all her might when he carried her towards the garden. She needed to get back to Tristan's chamber, if anyone would see her here with Kol…

"Stop that!" he snapped. "Didn't you hear what I just said; I am trying to help you."

She didn't stop struggling before he finally placed her on the ground.

"Alright, listen to me…" he started, but she ran before he could finish his sentence. This wasn't a game; Nadine wasn't going to let Kol to jeopardize Lucien's chance for a happy life. She wasn't just a worthless servant anymore, she was Tristan's betrothed and she couldn't afford something like this. If he would even suspect that she had been with some other man…

"Hey!" Kol snapped when he appeared in front of her and grabbed her wrists. "What is the matter with you?"

She kicked his leg and struggled to free her hands.

"Alright, this is ridiculous," he snorted. "Do you actually want to go back to Tristan?"

She glared at him and nodded. He stared at her disbelievingly.

"What? Why?"

She pressed her lips together and yanked her hands free. She pointed at herself and the castle.

"Now listen, darling, you don't have to pretend anything to me," Kol huffed. "We both know you don't want to be with Tristan and I am here to save you." He paused and smiled. "Just nod and all your problems will disappear, I give you my word."

She shook her head angrily and walked past him.

"Oh come on!" he snorted. "Are you really so stubborn that you will let Tristan to make you his little bed warmer? You don't want that!"

She ignored him and continued walking. The wind made her shiver; she was only wearing the nightgown.

"Fine!" Kol snapped. "Don't forget that I did try to help you!"

Sure, he was a real knight. What she couldn't understand was why he was suddenly so eager to "help" her. Not that it mattered. What she needed right now was to find a way to get back to Tristan's chamber without anyone noticing her. That was certainly easier said that done. She stopped and turned around in order to try to make Kol take her back, but he was gone. Of course he was. Nadine sighed and turned around. She almost jumped when someone was standing in front of her. Niklaus.

"Hello, Nadine," he stated tensely.

She was relieved to see him, he could help her. Quickly she tried to explain her problem to him; she pointed at herself, him, the castle and mimicked climbing. He didn't seem to care what she tried to say, he was staring at her.

"What are you doing with Tristan?" he asked, his tone of voice was accusative.

Her eyes widened, she couldn't understand why he was asking that. There was a strange look in his eyes when he grabbed her arms.

"Is he keeping you with him against your will?"

Cautiously she shook her head, she couldn't understand his behavior. First he ignored her than now he wanted her to explain herself to him? She frowned and angrily pushed him away, who did he think he was… The next thing she realized was him crashing his mouth down against hers. It stunned her so completely that she was unable to react. Quickly he pulled away, his mouth floundered open and closed.

"Nadine I…. I am sorry. It's just… When I saw you with Tristan… You shouldn't be with him. You should be with me."

She stared at him disbelievingly; her mind was unable to comprehend his words. He seemed distressed when he took her hands.

"Look, I know I don't deserve you, but neither does Tristan. Do you think you could ever…consider giving me a chance?"

She had no idea what to think, this was the last thing she had expected. She swallowed and tried to explain her situation to him, she needed to think about Lucien.

"You and… Tristan?" he guessed.

She nodded and placed her wrist next to Niklaus'. His eyes narrowed.

"Betrothed?"

She nodded.

"No," he said firmly. "I won't allow this."

She sighed, but she didn't have time to sign anything when he took her hands again.

"You are worried about your brother," he said. "I understand, but I can protect you both. I can take you far away from here. Please, Nadine… Come with me."

She was still very confused, but she could tell that he meant what he said. She had no idea how to reply. Apparently he interpreted her confusion as a rejection.

"You are something very special, Nadine," he murmured after a long silence. "As I said, I know that I don't deserve you. I am not a good person."

She looked at him and shook her head; she did consider him a good person. He sighed tiredly.

"No, I am not. I did something unforgivable after I became…what I am. I… I killed my mother."

Her eyes widened, he looked more than distressed when he bowed his head.

"Yes, I am a monster. I have never told that to anyone, I am not really sure why I just told you."

She should have indeed seen him as a monster, but for some reason she felt compassion. Carefully she touched his shoulder in a comforting gesture. He looked up.

"You are not repulsed by me?"

She shook her head. He was quiet for a moment and touched her cheek.

"Do you think you could consider my offer?"

She nodded. That didn't mean she would have been ready to just leave with him, but she would consider it. His lips curved into a smile and he wrapped his arms around her. Neither of them noticed that someone had heard every word he had just said. Elijah clenched his fists, he was furious. Niklaus had killed their mother. He would most certainly pay for that.

Somewhere in Northern Europe, 1 year later

Nadine bit her bottom lip and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was nervous, she couldn't deny that. Well, tonight was her wedding night, it was normal to be nervous. Her beloved husband had been more than patient with her and she was worried that he would be disappointed with her. She knew that he had been with many women. Maybe she had also been with some man, she had no idea. She couldn't remember anything about her past. When her husband and his family had found her a year ago, she hadn't remembered anything except her name. She didn't know where she came from or if she had a family. At least she had a family now. A knock on the door made her to look up.

"Hi, Rebekah," she said smiling when the beautiful redhead entered the room.

"Hello," her new sister-in-law replied. "I just wanted to see if you need some help."

"I probably do," Nadine sighed. "I…"

"You are nervous?" Rebekah said gently and walked over to her.

Nadine nodded.

"Yes. He has waited for so long and I… I don't want to disappoint him."

"Oh, sweetie," Rebekah hummed and wrapped her arm around Nadine. "That could never happen. You know he adores you, he has ever since we found you."

Nadine blushed when she remembered all the times she had caught him staring at her with his pale blue eyes. At first his attention had made her nervous, but his persistent courting had eventually softened her. He was a good man and she was sure he would be a good husband.

"Alright," Rebekah said and kissed Nadine's cheek. "Let's get you ready."