Sorry for the wait! My cat got super sick and we didnt think he was goingto make it, but he got better and I got sick and life just hates me I guess XD but thank you to the lovely human being that messaged me and reminded me that people are waiting for me :) so here I am. Enjoy.
Chapter 21:
Klaus banged on Kol's door furiously with his knuckles. It took a few minutes of incessant knocking for Kol to finally get up and answer the door. He yanked it open and glared out at his elder brother. Klais glared back.
"What the hell are you doing, Kol? Mari is in need of comfort and reassurance, yet you hide in your room for reasons unclear to me. I'm supposed to be with my daughter. I can't stay with Mari much longer, and I do not wish to leave her alone."
"I want to be alone, Klaus. Is that so terrible?" Kol scoffed. Klaus could smell the strong scent of whiskey drifting out of the room. His scowl deepened.
"What are you hiding from, little brother? What sorrows are you trying to drown with liquor and loneliness?" He folded his arms over his chest, tapping his foot impatiently but trying to keeo his voice steady. Klaus needed to convince Kol to return to Mari soon, so he could return to Hope.
"Why must I answer to you, Niklaus?" Kol scoffed at him. "I am allowed to mourn as I please, or is that against some silly rule of yours?"
"You're not allowed to mourn when Mari was the victim, when she was the one nearly sacrificed." Klaus grabbed Kol by the collar and tried to pull him from the room, but Kol pushed back.
"I will mourn!" He snapped, eyes reddening and filling with water. "I will mourn because I have thwarted Davina's only chance at living again. After she went through hell to bring me back, Ive condemned her to a fate far worse than death in order to protect another woman. I loved Davina. I swore I would save her somehow, and yet..." He shook his head with a sigh.
"Davina isn't entirely lost. Marcel will find another way. He'll never stop looking."
"But would it be so bad to let him go through with the ritual. Yes, Mari has to die, but I could feed her my blood. If Mari is one of us, then she doesnt have to fear aging or death. She can stay with us forever. We could-"
Klaus suddenly grabbed Kol's shoulders, shoving him back up against the doorframe, eyes darkening and a low growl escaping his lips. Kol stared down at him in shock, squirming a bit, though Klaus dug his nails into Kol to hold him still.
"You will not lay a hand on Mari if you intend to sacrifice her. I will kill Marcel and every bloody witch that tries to use Mari to bring Davina back. I'll forgive you, this once, for suggesting something so idiotic. I'll blame it on your mourning." He shoved him, then retracted his nails and hands, dropping them to his side. "Stay here and drink yourself back to normal, Kol."
He left, and Kol stormed back into his room in anger, slamming the door.
Mari sat on the edge of Klaus' bed, her knees hugged to her chest. She sniffed a few times to hold back the tears that wanted to escape her eyes. There was no use in crying anymore. It was over. She was home. But she just didnt feel safe anymore. Mari genuinely believed Marcel wouldnt hurt her, but she was wrong. It shook her to her core.
Klaus finally returned to the room, but Mari was disappointed to see him come in alone. He had promised to bring Kol back with him. She had no idea where Kol had run off to or why, but she wanted to see him and thank him for saving her.
"He needs a few moments," Klaus cleared his throat, moving to sit next to her on the bed. He laid his hand on her knee, rubbing it with his thumb gently. "I cannot stay, Mari. I have to go see my daughter while she's here. The city isn't safe for her."
"Its okay," Mari nodded, "I understand, Klaus. You dont need to stay for me, but... why isn't Kol coming. Did I do something wrong?"
"No, Mari. None of this is your fault. He'll come by soon, I promise. Just give him a couple hours to handle his affairs. Will you be alright in here alone?"
"Mhm," she nodded again. "I think I'll just sleep, if thats okay."
"Of course, love. Rest." He stood lead her back on the bed, peeling back the blankets for her the pillows until she was comfortable. "I'll return as soon as I can, Mari. Until then, just sleep."
Klaus bent down to kiss her forehead, then moved to the door. Mari wasnt looking forward to being alone with her much too active thoughts, but he had a family to be with. She would never wish to keep him from his daughter. So she closed her eyes and let herself fall asleep.
Klaus was obviously distracted, even as he watched Hope waddle happily around the room, moving back and forth between him, Haley, and Elijah. It was Elijah who first broke the silence that had fallen over the room.
"What is it, Niklaus?" Elijah asked bluntly. "You seem preoccupied." Hayley lifted her head to glanced up at Klaus. He was somewhere far away for some reason.
"It is of no interest to you, brother. Do not concern yourself." Klaus sat back in the chair he was in, crossing his ankle over his knee. "I want only to enjoy what time I have with my little girl."
"Yes, but your focus is elsewhere. Did something happen?" Elijah pushed. "You've brought Mari back into the house, into your room. Why, exactly, did you?"
"Mari?" Hayley questioned, looking around at them. "Who's Mari?"
"You needn't concern yourself either, Hayley," Klais cleared his throat. Elijah frowned at his refusal to talk questions. Secrets were a grand destroyer of their family.
"Mari is the object of Kol's affections as of late," Elijah explained to Hayley. "Recently, it would seem that Klaus, too, has taken an interest in the young woman."
"That's... weird." She brought Hope into her arms and lifted her playfully before setting her down again. "So you're fighting over a girl with your own brother?"
"No," Klaus frowned. "It doesnt concern either of you. As a matter of fact, the issue at this moment is not Mari or who she intends to be with. It's Marcel."
"Marcel?" Hayley looked up at Klaus. "What did he do?"
"He went after Mari," Klaus explained, eyes fixated on Elijah. "He tried to sacrifice her in order to bring back Davina. I'm preoccupied because I'm wondering how exactly I will retaliate. Or how I can protect her when I'm away."
"I see a simple fix," Elijah shrugged. "We kill Marcel."
"No," Hayley and Klaus said in unison.
"There has to be another way."
"I'll find one," Klaus reassured Hayley. "I already have.a few ideas."