I'm back to work now so the plague induced writing extravaganza is officially over. Boo.
I did make an oops in ch28 and mentioned that Vera and Gaius were married. They weren't. Historically Julius Caesar was a lover of Cleopatra– Mark Antony was married to her. I've fixed that now.
-30-
Niklaus
They landed around four in the morning an hour outside of New Orleans. Another private airport. Klaus was surprised to note that there was no fanfare when they all exited the jet– his experience of royalty was such that they had devoted followers, well-wishers and toadys everywhere they went.
Instead, they'd all piled into two SUVs that were waiting for them. 'Gaius' drove one with Emeric, Theon, Rebekah, and Freya and the rest of them were in the second with Elijah driving.
He'd expected Emeric to have a jet full of his own servants. Shocked when it was simply one man–a man that Klaus had managed to relieve of an eye several hundred years prior.
Klaus hadn't expected Emeric to have let go of that, considering Guy Julian– Julius bloody Caesar, and wasn't that a surprise– was the King's soulbond. That was likely part of the reason for the verbal flaying that he'd received, alongside the rest of his family.
Of course, the real reason for everything that was stated on that jet was that Emeric was a King first and a big brother second.
Emeric was concerned for his sister, true, but his true allegiance was to his people– that much was clear in the way the man put his kingdom above the needs of his family time and time again. Even in Isolde's heart-warming story about Emeric's rescue when Set had ordered Isolde and Anubis' execution. Emeric had come to save his siblings– indeed.
Klaus knew better. The god of war had utilized the excuse to rally insurgents to take back the throne of Egypt.
From the moment Klaus had heard the story from the King's mouth of just how tormented Isolde had been by her imprisonment Klaus knew Emeric—knew him like he knew himself.
Regardless of the King's reasoning, fifteen hundred years was excessive punishment for Isolde taking due revenge upon those who'd murdered her son. She was a goddess, and those who'd wronged her were mere mortals. She didn't owe an explanation for doing what needed to be done.
What Kol had mentioned was likely more true than his youngest brother thought. Emeric was terrified after seeing what she was capable of even without Ra. That she'd shred through a large portion of his people and nearly killed him whilst she was at her weakest.
He didn't lock her away so long as a punishment. He did it because he was afraid of what she would become when merged with Ra.
Suffice it to say the hybrid was not at all impressed by Emeric's posturing and vicious assault on Klaus' family's character.
There was much that could be said about the King, after all, and Klaus would make his own thoughts known– just as soon as he'd finished compiling them.
More information was needed, this war in New Orleans would prove fruitful.
What better time to assess an enemy than when you are on the same side as them? For the time being, anyway.
Klaus would not allow Emeric to go without retribution. Not for the way he'd spoken to Klaus' family and certainly not for his five millennia long ill treatment of his sister– not now that Isolde was his.
His to protect. The wolf within growled and snapped in agreement. In this they were of the same mind.
He needed to gain control of the vampire race and build an army of hybrids— which was always the goal but now the motivation has changed. He no longer needed to protect himself from his family… Well, mostly. He still waited for his brother's inevitable attempt at revenge.
Nevertheless, Isolde may be happy to let the past remain in the rearview but Klaus would prove to his mate's older brother just exactly what he would not abide by. Just exactly who Klaus Mikaelson was and why he wasn't one to be trifled with.
Klaus would ensure Emeric never harmed his mate again.
Hypocrite. Klaus' mind whispered, his eyes drifting to Finn, to Elijah, to Kol.
He supposed an apology was in order. After the way Finn had defended him to Emeric earlier.
After learning all he had about Isolde's own suffering, after thinking about how badly being entombed had affected Isolde– and she'd been released millenia ago yet still suffered from the consequences of her prolonged confinement.
Perhaps… no, Klaus thought, it wasn't likely Finn would forgive him but– an attempt to mend the burnt bridge could be made.
Eventually they might reconcile. At least a bit.
And he'd have to apologize to the rest of them, too. Especially Kol– who'd been rather reasonable, docile even, since Isolde had entered their lives. Klaus harbored no illusions that his littlest brother was going to continue to be so. Eventually, Kol would spring for revenge.
Klaus needed to fix it. Because this contention between them would only weaken their family, after all, and Isolde needed them strong.
Because when they all confirmed their relationship, as Klaus knew they all intended to do, then they would be responsible for the Shade Nation as well as the Vampire's. And Isolde would likely expend no small amount of effort bringing the Vampires under her wing– such was her way, he'd noticed. To repay that diligence, Klaus would step into his role as well.
He didn't need to think about it, as Emeric and Theon had suggested. He was all in. His previous hesitations when it came to the effect Isolde would have on him and his family, the fears of her enemies and how strong they could be, were gone.
She'd suffered the same as he.
It was why she understood him so innately. Why their connection caused those fluttery feelings in his body and why he was drawn to her in a way he'd never experienced before. Isolde had lost a part of herself long ago because of the abuse of one of her blood. Bereft of all she was meant to be– Isolde had been isolated, lonely, depressed, and in pain for almost her entire life.
Klaus could relate.
He hated that he could relate.
Yet at the same time it was a relief. Finally– finally someone who understood. Who could legitimately empathize.
And she was so very strong. Enduring the monumentos suffering in her life and pushing forward regardless. Yet despite it all she remained kind, and merciful. Everything Klaus had failed to do himself as his demons clawed at him for a thousand years. Isolde had a strength of heart and mind that drew him in, and he was in awe of it. Though he would never express such maudlin sentiment.
Even if he knew she would never use it against him.
He glanced over at her where she sat in the back between him and Kol, tapping away on her phone since they'd landed in Louisiana. She was doing her best not to touch either of them, too. Remnants of her anger from hours before when Esther had died were still obvious in her body language.
She was angry with him and Kol, he knew. He'd known the moment he'd come to from having his neck broken and seen her standing there. She surprised him– her coldness. He'd come to expect her to lash out when angry with him. That's what she'd done thus far.
He didn't quite know what to do with her this way and he found himself wishing she would yell, or scream, or even attack him. That he knew how to handle. Anything but her frigid dismissal.
"Okay, sorry. Emails and texts get backed up while in the air." Isolde apologized, laying her phone in her lap. "I have something to say."
"What is it, darling?" Kol had been leaning away with his head pressed against the glass but now turned to look at their mate.
"That my brothers underestimate me is a given. In fact I love it when they do so I rarely correct their misconceptions— it serves me to let them think they win. But in the interest of transparency with the four of you; I heard everything that was said on the jet."
Klaus watched Elijah's eyes widen and flick up to meet his in the rearview, panic evident in his gaze. Klaus felt his own dread settle in the pit of his stomach.
Isolde continued without any of them speaking. "I'm not the best at magic but I do know when there's a silencing spell on a room I've walked into. And Gaius was nervous as hell, suspicious– Gaius is rarely anything but stoic. I knocked him out, flew on my own, and turned on the announcement system in reverse. Flick of a switch." She mimed flipping a switch with her finger. "Silencing spells work both ways, after all. And I am up to date on the latest in flight technology. I've been living in Virginia– not the nineteenth century."
"We get the point, love, your brothers underestimated and insulted you." Klaus said, trying to edge her along in the conversation, nervous– and hoping he wasn't giving his anxiety away.
"They really did." She huffed with a pinched frown, then waved a hand and shifted in her seat. "Anyway, that's not why I brought it up. I'd like to touch on some of the things they said."
"Please, we'd be glad to hear your side." Elijah said, making a turn behind the other SUV. Acting like he wasn't just as anxious as Klaus.
"They were right about the responsibilities of stepping into any permanent role in my life. I had wanted to wait to touch on that until after you'd met Mark. He's here in New Orleans so I was going to introduce you and advise you all to talk to him or just watch him to get an idea of things. Em and Theo jumped the gun. I don't know where all of you stand and I won't place expectations on any of you unless you've decided to take that route– I cannot and will not make that decision. It's your life."
"Well you're not getting rid of me, love." Kol stated, face hard in a way that Kol rarely was and the determination behind his brother's eyes didn't surprise Klaus. It did worry him, though. Kol had gone forward with his relationship with Isolde with reckless abandon– and Klaus wasn't certain how much thinking Kol was doing.
Isolde turned her head and looked at Kol. Klaus couldn't see the expression but he heard the light admonishment in her tone. "I'm being serious."
"As am I." And he was. Klaus met Elijah's eyes in the rearview once again.
"Meet Marcus– then make declarations." Isolde waved a hand again and looked forward, frowning. She didn't see the anger flashover Kol's expression before the youngest brother shut off his expressions and feigned indifference.
To everyone's surprise, Finn shifted. He looked over his shoulder and fixed Isolde with a quelling look, lifting a brow. "Did we not just have this conversation about choices, kærasta?"
When did Finn start using a pet name for Isolde? Klaus' jaw clenched– eyes narrowing ever so slightly at his eldest brother. And what was this conversation he spoke of? Klaus hated feeling left out, and he felt as though he'd missed quite a shift in Finn and Isolde's relationship. Likely because of Finn's proximity to her after she'd taken him from the manor the day before.
It grated. Was Finn closer to Isolde than he?
Unacceptable.
Isolde looked down, jaw ticking. Then she looked over at Kol, and Klaus could hear the apology in her voice. "I'm sorry– It seems I have a problem making choices for people. I need to work on it."
Some of the tension in Kol eased and he nodded, raising one hand and brushing Isolde's hair behind her ear. Klaus looked anywhere but the two when Kol lowered his head to kiss their mate on the forehead, his jealousy cutting through him like an enchanted blade jabbed into his chest– slow and burning.
Plans, a steady stream of them, began forming and whirring in his mind. How to get from where he was with Isolde to where he wanted to be. His brother's had pulled ahead whilst he sat in 'hand holding and light flirting' limbo.
"It can be forgiven so long as your intention is to protect us." Kol said quietly, pulling back. "But you're not going to rob us of our choices– even if you try. And we don't need protection." Klaus watched Kol smirk and wink. He lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You'll find we can be stubborn, my brothers and I."
Isolde hummed. "Is stubborn the word for it?"
Kol pulled back with a laugh, dropping his hand. Even Elijah laughed from where he sat. Klaus gave an amused half smile and looked out the window to hide his face and all the turmoil he was enduring whilst planning his next several moves from Elijah's prying eyes in the rearview.
"What was next?" Isolde wondered aloud, looking back to the front. "Oh, yes. Ra."
"Theon said Ra punishes you, that the sun harms you." Finn started from the passenger seat. They'd all been wondering about Ra, it seemed.
Isolde was nodding when Klaus returned his gaze to her, his face and thoughts now more under control. "It's part of the reason I stay far away from Egypt– Ra is strongest there. Here in the states the burn isn't as bad, but now we're in Louisiana so if I'm sizzling it's because Ra is reminding me of our blocked connection. Ra's been trying to get me to do something about it since I was removed from the tomb."
"You will… sizzle?" Elijah asked, looking at her in the mirror. "Could a daylight ring not help you?"
Isolde shrugged. "Never tried it but I doubt it will. Your issue with the sun is because of the magic that created your vampirism. Mine is because the Sun is upset with me. I don't think a daylight ring is going to cut it; and I like the reminder in any case."
"What kind of masochistic-" Klaus began, chest tightening at the thought of Isolde hurting herself for any reason, but Isolde cut him off.
"It's not masochism." She turned to look at him fully, eyes pinning him with that fierceness he admired. "It's reminding myself that I can't stay hidden forever– I'm eventually going to have to figure out how to remove the monster and accept Ra. And yes, Klaus, I have been depressed. And sorrowful. Mourning the loss of something I never had yet was always meant too. But I am not ruined. And neither are you."
Klaus's eyes widened and he felt Isolde's words sweep through his body like a rainstorm after a drought. They hit him so hard that his breath felt as though it had been knocked from his lungs and he swallowed hard, to force the sudden lump in his throat to dissipate.
He wanted to speak, to rage, to scream, to cry, to anything but simply sit there gobsmacked. But he had no words. No rage at that moment. His eyes burned as tears drew worryingly close– and if Elijah kept staring at him like that Klaus was going to flip the bloody car and disappear into the Quarter; maybe kill a few people to stave his hunger and the brutal influx of emotions.
Isolde seemed to notice his struggle because she turned away and continued speaking. "No amount of time in that tomb would've been sufficient recompense for the suffering I caused thousands of people. I deserved it," without drawing attention to it, Isolde slid one hand off her lap and laid it over his. He gripped it like a lifeline and laced his fingers with hers, feeling a small portion of his tension ease at the contact. "I shouldn't have been released so early. Emeric was justified in locking me away. He does regret it. And that's all in the past– where it will stay. It's no use dredging up old problems, especially when the people that it affected have moved past it."
But she hadn't, Klaus knew Isolde hadn't moved past it. Just like he hadn't moved past his own trauma. Even with both his parents, the cause of his suffering, now dead. Even with his hybrid side unleashed– he still battled with it. Almost daily.
Fifteen hundred years was excessive– even if Isolde didn't think it was.
Isolde pretending away the pain was only helping her internalize it. She tried to release it with her lyrics and her poetry but it wasn't working– because she was still using that method to release the pent up emotion.
He knew. He did the same with his paintings.
She was still holding his hand, and his grip tightened. He swiped his thumb over the inside of her wrist as Isolde drew in a breath to speak again.
"And the four of you are so much more than Emeric tried to make you think you are. I hope you know that. It is in suffering and strife that purpose is found… and it takes suffering to understand ineffable truths about this life that only such experience can teach you."
They were all stunned silent, and yet Isolde carried on unperturbed. Whether she noticed their shock or not, Klaus couldn't tell. She did seem determined to say her piece.
"You are more than your faults. In fact it's your faults that make you so strong. Emeric will never understand such things, because he's endured the least hardship among us Alexanders. Other than the brief few years when he was hiding in the desert with Nephthys, my brother has sat upon a gilded throne of indulgence and affluence– rarely has he crawled down off that high horse. So while many of his points were as correct as they were cutting– they don't define you. And you shouldn't take everything he says seriously. I love him, dearly. But he speaks with an arrogance he doesn't quite deserve. Geb and Nut– Father and Isis, they never meant for us to be the way Emeric has become. He's in for a reckoning. Eventually."
They pulled into the city, the voice of the gps cutting through the tension in the vehicle.
"Thank you–" Elijah said quietly from the front, "for believing in our capacity to do and be better. For thinking the way you do about us. I don't believe there's anyone in our lives that has spoken with such kindness, patience, and understanding toward us, especially after all we've done to deserve our… reputation."
"... in hindsight. We could've been nicer to people." Kol snarked, cutting through Elijah's somber statement.
Isolde snorted and shook her head. A smile on her face despite the mood in the car. They turned into a parking lot, backing into a space right beside the other SUV.
"Oh shit." Isolde sighed, bashing her head back against the headrest and groaning.
"What is it?" Klaus asked, raising a brow in her direction.
She pointed outside toward the hotel roof. A well dressed man stood looking down at them, a charming grin on his face and a full champagne flute in his hand. He gave them a two finger salute and raised his glass toward them as Elijah parked the vehicle.
"It's five in the fucking morning and Marcus is drinking on the roof– I'd say he's got bad news." She released Klaus' hand and gently pushed at his arm. "Let me out, I'm gonna punch the grin off his face."
That drew a surprised laugh out of Klaus and Kol– and Klaus reached to open the door. He, more than any of his brothers, was eager to observe Isolde interact with this non-Mikaelson soul bond.
If her lack of romantic relationship with Mark Antony– or rather Mark's disinterest in having a romantic relationship with Isolde– was not obvious, then Klaus had a great many ideas on how to rid them of the interloper. Ideas that his brothers would likely clamor over themselves help him with.
He held out his hand to help Isolde out of the car and she took it with a smile. As soon as both of her feet were on the pavement Klaus pulled her toward him until he could feel the soft curve of her against his torso. The wolf howled and Klaus fought it– even as he lowered his nose to the dip between her throat and collar. Her heart was beating wildly. He wondered if that was due to proximity or because his move had stunned her.
"Laying claim, Klaus?" She asked quietly, sarcastically, as car doors opened and slammed around them. "He's not a threat, I thought I made that clear."
"I don't know what you mean, love." He let his nose slide up the column of her throat, enjoying the way she trembled despite her tone. She was enjoying this– the same as he. "We are in enemy territory, I'm only refamiliarizing with your scent. Anything could happen, after all."
Isolde hummed, then her breathing hitched as he brushed his lips over the hollow of her ear. "As if you haven't committed my scent to memory already."
He chuckled darkly and withdrew.
"My Queen, my liege," Mark's voice broke over them and as Klaus looked up to see him bow low in Isolde's direction, the man rose and winked with a wry grin, "the apple of my eye, the yin to my yang, my favorite person in this world and every other. I'm gladdend to see you again, despite the circumstances."
"Shut up Mark," Isolde said with an exaggerated eye roll, "you're going to wake the whole hotel."
Mark sighed deeply and lifted two fingers to the v that formed between his eyes, expression pinched with profound sadness. "You didn't miss me at all, did you? You're a cruel mistress, my dear. I am hurt. Crushed. Devastated, even." He edged to the side of the building, waving a flippant hand in their direction. "It's alright, I understand. Excuse me while I fling myself from the roof. It's the least I can do."
Isolde groaned and looked up at the sky as if it had all the answers. Then she dropped her head down and looked around at everyone else in attendance. "I forgot to mention that Marcus is a drama queen."
They all turned back to look at the hotel just as Marcus actually flung himself off the roof.
Note: I took a line or two from TO- I do that a lot and forget to say. My bad.
Someone stop me. I came up with another Mikaelson/OC idea and I'm trying very hard not to start working on it. But y'all it's kinda sci-fi/fantasy themed?! It would sooo be another epic -FSO level- fic. Ugh. Stop me.