Celia's eyes couldn't leave the older woman face. As Esther held her speech, her mind filled with the lingering thoughts of what she recently learned. Ideas ran wild and fast in her brain, too hard to catch. Oddly self conscious, she felt the man's arm around her waist. Oddly guilty, she wanted to brush it off, but a small part of herself, one that only begun to show itself and would grow by second, wished to keep it in place. She was mesmerized by the feeling of safety his touch brought. So much that her crowded mind seemed empty. But most of all she was consumed by the strong magic that crushed into her.
Moments ago she overheard Elena and the original witch planning the deaths of vampires – and hybrid. Celia replaced her bracelet that contained her magic with the one given to her by Klaus. There was no point in over wearing accessories, not when she had the breath taking blue dress ready for her. Another gift from the big bad wolf, as her friends called him. So, she could siphon the protection spell and listen to the doppleganger's private conversation. Ever since, she tensed every time she caught sight of Klaus or one of his siblings.
She looked at the glass of champagne with the corner of her right eye. Soaked in powerful magic, the red liquid would be soon used to bind Esther's children to one another, thus resulting in their imminent deaths. She saw Elena, nervously chatting with Elijah. In a matter of seconds, she managed to spot every Mikaelson in the room, closely watched by one of her crew fellows. Once they drank the toast at the end of their mother's speech, they'd sign their own death sentence. And all that, just to kill the evil man that created such beautiful paintings, that draw the most enchanted sketches. The blonde man who bought her presents and danced with her like no other before – freely, keeping up with her, giving in the rhythm and the music as she so wished to do, but could with no other partner.
In a swift motion, she acted impulsively. Hours later, laying still dressed for the ball in her bed, Celia would try to understand and reason her behavior. She would fail, for what she did, she did solely based on what her heart dictate, the brain's desires completely ignored.
The last word of Esther's speech was her cue. Before Klaus could bring the glass to his lips, the brunette witch grabbed his wrist, pulling herself up to his face. Her left hand brought the glass between them, her right arm going around his neck. Champagne spilled on their fancy clothes, but neither found the will to be upset as Celia covered his lips with hers.
Surprised, the hybrid dropped the glass. The spell shattered along with it, much to the girl's relief. She wanted to step away, but Klaus had other plans. He regained his control and placed his hands on Celia's waist. When the brunette tried to break the kiss, he moved his left hand on the back of her neck, tangling his fingers in her hair, parting his lips, urging her to do the same. And she complied. The small, chaste perk on the lips turned into a heated kiss, that ended only when she got away to catch some air.
The girl touched her lips, shocked. A quick glance at Klaus made her already red cheeks redder, hotter. He smirked down at her with that characteristic smug expression plastered on his face. She folded her arms, adjusting the small grey shawl and left the room in a hurry before he could say anything.
Klaus found her by the horses. She smiled as she reached to pet them. The sight pinched his heart. Even though he could not see her eyes, he knew there was a kindful light in them, mirrored by the content stretched of her lips. She had this special glimmer around her when she thought no one could see her. She was herself, all doubts and insecurities tossed aside. He noticed the way she tried too hard to please everyone, changing herself and stepping on her sanity to make sure she would not disappoint. It pained him, reminded him of his human years trying to get his father to love him.
He approached and cleared his throat. Celia jumped a little, taken aback by the sudden sound. She expected no one to follow her, search for her.
"I apologise, love. I didn't mean to startle you." Klaus said in a low voice, his accent sending shivers down her spine.
"It's okay."
"You like the horses, I see."
"They're beautiful." Klaus smiled at her answer. Simple, yet he could hear a lot more behind her words. He could sense a longing in her voice for a world she dreamed of, but she thought she couldn't have.
"Indeed, they are." He stretched to pat a nearby horse, allowing a smile to form on his face. "I had one just like this one few decades ago. My father used it to get to me. He killed him to prove a point."
"I'm sorry! That's so horrible!" Celia breathed out. She turned to face him, a look of concern and sympathy clear on her face lightened up by the shining moon above.
Klaus remained silent. He was once again left to marvel at the girl's grace and gentleness, that in no way killed her wit or strength.
"I've never seen one so close before," she broke the silence, "but always wanted to learn how to ride and have my own horse to take on long walks and runs in the forest during summer time."
"That's a nice image." And after a brief pause, he added "What else?"
"Sorry?" She asked, puzzled.
"What else do you wish for?"
"Oh, uh I don't really know," the brunette witch stumbled over her words. She has yet to tell anyone about her vivid dreams, afraid they might laugh it off. With everything that happened, her romantic nature could easily seem childish and pathetic.
"Come now, love. I promise I won't judge." Klaus encouraged her, but when she bit her bottom lips instead of talking, he proceed to lighten up the mood. "Don't tell me you want to take over the world, sweetheart. I wouldn't take you as an evil mastermind." He fake gasped, making her snort, lips spreading into a wide smile.
"It's always the silent one, the one you expect the least. Right?" She joked along and they both laughed softly.
"Perhaps." He looked pointedly at her, his brows dancing above his baby blue eyes that shone bright in between the shadows cast on his face.
"I always wanted to see the world, you know. Travel all around, finding traditions and cultures, getting to learn their history, getting to do art, any kind of art." She said so dreamingly, Klaus spoke before he had a chance to think it through.
"I can take you. Whenever you want. Rome, Paris. Tokyo."
"Oh, wow," she laughed. "Ok, slow down, lover boy." Despite her distant attitude, she had to bit the inside of her cheeks to stop herself from laughing a madman laugh and crying at the sweet offer all at the same time. She also wanted more than ever – not that she wanted to before – to hug him. She restrained herself for obvious reasons.
But then her heart raced with guilt. "Klaus, listen. That kiss, it shouldn't have happened." Celia noticed the look that flashed in his eyes, his mouth twitching. He meant to say something, but she wouldn't let him.
"No, no let me finish. I have a boyfriend and..."
"Ah, yes. The young Gilbert."
"Yes, Jeremy. And I'm not a cheater."
"Of course not, love. You merely acted on your heart behalf."
"Yes. No!" She shuttered. He chuckled and give her that cute crooked smile she secretly liked too much. "I mean it, Klaus. Ok? I just had to distract you."
And just like that the hybrid's joyful time ended. He furrowed his brows and clenched his jaws to calm himself before he addressed the young woman by his side.
"What do you mean, love?"
"It's not what you think." Celia quickly added. "I, uh, how do I say this? I overheared Elena and your mother speaking."
She stopped. How does one little, undercover witch tells a thousands years old original vampire werewolf that his mother wants to kill him so much she'd also kill the entire family off?
"Yes?" Klaus pressed.
"Uh, they were plotting. Against you. And Rebekah. And Elijah, Kol, Finn. The champagne would have tie all of your life forces..."
"Thus making it possible to kill me without the white oak stake." Klaus realized. Hurt and betrayal passed through his eyes. He felt his anger boil inside him, but Celia could read the blank expression he forced on his face at that moment as he did so many times before.
She reached to hold his arm, gently caressing it. "I'm so sorry, Klaus. I really am." He put his hand over hers and she smiled kindly, only to gasp when he yanked away.
The siphoner looked after him as he walked back inside. A tug on her heart caused her to snap out of the party mood and find her way to her house. Mixed feelings, memories she'd carry with her forever and burning tears begging to be released tucked her in a dreamless sleep that night...