⚜️ Chapter Theme Song ⚜️
This is just bloody fantastic.
My siblings are all awake and so is my mother, of all people. Everyone is living rent-free in my new house and my doppelgänger has just been attacked by my sister no less. I will not have that. Seeing everyone get ready for this stupid ball mother is throwing is not helping my mood either.
"You went after Elena?" I asked marching into the living room where Elijah, Finn, Kol, and Rebekah were getting serviced in preparation for the ball. "What is wrong with you?"
"Here we go," she said with her arms across her chest. Bekah was clearly irritated. Well, so was I.
"Do you want another dagger in your heart?"
"Again with the dagger threats?" Kol asked. "Don't you have any other tricks?"
"Oh go back to staring at yourself," I said glancing back at him in irritation.
"And who are you? My father?" He asked.
"No Kol," I said. "But, you're in my house."
"Then perhaps we should go outside," he said challenging me.
"Enough." We all looked over to see my mother sizing us up. The disappointment evident in her tone. "Niklaus, come."
Reluctantly, I left a smirking Kol in the other room to follow her.
"Rebekah wasn't even out of her box one day before she tried to ruin my life." I stood opposite mother, whose back was turned, in the next room over. "What happened to peace, acceptance, family?"
She turned to face me preparing to lecture me, no doubt. "You put daggers in their hearts. You want them to go down on their knees and kiss your feet for reuniting them?"
"So it's a crime to want our family to be as we were?"
"You need to give it time, Niklaus. I've had a thousand years on the other side to be angry and to heal," she said. "I'm here to make sure this family does the same."
"I just don't understand." Regret filled my voice as I spoke. "I killed you and still you forgive me."
"It's been my dream for a thousand years that this family could be as one," she said walking closer to me. "Forgiveness is not a chore, it's a gift. Now, who are you bringing to the ball this evening?"
I sighed as a small grin began to grow on my lips. I would bring Caroline but she hates me.
"Don't be ridiculous. You're lucky I'm even going."
"Well, I wish you would reconsider," she said with a smirk. "It's going to be a magical evening."
I sighed as I picked up my phone to listen to Tyler's voicemail. I haven't seen him since he told me that he had a plan to break the sire bond and the whole ordeal with my dad.
Yeah... my dad died.
It was a lot.
Basically, dad was trying to help Tyler break his sire bond but ended up getting hurt while my boyfriend was in his wolf form. Then while dad was at the hospital, a doctor saved him with vampire blood. He was then killed by a deranged version of Alaric, my vampire slaying history teacher. Because dad abhorred the thought of becoming a vampire, he didn't complete the transition. Now that you're all caught up, you know why I'm kind of spiraling without my man here, he doesn't even know that my dad is dead.
Clicking a button on my phone, I raised it to my ear to listen.
Caroline, it's Tyler. I know I should've called sooner, I just kind of freaked out and left. But, I heard about your dad and I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, Caroline.
So he did find out.
I'm out doing what he said, I'm gonna fix myself then come home to you. I love you.
It was sweet of him to call and I loved hearing his voice. I wish he was here but I didn't have any time to think about the voicemail, because someone knocked on my door.
Opening it, there was a package and a card left on the doorstep.
Uh-oh. I had a feeling it was from a hybrid that wasn't Tyler.
My name was written in calligraphy and I took a breath before opening the envelope.
It was an invitation to a ball in honor of the Mikaelson family. I flipped the card over and read the note.
Save me a dance. Fondly, Klaus.
I scoffed. "Seriously?"
I shook my head but couldn't help the giddy feeling that crept into my chest. He gave me an expensive bracelet the first time around. What could it be this time? Opening the box, I saw this beautiful dress... that I was never going to wear. No. Absolutely not. Hell nah, I'm not even going to the ball. I crossed my arms over my chest in indignation. Fuck that.
Sigh.
Mother really did know how to throw a party. Even though I wasn't really in the mood for celebrating, I'd be a fool not to acknowledge her planning skills. Especially when she's been dead as long as I've been alive.
My attention span waned as I entertained a pretty girl before it was completely lost to the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in all my years. She confidently walked into my house as if she owned the place. This stunning beauty couldn't be anyone other than Caroline Forbes. A rare creature of light that could never be dimmed, even by me. She was wearing the dress and the bracelet I gave her. She looked radiant, a vision of elegance and grace.
I could tell she was happy to be here but her facial expression changed when she saw me. I met her halfway as she walked into the room.
"Good evening."
"I need a drink," she said immediately as she walked away. I smirked to myself.
It'll take some time but I could tell that she likes me too. Even if she doesn't want to acknowledge it.
I can't believe this. Well... maybe I can, just a little. Where am I now, you ask? Okay, you caught me. I was super irritated when Rebekah invited Matt to this stupid dance so I figured I'd attend... just to make sure he doesn't end up getting killed, of course. So here I am, dancing with Klaus at his family's ball and boy. The way he looks at me makes me feel... nope. Not even going to think about it.
"I'm glad you came," he said looking deeply into my eyes.
"Well, it was either caviar or sympathy casseroles."
"I heard about your father—
"Don't. Seriously," I said interrupting him.
"Very well." He led me around the ballroom as we danced. "On to more mannered subjects then, like how ravishing you look in that dress."
"I didn't really have time to shop."
"And the bracelet I gave you, what's your excuse for wearing that?" He asked. I could hear the teasing tone of his voice and I had to fight not to roll my eyes. I didn't really have an answer to his question though. "You know, you're quite the dancer."
"Well, I've had training." I was trying in vain not to look at him too. "I happen to be Miss Mystic Falls."
"I know," he said before passing me to Matt, my next dancing partner in this age-old waltz.
Matt and I talked... well, I interrogated him about why Rebekah invited him. Should I be judging him for coming with her though? Technically, I was here with Klaus. I mean, he is the one who invited me...
As the time for my next dance partner, I assumed I'd find myself in the arms of one of my friends or Klaus. Imagine my surprise when it was actually his younger brother, Kol.
"Caroline, I presume?"
"And you are?" I asked feigning ignorance.
"Kol Mikaelson," he said. "The most attractive sibling of the bunch. But, I've a feeling that your opinion might be biased."
I chuckled to myself, he's not wrong.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of being your dance partner at this time?" I asked, completely ignoring the rest of his statement.
"Oh, I just wanted to get to know the girl that somehow has my big brother wrapped around her baby finger."
"I do not have Klaus wrapped around my finger," I snapped.
"Interesting how you knew exactly which brother I was talking about without me saying anything."
I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Damn, he caught me.
"Well, it's still not true." I said with a huff.
"You keep telling yourself that, darling."
With that, our dance concluded and I was left to ponder over his words.
Seeing Caroline standing next to that horse brought back memories I thought I buried long ago.
"You like horses."
"I'm not talking to you until you tell me why you invited me here," she said with much attitude.
"I fancy you." She looked at me weirdly. "Is that so hard to believe?"
"Yes."
"Why?" I asked. "You're beautiful, Y-you're strong. You're full of light."
Bloody hell, am I stuttering?
"I enjoy you," I finally said.
"Well, I'm spoken for. By Tyler."
"I thought you two ended things—
"Yeah, because of you and your freaky sire bond with him," she said cutting me off. She's very bold.
"So, you aren't spoken for." Watching her reactions so plainly on her face gave me satisfaction that I'm sure she didn't miss.
"You know, uh, horses are the opposite of people. They're loyal," I said with a small laugh. "My father hunted me for a thousand years and the closest he ever came was the day he killed my favorite horse. He- He severed its neck with a sword as a warning."
"Did you ever consider sitting down with your father and talking it out?" She asked.
"I'm afraid my relationship with my father was a little more complex than yours." Why am I spilling my secrets to this woman?
She nodded. "Maybe so, but I let my father go with no regrets. And to answer your question, yes. I like horses, but I also like people and they actually like me. So, I'll be inside."
Watching her walk away knowing there might not be much I can do to change the way she feels about me actually kind of hurt. I didn't expect to like her this much and I certainly didn't expect the gifts to win her over, but I did think it would help. I'm used to getting what I want and this game of cat and mouse is driving me up a fucking wall.
After being with him during the special toast given by the original witch, yes that one, Klaus dragged me off to some unknown location in the house.
Okay so he didn't drag me there, I went willingly. Despite everything he's done, he intrigues me. Can't let it show too much though.
"So, what did you want to show me?" I asked letting the slightest hint of exasperation seep into my voice.
"One of my passions."
"Oh, impressive." I really was impressed. Sheesh, look at this painting. He did this? "I take it the curators at the Louvre aren't on vervain."
He laughed a little. Oh wow, he laughs.
"Yeah, well. That's their mistake."
"And what about these?" I asked showing him the gloves and dress that went with the bracelet he gave me, it glittered in the light on my wrist. "Where'd you steal these from?"
"Well, that's a long story. But rest assured it was worn by a princess almost as beautiful as you," he said.
I looked away rolling my eyes. I cant quite take him seriously. Looking down, I saw more drawings of different sizes depicting times in history I wasn't alive for. There was so much more to Klaus than being a monster. But, him being a monster makes it easier to hate him. I should hate him, right?
"Wait a second, did you do these?"
"Yeah," he said with a shrug. Is that modesty? Klaus gets modest? Who is he? "Um. Actually, one of my landscapes is hanging at the Hermitage, not that anyone would notice. Have you been?"
I hated that question. "I've never really been anywhere."
"I'll take you," he said. I gave him a look, not believing a word he said. "Wherever you want. Rome, Paris... Tokyo?"
"Oh wow," I couldn't help but laugh at his antics. Alas, I was about to ruin this little moment of ours. "Must be really nice to snap your fingers and get whatever you want."
I could tell that caught him off guard, the mood was quickly turning sour.
"Is that why you collect hybrids? A little servant army to take you places and bring you things?" Damn, I was kind of on a roll.
"You're making assumptions," he said.
"Then why do you need Tyler?" I asked. "Stop controlling him, give him his life back. Give him back to me."
He looked down. "You know, this has been a fun evening, but I think it's time for you to leave."
Apparently, he can't take what he dishes out.
"I get it," I said, "Your father didn't love you so you assume that no one else will either. That's why you compel people, or you sire them."
"Or you try to buy them off," I said ripping the bracelet from my wrist and throwing it onto the floor. "But that's not how it works. You don't connect with people because you don't even try to understand them."
With that, I walked away. My night with Klaus was officially over. Hopefully what I said will affect him somehow. Make him think before he acts.
By the time I got home, I was irritated and a little sad. The only person I really wanted to talk to wasn't here.
Picking up my phone, I called him.
"Tyler it's me. Look, I'm grateful for what you're doing. But, I miss you and I really wish you were here..."
I didn't know what else to say so I just hung up. Looking into the mirror on my vanity, I saw another velvet box from Klaus on my bed.
"Seriously?" I scoffed. "Just give up already."
Opening the package, in a slight hurry, I wondered what it could be. Was he returning my bracelet? It was actually very pretty and I kind of wanted it back.
What I did see shocked me. It was a beautiful drawing of me and what I assumed was his favorite horse. My resolve started to break when I read the words at the bottom of the page.
Thank you for your honesty.
Klaus.
ns 172.70.34.26da2
