Prologue

England, 1490

Elijah looked outside through the window while having his morning tea. The spring was finally here after the long and very cold winter. People in villages had lost a lot of cattle and as the landowners that affected Elijah and his family as well. Not that they personally had much use for cattle, but famine certainly would be harmful to them. Fortunately the situation didn't seem to be that bad, at least not yet.

Niklaus was planning to negotiate with the king about giving the villagers some tax relieves until their situation would improve. Hopefully the harvest would be good this year. Elijah sighed and observed the small birds sitting on the branch behind the window; they seemed to be enjoying the morning sun. He was too lost in his thoughts to notice his brother who had just entered the library.

"I just received a very interesting message," Niklaus said.

Elijah turned to look at him.

"What kind of message?"

"From Kol. He will arrive here today."

"I see," Elijah replied, he couldn't quite understand what was so interesting about that. Kol didn't stay anywhere for long, he had always been a wanderer. Elijah hadn't seen him for few years, but that wasn't anything new.

"He is not coming alone," Niklaus added.

Elijah suppressed his urge to roll his eyes; he wondered what kind of "lovely" lady his brother had found this time. Or perhaps he would bring some kind of harem with him; that wouldn't be anything new.

"How nice," Elijah huffed and took a sip out of his teacup.

"He is bringing his wife with him," Niklaus continued.

That made Elijah almost to choke on his tea.

"Excuse me?"

Niklaus grinned.

"Yes, I was surprised as well, but that was what he wrote."

Elijah needed a moment to process this information.

"Kol have got married?"

"Yes, so it seems. I must say that I am curious to meet a woman who managed to tame our little brother."

Elijah had to admit that he was curious as well; Kol was the last person he had ever thought would get married. In fact, Kol had once said that Elijah would more likely see him wearing one of Rebekah's gowns than taking a wife. This woman had to indeed be something very special.