I've already spent all weekend crying (I'm PMSing and watched Queer Eye - if you've seen it, you'll understand) so I don't want to get too emotional here but I also want you to know how much this story and you guys have meant to me. It did two of the most important things that will ever happen in my life. Firstly, it proved that I am possible of finishing something. And not just any something, but something novel-length. Secondly, it helped me through the worst time of my life, which was when my mother died. I was in my second year of university and having panic attacks every other day on campus. What got me through was thinking about something else, and that something else was this story. To this day, whenever my mind wanders, it goes to Klaroline first. It's so weird and a habit I will now have to un-learn but it also saved my life.

Thank you so much for supporting this story. Thank you for every follow, for every favourite, for every review, for every message, for every nomination, for every vote; for everything. Also thank you for all the questions over the past four days, I've really enjoyed sharing my process with you guys (by the way, for the last time ever, pics related to this chapter will be up on my tumblr!).

I will miss Klaroline and I will miss you guys and this has been so so hard to let go of, but the moment has finally arrived.

I love you. Thank you for being part of this journey.

I hope you enjoy :)

EPILOGUE (PART 2)

Chapter 26: Our Dark Soul

Mouth to mouth

Gripping it close between us –

Our dark soul

Her own fangs came out.

With all her strength, she shoved Orphrys back using both hands.

The vampire stumbled, surprise in her expression.

"You're quick."

"Seriously, could we just like not fight?"

The almost translucent eyes narrowed. "You did hear the part about your head on a stick, right?"

With that she rushed at Caroline again and Caroline side-stepped her, whooshing over to take her place.

The woman stared and the blonde realised this wasn't going to work for long. Orphrys was only growing infuriated and, honestly, it was terrifying. In the dark, her eyes looked even creepier and her jaw hung open, the pearly teeth iridescent below yellowed fangs.

"I heard it. I just think there's a different way to do this. Women helping women is part of my campaign and I really believe in it; I believe –"

Her pitch was cut off when Orphrys came at her with her hand stuck out, as if to grab her heart. But, seeing it coming, Caroline stuck a backflip then caught the other woman around the neck, trying for a chokehold. But quickly she lost the upper hand and found herself speeding away as Orphrys chased.

"Here, kitty kitty kitty," she laughed, sounding manic.

Caroline almost jumped when she felt cold press into her skin.

Thankfully she realised she was just up against a wall.

She eased back as she heard Orprhys coming.

"I can hear your heart, you know," she teased, and Caroline silently cursed. "It's rather slow, actually. Did Klaus teach you that trick?"

Caroline was trying to decide whether to respond or not when suddenly the woman was right in front of her.

The blonde held up her hands and the gesture of surrender halted the other woman for long enough to let her speak.

"This is crazy! Do you get that? You're not thinking this plan through any better than you did the Kol one!"

It was about the only thing that could've made her stop. She even took a step back, considering.

"…So what are you saying? And don't preach peace to me again," she snarled.

"I'm saying," Caroline cleared her throat, "that killing the woman Klaus is in love with isn't exactly the best way to go about making him love you. I think we both know how vengeful he is."

She folded her arms. "I'd say 'love' is hyperbole."

But she was still listening.

"It doesn't matter. I'm still the person he chose to bring to his brother's wedding. First his life then his date's – things won't look very good for you."

Orphrys nibbled at her lip and for the first time Caroline saw the other part of the crazy – doe-like and undecided.

"Fine," she finally announced. "I'll let you go. But you have to leave him."

"Leave him?"

"Yes. Tell him you want nothing to do with him anymore then leave and never come back."

In the woman's eyes she saw the alternative – she'd kill her. She wanted to kill her. It was just that, for this moment, Caroline had managed to win her over with logic.

She swallowed.

"Ok."

Her eyes glowed. "And you'll say you don't love him!"

"Ok."

She was all but foaming at the mouth. "Good."

Caroline took a step forward.

"Was that all you wanted me to say to him?"

"Yes. Of course. The less, the better."

"Ok… Klaus, did you get all that?"

Orphrys' eyes rounded, looking at Caroline like she was crazy. Until a voice came from behind her.

"Loud and clear, love."

She spun as Klaus tossed Caroline one of the two stakes he'd been holding. She caught it easily and now Orphrys was looking between them both, her face twisted into derision.

"You… you were stalling."

"Yeah," Caroline shrugged. "The women helping women part was real, though. But I feel like psychopaths isn't really the place to start with that initiative anyway."

Klaus chuckled a little, his eyes lit up at the way Orphrys was squirming.

"Orphrys," he greeted. "Surely you knew this was inevitable when we next met?"

Caroline caught the older vampire glancing behind her, clearly contemplating making a run for it. The blonde prepared herself to spring forward in case she did, but Orphrys turned back to Klaus instead.

She'd been waiting for them to meet again for 650 years. It was clear she couldn't bring herself to turn and run away from this opportunity.

"Don't you see what she's doing? She's trying to tear us apart when we're the ones who should've been at that altar. We belong together."

"Oh, Orphrys," he said quietly, heavily, before speeding to stand chest to chest with her.

Lightly his finger danced over her jaw. Caroline watched as her head bowed in to his touch.

He moved closer to her ear and, over her shoulder, he met Caroline's eyes. She nodded and he continued.

"The only place you belong is hell."

She tried to move, to escape, but it was too late. Klaus had her one arm and Caroline had sped forward to grasp her other.

Almost simultaneously they drove their stakes through her – Klaus from in front and Caroline from behind – as Klaus growled one last thing into her ear.

"And, for the record, it wasn't hyperbole. I do love her."

She heard Orphrys spit blood as Klaus twisted the stake in her guts. Caroline pushed hers further into her heart and they supported her limp body for a second before letting her fall to the ground.

"Well," Klaus grinned, "that was satisfying."

"Closure?"

"Definitely," he nodded. "Valiant effort trying to save her, though."

"Thank you. And thanks for waiting until I'd finished trying."

"And finished playing with her?"

Burying a smile, she laid a kiss on his cheek before pulling away with a curious frown.

"How'd it go with Elijah?"

"As you planned, down to the letter. He told me to find and stop Orphrys, but has a hundred percent plausible deniability. Not even anyone who overheard would know what he gave us permission to do."

She sucked in a lungful of air happily.

"I love it when a plan comes together."

"And what a brilliant plan it was."

"Thanks," she grinned.

"It's almost as if an evil mastermind you know is beginning to rub off on you," he smirked.

She rolled her eyes. Trust him to try and take credit for her plan.

"Yeah, you're so right," she nodded. "I mean, she's an amazing mastermind, so obviously Katherine's crafty planning ability would begin to rub off on me sometime."

He glared at her, clearly about to rebuff, when Mia swooshed upon the scene.

She looked at the body on the ground.

"A double stake? I'm impressed."

Caroline shrugged. "She called me obtuse."

"I taught you well," Mia laughed. "I'll start digging."

"Where's my sister?" Klaus asked.

"Present," Rebekah said, also whooshing in. Except she was holding a man.

Or, more accurately, a corpse – there was a stake sticking out of his chest and veins were still crawling up his forehead.

Klaus stared. "Is that –"

"The poor idiot who got conned into bringing Orphrys as his Plus One?" Rebekah finished. "Yes."

"Alright," Mia nodded, immediately all business. "Bring him, Rebekah, I've already found somewhere that will do nicely for the grave."

With that the two women sped off with the corpses and Caroline turned to lie on Klaus' chest as she grinned.

"God, we're like Ocean's Five."

Klaus scoffed. "Elijah does not get to be counted in."

"He greenlit the whole thing!"

"Reluctantly. And only after he was pushed into a corner. It was your fantastic plan that landed a stake in the woman I searched for for far too many years. And we did all the hard work."

She looked up at him smugly. "Fantastic and brilliant? Is my evil planning turning you on?"

She giggled at the look he gave her in return and was leaning up for a kiss when Rebekah arrived back.

"Oy! You two! Wedding, remember? The reception starts in a minute and you two have toasts to make."

"Crap, right!" Caroline exclaimed, pulling away from Klaus much to his chagrin. "Outfit check."

Rebekah nodded and started inspecting the back of Caroline's dress as her own eyes swept over the front. There was no way blood or grass on her dress would get past Katherine.

Though Caroline was sure Elijah would come clean to the doppelganger at some stage, she was very sure it wouldn't be happening tonight and she wasn't about to put that in jeopardy.

Rebekah was busy dusting off grass when Caroline gasped.

"Oh no, there's a blood spot!"

Rebekah rounded to look as Caroline panicked.

Then, from inside her clutch, Rebekah calmly produced a pen roll-on.

"Here, use this."

Thanking her lucky stars that Rebekah was eerily good at getting blood out of things, she took the pen and went to work on the spot as the Originals together checked over Klaus' suit.

Having gotten rid of the spot, she stood back so Rebekah could inspect them both simultaneously.

She nodded. "All clear. Now get in there."

Caroline grinned at the hybrid and he smiled back before grabbing up her hand and speeding them inside.

Elijah was waiting just outside the reception room.

He smiled when he saw them.

"Just in time."

Caroline smiled back.

"You should know I'd never be late for something I planned, Elijah."

He laughed a little, his eyes raking over them both as he no doubt also checked for anything out of place. They joined him at the door before entering together.

"Have I mentioned that you look stunning this evening, Caroline?"

Her smile grew brighter as she met Elijah's eyes deliberately.

"Thank you, Elijah," she said, stressing each word so they both knew she was talking about more than just the compliment.

He looked amused.

"It seems that I'm drawn to women who are entirely incapable of taking no for an answer."

That made Caroline giggle. "Speaking of Katherine…"

With that she headed over to the bridal table, where Katherine sat watching the wedding guests.

"Let's not compare Katerina to Caroline," Klaus suggested, none-too-lightly.

"I don't see why not," Elijah replied, still amused. "They both won over some very cold Original hearts, did they not?"

Klaus chose not to respond.

He was surprised that his brother was in such a good mood. Then again, he supposed everything had gone swimmingly.

They stood at the edge of the hall together, watching vampires mill about as they found their seats and grabbed up as much alcohol as possible in preparation for the toasts.

"You found her…"

Klaus nodded. "And stopped her."

Elijah nodded too, sticking his hands in his pockets with a long content sigh.

There was silence for a few long moments but Klaus couldn't resist.

"How did you know?"

Elijah smiled a little. "Well, for starters, I happen to know that Caroline enjoys the concept of plausible deniability."

Klaus chuckled as they watched the blonde berate Katherine for something. Elijah turned to Klaus slightly.

"I've also witnessed the two of you, over the past three weeks, endure at keeping in touch. Be it between interviews, board meetings or – most notably – at a strip club. Be it regarding Silas or anything else, I struggle to think trust is very near the top of your and Caroline's list of concerns."

Klaus was smiling too now but his brother wasn't done.

"I had my doubts the first few years, of course. I wasn't convinced that you were able to prevent yourself from getting in the way of your own happiness."

Klaus scowled, the smile forgotten. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, brother."

Elijah only looked amused. "As the years passed, however; I was finally put at ease by realising you had learned the most important lesson there is to learn in life." His gaze drifted back to Caroline and Klaus' did too. "That you want to be loved by that woman more than anything in this world. Even revenge. You, my brother, have finally grown up."

Love is a vampire's greatest weakness. And we are not weak, Elijah. We do not feel and we do not care.

Klaus shot his brother a quick glance but ultimately couldn't keep his eyes off the young blond vampire.

She was laughing at something Katherine had said, her head thrown back. He still fell more and move in love with her smile every day.

He couldn't deny anything Elijah was saying. Nor, he realised, did he want to.

"If I were the praying type," Elijah breathed, "I would say a prayer every day for the day Caroline Forbes entered our lives."

With that his brother left him, going to join the two women.

Klaus stood for a moment longer, observing; thinking.

If he were the praying type, he'd thank God every minute of every day for her.

Klaus was looking incredibly amused at something and Caroline frowned.

"What?"

He inclined his head toward where Mia was standing.

"Elijah asked Mia to say something. It's my understanding her and Katerina have also taken to each other quite well."

Caroline raised a brow, understanding Klaus' amusement. This could be interesting.

Mia took the mic then turned to Katherine and Elijah.

"I will not draw this out, as the secret to a good marriage is very simple," she started.

Elijah looked intrigued and Katherine amused.

"My mother laid out three simple rules for me a very long time ago when I was to be married."

Here Caroline's brows arched and she noticed Klaus' expression of surprise too. The woman was truly an enigma.

"Admittedly, some of it may have gotten lost in translation or interpretation, but the gist of it was this: The man you marry must treat you exquisitely, love you endlessly, and fuck you right."

The entire hall broke out into stunned laughter as Mia shrugged, Elijah turned a hilarious shade of pink, and Katherine smirked.

"So to you, Katherine – here is hoping that you are well-treated, well-loved and well-fucked. And to you, Elijah – may the Lord have mercy on your undead soul and protect you from the both of us if you get even one of those wrong."

She winked pleasantly at her old friend, showing there was no malice in her words, and by this time even Elijah was practically rolling in laughter.

Caroline's own giggle died down pretty soon. She was up next.

She was taking a deep breath, reading the room, when she felt Klaus lightly squeeze at her elbow. He'd made enough fun of her for it to know that she was scared of getting too emotional.

She took just one more second to contain herself before rising.

"God," she smiled, as the room quieted down, "what a speech to follow. By the way, Elijah, I second that motion." Everyone laughed a little again and she forced an even bigger smile.

There's nothing to cry about, there's nothing to cry about, there's nothing to cry about.

Still, as much as her mind said it, her tear ducts began tingling. Luckily, in preparation for this exact circumstance, she'd cut her speech brutally short.

"Katherine and Elijah. You're the weirdest perfectly matched couple I've ever met in my entire life." Her gaze swept the crowd then landed on the pair, who were grinning. She grinned back. "I'm so honoured to have watched your love grow. I've learned so much. Elijah, your patience knows no bounds. Katherine, your spontaneity keeps us all on our toes. Those qualities, and so many many more, aren't just what make you terrific friends – it's also the foundation of what I know will be the most beautiful marriage. Congrats, you two."

She lifted her glass as the room awwed and toasted before Elijah and Katherine both pulled her in for hugs, which she ended very quickly so as to avoid the pooling tears actually exiting her eyes.

As if knowing exactly what she needed, Klaus cleared his throat and it immediately diverted her attention. Anxiety overcame sentiment as she wished desperately, for the thousandth time, that he'd let her read his speech.

He stood up beside her and she made to sit but he pulled her in to his side and, for a second, delight overcame her nerves.

A hush blanketed the room as soon as she passed the hybrid the mic.

"You'll get one guess who bullied me into making a speech," he said to the crowd, and they all laughed a little as he shot her a look. She laughed a little too. "She's the same person currently nearing a breakdown because I wouldn't let her pen, proofread or even glimpse my speech." She was ready to knock him in the ribs but reined herself in as he continued: "She's the same person without whom not a single iota of this would have been possible. Not just the wedding, but it all."

He was holding her eyes now and she didn't breathe, remembering what Katherine had said earlier.

You have a family of your own, Beks. Consider whether that was something you could've had a hundred years ago. The facts are the facts. You're happy because Klaus is happy. I'm happy because Elijah is happy, who's happy because Klaus is happy.

"She taught me that to love was to surrender," Klaus continued, "but not to weakness. To a different sort of strength."

"Well, everything tends to get better, the further you move away from it."

"You mean like people. And what about me, Klaus? Would you rather view me from further away?"

God. Was this entire portion of the night designed to make her cry? She bit at her lip again but Klaus nodded almost imperceptibly at her before meeting the eyes of the newlyweds as he addressed Elijah.

"I once commanded you to rid yourself of all feelings for Katerina. But you had already found that strength. Never would I have imagined, then, that today would be possible. And if I had, I certainly wouldn't have seen myself making a speech in support. And yet here I am. And, truthfully, rather ecstatic to see you quite so elated, brother. We've come a long way and now – content, stronger than ever and side by side, always and forever – God help whomever tries to cross any part of our family."

Elijah looked like he might just explode with joy.

"Hear, hear."

Caroline tried to conceal her own surprise – was Klaus' speech actually kind, poignant and thoughtful? Sure, there'd been a threat thrown in there, but it had been in protection of the couple, not directed toward them.

Her stomach churned, though, when he deliberately met the doppelganger's eyes steadily.

"Добре дошли в моето семейство, Katerina," he finished, at which Caroline couldn't contain a frown.

But a quick look at the couple told her whatever he'd said had landed well. Katherine looked almost dazed in delighted surprise and Elijah's eyes were gleaming.

"Благодаря ти," Katherine responded with a grin.

Klaus nodded and they sat. He squeezed her hand and she continued biting on her lip as she reminded herself that all eyes were on the bridal table right now – she could do nothing to convey how touched she was except to squeeze right back.

Caroline giggled as Klaus spun her to Elijah.

In turn, Katherine went to him, and that just caused even further laughter.

"Yes, seeing the two of them together is rather amusing," Elijah admitted, also staring as the blond and brunette danced their way away.

Caroline noted in surprise that they were actually speaking.

"What do you think they're talking about?"

"I have no idea," Elijah responded. "But I do know it's impolite to eavesdrop."

She rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

"Then let me in on something else?" Elijah's brow raised in question and she elaborated: "What did Klaus say to Katherine earlier?"

"Ah, you're still brushing up on your Bulgarian?"

"You know, not everyone is as multilingual as you Originals. And not everyone's married to a Bulgarian," she teased, to which he looked more than a little pleased at the reminder that Katherine was his wife now.

"He said 'Welcome to my family'."

Her eyes widened in surprise then quickly shot over the elder Original's shoulder to the hybrid, who was busy twirling Katherine. She bit away a smile before Elijah drew back her attention.

"You know, the entire wedding was absolutely breathtaking, Caroline. You outdid yourself. I only wish Elizabeth had been able to make it."

She gave Elijah the We-both-know-that's-not-what-happened look, ignoring the formal way he still spoke about her mom.

"It was more not wanting to than not being able to. She didn't exactly feel like being eaten today. Besides, she's not the biggest fan of weddings."

He smirked. "Yes, I suppose you can't raise a sceptic without being one yourself."

"Hey, I believe in marriage! I just happen to believe in divorce a little more."

"I see now why your speech was brief," he teased, and she laughed. "And why I do not have to prepare a speech of my own…"

"Oh god, don't say you're also going to give me the 'You should be next' speech."

"On the contrary." Her surprise must have been written all over her face because he continued: "My brother has a habit of taking for granted those who care for him; those he knows will always be there for him. Not allowing him to – what's the expression the youth use – lock it down is perhaps the best thing you could do for you both."

She frowned even through the desperate urge to giggle at Elijah's phrasing.

She hadn't really ever thought about it that way, but he had a point. She held her reply till he'd twirled her.

"You're saying I should keep making him work for it?"

Now he looked amused.

"I do believe that's the secret to every good relationship. Katerina makes me work for it every second of every day," he smirked.

She smiled. Didn't she know it. She'd seen the poor guy put up with more from that woman in a day than most men put up with in a lifetime, and he always looked at her like he loved her more for it.

"But she married you."

He nodded.

"Niklaus, however, is no ordinary man. His shortcomings, transgressions and general reactions to the world are those of someone who believes himself to be a god. You have always been the only one who could cut through that delusion while still managing to weigh those transgressions and reactions appropriately."

She almost broke step as they held each other's eye contact, both thinking of the hundreds of times by now that she'd had to defuse, forgive or rein in the hybrid.

She'd never again had to threaten to leave him, but she no longer had to. He could tell from her eyes when he'd gone too far, and the few times it had happened he'd immediately course-corrected.

And, a handful of times, she'd even ruled his judgements not cruel enough.

There was a spectrum, with Klaus, and it went from raining blood to apocalyptic.

His shortcomings, transgressions and general reactions to the world are those of someone who believes himself to be a god.

A god, indeed. Noah's Ark was about halfway along the spectrum.

Managing to break eye contact with Elijah, her gaze went again to the man himself as he still spoke with Katherine.

Hades, she thought, and smiled.

"Nope," Katherine grinned. "I was in Brussels."

"But he said Belgium."

"Because I told him I was going to Belgium."

"And the next day? I searched for you in Belgium."

She shrugged. "I was halfway to Russia."

Katherine joined in when Klaus couldn't help laughing.

"Impressive."

"I'm aware," she raised a brow cockily.

He smiled in spite of himself. Caroline's friendship with Katerina had only blossomed over the years, causing the two to rub off on each other in a way that gave the Mikaelson brothers countless headaches. Sometimes he could swear it was Katherine speaking when Caroline opened her mouth, or vice versa.

Which reminded him…

"Elijah compared you to Caroline earlier…"

Katherine smiled. "I'm guessing it wasn't your favourite analogy."

"Initially, no, it didn't much gain my favour."

She looked at him curiously.

"But now?"

He waited a few dance steps, considering, before responding.

"You're a formidable woman, Katherine. You certainly managed to elude me for longer than most vampires live."

"Do I get a medal?" she wondered.

"Not exactly."

Her eyes narrowed. She knew him enough to know that something was coming.

"Just spit it out, Klaus."

He almost sighed. It said far too much that that sort of reply no longer came anywhere near to riling him up. Despite their family get-togethers only occurring bi-annually, he still seemed to have become accustomed to Elijah's paramour.

"I want to offer you something else."

"Something else…?"

"An apology."

She sucked in a breath but said nothing else; just waited.

He took the opportunity.

"What you did all those years ago, it was exactly what I would've done. You survived."

In her eyes he could tell she was recalling the scene he'd create with his own hands – every single living thing on the Petrova property slain. Her entire family along with all their animals. There'd been blood everywhere.

"I'm sorry, Katherine. I slaughtered your family for no reason other than fury; revenge," he admitted calmly. "At the time I thought it reason enough – more than. Now I know better; now I understand. I can't undo it but I hope we can, finally, move past it. And that I can offer you my family in lieu of your own back. I meant what I said earlier."

They'd stopped dancing and she simply stood there, staring at him in shock. He'd never seen the doppelganger caught in this amount of surprise. It was almost comical.

His attention was drawn by a sound he knew very well: his brother clearing his throat.

He looked behind him to meet Elijah's eyes over the heads of a hundred or so vampires.

"Swap?" he asked.

It wasn't the way the dance worked – they were supposed to swap with their nearer dancers – but neither Original wanted to spend all night dancing with women they hadn't come here with.

He nodded at his brother then looked back at Katherine.

She was looking at him strangely now, like she'd never seen him before.

"Thank you, Klaus." She took a second; wet her lips. "Never, in my wildest of crazy dreams, did I ever think I'd hear you say that. It means more than you know."

"Your husband would like another dance."

She shot a glance at the brunette and blonde across the dancefloor. Then her gaze returned to Klaus, that look still in her eyes.

"Thank god for Caroline Forbes."

With that she stepped out of his arms and immediately headed towards Elijah and Caroline.

"Yes," Klaus agreed.

She was still trying to locate him on the dancefloor when she felt arms wrap around her waist.

"There you are," she smiled, leaning her back onto his chest.

He pulled her completely in to him and she felt his content smile just below her ear.

"Your speech was…"

But she didn't know a word good enough to describe how touched she'd been.

"I suppose I'm forgiven for not having it pre-approved?" he teased.

She was about to respond – and she still wanted to address what he'd said to Katherine, too – but she felt a vibration come from his pocket.

Klaus grumbled irritably before his arms retracted. She turned to see him pulling out his phone and examining the text with even more annoyance.

Then, with a sigh: "Adam says there's a slot with Nadir Beschem for Monday the –"

"Yes! Tell him to get it!"

The hybrid quickly typed the response then stared at her sceptically.

"What is the point of you keeping your phone turned off to be unreachable if your minion is just going to text me?"

She glared. "You know I've been trying to get in to meet with Nadir for months now. He would help me open so many doors."

"Very well. Just make sure that, upon you meeting, you compel him to take your appointments whenever you want them."

"Ooh, that's not a bad idea!" her eyes lit up.

Just as he was reaching for her, his phone vibrated again.

"Oh, for bloody sake…" He unlocked his phone roughly before frowning. "Now Adam says the Paris house is prepared as per your instructions."

She grinned excitedly. "Perfect."

He began typing. "I'm adding that I will be removing his hands if he texts me again."

Caroline rolled her eyes but happily started dancing with him again once he'd put his phone away. Until suddenly he frowned.

"We have a three-month vacation planned; we aren't going home to Paris. Why have you had the house prepared?"

She made a show of clearing her throat then tossed her hair back.

"Hey, did you know that Adam and Maria really like each other?"

This seemed to throw him for a loop before he worked up dismay.

"No, I didn't. Because, unlike some people, I don't get emotionally involved with my minions."

She rolled her eyes, hoping the topic was dropped, but something else occurred to him.

"Which one is Maria?"

Her eyes flashed to his. "Seriously?"

His returning look said he still had no reason to know their names and she huffed.

"The one with the really strong Chicagoan accent."

"Oh," he raised a brow, "she tore out a vampire's throat in mid-air in the battle to be considered as part of my guard."

Oh, god. Trust that to be the way Klaus identified his minions.

"Actually, I think it may have been two vampire's throats simultaneously," he seemed deep in thought.

"The point is that they're really cute together."

Immediately his eyes jumped to hers. He knew that tone.

"What have you done, love?"

"Nothing," she rolled her eyes. "I just planned a little surprise date for them."

He stared at her as he came to a standstill, his jaw all but hanging open.

"You planned… a surprise date… for our minions?" She was opening her mouth with her defence when the rest clicked into place: "Is that what our house has to do with this?"

Crap.

Just remember what you had planned for this reaction, she told herself.

She dug deep for her sweetest smile and fluttered her lashes a little.

"I just wanted to do something nice for them. Adam takes really good care of my schedule and he protects me every day, and Maria protects you too. And they're so cute together."

"You arranged a date for our minions in our house?"

He seemed to still be processing.

"Well, I thought a hotel room would be tacky. And, besides, then Maria can borrow one of my dresses."

At this, Klaus looked just about to pop a blood vessel, his mouth opening, when he froze.

He sighed, about to explain but, for once, she'd heard it too.

"You have to go."

"Apologies, love."

She pretended to be annoyed, stepping away from him with an eye roll and he shot her a smile she knew he thought to be charming before heading off the dance floor to go talk to whichever vampire had summoned him. She knew they were going to be getting an earful from the Original. In reality she was pretty pleased about the interruption. This way Klaus would feel guilty and wouldn't give her more shit about Adam and Maria's date.

Bored, though, she began wandering around aimlessly, picking up bits of conversation about the food being good here, and the cocktails being amazing there.

She smiled. There was nothing like hearing that people were enjoying one of her parties. Especially on such a huge scale and with guests as important as these.

Her mood was still abuzz with the way her pitches had landed with many of them; how several had signed on to her causes. And now the night had officially gone swimmingly. The music was great, the first dance had been perfect – even Klaus' speech had gone without a hitch.

If she was being really honest with herself, she counted Orphrys' death as coming in at way under her expected number of mortalities for this evening. She'd not been sure even the bridal party itself – consisting of five entire people – would make it through the night.

"Oh, please, you're only saying that because Klaus is nowhere near."

Caroline froze, frowning when she picked up this line of conversation. Realising it was coming from two women who'd had more than their fair share of the open bar, she instinctively hid herself behind a champagne installation.

The other woman tossed her hair. "Obviously. I happen to love my neck a lot."

"So it's true?"

"That anyone who says anything against his precious Caroline gets very dead very quick? Yeah."

The first woman did a quick glance at the room – clearly failing to spot Caroline – then leaned in a little closer.

"Did you hear about the hanging in New Orleans?"

"Of course. Marcel himself was in charge. Only person who's more obsessed with her than Klaus, I hear."

"I heard he owes her some sort of debt."

Caroline was trying to decide whether to go over there and just let them slowly cringe to death knowing she'd heard everything, or go advise them not to gossip about Caroline and Klaus at an event with Caroline and Klaus when she felt someone step up beside her.

"Eavesdropping? Really?"

She turned to Katherine with a glare. "How do you know I'm eavesdropping?"

"I wouldn't be worth the air I breathe if I didn't know that."

"Well, they're talking about me, obviously I had to listen!"

Katherine raised a brow, snuck a peek at the two women then pouted.

"God, do I miss vampire hearing. What were they saying?"

Caroline sighed. The two women were now simultaneously trying to convince the waiter they were twins and trying to get him to give them one of his shoes.

"They were talking about Klaus' reign of terror about me, or something? Specifically some hanging in New Orleans…"

"Oh, that," Katherine shrugged, beginning to check her nails.

The blonde turned on the doppelganger.

"Wait, you know about it?"

Her brow was raised again. "Everyone knows about it. Do you live under a rock?"

Caroline scoffed. "It's called having a job. And mine happens to be helping people."

She rolled her eyes. "Self-righteousness doesn't suit you."

"Everything suits you when you're hot enough."

This left Katherine speechless for a second before she smirked.

"You've been hanging out with me too much."

"That's what Klaus says too."

"Klaus, AKA your crazy boyfriend," she got back to the point at hand. "Look, Marcel got wind of some not-so-nice things going around the Quarter about you and strung the responsible parties up. In broad daylight."

Oh, god. She knew what Katherine was telling her – Marcel wouldn't do something like that without Klaus' approval.

"What? What were they saying?"

"Something about being a fake vampire, pansy, humanitarian bullshit – you know, vampires talk. Until they don't."

Caroline stared at the other woman for a good long moment, her arms folded.

"And no one thought to tell me about this?"

"Honestly, I didn't know you didn't know. Thought you two had some honesty is the best policy bullcrap going on."

She rolled her eyes. "We agreed a long time ago that if he was gonna tell me about everyone he killed, that was gonna be like eighty percent of our conversations."

This made Katherine chuckle. "Fair enough."

"No, it's not. He used that as a loophole not to tell me something about me."

"Klaus keeping a secret. Go figure."

Caroline shot the other woman a glare before sighing.

She already knew what the hybrid's reasoning would be – why worry her about corpses? Not only had he taken care of the problem, he'd nipped it in the bud. String up bodies in the daytime and nobody was likely to repeat whatever they'd been saying.

"Ooh, hubby's flagging me," Katherine noted.

Caroline followed her eyeline to see Elijah indeed waiting at a doorway with his eyes trained on them.

"What for?"

"He must've found somewhere dark and/or sexy for us," she wiggled her eyebrows, grinning.

"Seriously? You know you guys have a bedroom in the palace, right?"

"We'll get there," Katherine nodded. "Eventually."

Caroline couldn't help laughing as she looked back at the two women who were now clubbing each other over the heads with the waiter's shoes, the owner of whom was trying desperately to get the situation back in hand.

"Hey, Carebear."

Caroline turned to note with surprise that Katherine hadn't left.

"What's up?"

The brunette's hand on her arm was light – yet any contact between the two tended to mean that the moment was sincere.

"Thank you," Katherine smiled warmly. "It was perfect. Every part of it."

A grin rose to Caroline's lips and Katherine brushed her thumb over her skin twice before removing her hand again.

Usually they were friends or sometimes even sisters. But on rare instances Katherine seemed to take on a maternal instinct, and in those moments she seemed to know exactly what Caroline needed to hear.

"You know, pretty amazing that my get-out-of-jail free cards just happened to be my husband and my best friend," Katherine mused.

Caroline smiled. Only Katherine could phrase a compliment that way.

"You're welcome, Kat."

"Oh, I wasn't thanking you. I was noting how fabulous I am to draw just the right people into my life."

Caroline laughed in spite of herself but managed to roll her eyes.

"Elijah's telling you to hurry up."

"Nice try, but Elijah would rather rip to shreds all his Armani suits than rush me. But yes, I'm leaving. Go tell those two idiots they're gonna get the noose next if they don't stop making an embarrassment of themselves at my wedding."

With that, Katherine swept away, leaving Caroline in a heap of giggles.

Warm hands landed on her cold arms.

She'd been sitting at their table for the past ten minutes. Having broken up the two drunk women and directed them to their bedrooms for the night – one of whom had taken the waiter with her – she had plonked herself down here to think about everything she'd done and heard tonight.

Hundreds of guests were still partying the night away, though midnight had come and gone. She couldn't believe she'd planned all this. She couldn't believe it had gone down without a hitch. She couldn't believe Katherine and Elijah were really married.

Sometimes she still couldn't believe this was her life now.

There was work, being swept up in holidays with Klaus, and spending time with their families – hardly ever was there time for her to think about the vampire world at large. Tonight she'd gotten a taste of what it was like; what they thought of her, and it was a mixed bag – not to mention having to deal with Orphrys.

"I believe I owe you a dance."

She smiled out of habit. His voice made her smile. His touch made her warm. Literally, heat was spreading from his hands.

"That took forever," she complained, this time in earnest.

But she allowed him to pull her up and lead her onto the dancefloor. An upbeat song was playing but he gave the DJ a look and it immediately changed.

"Apologies, love. Apparently, when you return from a three-week bachelor party, everyone wants a piece of you."

She placed her lips against his chin.

"What if I wanted a piece of you?"

He smiled. "You've been drinking."

"I've been lonely," she accused.

"Where are my siblings? Mia?"

"I'd take an educated guess and say they're all off having obscene amounts of sex."

He wrinkled his nose at this but pulled her closer. She settled against his chest, breathing him in deeply.

"What did the guy want?"

She felt him exhale heavily.

"It's boring."

"You abandoned me for twenty minutes, it better damn well be some kind of interesting."

She felt his silent laugh.

"…You're aware, after a decade of service, my minions get a favour from me?"

She nodded. In addition to the sheer honour of it all, the favour was what made the deal so especially lucrative – for them. She still didn't entirely get it, but she supposed she was biased. Katherine liked to say that Caroline could get anything she wanted from Klaus with both hands tied behind her back. Especially if those hands are tied to a bedpost, Katherine had so eloquently elaborated.

"Well, about two days ago one of them called in his favour. He wanted me to negotiate forgiveness from Phillip Triasku. Apparently he had unwittingly slept with his girlfriend."

"Oh, god," she winced, already imagining where this was going.

"Exactly. Now, unaware of this, Phillip had come to ask my blessing for murdering said minion."

"And instead was smacked with the command to forgive him?"

"Precisely."

"It didn't go down well, I'm assuming."

"Two minutes was me explaining the situation at hand; eighteen minutes was him begging for me to have mercy and reconsider; place myself in his shoes."

Caroline snorted. "Did he know who he was talking to?"

"Now, now, love. Don't start complimenting me too early in the evening."

She ignored that.

"What was the result?"

"The one I wanted, of course. He left with his tail between his legs. I did suggest, however, that he attempt understanding the role the lady played."

"Vampires and their grudges," she shook her head judgementally.

He seemed amused. "You're still young, sweetheart. You're bound to make more enemies yet."

She wanted to say how could she, when he just kept killing them all behind her back, but held her tongue. She didn't want to talk about that in here. Her overhearing that conversation had made it starkly clear just how unfitting their current situation was for private discussions.

Pulling back, she met his eyes.

"You know, the vows have been exchanged. The food's been eaten, the speeches have been made, the first dance is done. Katherine even told me she loved everything." He narrowed his eyes, urging her to get to the point, and she did: "There's no reason for us to be here anymore."

His tongue, dark pink, darted out over his bottom lip.

"Love, I've been waiting all night to hear you say that."

She grinned then laid her head back onto his chest. The song was still playing, low and slow as their feet moved to the beat.

"How much longer would you like to stay?" he asked, yearning tucked into the corners of the whisper.

She breathed in deeply, relishing his scent and the moment.

"One more minute."

"Is there a reason we need to walk?" Klaus complained.

She stowed an eye roll. "Because it's an amazing night in Fontainebleu." She used their linked hands to pull him closer from where he was lagging behind. "And because this is the first time tonight we've really been alone together."

They'd made it past all the partiers who'd taken the celebration outside, leaving all noise behind. The night was crisp and quiet as they travailed the manicured lawns. It was about a ten-minute walk to their pavillon, and she needed it. Not only for the fresh air to calm down her buzz, but also so she could get confronting Klaus out of the way.

"Alright," he agreed reluctantly, before taking a deep breath. He'd also had his fair share to drink tonight. "You know, I miss the days before you knew you could tell me what to do."

She peered at him. "And when were those days, exactly?"

He glared and she giggled.

A minute passed as they walked on in silence and she nibbled at her lip. She was trying to think of a way to bring it up in a way that wouldn't cause a furore. They were both a little tipsy, things were going well and she didn't want to kill their vibe. But she also knew the rest of the night couldn't go as planned if she didn't unburden her mind.

"You were incredible tonight," he suddenly noted.

She snuck a peek at him. "Yeah?"

"Yes. You charmed them all."

"Well," she snorted, "all is a bit of an exaggeration."

He chuckled. "You mean Giorgio?"

"Actually, I meant the idiot who wanted to know what'll happen once all of humanity's problems are fixed and they decide to focus on wiping out vampires. But yeah, Giorgio was pretty annoying, too."

Klaus snorted lightly at the reminder of the dumb vampire before grimacing.

"How dare he think he had the right to question me?"

Caroline laughed a little, remembering the vampire named Giorgio asking Klaus how it was possible that he of all people supported Caroline's endeavours.

"Your answer was epic."

The wind whipped at them and Klaus pulled her closer.

"Well, Giorgio," he repeated, which made her giggle hard, "they do say karma's a bitch. I'm ecstatic Caroline is balancing out our juju."

Caroline had to hold back tears, she was laughing so hard.

"I've never before seen someone's blood drain out of their face at the word juju."

Klaus laughed too now but it definitely hadn't been his expression at the time. Giorgio had gone paler than the palest vampire because, while Klaus' mouth was saying juju, his tone and eyes had been saying Enjoy your last meal tonight.

"I was glad for the dumb questions, though," she admitted, finally having recovered from her laughing fit. "They reminded me that the pitching is actually the easy part. Getting all those vampires together and agreeing is going to be a nightmare."

He placed a kiss in her hair. "Well, love, if there's anyone who can do it, it's you. You have spent the past few years preventing Rebekah and Katerina from murdering each other on a regular basis."

"Oh my god," she laughed, "that's true!"

"And you have a natural ability to put people at ease. Giorgio's foolishness only proves that. Normally he's unable to utter a word in my presence. You made him comfortable enough to ask a question. A moronic one, but a question nonetheless."

She nodded, taking this in. After all these years, she was pretty sure she was never going to get used to Klaus' way of putting her on a pedestal.

But this time it was dampened by something else.

"Speaking of Giorgio… when is he set to die?"

"Tomorrow afternoon," he replied lightly.

She sighed heavily and he shot her a glance.

"This bothers you?"

"Is he a douchebag? Yes. Do you have to kill every single person who says a word out of line? No."

"Caroline, people are terrified of saying a word out of line precisely because others who have done the same have been dealt with. Power has to be maintained."

"Is that what New Orleans was about?"

They stopped and her hand slid from his.

He sighed, not quite meeting her eyes. "I suppose I should have known you'd find out today."

There was fire in her eyes.

"So you're not even going to try to deny that you were keeping it from me?"

Now he looked at her.

"I didn't want to start an argument that I knew wouldn't go anywhere. What was done had to be done, and you wouldn't have approved."

"You're goddamn right. And what's more, Marcel is supposed to come to me when there's something involving me."

"He comes to me when there's a tough choice to be made."

"You mean when he wants to murder some people."

He rubbed a finger over a brow.

"Yes."

She folded her arms. "You're not supposed to keep secrets, Klaus. That's how we work. I heard what Elijah said earlier. Even he knows it."

He was silent for a long moment before nodding.

"I know."

"You know I've learned to deal with your overprotectiveness but this is different, this is wrong and I'm not ok with it."

He stared at her. "Alright."

"That's it?"

"You know I'm not sorry for what I did, Caroline. But I am sorry I kept it a secret."

She chewed on her lip. There was no way in hell Klaus ever wasn't going to punish anyone who said something bad about her – she knew that. But she also wasn't accepting just his acknowledgment of the situation.

"Promise you'll handle it differently next time."

He hesitated for a second then approached her, slowly placing his hands on her hips.

"I promise."

Looking into his eyes, she knew he wasn't lying.

"Good, because tonight's itinerary so didn't involve two hours of you grovelling."

He chuckled as she pulled him along, eager to get to their room.

"Last time I checked you were quite fond of my grovelling – There's an itinerary?" he broke himself off.

She chose not to reply to that yet as they arrived at the door and she smoothly stuck the key into the lock. She pulled him into the dark foyer and he kicked the door closed behind them.

No, there wasn't really, but…

"I have a gift for you."

She could just make out his smirk.

"What a coincidence. I have a gift for you, too."

They couldn't resist. Their lips met and, though the kiss was soft, it was also leading. She had to pull herself away.

"Me first?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

She grinned happily and pulled him along till they'd reached the bedroom.

The place was – by their standards – pretty tiny. Switching on lights, she saw Klaus take in the space that was decorated nowhere near as opulently as the rest of the palace.

"It's cosy," she pointed out.

"It's a servant's quarter's," he wrinkled his nose.

She hit him. "It's seriously not that bad. And remember it's fifteen minutes away from a single other vampire."

His hand on her waist tightened. "It's perfect."

She giggled and in a second he was kissing down her neck. She let herself enjoy it for a second before forcing him to stop.

"Get my zip down."

The words made the frown on his face immediately morph into a grin. "Finally."

She rolled her eyes even as she turned so he could unzip her.

Her gaze darted over everything in the meanwhile. She hadn't been here in hours, and back then a few more things had still needed to be added to the room. But there stood the champagne bucket, and there was a little fridge she knew to be stocked with blood. In the corner stood Klaus' luggage.

The zip was undone and Klaus was unpeeling the material from her body where it stuck. Feeling his heavy breaths, Caroline swiftly stepped out of his hands.

"Thanks. Now I need you to wait."

His eyes narrowed. "Wait for what?"

"Me, obviously," she teased. "Sit there," she pointed at the armchair she'd also requested. It was wide with armrests.

"You're awfully bossy tonight, love," he teased back, already beginning to lower into the seat.

"That's part of my gift," she winked.

With that she slipped behind the partition she'd had added to the room. Behind it was everything she needed.

"So you and Matt bonded, huh?"

"Why are we talking about Matt?"

She smiled as she shimmied out of the dress.

"I was just thinking about how shocked he was about the whole strip club thing."

She listened to him chuckle as she dropped her panties then pulled on a different pair.

"Yes, well, I suppose it was a little strange."

"You mean trying to blackmail me into leaving an important week of conferences so I could come strip for you? Yeah."

"Oh, no, that part was entirely rational."

She rolled her eyes as she changed shoes.

"You were right, though, I'd do a much better job."

"I don't doubt it, sweetheart. What are you doing back there?"

Picking up the remote, she pressed play and Ariana Grande's voice burst into the room.

I've been here all night, she sang, and Caroline stepped out.

She watched Klaus' reaction closely; watched the way whatever he'd been about to say slid from his lips as his eyes took in the little cream babydoll chemise. No doubt he was already thinking about running his hands over the silk even as his eyes moved lower to her simple black panties that matched the black bow between her breasts, then down to her platform heels.

"I hope you brought your wallet," she smiled disarmingly sweetly.

She didn't give him time to respond, though. Instead she began to move, twisting and twirling to the beat before bending over so her chest was on full display. She heard him suck in a breath before she spun and pulled the same manoeuvre, this time giving him a prime view of her ass.

The beat began to build, priming for the chorus, and she turned to meet his eyes again before feeling her hands down her body, lowering his gaze on her till they landed on her hips.

Abruptly she spread her knees and squatted a little, showing the muscles in her thighs as she swung her hips side to side.

The chorus finished and she got closer to him, shaking her head when his hands immediately lifted.

"No touching."

His jaw hardened as his knuckles flexed but he dutifully kept his hands off her.

Noting the way he'd spread out on the seat just like she'd known he would, she turned then dropped down onto the little space between his legs, wriggling back so she could feel the tenting in his pants as he groaned. She continued moving her butt and bouncing, letting the music move her; inspire his torture.

Standing with a smirk, she turned back to him, noting the inferno in his eyes. Quickly she dropped down, rolling her head near his crotch as her hair swung around, before rising again just as fast. She lifted one leg onto an armrest and rolled her hips forward before doing little body rolls that had his eyes glued to her every motion.

These friends keep talking way too much Ariana sang, and Caroline smiled saucily at him before kneeling on the space between his legs. Slowly she ran her hands over her body before landing them on her hips again and rolling them side to side.

The way he was looking at her made her almost regret the no-touching rule – almost. She knew one touch would mean the end of her routine and she wanted to see it through to the end.

The last verse kicked in and she used her grip on the armrests to lift her legs up onto them as well, spreading herself wide open for him. His eyes went exactly where she wanted them to be, his tongue flicking over his lips as she lifted and dropped her hips to the beat. He looked about to snap when she hopped off him.

Bending at the hips, she brushed her lips up from beneath his collar, slowly over his jaw then up to his ear. Gently she pushed his neck down till his face was all but buried in her chest.

"Did I earn a tip?" she breathed into his ear.

His hands were lifting when she sped back off him and pressed, rolled, swayed and gyrated her way through the last chorus.

Then, as the song wound down to its last notes, she rounded the chair to place her arms on his chest from behind him. Slowly she began undoing the buttons on his shirt.

"You're incredible," he breathed, when Ariana had completely faded away.

She smiled against his ear. "Thank you. I practised."

He turned and caught her lips in a kiss so fierce, her breath was taken away. She wound her tongue into his mouth, grabbing tufts of his hair to bring him closer before pulling away with a moan.

"We need to get you out of that suit."

She was already working out all the ways they could re-enact her routine naked when he shook his head.

"No."

"…No?"

Her confusion couldn't have been more acute, especially since she could see in his eyes how much he wanted her; could see it in the tense coil of his body.

"Now it's your turn to sit, love."

She was about to ask when he tapped his own lap and her cheeks pinked. Unsure but excited, she rounded him again to sit daintily down on his lap.

"Like this?" she wondered, feeling self-conscious.

She couldn't see his eyes on her, she could only feel them boring into her back. She was so nervous that she almost jumped when he laced an arm around her and pulled her firmly onto him.

"Just like that," he nodded against her shoulder, his voice low.

"Klaus," she murmured, but didn't really have anything to follow it up with.

It was no use asking him what he was doing – she knew what he was doing. It was no use asking him to hurry – he always kept to his own pace. The only thing she could do was wait.

Wait as his mouth traversed the skin on her arms, his stubble not tickling this time but warning. Electrifying her.

"That was quite the gift, sweetheart."

She bit her lip, knowing more was coming.

Suddenly his mouth was at her neck again, both his hands on her hips.

"But you're a very bad girl."

Her throat went dry. She could feel him digging into her ass. She wanted him in so many ways all at once. The way he'd looked at her throughout her performance had her so wound up, she felt ready to burst just from his words and light touches.

"The bad girl has to sit on your lap?" she asked, her voice breathy.

They didn't role-play often, but she wasn't even sure this was that.

He nodded again. She could feel his breath on her earlobe. His fingers were winding into the material of her panties.

"Klaus," she said again, and this time it was a plea.

Slowly one of his hands moved to settle between her legs and he drew a cavalier finger up against her. She tensed up, whimpering as he applied a little more pressure and whispered into her ear about how wet she was.

God, she wanted the material gone so badly. But she'd made him suffer and now he was damn well going to repay the favour.

Why did the man she loved have to be the most vindictive one on the planet?

She tried angling her head so she could kiss him but he wouldn't let her and soon she began squirming, knowing it would make things worse for him.

"You know, the bad girl can get worse."

He chuckled breathily and she almost let out a sob when she felt air hit her dripping wet centre. Slowly, as they both watched, he dropped her panties till they dangled from her heels.

"Touch me," she demanded.

She felt his smirk against her carotid.

"I thought there was no touching."

"Klaus, I swear to god, I will –"

But she broke off into a whimper when he dug a finger deep into her then, quickly, another.

They both swore and she lifted her hips, desperate for what she knew he could give her. Her eyes closed when he began talking to her. Some of it was the French erotica poetry he'd written for her, some was just telling her what he was doing to her as he pumped and pressed then circled her clit before starting all over again.

She wanted to break down sobbing. Her body was shuddering but he was still holding it just out of her reach.

"I'm ready, please, Klaus, oh god –"

And then he was circling hotly, dedicated to the little nub as he kept her hips down with his free hand and sucked at her ear.

She came with a litany of curses, her body unravelling like hot putty against his; quaking and straining.

"Oh my god," she panted, eventually, when she felt it had passed.

She felt like a mess on top of him but she came to realise that he was desperately kissing her bare skin. That he was crazy hard beneath her and that she was nowhere near done either.

"Klaus, I want you," she said, her voice gruff.

Instantly they were up, a messy swirl of limbs heading toward the bed; kissing as they undressed him. He ripped her chemise down the middle and, though she only had the one, she didn't complain as she pulled him on top of her, rubbing him even as she ground up against him.

"Stop that, love," he grumbled, trying to swat away her hand.

"I haven't felt you in weeks," she complained, reaching down with her other hand for his balls.

For a moment he let that argument slide, moaning into her ear, before he drew back to meet her eyes.

"Nor have you felt me inside you."

It could've been his words or his eyes – maybe it was the combination of both with his tone that very clearly conveyed how he intended on ravishing her, that made her drop her hands.

He didn't waste a second. Within a blink he'd sheathed himself inside her and her nails dug into his abs as she cursed again.

Her eyes slipped closed as she bit hard on her lip. He was so hard and warm; so huge and touching all the right spots inside her, it was like she could feel each light up.

"God, I missed this," she breathed.

"Fuck, I missed these," he put his lips to her chest and she giggled, hitting him.

He thrust deep as punishment and she screamed, caught by surprise. He looked up with a smug little smile.

"I missed that even more."

She rolled her eyes. "You heard me scream."

"No," he disagreed, only growing smugger. "Over the phone you whimpered and you moaned and you said my name, but you never screamed. Must be something I can only do in person," he teased with another thrust.

"God, I hate you," she panted. "Do that again."

He grinned.

Caroline sucked harder till she felt Klaus pull away from her breast and she reluctantly began slowing down.

She figured it was vampire etiquette to stop drinking together when you were bloodsharing. But Klaus was always so damn conscious of how much he took, of the poison in his fangs, while she was obsessed with the taste of his blood.

"I want more," she complained when she pulled away.

He chuckled. It was what she'd said after she'd orgasmed for her fifth time, seconds after puncturing his bicep. He'd generously offered her his neck, which was where she'd been drinking from for the past five minutes.

She kissed him and he kissed her back till their lips felt raw.

Their bodies felt acquainted again, which was good. His skin on hers felt like home again. But even though she'd had him so many times, she wanted more.

"We have the next three months together, love," he pulled away to remind her gently, reading her mind.

Or maybe it had been the way she'd begun angling her body up…

"Fine," she pouted and he chuckled.

They both knew he was only resisting because she was exhausted. Her eyes kept falling closed and her lips were moving on autopilot. Still, her body was betraying itself because she couldn't stop wanting him.

"Remember how we said we're never spending that long apart again?"

"Would you like me to write it somewhere in my blood?" he teased.

"I definitely wouldn't mind it."

He laughed aloud at this and drew away from her to sit up against the headboard. Still wanting his skin on hers, she sat up with him, tangling her legs with his as she lay her head against his chest. He dropped a kiss into her hair.

She smiled, feeling so damn content. She was tempted to pinch herself – the wedding was over and successful, she'd garnered vampire support for her causes, for the moment all her work was on hold, and her and Klaus were finally together again.

"You know, you were incredible tonight, too." Then, before he could make it about sex: "The way you supported me."

He shifted them both so he could look at her.

"I will always support you, sweetheart."

"I know. But I also know that my causes weren't on the top of your list of favourite things originally."

He smirked, no doubt remembering the arguments they'd had.

"But you're certainly at the top of that list."

Grinning, she pulled him down for a quick kiss before frowning up at him.

"Can we go to Besançon tomorrow?"

He watched her, careful. He knew her well enough to know that there was more hidden below the surface of the question.

"You're still upset about the paintings?"

"I was never mad. I just don't get when you were planning to tell me they existed. Before carting them off to galleries, for example, would've been really nice."

He smiled lightly, an attempt to mollify her. "The gallery was part of the surprise."

"Which paintings are these, exactly?" she changed tactics, a brow lifted.

Now he seemed genuinely amused.

"Trust me, love, I would never send off anything that belongs in our bedroom."

She studied him suspiciously. "Really?"

She knew when he smiled, all dimpled, that he was totally lying.

"…Very well, there is one that skirts the line. But all the necessary is covered."

"Oh my god!"

"You'll see it tomorrow. It's tasteful, I swear."

"From now on, all works you do of me go in my safe in Switzerland."

"That's hardly fair, they're my art," he pointed out, all amusement gone.

"And my body."

"Nobody even knows it's you."

She scoffed. "The entire vampire world will know it's me!"

This time he studied her, clearly trying to find the chink in her armour.

"…How about we re-negotiate once you've seen the exhibit?"

She thought about this for a moment then sighed. She supposed it made the most sense to put off the argument, especially when she was currently trying to savour her pinch-herself moment. Besides, there was a chance that Jean's gallery was so extraordinary that she wouldn't mind.

"Fine. But nobody buys them."

He scoffed as if the very notion were insulting. "None of my pieces are ever for sale."

She rolled her eyes at that, smiling in spite of herself. He was such a narcissist, but she loved him.

She was about to suggest they pop the champagne when she realised he was looking at her strangely.

"I'm not the only one keeping secrets tonight."

"What do you mean?"

"When were you planning on telling me what Elijah said when you were dancing?"

She looked at him in surprise. "You were listening?"

He eyed her. "I'm the one who taught you how to engage in a conversation while listening to another, remember?"

She rolled her eyes.

Then: "Which part of what Elijah said would you have wanted me to tell you?"

She wasn't hiding anything that had been said – she didn't see a reason to – so she was curious to know what he thought she'd deliberately kept from him.

"The marriage part, of course."

"God. I'd much rather forget all the times I've had to talk about marriage tonight."

He raised a brow. "We were right?"

"Of course we were," she sighed, remembering the prediction they'd shared on the phone a week ago. "Your sister jumped on the topic like it was a life raft off a deserted island. Even threw your last name into it."

"When?"

"Just before the wedding."

"Ah, so that was why you were upset with me for being late," he smirked.

"No," she glared, "it wasn't. I'm always mad when you're late to my events."

"That happened one time," he pointed out, his tone deliberately soothing as he laid a kiss at the corner of her lips. "What did you say?"

She eyed him. She knew he was just trying to avoid an argument about the congressman's ball. But, ensconced in his arms, gaze and scent, she was willing to let him get away with it this time.

"Nothing, like usual. Just let her blame you."

He stared.

"You don't seem happy about it."

She sighed. "…I just think it might be time to tell the truth."

"Confessing that we're on the same page doesn't mean the prodding will stop."

"Maybe not, but I don't wanna lie to them anymore."

He surprised her by not responding, leaning back and staring at her strangely instead.

"What?"

"I'm just wondering if Elijah had it right."

"What, that I should make you work for it?"

Though his expression echoed her amusement, privately Klaus knew his brother's sentiment rang true.

He'd never tell her.

Nor would he tell her that too often he would stare at her, when she'd fallen asleep first, and wonder how it was possible that she was his. And then he would remind himself: She isn't.

She was not a sibling or a minion or a pawn. She was Caroline, unique unto herself. And he couldn't own her.

All he could do, every day, was make sure he worked so that she would stay for another day.

"No. That you have fears that relate to your parents…"

Immediately uncomfortable, Caroline began to squirm away but he held her, forcing her to make eye contact again.

"Look," she sighed, "did being a child of divorce affect me? Obviously. But I know you're not my dad; I know you won't walk away from me –"

"Do you?"

She lost her breath at the look in his eyes; completely lost her train of thought and ability to speak.

She realised, suddenly, that he hadn't just overheard. He'd taken to heart what Elijah had said; had noted her lack of denial.

Even after so long she sometimes fell into the trap of forgetting – what with his smirking, flirting and tantrum-throwing – that Klaus thought deeply and considered thoroughly. Doubly so when it had anything to do with her.

He came closer, holding her face in his hands as tenderly as he had ever.

"Caroline, you know that I'm of the opinion that what we have has no place in a courtroom; that it cannot be contained on a piece of paper. But if even the smallest part of you doesn't want to get married because it's a safeguard; because you're afraid one day I'll decide that this – you – isn't what I want, then I will marry you," he promised. "Over and over until you realise that's never going to happen. I'll say those two words to you every day if that's what it would take."

"I do."

Finally she'd managed to breathe and now he looked back at her with wide eyes as she pulled one of his hands over her mouth so she could kiss it; take another breath.

"I do know, Klaus. I know you'd never walk away from what we have."

She wasn't proud of it but she almost had, more than once. He never had.

"Not just that. I'll always want you, Caroline Forbes," he whispered; urged, pressing his forehead to hers before placing her hand over his heart. "As long as my heart beats, I will want you."

She felt breathless again, feeling the steady drum of his heart against her palm.

This was a different pledge. People stayed in crappy relationships all the time, miserable. Because divorce was a schlep or kids were involved or because they didn't want to break their spouse's heart. But he wouldn't stay because he'd promised to – he would stay because that was where he would always want to be. With her.

"Say it," he urged. "I want you. You and only you – always and forever."

Her heart was beating so fast she felt it might crack her ribs. Her mind went to the way Orphrys had made her feel; of the way she'd felt being cornered by Rebekah.

He was right. This, the way she felt in this moment, had no place in court in front of a judge. It couldn't be put onto a piece of paper. No tome could express just how safe and understood he made her feel. How much she loved him for it.

"You want me, always and forever," she breathed; whispered onto his lips.

His ears were her own personal polygraph. He'd know if she were lying; if she didn't believe it.

But she wasn't; she did.

He kissed her and she didn't move her hand from his chest. His undead invincible heart beating the soundtrack to their love, as it would forever.

To his surprise, she pulled away.

"About the marriage thing… I actually really like getting to wake up every morning and choose to be a Mikaelson," she admitted.

She could be anyone she wanted to be. But every day she chose to be part of him; part of his family.

Klaus smiled, his dimples showing. "I rather like it too. Provided that is the decision you make."

She giggled and he laughed too before kissing her again, harder.

It was beginning to escalate when somewhere below them on the bed she felt a vibration and pulled away with a roll of her eyes. Her phone was turned off in her luggage somewhere so it had to be his.

Pushing herself up, she began to dig through his clothing at the foot of the bed.

"Really?" he wondered disapprovingly. "You want me to check my phone?"

Feeling his lips at her bare back, she rolled her eyes again. It was like he was never happy unless he was distracting her.

"I don't want you to check it, I want you to put it on silent. I don't think I have to remind you about what happened the last time we fell asleep with it on the bed."

She felt Klaus' sly smile against her lower back as he no doubt recalled the night his phone had been on the bed for much the same reason it was now, and it had begun vibrating excitedly at 3am the day of an early-morning conference call. She'd woken up, thrown a fit – which had caused Klaus to throw a fit – and next thing she'd known, the two responsible vampires were nursing werewolf bites.

Eventually, after much grovelling, begging and suffering on their parts, she'd managed to talk Klaus into granting them mercy and Marcel had hand-delivered vials of Klaus' blood. Though it had ended well – despite Klaus' smile now – it had been a nightmarish day for all involved.

Finally, with a sound of triumph, she located it before handing it over and settling against his chest again.

Despite his recent disgust, she heard him checking it anyway, followed quickly by a sound of annoyance.

"The Geoff situation has escalated. I thought you had it in hand?"

Sighing heavily, she leaned up to meet his eyes.

"I spoke to him and apologised, but he said he wants an apology from you."

He frowned. "An apology from you is an apology from me."

"I tried explaining that to him –"

"How that possibly needs explanation after all this time is beyond me," he muttered irritably.

" – but he said he wants an apology straight from your mouth."

He scoffed. "That's not going to happen."

"I tried explaining that too."

"So we have to kill him?"

She shook her head in amusement.

"…I think we can probably try a few more steps before that one."

His lips curved up.

"I suppose." Now he held up his phone. "Silenced."

"Thank you," she sighed happily as he placed it on the side table.

It didn't take long, curled against his chest, for her mind to begin working overtime again. All the talk about marriage reminded her of the wedding they'd just attended; of Katherine and Elijah being so happy together. How they'd all applauded and gotten choked up.

But it was all only temporary.

At the sad little hitch in her breathing, Klaus frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she shook her head, sighing. "It's just… I feel guilty."

Klaus frowned in surprise and she rushed to explain herself.

"Katherine looked so beautiful walking down the aisle and, god, for one fleeting second… I was a little jealous. And then I remembered. Katherine's going to die." Klaus was looking at her in concern and she sniffed. "Elijah's going to get fifty happy years with her and then it's over while we ride off into the sunset for the rest of forever."

She recalled first Klaus' speech tonight then what Elijah had said to her so long ago.

She taught me that to love was to surrender, but not to weakness. To a different sort of strength. I once commanded you to rid yourself of all feelings for Katerina. But you had already found that strength.

There is only one way love cannot make you weak and that is by making the one you love as strong as you.

"That last part sounds ideal," Klaus smirked.

She glared and he smiled softly.

"I wouldn't be too concerned about it, love."

She frowned in confusion and he shrugged.

"I know my brother. Elijah never gives up on those he truly cares for. I'm sure he'll find a way to turn her."

Caroline eye's narrowed. He sounded way too confident about that.

"…You're going to help him, aren't you?"

A small smile flitted over his lips before he could help it, then he rolled his eyes.

"I killed a woman in cold blood this evening and you still think I'm one of the good guys?"

"We," she corrected. "We killed a woman in cold blood."

"Hmmm," Klaus smiled, moving closer to kiss her. "Keep talking murder to me," he whispered gruffly.

She giggled into his kisses and relaxed into the affection for a few moments before pulling away sombrely.

"You're not one of the good guys, I know that."

He settled back on his pillow, his eyes burning, and Caroline reached out a hand to place it on his jaw.

"And I love you for it," she continued. "Especially when I learned a long time ago what the 'good guys' are like."

He met her eyes, a whirl of emotions in the stormy depths of his, before he stood and headed to the ice bucket.

She couldn't help grinning, excitement coiling in her stomach, getting ready to burst.

"You're going to help him."

"Don't get so excited, love," he warned, popping the bottle. "Apparently thus far it's been dead ends all the way."

"I know, but –"

"How?" he frowned, pouring. "And how did you know there was anything to help him with?"

He came back with two glasses of champagne and she rolled her eyes as he passed her one.

"Klaus, you can't give me the passwords to Elijah's computer and then expect me not to use them."

His jaw nearly dropped.

"You snuck onto my brother's computer?" Immediately a mix of pride and affection flooded his features. "And there are people who say they don't understand your appeal to me."

"What?" she gasped. "Who says that?"

"Not to worry, love, they're dead now," he joked and she burst into laughter.

He kissed her and she let him before pulling away, full of questions.

"When were you going to tell me about this?"

"Soon. Though Elijah made me promise I wouldn't." At her raised eyebrow over the champagne flute, he elaborated: "He doesn't want you or Katherine's hopes getting up. Which, by the way, he was evidently spot on about."

"…So he asked you during the bachelor party," she inferred, to which he nodded. "Well, I'm not getting my hopes up. I just know that you'll find something. You always do. I have faith in you," she grinned, caressing his jaw.

On another sip of the Dom, things fell into place in her mind.

"That's why!"

He frowned. "Why, what?"

"Why you said the things you did to Kat. During your speech and while you were dancing. I know you, you wouldn't have bothered if she wasn't gonna be around much longer."

He stared at her for a few seconds, conflict in his eyes, before he sighed heavily.

"You weren't supposed to hear that."

She rolled her eyes. "Only you would be ashamed of apologising to someone."

"Yes, well, you should be ashamed. You eavesdropped. While on my brother's arm, no less."

She ignored that – not least because he'd been eavesdropping then, too.

She brought her face closer to his so their foreheads met.

"…I know that must have taken a lot," she said quietly. "I'm proud of you."

Another sigh escaped his lips before he kissed her, softly this time.

They met each other's eyes when he pulled away.

She didn't want to say it aloud – she knew it hadn't been his reasoning, but she was so happy he'd made that progress with her best friend. She doubted that at any point in the thousands of years ahead of them would Katherine and Klaus ever be braiding each other's hair, but this was a start.

Suddenly he frowned. "You caught what I said in my speech?"

She eyed him meanly. "Elijah told me."

As predicted, he burst into laughter, and she hit him.

"It's not funny! I'll have you know that I am fluent in French and Italian, and working on my Mandarin. Bulgarian is seriously damn difficult and I have the world's worst teacher!"

This only made him laugh harder.

"I have no problem believing that last part," he chuckled.

She rolled her eyes. Katherine had insisted on being the one to teach her, but pretty much spent all of their ten-minute lessons (because the doppelganger got bored) complaining about Bulgaria, shopping online, or snootily asking Caroline why her accent seemed to think she was learning Russian.

"Perhaps," he crawled a hand onto her waist, now having sobered, "you need a tutor?"

Immediately catching his flirty tone, she smiled.

"Hmm, depends. Is he hot?"

Nodding, he smirked. "Smoking."

"Then no," she deadpanned. "It'd be too distracting."

She laughed at his resulting expression before all amusement was wiped away when his lips were on hers punishingly as he hovered over her, pulling her hands up over her head. In one smooth move he'd placed her glass down and rolled her onto her back.

He took her breath away before pulling back with a smirk. Knowing what he had in mind, she rolled her eyes.

"Uh-uh," she shook her head. "When I wanted more, you said we had the next three months together."

"We do," he rationalised, "but we also have now."

"Now could be spent sleeping," she pointed out, totally teasing. She definitely wanted to go another round.

Their conversation had woken her up enough.

"You want to go to sleep?"

"Yip."

"Right now you want to go to sleep?" he confirmed, clearly one hundred percent aware that she was bluffing.

"Totally," she nodded, trying hard not to laugh.

"Alright," he sighed dramatically, pulling away. "I suppose your gift will just have to wait for tomorrow."

Oh god! She'd completely forgotten about his gift!

"Mikaelson!" she growled, to which he laughed. "I want my gift now!"

He looked amused but duly stood and headed to his luggage.

She used the moment to stare appreciatively at his toned back and butt. She smiled to herself before leaning over to finish the last of her champagne.

He returned to the bed with a whoosh and she immediately sat up, pulling the sheet over her chest as he re-took his spot. Finally Caroline glimpsed what he was holding.

It was a velvet box.

He offered it without a word and she took it, her breath baited.

Klaus didn't normally make a show of giving her jewellery. If anything, it was usually just casually waiting for her in her closet or on one of her flights. One time she'd gotten out of the shower and, in reaching for her towel, had found a box on top of it instead, inside which had been a diamond choker.

For him to be presenting her with something like this had to mean it was a big deal.

She was psyching herself up to open it and he seemed almost as nervous, pulling the sheet away from her to lower his head to her chest.

His lips whispered over the valley between her breasts, over her tattoo. It wasn't exactly chaste but it was still sweet, and she smiled.

Caroline breezed in through the front door, dropping her shopping as she cursorily let her hearing wander.

"Mikaelson! You home?"

The hybrid responded immediately.

"In the studio!"

She smiled as she dropped her handbag then rushed upstairs and straight into the studio where he was sitting in front of a canvas. Her eyes glanced over the painting he was busy with before she leaned down to lay a kiss on the back of his neck.

"It's coming along."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and with a sigh he squeezed her forearm.

"I'm not sure." He placed down his palette. "Perhaps I just need some inspiration."

She smiled and stepped away so he could turn to face her. He pulled her closer again.

"You were gone a long time."

She stared at him for a moment.

"I got you a surprise."

He glanced behind her with a frown. "Where is it?"

She smirked. "You have to undress me to find it."

A brow shot up – she didn't have to ask him twice.

Quickly his hands went to her back to get down the zip there before he pulled the dress up and over her head. His eyes swept over her lingerie and she saw the cogs turn in his mind: the lingerie, though stunning, wasn't new so that wasn't the surprise.

Quickly meeting her eyes for silent permission, his hands slipped to where the black lace laid at her hips, but she shook her head.

"Cold."

He was curious now, she could tell. His eyes glowed with intrigue as, slowly, his hands moved up over her waist. Her eyes fell closed at the warmth and feel of his hands. Slowly, slowly, they made their way up and she could feel her body heating up.

"Warmer," she swallowed.

Her eyes jumped open when, with a growl, he pulled her closer.

Immediately his hands jumped to her back to undo the mini bustier. Her throat felt dry as he undid it then let it float to the floor. His eyes roamed her chest wondrously before stopping, surprised, on something that definitely hadn't been there yesterday.

Seemingly without thinking, his hand rose to the space between her breasts before his eyes darted up to hers. She nodded.

The tattoo was incredibly dainty in black and white, the hummingbird captured in mid-flight.

Klaus caressed its beak then its wingspan.

"…This is mine," he realised softly.

She nodded again.

"I may have gotten the best tattoo artist on the continent, but that didn't mean I was getting anything but a Klaus Mikaelson original."

His eyes flicked to hers as he no doubt remembered a few weeks ago when she'd asked him to pen the hummingbird he'd once told her about. The one who had made him contemplate humanity again after so long. He'd sketched it and now it sat beneath her skin, nestled over her heart.

Slowly she moved forward then sat down his lap, her legs spread around him.

"Do you like it?" she asked equally as softly.

His eyes were burning and she moaned when he used his mouth to answer in a different way. His sweltering lips moved over the bird before darting to her breast and licking her nipple into his mouth.

Her head fell back as she grasped onto his shoulders for stability. Beneath one hand, under his shirt, was the triangle that represented his relationship with his siblings. Beneath the other, inked into his skin, was his tribute to her. Her nails sank into both as he bit down.

"Klaus," she complained, and he stopped, taking a second to rise to meet her eyes.

The fact that he wasn't telling her not to be nervous – her heart had been pounding against his lips – only made it worse.

"Open it," he said instead, quietly.

She nodded with a throat clear before lifting the lid.

She'd been prepared for something stunning but it still took her breath away. There, ensconced in the satin cushion's lips, sat a ring.

It was one of the most beautiful things she'd ever seen – partly because the stone in the prime spot was dark as coal.

"Oh my god," she murmured, her eyes taking in the two clear diamond discs that held up the black stone.

She wondered to whom this had once belonged.

"Are you going to tell me who you stole it from?" Caroline asked lightly.

She'd become accustomed to Klaus apparently attributing more value to the life any given piece of jewellery had had before he'd stolen it than to its cost.

"No," Klaus smirked, his own nerves seemingly temporarily forgotten. "Because it isn't stolen. I had it made for you."

Caroline screeched in surprise.

"Really?"

He nodded with a tiny smile.

She took another look at the ring now with the knowledge that it had been made specifically for her, searching for significance.

"A black diamond…"

Klaus smiled, taking in every microfacet of her reaction.

"I thought you might like it; you seem to have a penchant for us dark things."

Caroline laughed at the implication before returning her attention to the ring.

It truly was extraordinary.

She tried to remember what she'd once read about the symbolism of black diamonds.

"Black's the colour of power," she recalled, smiling. "It symbolises a love that can withstand any obstacles, I think. It's a symbol of eternal commitment," she rambled, still staring at the beauty of the ring. She bit at her lip as she remembered the part that had really stuck in her mind: "A black diamond means only death can separate them."

She remembered specifically; remembered wondering how one day she'd break the news to Matt that she wanted a black diamond, not an ordinary one.

She met Klaus' eyes, touched, to find that he was staring back at her proudly.

"I told the jeweller you'd know," he smiled, enchanted, and she blushed.

Of course he was impressed by her, when really she'd just been a teenager obsessed with engagement rings once upon a time after watching way too many episodes of Sex and the City.

Holding the ring up to the little bit of moonlight coming in through the window, she turned it this way and that. The perfectly round diamond was held up by the two silver discs, studded with clear diamonds. It was unlike anything she'd ever seen.

She was about to say as much when she noticed something on the inside of the ring and pinched her eyes closed as she swooned.

"It's engraved, isn't it? Of course it's engraved," she said with a groan.

Klaus only laughed as he waited for her to read it.

Caroline slowly pried open her eyes to see whatever perfect words he'd placed on the inside.

Your last.

"Oh my god," she murmured again, because she couldn't think of anything else to say.

I intend to be your last.

In many ways, those words were where they'd begun. Him saying them then leaving had caused her to confront her feelings. And then he'd come back and she'd been so sure they'd never end up there – here – after all.

But now that was exactly where they were. He'd stayed true to his promise.

She looked up at him, her eyes full of tears.

"I love it," she mumbled, the dam bursting as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "I love you."

He smiled a little and she swore she wasn't the only one getting emotional.

"I love you too, sweetheart."

His lips brushed over her throat, tender, as he recited the end of the Greek poem that by now she had memorised.

Oh, Muses, my guides, write an end to it: Say, This girl, this one here, she is the end of your madness.

With that he kissed her, quick and forcefully, before drawing back to pluck the ring from its box.

She was still crying and smiling uncontrollably as she stuck out her hand and he slowly placed the ring on her finger.

She stared down at it with her heart bursting. Klaus bought her too much jewellery for any of it to remain a constant – but she already knew she'd never take this one off.

He brought her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles and she smiled even harder, wondering how it was possible to love someone this much. How it was possible to be this happy in every way.

Then he was kissing her and she was kissing him back, drawing him on top of her as her fingers slid through his hair, the ring making her finger heavier in a way she was unexpectedly in love with.

A bit like them, she supposed.

He drew away for a moment, almost as if he'd heard her thought, and in that moment she thanked God for Klaus Mikaelson.

She touched his chin then his jaw; the tip of his nose. Thank you, God, for making him for me.

Then they were kissing again, smiling, as she drew herself up against him and roped her legs around him.

She'd been right, once – he wasn't her boyfriend or her lover.

The truth was much more, and at this very moment it was being transferred from the inside of the ring, etching itself onto her finger like another tattoo of their eternal love.

He wasn't her boyfriend or her lover.

He was her last.

Our furnace runs strong

Never-sated desire

But I'm not sure about that dividing line

Which is you and what's the fire

;

You came and gave

At first I wouldn't take

Still you stuck on through

;

You were brave

And you made me

You made me too

;

It is only me you trust

So it's that much to harder to destroy you

Fancy me holding your life in my hands

When you taught me what do with living things,

love

;

Their bones ground to dust beneath your

Fingertips

It horrified me, once

Then: teach me

;

Melt my gold

my soul

Melt it down – an idol

Memory is not enough

This is what you'll have left of me

;

Is it me

Have I always been this way

Or did you bring out the power

Was my heart always black or did you swallow it whole

And ink it with your mouth

Did you do it because you wanted to

Or because I pulled you close

And ripped it out

;

Now I'll take your smoke

As we stand eternally surrounded by fire

Hand in hand

Heart to heart; certain but unconcerned by what their colours are

Mouth to mouth

Gripping it close between us –

Our dark soul