Recap:
"How old are you, princess?"
"I'll make it worth your while," Talia murmured as she slowly slid one of the dress straps off her shoulders, deliberately teasing Klaus.
"Now you're talking," Klaus smirked. "I better make sure you have dressed appropriately for the weather, my love."
"You're such a turn on," Talia pouted as Klaus threw her over his shoulder and walked back into his room.
"And you love it, baby,"
Chapter 92:
At Mikaelson Mansion, Rebekah was pacing their vast dining room, while an amused Kol watching her.
"My my, that doppelganger has certainly got you all hot and bothered."
"She's a fucking bitch!" Rebekah came to a sudden stop and slammed her palms onto the marble table, the sound resounding. Kol glanced at her hands and his smirk widened.
"There is a solution, dear sister..." Kol leaned forward, "kill her and her gormless brother." Kol paused. "Actually no... kill her brother and make her watch. I don't know why you had to stop me yesterday."
"As much as I'd love that, we can't.." Rebekah closed her eyes and exhaled. "The audacity of that fucking bitch. If I remember correctly, she was the one flitting from one Salvatore to the other like the common whore she is."
"That doppelganger wench is incredibly lucky Niklaus did not hear her," Kol chuckled, "though I can't wait to tell him..."
"Tell him and you'll cause a war," Rebekah warned. "Leave it, Kol. I'll deal with her in my own way."
"As you wish, sister," Kol stood up. "Where the hell is breakfast?"
Rebekah thought about what had happened last night. Her blood began to boil.
*flashback*
"Oh, really?" Rebekah was unimpressed when Matt continued to ignore her. "Really?" Feeling annoyed, Rebekah sped in front of him, causing him to drop the empty bottle of wine.
"You could've caught that," Matt snapped.
Rebekah raised an eyebrow at his tone of voice. "What's gotten into you, Matt?"
"I can't be seen talking to you."
"What the fuck does that mean?"
"Elena sai-"
"Ah." Rebekah's eyes narrowed into slits. "No, no, Matt, let me guess. Now, that doppelbitch said you're not allowed to talk to me after what happened between Nik and Lia. Is that it?" Rebekah waited for Matt to speak. When he didn't, she chuckled softly. "Okay, she's pissed that Talia's moved in with my family?"
Matt looked moody as he began to pick up the pieces of broken glass.
"Leave that and look at me." Rebekah commanded.
Matt ignored her.
"Matt!"
Rolling his eyes, Matt looked at her. "What?"
"Why are you listening to doppelbitch?"
"Don't call her that."
"Why not?" Rebekah scoffed. "Why are you defending her?! Have you forgotten how she treated Talia?!"
"Talia deserved it!" Matt yelled. Instantly, he seemed surprised at his reaction.
"Talia deserved all that because, what, because she dared to fall in love with someone? You stood with her that day!"
"I didn't pick a side! With that someone being a Mikaelson, huh?" Matt spoke bluntly.
Rebekah was stunned at the coldness in his voice. "Wow." A tear rolled down her face and Matt's face softened. "You've changed, Matt. A... shame." Turning away, Rebekah wiped her tear and exhaled softly. "Say what you want about us Mikaelsons, but we never disown someone for falling in love."
Matt sighed and placed his hand on Rebekah's shoulder, causing her to close her eyes. "I didn't mean that. I'm not mad at Talia or you, I just- well, Elena and the others, they don't want me to-" Rebekah shrugged it off and began to walk, stopping only when she saw that Elena had walked in, followed by Damon and Caroline.
"Look what the cat dragged in," Rebekah smirked as Elena folded her arms.
"What do you want? Matt, are you okay?" Elena asked.
Before Matt could answer, Rebekah spoke. "Wow, you really are a bitch. Not gonna ask about your baby sister? She's fine, by the way. Devastated that she's been kicked out, but fine. We had a beautiful day yesterday. Christmas Day. Just family," Rebekah smirked as Elena looked uncomfortable. "Pity you weren't there, Matt. It was oh, so fun! At least Lexi and Stefan came." Rebekah glanced at Damon, who looked shocked. "Oops. Stefan didn't tell you. Haha." Rebekah looked at Elena, who was shaking, "And tomorrow night, we're having a celebratory dinner, just the Mikaelsons. Oh, Stefan and Lexi are invited, just so you know, Damon."
"What do you want?" Damon asked nonchalantly.
"Nothing you can give me." Rebekah quipped.
Caroline glanced at Elena, who was now annoyed.
"Still nothing to say to Talia?" Rebekah taunted, "no message to pass on? Not gonna ask what we're celebrating? An engagement? A new house? A pregnancy? College graduation? You won't know..."
Damon frowned as he thought.
"Talia can drop dead for all I care," Elena snarled.
Rebekah's eyes flashed and she sped at Elena, only to be pulled back by Kol. "Kol! Let me go! I'm gonna kill her!"
"Now now, sister," Kol spoke, "where's the fun in that? We'll make it slow and painful. Jeremy can join," Kol released his sister and looked at Elena, who stood defiantly. "I'll compel Jeremy to kill you, Elena. Now that would be epic! Let's move on to my favourite topic. Talia. I believe you said something about her. Dare you repeat?"
Matt and Caroline looked at each other nervously.
"Talia can drop dead for all I care," Elena repeated.
"Elena!" Damon grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her hard before Kol and Rebekah got to her. "She's still your sister!"
"Some sister she is!" Elena shook herself free from Damon's grip. "Screw her. She betrayed us all. She had the audacity to be mad at me for loving you and look and what she's done. She's a damn hypocrite and I hate her."
Kol sped at Elena and grabbed her by the throat. "No one insults Talia Saltzman and gets away with it. Do you understand?" When Elena did not respond, Kol plunged his hand in her chest. "Tell me or I'll rip your heart out."
"Leave her!" Damon was now panicking as Elena's eyes watered in shock and she began to splutter on her blood.
"Kol, don't do it," Rebekah murmured. "Talia would never forgive you. Please."
Kol growled and stared at Elena, who was losing colour. Damon was too scared to make a move, incase Kol killed her. Finally, Kol released her. "Today was your lucky day," Kol's tone was cheerful. "Rebekah and I will be off, can't say it's been fun,"
Matt was shaken up as he watched Elena cough.
*end of flashback*
Rebekah straightened up and sighed. She looked back when Elijah walked in.
"Where is Nathalia?" Elijah asked. "Where is breakfast, for that matter?"
"Talia is in the stables, with Onyx," Rebekah then smiled. "As for breakfast, Kol killed the cook yesterday. We need a new one, especially for tonight's dinner."
"She is enamoured with that horse," Elijah poured himself a drink.
"It's the most beautiful gift Klaus has given anyone," Rebekah smiled.
"Where is our dear brother?"
"Hunting."
In the woods, Klaus smirked sadistically as he put his hand deeper into a woman's chest. "Care to repeat, love?"
"I didn't me-mean to attack h-h-her!"
"We both know you're lying."
"I needed to feed!"
"Well, you did, you got a taste of her blood. And for that, you must die." Klaus pulled her heart out and watched as she began to turn grey. He dropped her heart and sped off. Seconds later, he was in the shower at home. He was furious and tried to think of all the possibilities of who could've attacked Talia. He knew she was lucky Elijah had found her. Klaus sighed when he thought about how upset she was when he had admonished her for going to the graveyard at night, all alone. Standing under the hot water, he thought about ways he could make it up to her. He thought about yesterday and chuckled softly.
In the stables, Talia smiled as she brushed Onyx's mane. She had only known the black horse for a couple of days, yet loved him as if she had known him all her life. "You're so handsome," she whispered. "Yes, you are, so so handsome." Talia giggled as the horse nudged her ever so gently. She rested her head on his neck and sighed, feeling content. "I'm so lucky to have you, you handsome fella,"
"Me or the horse?"
Talia looked up to see Klaus, who was standing in the doorway.
"Hey," Talia walked over to him and snuggled into his chest. "How was hunting?"
"You didn't answer my question," Klaus lifted Talia's chin up.
"You didn't ask mine," Talia murmured.
"I asked first, love," Klaus smiled.
"You're handsome. Onyx is handsome too."
"Oh?" Klaus feigned shock. "The horse is replacing me?"
"You're hot, Klaus," Talia smiled as she stood on her tip toes and kissed his lips. "Now... how was hunting?"
"One of the best," Klaus wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Nice to see you're showered and dressed."
"Can't wait to see you undressed and in the shower," Klaus smirked, making Talia go weak at the knees. "You better go, love, before Rebekah has both of our heads."
"Yeah, she wants this dinner party to go well."
"Actually, it's just a party,"
"Yay!" Talia smiled. She looked into Klaus's eyes and felt butterflies. "I'll see you," Talia smiled. She kissed Klaus's lips and exhaled. "You smell good. I like people who smell good."
*a couple of hours later*
After staying with Rebekah to shop, Talia was exhausted. She walked into the Mikaelson Mansion only to see Kol.
"You alright?"
"Never better," Kol winked. "Where's my sister?"
"Had to pick up something,"
"Is that a hickey?" Kol asked. He tutted. "Bad girl, doing stuff like that..."
"What, no, it's a mosquito bite," Talia pulled her jumper sleeve over her hand and placed it on her neck, feeling self-conscious.
Just then, Klaus appeared and he smiled at Talia. "What's going on? Is my stupid brother bothering you, sweetheart?"
"Oh no, nothin' like that," Talia smiled. "What's up?"
"Hello, mosquito," Kol smirked.
Talia's cheeks heated up. Klaus smiled knowingly.
"Fancy the Grill?" Kol asked.
"I have some business to attend to, with Elijah,"
"Oh?"
"Nothing to worry about, my love," Klaus walked down and kissed Talia's hand. He caressed her cheek and smiled before speeding off.
"And then there were two," Kol threw his arm around Talia's shoulders and smiled down at her. "Let's go to the Grill."
"You're paying."
"Always, darling," Kol chuckled as Talia wrapped her arm around his waist. "Hold on tight, dear,"
Seconds later, they had arrived. Just as they were about to walk in, Kol's phone buzzed. "What is it?"
"I gotta go," Kol looked conflicted, a different man to who he usually was. "I can't leave you."
"You can," Talia smiled.
"What if-"
"Kol, I'll be fine," Talia laughed, "I mean, if you stay with me, it'll be like I have a bodyguard." Talia sobered. "Seriously, go, I'll be okay. Matt is working tonight. He can keep me company, and I'll text Lex to come too."
"Sure?"
"Yeah!"
"I owe you one, sis," Kol kissed Talia's cheek and sped off.
"Sis?" Talia chuckled. When she faced the Grill, she stopped, remembered what had happened only 3 days ago. Shaking her head, she threw her shoulders back and walked into the Grill. She was surprised to see that it was not busy. Suddenly spotting a familiar mop of blond hair, Talia felt comforted. "Ma-" Talia stopped as Matt walked past her. "Hey, Matt. I-" Talia stopped again; this time, Matt turned his back against her and began to dry glasses. Exhaling, Talia watched Matt. "I can help you with that." But Talia had barely taken a step when Matt made an impatient noise. "Okay. Uh... can I get a lemonade? Please...? Please don't blank me..."
Matt closed his eyes and his eyes watered as Talia's voice cracked. He hated this. Exhaling softly, Matt painted on an emotionless mask and carried on with his job. Talia tried to order but to no avail. Matt continued to ignore Talia when she tried to order a drink. Sighing miserably, Talia looked at Lucy, the barmaid, who looked uncomfortable. "The usual please, Luce."
"I'm not allowed to serve you," Lucy was apologetic.
"Why not?" Talia asked. "I mean, I just want a lemonade. Not alcohol."
"You've been barred."
"I... what?!" Talia scoffed in disbelief. "Barred?! Whatever the heck for?!"
"Sorry," Lucy shrugged.
"But why?! Sin- since when?"
"Since... oh, since you stabbed us all in the back," Tyler spoke in a loud voice, and others stopped talking. They looked at Talia, who felt sick. She did not realise he was there.
Talia turned around and sighed. "Ty-"
"Don't talk to me." Tyler snapped.
"Okay." Talia whispered as her eyes began to sting.
Tyler kissed his teeth and stood up. "Didn't you hear what I said, you little slut?"
Talia blinked hard at his words.
"Tyler, leave her," Matt spoke. Talia looked at him and smiled gratefully. "She's not worth it." Talia's smile dropped.
"Matt, don't," Talia sighed, "not you too, please,"
Matt did not say anything.
"Let's go, Hayley," Tyler looked Talia up and down in disgust. He held his hand out and Talia watched as Hayley intertwined her fingers with his. "Come on, babe."
Talia raised her eyebrows. Babe?
"Yeah, there's this bad smell lingering," Hayley smirked as she sauntered towards Talia, "The smell is just so... awful," Hayley took care to barge into Talia's shoulder as hard as she could.
"Yeah, smells like dogs," Talia did not turn around to look at Hayley. She looked at Tyler's face; he was stunned before his face contorted in anger.
Hayley stopped walking. "What did you say?"
Talia smiled and turned around to look at Hayley, who was shaking with fury. "Smells like dog in here. Wet dog, to be specific. Actually," Talia walked towards Hayley, who faltered slightly. "Eau de Bitch... that's what it smells like... except..." Talia leaned a couple of inches closer to Hayley. "Hm... it's Eau de Bitch mixed with wolf."
Hayley snarled and pushed Talia back.
"Oh, Hayls," Talia mocked, "you're hurting my feelings."
"Say that again." Hayley threatened.
Matt scrambled for his phone before Tyler snatched it off. Stefan stood up, but Talia did not realise he too, was there.
"Say what?" Talia was not scared.
"You just made yourself an enemy for life," Hayley snarled.
"You better sleep with one eye open, bitch," Talia smiled sweetly. She looked at Hayley and her smile dropped. "I know what you did to Klaus's hybrids. You conspired with someone and planned all this..." Talia was glad to see Hayley looked slightly worried. "I wonder what Klaus would think if he finds out. Can't imagine it'll be pretty like your face... not that you're not pretty..."
Hayley lunged at Talia, but Stefan pulled her back and stood in front of her protectively. "You are a coward, letting your friend risk his life." Hayley spoke, flicking her hair back.
"I'm a coward?" Talia laughed. "Says the one who left town after killing Klaus' hybrids." Talia glanced at Stefan. "If he was bitten, he would've lived. Wanna know why? Klaus is the cure to wolf and bitch bites. Who'd save you if anything happened?"
Hayley glared at Talia. "I'll be coming back for you when there's no one to protect you and your pretty face."
Talia smirked. "Smart bitch, threatening the chosen child."
"Chosen child my ass," Hayley laughed derisively, sounding mad. She stopped laughing so suddenly and looked at Tyler. "Come on Ty, I'm bored. You can cheer me up."
Tyler walked past Talia. He exhaled as her scent hit him. He wanted her.
Once they were gone, Talia sighed. She looked at Stefan and smiled. "Thanks for jumping in."
Stefan nodded but did not smile.
"Are you okay?" Talia asked cautiously. "I miss you..."
Stefan walked away.
Talia watched him sit down at the other side of the bar. She turned to Matt. "I know... I'm barred. Don't worry, Blue eyes, I'm leaving."
"Here is your drink. Finish it and leave." Matt hesitated. "Please, Talia."
Talia was hurt. She looked at her drink and exhaled softly. "Cheers,"
*a while later*
Hoping he would reciprocate, Talia waved at Stefan, who offered a small nod. Feeling deflated, Talia turned around and stared into her drink. Her eyes began to water. She did not want anyone to assume she was crying and quickly dabbed at her eyes.
"Hey, are you okay?"
Talia turned to her left and nodded meekly, while her tears continued to fall.
"What's happened?"
"I assume you know about Klaus and me?"
"Um hm," Liz pursed her lips as she stared at Talia.
"I bet you disapprove," Talia chuckled quietly, avoiding making eye contact with the sheriff.
"It's none of my business, but honey, are you sure? I mean, it's Klaus. He doesn't have many fans."
"Neither did Damon and look at him now. People do change,"
Liz smiled before she sighed. "You remind me of Miranda and I know you're not her biological daughter, but there's something about you, something that I see in you... I used to see it in Miranda," Liz's smile fell and she looked sad. She glanced at Talia's drink and spoke, "I see you need another one,"
"Oh, that's not necessary, I should be making a move," Talia exhaled as she stood up. "Thank you though, Mrs Forbes."
"Call me Liz, silly,"
"Liz," Talia chuckled awkwardly. "Thanks."
There was a beeping noise and Liz sighed as she looked at her phone. "Damn work again, another body in the woods."
"The usual?"
Hm," Liz looked at Talia searchingly, "Honey, are you sure you're okay?"
"My friends hate me. Damon hasn't contacted me. It's a mess. But I'm made of strong stuff. After all, I'm a chosen child."
"I'll see you this evening," Liz squeezed Talia's arm and left.
Talia rubbed her eyes, sighing.
*that evening*
Klaus watched Talia as she applied her lipstick carefully. "You look ravishing,"
"Thanks," Talia smiled as she looked at Klaus's reflection in the mirror. Her smile dropped and she sighed. She did not know whether she should tell Klaus about Hayley's threats.
"You seem nervous," Klaus stood up and rubbed Talia's shoulders. "You're all knotted up. I feel it."
"And we both know why," Talia mumbled.
"You're still thinking about the Scooby gang?"
Talia chuckled quietly and put her lipstick down onto the dressing table. "I can't help it, Klaus, they're still my family,"
"Some family they turned out to be," Klaus kissed Talia's bare shoulder.
"Still hurts," Talia closed her eyes as Klaus' kisses got lower and lower. They stopped in the middle of her back. Exhaling, Talia smiled as she felt butterflies inside her stomach. "Haven't seen them for days... funny, Elena and I talked everyday... feels so weird... Jeremy is blanking my texts and Damon doesn't even talk when I call"
Klaus sighed and froze. "You sound regretful."
"I love them, Klaus, but I love you too and I'm- I just hate how things are right now. Being forced to choose between my family and you,"
"I thought you had already chosen," Klaus murmured.
Talia turned around, looked at him and felt sad. She reached out and traced his lips with her finger, making sure her manicured nail didn't drag along the delicate skin. "I have. I chose you. As for my family, they'll realise soon enough. With you, I feel like we're meant to be. I dunno how to explain it, Klaus, but it feels like it's right and natural with you. It's as natural as breathing." Talia smiled. "You and I are right, Klaus, the rest of them are wrong."
"Don't you forget that, my beautiful princess," Klaus kissed Talia's forehead.
"You've done so much for me."
"You're mine and you deserve more."
Talia smiled. The doorbell rang.
"And that's our cue." Klaus held out his hand and Talia accepted. "Ready, Miss Saltzman?"
"Yes, Mr Mikaelson,"
They talked as they walked towards the grand staircase. Talia felt at ease, being with Klaus. They walked down the staircase and Talia was surprised to see guests.
"I thought it was a dinner party," Talia murmured.
"My sister wants to celebrate us," Klaus smirked as a few of his vampire acquaintances stared at Talia, surprised.
Suddenly, Talia stopped short. "Who invited them?" Her voice was scratchy.
Klaus followed her gaze and shook with fury.
OOH WHO TURNED UP??
So sorry for the late update, I honestly got a writer's block. It was bigger than Elena being a bloody cock block between Klaus and Talia LMAO
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS CHAPTER!
WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY ARE CELEBRATING?
TEAM TALIA?
TEAM HAYLEY (IS ANYONE TEAM HAYLEY? Put your hand DOWN, Tyler)