❝Lift me up like my knight and shining armor, or like my demons coming for me; just don't drop me❞
•

"What is Esther even doing alive? Didn't Klaus rip her heart out or something? Shouldn't she be a bag of bones?" I asked as we sat in Elena's dining room. So, recently, Esther was the one in the magical coffin that Klaus wanted so badly.

"I don't know. I'm guessing she has a couple of connections in the witching community." I snorted at Elena's words, "Elijah said that she wants to live in peace with her family, including Klaus."

"Is that a joke?" I chuckled, swinging my legs back and forth as I sat on the counter. I look at the Salvatore brothers and see they both have brooding faces that are filled with disappointment.

"She was supposed to be the weapon to kill Klaus." Stefan huffed angrily.

"Yeah, well, not anymore." Elena responded, "At least, not according to Elijah."

"I really thought that coffin would be like some big master plan to blow up all originals." I pouted, stepping in.

"That coffin was the only thing stopping Klaus from tearing us to shreds."

"And now, we're going to be chopped up into bits instead." I chimed in, but Damon glared my way.

"Anyone else feeling a bit used right now?" He asked and I raised my hand high. I chose to ignore that everyone blamed my sister for the deaths around her and the attempted death on Ric, and focus on how the whole original family is in Mystic Falls once more.

"Look, Elijah promised me that his family wouldn't hurt any of us. I believe him." She stated and I fake a cough.

"Um, did he happen to used the words; I give you my word. If so, that means there is some sketchy things going on." I shrug, before someone knocks at the door. Elena looks at all of us, before walking towards the door, with of course, dumb and dumber trailing along.

I hop off the counter and follow behind and see Elena pick up an envelope. It had her name written on it in nice script as she opened it.

"What is it?" I asked, walking up to her.

"An invitation." She said before reading off the card, "'Please join the Mikaelson family this evening at seven o'clock for dancing, cocktails, and celebration.'"

"Who the hell are the Mikaelsons?" Stefan asked, confused as the rest of us.

"The original family."

"It's not bad enough they're moving into town. Now they want a housewarming gift?" Damon retorted as Elena flipped the card over.

"There's a note on the back; 'Elena, I think it's time we finally meet. Esther'."

•
•

I put my car in park, sighing as I get out when I see Klaus at my doorstep. "It's like you enjoy my misery."

"No, not really. I just enjoy how cute you look when you're frustrated, sweetheart." He smirked, but I rolled my eyes.

"What do you want, Klaus?" I asked, not really caring at this point.

"I've come barring gifts." He held out a creme invitation with my name on it, "To my family's ball this evening."

"I don't have a dress, so thanks, but no thanks." I tried to walk past him, but he stood in front of me once more.

"I already got you a dress." He says, pointing to the box that sat beside him and I scoffed, "Is that a no?"

"When it comes to you, yes."

"I'm turning over a new leaf, though." He smiled, but I look at him questioningly. I wanted to go to this ball thing, secretly and here Klaus was, handing it to me on a platter. Of course, I still don't trust him. He's Klaus; the big and bad hybrid who would kill my friends in a blink of an eye. It's just confusing on why he wants me to come and why he came to my house to give it to me personally. "Just think about it." He placed the invitation in my hands, making me glance at it.

I sighed, giving in, "Fine. Just stop calling me sweetheart."

"Do you prefer love or cupcake?"

"Do you prefer me not going to the ball at all?" He just chuckles as he walks down the stairs.

"You'll go either way, sweetheart."

I roll my eyes, "Why are you inviting me anyways?"

"Because my mother said I should bring someone." He smiled, "You were the first I thought of."

"Why, because I wasn't on the 'let's dagger Klaus and kill him' plan?" I asked!

"No." He responded, "I had high hopes you wouldn't turn me down."

He began walking away, but I stopped him, "What if I did?"

"You wouldn't because I'm very persistent." He laughed, turning back to me. "And because I'm irresistibly attractive."

"Goodbye Klaus." I groaned, picking up the box. When I look back to where he was, he was gone. I walk inside the house and go upstairs to my room, placing the invite and box on my bed.

I open the invite first, reading the same words that was on Elena's card, although when I flip it over, it's a side note from Klaus, saying:

Save me a dance, sweetheart

I cringe at the nickname, still not used to it, but I put down the card and hesitantly place my hands over the light blue box that had a shiny white ribbon on top.

I huff and open the box with ease, seeing it was navy blue and that the top was a round neck that had white fading into a dark blue. I immediately closed the box.

He's just using me. He's just trying to get under my skin and destroy all my friends, one by one, including me. I can't let him.

I move the box to the end of the bed and walk into my bathroom, really hoping it would just disappear into thin air. But then, I realize about how everyone else is going Klaus and his family might plot something to hurt them. What if I'm not there to help them?

I look back at neatly put box and walk over to it, ignoring my conscious as it screams to walk away. But it's my friends. I can't just sit here.

I took the dress, which is absolutely beautiful, out of the box and onto my bed, ready for tonight.

•
•

I sigh as I double check for my chinese dagger in my purse, along with my phone. I walk up to the big mansion of a house and ring the doorbell, holding my dress in my hands.

The door opens and I walk inside, only to have a dark haired guy walk up to me. "Welcome to the party." His accent was deep as he took ahold of my hand, reminding me of Klaus. "I'm Kol. Kol Mikaelson. And you must be?"

"Rowan." I say and he smiled, kissing my hand. And of course, he's Klaus' brother. The fourth one from hell.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Rowan." I only smile at him, unsure of what to say.

"If you'll excuse me, I have to see if my friends are here." I stated and he nodded, curtly.

"If I see you later." He smirked and I walked away, seeing Caroline not far. She wore a nice long blue silk dress with her hair in an updo.

"Hey, Ro! You look so pretty." She complemented, "Where did you get this?"

"The devil himself. Who else?" Her eyes widened at my words, "It was last minute and I couldn't find a dress, so this was the only option."

"This seems sketchy. All too sketchy." She said before we were all sent into towards the stairs where the originals stood. I look at them and realize the guy I talked to earlier was one of them. It didn't make sense though.

"Welcome." Elijah spoke, "Thank you for joining us. You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with as dance." Esther walks down the stairs and joins them. "Tonight's pick is a centuries-old waltz, so if all of you could please find ourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom."

I walk towards the ballroom, feeling an arm tug me back slightly, "Would you like to dance, Rowan? It is tradition?" Kol asked.

"Okay." I gulp and we continued walking to the ballroom.

"Kol, what are doing?" Klaus's voice boomed and a smirk spread on Kol's lips.

"About to go dance." Kol said simply, but Klaus glared.

"This isn't your date." Klaus warned, "You should have invited your own."

"Well, I would have if I could. But being trapped in a stuffy box for years, seemed to ruin those plans." Kol retorted, "And Rowan doesn't mind dancing with me. Do you, Rowan?" He turned to me, but I still felt Klaus's cold eyes on us. I shouldn't be nervous of what Klaus thinks. It's not like we're dating. I shook my head no, so Kol takes my hand and pulls me out onto the dancefloor where everyone began to waltz. He places one hand on my lower and grabs my hand as we waltz behind Damon and Elena.

"So, I'm guessing you and Klaus aren't on the best terms." I glance at him and he chuckled.

"Yes, especially when it comes to what we find interest in." He winks at me at me and I held my blush. We switch to the other side of room and I felt Klaus's eyes burn into the side of my head. I look in his direction, but Kol twirls me before I could catch a glimpse. We dance in circles as he stares at me, "Did Klaus get you that?"

"Yeah." I responded and he nodded.

"You must be very special to Klaus then." He smirked. Before I got to ask a question, he turned me around and I ran into another body.

Klaus.

"Hello, sweetheart." He smiled, his hand landing on my waist. "I never got a chances to tell you how beautiful you look. I didn't think you'd come or wear the dress I gave you, at the least."

"Well, it was last minute decisions." I sighed, as he twirled me around, making our chest collide. "Trust me, I would still be at home or with Dylan."

"Speaking of, where is he?"

"With his dad. Didn't want to bring him to a event crowded with vampires." I mumbled and he chuckled.

We danced around swiftly and he smiled, "You are very good on your feet."

"Well, I've been to many dances." I sighed, looking around and seeing Stefan and Elena walk away. "So, what's with your brother Kol?"

"Why? Did he say something? Did he hurt you?" He bombarded with questions.

"He did nothing, Klaus. Don't worry." I chuckled softly. He acts very protective at moments when it involves other people, but it's okay for him to harm me, "I don't see why you would anyways."

"Why do you say that?"

"Hm, I don't know. Maybe because you made Stefan bite me and almost kill me." I shot back and he let's out a low laugh.

"Let the past be the past." He sighed, twirling me again.

"I wish I could, but since I went to Chicago, I've change. And you're the only one I could blame." I huffed, and he looked at me confused, so I just walked away. He caught up to me though, grabbing my arm and pulling me into a secluded room.

"What do you mean? What's wrong?" He asked, having me trapped in a corner.

"Nothing. Just nothing. Forget, okay?"

"Can't do so, sweetheart." He smirked, but then his face turned serious, looking me straight in the eye. "Now tell me."

"You can't compel me." I said suddenly and he chuckled.

"I'm not trying to. I'm just forcing you." He shrugged.

"Well, what can you tell me about banshees?"