Kol

Chapter 23

I sat on the sofa, staring at the sad carry-on near the door. 

"You sure about this?" Devon looked at me somewhat stoically, but I could tell that he was frustrated and confused. 

I spoke to Kol for close to two hours, of course there was some...disagreement. But not much. I was upset but scared and thrown off, mostly. And now a simple black duffle bag is lying on the floor near the door. 

"Yeah."

This time his tone was apprehensive, "How long?" 

I looked up to him and smiled softly, "I'll be back."

He scoffed as he proded the inside of his cheek with his tongue. "I can't believe he's just letting you go," he muttered disbelievingly as he shook his head.

I didn't feel like explaining that if I stayed here I'd die. Because really that's what would happen. At least it seemed like that was the bottom line. 

Plus, there was the thinnest line imagienable between good and bad progress with Kol and we needed a reset. More than that, this was my chance to process everything. More than needing to go back home, I wanted to. I missed my rainy city a little. Although I was scared I'd miss Kol more once I touched ground back home. I guess, we'll see.

Sabine was powerful, I guessed that much. But when she offered to gift me a dark liquid that's supposed to suprress any of what she called "rational symptoms" to being away from my mate, I realized even then I'd underestimated her. She really had some kind of magic going on. But at least I wouldn't have to worry about this. Kinda wished she'd dhown up sooner. It seems like she knows how to navigate this better than Kol and I.

If Kol and I were going to be together, I needed to process alone first and Sabine and her murky tea liquid, my words not hers, were the key to that. 

"I'm sure you know that everything he does is for a reason. Trust me, he's got a good reason," I argued with Devon in Kol's defense. 

"Yeah. He better." 

I chuckled. I'd like to think saving my life is a damn good reason.

"Alright babes. Let's go!" Ava brought a suitcase down the stairs, well she fought Mikael for the handle of the suitcase all the way down the stairs, hissing "Let go" every few seconds while Mikael glared at her.

I purposely avoided Devon's stare, but I left him with a short, "He'll fill you in." He didn't reply but I could see him trying to think of why Kol would willingly let me go back home when he was against letting me sleep alone only hours ago.

"Ready to go?" Ava chimed. I nodded, walking towards the front door. Mikael had filled her in according to Kol. Safe to say if I was leaving and so was she. And with Mikael, and the bean in her belly in tow. 

Kol had told me he wouldn't say goodbye. He wasn't supposed to be here. So why were we standing face to face as soon as I'd thrown my bag over my shoulder? 

Once Kol cleared his throat, Mikael dragged a moody Ava outside and Devon followed. Kol sidestepped as they walked out towards the cars, only getting closer to me.

"We both agreed you'd leave," He brought his hand up to my cheek, "I respect your decision -- your need for space and time. But we also agreed you'd come back." He kissed me slowly, carefully. "So come back." 

He was fully aware I was still upset with him, so he pulled away. 

Smart move. I was upset, but I also knew i'd miss him because I missed him already. God, I was a wuss. So I kissed him once, slowly but tastefully. He tasted of mint. "I will." I attempted a smile.