Millennium | Kol Mikaelson

Chapter 22

Kol reacted as well as Catalina.

"Oh," he said, looking only mildly surprised, as if some part of him had suspected it, but hadn't been able to come up with a solid theory. "Well, I despise Esther enough even without knowing this fact. I'm in. But I'll hex you if you don't keep your promise, Nik. Her memories, the instant she's back in her body."

"Yes, yes, we've established that," said Klaus. It seemed that he didn't truly want that, but if it came down to ending their punishment early to have them on his side to protect his daughter, then he'd just have to cope.

"Well, can we see pictures of her?" asked Kol. "Must know if she got lucky and inherited her mother's looks, or if she got unfortunately saddled with yours."

Klaus feigned offense as he brought out his phone. "I gave her her best features, thank you very much. Look at that. The eyes, that's all me. Not to mention it's because of me that her blood has healing properties and the ability to sire hybrids."

"Aw," said Catalina. Even though children weren't her favorite, she had to admit the little girl was cute. "What's her name?"

"Hope," said Klaus. "Hope Andrea Mikaelson."

Kol snickered. "I used to complain about our initials being lame, but at least mine aren't HAM."

Klaus rolled his eyes. "It's comforting to see that my child is a laughing matter to you."

"Not at all, Nik, just her name. She's precious. Never quite thought I'd have a niece. What's the plan, then?"

"Well, you've earned the right to have those shackles removed from you," said Klaus, taking the manacles off and setting them aside. "Finn, on the other hand... after what you've shared about Dahlia, I imagine it will be difficult to approach him about that."

"Not to play devil's advocate," said Catalina, "but these past months, he and I have grown further apart, and now that I've finally gotten to know Esther, I've noticed that he seems to have formed a rather unhealthy bond when she required him to keep Freya's fate a secret from Mikael."

"Precisely," said Kol, casting her a quick look before turning away. "Finn got saddled with a load of younger siblings he didn't want, and had to lie about how he lost his big sister, who I imagined protected him, or at least was his friend." He then sighed. "One thing, Nik. I may be willing to help protect your little girl, because she's done nothing to deserve persecution, but things must change around here."

Klaus crossed his arms. "Go on, have at it, rant about all the ways that I've wronged you."

Kol held up his fingers. "One, you've got to start acting like you give a damn about me. Clearly, my opinion and my support matter to you. But you threat me like shit, brother. You daggered me a dozen times, ripped the love of my life away from me repeatedly, cared more for Marcel than you did for me. Instead of listening to me, you went and did whatever you pleased when it came to Silas, and you ended up with a multitude of problems that could have been avoided. Not to mention it all led to my death, and Catalina's."

Klaus faltered a bit, and tried to put on a mocking air, as if he was unaffected by Kol's words. "Well, I didn't realize I had hurt your feelings."

"Yeah, well, that's the thing, innit, Nik?" said Kol. "You don't know squat about me, because you don't care to."

"You're desperate to be part of this family, aren't you?" inquired Klaus, which caused Kol to look down at the floor silently. "All of your mischief was just attempts for attention. You know, the truth is, Kol, you're right to feel slighted. I mean that. You're right. But, perhaps there's still time to make it up to you. I have already stated that I will undo Catalina's compulsion the instant I can, provided you both help me protect Hope. She is the only thing that matters to me in this world."