His Love

Chapter 6

Tara's POV

A month had passed, and my plan was going well. I had been calm and cooperative with Klaus, pretending to adjust to my life with him. It seemed to work because he'd started giving me more freedom—taking me out to dinner and letting me call my parents whenever I wanted. I'd even gotten closer to his siblings.

Kol and I often played games on his Wii, while Freya taught me spells, even though I hadn't inherited my parents' magical gifts. She believed I might be a late bloomer. Elijah and I started a monthly book club, and Rebekah had introduced me to spa days, saying my wardrobe was "unacceptable" and in desperate need of a refresh. She always blamed Klaus for my limited selection.

At school, Davina and Josh had become my best friends. We often hung out at Klaus's mansion, though Josh constantly teased me about how Damon "liked" me. I always denied it, but Damon and I had become close. The four of us had formed a little group, and lunch in the cafeteria became the highlight of my day.

Today, we were eating lunch when Davina brought up the festival.

"So, are you going to ask Klaus?" she asked, leaning forward.

"Ask Klaus what?" Damon furrowed his brow, looking between us.

"We want to go to the festival uptown, but Tara has to get Klaus's permission," Davina explained, rolling her eyes.

Damon clutched his chest in mock offense. "You didn't even invite me? I'm hurt, Tara."

"If Klaus knew you were coming, he'd never let me go," I admitted, feeling nervous. "He'd probably punish me for even having another friend besides Davina and Josh."

Damon frowned and placed his hand over mine, a gesture that sent a mix of comfort and guilt through me. His expression softened into a sad smile, and I found myself blushing as I quickly pulled my hand away.

Davina cleared her throat loudly, and I could feel Josh smirking at us.

"Um, yeah," I stammered, turning to Davina. "I'll ask him today. If he says yes, I'll text you both."

After school, Josh gave me a ride home, and I headed straight into the house to find Klaus.

"KLAUS!" I called out, checking the kitchen, the cinema room, and finally our bedroom. No luck. Eventually, I knocked on his office door.

"Come in," his deep voice answered.

I entered the room to find him seated behind his desk, with Marcel and Elijah in chairs across from him.

"I'll talk to you both later," Klaus said, dismissing them.

As Marcel walked past, Elijah leaned toward me and whispered, "We're still on for the book meeting tonight, right?"

I nodded, smiling briefly before turning back to Klaus.

"So, what is it you want, love?" he asked, leaning back in his chair.

I hesitated before sitting down. "Davina and Josh invited me to a festival uptown. I was wondering if I could... go."

"No," he said flatly.

"But Klaus," I protested, my voice rising. "I've been going to classes and coming straight home for a month now. I don't go anywhere! I just want to go to a festival!"

His eyes darkened, and he stood, towering over me. "Watch your tone, love," he warned, his voice low and menacing.

I felt my courage waver but pressed on. "Klaus, I'm here. I've listened to you. I haven't tried to escape. I've accepted this... life. Just let me go to the festival, please!"

"There are people out there who would hurt you, and I will not risk your safety," he said, his tone softening slightly as he reached out to touch my cheek. "Perhaps next time, we can go together."

That was it. I'd had enough.

"You know what?" I snapped, smacking his hand away. "You might be ancient, but I'm not! I'm an adult, and you're a psychotic lunatic! I shouldn't have to ask your fucking permission anyway you bastard."

His eyes flared gold, and before I could react, his hand clamped around my throat. He lifted me off the ground and slammed me against the wall. My vision blurred, and the world began to darken around me.

Then I heard the voices of his siblings.

⸻

Klaus's POV

What had I done?

Freya and Rebekah rushed to Tara's limp body on the floor while Kol punched me square in the face, fury etched into his features.

"Kol, enough!" Elijah commanded, pulling him back.

I stayed silent, accepting the blows. This was all my fault.

"Get her out of here," Elijah ordered.

Kol gently lifted Tara and carried her out. My gaze caught the dark purple bruise forming on her neck, and guilt consumed me.

"Really, Niklaus?" Elijah spat. "She just wanted to go to a festival. She would've been with Davina and Josh—they could've protected her! I thought you loved her."

"I do," I muttered, my voice hollow.

"Then act like it," Elijah said coldly. "She's going to the festival tomorrow, whether you like it or not. And don't even think about showing your face to her until she's ready."

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

⸻

Elijah's POV

I entered Niklaus and Tara's bedroom, where Freya was casting a healing spell while Rebekah and Kol hovered nearby. Tara's breathing was steady, but the bruise on her neck remained.

"How is she?" I asked Freya.

"She'll be fine," she said. "She's unconscious now, but she'll wake soon. Someone needs to give her some blood to help the healing process."

I nodded, biting into my wrist and letting my blood flow. When Tara stirred, I held my arm out to her.

"Drink," I urged gently.

She hesitated before drinking enough to ease her pain. Rebekah inspected her neck and nodded approvingly.

"That's better," she said. "Now, let's find her something to wear for tomorrow's festival."

⸻

Tara's POV

When I woke, pain radiated from my neck, but I was surrounded by Klaus's siblings.

"How are you feeling?" Rebekah asked.

"Sore," I rasped, touching my neck.

"Well, darling, you'll be pleased to know Klaus has agreed to let you go to the festival," Kol said with a small smile.

"Great," I muttered, still feeling the weight of everything.

After a meal prepared by Rebekah and a heartfelt book discussion with Elijah, I curled into bed, determined to regain my strength.

Tomorrow, I'd step outside these walls—and maybe take the first step toward freedom.

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