Now til Forever | n.mikaelson (book two)

IV: Girl in New Orleans

Things between Briana and Klaus had been looking up since the two of them realized just how much they need and love one another. Briana's smile graced her face more often. The sweet sound of her laughter filled the air. Even her iconic, undeniable sense of sarcastic wit had returned keeping everyone on their toes. 

Klaus constantly found himself at Briana's side. He told himself he was doing it to keep her and their unborn child safe, but everyone knew, even Klaus himself, he had his own selfish motives. He had let Briana go more than he ever wanted to admit. He was learning from his mistakes. He wasn't ever going to let her go again. 

The pair had gradually returned to their annoyingly loving public displays of affection and married-like couple banter. They were slowly transitioning back to the couple they had been in Mystic Falls. They were back to who they were always meant to be. 

Just because Klaus and Briana had reverted to their old ways didn't mean Klaus was willing to give up his pursuit for power. Actually, he never wanted it more. He was determined to take back the home and power he and his family had built here. He wanted to create an empire that he would rule, Briana by his side and most importantly, an army to protect their daughter. 

The hybrid paced outside the entry way of his study. In the doorframe stood a blonde woman, leaning against it, listening intently with curious eyes as Klaus spoke. 

"You see, I returned to New Orleans to investigate a threat posed against me. What I found was a young woman, pregnant, in need of protection." Klaus informed as he now stood face to face with the young blonde. 

"My brother always the do-gooder thinks this child will be a cause for my redemption. Trouble is, I've since learned of another young women, a girl really, one with easy potential, held in captivity by a tyrant." Klaus explained as he stepped into his study, slowly turning around as his voice grew more sincere. 

"I want to help both of these women. Protect one, and free the other--" Klaus spoke. 

While this conversation was happening, Briana had stirred awake upstairs to realize Klaus had been missing from his side of the bed they now shared. She stretched her arms and tossed her hair up into a messy ponytail before heading down the stairs. She was dressed in one of Klaus' old t-shirts and a pair of shorts. 

As she wiped the sleep from her eyes she noticed a woman standing just outside Klaus' study, her back towards Briana. She had golden locks that rested just below her shoulders, adorned in a familiar looking sundress. She gulped as she realized, her tiredness slipping away as a gleeful smile formed. 

"What are you doing here?!" Briana asked cheerfully. Only her mood was changed when the woman revealed herself to not be who Briana had perceived her to be. 

The blonde was stunned and confused, not sure of how to react seeing as she had never met Briana before. 

"Sorry." Briana smiled, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as ran a hand over her face, "I thought you were someone else." 

Briana couldn't get over the underlying similarities this woman shared with her sister Caroline, and she would be lying if she said she wasn't the least bit disappointment her assumption had been wrong.

"Sorry to disappoint." The blonde replied awkwardly with an unsure smile. Briana immediately felt regret not meaning to make the girl feel unwelcome, even though she had no idea who she is or what she was doing here. 

"No, I didn't-- You just really-- uhm--" Briana was flustered as she stepped closer to the woman trying to start over. She took a small breath, her shoulders falling. 

The blonde chuckled lowly trying to ease the tension, "It's alright." She spoke with a comforting smile, "Camille." She referenced herself, "but please, call me Cami."