WAR OF HEARTS ↠ KOL MIKAELSON [1]

1:17

[ THE RISE: CHAPTER SEVENTEEN ]

"Why are you in such a good mood?" Rhea asked, her tone half-amused, half-suspicious, as she and Kol strolled through the Quarter. Ever since her near brush with death, all she wanted was to be alone with him, far away from the chaos of the Mikaelson family drama.

Kol shot her a mischievous smile. "Remember earlier when I lied about Rebekah doing us a solid back in 1914?"

NEW ORLEANS: DECEMBER 1914

Kol and Rhea had joined the rest of the Mikaelson family—Marcel included—on the stairs, posing for a family photograph. Rhea's eyes wandered over the crowd and landed on a blonde witch she'd invited to the party. She smiled at her, something about the woman made her feel like she could be trusted—so she did.

As the photographer snapped the picture, Klaus tapped his glass with a knife, drawing everyone's attention.

"Oh, here we go," Rhea muttered, earning a grin from Kol, amused by her unfiltered commentary.

"As you all know," Klaus began, his voice dripping with theatrical charm, "when the Mikaelsons arrived in Louisiana, we brought with us the tradition of holiday bonfire season. Now, we invite you—our chosen few—to partake in our family tradition of writing wishes for each other and burning them for luck. The holidays are a time for family and friends."

Klaus glanced meaningfully at Marcel before turning his eyes on Rhea and Kol, his expression hardening. "It is especially gratifying, when treachery runs deep, to know you have someone you can trust. A toast to my dear sister."

Rebekah smiled at the crowd as they raised their glasses in her honor, but something darker lingered beneath the surface. Kol squeezed Rhea's hand as they quietly made their exit up the stairs, hoping to avoid Klaus and Elijah.

But they were intercepted. Elijah blurred ahead, blocking their path, while Klaus loomed behind them, trapping them in.

Rhea's instincts flared. Without hesitation, she raised her hand toward Klaus, and he dropped to his knees, clutching his head in pain. But before she could fully incapacitate him, Marcel appeared out of nowhere and snapped the cursed shackles around her wrists, cutting off her magic.

Her eyes widened in horror. Marcel had somehow acquired the very shackles she and Kol had helped create as a dark object—never imagining they'd be used against her.

Elijah seized Kol, yanking off his jacket as Klaus rose to his feet, the pain in his eyes now replaced with cold calculation.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Klaus called out to the party below, "my deepest apologies for the interruption. But what's a Mikaelson gathering without a little family squabble?" He smirked, pulling out a silver dagger.

Before Rhea could stop him, Klaus plunged the dagger into Kol's chest. The crowd was oblivious, but Rhea's heart shattered as Kol fell limp to the ground, her screams of rage and vows of vengeance echoing in the hall.

⸻

"That bastard kept me in those shackles for an entire month," Rhea recalled bitterly as she and Kol walked side by side. This was one of the rare occasions where Klaus had punished her alongside Kol, and it left a sour taste in her mouth.

Kol's smile returned, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "We've owed Rebekah for that century-old favor, haven't we? Today, I repaid it."

Rhea narrowed her eyes. "Kol, what did you do? You know Klaus will kill you if he finds out."

Kol's grin only widened. "Oh, don't worry, love. I didn't set Rebekah up. I prepped someone else."

Rhea's jaw dropped. "What? Who? If Klaus figures this out, it won't take a mystical dagger to kill you this time—an ordinary one will do just fine!"

Kol chuckled, clearly relishing her concern. "Remember when Klaus locked our witch friends in the Dowager Folean cottage?"

Rhea groaned, rolling her eyes. "Your witch friends. I still don't trust them."

"Well, over the years, that little cottage has become a catch-all for witches of the odd and eccentric variety. I'm sure Rebekah will be quite comfortable there for a while." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a large paragon diamond, twirling it between his fingers with a cocky grin.

Rhea's eyes widened, her amusement giving way to concern. "You didn't."

"Oh, I did," Kol said proudly. "Besides, with Rebekah missing, Klaus will be too preoccupied to bother us. We can finally finish what we started."

Rhea took the diamond from him, studying it carefully, though her thoughts were elsewhere. "You swear she's safe?" The weight of her words was deeper than just Rebekah's safety—Kol's life was on the line too, and she couldn't bear the thought of Klaus turning his wrath on him again.

Kol cupped her face gently. "Rhea, she's perfectly safe." His voice softened. "Since this has been both the best and worst day of our lives in centuries, I made a wish for you."

Rhea raised a brow, her curiosity piqued. "A wish?"

Kol smiled, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "Close your eyes."

She hesitated for a moment but complied. As soon as her eyes fluttered shut, Kol leaned down and captured her lips with his.

Rhea froze, stunned by the suddenness of it. For so long, she had feared she'd never get this moment with him again, convinced that Kol—her best friend, her lover—was lost to her. But now, in the warmth of his kiss, everything she had feared melted away.

Kol hesitated, pulling back slightly, fearing he'd overstepped. But the moment he saw her smile—her radiant, heart-stopping smile—Rhea wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him back into another kiss.

This time, the kiss deepened, filled with years of passion and longing, as if they were making up for lost time. Every sensation—the taste of him, the feel of his hands on her waist, the scent of his cologne—burned itself into her memory. She wanted to hold on to this moment forever, to never let it slip away again.

And as they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, they knew one undeniable truth: there would never be another love like theirs.