WAR OF HEARTS ↠ KOL MIKAELSON [1]

1:21

[ THE RISE: CHAPTER TWENTY ONE ]

In the dim light of the Claire tomb, Rebekah and Rhea worked frantically, their faces etched with fear and desperation. Rhea's hands trembled as she flipped through the pages of a dusty grimoire, the worn paper crinkling beneath her fingers. She paused, eyes scanning a passage before she slammed the book onto the table, too hard.

"Transubstantiation," Rhea's voice was tight with urgency. "We can combine it with a protection spell."

Rebekah's eyes darkened as she shook her head, dismissing the idea with a sharp wave of her hand. "That won't work. Finn's hex blocks it. The body's calling his soul. If we don't find a way to break it, he'll die. We need to jump him into a new body."

Rhea's heart sank. She slammed the book shut, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the tomb. Every muscle in her body was tense, her heartbeat deafening in her ears. The pressure was unbearable, and she half-hoped to wake up from this nightmare, but she knew better. This was real. Too real.

"We can't just pick another body out of thin air!" she snapped, her voice cracking under the weight of her panic. "I don't even remember the spell for that!"

Rebekah's brows furrowed as she glanced at Kol, pale and weak in the corner. She was about to speak when Rhea added, her voice a whisper, "Why can't your brother do that resurrection thing he did with you?"

"That only works on our bloodline," Rebekah replied softly, a flicker of hope dying between them.

Kol stirred from his place in the shadows. "Bex? Could I have a moment with Rhea?" His voice was weak, but there was a warmth in his eyes, a tenderness that cut through the cold reality of the tomb.

Rebekah looked at him with a sadness that made Rhea's chest tighten. She nodded, giving him a small, sympathetic smile before slipping out of the tomb. Kol slowly rose, his movements sluggish, but determined. When he reached Rhea, he gently took her hand in his and caressed her cheek. Rhea turned her head away, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. If she looked at him—really looked at him—she would break.

He didn't deserve this. Kol, the one who always paid the price, who made mistakes like any human, but somehow suffered more than anyone else. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him again.

"I believe I owe you a dance," Kol whispered, his fingers brushing against her skin as though committing every detail to memory.

Her breath hitched, and she willed herself not to cry. She had to be strong. For him.

Kol led her outside the tomb, where he had set up an old gramophone. The crackling music began to play, a slow, haunting melody that felt both ancient and comforting. Rhea didn't care that the song was unfamiliar, that the night was far from the ideal setting. She'd do anything—anything—to see him smile one more time.

They moved together like they had done so many times before, their bodies fitting perfectly, like two pieces of a puzzle made for each other. No one else could ever take his place. As they swayed in the moonlight, the emotions they had held back finally broke free. Tears slid down their faces, the agony of their impending separation becoming too much to bear.

Rhea's chest felt like it was being crushed. She clung to him, knowing that these might be their final moments together. She didn't know how she would survive this—how she could ever move on from losing the man she had loved for centuries.

Kol pulled back slightly, his hands cupping her face as he gazed into her eyes, committing every feature to memory. "I know this isn't the best date we've ever had," he chuckled through his tears, his voice trembling, "and I happen to be dying...but you've got to admit, the stars are lovely."

Rhea shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks faster now. "I can't believe you're joking," she whispered, her voice breaking with every word. The ache in her heart was unbearable, but she couldn't stop herself from falling apart. Kol didn't deserve this. Not again.

"I'm not," he replied softly, his smile bittersweet. "Somewhere out there, under these same stars, some guy is dancing with his girl, thinking he has all the time in the world. And he's right." He leaned his forehead against hers, laughing softly through his tears, while Rhea sobbed quietly, holding him tighter, as though she could stop the inevitable by sheer will alone.

"And I hate him," Kol murmured.

Rhea choked on a sob, her body trembling as the weight of it all threatened to crush her. "I don't think I can handle losing you again, Kol," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying in vain to stop the tears that kept falling.

"Rhea," Kol's voice was soft, pained, "look at me."

Reluctantly, she opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. His blue eyes were filled with love and sorrow. He didn't say anything more; he didn't need to. The look in his eyes said everything. He was scared, too. But he was trying to be strong—for her.

Suddenly, Kol doubled over, coughing violently. Panic surged through Rhea's veins. "Kol—"

"I'm okay," he whispered, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Rhea knelt beside him, kissing his hand over and over, desperate to hold onto him for as long as she could.

"I think...I want to be alone for this part," Kol said quietly, his voice strained.

Rhea opened her mouth to protest, but before she could, a voice interrupted her. "I'm afraid that's not an option."

It was Elijah.

Kol turned to see Elijah, Klaus, and Rebekah standing beside Rhea. Klaus stepped forward, his voice thick with emotion. "Always and forever isn't something you just weasel out of, brother."

Kol gave them all a weak, but grateful smile. His family, his Rhea—they were all here. He wasn't alone.

Elijah and Klaus helped Kol into the tomb, and Rhea stayed by his side the entire time, holding his hand as if her touch alone could tether him to life. But Kol's body was failing. Blood trickled from his nose and mouth. His breaths were shallow and labored. He grabbed Klaus' lapel with trembling fingers, his eyes filled with desperation. "All I ever wanted was for you to care about me," he rasped, his voice breaking.

Klaus could barely hold back his tears. Kol's laughter was cut short by another violent coughing fit. Elijah and Rebekah rubbed his back, and Rebekah cradled his head in her lap. Through the pain, Kol squeezed Rhea's hand tighter, as if afraid to let go.

Rebekah's voice trembled with grief. "Kol, listen to me. You don't have much time. You're going to die." She swallowed hard, her voice faltering. "But you'll die a witch, and we'll consecrate your body. You'll join the ancestors of the French Quarter. And I promise you, brother, I will not stop until I find a way to bring you back."

Kol's lips curved into a faint smile, but the pain was too much to bear. Before he could respond, Ares rushed in, his face pale with hope. "I tried a different spell!"

Kol smiled weakly. "It's alright, mate. I'm not scared."

He turned to Rhea, his eyes filled with love. "Don't stop on my account, darling," he whispered, repeating the first words he had ever said to her. The sound of them broke her completely.

"Kol, I—" Rhea tried to speak, but he gently shushed her.

"Don't say it," he whispered. "Because then...it'll sound like goodbye."

Tears streamed down Rhea's face as she held onto him with all her strength. "I swear I'll bring you back," she vowed, her voice shaking. "No matter what the cost."

Kol gave her one last smile before his body shuddered, his eyes rolling back as he took his final breath.

Rhea's world shattered around her.

And she screamed.