Forever Is Not Enough

The Party

1864 - Mystic Falls, Virginia

Damon stood patiently next to his brother at the bottom of their staircase. Unlike Stefan, he was nervous. Elena was still furious with him, but she would soon be forced to face him once again. Even though the sun was still high in the sky, the first Founder's Ball was officially underway. John and Jeremy had left earlier than the rest, but Katherine insisted she "absolutely could not be one of the first at the party," so the Salvatore brothers volunteered to stay behind and escort the ladies. Stefan ran a hand through his hair and readjusted his suit for the hundredth time, but he didn't seem nervous so much as excited. Every opportunity to see Katherine was always cut too short, but now he could parade her around in the light of day – literally. It was not customary to hold an event like this at such an early hour, but the council couldn't allow the unarmed and blissfully ignorant citizens to walk outside without the sunlight to protect them.

The boys straightened at the sound of footsteps on the hardwood floors above them. Katherine came first, almost covered from head to toe in red fabric. Her gloves were made of the same black lace that covered her corset, and her curly brown hair was pulled up high with little, ruby-tipped pins. Suggestive, Elena had commented, but Katherine didn't care. She wanted to evoke that intrigue in men; she wanted them to want her. She wanted them to fear how much they wanted her. What was "suggestive" to Elena was power to Katherine.

Elena was quite the opposite in lustrous purple fabric and white lace. She chose the widest skirt she had in her wardrobe to make sure that Damon could only come so close. That being said, she didn't have much choice; the war had cut off Honoria Fell's usually constant supply of textiles from the north, so she could only deliver a few dresses to Elena and her aunt. The seamstress even showed the two a collection of old curtains, to see if they liked any of the fabric. Katherine wouldn't have it, however, Elena thought it was such a clever notion to make the old and unwanted new again.

When Damon finally caught sight of her, he felt every breath leave his body. Her sleeves bared her shoulders and he berated himself when he found himself thinking about how it would feel to pull the fabric farther down her soft skin. Her curls cascaded freely down her back and bounced with every step she took. She looked straight ahead, trying to look natural and feel her way down the steps. It wasn't a graceful effort. Even as she reached the bottom and Damon took her hand, her eyes remained forward. "You look beautiful," he said quietly.

"Mr. Salvatore," she said, too loud. "If you have taught me anything, it is that I am beautiful. You say it so often, I almost wish I was ugly."

The jab hurt, but his smile never faltered. "The sun would sooner set forever."

She chanced a look at him for only a second, keeping the scowl steady on her face. He looked as handsome as always, his face earnest in spite of her callousness. It bothered her.

"We should go," Katherine said, looping her arm through Stefan's.

The party was already in full swing by the time they arrived. Of course there were the Founders and their families, other members of the council, and some of the more important citizens – doctors, shop owners, and the newspaper editor. It was quite the soiree, but even with the windows open it was too hot. Katherine only felt slightly annoyed; whoever this mystery vampire was, he was becoming a sincerely large nuisance to her. It was too early and too hot for the heavy fabric of an evening gown, but here she was, like a fool. She could only be grateful she didn't sweat.

Elena fanned herself furiously, but it felt as though she were already glistening. The more annoyed she looked, the more she looked like Katherine.

Just as she finished her first glass of champagne, Damon caught her eye. He stood at a respectable distance, but once she even barely acknowledged him, he approached her. "Would you join me for a dance?"