I'll Be Your Last

Painting the Town

Thanks to Rebekah, I knew a little bit about the cuisine of New Orleans and that was a good thing as I sat at our table taking in the elegant surroundings of the restaurant Klaus had chosen. The décor was distinguished and dignified in soft, muted colors but still somehow to infusion the vivid colors of the city through the paintings and priceless art exhibits that bordered the room. It wasn’t a surprise to me that Klaus chose this establishment with his appreciation of art. The soft candlelight that glowed from each table of well-dressed patrons excited my senses. The scene was what I would have loved to have pulled off for homecoming, prom.

For a moment I didn’t realize the three other people at my table were staring at me in amusement. Rebekah’s expression lacked her usual mockery. Stefan knew better than anyone at the table how limited my life experience was and he looked happy for me.

“I’m glad you approve, sweetheart,” Klaus leaned closer to whisper. “And this is just the beginning. This place, this city.”

I couldn’t help smiling at him. “I want to see everything,” I whispered.

Our waiter arrived and Klaus relished in ordering for the table, owning the role of “king” that he’d given himself. Not that I would ever tell him so, but it suited him. From selecting our wine to how he directed our conversation, he was every bit the King of New Orleans. I loved being here with him but at the same time, it didn’t feel quite real. I was Caroline, former Miss Mystic Falls, Miss Forever Stuck in a Filler Year. I was no queen. I wasn’t an ancient indestructible being like he was.

But then as I tried the wine he’d ordered us, his gaze met mine as if to ask if the wine was to my liking and in that moment, yeah, I started to feel that while I had these preconceptions about who I was, that wasn’t how Klaus saw me. He did see me as someone beautiful, powerful, worthy. It was written all over his face.

I nodded, my way of saying the wine was perfect. My hand trembled as I set the glass back on the table, not even reaching my lap before he captured it with his. Squeezing my hand gently, he pinned me with a knowing look.

“So you’re telling me,” Stefan began, “that in all the time you’ve been down here, Caroline, this is the first time you’ve been out of the mansion? Klaus, that’s not the way to woo a woman.”

Klaus smirked. “I quite agree with you, Stefan. But under the circumstances, and I’m certain my sister has brought you up to speed, I felt her safety was more important.”

“Well, we did have one day of shopping Baton Rouge,” Rebekah pointed out, sipping at her wine. “Unfortunately, Caroline ended up vervained by Klaus’ enemies and –“

“That, little sister, was your fault.” Klaus’ expression darkened as he glared at his sister. “If you hadn’t started trouble with Marcel’s lot, that incident wouldn’t have happened.”

“Don’t blame me, Nik.” Rebekah’s anger was building, her blue eyes filled with fire. “I—“

“Hey, hey,” Stefan cut her off, glancing at each sibling in turn with an admonishing look. And they allowed it. “No fighting tonight or Caroline and I might have to leave you here and take in the city on our own. Am I right?”

Stefan winked at me and it was all I could do not laugh at that.

Rebekah looked appalled by the suggestion. Klaus’ gaze moved to me and his anger seemed to fade. He still held my hand under the table.

“Rebekah did mention everything that’s been going on,” Stefan said.

“Things are just starting to get exciting, Stefan.” Squeezing my hand gently, Klaus released me. “It seems you’ve come at the right time. I hope you’ll consider staying a while. I know it would make two of the ladies in my household very happy.”