Above All Else

Chapter 5

"No he didn't!" Caroline tossed her head back clutching her stomach in laughter.

"Oh I assure you Sweetheart he most certainly did." The ease and humor evident in Klaus's voice as he spoke to her. "After being accused of fathering the Count's wife's child he was challenge to a duel to the death. I had thought Kol would have just compelled them or ripped their hearts out to be done with it, but still I found the whole debacle quite amusing to watch."

Caroline rolled her sea blue eyes at him in friendly humor. "I'm sure you did. So what did Kol end up doing? I can tell neither of the options you thought of are what he did." Caroline could see Klaus was holding back his amusement at her excitement of the story. "Oh come on Klaus!" She reached over from her side of the couch to gently push his arm. "Tell me already!"

Chuckling Klaus put both his hands up in mock surrender. "All right Sweetheart, all right. No need to get so violent." Chuckling again at her, he continued with his tale about his younger brother. "The courtyard in front of the Count's estate was full of the guest from the gathering; I stood off to the side in the wood lot unseen from the spectacle, waiting to see what Kol's move would be. To my astonishment Kol went through with the duel and not only did he purposely miss the Count with the shot of his revolver, but he allowed himself to be shot in the chest."

Caroline was enraptured by his tale. The way Klaus could weave a story drew her into it like she was standing right there alongside him witnessing the events herself. Not wanting to break the moment she unconsciously moved closer to him whispering. "Why would he do that?"

Klaus paused for a moment, he contemplated chastising her for interrupting yet again, but watching how her body moved closer to his and how she did not seem to notice, he decided against it. He thoroughly enjoyed her being so close to him and did not want her to realize it and move away. "At that point everyone assumed the Count had killed the man who defiled his wife, therefore showing himself as the supposed better man. With the excitement over all the guests returned inside to the party, none the wiser about what would occur next." Klaus dropped his voice a few octaves lower hoping it would draw her even closer still while leaning in to her as if to tell her his deepest secrets. "There Kol was laying on the dusty ground seemingly bleeding out to death. The Count stood over him feeling proud of his accomplishment, ready to gloat at the man he assumed had slept with and fathered a child with his wife. "How do you feel now you bloody whelp?" He sneered at him ready to walk away and claim his victory. Before the Count could fully turn around Kol was up completely healed and grabbed him by his throat. "I'm feeling quite well, thank you for asking, though I am a touch thirsty. Care to help me in that endeavor?" The absolute terror on the Count's face was priceless." Klaus let out a soft laugh that had his breath ruffling Caroline's hair. "Needless to say the Count did help him, and afterwards Kol compelled him to never be able to, ah, perform sexually again and had him remember the terror he felt. Kol's parting words to the Count were, "Oh I suggest you may want to clean yourself up before seeking out your guest again, no need to smell like a squalling newborns loincloth."

Caroline threw her head back in hysterical laughter. "He pissed himself?"

"Not only that Love." Klaus answered with a devious smirk.

Caroline's eyes grew as big as saucers, her face turning red. "Oh my God!" She let out as she couldn't control it any longer, tears welling and spilling at the hilarity of the story.

Klaus found himself caught in the vision of her. Glorious blonde locks cascaded and shook around her creamy pale face that was tinged with a blush due to her musical laughter. Her expressive eyes held a sparkle that rivaled that of the most costly of gems. Klaus laughed along with her, enchanted by her beauty knowing he could bask in her light and never tire of it. Bloody hell this woman has me waxing poetry in my own mind! Just glancing at her beauty, beauty that would put any of the Goddesses to shame was enough to do that. Many a war has been fought for a woman such as Caroline. She is the epitome of genuine beauty, inside and out. Klaus pulled himself out of his inner monologue, both he and Caroline's laughter dying down to sporadic chuckles. Without thinking Klaus lifted his hand to swipe his thumb delicately across her cheek to brush a stray tear away. He froze for a moment afraid he had over stepped and she would pull away from him.