Black Rose • Mikaelson

6. To start a war

IVONNA SHARES MY LOOKS AND FROWN. It never hurt that we were identical. However, my twin sister's frown is for a different reason then my own. Her frown is because she's mad with Niklaus as she always is. My frown because I don't know what to do. Should I leave the love of my life because it's the better choice? Or should I stick with him because he's the love of my life? We seem to share the same thoughts, as well and we both wished I had listened to my younger self. Memories of lifetimes ago plague my thoughts and claim my weary soul.

It's some time in the tenth century, before we were turned. The moon claims the sky and there's a fire with villagers dancing around. I sit and watch at a distance with Ivonna beside me. She's more interested on making the flames of the fire dance. My only interest remain on Niklaus — the sweet boy who had stolen my heart without even knowing it. He's dancing around the fire with the other villagers. Or more specifically, a beautiful girl with doppelgänger blood. Tatiana. He presses a playfully kiss to her lips. I purse my lips.

"Two brothers loving the same girl," Ivonna frowns. "It'd never get boring I suppose."

I weakly nod my head at my twin sister. Her eyes meet mine before she sighs and runs a hand over her face.

"Why don't you just tell Niklaus?" Ivonna frowns.

"What? That I'm hopelessly in love with him while he loves another woman? No thank you." I return her frown.

"I don't see what you see in him, Elijah's the more desirable choice."

I can't help but shoot my sister a frown. She's never been in love, she wouldn't understand what I'm feeling. Okay, she definitely would but that isn't the point. I focus my attention on Niklaus, dancing around the fire with a smile. If only I had the courage to go speak to him. I run my hands down my face, frowning. Ivonna furrows her brows, focusing. Niklaus looks up with a smile, waving at me. I wave back, giving a sheepish grin. Ivonna pulls me up with her and drags me over to him, pushing me into his arms.

"I can make the memories go away." Ivonna's voice cuts through my reminiscing.

"I would of done it by now if I wanted to." I shake my head.

And I would have. I would have erased any memory of Niklaus, the first time around. However, I didn't and I haven't and I wish I would have. Ivonna frowns at me again and I don't blame her. I'm sure if I looked in the mirror, I'd be frowning at myself.

"Just kiss and make up. And I mean hot, passionate hybrid sex." Ivonna shrugs.

"Thank you for making me feel so much better about loving the wrong man." I answer sarcastically.

Ivonna shrugs again and plops down on the sofa. I run my hands along my face, letting out a huff of breath. If only I had gotten the same air of nonchalance of about my love life as my twin sister did. Ivonna never got attached to anyone. It was always about sexual and physical desire. Never anything more romantic or feelings involved. I guess I was never so blessed. Ivonna keeps her eyes on me as her fingers fly across the screen of her phone. She finally stands and grabs ahold of my arm. I furrow my brows as she pulls me along. We end up at Niklaus' temporary home. I glare my sister down as Bex shoots me the biggest smile. I only wish I could return the same smile.

Remember, hot, passionate hybrid sex. Ivonna's words are in my head.

I roll my eyes at her just as Nik descends the stairs. His eyes fill with surprise and he descends the stairs a little faster. He stands when he gets in front of me, smiling at me like I'm his entire world and then some. I wish we weren't fighting and I was doubting my feelings for him. Niklaus takes my face in his hands and leans his face closer to mine. I keep my eyes on Ivonna who stands a few feet behind Nik. She wiggles her brows and I know her words before she thinks or says them. I finally meet Nik's eyes and smile. He presses a light kiss to my lips and mouth the words: I'm sorry. In all honesty there was really nothing to be sorry about. I was the one who made a choice and I had to live with it.