Anne woke up later than she usually did the next morning. She had dozed off in Lucien's bed, the two of them side by side. Something about that made her sleep better, better than she had in quite a while.

 She got up to shower and get dressed, and felt like she was in a sort of daze. The events of the day and night before seemed unreal, as if were a dream she was living through. But the difference was that this had happened.

 Once she was ready for the day, Anne went looking around the penthouse for Lucien. But he was nowhere to be found, completely disappeared. She immediately pulled out her phone, thankful she had his number on speed dial.

 She wasn't sure if he would actually pick up the phone, but he did.

 "Did you sleep well, darling?" he asked. "I was as quiet as I could. I didn't want to wake you."

 "Well, you certainly did a god job of that," Anne said. "Where are you?"

 "I...had to go out for something. Something important. I should be home soon enough."

 "Lucien, you can be honest with me, you know. Especially after yesterday, I would have thought things have changed now between us. Unless that's why you feel you can't talk to me."

 "No." He sighed. "No, that's not it, I swear. Look, I'm down in the bayou, all right? I'm looking for Rebekah Mikaelson. Giving the current situation, she's the easiest target right now."

 "That can't be what you didn't want to tell me."

 "But it is," Lucien said. "I feel...guilty. I do love you, Anne. I always have. I was so...blinded with infatuation for another woman when you standing right there the entire time, a good woman who loved me like Aurora never did."

 Anne scoffed. "Well, I don't know about a 'good' woman, but I suppose I'm decent. You know now that I've always loved you, Lucien. But you don't have to feel guilty about that."

 "But I do, Anne." He sighed again. "I'm going to kill the Mikaelsons. I've already started this, so it's only right that I finish it. After that, I'm going to better myself. I swear to you, Anne, I'm going to be better, for you. After what you've been through, you deserve someone far better than me."

 "Don't say that," she said. "Look, you do whatever it is you have to do. But come home tonight, all right? Please. I just want to see you, maybe kiss you, too."

 "Now, that I'd like." She could hear a smile in his voice. "I'll come home tonight, love. Until then. Oh, and Anne?"

 "Yes?"

 "I...it doesn't make much of a difference now, but I could have done things differently...I would have given you the other dose of the serum."

 Anne smiled. "It makes a difference to me. Until tonight, love."

 Anne poured herself a drink and sat facing the fireplace. That conversation certainly wasn't a dream. They said they loved each other, and Lucien promised he would come home to her that night. This was how everything was meant to be, she thought. The two of them together, Anne and Lucien against the world.

 Lucien was now the most powerful creature in the world. He would kill the Mikaelsons, and then they could rule if they wished. Together.

 It didn't occur to her that she might never see her love again.

~~~~~~

 Anne paced back and forth across the living room floor, waiting for Lucien. She was anxious and tense, wondering when exactly he would return, how long would it take him, should she call or text him just to be sure he was all right.

 She jumped when the door swung open, and in stepped Klaus, Elijah, and Freya Mikaelson.

 "What do you all want?" she demanded. "Shouldn't you be off defending your kingdom?"

 "Oh, we've already done that," said Klaus.

 Over Klaus' shoulder was slung a burnt carcass, which he now dumped onto the floor. Anne screamed when she saw the watch on its wrist. It was Lucien's watch. 

 Lucien was dead. The Mikaelsons had murdered him.

 "Grab a hold of her, Elijah," Klaus ordered.

 Anne felt Elijah hands pressing into her arms as tears began to roll down her face.

 "You were Lucien's other lover," said Klaus. "He cried out your name just before he died. Clearly, you mattered more to him than I initially realized. It's so obvious that you loved him with all your heart. So sad that you had to lose him so soon. But don't worry, Queen Anne-you'll be joining him."

 Klaus thrust his hand into her chest to rip out her heart.