A/N: This is for AnnieK400

Hope you like it!

***

The Mikaelson ball was truly a sight to behold. The men in their tuxes and the women in their best gowns. You hadn't been to an event like this in decades. You had been invited by both Elijah and Klaus but it was Elijah's invitation that brought you there. You got along well enough with the hybrid but you didn't trust him. He always seemed to want something from you but you weren't about to fall into the trap of being one of his pet witches. You were far too powerful and intelligent for that. 

Elijah, on the other hand, respected your position and the two of you had become great friends over the years. His gaze fell on you as you made your way to the bar for a new drink. Something stronger than the champagne they seemed to be pouring by the gallon. His eyes lit up and he gave you a warm smile. He continued his conversation however and you knew he would find you later. 

"Whiskey neat, please," you said as you reached the bar. 

"That's quite a drink," a voice said from beside you. 

You hummed in agreement but didn't even spare a glance for the man. The bartender placed the glass in front of you and you sipped at the dark liquid. It burned all the way down and you enjoyed every second of it. 

"What's your name?" he asked. "I'm Kol. Perhaps you've heard of me."

Of course you had, the younger brother. Ladies' man. Impulsive. Klaus tended to keep him daggered to keep the rest of the family out of trouble. Of course, with Mikael gone that wouldn't be necessary any longer. Interested now, you turned to take the man in. "Can't say that I have," you told him, not wanting to inflate his ego any more than necessary. "My name is Y/N Y/L/N."

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl."

His cheeky smirk, dark hair and dark eyes, made a rather attractive package truth be told, but you'd never been that easy to win over and you weren't about to start now. "That's what you're going with?"

His brow furrowed and you glanced past him to see Elijah watching your conversation, his lips twitching in amusement. "What do you mean?" Kol asked drawing your attention back to him. 

You arched a brow. "I mean of all the words in the English language those are the ones you chose to put together? Beautiful name for a beautiful girl? How many women have you said that to over the years?"

He smiled wide and looked you over from head to toe as if enjoying the realization you wouldn't be easy prey.  "A few. I never meant it until you."

You rolled your eyes as you downed the rest of your drink. "Casual pick up lines won't work on me."

"And what does work on you, sweetheart? I'm dying to know." He leaned closer until he was only inches away from you. Your heartbeat quickened and you saw his knowing smile as he heard. 

Elijah appeared beside you and offered his hand, which you gladly took. "Honesty is usually the best policy when it comes to Y/N. You should try it sometime."

Elijah spun you out into the middle of the dance floor. "Hello, Y/N."

"Hello, Elijah. It's good to see you again. Thank you for the invitation."

He smiled. "Of course. What fun is a ball without my favorite dance partner in attendance? Is Kol bothering you? I can get him to leave you be if you'd prefer." 

He twirled you causing you to laugh as he spun you back into his arms. "He's not a bother, but it's no fun if you don't make them work for it. What I would like is to know why you really invited me, Elijah? Why did Niklaus invite me?"

"You always were intelligent." He turned as you danced so he could take in the room immediately around the two of you. Pulling you closer to him, he lowered his head to yours so he could speak in your ear. "My mother has returned from the dead. She says she wishes to unite the family. I don't believe her. I need to know if she's up to something."

"Of course," you answered with a smile. It should be a simple enough task. Before Elijah could say anything else, someone tapped on his shoulder. 

"Mind if I cut in, brother?" Kol asked. 

Elijah tilted his head to you then handed you over. "Hello again, Kol," you said. "Have any new material you'd like to try?"

"You wound me, Y/N. You honestly do," he responded, full of mock sincerity. 

Suddenly, the music ended and an announcement was made. "Please join us in the entryway for a toast."

"Ah, it's mother's turn to be the center of attention," Kol stated. "Shall we?" He offered his arm and you looped yours with his. You ended up standing between Kol and Elijah. Klaus caught your eye and you gave him a smile and a slight bow of your head. He saluted you with the glass he'd just taken from the waiter. 

Elijah turned to speak with a petite brunette as Kol handed you a glass. An electric shock went through your fingers as you took it from him. Not a spell, but something else. Preparation for a spell, perhaps? You closed your eyes and inhaled the aroma from the champagne as you whispered your own spell for insight. Blood in the drink to bind the family. There could be no good purpose for that. "Don't drink it," you said in a low tone, knowing the vampires on either side of you would hear. 

You watched out the corner of your eyes as both men pretended to drink without actually swallowing any of the liquid. They quickly put their glasses, as well as yours, on the tray of a passing waiter. Elijah leaned down and laid his lips against your ear. "Klaus heard your warning as well I believe. Would you care to elaborate?"

You gave him a small smile. "Not here."

"Of course," he said and kissed your cheek.

Kol took your hand and turned you to face him. "Now, Ms. Y/L/N, if it is honesty you wish, it is honesty you shall have. My eyes haven't left you since you walked through the door. You outshine every other woman here without even trying. You are simply stunning."

With that he kissed the back of your hand and you couldn't keep the smile from your face. "Well done, Mr. Mikaelson."

His smile mirrored your own as he bowed before you and offered you his hand once more. "Shall we dance?"

You slid your hand into his, vowing to worry about Esther and whatever magic she wished to weave tomorrow.