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WARNINGS: DEATH, VIOLENCE, BLOOD AND TRAUMA

┌─────── •✦• ───────┐

Saturday, May 12th, 1919

A date was set for a meeting between Papa Tunde and Elijah. The sorcerer said he wanted to empower the witches, money and territory, which neither Elijah, Klaus or Adrienne were going to give him, and of course, he didn't like that, therefore a rampage ensured, more sacrifices, scaring the locals. No one is safe, and he made that crystal clear. His tantrum had been going on for far too long, so a truce was offered by the nobleman.

He gave his word.

But Klaus and Adrienne had another idea.

─────── •✦• ───────

"You're late, Elijah. It's not like the noble brother to keep me waiting," Papa Tunde said from his seat, hearing someone enter the meeting place.

"I'm sorry, mate. Elijah is the brother you meet when negotiations are to be had. I'm the one you get when negotiations are closed," Klaus strolled in with Adrienne on his arm, both adorning navy colours.

They appeared to be the perfect pair, the happy couple, but looks were the master of deception.

"You do not scare me. You have no idea the power I possess," he said, rising from his chair, then turned to look at the woman with the radiating power. It made his skin tingle, "You, however, must be The Adrienne Lumière."

"Mikaelson," Klaus corrected but was quickly dismissed, just as Adrienne dropped his arm and rounded the table.

"Miss lumière," Papa Tunde held out his hand for her to shake, but Adrienne just stared at it until he lowered it, much to her husband's amusement.

"Mr Delgaggo," her dark eyes travelled over his white tuxedo, knowing his ego took a hit, "I've heard about you."

"My followers call me Papa Tunde," he insisted.

"Something you'll never hear me address you, as I am your Queen, not your follower," he went to interrupt but she wouldn't let him, "For months now, you've dismissed my rules and my reign, claiming that you're the King of the witches."

He smirked, "I am."

"Your reign is false," Adrienne kept her calm and calculated demeanour and her husband managed to do the same despite his growing anger.

Papa Tunde countered, "Says the Queen had abandoned her people."

"You say abandoned, I say operated in the shadows."

"...Of your mansion, where I heard your son resides."

Klaus' anger tore through his expression, freely roaming the air that swarmed them, yet his wife kept her stoicism

Adrienne then mustered up a smile, "Yes my son, the very son who I bore whilst people attacked my home."

Placing his hands on the table, Klaus darkly chuckled, "We know it was you, mate. Ordering a little witchy coup, which failed."

"Terribly, might I add," the smirking couple made him scoff.

Twirling his hand, Papa Tunde spoke through clenched teeth, "Your... child is not natural."

Adrienne's head cocked to the side, "A magical child is not a juxtaposition, but a man who does both ancestral magic and sacrificial is, now that it, wouldn't you say so Husband?"

"I would sweetheart," Klaus neared closer, joining his wife as she met him in the middle, "You attempted to harm our child before he took his first breath, tried to steal the magic radiating from my home, coming from my magnificently fierce wife and then stole power from the Nexus Vorti to aid in your plan to eliminate our heir."

"And here we thought that your first mistake was coming into town," Adrienne said, shaking her head.

Papa Tunde turned up his nose, "Ah, and yours was marrying this creature,"

Adrienne feigned offence, "Your issue is with my choice of partner?"

"Your skewed values and beliefs are my issues, sure, I have heard the tales of the great Adrienne Lumière the Merciless Queen and her brother Hadeon, the Voodoo prince, the destroyer and yet since I've arrived in the city, your absence has been great for my campaign," he sounded elated towards the end.

Klaus mockingly nodded, exchanging a look with his wife, "Ah yes, your campaign to gain more power to destroy my family and rule New Orleans."

"Did you expect me to stay away and allow that to happen?" Adrienne questioned.

"You are a mother, correct? It is a full-time job or so I'm told," Papa Tunde said rather condescendingly.

A humourless laugh escaped from Adrienne's lips.

"Just like you're a full-time father, correct?" She rebutted.

Papa Tunde's face fell.

Adrienne's smirk broadened, "My.... surrogate mother, the Voodoo Priestess, informed me all about you and your fatherhood and your power."

"Oh, in fact, we made it a point to learn all about your power. I noticed how you're almost always near those twin sons of yours, how they bear your distinctive mark," Klaus motioned to his head, "Got me thinking — you channel their power, don't you?"

Adrienne's smirk grew, just like Klaus'.

"Which, of course, begs the question: what would happen was that power to be taken away, if those sons whose lives you depend on were suddenly struck down? What of that power then?" He continued.

"Being a full-time parent... you should know the whereabouts of your children," Adrienne's smirk turned into a twisted smile. "We do," she motioned between her and Klaus, "can you say the same?"

They stepped aside when Marcel entered the room, with a box and set it down.

Papa Tunde looked inside and gasped, physically pained by the severed heads of his twin sons.

"I will kill you for this," he said enraged.

Klaus' eyes darkened, "I cannot be killed. You, however..."

Just as he flashed over Papa Tunde threw powder into the air, coating Klaus' skin, nevertheless the hybrid overpowered the acid-like substance and pressed his thumbs into the witch's eyes, smirking at the gutwrenching yell he received and didn't stop until they passed through the witch's brain, killing him.

"Klaus," Adrienne watched as the dead faux King fell to the ground.

Klaus grunted at the scars slicing through his skin.

"What did he do?" He growled as Marcel rushed to his side with Adrienne in tow.

"It's easily remedied, don't worry," she explained "I've seen it before, it involves belladonna and wolfsbane, I'll make a paste."

The powder attacked his accelerated healing.

Klaus groaned and rubbed at his eyes, despite the blood coating.

Adrienne turned to Marcel, "His sons, where are they?"

"What?" Klaus gritted out, confused.

Marcel responded, "Imprisoned in the Dowager's cottage."

"Good," Adrienne nodded, shifting slightly, trying to see the damage the powder was doing to Klaus' face. "I'll get someone to apprehend his blade."

"They weren't his son's," Marcel informed Klaus.

Adrienne's eyes flickered black and a few lights exploded, she waved her over the box and Klaus saw completely different people.

Adrienne turned to him, "They weren't his sons."

Klaus, all while in pain, couldn't help but become intrigued by his wife's plan.

He smirked, "Oh, The cleverness of you."

─────── •✦• ───────

Now back at the Abattoir after disposing of Papa Tunde's body and the heads of the unnamed men, Adrienne started work on the paste.

She wasn't sure why she was so adamant about making it when she could issue it as a task for another of her witches.

From inside her room, on the floor, she ground together various plants Valerie gave her.

Klaus watched whilst slithering in pain on her bed. His shirt was long discarded as the slits spread, forcing him to rip it off, not like she bothered to even look at his bare chest.

They both wanted this to work fast.

Klaus didn't want to see Malachai in such a state and Adrienne hated how she was growing more comfortable in her husband's presence.

"They weren't his sons. When might I ask did you and Marcel discuss the nifty trick?" He wondered aloud.

"Back when I realized that I would be murdering two innocent children."

"They were adults," Klaus argued, furrowing his brows.

"Barely," Adrienne scoffed, offering a cup, "drink."

He consumed the tonic to stop the pain, yet the slits still coated his face.

She took it from him, sighing when he held on for longer than necessary.

Klaus' eyes lit up, "They played their part in Papà Tunde's plan."

"They're father's plan," she paused, "Just like Marcel played his part in yours."

"And yours too," he snorted, knowing she was rolling her eyes, "Any reason why you failed to tell me?"

She briefly looked at him, "You're an awful actor, I couldn't have you ruining the plan."

"And what a plan it was, drawing his sons away, one of his main sources of power and sending them straight into —"

"Where you trapped Astrid and Mary-Alice," she gritted out the last name, still harbouring her distaste for the witch who spread lies about her, to the man who was now sitting on her bed and consumed them all.

"My dear ol' brother finally spilt that to you," He concluded, realizing he had another thing to add to the list of Kol's offences.

"He did." Adrienne cast him an agitated look, "And I feel for Astrid, her only crime was —"

"Conspiracy, alongside Miss Claire," he deadpanned.

She huffed, "Whatever you say, Klaus."

"Love...."

"We just punished two innocent boys. I did," she corrected herself, turning around, and adding a few more plants to paste.

Klaus made a face, "It was for our son."

"No... it was for my pride, and your ego," she pointed out.

"What about your friend... Clarence was it?"

She frowned, "He wasn't my friend, but he was an ally who was caught in the crossfire."

"We were successful, one less enemy on our roster," he silently cheered as she rose from the floor.

His heart rate increased when she took a few steps closer, almost between his legs with her eyes still on the bowl as she realized something was missing, when she looked up she was taken aback by his impenetrable gaze.

"Did it not feel like the good old days, arm in arm, hand in hand, me by your side whilst concocting our ploys, avenging our loved ones?" He asked.

"Of course, you'd see it like that," she murmured, despite herself.

"Don't you? Come on, you felt something today, other than disgust or anger whenever you glance at me," he pressed.

"We did what was necessary," she tried deflecting but he didn't relent, reaching out to gently touch her hand which shivered upon impact.

"Remember when we defeated the Axeman? I saw that same confidence and cleverness in you today that you had then, you looked like your old self — that ruthlessness, that desire for bloodlust," his tone lowered, sending a shiver down her spine, "It's still there."

"It's never left," she whispered, glancing into his eyes.

His gaze flickered to her lips, those alluring lips, he couldn't escape them, he could remember the last time he felt them, caressed them with his. Their wedding day, and oh how he needed them again.

He took a chance, still holding her hand and leaving forward.

But his breath fanning hers, touching her lips, broke the spell and she stepped back, gasping in shock at what almost happened.

Then Adrienne's hand collided with his face, sending a smack through the room.

Klaus didn't make a sound, though, his head snapped to the side.

"Did you honestly think I would kiss you?"

He rubbed his sore face, "Still armed with a strong slap, I see."

"Are you out of your mind?" when he heard the emotions breaking her voice his jovial tone dropped as did his heart. "You think some time has passed and suddenly I want to forgive you? You're fooling yourself if you think I could sweep everything under the rug," she settled the bowl down on the bedside table.

"I'm trying," Klaus winced.

"And yet you still haven't grasped the level you wronged me. I still can't trust my own mind because of your manipulation. I have to wear more clothes around you and Kol because I don't want either of you getting the wrong idea," she blurted out.

His eyes shot out of his head, "Adrienne I... we would never."

"You tried to kiss me because... I don't know why, but the fact you thought you could is not okay."

He opened his mouth and closed it a few times.

"Even at night I dream of you getting into my head again and again and again, which is why I can't sleep, and my mother's voice moulds into yours, it bellows through me when I close my eyes, you both call me a lying bitch and torment me until I open them," she rasped.

Adrienne hugged herself as she looked around the room, trying to control her breathing, the lights flickered, alerting Klaus as her eyes changed colour a few times.

"And you think I would just kiss you like all is forgiven," she sniffled.

"I didn't –"

"You've seen me in pain and agony for more than ten months now and yet, you still decided to lie to Kol about...about you and me. Do I really mean that little to you?"

"You mean everything to me, you and Malachai, Marcel are everything to me, " he ducked when a light exploded over him, "Adrienne!"

She rubbed her eyes, flinching when more items flew over the room, including the bowl she was making the paste.

Klaus didn't know how to get her to stop and touching her wasn't an option.

"I can't be around you, so I'll have someone swing by and make you a new batch," she said, exhaling deeply.

"Ria..."

"Don't, please just don't call me that," She made her way towards the door, "I'll bring Malachai when you're healed, I know... I can feel that he wants you.."

"I'm sorry."

She exited the room, too distraught to see the remorse on the pain-riddled hybrid.

─────── •✦• ───────

Adrienne called Melinda to help Klaus because she had a speciality in various concoctions and poisons, similar to Valerie, but she knew her closest friend wouldn't get anywhere near the hybrid, so the Park witch was the next best option.

Adrienne was a little apprehensive when approaching her son's nursery, she didn't want her powers to get out of control again.

She had Rebekah helping her with bath time. It might've been five in the evening, but the baby decided to spill a glass of squash and roll around in it, giggling like mad.

"He's trouble, aren't you Mally?" Rebekah smiled down at him as he splashed around in the water. They used a mini bath for him, he loved the bubbles. "Hello, trouble."

Malachai giggled, folding his fingers into a fist and placing it in his mouth.

Adrienne forced a smile and carefully picked him up and placed him in his towel after scrubbing him clean.

He babbled near her ear, Sometimes he tried repeating the words everyone said to him but just cooed instead.

"I still cannot believe he tried to bloody kiss you," Rebekah was disgusted whenever she heard about her brother's behaviour, "I believe my mother dropped on his head as a child."

"You were Vikings Rebekah, you were all probably dropped as children," the Queen witch started drying her son.

"Okay, mean," Rebekah cast a playful glare at her, then gently grabbed the hand Malachai held out and pretended to eat it, making him squeal and turn away. "I wouldn't hurt you, dear nephew, you're too adorable and too handsome."

They both could have sworn he nodded in agreement.

"Did you have to call Melinda to help my brother?"

"Yes," Adrienne answered all too quickly, confusing Rebekah, "don't worry."

"You should, she's not a nice girl," Rebekah murmured, looking at the closed door, wishing she could just see what Melinda was up to, but she didn't want to leave her sister-in-law and nephew.

"Why, because you think she caused Mira's death?" Adrienne asked with a knowing look.

Rebekah bit down on her bottom lip, "She had a part in it."

"Then so did my brother."

Rebekah was stunned by that, "Adrienne."

"They were flirting, both way too close to each other from what I was told, he blamed himself and kept his distance, and she apologized countless times, even though she shouldn't have to. One person... two people were to blame for Mira's death and they're gone," Adrienne explained, sighing towards the end, feeling an ache in her chest.

Rebekah sheepishly nodded then turned her attention back to her nephew who was slowly nodding off.

"Can I dress him? Then could I tell him a story, I promise it won't take long?"

Adrienne nodded with a small smile, letting Rebekah get on with it. She pressed a kiss to her son's head and left.

Sometimes she couldn't help but feel everyone had a better relationship with her son. Her witches, brother, in-laws, Marie, hell in her father whenever he bothered to come and visit. Was it me? She wondered.

Swallowing her feelings she walked along the hallway, with one hand on the bannister as she approached Klaus' room.

She raised a brow when she heard some noise.

When she pushed open the door a dry laugh escaped her lips when a saw caught Melinda readjusting her lipstick and flustered-looking Klaus.

They both snapped their heads when they noticed her.

Melinda rushed out before a now-angry Klaus reached out for her.

"Adrienne," Klaus started to explain, stammering over his words, "I promise it's not what it looks like," he could hear her resting heartbeat and was more terrified than ever, why was she so calm?

"Suppose you all healed now, you can do whatever you want, fuck whoever," she said, watching as he gathered his shirt and put it on.

All the paste was used and hastily worked and aided his accelerated healing.

"I never touched her, Adrienne," he stepped forward, with a pleading look.

"If you're going to have women around please entertain them in a place where our son doesn't lay his head," she turned towards the door, but he kept stumbling around.

"Nothing happened I swear, please you must believe me."

She scoffed, "Just like you believed me when I said I would never betray you?"

"Adrienne. Please."

"You might as well run after Melinda," and with that, she left him silently raging, blindly thinking back what happened.

He wanted to murder Melinda.

Rebekah's angry voice drew his attention.

"Of course, my brothers who constantly accuse me of spreading my legs yet can't keep it in their pants," she ranted, stepping into the room.

"Not you Rebekah, not now."

"Melinda really? That girl is already trouble —"

"I did nothing, I did not touch that woman!" He yelled, clenching his hands together, "My heart belongs to Adrienne and Adrienne only. I do not care if she hates me, I would not dare to glance at another, no matter how desperate I find myself to be."

And for the first time in a while, Rebekah found herself believing her brother, though she didn't want to admit it.

He breathed out, "For once sister, I did nothing, nothing at all."

─────── •✦• ───────

After ignoring another of Klaus' persistent pleas, Adrienne strolled around the house. Malachai was now sleeping but it was only a matter of time before he would scream the house down.

It was approaching eight o'clock and she hastily made her way downstairs, snuck passed the various mindless workers and out into the garden, making sure she wasn't seen.

When she opened the door, she was met with anxious Melinda.

Adrienne pulled out an envelope for the witch, "Here's fifty."

"But... that's more than we agreed," Melinda gulped the few greenback notes, peering at the amount she had.

"You've done enough, plus you don't need more Mikaelsons on your tail do you?"

"People will hate me regardless, at least I have some money to get out of town," Melinda sheepishly replied, much to Adrienne's surprise as she placed the envelope into her bag.

"Your leaving?"

"This town ain't home for me anymore, you're not working at the Saints anymore, your father is too demanding –"

"If it's him, he's gone, I'll somehow make him go," Adrienne rushed out, cursing herself for not returning sooner.

"It's more than that, I feel like it's not the same anymore," Melinda said quietly.

"Well, it'll be home to a Park witch," Adrienne said, smiling before they shared a tight hug.

It was much needed, they might've not been close but they knew they could turn to the other in times of need. Melinda always held onto so much guilt for the death of Mira and Klaus' wrongful wrath directed at the Queen witch. She was never blamed for either but she always carried it around with her. The weight of the world rested on her shoulders and men made sure to always add to it.

"Thank you, Adrienne, you've been a better friend to me than most," Melinda wiped away a tear as they pulled apart.

Adrienne smiled then wondered aloud, "Are you gonna tell my brother?"

"I was hoping you would," Melinda shyly spoke.

"And Frankie... Kol?"

"Frankie has plans of his own. Kol, me and him... We haven't seen each other in a while."

"I'll miss you," Adrienne confessed, during the bittersweet moment.

"I'll miss you two and the girls," Melinda paused, "I'll write, asking about you and the baby okay?"

"And I'll make sure to write back and send dresses."

The witches laughed.

Just before she snuck away, Melinda turned and said, "Oh, and Adrienne."

"Yeah?"

"He loves you, very much so," Melinda offered her a small smile.

"I know," Adrienne sighed, waving her goodbye. "Be safe."

"You too."

─────── •✦• ───────

Monday, May 13th, 1919

"You will not read our son those terrible folktales," Klaus exclaimed, following Adrienne out of the nursery, waving the Grimmes brother's book around.

"And you will not wave a dagger in front of his face so he goes to sleep," she snapped back, holding the Tunde blade in her hands, annoyed that he believed it was a good idea.

Klaus rolled his eyes, "Apologies Adrienne, I'd rather him not scream until he passes out."

"The tales help him," she explained, pushing open the door of his room, and starting to search for the teddy bear to help her son sleep.

"And so does –"

"I dare you to say waving a dagger in his face will help him," she purposefully lowered her voice to sound like him, Klaus was shocked by her impression and even stifled a laugh, "You understand Papa Tunde's blade should be locked away right?"

"Oh like my daggers?" he scoffed.

"Yes, like you're daggers," she stated, setting aside the blade and scanning the room, "Where's the bear?"

Klaus insisted, "One thing will allow our son to have a peaceful rest and it's not the bear, or the tales or the –"

"Don't say it," she glared at him when he jokingly nodded to the blade on his bed.

"It's you and I," he exclaimed, stopping her in her stride, "our presence, together, will help him."

"No," she dismissed and started walking out of the room, with him right behind her.

"Bloody hell, you know it's true, I wouldn't say it if it wasn't," Klaus huffed as they walked along the hallway.

"No, you just want me in your bed, then use it to plot against your brother," Adrienne angrily waved a hand and slammed open her bedroom door.

"Don't get me started on plots and plans, when you're just as guilty as me," he started backtracking when her eyes started narrowing, "Fine, perhaps not just as guilty, but I know you."

"Oh do you now," she said, turning back to him with folded arms.

"Your coups are getting better sweetheart," he stepped closer, "but one word of advice, if you're attempting to set me up, aim to look heartbroken at the thought of me with another woman."

Adrienne glared, "I don't understand."

"If another dared to touch me, and I bothered to reciprocate, your magic would flare and burn us all to the ground," his eyes lit up after catching her body stiffen, "I know you, you may not portray yourself as the jealous type but you are. Just like me."

She scoffed, "Whatever you say, husband."

"Deny it all you want, wife, you know it's true. All of it." He smirked towards the end, nearly earning the same expression from her, but she was too damn stubborn to let it happen. "All of it."

Fortunately, the door opening allowed Adrienne to let out a sigh she wasn't aware she was holding.

"William Kenner was just announced dead," Elijah informed.

The married couple were not expecting that.

"It appears there was a challenge for the title of Alpha amongst the Crescents and now there is a new Queen, a distant cousin of his," he explained, earning a raised brow from his brother.

"Queen?" Adrienne smiled.

"Yes Queen," Elijah nodded, "Although it is unclear who will take William's seat on the council."

"How so brother?" Klaus questioned.

"Not everyone is so forward-thinking, times are progressing but the wolves appear to be stuck in the past, I'm told the Malrauxs and Guerreras are at each other's throats."

Adrienne pinched the bridge of her nose, "Well that's great. A woman rightfully gains power and there's a problem," she sighed, then asked Elijah, "What's the new Queen's name?"

"Lana."

─────── •✦• ───────

Tuesday, May 14th, 1919

"Close your eyes," Clementine instructed, bringing Elijah's head down onto her lap.

The partners were engulfed by the sweet smell of lavender with a single candle illuminating his room.

"May I ask why they must be closed?" he asked with an amused smile playing on his lips.

"You may, but I won't answer," she said smugly, stroking his brown locks.

"My lovely Cleo, you wish to glimpse into my mind, to know, to understand me. To allow myself to get in touch with my past yet I cannot know the inner workings of yours?"

Clementine huffed, "Of course you can, but I don't want to be interrupted."

"We won't be, I give you my word, that I won't interrupt you," he gently reached for the hand rubbing his scalp and kissed it.

"In this house, that isn't likely," she grumbled.

And she was right, the irruption came in the form of Hadeon and Kol.

Elijah was quickly on his feet and then helped his witch up off the floor.

On the other side of the house, within the nursery held two arguing men and a crying Malachai.

"You think I would lay a hand on him?" Kol stressed, twitching at the sound of his crying nephew.

"I wouldn't put it past you," Hadeon hissed, checking over Malacahi who was starting to calm down.

"He was crying and no one was here!" Kol's loud voice tore through the room.

Elijah and Clementine finally reached them, the latter quickly picked up the baby and gently bounced him, soothing his foul mood.

"I would rather him cry than be subjected to whatever torment you have in mind. Don't forget I know what you subjected Marcel to," Hadeon snarled.

Elijah stared at his brother, eyes flickering with memories of the past, causing him to join his partner in claiming his nephew.

"He was crying," Kol repeated, only wanting to show Malachai a few harmless magic tricks like pulling gold coins out of his ears since Adrienne and Klaus were both out of the house. He thought it would help him and it did, until Hadeon reached the room.

"Kol, please leave," Elijah instructed, not bothering to look over his shoulder.

"I wouldn't hurt him, Elijah," Kol concealed his hurt with anger.

"Kol, would you please leave the room, the rest of us have more important things to deal with than your callous tricks," Elijah dismissed him.

Hadeon hadn't stopped glaring at the vampire who yelled one final time, "I wouldn't bloody hurt him!"

─────── •✦• ───────

Monday, May 20th, 1919

"I doubt he would've hurt him," Adrienne said, referencing the Kol incident the day before.

She and her witches all gathered around a table at the Euphoria. It was the first meeting she attended in months and she was slowly getting into the swing of things. The store was shut, both doors this time were spellbound, treats were laid across the table and squash and tea were on the side.

"That's not what Deon thinks," Clementine murmured.

"What about Elijah?" Evania asked.

"He didn't say much."

Valerie turned to Adrienne, "Is Mal okay?"

"He's fine, settled, Klaus is taking him outside today, well, he's taking him to the garden," Adrienne said, wishing she could be there to see it, but Rebekah said she needed to leave the house.

"Can't imagine being cooped up all day," Valerie mindlessly said and received a pinch from Clementine.

Adrienne clicked her tongue, "Gee, thanks Val."

"You know what I mean," he hasn't left the house for weeks, a statement they were all thinking.

"The protection spells placed across the Abattoir are strong, for now, I won't risk anything happening to my son if he leaves, Papa Tunde was only one threat," Adrienne defended.

"You're right," Valerie winced, "I'm sorry."

Adrienne slowly nodded, "I have this feeling that something's coming, no, I know something's coming but I don't know when, it's like part of my magic is still being blocked."

"I could help you?" Evania suggested.

"I think it's something I have to do alone."

Valerie sighed, "Adri..."

Clementine shook her head, "Don't do that, we're all here for you."

"I know, I just... I don't know, I feel like it's something I have to do alone," Adrienne reiterated.

"But you shouldn't, you're our Queen and have been for two years. You've accomplished so much both with and without us and now you're a mother, a wife," Valerie gently squeezed her hand.  "You're not alone, you were never alone, so let us help you."

Adrienne rolled her shoulders back as she looked around the room at the reassuring smiles. You're not alone, she kept telling herself that but she always got worried if she let in the help she so desperately needed, she would just get betrayed all over again.

But it was a leap of faith and she suppose she should take it.

"...okay," she agreed.

"Good," Clementine happily clapped and Evania beamed.

"Thank you," Adrienne sheepishly smiled.

"You don't have to thank us," Valerie finally let go of her hand and brought a beignet to her lips, smiling when she took a bite. "Now, I was told that Papa tunde's followers have been slaughtered."

Adrienne hummed as she swallowed, "Klaus handled that."

"Well, he's good for something."

The other two agreed.

"What about the rest of the power of the Nexus Vorti?" Valerie questioned.

"Deon said it was our father," Adrienne said, taking another bite.

"What?!" Valerie and Clementine exclaimed, but then quickly realised how it wasn't a surprising thought.

"Marie Laveau agreed apparently," Evania added, much to their surprise.

Adrienne raised a questioning brow, "And how do you know that?"

"De – I mean Hadeon," she stammered, much to their amusement.

Clementine giggled, "You two are close."

"He hates me," Evenia denied.

"Oh no, he doesn't," they said replied in unison.

"He's grieving and so are all of you," she added.

"He is and we are," they said again in unison. "But Hadeon is known for his wandering eye just as much for his magic," Clementine stated.

"He lost the love of his life, I'm no more than a crush." Evania couldn't fight her blush, but knew it in her heart to put her aside feelings. "Despite the fact it's been over a year since her passing, it's the truth." He loves Mira, She told herself when she caught her slipping into Hadeon's sensual grasp. "So, what are you gonna do about your father?"

"Marie says she's handling it," Adrienne remarked, making a note to ask her brother about his relationship with Evania.

She didn't care for the fact he was moving on, only worried that it might be too soon.

"I would pay to see that," Valerie chuckled.

Clementine agreed, "So would I."

"I still cannot believe that she's Deon's mother."

"It's been almost two years, how?" Adrienne said with a snort.

"I still cannot believe she named him Hadeon."

Clementine laughed, "What's wrong with his name?"

"Nothing, nothing," Valerie denied with an innocent smile.

"What would you name your child Val?" Adrienne suddenly asked, laughing alongside Evania.

"If I have children."

"Do you want children?" Clementine asked.

Valerie stared at Adrienne as she responded, "Hearing you give birth for seven hours... has surprisingly not stopped me from wanting children."

"My sister gave birth for nineteen with her first and almost a day with her second," Clementine said, before bringing the drinks over.

She remembered the times she returned to the Tremé neighbourhood to help her older sister with her pregnancy.

"Disgusting," that earned Valerie a playful glare, "but I've thought of names, Nandi for a girl."

"That's pretty," Evania complimented. "Don't you want boys?"

"Malachai is practically my nephew and he's enough." Valerie retorted, making them laugh, before turning to Evania, "What about you Nia?"

"Yes, what about you and my brother, thought about having kids?" Adrienne teased.

"Nothing is going on between me and your brother and no, I wouldn't want children," Evania's family scared her for life, children didn't appeal to her.

"And can we also all agree Hadeon has little bastards running around the place?" Valerie joked.

"Yes," everyone agreed without question and broke out into laughter.

"So Val, who would you be having little Nandi with?" Adrienne nudged her.

"Easton," Clementine blurted out with a laugh.

Valerie scowled, "Clem!"

"Isn't he married?" Evania thought aloud.

"And when did this start?" Adrienne pressed, I've missed so much. Val with a wolf?  oh, the jokes write themselves.

"It's not my fault he wants a taste, and I have you know, he and his former wife been divorced for a few months, which is when we began courting, but they keep up the facade for the city and her mother's religious heart," Valerie informed.

In her eyes, it wasn't an affair.

"Damn," Adrienne stifled a laugh.

"I did not see that coming," Evania murmured.

Adrienne nodded, "I always thought you and Kol were..."

"What?!" No one had ever seen Valerie's eyes so comically large.

"Same," the other's agreed with Adrienne.

"That's disgusting." Valerie thought she would be sick. "I have morals."

Clementine snorted, "Name one."

"To never lay a hand on a child and to never betray my sisters."

A smile broke out on Adrienne and Clementine's face.

After seeing Evania's shy expression, Valerie added, "Even you Nia."

"Thank you," Every day Evania felt like she belonged in New Orleans.

A small tear escaped Adrienne's eye.

"Adri, why are you crying?" Valerie noticed and rubbed her shoulder.

"My friends are dropping like flies, I'm just grateful to have you all," Adrienne admitted, wiping a tear and they all rushed and engulfed her in a hug, "I love you."

And they all loved her, not because she was their Queen, or a chance to have authority around the city, but because she was Adrienne.

And that was enough.

└─────── •✦• ───────┘

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a/n:

how did you like the little plan of adrienne's? she had two this chapter, successfully getting rid of papa tunde and his sons. what she did to the twins was a little twisted, but it's in character for her to torment her enemies instead of always instant kills. similar to how she's tormenting klaus by not forgiving him and using one of my fave side oc's (melinda) as bait. melinda leaving wasn't originally in the plan but i didn't want her to be around doing anything and i believe this was the perfect exit for her, despite having a target on her back.

originally, i wanted klaus to screw up even more and either kiss another woman or do something worse but he's not that much of an idiot (and loves adrienne too much) and besides, melinda wouldn't betray adrienne like that. therefore, she allowed herself to be used in adrienne's plan. (melinda and klaus didn't do anything so for once he was being honest).

finally a happy ending to a chapter. but since there are other sources at play, it won't be happy for long.

i understand there's been some discourse about adrienne and klaus' relationship and i hope you understand that even if she does forgive it won't be easy, yes the story includes their love and relationship but it's not solely about that. it might be annoying that they're arguing about his misdeeds but it is something to discuss considering there are so many of them to count. it's too common in fics especially klaus ones for the oc to forgive him after he bats his eyelashes or apologises once. i'm bored of seeing it so i won't apologise that my story is different. how their marriage and terms of their bond will progress will be shown throughout the rest of this act, if that goes against your preferences feel free to stop reading.

- liv