𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐞.
chapter four, the story of the devil and angel!

England, 1492. . .

           KATERINA PETROVA WINCED AS ZAKIYAH TIGHTENED THE LAST RIBBON OF HER CORSET. The Bulgarian native was standing in front of her vanity, staring at the English woman who was busying herself along with two other maids to get her ready for the ball tonight.

        "My greatest apologies," Zakiyah whispered, her eyes meeting Katerina's in the mirror briefly before she found interest in Katerina's lower back again. The brunette bit her lip, wishing to speak with the Black beauty alone. "May I speak with Zakiyah alone, please?"

         The other maids gave Zakiyah a confused look to which she responded with a shrug. She had to play her part well as she wished not for Katerina to be hurt. The two maids nodded and walked out of the room leaving them alone.

       Zakiyah stepped back from Katerina and gave her an amused look. Katerina giggled at the brunette beauty and reached for her hands.

"Please tell me that you are to be of attendance tonight?"

        Katerina pouted, eyes pleading for her lover to be present. Zakiyah smiled, the brightness of it warming Katerina's heart. She interlocked their fingers together, and Zakiyah took it as an opportunity to gently squeeze their hands while maintaining Katerina's lustful stare.

          "That I will. I shan't have thou be of thirst and fatigue now can I?" The humor in her voice made Katerina deflate slightly. "Wishful thinking is it not for thy to be present as my date rather than a maid?"

     "Very much so, yes," Zakiyah nodded, as she saw Katerina's eyes dim. Zakiyah removed her hands from Katerina's hold to cup the Bulgarian's cheeks. "Though, it would be something magical."

    "Then let us create the magic between us now," perplexed, Zakiyah raised a brow just as Katerina placed one hand around Zakiyah's waist while the other reached for her hand to link their fingers. Katerina then began to sway back and forth as Zakiyah placed her free hand around Katerina's neck.

     "Katerina!" She gasped just as she dipped the English beauty. She pulled her back up so that their noses were touching. Zakiyah was breathless while Katerina was giggling mischievously. "You are to get us caught!"

"We shan't be caught if you do not make a sound."

      Katerina gently placed her lips on Zakiyah's, both their eyes fluttering shut. Zakiyah held onto the back of Katerina's neck while she untangled her hand from Katerina's to cup Katerina's breast.

       Katerina gasped into the kiss, allowing for Zakiyah to deepen it. Taking charge, Katerina spun Zakiyah around and lead her to her bed without breaking the kiss. She lightly pushed Zakiyah on the bed who broke the kiss.

     The Black beauty was staring up at Katerina with hooded lashes. She was breathing heavily, her body becoming warm. Katerina looked down at her and bit her bottom lip that was swollen.

She wanted Zakiyah and she wanted her now.

     "Katerina. . ." Zakiyah whispered, unsure if it was wise to continue when they could be caught at any given moment. Katerina whined. "Zakiyah are you to make me beg for you?"

         "I wish not for you to be in trouble if I am to indulge in the forbidden, love," Zakiyah wrapped her hands around Katerina's waist and brought her close. Katerina smirked, and brought her hands to Zakiyah's neck.

     "What is a little trouble in the name of love?" Katerina giggled as she kissed the top of her lover's forehead. Zakiyah shook her head, a crooked smile gracing her lips. "It is quiet risky."

"I love risky as much as I love you."

"You are simply that of the Devil you know, madame Katerina?"

       Zakiyah teased, her fingers grazing Katerina's back. Katerina smirked, and lightly pushed Zakiyah onto her bed. She got on top of Zakiyah, propping her body on the weight of her elbows. She hovered over Zakiyah's face that was a mask of admiration.

"I know, but that is why you love me angel. Now please, kiss me once more, Zakiyah."

Mystic Falls, present timing. . .

      "HELLO, EARTH TO KATHERINE! YOU THERE?" Katherine blinked, her skin becoming inflamed. She let out a small hiss, the straighter she was using to flatten out her curls leaving an angry shade on her already healing skin.

     She frowned, shaking off the pain and proceeded with the task. Lucy studied the brunette, trying to figure her out. Katherine Pierce was hardly ever distracted so what was on her mind? It had to be serious.

        "What was it you were saying?" Katherine questioned, the lie dripping off her voice like honey. "Sorry, got caught up thinking over tonight's plans."

      Lucy, distracted by the calm delivery believed the vampire, yet raised her brow in curiosity at what plans she had instore.

     "Understandable," Lucy dismissed with a wave of her hand. She nodded her head at Katherine's reflection. "What's with the hair?"

     "I'm impersonating my dull-as-dishwater doppelgänger Elena," she rolled her eyes at the thought of the Gilbert girl. "She has the worst taste."

     "Except in man," Lucy quipped with a teasing grin. It fell after she thought a moment. "Isn't it a risk pretending to be her in front of the entire town?"

Risks. . .

      "I've gotten quite good at it actually and everyone's gonna be in masks," Katherine explained as she pushed back her newly straightened hair. "It's for some feed this, something charity. It's for a good cause Lucy."

"Hm, okay. Well, have you actually seen the moonstone before? I always thought it was some made up legend."

"I have seen it and I need you to help me get it back."

"Oh yeah? What are you gonna do with it?"

      The witch pressed, clearly interested in what Katherine had planned. What would Katherine want with the moonstone? Clearly uncomfortable, the vampire remained silent.

Lucy's eyes widened in realization.

"You want me to break the curse."

"Let's just get it first. All I really need from you is backup,"

        Turning off the straightener, Katherine placed it down on the vanity. She turned to her alli, Lucy, who was looking hesitant in helping.

    Katherine flashed her a kind smile that didn't match the fire in her eyes. She needed Lucy more than she let on and Katherine Pierce was determined to have the witch help her by any means necessary.

"I can't imagine that Damon and Stefan are just gonna hand it over without putting up a fight."

★彡. ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.

England, 1492. . .

        ZAKIYAH REED HAD KEPT HER HEAD DOWN, AS HER MOTHER HAD TAUGHT HER THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. While she wasn't dressed as extravagantly as the other women in the room, it was her charming personality when addressed that instantly made her one of the most beautiful woman in the room.

            Currently, she was speaking with a nobel man with long golden locks that fell past his shoulders. He was a handsome fellow with golden stubble to match and oceanic eyes that seemed to have lived to see a lifetime of adventures and possibly heartbreak.

      "You flatter me my lord," Zakiyah chuckled, feeling heat rise to her cheeks. The man laughed lightly, enjoying her company. The party was a bore to him seeing as he had yet to find the doppelgänger. "I insist that you may call me Nik, Zakiyah."

        "My apologies, Nik," Zakiyah corrected with her dazzling smile that interested the Original. He tilted his head at her, drinking in her attire. She didn't squirm from his gaze, something that amused him. "If you wish to have your thirst quenched, all you must do is ask my lord,"

         Raising a glass, she extended it to the blond who bellowed with laughter. Zakiyah was that of an anomaly. He fancied her wit that equally matched her stunning beauty. Niklaus laughed at her humor and accepted the drink.

      "My sincerest apologies, love," Nik drank the glass, yet his eyes studied her from the rim of the glass. "I do hope that you may find forgiveness in your heart for my lack of mannerisms."

       Zakiyah batted her eyelashes and winked innocently at the man who couldn't help, but smirk. She shrugged, tongue running over her teeth through closed lips.

"Apology accepted,"

        Zakiyah saw past Nik's shoulder and noticed Katerina watching from afar. She wore a look of jealousy that Zakiyah knew all too well. Catching her eyes, the brunette turned on her heels and went into another room. Frowning, she looked back at Nik who was staring at her curiously.

       "Pardon, me Nik, but I must use the lady's room, at once," Zakiyah gave him an apologetic smile. "It was lovely meeting you and I do hope you have a splendid rest of thou night."

      Not waiting for his response, Zakiyah abandoned her post to follow after her lover through the crowd. She casually looked in both directions to see if anyone was watching her. When she saw the cost was clear, she entered the room and closed the door behind her.

       It was one of the many art rooms of the owner's home. She wasn't allowed to enter unless given permission, but she'd do anything for Katerina. Even if it meant receiving a beating for her reckless behavior.

      "Katerina," Zakiyah announced her presence, though the brunette already knew it was her. She was counting on it. Turning around, Katerina faced Zakiyah with a sour expression. "Zakiyah."

     "Katerina, please," Zakiyah begged, walking towards the Bulgarian woman. "Do not be upset with me over a conversation I was consumed with the nobel man."

      "How can I not? He was practically throwing himself at you and you did not deny him," Katerina finished with a sneer. "As if I am no longer someone of interest to you."

    "Katerina, that is not the case and you know it! I am in love with you!" Zakiyah expressed in exasperation. She threw her hands up in the air. "How many times must I remind you that I am only in love with you?"

     "When you stop flirting with a man you just met after making love with me for months!" Zakiyah stepped back, as if to be struck by a whip. "How dare you insinuate that I would throw our relationship for a friend that I had made? Do you really think that less of me?"

           Katerina's eyes widened in horror at what her jealousy had made her wrongfully portray Zakiyah. The English native nodded her head, tears welling up in her eyes. She took a few steps backwards, flinching away from Katerina's attempt at reaching for her hand. It wounded her severely.

    "My sincerest apologies if I have made you think so low of me," straightening her dress she raised her chin, blinking away the tears. "Though, it should not be of surprise as I am only, but a maid."

     "'Kiyah. . ." Katerina instantly regretted her spiteful words. "Please, I am sorry. You are more to me than a maid. I love you."

     "Enjoy the rest of your night, Ms. Petrova. I will be of assistance if needed for a drink," Zakiyah responded calmly, yet the fire in her eyes burned brightly. "Now if you shall excuse me. I must attend to the others. Do stay out of trouble, madame Petrova."

Mystic Falls, present timing. . .

         "DO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE, MADAME PETROVA. . ." Katherine was risen from her slumber, eyes frantically taking in her new surroundings. She noticed the moonstone winking at her almost mockingly from its position across from her.

     Instantly, she reached for it and stood to her height. She tried to leave from the tomb she was in only to see that she was trapped. She banged against the invisible barrier, shaking her head at her reality.

    "Hello Katherine." Her eyes found icy blue that belonged to none other than Damon Salvatore. She hid her fear with venom. "Where am I?"

     She tried to put the pieces together, but her memory was foggy. Irritated at her lack of memory she narrowed her eyes at the eldest Salvatore brother. He was watching her with a victorious gleam in his eyes.

"Where you should have been all along. I thought you'd have learned your lesson by now, messing with a Bennett witch."

"You should have killed me."

    Maybe then I'll be reunited with you after all these years, 'Kiyah. Or maybe I won't because you'll be in Heaven while I rot in the pits of Hell. . . Even then, the gates of Heaven couldn't stop me from seeing you one last time. . .

      Damon scoffed at her suggestion, snapping her out of her deafening thoughts. She rolled her eyes at the vampire.

    "Death would have been too kind." He went to close the tomb door, alarming the brunette. "No, Damon, don't. Damon, don't. You need me, Elena's in danger."

      She yelled, stalling the Salvatore vampire. He raised a brow at her, insinuating for her to continue. "From who?" She had his attention and curiosity, but her tongue betrayed her. "You're lying, you're always lying."

"Why do you think I haven't killed her? Because she's the doppelgänger. She needs to be protected."

    The protection neither of us had, I'm so sorry, Zakiyah, baby. . .

     "Then I'll protect her, while you rot in hell." Damon spat as he closed the door to the tomb. Darkness engulfed Katherine who became frantic. She was trapped. And she was alone.

     No, no, no, this couldn't be happening. Katherine Pierce wasn't one to be bested. And certainly not by the hands of Damon Salvatore. Yet here she was, scared and alone in the tomb she had pretended to be in for centuries.

"No, Damon, don't! I'll do anything, please. Damon! You need me! Damon! You need me! You need me!"

        She screamed desperately. She was pounding against the tomb door, but to no avail. She pinched her eyes shut, salted river streams ran along her cheeks. She collapsed to the floor on her knees, her head against the cool rock.

      Katherine Pierce was petrified━━ she was alone, something that she hadn't fully embraced with the endless men at her beck and call. But now, here she was, in an abandoned tomb, alone and helpless wishing for the very woman who could take away all her pain and sorrows.

      However, Zakiyah Reed was dead because of her selfishness. And now, Katherine Pierce couldn't help, but sob for the loss of her lover once again as she was left to rot.