Chapter Ten
"No! I told you, not pink! I do not care if it's Versache!" Rebekah snarled, sending the poor shop attendant running, a poofy baby pink dress in her arms. It had been a strange few days since Esther's revival, and they were now busy preparing for the ball Esther had insisted on.
"Bekah, darling, please calm yourself."
"I will when these idiots do as they're told! They managed well enough getting the boys tuxedos, there is no reason this should be so difficult!"
"The boys are all wearing three piece classic tuxedos, there isn't much to it beyond picking a brand. You have taste, my dear, and are far more particular. Though I haven't seen you so worked up in quite some time."
"It needs to be perfect!"
"Beckah, we both know you would look gorgeous in a garbage bag." Aailyah pulled Rebekah away from the mirror, where she was examining the cut of a sapphire blue halter neck mermaid dress with a critical eye, pulling her over to the lounge chair and taking her seat. She glanced at her phone once more before tucking it out of sight, giving Rebekah her undivided attention. "Why don't you tell me what's wrong? Is this Enzo or Esther or something else entirely?"
Shortly after her unexpected arrival, Esther had all but demanded Aailyah get in contact with Finn, who no one had seen since Aailyah undaggered him four hundred years ago. She'd known where he was, of course, and the little girlfriend he'd reconnected with, and she'd managed to track him down in Moscow, Russia. It had taken some persistence to get his attention, but once he'd heard his mother lived once again, it didn't take long to get him and Sage on a plane bound for Mystic Falls. He was set to land in a few hours, and Elijah was busy ironing out the last details of tomorrow's ball.
Kol and Klaus were not so subtly quiet and distant, unsure of what to make of their Mothers sudden return, and Aailyah had taken one look at Rebekah and her building manic energy and whisked her away to choose their dress' a few hours ago. They'd gone to three different boutiques and were no closer to choosing a dress that met Rebekahs Standards than they were when they started.
"I don't know." Rebekah answered after a few moments, her teeth sinking into her lower lip. "I- I don't know. Everythings all mixed up now, and Mother is back- I should be happy-" She cut herself off, visibly getting frustrated, and Aailyah squeezed her hand.
"And you're not happy?"
"I don't know what I am."
"I understand."
"You do?"
"I do. I have a bad feeling. But I can't tell if it's real or if I just liked the peace we had before, or even if it's simply because Esther and I have never gotten along well. I'm worried about Nik and I'm worried about you, and Elijah, and Kol, even though I know I should be happy that she's back."
"She's my mother. I want- I want her-" Rebekah sighed, combing her fingers through her hair. "I don't know what I want. I haven't had my mother in a thousand years, I haven't thought about her or missed her in ages. Isn't that terrible?"
"I haven't thought of mine either, darling. Children grow up, they stop needing their mothers. It's a part of life."
"What if… what if she doesn't care? What if she doesn't love who I am, who I've become. What if she only loves the me I was a thousand years ago. She looks at me as if I am a stranger, not her daughter!"
"Bekah, I have known you for a thousand years. I know you as a strong, smart, beautiful young woman who loves people with her whole heart, who gives second chances to people who are not worthy of your kindness. If anyone looks at you and sees that and still doesn't love you, then they are fools not worthy of the air they breathe." Rebekah smiled slightly, raising their intertwined finger to kiss the back of Aaliyah's hand.
"Thank you."
"Of course, love. Anytime you forget your greatness, I will be here to remind you."
"I don't know why she makes me so anxious. She makes me question everything I know."
"It's a gut feeling, Darling, telling you she's dangerous."
"She's my mother."
"You can love dangerous people too." Rebekah sighed, and Aailyah leaned forward, using two fingers to lift Rebekah's chin so she'd meet her eyes. "Whatever comes next, we'll face it together. Always and Forever." Here, Rebekah beamed, shifting closer to lean against Aaliyah's side, resting her head on her sister-in-law's shoulder and humming contently as Aailyah carded her fingers through the blonde hair. Rebekah remained there, eyes closed, finally relaxing as Aailyah ordered the shop attendants around, albeit much kinder than Rebekah had, politely vetoing several gowns. Rebekah perked up when Aailyah hummed consideringly, sitting up straight and examining the small rack of gowns a flustered attendant rolled in. "Now that's promising."
"You're going to give Elijah a heart attack."
"And Enzo May drop to the ground in awe." Aailyah grinned, leaning forward and running gentle fingers over some shiny forest green silk. "You would look stunning in this, darling. Let's try them."
F&A
"How did you find me?" Finns steely hazel eyes stared Aailyah down from across the room, and she arched an eyebrow, unimpressed.
"It wasn't hard. Not many men are running around searching for White Oak trees, Finn. Really, you'd think after the last thousand years, you'd be tired of coffins." She mocked, and Finn snarled, lunging at her. She was on the other side of the room in the blink of an eye, watching him slam into the wall she'd leant against, amusement sparking in her eyes. "I destroyed the daggers, by the way. And burnt the coffin, so if you do find a White Oak, you'll have to order another. Sorry."
"So what? You destroyed the daggers and burnt the coffin, is all forgiven now? Am I to go back and play happy family with a man who stole seven hundred years from me?"
"Well, it's working well enough for the rest of us." Aailyah shrugged gracefully, sighing at Finn's furious snarl. "What Klaus did was wrong, but-"
"But what?! What could possibly justify what he did, what he took from me? What made me unworthy of being undaggered, unlike the rest of his beloved siblings? What-"
"He thought you were going to kill yourself, you prick!" Finn paused, unused to his sister-in-law raising her voice, and she barrelled on. "He was terrified, Finn. He may not have liked Sage, but she made you happy, so he pretended not to notice when you left to see her, just like the rest of us. And even though you were happy, you kept looking. A messenger came to the house the night before the Five daggered us with the location of a White Oak Sapling in Ireland. Klaus absolutely handled it wrong, but he thought it would keep you safe until he found a way to protect you from yourself."
"He- he doesn't care about me. We've never been close."
"You never let him. You never let any of us in. But you're still family. You're still the brother that taught Klaus how to carve toys for Rebekah, and taught Rebekah and Kol to make salves to help Klaus with the pain when Mikael beat him. You taught Elijah to hunt when all Mikael could do was scream at him, and you took Henrik and Daniel out at night to show them constellations in the stars. You're family, like it or not." Finn stayed silent and Aailyah stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder hesitantly. "I'm not asking you to come home. We are working on our issues together, but we can't force you to be a part of that, Nik wronged you in a way he didn't to us. I'm telling you that you do have a place with us, when you're ready. Always. You are family, and you are always going to be welcomed."
"What if I don't want to come back?"
"Well, I certainly won't force you. But forever is a long time Finn, a long time to be angry, and a long time to be alone. This may help with that, though." Aailyah stepped back, handing Finn a folded piece of paper.
"What is this?"
"Sage. She was last seen on a ship headed to France. I got you a ticket, you should arrive the day after her. The palaces are gorgeous, but I wouldn't stay long, civil unrest and all that." Aailyah shrugged, turning to leave. "We're taking a ship to Lousisianna, in america. A little town called New Orleans, if you want to join us. I have a good feeling about it, I think we may stay a while. You should visit, bring Sage too."
"Aailyah." The brunette paused at the door, glancing back to meet Finn's eyes. "Thank you." Her lips lifted slightly into a small smile, and she nodded, turning and leaving him to his thoughts.
F&A
"Finn. Sage, always a pleasure." Aailyah greeted with a smile, as if they'd seen eachother in the last hundred years.
"Aailyah. Elijah."Finn nodded, eyes trailing over their shoulders and lending on Klaus and Rebekah, who stood shoulder to shoulder, just behind them. There was weariness in his eyes, but far less rage then there had been when Aailyah and Nik ran into them during a trip to Japan a couple hundred years ago. "Bekah, Klaus."
"And Kol!" Kol appeared in a flash, draping himself dramatically around Aailyahs shoulders, kissing Aailyah on the cheek and beaming when she tried and failed to repress a grin. "Beloved brother! And my newest sister in law, looking radiant as always. Haven't decided to ditch Mr. Stoic for his far more handsome, fun brother yet?"
"I don't think Nik is her type, Kol." Rebekah drawled, and while Kol whipped around to argue with her, and Klaus, when he jumped in to list his positive attributes, Aailyah caught Sages, lips twitching into a small smile and the somewhat fond annoyance in Finn's eyes.
Aailyah had kept her word to Finn, giving him space and time to process while the rest of them settled in New Orleans. She'd kept eyes on him and Sage and made sure he knew how to find her, but she didn't contact him until they'd had to flee New Orleans. They'd never managed to uncover how Mikael found them, but Aailyahs first thought was that he'd forced it out of Finn. She sent him a letter to make sure he was unhurt, and felt a surge of hope when he responded, asking over his siblings, clearly concerned they'd been hurt.
To be sure Finn knew he wasn't forgotten, and always welcome, while the Mikaelsons split up to avoid Mikael, taking the opportunity to travel and explore the new world, they'd all taken to sending postcards and letters to Finn during their travels, even Klaus. Kol would occasionally ask Aailyah where he was and fluence off to annoy him for a week. He never responded, but eventually he did stop fleeing whatever country he was in when he got one. Very (very) rarely he would send one back, every decade or so. Fifty years ago, he had sent a picture of himself and Sage at a chapel in Vegas, both dressed in white. Rebekah had sent a tree page letter demanding he let her plan for their vow renewal someday, and Finn agreed easily enough. Things were getting better, slowly, and Aailyah was pleased to see that progress remained so far, despite Esther's return hanging over them.
"You may have the blue eyes and dimples girls swoon over, but I've got the silver tongue, and I know how to use it!"
"Are you saying I don't! I'll have you know, no one to my knowledge has left unsatisfied from my tongue."
"To your knowledge." Kol mocked over Rebekahs disgusted groan.
"Who-"
"Finn." They all fell silent when Esther appeared on the staircase above them, looking them over with a small frown before gesturing to her side. "Come." She turned quickly, disappearing into the office she'd taken over, and Finn and Sage shared a glance, hands tightening around each other before stepping past the rest of them, walking up the white marble staircase. Aailyah watched them go with calculating eyes until Elijah gently gripped her jaw, turning her to face him.
"I have a few things to finish for the ball." He murmured, tilting her chin up to press a soft kiss to her forehead.
"That's alright, darling, I have to meet with Lorenzo. I picked up your tux, make sure to wear the red tie." Aailyah smiled, leaning up to kiss him gently. "See you in a couple hours?"
"I'll be waiting."
F&A
Aailyah walked into Lorenzo's hotel room without knocking, finding him holding up no less than ten ties, all in various shades of green, looking over them with a frustrated set to his jaw.
"Did you buy all of those today?"
"Bloody-" Enzo whipped around, hand flying to his heart as he gaped at her. "How did you- have you never heard of knocking?!" He snapped, before his eyes went wide and horrified, even as Aailyah grinned delightedly. "I mean-"
"Yeah, I'm not good at boundaries. Something you'll have to get used to if you are planning to stay with Rebekah." Aailyah said faux casually, pleased when Enzo rolled his eyes.
"You aren't going to scare me off, Mrs- Aailyah." He corrected himself quickly when she arched an eyebrow at him. "I'd be an idiot to let someone as special as Rebekah go, just because of her family."
"Good boy." Aailyah grinned, walking over and looking over the ties. "Forest Green, Enzo."
"Do you know how many shades of green are in a forest?!"
"No." Aailyah grinned, selecting three and holding them up against Enzo's chest.
"Apparently a lot. Look at the bloody tags! They all say forest green or treetop green or leaf green, it's ridiculous!"
"This one. I'll have a corsage-"
"I've got flowers covered." Enzo nodded at a side table to a corsage of dark green roses and white poppies. Aailyah smiled, walking to the sitting room and opening a glass tumbler of brandy.
"Good. Esther want's family only for the big entrance, you and Sage will be waiting at the bottom of the staircase."
"Not you?"
"Elijah and I have been married for a thousand years, I earned my spot."
"Fair enough." Enzo chuckled, taking the glass she offered him.
"Damon Salavtore will be there as well. Will that be a problem?" Aailyah asked, twirling her glass idly, listening to the ice clink against the side.
"Why would it?"
"You were captives together for five years, as you tell it. You would think that would inspire some loyalty."
"Any loyalty I had to Damon Salvatore died when he left me in a cage to burn. You saved me. You have my loyalty."
Aailyah groaned, waking slowly with a pounding headache. She lifted a hand slowly to her head, covering her eyes and whining softly as memories came rushing back.
"Easy Darling." A rough, accented voice drawled as Aailyah sat up slowly, glancing around. She was in an underground cave in a large, empty cell, thick black bars blocking the only way out. Across from her was a row of cells, all empty. "They've gone a bit heavy on the vervain since Doctor Whittmore died, don't want to make the same mistake twice."
"Doctor Whittmore?" Aailyah asked, moving over the the far side of the cell and laying down by a low row of bars that showed the next cell over. She laid down, propping her chin on her hands, and examined the man across from her. He was about her age, handsome, pale and dark haired with a charismatic smirk and slight concern in his chocolate brown eyes.
"The bastard that runs this place. Well- ran, since his untimely death. Though it has been far more peaceful while they've been looking for a replacement for the good doctor." He smirked slightly. "You alright, luv?"
"As good as I can be. I'm Aailyah, Aailyah Mikaelson."
"Lorenzo St. John. It's a pleasure darling." Enzo leaned close, taking the hand she offered and kissing the tips of her fingers with a charming grin, and Aailyah beamed at him.
"So, where are we? And how long have you been here?"
"Eighteen years now, and I don't know where they're keeping us."
"You've been stuck in here the whole time?"
"Mm. I know it might kill me, but I miss the sun. Though you certainly brighten up my day." Enzo flirted and Aailyah arched an eyebrow, raising her left hand and wiggling her fingers, before pausing and glaring down at her hand.
"Those bastards stole my ring!"
"That's not the worst thing they'll do to you, love."
"But-" Aailyah cut herself off, jaw clenching. She'd had her diamond cluster ring since 1720, when she and Elijah had renewed their vows after separating for a decade. "What do they do?"
"What don't they? Doctor Whitmore was a scientist, he liked to chop us up and watch us grow back our organs. He went through three of us before he learned to stop fucking around with the heart."
"Frankie, Emse and Calum, right?"
"Wha- how'd you-"
"They worked for me. I thought it was strange that they'd all disappeared in the same area around the same time, after checking into the same hotel."
"Sooo… you went to the same hotel?"
"Sure did."
"And you thought that was a good idea?"
"I found out what happened, didn't I?"
"Yeah, but now you're trapped down here with me."
"For now."
"Hate to break it for you love, but the last breakout attempt didn't go that well."
"Yeah, well," Aailyah murmured, rising to her feet and walking towards the cell door. "The last attempt didn't involve an Original Vampire." She raised a foot and slammed it into the middle bars, sending it flying off its hinges and slamming into the cell across from them. She stepped out, turning to the cell next door, where Enzo was on his feet, gaping at her. "I'm about to kill everyone in this building. Care to join me?"
"Y- yes ma'am."
F&A
Finn, Niklaus, and Elijah were shining their shoes as Kol got fitted for his tux, the tailor stepping away and letting Kol admire himself in the mirror.
"Bekah, tell me how handsome I am." Kol demanded, adjusting his black bow tie.
"Oh Kol, you know I can't be compelled." Rebekah drawled, not even glancing up from the matte coat she was painting onto Aaliyah's nails. Aailyah chuckled, shaking her head when Kol pouted at her.
"Almost as pretty as Bekah, Kol." Aailyah promised.
"Far more needy, though." Klaus commented, and Elijah chuckled while Finn tried to hide his grin. Aailyah glanced up and her smile faltered, seeing Esther standing on the staircase above them, glaring down at her children, a certain emptiness in her eyes that made Aailyahs stomach churn. She stood quickly, linking her arm with Rebekahs.
"Come love, let's get our hair done." Aailyah said, leading her out of the room.
F&A
"Let's go girls, we're going to be late!" Klaus called irritably.
"We're coming!" Rebekah snapped, adjusting the strap on her heels.
"You said that twenty minutes ago!"
"Alright, alright, we're done." Aailyah huffed, throwing open the door, smiling when Elijah's jaw dropped slightly. She was wearing a tight bright red mermaid dress with a sharp sweetheart neckline. Her curls were cascading down her left shoulder, bringing attention to her dangling diamond earrings and matching necklace. Rebkah's dress was similar, but the dark green material was shinier than Aailyah's, and hers hung off of one shoulder unlike Aailyah's strapless.
"You look stunning, my love." Elijah murmured, lifting Aailyah off the last step by her hips as he kissed her slowly, taking her breath away. He pulled back slowly, forehead resting against hers briefly before setting her back on her feet, tucking Aailyah's hand into his arm securely.
"As do you, sister." Elijah added, kissing Rebekahs cheek before she took Niklaus' arm.
"Yes, yes, we all look gorgeous. Can we go now? The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave." Kol grumbled, linking his arm with Aailyah's free one. Finn awkwardly did the same with Rebekah, as Esther wanted to 'introduce them as a family' and asked that Rebekah and Finns dates wait downstairs. They walked to the ballroom and gathered at the top of the stairs and at Esther's nod, entered the ballroom teaming with people.
Esther seemed to have invited the entirety of Mystic Falls, everyone gathered in tuxedos and gowns of all colors. The music quieted slightly as they descended the stairs and Aailyah smirked when she met Elena's eyes, very aware of the untouchable, nearly royal image they made. Finn stepped away to join Sage, and Rebekah approached Enzo, who happily dismissed an upset looking Damon to take her arm. As Elijah started his routine of speaking to every person in the room, Aailyah saw Caroline in the crowd and quickly dismissed herself, kissing Elijah's cheek and walking towards the blonde.
"Caroline!" Aailyah called, pulling the girl into a quick embrace.
"Aailyah." Caroline returned with a small smile. "You know people are wondering why you look so much like Elena."
"Let them wonder. You look beautiful, did you like the dress? I saw it when I picked up Rebekahs and mine and I had to get it." Aailyah asked, pulling back to examine the sparkling blue ball gown she'd sent along with the girl's invitation.
"It's beautiful, but you really didn't have to buy me a dress."
"Nonsense, I love spoiling my friends when I get the chance." Aailyah said with a playful wink, making Caroline laugh. "How are you holding up?" She asked, linking her arm with Caroline's.
"I'm okay. I'm just trying not to think about it."
"Then dance the night away darling, you don't have to worry about a thing. My siblings are all to be on their best behavior for the night."
"What about their mom?" Caroline asked, making her pause, tilting her head to the side slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"Why does Esther want to talk to Elena?" Aailyah didn't answer, glancing up at the blonde woman observing them all from the top of the staircase. "You didn't know?"
"I didn't, but I'd recommend Elena not go. Whatever she's up to, it can't be good."
"You don't like her."
"We're not on the best of terms, no. Mostly I just try to avoid her."
"Is this your everyday 'I hate my mother-in-law' thing or something else."
"The blood she forced us to drink was my sisters. She killed her to make us immortal."
"Shit." Caroline breathed.
"I have no idea what she's plotting, but I doubt it's good for any of us." Aailyah murmured, glaring at the woman before smiling when Tyler approached, looking a bit uncomfortable in his suit. "Don't you two look lovely, enjoy the ball." She smiled at them both before leaving to seek out Elijah, only to be cut off by Damon.
"There's my second favorite doppelganger." Damon greeted, blocking her again when she tried to step past him.
"Only second? I'm crushed, Damon." Aailyah mock gasped, hand covering her heart.
"Well, I could bump you up if you tell me what this ball is about."
"To introduce ourselves to the town Damon, we plan to stay a while." Aailyah smiled sweetly, tilting her head to the side.
"Bull."
"You're probably right. To be honest, I have no idea why we're having a ball tonight, it was Esther's udea."
"Do you really expect me to believe that? You pretty much run the show here."
"Oh please, do try controlling my siblings, see how well that works. They do whatever they wish, Elijah and I are just the voice of reason. I didn't plan the ball, Esther did."
"Really?" Damon grinned, stepping closer, leaning down slightly to meet her eyes. "How much does that kill you?"
"Well, it killed Elijahs and I's escape to the Bahamas but other than that I really couldn't care less."
"The Bahamas?"
"As if we were gonna stay in Mystic Falls. A sleepy little town in Virginia with only three places to eat and almost nothing to do? We wouldn't last a month."
"Why not make things easier and go now?"
"We'd be long gone if someone hadn't taken the coffin and woke the thousand year old witch inside of it."
"Hey, that was Stef and Witchy, not me. Besides, how were we supposed to know you were gonna leave?"
"You, Elena, and Caroline all have my number, you could've asked."
"Speaking of, what's the deal with you and vampire barbie?"
"Her name is Caroline, and she's a friend."
"Oh please, you don't do friends. What do you want her for?"
"You don't know me near as well as you think, Damon. I don't want her for anything. Unlike you, I don't use my friends to further my own goals. I have minions for that." Aailyah said with a sardonic smirk. Damon opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted.
"Sister, is this guy bothering you?" Kol asked, linking his arm with Aailyahs and handing her a glass of champagne.
"I'm fine brother, there's not much a baby vampire can do to me."
"Damon Salvatore." Damon greeted, extending his hand. Kol eyed it with a smirk but didn't shake it. "Have we met?" Damon asked, realizing the man looked familiar.
"I've met a lot of people, you don't particularly stand out." Kol said with a devious grin.
"Pick a fight somewhere else, Kol." Aailyah chuckled, sipping her champagne.
"I can't help it, I much prefer our parties."
"The last party we threw ended with six dead bodies and a condemned casino."
"Which is why you two aren't allowed to throw parties anymore." Elijah said, appearing on Aailyah's other side and wrapping an arm around her waist. "Shall we?" Aailyah nodded, offered Damon a sardonic smile, and walked away with Elijah and Kol, who soon wandered off to chat up a pretty brunette. Aailyah quietly told him of Esters meeting with Elena and he frowned when he noticed Finn talking to her by the punch bowl.
"What do we do?"
"We can't make a scene, for now let's just keep an eye on it." Elijah sighed.
"We should separate them." Aailyah suggested. Elijah nodded before turning and leading her up the staircase, gesturing for his family to join them. Aailyah stepped back to stand with Kol, letting her husband take the lead. Like Nik, Elijah enjoyed a bit of showmanship, while Aailyah generally preferred to work in the shadows. As his family gathered, he gestured at the band and they quickly stopped playing.
"Uh, if everyone could gather, please." He called, waiting as everyone gathered near the staircase. "Welcome, thank you for joining us. You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance. Tonight's pick is a centuries old waltz, so if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom." He said, taking Aaliyah's hand and leading her into the ballroom as the music started. He led her to the center of the room, one hand falling to her waist as the other took her hand, leading her into a slow waltz.
"Have I told you how stunning you look?"
"At least three times today, Eli." Aailyah smiled before he twirled her. "But thank you. You look dashing as well."
"When was the last time we danced like this?" Elijah wondered, and his wife shook her head slightly, thinking back.
"New Years, we met Kol, Bekah and Klaus in New York and went to that gala at the Rainbow Room." Aailyah recalled with a fond smile.
"Well have to go again soon." Elijah promised before twirling her as they switched partners and she twirled into Klaus' arms.
"Nik! I haven;t seen you all night!" Aailyah greeted with a wide smile.
"I've been busy, Alli." He chuckled, spinning her.
"With who?"
"Meredith Fell. She's in the Founders Council." Klaus nodded to a pretty brunette wearing a slim black ball gown.
"She's pretty." Aailyah commented.
"Smart too."
"Your favorite combination." Aailyah laughed before switching partners again. She finished the waltz laughing happily with Kol, who bowed deeply, kissing her hand. Still laughing, she curtsied back as their siblings approached.
"Are you too quite done?" Rebekah huffed, trying not to smile.
"Of course not, we haven't had a chance to dance yet." Aailyah grinned, pulling her onto the floor as a new song started. Rebekah laughed, happily dancing with her before switching to dance with Kol, then Klaus, as Aailyah danced with Lorenzo. When it came time to switch partners again, she was surprised to end up with Finn. From the looks on their family's faces, they were shocked too. "Finn?"
"We need to talk."
"What's going on?"
"It's mother. She wants to kill us."
"What?"
"When Sage and I arrived from Russia, she pulled me into her office. She said she'd been watching us sin for a thousand years, now she wants to fix the mistake she made when she created vampires. She says that when she kills us, it'll wipe out our entire sire line, thus killing every vampire to walk the earth."
"How does she plan to do that?"
"I'm not sure. I hesitated when she told me, she doesn't trust me enough to tell me now. All I know is she needs Elena, who seems to be missing, along with mother." Aailyah's head snapped up, cursing quietly when she realized he was right.
"I'm a bit surprised you're telling me. You have a history of doing whatever Esther asks of you." Aailyah murmured.
"Three hundred years ago, I would've done it without a second thought."
"So what changed?"
"I found Sage. I'm happy, we're happy. I don't want to die. Not anymore." Finn met her eyes steadily, and she smiled.
"Good. So you'll help us stop her?"
"Yes."
"And then?" Finn stared at her then over at his siblings, where Kol was dipping a laughing Rebekah.
"I can't stay. He locked me in a box for seven hundred years, I can't forgive that. Not yet."
"Someday." Aailyah said with a small smile, which he returned. "But first, we need to stop Esther."
"I'll play along for now, try to figure out her plan. Warn the others." Finn released her and walked away as the song ended. Aailyah rejoined her siblings and told them what she'd learned. Klaus and Rebekah were devastated that their mother wanted them dead, but they were determined to stop her. Elijah left to speak with Elena and Aailyah stayed with her family until Esther took the stage.
"Good evening ladies and gentleman. Waiters are coming around with champagne, I invite you all to join me in raising a glass. It provides me no greater joy than to see my family together as one. I'd like to thank you all for being a part of this spectacular evening. Cheers." Esther said, raising a glass and taking a sip.
"Cheers." Kol muttered, clinking his glass against his sister in law's. Aailyah just hummed, lifting the glass to her lips and taking a slow sip, meeting Esther's eyes as she did.
A.N. I know that in The Originals it is revealed that Elijah killed Tatia but that doesn't track for my story so I'm changing it. Also, Klaus never made Tyler bite Caroline, so they never had their little moment. Tyler did find out about the sire bond and Caroline's dad still got hurt trying to help him break it, but Tyler hasn't left town yet.