Elena laid with Klaus in his bed after having sex. They'd left the party just after the toast and subsequent waltz. "Alright, I admit, that almost makes this night worth it."
"Almost? I clearly didn't do a good enough job if it was only almost worth it," Klaus said as he pulled her into his arms and held her against his chest.
"Yeah, well, I had to deal with your mom, and Damon and Bonnie," Elena said. Thankfully, she hadn't really had to deal with Stefan. He was content to just glare at her from across the room, which she couldn't have cared less about.
Klaus kissed her neck affectionately. "I trust my mother was polite."
"I suppose. She did bring up your affection for doppelgangers though," Elena said.
Klaus laughed. "I don't know where she got that idea. I never felt anything for Katerina. She was a means to an end, and the feeling was mutual. We were both using each other. I was just better at it than her, or at least I thought I was."
"Not Katherine. Your mother mentioned a woman named Tatia," Elena said.
Klaus laughed before letting her go and turning over on his back. He kept one arm around her shoulders though. "Of course she did. My mother is testing you. She looking to get a reaction out of you."
"Too bad for her she didn't get one. This thing between us is casual," Elena said.
Klaus grinned. Elena could believe that if she wanted, but this was a reaction. If it hadn't bothered her, she wouldn't have even brought it up. Something told him that his mother got exactly the reaction she wanted. "My relationship with Tatia was nothing. It was an infatuation. Everyone wanted to be with her, especially Elijah. For me, it was a crush of young man who knew nothing of the world.
"Like I said, it doesn't matter. We're not a real couple," Elena said.
Again, Klaus decided to let her believe that, but he was never letting her go. He didn't intend for it to be this way the first time he brought Elena into his bed, but she was his now. She just didn't realize it yet. "Perhaps, but I think it bothers you that you've been with yet another man that showed an interest in the other two women with your face. Consider it a compliment, love. It's a beautiful woman. Anyone would take an interest. But you're not like either one of them."
"Your mother seems to think I'm like Tatia," Elena said.
"My mother was trying to get under your skin, and it worked. I suppose in certain aspects, you are a bit like her, but you're not like either her or Katerina in the long run. Tatia wouldn't have been able to handle this world. She would've run screaming at the thought of the supernatural world. And Katerina did run. She ran like the coward she was and trampled on anyone in her way. You held your head up high and walked to me with courage when you knew it would end in your death. You do not know the respect I had for you in that moment," Klaus said.
"So much respect you murdered my aunt in front of me," Elena said bitterly.
"I shouldn't have done that," Klaus admitted. That was as close to an apology as he would give her. He didn't do apologies. They meant nothing to those who had been wronged. They were merely a way for the person giving them to feel better.
"What's done is done," Elena said. She certainly didn't forgive him, but there was nothing that could be done about it. There was no use in carrying on about it.
"Indeed," was all Klaus said. He didn't expect forgiveness or absolution. He didn't even want it. He knew what he was.
Elena decided she wanted to forget this entire conversation, so she got on top of Klaus and started kissing him again. It wasn't long before he started kissing her back.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Esther was in her room burning sage. She'd asked Finn to send the Bennett witch up. She had some things to say to the young descendent of her friend, Ayana, and she preferred to do it privately.
Soon, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Esther called out.
Bonnie walked in moments later and shut the door. "Your son said you wanted to see me." Bonnie was hoping that Esther had asked to see her because she wanted to them stop Klaus once and for all. After all, Klaus had killed her. She probably hated him more than they did.
Esther turned and smiled at the young woman. "Yes, Bonnie, dear. I hope you've been enjoying the evening."
"Yes, thank you for inviting me. Although, it would be better if I knew where Elena was," Bonnie said. Both Elena and Klaus had gone missing not long after the toast. She and Damon had been looking for them since. They'd tried to get Caroline and Stefan to help as well, but Caroline outright refused and Stefan was still holding a grudge against Elena for sleeping with Klaus.
"Ah, yes. I noticed her absence as well. I believe she and Niklaus adjourned to Niklaus' room for the evening," Esther said.
Bonnie immediately rushed to the door. She wasn't going to let Elena do this again. She wasn't going to let her fall prey to that man.
Esther watched Bonnie go to the door and yank it open. She used her magic to shut and lock it before the younger witch had a chance to step out. "It's bad form to interrupt a couple while they're being intimate, don't you think?"
Bonnie turned and glared at Esther, but she said nothing.
"Although, I must admit that I find myself a bit uncomfortable as well. In my day, a couple didn't lay together unless they were married. However, I must remember that times have changed. No one seems to use those same practices," Esther said.
"Let me out. He murdered her. She shouldn't be anywhere near him," Bonnie said.
"Now, that's her decision, don't you think?" she asked.
Bonnie shook her head. "She doesn't know what's good for her right now."
"Oh, I disagree. Young Elena has a good head on her shoulders. She knows exactly what she's doing. She doesn't need anyone making decisions for her. Perhaps the problem was that she allowed it for so long. That was what held her back, but she has since taken control of her own life and is better for it. However, I suppose that is disconcerting for you and your friends. You're not used to her standing up for herself," Esther said.
"Why are you doing this? You were supposed to be on our side," Bonnie said.
"Why would you assume that, dear?" Esther asked before taking a couple of steps towards her.
"That was why I was led to your coffin. That was why I opened it," Bonnie said.
"Yes, a miscalculation on your part. Clearly no one ever taught you to be careful what you open, especially when that object has been locked by magic. You had no idea what you were unleashing. For all you knew, you were unleashing a monster even worse than the one you believe my son to be. It was a very foolish action. One that I'm none the less grateful for, of course," Esther said.
"Klaus killed you. How can you not want him as dead as we do?" Bonnie asked.
"I don't expect you to understand this, Bonnie. You are not a parent yet. You cannot understand what it means. A mother's love is unconditional. There is nothing my son could do that I couldn't forgive in time. And frankly, I've done my own fair share of damage to him," she said.
"Why did you have me sent up here then?" Bonnie asked.
"To make something perfectly clear to you. Your plots against my children will come to an end right now. I will not allow you to harm my family. You will leave my family be, and that includes Elena Gilbert," Esther said.
"Elena isn't your family," Bonnie said.
"I disagree. The moment she became important to my son, she became a part of our family. You will not interfere in their relationship. Be sure to tell your friends as well. Any attempt to harm my family or to manipulate Elena into ending things with Niklaus will be met with dire consequences. Do you understand?"
"And what if I were to tell Elena about this conversation?" Bonnie asked with a glare.
"Feel free, dear. Elena is under no delusions about who I am and what I would do for my family, and I dare to say that she might just appreciate the sentiment. Now, I believe you and the gentleman you came with have overstayed your welcome. You can see yourselves out," Esther told her before waving her hand and allowing the door to open again. She then turned away from the young witch in clear dismissal.
Bonnie glared at Esther's back before walking out of the room.