Serena

by TheWrittenLawOfMorningStar

Being different was something I was used to. My sister was the normal one, and I was the strange one. But after my sister and I lose our parents in an accident, things start to get strange in our small sleepy town of Mystic Falls. Foggy memoires of my past were slowly becoming my present. The people I believed to be long dead, were starting to reappear in my life.

30. Chapter 30: Save Me a Dance?

A/N: WARNING: Please be aware that this is a Mature rated story. Now that we have progressed this far, smut will be taking place. Just a little warning there is smut at the end of this chapter. Please enjoy responsibly. (Please read Note at the end of this chapter).

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Chapter 30: Save Me a Dance?

"Esther."

My heart fell into the pit of my stomach as Esther stood before us, alive and very much not dead. The fact something so impossible had happened was not what shocked me, it was energy that was wafting off the once dead witch as she looked at each of her children.

When her gaze finally fell onto Niklaus, I felt my blood freeze in my veins and my heart began to hammer against my ribs as I watched as Niks eyes filled with suspicion and fear at his Mothers appearance.

I feared whatever retaliation Esther had planned for Niklaus. He may have been her son, but he did kill her by ripping her heart from her chest. Her death may have been brought on by Niks anger, but it was my meddling in Esther's affairs that made her angry enough to threaten my life in front of Nik.

I wanted to go to Niks side, but before I could take a step towards him, Elijah was at my side, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me firmly to his side.

"Do you know why I'm here?" Esther's voice rang out around the room. Elijah kept a firm hold on me as I felt my stomach coil in fear for Niklaus.

Elijah had angled my body away from Esther, almost hiding me from view as the Original Witch confronted her son. As much as I wanted to rush to Niks side, I didn't try to pry myself from Elijah's hold. Infact, I was clutching onto his suit jacket as tightly as I could to keep myself grounded. I knew that if Esther actually did anything to hurt Nik, he needed to be able to protect himself without me getting in the way.

Nik gave his mother a short nod at her question and said, "You're here to kill me." His words shattered my heart. He loved his Mother, I know he did, but she had hurt him over and over again in his life as a human, and as an immortal.

Mother or not, she hurt Niklaus with her actions and in turn he had snapped and in an attempt to protect me, as well as claim a small amount of revenge against her, he killed his Mother.

Esther held her son's gaze before saying, "Niklaus, you are my son and I am here to forgive you." The anxious feeling in my stomach intensified at Esther's words. Words that should have sparked relief, only made me more worried. "I want us to be a family again."

I couldn't help but shake my head at Esther's words. I didn't trust anything she was saying and I knew in my heart that there was no way she was being truthful. My Mother had been under the impression that Esther wanted nothing more than to end the lives of her children. I trusted my Mothers warning. I knew there was nothing but lies in Esther's words.

"Why?" The word slipped from my lips without me even realizing. Elijah's grip around me tightened as Esther turned to look at me. I held her gaze and added, "Why the change of heart? And how are you even alive right now?"

There was a strange look in Esther's eyes as her gaze fell upon me. Something in the way she looked at me made me feel uneasy.

"It's been a long time, Serena." She scrutinized me as she answered only one of my questions. "My sisters from the otherside have lent me their power and with the help of a powerful magic bloodline, I was able to come back from the other side."

Elijah shifted from beside me and spoke up, taking his Mothers attention away from me as he asked, "Why have you come back?" I could feel the tension rolling off of him and his siblings as they all stood at attention.

Esther raised her head high as she answered his question. "To reunite us as a family. To be with my sons and daughter once more."

I glanced around the room and took in each of the Mikaelson siblings as they stood watching their Mother. Bekah seemed unsure of what to make of her Mothers sudden reappearance and the words she spoke. I felt sorry for Bekah as she struggled with everything Esther was saying knowing it was all a lie.

I looked away from the youngest Mikaelson and noticed that Kol seemed the most distrustful of his Mothers words. It wasn't hard to tell that Kol was on edge as his eyes kept flickering towards me then back to where Esther was standing.

Finn seemed to be more at ease with his Mothers appearance then his siblings were. But even though he seemed neutral to the fact this his once dead Mother was now standing in front of him, his eyes also kept flickering to where I stood beside Elijah.

I looked up at Elijah and while he wore an almost perfect poker face, I could see how harshly he was clenching his jaw and the way he held on tightly to me told me all I needed to know.

Finally I looked over at Niklaus. His gaze was clouded with distrust and skepticism. It was clear from what I could see, that Nik didn't believe a word his Mother had said. And from the look in his eyes, I knew he was only seconds away from lunging at Esther and killing her for a second time. But while I didn't doubt Niks ability to kill, I couldn't shake the feeling that if he did anything to Esther right now, it would end badly for all of us.

The energy that was wafting off of the witch was something different then I had ever felt before. She had a different kind of power then when she was alive a thousand years ago. It would be too dangerous to out right attack her, we needed to be smart about this, we needed a plan first.

I looked up at Elijah and caught his attention. I held his gaze and tried my best to convey what I was thinking. His deep brown eyes flickered all over my face and with a subtle nod, he looked back towards his Mother.

"I believe you, Mother." Nik snapped his head to look at his brother and I tried my best to get him to look at me, but his rage was aimed solely at his brother.

"Elijah." Nik hissed out.

"Peace, brother." Elijah locked eyes with Niklaus. "We have a chance at being a family again. We must not take that for granted." They held each other's gaze for a moment before Nik finally glanced down at me. Our eyes connected and I watched as he finally relented and nodded his head.

Elijah gave his brother a nod and addressed his Mother, "I will show you to your room so you can rest and get properly reacquainted with being alive again." He then looked over at Bekah and said to her, "Sister, why don't you take Finn and Kol out to feed and get them cleaned up."

"No!" Kol hissed suddenly and turned away from his mother to face Elijah and I. He glared daggers at his older brother and said, "I won't leave here without Serena." There was a wild look in Kol's eyes that made my heart break, but before I could move towards him Nik flashed to Elijah's other side and snarled at Kol. Finn was then quick to join Kol in growling at Niklaus and Elijah.

I pulled against Elijah's hold on me, but the vampire held firm until I sent him a strong look. I needed to reassure Kol and Finn that I wasn't going to disappear. The bond between was still fresh and new enough that Kol and Finn won't be secure with me out of their sight right now.

It took a moment, but Elijah seemed to understand and, very reluctantly, released his hold on me. I was careful as I stepped between the four brothers. I looked Kol in the eyes as I spoke and said, "It's okay. I'm not going anywhere." I hoped my words were reassuring and that I could successfully defuse the situation. "This is our home now and I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here when you come back."

I glanced over at Finn and noticed the distrustful look he was sending Niklaus. "I promise you, both of you, that I will be right here." Finn looked my way and I could see some of the tension leave his shoulders as he looked me in the eyes. When I glanced back at Kol, I could tell he didn't seem convinced as he glared at Elijah and Nik.

"Look at me, Kol." I once again looked Kol in the eyes and smiled softly at him. "No one is going to take me away from you." The hard look in his eyes grew soft. "Go with Bekah." I could tell Kol was torn between acting on his instincts, and listening to my words. The rational part of Kol's mind seemed to have won, and I felt relief as Kol looked towards his sister.

The tension in the room was still palpable, but as Bekah led Finn and Kol away, while Elijah led his Mother out of the room, I felt the tightness in my stomach loosen up. I let out a shaky breath as the energy in the room seemed to dissipate until I could only feel Niks energy.

"Come here, love." I turned around at the sound of Niks voice and was happy to allow him to pull me into his arms. I took in a deep breath as I buried my face in Niks chest. I pressed my ear against where his heart was beating. My body relaxed with his soothing scent and the calming sound of his heart beat. "Shhh, sweetheart. I'm here." His voice vibrated in his chest and he ran his hand through my hair.

"Come now, love, let's go wait upstairs for my siblings to return." I didn't fight Nik as he lifted me into his arms and flashed us out of the room. It was a little jarring moving so quickly, but Nik helped me keep my balance as he placed me down in the center of my room.

The room Nik gave me was starting to feel more like home. The smell no longer seemed foreign after sleeping here the past two nights. I was still missing my things from home, but I was getting used to my new home, and now with Finn and Kol undaggered, I knew I could never leave here, not without them.

"I'm just going to change. I don't think a cocktail dress is appropriate right now." I said and Nik chuckled at my words and cocked his head to the side as he openly eyed my body up and down.

"I'm not so sure about that, sweetheart. I certainly appreciate it." He said with a charming smirk. I could only blush and roll my eyes at his words.

"I'm sure you do." I muttered as I walked into the bathroom and then into the walk in closet. I found a pair of joggers and a long sleeved t-shirt and changed out of the dress Bekah had put me in earlier for dinner. It was hard to believe that dinner with my brothers had only just taken place minutes before Esther walked into the mansion. There was a lot to unpack, but all I wanted was to be sure my Fated Ones were safe.

I felt uneasy with Esther in the mansion and just wanted to see for my own eyes that the ones I loved were safe.

Once I was dressed more comfortably, Nik gathered me to his side and led me from my room and down the hall towards the study. He closed the door behind us and I collapsed onto the leather couch while he went over to the shelves where a row of alcohol bottles sat. I watched as he poured himself a drink and just as he replaced the decanter and grabbed hold of his glass, I felt the air flex and looked towards the door just as Elijah walked into the room.

It was a relief to see him walk into the room unharmed and without Esther.

"Well, Elijah. What exactly is your plan here?" Niklaus asked before taking a sip of his drink. "What are we going to do now that our Mother has returned from the grave? Please, tell me that you don't actually believe that she wants to be a family again."

Elijah sent his brother an exasperated look before looking at me. He walked over to where I was sitting. He faced his brother and then placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder as he addressed Nik.

"I am taking Lady Niamhs warning to heart, Niklaus." Elijah declared. "I don't trust Esther, but if she's here with us, then we have a better chance at keeping an eye on her."

"She wants us dead, Elijah." Nik snarled.

"I am well aware of that, brother." Elijah said and I reached up to grasp his hand in support. "We have no idea how she plans on killing us. There's no white oak stake and I doubt she plans on simply trying to dagger us. She must have a plan, and I want to know what that plan is."

I looked between Elijah and Niklaus and said, "Esther is a powerful witch. She is probably going to use magic to try and kill you. The power she has right now because of the dead witches on her side might be enough to kill even an Original Vampire." I titled my head as I thought back to the energy that was wafting off of Esther when she entered the mansion. "She is different from before. The magic around her is more than just her own."

"All the better reason to play nice, Niklaus, and keep an eye on her." Elijah said as he leveled his brother with a look that left no room for argument. Nik glared at Elijah, but said nothing more on the matter about their Mother.

I felt another shift in the air and quickly looked towards the door as it burst open with Kol charging in. Finn and Bekah followed in from behind him and Bekah made sure to close the door so we could all finish our conversation in privacy.

There was a refreshed look on both Kol and Finns faces as they walked further into the room. Both of the recently undaggered vampires had changed into more modern clothing and Finn's hair was tamed in a more groomed ponytail.

Before anything else could be said, I was suddenly being lifted up off the couch. Kol had pulled me into his arms and held me tightly to his chest. I closed my eyes as the feeling of contentment washed over me. A giggle even escaped my lips as Kol pressed his nose against the skin of my neck and inhaled my scent.

"Well, Elijah, care to fill us all in on what your plan is for our mother?" Bekah's voice made Kol remove himself from my neck as he stared at his siblings in curiosity. I glanced at the Mikaelson siblings. Finn was giving his sister a confused look before he glanced over at Elijah. Kol kept his arm wrapped around me as I turned to look between the siblings.

"Our Mother wishes for us to be a family again, and while I share her ideals for our family," He looked between his four siblings. "We have another chance at happiness," His eyes locked with mine. "And I will not have our Mothers murderous intent take that from us."

"What are you speaking of, Elijah?" Finn asked with a frown marring his face.

Kol had placed his chin on my shoulder and his arms around my waist as he listened and watched his siblings.

"Our Mother is set on righting her wrong doings, Finn." Elijah answered. "She wishes to see us all dead."

Finn looked at his brother with distrust in his eyes. I could tell he wasn't just going to take his brother's words to heart.

"He's telling you the truth, Finn." The eldest Mikaelson looked my way and I felt terrible for what I was about to tell him. Finn loved his mother. He had been the first son and was born in their original homeland. He had been through alot with Esther. "Your mother wasn't being honest with you earlier when she said that she wanted you all to be a family again." I felt terrible having to burden Finn with this information after being tossed nine hundred years into the future, but he needed to know the truth.

"She doesn't just want you and your siblings dead, she wants all vampires gone from this world." I finished explaining.

"How is it that you know this?" The look of anguish in Finn's eyes made my heart squeeze in my chest. There was something much deeper in his gaze than just the betrayal of his mother.

"There's a witch here in Mystic Falls, her name is Bonnie and she accidentally opened a door to the other side. It was temporary, but my mother was able to come back and she warned Bekah and I about your mothers plans." As I explained, I could see the disbelief in his eyes.

"Lady Niamh?" Kol suddenly questioned as he lifted his chin from my shoulder. "How was this witch powerful enough to open a door to the otherside?"

"Bonnie Bennett is a powerful witch, brother." Elijah spoke up and answered his youngest brother. "She even almost succeeded in killing Niklaus."

I noticed Kol's grin out of the corner of my eye and knew he seemed a little too enthusiastic about his own brother's demise. I was a lot more concerned about Nik almost dying then his brother's reaction as I looked at the Original Hybrid.

"When did Bonnie almost kill you?" I questioned as I glanced between Niklaus and Elijah. Nik shifted on his feet and raised a brow at Elijah. Who in turn answered my question.

"I believe you were in New York at the time, Elskan." Elijah's answers made me cringe. I shook my head and decided to leave that particular conversation for later.

I looked back at Finn and said, "There's a lot I have to tell you," I gripped Kols arm that was wrapped around my waist and glanced up at him, "Both of you, but right now I think we need to focus on Esther first. If she's somehow able to kill one of you, she will wipe out every vampire you have created, and any vampires they have been created afterwards. So we need a plan, I mean, do we have a plan?"

I looked to Elijah for an answer and he nodded his head. "Our mother wants to throw a ball as a way to announce our presence in Mystic Falls." Elijah announced. "She is adamant that it will happen tomorrow night. I believe that's when she plans on making a move."

I tilted my head in curiosity, "Can a ball even be planned so short in advance?"

Bekah scoffed at my question and crossed her arms over her chest. "Of course it can. When money is no issue and you can compel humans to do everything for you."

I shook my head at her words and grumbled under my breath, "Well so sorry to question you." She sent me a smirk and I rolled my eyes before asking Elijah, "So she wants to throw a ball, but why make such a fuss? Most of Mystic Falls knows who you and Nik are."

"She wants the town to see that we are a united front." Elijah answered. "And while the town knows of Nik and I, they don't know the Mikaelson family as a whole." I nodded my head in understanding.

The last thing I wanted to attend was a ball. But if this was the only way to find out what Esther's plan was, then so be it. The faster she was taken care of, the sooner my Fated Ones and Bekah, as well as all of the vampire kind, were out of danger.

I was somehow able to pry myself out of Kols arms and take a seat on the couch. Finn was the one to follow closely after me and perched himself on the edge of the cushion next to me and focused on his siblings as they discussed tomorrow's party. Finn sat with his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped together. If I had been anyone else, I don't think I would have noticed the uncomfortable set of his shoulders as he sat listening to his brothers and sister talk. But I wasn't just anyone, Finn was my Fated One and I knew this was all very troublesome to him.

Finn had been comatose inside of a coffin for over nine hundred years and the way he refused to look at Nik told me that he did not hold his younger brother in high regards. Not that I could blame him, Nik was the one who daggered him and left him in a coffin for so long. I don't know Nik's reasoning for daggering Finn, and I probably wouldnt understand them, but I didn't want my Fated Ones to hate each other and fear any of them possibly being daggered again.

It was only natural for me to want to comfort him, so without even thinking it through, I placed a hand on Finn's shoulder. The tension he was holding onto seemed to melt at my touch and I felt warmth grow in my heart knowing I could still bring him comfort. Finn sat up and took my hand in his, facing me as he brought my hand to his lips and placed a kiss on my knuckles. The actions made my breath catch in my throat as memories from a thousand years ago resurfaced.

While his hazel eyes were dark in the room's lighting, I knew that in the sunlight, the greens and browns of his eyes were breathtaking. I had missed his eyes and the way he would look at me; the way he was looking at me now. He was just as handsome as he had been a thousand years ago.

My chest grew tight as I stared into his eyes. I had missed him. The memories of him were nothing compared to having him sitting right in front of me. I had missed him whispering into my ear how much he loved me and calling me Stjörnuljósið Mitt. My Starlight. Because my hair reminded him of the brightest stars in the night sky.

Even though the man I missed was sitting right beside me and the bond we shared was slowly healing, I felt my chest grow tight with emotion and tears sting at my eyes

I was useless to stop my emotions from escalating into full blown sobs. I had been alone with only fragments of memories from the past for so long. I have died over and over again, just to get back to this point in my life. Just to be able to feel the hollowness in my chest fill with meaning again. I've been trying to stay strong and hold my emotions in check with everything going on. But as I looked into Finn's eyes, I felt the dams burst and I couldn't stop the tears from falling and the sobs from bubbling up in my throat.

There was a look of horror on Finn's face as my tears raced down my cheeks. I tried to form the words to reassure him that I was fine, but I couldn't think of anything to say as my throat closed up.

Finn was quick to act and he pulled me into his arms. He wrapped himself around me and held me as close to his body as he physically could. I felt almost like a child again as I buried my face in his chest and clutched at the shirt he was wearing in desperation. Everything I had been holding in came rushing out of me in the form of my tears and sobs. Finn was more than comforting as he held me close and whispered to me. He spoke in our native language, telling me how much he loved me and how he thanked the gods for bringing me back to him.

"I missed you." I whispered softly between my sobbing. "I missed you all so much."

I felt a hand rub my back in soothing circles and I didnt have to look up to see that it was Elijah. I could feel his energy wafting around me and mingling with Finn's own energy. I felt somewhat embarrassed as I cried in front of my Fated Ones and Bekah, but that embarrassment was nothing compared to the whirlwind of emotions I was feeling. I had been holding it all in for so long, and now that we were all together again, my guard fell and I felt safe enough to cry.

My moment of weakness had completely exhausted me, and as my sobs began to subside, I felt completely drained. I felt my body go lax in Finn's arms as exhaustion tried to pull me under. There was a small, irrational part of me that was afraid of falling asleep. I was afraid that if I closed my eyes, all of this would have been a dream and they would all disappear when I woke. I would be alone again, with only a painful emptiness in my chest.

"Shhh, Elskan." Elijah whispered. "Sleep."

I weakly shook my head. "I cant. I don't want you to disappear." I admitted as I tried to keep my eyes open. "I cant have all this end up being a dream. I've waited so long to have you all back." My words were whispered as I became more and more exhausted.

"I promise you, Stjörnuljósið Mitt. We will not disappear." Finn tried to reassure me, but again I shook my head. The bonds between us may have been healing, but they were far from complete and that made doubt grow in my mind. Finn rubbed his nose against my head and said, "Nothing will take me from you, Serena. Not even death has kept us apart."

He began whispering to me again in the old language we used to speak and I felt myself start to drift. I could no longer fight the pull and fell into the darkness. But I was warm and I felt safe as I slept. As if nothing could touch me.

~Break~

The Eldest Mikaelson held the sleeping Fae in his arms as if she were made of the most precious material on this earth. Which to him, she was.

Finn could hardly believe he was holding his Fated One after so long of having her death haunt him. For a hundred years after becoming a vampire, Finn had been haunted by Serena's death. He hated what he had become, what his family had become, but he hated walking the earth without Serena so much more. Drinking blood was a curse he despised, but he would suffer a thousand curses if it meant he could hold his little Fae in his arms again.

He had fallen into an inescapable pit of darkness when Serena had been killed. His heart was shattered and he was forced to watch his siblings become monsters unable to be tamed. They each went about mourning Serena's death in their own destructive ways.

Elijah had done his best to hold them all together, but even he had his moments of darkness. Moments where he would kill without remorse and hid it all behind a facade that painted him as the nobel brother. While Niklaus became a legendary monster, infamous for his cruelty and distrust in everyone around him. He even went as far as to dagger his own family whenever he felt like they would go against him or betray him. He hardened his heart and declared love was a weakness.

Kol on the other hand, shut it all off. He killed and slaughtered only for the fun of it. When his bond with Serena was severed, Kol became feral. He could no longer feel his connection to magic after becoming a vampire and with Serena no longer there to keep him in line, Kol was set on burning down the world.

Bekah did not share the deep bond with Serena like her brothers did, but she still lost a sister when the Fae had been killed. So she mourned her death just as violently as they did. With Serena's death, Bekah had realized just how cruel the world could be.

Now, after a thousand years, his family was surrounding the one thing that held them all together.

Finn understood why Serena had broken down. He knew that all of this must have been overwhelming for her. From what Bekah had explained, after Kol forced her to tell him, Serena had only just been reborn eighteen years ago. Her memories of them had been foggy and it was only after she triggered her bloodline did she remember her past life completely.

Finn couldn't help but inhale Serena's scent. It had been so long, but he never once forgot it. She smelled of rain and wild flowers; of the earth in its purest form. He could smell the sweet scent of her blood as it rushed through her veins, and while he felt no hunger at the smell, he did feel the deep seeded need to taste her. He knew this was something that all of his brothers felt when close to her. It was in their instincts to bite and claim her, to finish the bond that connected them to her.

"Are the gods truly benevolent enough to give her back to us?" Finn spoke softly, not wanting to wake the sleeping Fae. He didn't bother looking at any of his siblings, he kept his gaze solely trained on Serena.

"Not the gods." It was Kol who answered the eldest Mikaelson. "Fate has reunited us with our Fated One." The others said nothing as they all stared at the sleeping Fae. They all knew what he said was true. The Fates had granted them another chance with their Fated One. A chance none of them will allow to slip through their grasp.

Elijah stood up from his kneeling position beside Finn and Serena and addressed his older brother. "Come, Finn. I'll show you to Serena's room."

Finn nodded his head and carefully stood. He shifted his hold on Serena so she wouldn't be jostled and followed after his brother. The two brothers left the study and walked down the hall before stopping in front of Serena's door. The room was large with a four poster bed pressed up against the wall to the right and large windows directly across from the door.

Elijah pulled back the covers on the bed and Finn kneeled down and carefully placed Serena on the soft mattress. But just as he pulled back, her hand grabbed hold of his arm and muttered in a sleep filled haze, "Don't go."

Finn melted at her words and gladly slipped into the bed beside her. He maneuvered her body so they could both lay down comfortably. Finn felt Serena mold herself into his body and he happily wrapped his arms around her. Finn then looked up at his brother who was standing on the other side of the bed.

"We will fill you in on how we plan to deal with our Mother tomorrow." Elijah said without taking his eyes off of Serena. "Rest, for now brother. We have a lot to discuss tomorrow." Elijah walked away and shut off the lights before closing the door and leaving the room.

Finn allowed his body to relax and he buried his nose in Serena's hair. There was a time where he would have fought back against planning to kill their Mother. A time where he would have welcomed her idea of killing them all to end the plague that vampires were. But as he laid in bed with his Fated One in his arms and her scent filling his nose, he would gladly rip his Mothers heart from her chest if she dared tried to take this from him.

His solitude in a death like state after being daggered for so long had ended with him being reunited with the woman he loved. The woman he had married and made vows to a thousand years ago. He planned on upholding the vows he made. He would protect her and keep her safe. He would not fail her again.

~Break~

It was sunlight that woke me from my dreamless sleep as it filled the large room with its warm rays. I was surrounded by a comforting warmth that I couldn't help but bury myself further into. With my nose pressed against something soft, yet firm, I took in a deep inhale of the scent that surrounded me.

As my mind slowly began to grow more awake, I shifted to stretch my body out and felt the person beside me shift along with me, refusing to let me out of their arms. I blinked a few times and allowed my eyes to adjust to the light before finding Finn smiling from beside me. I couldn't help but smile and let out a light hearted laugh as he pulled me further into his arms. I was happy to cuddle against his chest and take in the calm morning with him.

"Good morning." I muttered softly into his chest.

There was a soft rumbling sound in his throat before he said, "Good morning, my love." Hearing his voice made my stomach tighten and my chest grow warm. There was a sudden flooding of happiness in my heart as I pushed my nose against his sternum and smiled widely at the fact that he was real, that this wasn't all a dream that would disappear in the morning light.

"Alright, cuddle session is over! We have work to do!" I was startled as the doors to my room were suddenly thrown open and Bekah came marching in. Finn instinctively pulled me closer to his body as his sister stormed in. I glanced up and saw Bekah standing at the end of the bed with her hands on her hips. "This ball isn't going to plan itself. We have things to do, brother, Serena."

I glanced up at Finn who was openly glaring at his sister with distaste in his eyes. The scene had a laugh escaping my lips as Finn rolled his eyes and sat up against the headboard.

Before I could make any sort of comment, something suddenly flashed past Bekah and a body was crashing down onto the bed behind me. I was swiftly pulled from Finn's arms and held against someone's chest.

"Honestly, Kol." Bekah huffed and crossed her arms over her chest as she glared at her brother.

Kol decidedly ignored his sister as he held me tightly against him and buried his face against my neck. I couldn't help but giggled at his attention and tried to wiggle out of his hold to escape the firm cuddling session.

"Will you cut it out! We have things to do and I need Serena so I can pick out her dress for tonight." Bekah stomped her foot.

Kol finally stopped his ministrations and sent his sister a glare. "You can have her when I'm ready to let her go, sister." Kol hissed at his sister.

I glanced up at Finn who had a look on his face that seemed both exasperated and content. The warmth in my chest only grew and I prayed to the Fates that I would get to hold onto this feeling for a long time.

That warm feeling never left, even after Bekah had successfully gotten both Kol and Finn out of my room. I got dressed in a pair of jeans and tank top with a flannel thrown over it, the only casual set of clothes in my closet at the moment, and searched for my phone. I found the device on the desk in the corner of the room and picked it up to see if I had any messages.

The first thing I noticed was a missed call from Elena. I ignored the voicemail she left me and moved onto the messages left by Damon. 'Mama Original was let out.' 'We told Bonnie what you told us about the end of vampire kind as we know it.' 'Her and Mommy Bennett want to help take out Mama Original.' 'Call me.' I sent Damon a quick text letting him know I would call him later before moving on and seeing the missed calls I had from Caroline.

There was only one text from the blonde girl and as I read it, I felt my heart plummet. 'My Dad's gone.' I knew gone meant dead and I couldn't wrap my head around how Bill Forbes was dead. I immediately called Caroline and held my breath as I waited for her to answer.

"Hello?" She answered. Her voice sounded thick with emotion and I knew she was clearly still mourning her dads death. It hurt me to know that I wasn't there for her in her time of need, that I couldn't help her through this.

"Caroline. I'm so sorry." I knew what it was like to lose a parent. I knew the feeling all too well and I wouldnt have wished it on anyone, especially Caroline to have to mourn a parent so unexpectedly. "How are you doing?"

"I'm alright. Well, I'm not alright, but I couldn't change his mind." She let out a deep sigh and I listened as she took in a shaky breath. "He didn't want to complete the transition. Dr. Fell used vampire blood to save him after Tyler went after him and then someone killed him at the hospital. And when I tried to get him to drink blood, he just wouldn't." Caroline said everything so fast that it made my head spin.

"Someone killed him at the hospital?" I asked in shock. I was still reeling over the fact that Tyler had hurt him enough to send him to the hospital in the first place, but I was more worried about an active murderer killing someone at the hospital.

"Yes. Someones been killing council members. They even went after Alaric." Caroline explained. "Damon thought it might have been Klaus, but that was thrown out the window last night because Damon was with you and Klaus when my dad was, um, killed."

None of this was making any sense to me. Why go after council members? If the victims had their throats ripped out I might have understood because it would be a clear sign that it was a vampire killing these people, but that wasn't the case here.

"Listen, I'm not sure who could be behind this, but I'm going to try and figure it out." I said to Caroline. "There's a lot going on here today, but if you have time, maybe we can talk more later?"

"Yeah, sure." Caroline sniffled as she spoke. "I'll text you later, okay?"

"Okay." We said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone. I stared down at my phone in my hand for a moment as I processed everything I had just learned. Dealing with a serial killer was one thing, but adding that on top of dealing with the Original Witch who wants to kill her own children, was not something I saw coming.

I left my room in search of my Fated Ones and Bekah. I could feel a plethora of unfamiliar human energy throughout the first story of the mansion, but when compared to an Original vampire, humans were easily overshadowed.

As I made my way down stairs I noticed that front doors were open and people were coming in and out of the mansion. I watched for a moment as the humans brought in cases filled with champagne glasses and bouquets of flowers, as well as many other decorations and utensils.

I was careful as I bypassed the workers and made my way towards where I could feel Finn and Bekahs energy. They were easy enough to pinpoint with so many people in the mansion. I walked through the kitchen and peeked out the back doors to see Finn sitting in a chair with Vannessa standing behind him with a pair of scissors in her hands. Bekah stood close to supervise as the hybrid cut Finn's hair.

Just as I stepped outside, Vannessa took a step back from the Original Vampire and nodded her head at Bekah. "Alright, he's all done." The hybrid then looked up and sent me a wave. "Hi there, Serena."

Finn stood up and looked at his new hair cut with a hand mirror that Bekah had handed to him. "Thank you." He gave the hybrid a nod before making his way towards me. He smiled down at me and reached out to take my hand. "My love." He kissed the back of my knuckles and I couldn't help but blush at the action.

"I like the haircut. It suits you." I said. I did like the new look and enjoyed the way his eyes lit up at my compliment.

"Alright, that's enough gushing over each other." Bekah said she cut between Finn and I and steered me back towards the mansion. "We have dresses and invitations to go over."

Bekah pushed me from behind and steered me back into the mansion. I sent Finn a small smile over my shoulder before disappearing into the house. The eldest Mikaelson wore an exasperated look on his face as he watched his sister and I leave.

Bekah's room was large with cream colored walls that were accented with golds and blues. The furniture was a mixture of white washed wood and deep dark oak. Her grand bed was covered in matching royal blue pillows and comforter. All in all the room was very much Rebekahs style. Including all the dresses that were currently filling the space.

Dresses of all shapes and colors were spread out on dress stands and laid out on the large bed. I was memorized by each one and the richness of the fabrics. A beautiful blue gown with sequins and crystals sewn onto the bust of the dress caught my eye. It was gorgeous, but not for me, more for a certain blond haired baby vampire. The idea of inviting Caroline struck me and I wondered if she and Bonnie would be safe to come to the ball tonight.

"No need to browse, I've already chosen one for you." I looked up at Bekah as she walked out of her closet with an oversized dress bag in her arms. I walked over to her as she laid the bag down on the bed.

My eyes grew wide and I couldn't help but marvel at the dress as soon as she unzipped the bag. "Bekah, it's beautiful." Beautiful didn't even begin to describe the dress Bekah had chosen for me, but it was all that my mind could come up with in that moment.

"Yes, I know." I could tell Bekah was quite smug with her successful dress choice. "Now then, I am well aware that my brothers are already claiming you as their date for the night, but I need your assistance on my own date. I want to invite Matt as my date."

I couldn't help but raise a brow at Bekah's date choice. "Matt? Matt Donovan?" I questioned the vampire. "Very human, very jock, Matt Donovan?"

Bekah rolled her eyes and nodded her head. "Yes. He's nice and I can't deny that he's easy on the eyes." She then added, "My brothers won't approve, but I figure they'll be too distracted by you to care."

"I guess you're not wrong." I shrugged my shoulders and added, "I think it's nice that you want to invite Matt. Do you think it would be okay to invite Caroline and Bonnie, and maybe even Elena?"

"I believe an invite has already been sent to Elena." Bekah hissed my sister's name and I knew she still isn't over the fact that Elena stabbed her in the back, literally, but her words made me curious. "And I don't see why Caroline can't come. The witch may be a problem, but my brothers will bend to whatever you wish."

"I know you don't like Elena very much and I can understand why. But thank you for not hurting her." I said sincerely. I know that what Elena did to Bekah was something Bekah would never forgive my sister for, but I was grateful to her for not outright killing Elena. I know my sister thought she was doing the right thing, but maybe that was my fault not telling her the truth.

Now hearing that Elena had already been invited tonights ball, I had a feeling my sister was once again putting herself in danger.

"Hmpf, you're the only reason I haven't gone after Elena for what she did." Bekah sneered and said with distaste, "I don't like her and if she even mentions harming you or crossing our family in any way, I won't hesitate to kill her."

I knew Bekah was speaking the truth and I nodded my head and said, "Thank you, Bekah."

She gave me a single nod and looked away from me. She then gestured to the silky green dress that was laying on the bed beside the dress bag that held my dress. "This is the one I think I'll be going with." She announced.

"It's perfect. You'll look beautiful in it." I smiled at her and she beamed at my complement.

After discussing dresses and who we were inviting, Bekah and I headed back down stairs and into the parlor room. The room had been converted into a fitting room for the Mikaelson men and I noticed shoes and other accessories spread throughout the room as well as a clothing rack filled with suits.

Bekah took a seat on the couch where a woman was setting up nail polish. Niklaus was the only one missing as I glanced around the room. Kol was in the center of the room getting his suit fitted, while Elijah and Finn were looking at shoes and suit accessories. I walked around the couch towards Elijah and Finn.

Finn smiled at me as I approached and I felt my heart flutter in my chest. With his hair cut, Finn looked more modern and from this time. He also looked just as attractive as he did a thousand years ago and that made my eighteen year old heart send butterflies to my stomach.

"Rebekah, tell me how handsome I am." Kol ordered his sister as he looked himself over in the mirror as the tailor fiddled with his pants. Bekah let out a deep sigh as she looked her nails over.

"Kol, you know I can't be compelled. Besides, that's why you have a Fated One. Ask her to shower you with compliments if you need your ego inflated." Her words made Kol growl as he sent a glare her way through the mirror.

I couldn't help but laugh as Finn and Elijah smirked at their younger siblings' antics.

"You do look very handsome, Kol." My words made him puff up with pride and send Bekah a triumphant look. His sister simply rolled her eyes and ignored her brother's prideful gaze.

It was only a moment later that the doors opened and Niklaus walked into the room. A sense of peace washed over me as I felt the room fill with the energy of my Fated Ones. But while I was happy to see Nik, when I glanced over at Finn I could see the turmoil in his eyes as he watched his younger brother walk into the room. I knew it wasn't easy for Finn to see his brother. Nik had left Finn daggered for nine hundred years. Lifetimes had passed and Finn was forced to suffer in silence as his siblings, for the most part, got to live and experience the world. I felt a deep seeded sorrow for Finn and as much as it was going to hurt, I knew this family was in desperate need of a heart to heart.

The idea of a supernatural family therapist came to mind, but I had a feeling that if any kind of therapist came into this house, they would be dead before they could utter, 'and how does that make you feel?' A therapist was out of the picture, but I still thought that a heart to heart was probably needed between the siblings at some point.

"Oh goody, our brother has decided to join us." Kol snarked. "Here to ruin our fun, Niklaus?"

I watched as Nik sneered at his younger brother. "Don't test me, Kol." He snapped and I could see Kol's eyes fill with mischief and animosity.

"Or what, Nikkie? You'll put another dagger in my heart." I couldn't help but flinch at Kol's words. Finn noticed my reaction and placed a hand on my lower back.

"Oh, go back to staring at yourself." Nik rolled his eyes as he hissed at his younger brother.

Both Kol and Niklaus growled at each other and I could see Kol's fingers twitching at his side. Just before things could escalate, I felt a shift in the air and watched as Esther walked into the room to see her sons ready to pounce at one another.

Seeing Esther enter the room made me involuntarily take a step back. Flashes of the past and her threats towards me when I told her I would break the curse she placed on Nik came to the forefront of my mind; as well as my mothers warning of Esther plans to kill her children.

"Enough!" Esther shouted at her sons. Both Kol and Nik froze before looking at their mother. Esther sent Nik a look and motioned for him to follow her as she said, "Niklaus, come."

I felt a wave of anxiety wash through me as I watched Nik follow after his mother into the dinning room. I knew Nik was more than capable of protecting himself considering he was a hybrid, but I was still scared of what his mother could do to him. I didn't trust Esther and I sure as hell didn't believe that she wanted to bring peace to her family.

"Are you alright, my love?" Finn's voice pulled me from my thoughts and I snapped my head to look at him. His brows were pinched together in concern and I quickly sent him a reassuring smile.

"I'm fine." I did my best to send him a reassuring smile. I knew I couldn't just rush to Niks side while he was with Esther. While I knew we would no longer be hiding it, I was unsure of just how much Esther knew about my relationship with her sons. "I'll be right back, I want to ask Nik something about the invitations for tonight."

I was cautious as I approached the room Nik and Esther were in. I could feel the eyes of Elijah, Finn, and even Kol on my back as I walked away from them. I knew I was safe. That if Esther tried anything to hurt me, my Fated Ones would stop her.

As I got close to the room, I could hear Esther say, "You put daggers in their hearts. You want them to go down on their knees and kiss your feet for reuniting them?" Her words made me pause at the doors.

"So it's a crime to want our family to be as we were?" Nik asked his mother.

"You need to give it time, Niklaus. I've had a thousand years on the side to be angry and to heal. I'm here to make sure this family does the same." The way Esther spoke would have made me believe she was being genuine, but I knew better. I trusted my Mothers warning about the Original Witch.

"I just don't understand." Nik sounded unsure as he spoke to his Mother. "I killed you, and still you forgive me."

"It's been my dream for a thousand years that this family could be as one. Forgiveness is not a chore. It's a gift." Her words made my stomach twist. If only they were true. If only she actually wanted to see her family whole again, but I knew better. "Now, who are you bringing to the ball this evening?"

I knew now was my chance to interrupt. "Nik," The hybrid was quick to give me his full attention, granted, I had no doubt that he knew I was listening to him and his mothers conversation.

"Yes, Love?" Nik turned his back on his Mother and approached me, taking my hands in both of his.

"I was just wondering if it was all right to invite Caroline and Bonnie to the party tonight. I figured since Elena had already been invited, they would like to come as well." I figured Nik would say yes since he knew Caroline and I were friends.

Nik nodded his head, "Of course, love." Niklaus placed his arm around my waist, leading me further away from Esther. He felt tense at my side as we walked away from his mother. It wasn't hard to tell that he didn't trust his mother anywhere around me and I knew that during tonight's ball, I would not be left alone without one of my Fated Ones at my side.

~Break~

Bekah walked into the Grill with her head held up high and her eyes set on finding a certain blonde haired jock. While Matt wasn't her finest option as a date, he was handsome and showed potential. Her brothers would never approve of the commoner, but she had hoped that they would be far too distracted by Serena to even pay her and Matt the slightest bit of attention.

Bekah had a slight skip in her step as she walked further into the restaurant. The Original Vampire had a lot to be grateful for considering she finally had her family back. Now that her brothers were back, she believed they could all live happy lives together. Especially now that Serena is with them. Now all Bekah had to worry about was her mother trying to kill them.

Bekah had spotted her target the second she walked into the Grill, but while she wanted to head straight for Matt, she had another task at hand.

She spotted the blonde baby vampire and the backstabbing doppelgänger sitting together at one of the tables above the sunken part of the restaurant. While she hated to admit it, Bekah did enjoy Carolines company more than she thought she would, but seeing the doppelgänger made her sneer in distaste. In Bekah's mind, she had more than enough reasons to dislike all three of the doppelgängers she's met in her lifetime.

Tatia was a pitiful woman who used Serena to try and get closer to Elijah, in hopes that her older brother would take her as a wife. Serena was too kind hearted to see Tatias act, but Bekah saw right through the conniving woman. The Fae never noticed the longing and lust filled looks the doppelgänger would send Elijah. Granted, Tatia was nothing compared to Serena, and Bekah knew without a doubt that Elijah would never spare Tatia a single glance when he had Serena.

Then there was Katerina. Bekah hated seeing Tatias face on another woman and hated that Elijah showed the woman affection, especially after Serena's death. Bekah knew Elijah never pursued a relationship with Katerina, but he was still far too kind to her for Bekah's taste. Bekah understood that her brothers had needs, as disturbing as the thought is, she knew they had pursued bed mates but never did her brothers love another as they loved Serena. It caused many of their lovers to become jealous of the dead Fae.

Now there was Elena. Bekah didn't care for her at first. She was upset that she had her mother's necklace and that Stefan was obviously in love with the doppelgänger. But there was more to it now. Bekah couldn't help but be jealous of Elena. Elena was Serena's twin sister and Bekah detested the fact that Serena cared deeply for the doppelgänger. Bekah knew the love between siblings was strong and she could see how much Serena loved Elena. That made the fact that Elena stabbed her in the back with a dagger all the more painful. Bekah wanted nothing more than to unleash her anger on the doppelgänger.

But she forced herself to bury that hatred and anger, but only for Serena's sake. The second Elena did anything that put Serena's life in jeopardy, she was going to kill her.

"Careful Caroline. It's all well and good until she stabs you in the back." Bekah interrupted the two girls' conversation.

"What are you doing here?" Elena demanded as she glared at the female Original.

Bekah rolled her eyes and placed a hand on her hip and said, "Get over yourself Elena. It's not all about you." Bekah then turned her attention to Caroline and handed the blond two invitations to the ball. "Here. One is for you and the other is for the Bennett witch. Serena wanted to make sure the two of you got an invitation for tonight."

Caroline looked uncertain as she took the two envelopes from the Original. The blond baby vampire looked over at Elena from across the table before looking back up at Bekah and saying, "Thank you."

Bekah simply shrugged. "Thank Serena. She's the one who wanted to invite you. Don't bother with a dress, I've had them already sent to your homes." With that said, Bekah turned on her heel and made her way to the bar where Matt was working and presented the jock with his own invitation.

With her date secured, Bekah left the Grill and made her way back to the mansion. Now she just needed to steal Serena away from her brothers so she and the Fae could get ready for the night's festivities.

~Break~

The second Bekah returned form the Grill she immediately whisked me away to her room and forced me to take a seat at her vanity so she could get to work.

It was clear to see that Bekah was enjoying herself as she helped me get ready for tonight. I sat still as the vampire did my makeup and was quiet content allowing Bekah full control over my look for the night.

I was never really into the Founders day parties that my family had to attend every year and was never excited about getting ready and wearing fancy dresses. But as Bekah decorated my face with fancy makeup products, I thought about the dress she had picked out for me and a stab of excitement made my stomach jump.

"Perfect!" Bekah exclaimed. I opened my eyes, but before I could look at myself in the mirror, Bekah blocked my view and ushered me out of the vanity chair. "No peeking! Wait until your dress is on."

I allowed Bekah to lead me into her walk in closet. I noticed both of our dresses were hanging beside one another. Bekah helped me into my dress and as the zipper slid into place, the vampire said, "There, all done."

Finally, Bekah allowed me to take a look at myself in the full length mirror in the closet.

I stared at the reflection for a long, silent moment as I took it all in. The dress was a dark maroon that matched the color of my eyes and allowed my pale colored hair to stand out in a bright contrast. The bodice was sleeveless and tight on my chest with a small v that dipped down, allowing my chest to be perfectly framed. The skirt was floor length, made of a tool like fabric that fell in many layers down the length of my body. It was a true ballroom dress.

While the dress was truly spectacular, I had to also give props to the makeover Bekah had given me. My hair had been twisted towards the right of my face and left the drape over my right shoulder. It was subtle, but still impactful to the overall look. The makeup she had done was never something I would be capable of recreating. The smokey red look was incredibly appealing and with the amount of red I was wearing, my hair seemed to be an even brighter white.

The look was different, not something I had ever done before. I felt both stunning and sexy as I looked myself over in disbelief. I turned away from my reflection and faced Bekah.

"Thank you, sister." My words made her eyes grow glossy and my smile grew as I pulled her into my arms.

"We're not done yet." She announced before pulling away and grabbing something off a nearby shelf. Bekah had grabbed a black velvet box and the second she opened it, I felt my jaw drop. "This is only one of the many sets I've collected over the years. I know my brothers will be showering you with gifts like this, but I wanted you to have something from me."

"It's beautiful, Bekah." I was stunned by the gift she was giving me. I honestly felt it was too much, but I knew that if I denied her, she would just force the jewelry on me.

Nestled in the box was a ruby necklace and matching earring set. The jewels were set in a glimmering gold setting with intricate curves and twists that held each ruby firmly in place.

Bekah wasted no time and put the necklace on me. I admired myself in the mirror and reached up to touch the necklace. The piece covered most of my chest and dipped just above the valley between my breasts. The earrings hung just low enough to be noticeable and matched the necklace perfectly.

"Now it's perfect." Bekah said as she stepped back. I agreed with her words. I've never seen myself like this before. I looked stunning and I could hardly recognize myself in the mirror.

Bekah was a lot quicker in getting ready and before I knew it, she was helping me into the heels she had picked out. I was a little intimidated by the shoes, but she reassured me that I would be fine. I would more than likely have a vampire on my arm for the entire night and so I faced no chances of accidentally tripping and falling.

Just as Bekah was finishing up, I felt the air shift and knew someone was standing outside the door. I couldn't help but smile as they knocked and I carefully made my way to the door. I opened the door to see Finn on the other side.

Finn stood with a look of awe in his eyes. I couldn't stop the blush from creeping up my neck and into my cheeks at the hungry look that flooded Finn's eyes. If I didn't know any better, I would think he wanted to eat me, but then again, that was probably a big possibility. A possibility I wasn't all that against.

"Honestly, Finn. You look like you're about to pounce her like an animal." Finn sent his sister a shape glare, which Bekah only snickered at.

Finn cleared his throat before bowing slightly at the waist and asking, "My love, will you do me the honors of allowing me to escort you tonight?"

I couldn't help but blush as the gesture. I smiled brightly and nodded my head as I said, "Yes. Of course, Finn."

Finn smiled and held out his arm for me to take. I took the offered arm and stood close to his side as he placed his other hand atop mine and led the way towards the stairs.

"You look beautiful, Stjörnuljósið Mitt." He whispered in my ear as we approached the staircase. I could hear the noise from the party below and could feel a decent amount of people who were already enjoying the evening.

"Thank you. You look very handsome." I smiled up at Finn. He did look handsome, that was for sure. He was dressed in a perfectly fitted suit with a bowtie at his neck and custom engraved cufflinks at his wrist. His hazel eyes sparkled in the light as he smiled down at me and I felt my stomach fill with butterflies

Soon enough, Finn and I were standing at the top of the stairs, looking down at the people below as they mingled and enjoyed the party. The energy in the mansion rippled around us, but it didn't affect me in the normal negative way it would have. This sort of thing would have once overwhelmed me, but with Finn at my side, I felt calm and confident. The powerful energy of an Original Vampire was a lot stronger than anything else in this world.

I held Finn's arm tightly as we slowly made our way down stairs. The heels I was wearing did not make things easy, but Finn was more than capable of keeping me on my feet. When we finally reached the last step, I took a moment to glance around the crowd of party goers and was able to recognize a few familiar faces from the founding families parties I was forced to attend. It was nice being able to walk through the crowd without being overwhelmed.

"Serena." The sound of Elijah's voice pulled from my observing as I turned to find the impeccably dressed vampire standing behind me. Elijah reached out and took my free hand, the one that wasn't clutching onto Finn's arm, and placed a longing kiss on my knuckles before saying, "You look absolutely exquisite, Ástin Mín."

I couldn't help but blush at Elijah's complement as I replied with, "Thank you, 'Lijah. You look very handsome yourself." The vampire smiled at my words and I felt my insides melt. It was impossible not to notice how handsome he was, his presence almost made my knees weak. Having one overly handsome Fated One was one thing, but I had just so happened to have four. My heart was going to beat out my chest by the end of the night, I just knew it.

"Serena?" I looked away from Elijah and felt my smile grow at the sight of Bonnie and Caroline in the dresses Bekah and I had sent to them. Caroline looked stunning in the blue dress I had been looking at earlier, while Bonnie was dressed in a deep purple number that seemed to fit her body perfectly.

"Wow, you two look amazing." My words made the two girls smile brightly and I could see the tension they had been holding onto as they approached dissipate from their shoulders.

"You look amazing as well." Bonnie pointed out.

"Yes she does. Who would have thought that Serena Gilbert likes to dress up and attend parties." Caroline grinned and I rolled my eyes at her.

"I'm glad you guys came." I said with a soft smile. Both Caroline and Bonnie looked grateful for the invite and I knew they probably just wanted a normal night out without any supernatural drama. Unfortunately, nights like this were rare for us in Mystic Falls considering everything that's happened.

I noticed Caroline's eyes flickering between Finn and I. "Oh, um. Caroline, Bonnie, this is Finn." I looked up at Finn and smiled softly at him and said, "Finn, this Caroline Forbes and Bonnie Bennett. They're my friends." I then looked over at Elijah who was still standing beside me. "And you guys already know Elijah."

"Best friend." Caroline added after I introduced her and Bonnie to Finn. She then leaned in closer to me and whispered, "So, is he one of your Fated Ones?"

I grinned at her question and nodded my head. "Yes, Care. He's my Fated One."

"Fated One?" Bonnie asked as she tilted her head in curiosity. She looked between Caroline and I with curiosity in her gaze.

"It's complicated." I answered. "I'll explain it all to you later. For now, enjoy the night."

"Come on. Let's go snoop out the food." Caroline looped her arm with the witches and pulled her away. It was nice having them here, and while I knew things were hectic, a part of me was excited to enjoy the night.

"Finn," I turned back to Elijah as he addressed his older brother. "I believe it's time to meet with our Mother and discuss the doppelgänger."

I glanced between the two brothers and said, "Elena? Why does Esther want to talk about Elena?"

"That is something we will hopefully be finding out by the end of the night." Elijah answered before reaching out and pulling me from Finn's arm. I looped my arm with Elijahs as Finn released me.

I looked at Finn in concern, but my Fated One sent me a calming smile and said, "Don't worry, my love. I'm sure our Mother won't make any sort of move tonight." I nodded at his reassuring words, but the knot in my stomach didn't untangle knowing Esther wanted to speak to my sister. I knew that after I had fallen asleep last night, my Fated Ones and Bekah had continued the discussion about what Esther could be planning; and while I trusted them, I wasnt a fan of being kept in the dark and not knowing what was going on, especially concerning Elena.

"Come, Elskan. It will soon be time to announce the first dance of the evening." I held on tightly to Elijah's arm as we slowly wandered around the mansion. I could sense Nik and Kol nearby, as Elijah made small conversation here and there with certain guests of the ball.

After enough small talk had been made, Elijah led us back to the staircase where Nik, Kol, and Bekah were already standing. I shouldn't have been surprised by how well dressed both Kol and Nik were, as well as Bekah, who looked stunning in her dark green dress. I could sense a small amount of tension coming from the three Mikaelson siblings as Elijah and I approached Nik who was standing at the base of the stairs.

Kol and Bekah stood above the crowd, about halfway up the staircase. I could see a sneer on Bekah's face as she looked out over the crowd and wondered who she caught sight of to make her so unhappy. Kol on the other hand was watching every step I took as Elijah and I approached.

I sent Kol a small smile and a little wave, causing the vampire to grin and wink down at me.

"Brother," I turned my attention back to Nik as he addressed Elijah. Nik then turned towards me and said, "Love, you look gorgeous, as always."

I smiled and shook my head at Niks charming smirk and said, "Thank you, Nik." His smirk only grew.

The around us shifted as Finn joined us. Elijah handed me back over to his older brother and climbed the steps to stand between Bekah and Kol. Nik followed after him and stood beside him and Kol. While Finn carefully led me up a few steps and had me standing between him and Bekah.

The air once again shifted and I glanced towards the top of the stairs where I noticed Esther making her way down. Seeing Esther made me curious and I wondered what could be going on inside her head. I knew in my heart that her desire for her family to be whole was a lie, but I didn't understand what that had to do with Elena.

With Esther now in attendance, Elijah addressed the crowd. "Welcome, thank you for joining us." I looked out over the crowd as Elijah spoke. "You know, whenever my Mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance."

As my gaze wandered the crowd, I caught eyes with a familiar pair of steel blue eyes that stared at me harshly. I grimaced at the look on Damon's face and wondered what he could be thinking. I hadn't exactly contacted him since last night and I knew he hated being in the dark about what was going on here.

I watched as Damon leaned over and noticed for the first time both Stefan and Elena standing beside the dark haired vampire. I frowned at the sight of my sister and felt my stomach turn knowing Esther wanted her here for something. The turmoil I felt in that moment was palpable. I had to do something. I couldn't just let Elena get sucked into all this without knowing the full truth.

I could assume that Damon and Stefan hadn't told her everything that they had learned at last night's dinner. I knew they wouldn't have told her anything if it meant keeping her safe.

"Tonight's pick is a centuries-old waltz." Elijah announced. "So, if all of you could please find yourselves a partner. Please join us in the ballroom."

The crowd practically moved as one as couples began to filter into the ball room. Before I could fully step off the stairs, Elijah was suddenly in front of me, holding out his hand.

"Elskan, would you honor me with this dance?" He bowed slightly at the waist as he stared into my eyes. Waiting for my reply.

As nervous as I was at the thought of dancing in these heels, I wasn't about to turn down the man I was in love with. Besides, I doubt my vampire would let me fall or sprain my ankle.

"Of course, 'Lijah." I took Elijah's hand and allowed him to lead me towards the ballroom where we then took our positions and the music started to play. I only took a moment before the music started to glance around at who else was dancing, and all I could really see was Bekah with Matt and Elena with Damon.

As soon as the music started, Elijah took the lead and we were off with the rest of the dancers. At first I was nervous about messing up, I hadn't danced like this since Miranda started teaching Elena and I how to dance in the eighth grade. Not to mention I was forced to learn many different dances during my life as a Salvatore. But Elijah was a natural. He held onto me just firmly enough to keep me from having to put too much weight down in the heels I was in. He was an absolute natural at the dance and all I had to focus on were his eyes as he led the way.

"This is amazing." I smiled brightly as we twirled around the room. "I've never danced like this before. I've honestly never been able to enjoy a party like this before." I admitted.

Elijah grinned at me as the world flashed by us in a blur. "I will gladly dance with you anytime you desire, Astin mín. Anything you want is yours to have." His words sent butterflies fluttering through my stomach as my heart pounded in my chest.

I know he was speaking truthfully. His eyes never wavered and I knew that if I asked for the world, he would hand it to me, no questions asked. I knew it was silly, but I didn't think I could fall any more in love with him. The love I had for him a thousand years ago was bubbling at the surface as I slowly got to know him a thousand years later. I understood that there was a lot of time between us, and he was no longer the human man I knew then, but that didn't stop my heart from falling.

"I love you, Elijah." The words were so easy to say. They were simple words, and yet, I could see that they meant the absolute world to Elijah. No matter how many times I uttered those three little words, I knew they meant something each and every time. I wondered when was the last time he had heard those words, and if the person really meant it like I did. Because I truly did love him. For all his faults and everything in between. I loved him.

"I love you, Serena." He said as he leaned in and kissed my forehead. Then I was being twirled away and suddenly I was in another's arms.

My heart slammed against my chest as I was pulled into another familiar embrace. When I looked up at Kols face I could only see excitement and adoration in his gaze. The youngest Mikaelson seemed very pleased with himself that I was now in his arms as he began to dance around.

"Hello, Darling. Are you enjoying yourself this evening?" Kol held me close to his front and practically had me lifted off my feet as we danced. I couldn't help but laugh at the movements we were making and held firmly onto his shoulder and arm.

"Yes." I replied gleefully. "I'm enjoying myself immensely." I laughed again as Kol twirled around and my dress swished out behind me.

Kols gaze turned more heated as he took a moment to look me over. "I haven't had the chance to tell you how captivating you look, my Darling." The heat in his eyes made my skin break out in a blush as a once familiar heat settled in my stomach.

Once upon a time, a thousand years ago, I was a young woman with four very handsome Fated Ones. As I danced in Kol's arms, I was reminded by the fact that a thousand years ago that I had somehow managed to stay a virgin for as long as I did. It was almost impossible to fight off the attraction I felt towards them, and by the heat in Kol's eyes, I had a feeling I wasn't going to put up any fight in re-exploring that part of our lives.

Kol and I danced for a little longer before I was being pulled away and into another pair of arms. This time Nik held me as we continued the waltz.

I can't begin to explain the happiness I felt in my heart. Nothing about this night had ever felt possible a few months ago. Then again, at one point in my life, my Fated Ones didn't even exist to me.

"How about a break, love?" I nodded my head and Nik wrapped an arm around my waist and led me off the dance floor. Nik kept hold of my waist as we made our way through the crowd and out the front doors. The cool night air felt good on my flushed skin.

I closed my eyes for a moment as I took a deep breath of the night air. Then I heard something peculiar. I opened my eyes and was shocked to see something straight out of a fairy tail. A princess style carriage with a beautiful horse standing in front of it.

Nik kept his arm around me as I walked up to the beautiful animal. The energy that emitted from the horse was incredible. It was as if I could feel it's heart beat pulse in it's chest as the air shifted and flexed around it. This animal was just as close to the bonds of nature as I was.

Nik's arm slipped from my waist as I got closer to the animal. I reached out and tentatively touched the soft fur on the horse's neck. It flinched slightly, but relaxed under my touch. I couldn't help but smile as I pet the horse.

As I stood beside the horse, I felt Nik place a hand on the small of my back.

"It's beautiful." I whispered softly. Fully aware Nik could hear me. At Niks' approach the horse shook its head, but as I continued to pet its neck, it calmed down. I had no doubts that the creature could tell Nik was a predator to be feared.

"Yes, positively beautiful." Nik now had both hands on my waist as he leaned down and pressed his nose against my neck. Without much thought, I titled my head aside and allowed him more access. A pleased growl vibrated in his chest as he pressed a kiss against my bare skin. I tried to distract myself by concentrating on petting the horse, but Niks lips on my skin was hard to ignore.

"Nik," His name slipped from lips in a breathy whisper as he left a trail of kisses from my shoulder up to my jaw line. As his lips caressed my jaw, I couldn't help but clench my hands and release a shuddering breath.

"Hmmm, love? What was that?" Nik's breath fanned out against my throat and my stomach clenched as the sudden feeling of anticipation washed over me. These feelings, these emotions, they were so overwhelming. It's been a thousand years, a couple of lifetimes for me, since I've felt these feelings. I wanted more.

I wanted more of his touch, more of his lips and skin against my skin. The cool night air was doing nothing against the feverish flush that had spread out across my skin. One of the hands that was at my waist moved to caress my stomach as the other hand reached up to wrap around my throat. I felt like jelly as I allowed Nik to puppeteer my body to his demands.

"Such a good girl." He whispered in my ear as the hand against my throat moved to spread against the bare skin on my chest. "You remember my touch, don't you, love? You remember what I feel like against you? Holding you?"

His voice sent shivers down my spine. My mind was blank and the world around us only contained Nik and I.

The hand that was on my stomach moved upward and I couldn't hold back the whimper that escaped my throat as Niks hand rose higher. The noise was baseless and only made the flush on my skin grow hotter as it reached my ears. My knees were shaking. After that one sound I could no longer hold back my voice.

"Niklaus," His name fell from my lips in a moan as his hand found its mark. His large hand cupped my breast in a firm grip and if he hadn't been holding me, I would have jolted back from his touch.

"Shhh, love." His hands once again moved back to my waist as he turned my body around to face him. I looked my Fated One in the eyes as the heated air between us was filled with the sound of me trying to catch my breath. The blue in his eyes sparkled with male pride and the heat of the moment that we had just shared. "Come now, love. I believe it's about time for us to rejoin the party."

Nik wrapped his arm around my waist and I leaned all my weight against him as he practically carried me back into the mansion. The party was still going strong as Nik and I made our reappearance. Niklaus kept me firmly pressed against his side as we wandered through the crowd. Now that my heart beat had settled down, my mind felt less foggy and cloudy with want and need.

"Good evening, Ladies and Gentleman." The sound of Esther's voice made both Nik and I stop in our tracks. The arm around my waist tightened and I looked up to see Esther standing on the stairs, in the same place Elijah stood earlier, as she addressed the crowd. "Waiters are coming around with champagne. I invite you all to join me in raising a glass." Just as Esther said, a waiter approached Nik and I with a glass of champagne. I took the glass, but as I stared at the liquid, I couldn't help but feel as if something was off. "It provides me with no greater joy than to see my family back together as one. I'd like to thank you all for being part of this spectacular evening. Cheers!"

"Cheers, love." Nik gently tapped his glass against mine before taking a drink of the bubbly liquid. I stared at the pinkish colored drink for a moment before taking a tentative sip. I wasn't one for drinking, and while the alcohol tasted fine, something in my gut was telling me not to partake in Esther's toast.

After the toast, Esther once again disappeared and the party goers continued to mingle. I could see some of the crowd beginning to leave as the night wore on. Nik and I ditched our glasses and Nik led me out of the crowd and down the hall, away from the party.

The parlor room we entered was empty and I practically collapsed onto the leather couch. While I had managed to keep most of my weight off my feet during the night, I could still feel a strong soreness in my toes from being crammed into the heels.

"Rest for a moment, love. I'll find you something to eat while we have a moment." I nodded my head and smiled grateful at Nik as he left the room.

With a moment of privacy, I happily kicked off my heels and sank further into the couch. As much as I was enjoying the night, I felt exhausted. There were so many thoughts swirling around in my head now that I was alone. We still didn't know what Esther had planned and with Elena now involved, I was scared of what Esther could have planned, for all of us.

Just as I was about to fall asleep a sudden pain erupted in my neck and chest. My neck felt like it was on fire while my chest felt as if someone had grabbed hold of my heart and was squeezing it.

"Kol!" I gasped as I felt the bond between Kol and I sever, but not completely break. I was dizzy as I shot up and rushed from the room. The crowd was much more sparse as I rushed barefoot through the mansion towards where I felt my Fated Ones and the weak energy coming from Kol. I saw his body laid out just outside the front doors of the mansion. I rushed towards the doors without thinking, but before I could reach Kol's body, an arm shot out and I was pulled against Finn's chest.

"It's alright, Stjörnuljósið Mitt." Finn held me tightly against him. "Kol will be fine. I promise, my love."

My grip was tight as I held onto Finn. I looked up from Kol's body and noticed Damon, Stefan, and Elena standing on the front steps of the mansion. Damon was glaring at Stefan as the younger Salvatore brother looked broody and disheartened. Elena on the other hand, the second my eyes found hers, she looked scared, but there was a fierce certainty in her gaze.

"Come here, Elskan." Elijah pulled me from Finn's grasp and motioned towards the mansion. Finn released me and I watched as he went to lift Kol's lifeless body off the ground. I noticed both Nik and Bekah glaring at my sister and the Salvatore brothers. Elijah steered me away from the scene and we headed into the mansion following after Finn.

I followed Finn into Kol's room and watched as the eldest Mikaelson placed his younger brother's body on the bed. I hated seeing Kol looking like a corpse. I knew that he wasn't really dead and would reawaken any minute, but with the way the bond between us was frayed I couldn't help but worry. I needed to feel the bond snap back into place. I needed to feel Kol alive.

Elijah and Finn left the room after once again reassuring me that Kol would be alright. They didn't bother trying to get me to leave the room, both understanding that I needed to be near their brother when he eventually reawoke.

I took a deep breath as I felt Finn and Elijah get further away from the room and decided to get comfortable as I waited. I took off the elegant jewelry Bekah had gifted me before sitting down on the edge of the large bed that took up space in Kols bedroom. It was such a strange feeling sitting next to him and being unable to feel him. The bond between us had snapped when he was killed, but while it was broken, it did not completely severe.

I could feel the bonds I shared with each of my Fated Ones, and while each one was strong and being held together, I could feel that they were incomplete. It was hard to grasp, but some part of me understood that the bonds were incomplete. It was an instinct that I believed was embedded in all Fae. It was times like these that I wished I had more time with Mother. There was so much I still didn't understand. So many possibilities I couldn't quite grasp.

There was a sudden shift in the air and I let out a sigh of relief as life suddenly flooded Kol's body. I felt his energy wrap around me as our bond snapped back into place. The vampire sat up with a start and I watched as his eyes quickly took in the room around him before his gaze settled on me.

I was careful as I reached out and gently brushed my fingers against his cheek and asked him, "How are you feeling?"

Kol took hold of my hand and pressed his nose against my pulse and took in a deep inhale of my scent. My stomach swooped as he kept his eyes locked on mine and answered my question by replying with, "Hungry."

I swear I could feel tingles racing up and down my body at the look in his eyes. I felt no fear at the hungry look in Kol's eyes. I knew he wouldn't do anything to hurt me, I trusted him. But that didn't mean I didn't feel a slight hint of apprehension.

I couldn't help but feel shy at the interaction, but before I could say anything or even attempt to put some more space between us, I was no longer sitting in front of Kol. He had moved too fast for me to see and I suddenly found myself laying flat on my back with my head against the pillows and Kol staring at me from above.

My heart thundered in my ears as Kol held himself above me. Hunger, love, and a deep seeded wanting filled his gaze and I felt my body react in earnest to the look he was giving me. My entire body felt like someone had set me on fire. But instead of a painful burning, it was a white hot heat that filled me from my toes to the top of my head.

I was slow to move as I gently reached up and held Kol's face between my hands. I fell deeper and deeper into his eyes as we stared at one another. To think that only yesterday he had been trapped in a coffin, never knowing I was alive and waiting for him. The feeling of his skin against my hands gave me a sense of peace I hadn't felt in a long time.

"Kol," His voice was a whisper on my lips. Saying his name seemed to have been the trigger he needed to act. He pressed his lips against mine with a desperate kind of passion I could understand. He needed this as much as I did.

The kiss we shared was hungry and full of movement as Kol dominated my lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled myself as flush to his body as I possibly could. The heat between us grew as I freely opened my lips to allow his tongue entrance and deepen our kiss.

When it finally grew to be too much and I had no choice but to pull away so I could breath, Kol took the opportunity to place desperate kisses all over my jaw and down my neck.

"I need more of you, my Darling." He groaned against my skin. "I need you. I need to feel you. Please." His voice sounded strained as licked and nipped at my neck while his hands fluttered up and down my sides.

I let out a sigh as I arched into his touch. I squirmed under him and clenched his shirt in my hands as the sudden urge to be free of my dress and out of the restraining fabric that rubbed uncomfortably against my skin.

"Kol." I moaned as his hands grew firmer in their explorations of my body. "Please, Kol." I couldn't find the words I wanted to say and was forced to plead by wiggling and bucking my hips. Kol lifted his face from my neck and stared down at me with the same desperate look in his eyes that I knew mirrored my own.

I watched with bated breath as Kol sat up and placed his hands at the top of my dress and without a second thought, he easily tore the thick fabric down the middle. Successfully freeing me from the dress, while also completely ruining it.

While my mind was certainly still foggy with desire, the moment the sound of ripping fabric reached my ears, I couldn't help but gasp and let out a laugh in disbelief.

"Kol! Bekahs going to kill you for that!" I held an arm across my now naked chest as I sat up and watched Kol discarded the now ruined dress onto the floor. The Original Vampire only looked at me without a care for what Bekah would do to him when she saw the dress. He then focused his eyes on the arm I held across my chest and frowned.

Kol moved and I was once again on my back as he hovered above me. His eyes held mine as he gently pried my arm away from my chest. My breathing became rapid as he held my arms at my sides and raked his eyes down my body. My stomach swooped as his eyes took all of me in now that I was only clad in a simple pair of red panties.

Kol released one of my arms and trailed his fingers from my collar bone, down between my heaving breast, and further down my stomach before stopping at the edge of my underwear.

"So beautiful." He muttered. His fingers glided across my hip bones and I felt my stomach clench as heat filled every part of my body.

I hadn't realized I had my eyes closed until I felt Kol take hold of my chin between his thumb and index finger. I opened my eyes and saw Kol staring down at me with such want and desire that it made my breath catch in my throat.

There was a heat between us that was filled with a primal lust. It was all so overwhelming, but there was no way I would ask him to stop. Because the desperation in Kols eyes was a reflection of what I felt.

I wanted this. I wanted to feel him against me. The bond between us was begging for us to complete it and I would give anything to be able to feel the connection between us become solid and real. It was as if instinct was fueling me into action as I reached up and tugged on Kols shirt. A silent demand for the clothing to come off.

Kol read my silent action as the green flag and with great haste, and a lot of torn fabric, Kol's shirt was discarded. The second my hands made contact with his bare skin I felt a sense of relief. If my mind had been less clouded by lust, I would have the sense to feel somewhat shame full that I was having sex with Kol after only less then two days of him being undaggered and us reunited. But the thought of losing another thousand years together had all those human thoughts and doubts thrown out the window.

I needed him. I needed to feel him and I wanted this too badly to stop.

"Kol!" His name fell from my lips in a sudden shout as his lips encircled my nipple. I was left breathless at the sensation he was causing my body to go through as licked and sucked at my breast. Moans and sighs escaped, unbiasedly, from my lips as his hand took over pleasuring my other breast.

My body reacted as I tried to rub my thighs together as the ache in my lower stomach grew and grew. I understood what was happening to my body considering this isn't exactly my first time having sex, but that had been a thousand years ago and last time I checked, being reborn meant I was technically a born again virgin. So my body was reacting as a virgin's body did, very intensely.

"Oh! Oh, Kol, please." My hands were gripping onto the comforter beneath me for dear life as Kol switched breasts. "More, I need more. Please." I felt somewhat embarrassed as I begged for more, but in that moment I needed Kols touch like I needed air to breath.

"Shhh, Darling." Kol blew cold air onto my already sensitive nipple and said, "I'll take care of you." Kol finally withdrew from my breast and started placing kisses down my stomach and towards where I wanted him most.

The anticipation I felt as I watched Kol get closer and closer to the apex of my thighs was overwhelming. He sat back on his knees as he placed his hands on my thighs. I couldn't help but admire him as he sat back. Kol was more lean then his brothers, but his body was still corded with muscles and a strength he gained from living a thousand years ago as a viking raised on fighting and staying alive.

I watched every move Kol made as his hands stroked the outside of my thighs before gently prying my legs apart. I flushed deeply as Kol spread me open and drank in the sight of me before him. He kept a firm hold on my thighs as I subconsciously tried to close my legs, but I was outmatched and he easily kept my legs open.

"So needy." Kol grinned and locked eyes with me. "Does my Darling need my touch?" I moaned as his thumbs stroked the hemline of my panties.

"Yes." I moaned out. "Please, Kol. I need you."

Faster than my eyes could see, my underwear was torn off my body and Kol had placed himself between my thighs. The second I felt his breath against my center, I knew I was done for.

"Ahhh." I threw my head back and gripped Kol's hair as his tongue swiped out and tasted the most intimate part of me. For a moment, my mind went blank before my thoughts were only filled with the feeling of Kol's tongue doing things to me that made my entire body light up with pleasure. The wetness that had been slowly building up between my legs was now flooding out of me as Kol licked and sucked at my clit with precision.

I didn't think I could handle any more pleasure I was receiving, that is until I felt a single finger begin to press into me. I arched my back and gasped as Kol inserted his finger into my tight passage. I couldn't stop moaning as his tongue continued working my clit and he slowly began to move his finger in and out of my body.

I was an absolute mess and I felt as if I was going to implode as I practically shook from the amount of stimulation I was feeling. It wasn't until Kol added another finger and slowly began to stretch my virgin body that I realized I needed more of this.

I was a wreck as I pressed my feet further into the mattress and desperately held onto Kol as I rode out my pleasure. "Kol." I moaned his name like a prayer as I kept one hand firmly gripped onto his hair and the other desperately clinging to the pillow beneath my head.

"Mmm… Ahhhh!" My toes curled and my back arched as something inside of me finally shattered as Kol expertly curled his fingers upwards and pressed down firmly on my clit with his tongue. "Kol! Ahhhh!" Like a rubber band snapping, I was suddenly tipped over the edge into oblivion.

Kols fingers held still as he allowed my body to come back down from its sudden high. I was desperately trying to catch my breath as my body slowly began to relax. I hadn't even realized my eyes were closed until I finally opened them and blinked down at Kol who was still laying between my trembling legs.

The vampire smirked up at me with pride clearly shining in his eyes. He then slowly retracted his fingers from my fluttering core and I couldn't stop the quiet moan that escaped my lips as he licked his fingers clean of my cum. He then slowly crawled his way back up my body. I could feel the bond between us growing stronger as I wrapped my arms around his neck clutched at the hairs on the back of his head to keep him as close to me as I possibly could.

"Hmmm," Kol leaned down and ran his nose along the length of my neck and I gladly tipped my head back to allow him more room. "My beautiful, Darling. You taste just as exquisite as I remember. Like a dream I've waited so long to have."

My heart fluttered in my chest and I couldn't even begin to compare this moment with any of my memories from a thousand years ago. Everything in this ment felt so much more intense and the urges I had were only grown stronger now that we were so close to completing the bond.

Kol left a trail of open mouths kissed along my neck as he traveled upwards. "I need to feel you, Darling." He whispered into my ear. With his body now flush against mine, I could feel just how desperate he was as pressed himself against my body.

The stiffness of his erection sent a jolt of lust shooting through my body. The reality that it had been a thousand years since the last time Kol and I had been intimate wasn't lost to me. I needed this. I needed to feel the bond between us completed and I knew Kol wanted the same thing.

"Kol, I need you. I need to feel you." I was begging at that point and while the rational part of my mind knew he would never deny me anything I wanted, I was so overwhelmed with lust and desperation that I didn't care how needy I sounded.

Kol placed one last kiss onto my skin before sitting up and quickly discarding his dress pants.

I couldn't help but stare at Kol in all his naked glory and flush at the complet sight of him. His lean body was pale and corded with sublet muscles that felt smooth and firm beneath my finger tips. The only word that could describe him was beautiful. He was a beautiful monster, my beautiful monster.

I felt my cheeks grow hot as I took him all in. I couldn't help but wonder just how he was going to fit as I stared in awe at his hard erection. I knew that in reality it would fit just fine, but that didn't stop the virgin part of my brain wondering just how I was going to manage this.

The dark and hungry energy that wafted off of him rested around us like a protective cocoon and the small stab of worry I had felt began to ease as he lowered himself back down over me. I knew that there was nowhere safer than the arms of my Fated One.

His lips met mine in a much softer kiss than the ones we had traded earlier. I began to relax further as he kissed me, but when the head of his stiff cock pressed against my entrance, I couldn't help but stiffen up.

"Shhh, my Darling." He whispered against the skin of my lips. "I'll be gentle. I promise."

I took in a deep breath and nodded my head. I believed him with every fiber of my being and as he slowly began to enter me, I forced myself to relax at the intrusion. The feeling of being stretched was an experience I had long forgotten as my virgin walls tried to accommodate Kol's thick cock. Really, this was all new to me considering just how long it's been since I've had sex.

My stomach clenched as Kol reached about halfway and I cringed at the slight burn I felt as I was stretched open. Kol was quick to notice and reached down with one hand to gently rub at my clit as a distraction and help relax me further. It worked, but to help further the experience, Kol also decided to take my sensitive nipple between his lips, causing me to gasp and arch up.

"Kol." I moaned out his name as he pleasured my sensitive body into submission and continued pushing himself further into me. My mind was a blank canvas as I felt my inner walls stretch and give way as Kols hips became flushed with mine. The slight burn I felt was nothing compared to the feeling of such fullness.

I couldn't help but whimper at the feeling of being stretched so fully. It was both overwhelming and completely perfect.

"Shhh, Darling." Kol whispered in my ear before placing his forehead against mine. We were both still for a moment as he allowed me a second to get used to the intrusion. It didn't take long before the more needy part of me wanted more movement and I began to grind my hips against Kol in an act to get him to move.

"Ahhh, Serena." Hearing him moan my name did something to me that made every part of me set ablaze. The desire I felt to hear more from him made me grind more persistently against him.

"Kol!" I whined his name and pulled at the hairs on the back of his neck. "Please, I need you. More, please." I was babbling like an idiot as I tried to get Kol to listen to my demands.

Kol pulled back and the fire in his eyes set my nerve ending ablaze. He moved slowly as he pulled his hips back and retracted his cock till only the tip of him was left inside of me. Then, with a snap of his hips, he buried himself completely inside of me.

I practically screamed as pleasure shot through me. Kol needed no further prompting after that as he started a fast and fulfilling rhythm that I desperately tried to keep up with.

"Kol!" I desperately clung onto Kol with my arms around his shoulders and my legs wrapped around his hips as he pistoned in and out of me. "Oh! Right there!" I groaned as Kol managed to hit that certain spot inside of me that made my back arch and my toes curled.

"That's it, Darling. You take me so well." Kols' words made my stomach clench as I whined.

Everything felt so intense as Kol fucked me. I was so overwhelmed that I didn't notice I was digging my nails into Kol's back as he continued to move in and out of me. My stomach grew tight and I dried out as I felt myself getting closer to the edge.

Kol pressed his face into the junction between my neck and shoulder and I gladly titled my head to the side to give him more room. The action had the vampire above me growling in approval and I felt my body shake at the sound.

"Please, Kol." I moaned. I was so close to the edge, but unable to fall over. Something inside of me knew I needed something more, but with my mind clouded with please all I could do was cry and beg. Unable to find the words to tell Kol what I wanted from him. "Kol, Kol, Kol, please!"

The primal growl that rumbled through Kols chest ignited my skin as he vibrated above me. I clung onto him desperately as his hot breath fanned out against the skin on neck. Then, without further prompting, Kol sank his fangs into my neck and I felt my world shatter before being restructured around this one moment.

The cry that escaped my lips was one filled with completion as I finally climaxed and felt my core pulse and flutter around Kol as he continued to move in and out of me. I could feel Kol pulling my blood from my vein as he drank his fill. He only removed his fangs from my neck as he began to groan and reach his end. His hips shuddered as he frantically chased his own climax.

With one final snap of his hips against mine, I felt his fangs reenter my neck as he spilled inside of me. The warmth I felt as his cum filled me made me delirious with pleasure.

Kol stayed flushed against me as he retracted his fangs and licked lazy circles around the bite mark he had left behind.

My eyes slipped closed as I felt my neck slowly start to heal. Any blood that had escaped was quickly swept up by Kol as I felt my body slowly start to grow languid. Fatigue had settled into my bones and I knew there was no way I could move from the position I was in without help. Lucky for me, Kol was more than ready to take care of my needs.

Without uttering a word, Kol gently slipped out of me. I whimpered at the loss, but was comforted as Kol kissed my eyelids. "Sleep, my Darling. I have you." His words were reassuring as I felt myself falling deeper into sleep. I could feel Kol leave the bed, but he returned quickly and I felt him gently clean at the mess he had made of my thighs before scooping me into his arms.

He laid us on the bed and I felt the sheets touch my skin as he pulled them up and over us. I cuddled into his arms and rubbed my nose against the skin on his chest before muttering, "I love you." In a sleepy voice.

I felt Kol place a kiss against my head and heard him whisper softly, "You are my everything, Serena." Before I finally fell asleep.

---

A/N: Hello readers, I just wanted to apologize for taking so long to update this story and to let you know it may be a while for the next update. Unfortunately the end of last year was not great for me. To add insult to injury, I no longer have a laptop as of the beginning of this year. (I am actually borrowing a friends laptop to post this chapter). I ended up finishing the last twenty pages of this chapter on my phone and let me tell you, it was a nightmare. I type really fast and that means I make a lot of spelling errors that I do my best to spot when I edit, but typing full chapters on my phone has made my spelling errors even worse. So I cant apologize enough for any mistakes I missed when editing this chapter. So while I can post chapters on AO3 from my phone, I cant seem to do that here. I will do my best to update here when I can and hopefully in the next few months I will have a new laptop.

Also, this is my longest chapter yet! 18,666 words! That's 40 pages I had to edit, it was wild. So sorry about that. (Unless you enjoy longer chapters, then you're welcome).

Thank you for being supportive, I hope you enjoy this new chapter.

Stay safe.