Darkest Temptations

Chapter Nine: We're Polygamists

Elena Mikaelson

I headed towards Caroline's driveway after securely locking my front door. Klaus stood at the front of his car, arms folded, leaning against the headlights. His gaze was fixed on me as I approached. I maintained unwavering eye contact with him, even though every instinct in me warned against pushing his patience. I felt a deep sense of shame for my intrusive behavior, as I reflected on the time I spent spying on him and Caroline. I couldn't help but question my own sanity in light of my actions. However, it was undeniable that he had treated me like a monster ever since we got here, and I was becoming quite weary of his constant irritability.

As I strolled past him, I believed I had evaded any trouble, only to be abruptly yanked backwards, effortlessly maneuvered until I found myself positioned between him and the car. His lips swiftly sought the corner of my ear as he whispered.

"What do you think you're doing? What the hell are you wearing?"

I found myself frozen in place under the piercing gaze of his interrogation.

"Are you trying to test my patience?"

Just as he was about to receive the answer he desperately sought, we were interrupted by the sound of Caroline and April emerging from her house in unison. I glanced at him, noticing his eyes narrowing as I remained silent. I smoothly slipped out of his hold and walked over to the front passenger seat. Caroline's gaze bore as I did. I had no intention of seeking permission to occupy the front seat or bringing up the fact that she had taken it on her first day without any discussion. Klaus helped April and Caroline load their belongings into the trunk before they settled into the backseat, still engrossed in their conversation. Meanwhile, Klaus joined me in the front.

As he inserted the key into the ignition, I reached up and grabbed his sunglasses from the vanity mirror above his head. Sensing Klaus's gaze upon me, I calmly put on the glasses and focused my attention straight ahead, intentionally avoiding any eye contact with him.

The drive to the airport was quite enjoyable. Klaus made sure to keep the air conditioning on throughout the entire journey, sparing us from the discomfort of our makeup melting under the sweltering heat.

April later disclosed that the gift Klaus had given her at the house turned out to be her father's ashes. Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but be captivated by the genuine selflessness he displayed towards her, especially considering the relatively brief time they had known each other. Bringing her father's ashes across the country was a stark departure from his usual behavior and far from the person I had known in the past. However, I remained silent, my thoughts consumed by the numerous challenges he had presented to me, in stark contrast to the support and compassion he had shown towards Caroline and April.

Upon our arrival at the airport, Klaus kindly took charge of the luggage while he went to arrange parking for the duration of our absence. He wanted to make sure his new car received top-notch care. We entered the airport as a trio, each of us carrying our luggage. I gently licked on my lower lip as I removed Klaus's sunglasses, deciding to tuck them snugly between my breasts, a playful gesture to further tease him. I had no intention of playing games with him or spoiling our vacation; there was something deeper at play, something I couldn't articulate just yet.

Klaus joined us sooner than anticipated and together we made sure we had all the necessary items to board the flight safely. Caroline proposed that Klaus trail April as a precaution in case any issues arose with her new identification. Thus, he possessed the ability to easily compel anyone who dared to doubt her, just as Caroline and I were already capable of doing. Klaus readily agreed, unsurprisingly aligning his thoughts with hers. It was clear that his judgment may have been influenced by their recent intimate encounter.

I wasn't enthusiastic of the way I sounded at the moment.

I pressed the reset button, ready to move forward with a newfound sense of maturity. It was possible that in the future, he wouldn't always side with Caroline.

As it turns out there was no issues with any of new identifications. Klaus had once again demonstrated that life as a Mikaelson will be nothing short of exceptional for all of us in the future. There was an undeniable aura of invincibility that surrounded us whenever we were in his presence. It is only now that I am starting to fully comprehend the true extent of the influence and authority that came with being his wife.

Addressing myself as his wife still felt peculiar. I suppose I did feel married, and I had confidence that I would never seek a relationship beyond our union.

As we walked through the airport with Caroline and Klaus leading the way, April nudged my arm to catch my attention. She had a smile on her face as she pointed out that Klaus and Caroline were now holding hands, though it was unclear who initiated the gesture. As I witnessed Klaus leaning in and whispering into Caroline's ear while they walked, it became clear that it was irrelevant. Once again, I had to remind myself to adapt to this way of life.

She's his wife.

And April's his wife.

Nothing was going to change. If anything, these moments of affection were going to be multiplied the second we boarded that plane. Caroline was considered his wife here in Utah, or rather, his "public" wife as we referred to it. However, once we were out of state, that distinction became irrelevant. Out there, Klaus could be affectionate with whoever he pleased...even with me, if he so desired. But if he believed I desired anything more than the routine kisses he bestowed upon us daily, he was mistaken.

I had no intention of altering my entire perspective simply to accommodate his desires that exceeded our initial agreement.

By the end of this vacation, I was certain that Klaus would continue his romantic pursuits with Caroline. If I'm being completely honest, I had a feeling he would soon set his sights on April as well.

Then it really would be official, I was the only wife who refused to sleep with him.

Despite the fact that it seemed…he wanted to sleep with me.

Caroline Mikaelson

While April and Klaus took a walk around the airport together Elena and I headed over to the airport's Starbucks. We ordered two simple coffees and took a seat over at the least populated area to ensure we could speak comfortably. I had barely placed my cup down on the table when Elena began to speak.

"Klaus told me what was going between the two of you." She said keeping her eyes firmly locked on mine, her expression seemed nothing out of the ordinary, it seemed she was nearly confused or disgusted by our actions.

I was shocked that Klaus had chosen to tell Elena of all people that we were already being intimate. All of a sudden all I wanted to do was to confront him about it, but first I needed to know how Elena felt about this. I had broken my promise that we wouldn't move too fast and we would take into account everyone's feelings. Elena wasn't a child and I wasn't her parent, she understood that things wouldn't always go her way and I understood that I couldn't always fix everything around her.

I rested my cup down on the table, taking my seat in front of her, resting my elbows on the table before lacing my fingers together keeping my eyes on her the entire time. Looking for any subtle response to the news that Klaus and I had slept together, in our new bed, as husband and wife.

"You're allowed to be upset with me."

"This isn't about me."

"But you told me you knew so obviously-"

"You said it yourself, we have to have a more open dialogue now that we're here in Utah."

"I also said our marriages were our own business." I reminded her.

"Which is precisely why I have no intension of telling you if anything happens in mine."

My entire body froze in response to her announcement. I wasn't sure if she has said it out of spite or it was just blurted in the moment. But as I held her gaze it suddenly became all too clear to me. She was telling me that she planned to be open to the idea of she and Klaus being together as husband and wife and not just to reproduce in the future. In less than a week of us coming here, I was sleeping with Klaus and it appeared Elena was considering doing the same thing.

"Why are you telling me this?"

Elena studied me for a moment before she responded "I want you to talk to him and make it clear that I don't want to hear anything further about your marriage with him."

"You could just tell him yourself."

"I'm not going to discuss something like that today and ruin the trip. I wouldn't do that to April. She's been looking forward to it." Elena paused and reached out to hold her cup up to her lips "Besides it's still my day. I'm not going to spoil it."

"A few days ago you didn't even like calling it your day." I reminded her.

"Well things are moving quicker here in Utah. We're all changing."

"Is that what you're telling me now? That you're changing and I better get use to it?"

"I'm not asking and I don't recall being asked about your radical changes since we got here."

"Meaning?"

"You're dressing differently."

"You're pointing out my choice of clothes right now?" I gasped.

"Fine, yes, I'll admit I'm a little different today. But you're changing more than any of us. Even more than him."

"It's always going to go right back to Klaus isn't it?"

"I think he'll be a key focus in our future yeah, but that's just the way it is. We need to adapt."

"You say that like you're stuck. We're in an airport right now, Elena. You could board the next flight for Atlanta and beg Stefan's forgiveness."

"…You actually believe I would do that don't you?"

I shrugged and held her gaze. Her eyes burning into mine not lifting, not even when Klaus appeared at the table. He had no idea what had transpired but anyone with a clue could sense the tension.

"That's enough." He warned us both in a hushed but authoritive tone.

I looked behind him to see April equally confused and unease.

I got up from the table excusing myself, picking up my coffee and heading in the direction of the nearest bathroom. I needed to get away from everyone for a few minutes, tears were prickling my eyes and I refused to be the one who got upset and ruined the first day of our trip. Instead I displayed great dignity in conducting myself, I disappeared into a bathroom stall and locked myself in to gather my thoughts.

After a minute or two I heard the undeniable sound of April's sweet voice.

"I'll be out here when you're ready."

Elena Mikaelson

After Caroline made her way to the toilets I took off in the opposite direction myself my eyes refusing to meet Klaus's though I sensed he watched me walk away from him. I find myself heading into one of the airport's bookstores for some sanctuary. I browsed the many shelves, my mind getting lost in the titles and covers just begging me to peel them back and read them. My mind managed to shut out the argument I had just endured and focus only on the rich smell of the books. I was saddened by the reality that I couldn't recall ever stepping into a bookstore following my parent's death. Even though I had merely stumbled on the store today, it meant something to me to be standing here.

It reminded me that I no longer had to the girl that lost her parents and fell in love with a vampire. Out here as strange as it appeared, I was Elena Mikaelson, a wife and future mother.

I wasn't sure if it was fate or not, but in that exact moment I allowed my heart and mind to accept that truth Klaus appeared in front of me. I looked up from the book in my hands and found him staring back at me. I held my breath as he raised his hand and tucked my hair behind my ear, his warm delicate touch caressing the nape of my neck before returning to his side.

"I'm going to apologize." I assured him.

"I myself rather at loss end, I thought you two would have gone ten rounds by the first day, not the first week."

"Girls don't always fight."

"Mikaelsons fight all the time, sweetheart." He paused to nip his lower lip with his teeth before continuing "And you're not girls, you're women."

"It's a bad habit to break I guess." I said refusing to roll my eyes at my own idisom.

As Klaus briefly glanced around the store I decided to take a small step forward emotionally. Indeed it was possibly the smallest act but it meant something to me and so I was trying it out.

When his eyes met mine again I brought his attention to the book in my hands "Will you buy this for me?" I asked silently praying he wouldn't embarrass me and remind me of the money in my personal account right now.

Instead Klaus merely nodded and took it from my hands, carrying it in his as I turned around to continue forward into the store. Klaus remained by my side for the first few minutes, from time to time I could almost feel his eyes watching me as I browsed the fiction aisle. Klaus returned to my side a few minutes later with a small store basket, wherein lay my new book, another book and a bottle of water.

Ten minutes later and without another word exchanged between us we found ourselves standing in a small line. I had been talking with a woman behind us who was buying the same book as me. Klaus kept his attention forward, not the type to engage in small talk with strangers I imagined.

"So are you two off on your honeymoon?" The woman asked then catching me completely off guard.

Catching a glimmer of me from the corner of his eye Klaus glanced at me and smirked daring me to react. But before I could even get a word out he glanced over to the woman and replied "Flying out in the next hour, we got married last Saturday."

I was taken back that Klaus had indeed remembered the day of the week we had gotten married, if I was being brutally honest I didn't remember it was a Saturday I just remember the date we left Mystic Falls.

"Congratulations. I got married just last year. Trust it when they tell you that you never forget your honeymoon."

"It will give us great memories I'm sure." Klaus said before reaching out for my hand and bringing it up to his lips kissing it before I could break free of his grip.

When our eyes met he gave me a small smile before winking at me to get unnecessary rise.

Klaus bought everything as he promise he would. He didn't even batter an eye when as he provided his credit card.

After we exited the book store, we made our way back to the gate, finding April and Caroline sitting together alone.

Klaus Mikaelson

Elena's legs were driving me crazy. Not only did they appear smooth to the touch but every male in the airport was staring at them as we made our way by them. Elena not noticing the looks I gave them in response to their leering, indeed on almost two occasions my eyes nearly turned a shade of gold. Her legs appeared even longer by the tanned wedges she had for shoes. Her entire outfit was a test of my patience, she was acting in a way I hadn't expected, at least not so soon anyway.

As we sat down across from April and Caroline I immediately handed April the water I had purchased at the store knowing she had to take a painkiller for her injuries before we boarded the plane. April mouthed 'thank you' to me before I brought my attention to a silent Caroline and Elena who merely looked anywhere but at each other.

This was truth my first test as a polygamist. I had to bring unity back between the two of them and I had to do it before we boarded. I wasn't about to endure a ten hour flight with the two of them at odds with one another. They were my wives and not my children.

"I'm sure was great truth spoken on both sides. But it doesn't change the reality that this isn't going to be our first disagreement." I expressed.

Directly across from me April took a sip of her water while she too studied them. Equally determined to help build bridges between them before it officially became a problem.

I checked around us to ensure no one was in earshot of our conversation.

"We're all together for a great reason then we all entered into this marriage. We all know what we want in the years to come."

In that moment all three of them began to glance over at me knowing what I was saying without saying it. I was purposely reminding them that we had entered into this marriage not just for the safeguard but the reality that we wanted to have children together one day.

"Now I'm not saying we have to focus only on this and not the issues brought to light over our situation. But I will remind you, that your disagreements must be put aside in light of the bigger picture."

I waited until all three of them looked at me before I continued with what I had to say "We are Mikaelsons. We will always be Mikaelsons. And nothing about our past shape what happens moving forward. What's happened since we arrived is all that matters. And I'm not saying everything has happened since we got here has been good or bad for all of us." I paused briefly "But no matter what, we have to figure out a way to see beyond the everyday petty fights because we are not your typical family."

I locked eyes with Elena then and said "We're polygamists."

I looked to Caroline after her and said "We have to be better than who we left behind."

And when I looked to April I said "It's the only way we'll make it."