Darkest Temptations

Chapter Ten: Our Future

April Mikaelson

Klaus's speech about our future together had a profound impact on all of us. It seemed as if that was the exact moment when everything would change from this point forward. He was correct and it was a shared understanding among us. Moving forward, we had to embrace maturity and strive to improve ourselves. I won't lie, when we first got here and I had to walk around my new house completely alone, it was sad, alright fine, it was indeed heartbreaking for a second. But thankfully it all became okay as I allowed myself to sink into the joy of the moment. After my father passed away, I thought I'd be alone for a long time, perhaps even years, none of my friends from boarding school had been in touch since I got back. And trying to finish high school in Mystic Falls and stay afloat felt overwhelming, like a daunting game I had no intention of playing. As I stood here, in sunny Utah, in my brand new home with the smell of fresh paint lingering in the air, a sense of contentment held me like a welcomed hug.

I might look naive but I wasn't. My sheltered life in Mystic Falls has shielded me from the harsh realities of life, unlike Caroline and Elena. As soon as I learned their true nature, my instinct was to run and desperately look for help from anyone within earshot. It's a mystery to me why I didn't leave, what drove me to stay and maintain my composure. I guess when I think about it, it was the look in their eyes, they both had the saddest eyes, so sad that to tell you the truth it almost broke my heart just to look at them.

Despite Caroline and Elena's detailed explanations about vampires, their abilities, and their ability to control themselves, I still couldn't shake off my unease. I initially felt afraid of them, and it was a stark reality that I couldn't deny. I didn't attempt to extract the truth from them; they were aware that the information they were sharing was quite overwhelming. However, I truly valued their patience with me. It was clear that they didn't expect me to simply accept and move on, so they were eager to share their experiences in Utah. They made sure I was aware of the truth, and regardless of how it may have sounded, I admired their honesty. Throughout my entire life, it seemed as though people had been concealing information from me, and it appears that my suspicions were indeed accurate. My father's true character was far from what people perceived. Despite his claims of being a man of God, he lacked the patience and love he professed to have for everyone in Mystic Falls. Caroline and Elena valued honesty from the beginning, but they never pressured me to reveal every detail of my emotions. All they sought was my acceptance of the truth. Even now, I can vividly recall the moment I found myself standing in Caroline's backyard. It was a place where I felt a sense of security, knowing that someone would be nearby to assist me if I ever needed help. They knew I could tell anyone, yet they still chose to confide in me, demonstrating a trust in my ability to safeguard their secret. Discovering their true nature as vampires, however, was just the beginning of the evening.

I didn't come to Utah because I was grieving for the loss of my father. It was difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that I had entered into a marriage with someone I barely knew, through a rather unconventional ceremony. I had agreed to come here because I desired a fresh start in a place where my family's past actions held no sway, a sanctuary free from the scrutiny and apprehension of others. And to be completely honest, I had no desire to complete my education either. Caroline and Elena shared the same sentiment. Once the realities of that town became clear, high school suddenly seemed trivial.

I was uncertain about my path until the very moment I encountered Klaus. I had no intention of marrying him unless he met the standards I set for myself. I was completely unconcerned about the possibility of people discovering that I had married a man on the very same night we had met. The girls had informed me about Klaus and the devastating impact he had on Elena's family. However, learning about his parents and the immense responsibility he had to shoulder at such a young age to protect his younger siblings truly moved me.

His initial impression left much to be desired, displaying a rather unpleasant attitude. I couldn't help but notice his frequent glances towards Elena's butt, thinking I was oblivious. However, witnessing his actions surprisingly didn't affect me at all. Even after the ritual and observing his actions with Caroline, I remained unaffected by the situation. Admittedly, I had only recently met the guy and jealousy doesn't typically arise that quickly anyway. However, deep down, I felt a strong inclination towards embracing polygamy.

The way I looked at it was, a person can fall in love multi times in their life. I don't see the harm in opening your heart to three different people at once. Although I must admit, I did think Klaus had quite a task ahead of him. Whether he had come to this realization or not remained uncertain, but he had indeed married three women who were extraordinarily different from one another.

Perhaps it was for the best that Caroline, Elena, and I possessed such distinct personalities. This would give Klaus the chance to experience genuine love with three wonderful people. His maturity in moving forward truly touched and humbled me with his speech. He suggested that we take a significant reset and begin our lives anew, which seemed like a reasonable request given the circumstances. We all remembered our agreement from that night - Klaus didn't have the final say, but we had entrusted him with the responsibility of making important decisions. I don't think asking us to remember why we were here and the promises we had made to one another that night was too much to ask.

Caroline Mikaelson

Merely changing our physical surroundings without personal growth would mean perpetuating our past selves. Elena and I had moved aside after Klaus's words, where we both sincerely apologized to each other and made sure to listen to each other's perspectives. Elena grasped the undeniable truth that Klaus and I had succumbed to our intense chemistry, despite the freshness of our connection and her own awareness of the situation. I expressed my concern to her about not being more forthcoming about my plans for our time in Utah. I regret not being honest and expressing my desire for a different experience once we left Mystic Falls. However, I made it evident that I had no regrets about Klaus and I being intimate, despite Elena's objections about not wanting to be informed.

When we reunited with April, she made it clear that she didn't require a detailed account of what had transpired. All she asked was for us to collectively acknowledge that the fresh start commenced in that very moment. Without hesitation, we both affirmed that it did.

As soon as they announced the boarding of first class passengers, Klaus instinctively reached for Elena's hand as we made our way through the tunnel to board the plane. April flashed a smile in my direction as we trailed closely behind them. I observed Elena's surprised reaction, but it was impressive how swiftly she encouraged herself to step out of her comfort zone and appreciate it as a small gesture.

April couldn't contain her excitement as she boarded the first-class flight, just like Elena and I. Klaus, on the other hand, made a conscious effort to fly on commercial flights instead of private jets, which we appreciated as it showed his desire to be more relatable and down-to-earth. We didn't want to flaunt our wealth as a family, and my intention was to eventually let them in on the fact that I didn't want our children to grow up with a sense of entitlement when it came to money. I was interested in cutting coupons for orange juice and obtaining a discount card for the dry cleaners. I aspired to achieve the utmost resemblance to a human being in my forthcoming years.

We boarded the plane and, surprisingly, Klaus and Elena ended up sitting right in front of April and me. Truly, Klaus had meticulously attended to every detail. He was well aware that the day of our departure coincided with Elena's day, and he had made a deliberate effort to secure the seat next to her.

The flight exceeded all of my expectations. Klaus was incredibly courteous from the moment we stepped on board. He graciously took our bags and stowed them away in the overhead compartments. He even made sure April and I were settled before he sat down with Elena. Once we were airborne, Klaus politely requested the flight attendant to provide blankets, pillows, and four glasses of orange juice for each of us. It was unexpected when Klaus recommended that we all cut back on our alcohol consumption in the future. Elena readily agreed, while April mentioned that she had never consumed alcohol before, so it wasn't a significant issue.

The flight crew provided a delectable meal for our dinners, and soon after, Elena and April dozed off. Klaus discreetly concealed his hand in the open aisle, while I extended mine towards him. Our hands briefly made contact before he withdrew his. Elena was unaware that, shortly after drifting off to sleep, she had unknowingly found comfort by resting her head on his shoulder, where it stayed throughout the duration of the flight. Klaus had been engrossed in a captivating book, but as she approached him, he kindly reached above them and turned off the light, ensuring she would have a peaceful sleep. Next to me, April was fast asleep, her face buried in her pillow. The only thing I could do was make sure her magazines were organized and ready for when we landed. I thoroughly enjoyed the movies available and made the most of my time in first class.

Elena Mikaelson

When the plane landed I was awoken with a gentle kiss to my forehead, I looked up to find Klaus looking down at me and my head resting upon his shoulder. I shot up so quickly that I almost caught him in the eye. He smirked at me embracement of course, I knew there was still traces of his usual arrogant self lingering beneath the surface. Despite our protests Klaus took all of our carry on bags for us as we deplaned, with both mine and Caroline's slung over his shoulder and April's in his hand. Caroline and I followed behind Klaus and April as we stepped into the airport, he had his arm over her shoulder and whispering something into her ear making her laugh. It was right then I could see that Klaus could indeed figure out a way to my husband to three different women.

It didn't even seem like his time was split between us, indeed Klaus had somehow managed to make it appear effortless, like he'd been doing it his entire life.

After we collected our bags we headed out front where right in front of the doors was a white and grey limo waiting for us compliments of Klaus. The driver quickly took our luggage as Klaus opened the door for us to climb inside. Both Caroline and April climbed in first, completely thrilled with his efforts, each giving him a small peck before sliding in. I tried to appear unimpressed when we found ourselves locking eyes once more, unknown to Caroline and April, when I made my way past Klaus he had intentionally pinched my butt. I didn't even have time to react I just dropped into my seat with him climbing in beside me.

Klaus then draped his suit jacket between he and I causing it to cover my thighs in the process. I looked over to see if this had been noted by either of them and wasn't sure if I was happy or annoyed that it had not.

"So we didn't really talk about what's going to happen on this trip." April said soon after we pulled out of our spot.

"I imagine there will be plenty of interesting things to keep us entertained darling." Klaus replied.

"So do you have anything special in mind?" April asked him next with a warm smile on her glossy lip.

"Actually I do have a few things in mind."

With that, beneath his suit jacket Klaus's left hand reached out and lightly brushed against my thigh. I had to stop my eyes from immediately widening and causing the attention of the others. I looked his way finding he refused to meet my eye, instead he carried on their conversation as if nothing was occurring between us. He was doing it again, he was daring me to react and what made it worse was I didn't react, instead I did nothing.

"But what kind of things?"

"I hope to spend time with each of us you. At which time there will be plenty to keep us busy."

His hand then returned to my thigh, this time tracing my skin, feeling it for the first time and learning how my body reacted to it. He kept the pressure tender, he wanted me to know he meant to touch me, that he wanted to feel the skin of my thighs. Suddenly all I could think was how long he'd been wanting to touch them and if my choice in clothes had sparked his interest…an interest that might have been there since the very beginning.

"You're going to keep us in suspense then?" Caroline asked.

"Actually you'll each have a task to work towards by the end of the trip."

"But it's supposed to be a vacation." April moaned playfully.

I fought the urge to bite my lower lip in suspense myself as Klaus's skilled hand swept over the top of my thigh taking a full handful of my skin, imprinting his fingers into my flesh at the same time as pulling my right thigh closer to him thus parting my legs. I wasn't about to spread my legs for him in any circumstance. So he could just forget it. When I attempted to push my thighs together he brought his hand up further on my thigh, his hand sweeping the bottom of my shorts and commanding me to let him continue.

"It will be a welcomed task." He assured us

"We're on the edge of our seats." April told him

"Maybe I'll keep you all on the edge then sweetheart. I like to build suspense." Klaus shamelessly flirted at her whilst directing it to me, daring to bring me over the edge by allowing him to further explore my body.

"Don't do that to her. Come on." Caroline encouraged warmly, a graceful smile upon her lips as she studied him.

"Alright." Klaus agreed before taking his hand off my thigh fully, leaning forward on his elbows and looking across to them at the side seat section of the limo "While I was on the road back to Utah, I made a decision, one that I hope will make you very happy indeed."

"Now I'm curious." I admitted despite myself and causing Klaus to glance in my direction.

Klaus brought his attention to the three of us, turning in his seat so we were all in his view.

"During this vacation I would like to purchase an engagement ring and wedding band for each of you."

We all glanced at each other in response, all equally surprised at his tenderness, each as speechless as the last.

"But there's more." Klaus said before his smile faded and he became very serious "I would like to give each of you the wedding of your dreams."

"What?" April squealed covering her mouth with both hands in shock, her eyes threatening to burst out her head.

"Klaus…you're serious?" Caroline said her jaw practically to the floor alongside mine.

"I'm very serious. I believe it's necessary for us to cement each marriage from the start. Which means, going forward, there will be no further mentioning of the spell that brought us together. If you all agree to these weddings we each exchange our vows to the other, I wanted it known that our unspoken vow is that what keeps us together now is our desire to be together." Klaus said keeping his voice very level and his speech to the point, he wasn't leaving any room for doubt, he meant every word.

"And furthermore, under no circumstances." Klaus paused and took a moment to look at April, then Caroline and finally me "Do any of my children be told about that night in the forest. As far as they are all concerned…"

Klaus stopped to look at Caroline "You and I fell in love" and then he looked my way again "And we believed our love was strong enough to bring in two more remarkable women." He said before looking over at a smiling April.

"My children will grow up knowing we are polygamists. And when that day finally comes, they will see that I love each of you equally."

He said it…he said he might love me one day. I don't care. I don't care.

How could he be so open and honest right now? He was slightly different but he still seemed devilish.

Was this actually happening? Had Klaus truly become the man we thought he could be?

His arrogant self, with a chip on his shoulder but with a fierce loyalty to safeguard all of us?

Could we actually do this? Be husband and wives?

…And why does the thought make me feel warm?

Tyler Lockwood

We were all gathered in the parlor room of Stefan and Damon's house. Matt, Bonnie, the brothers, and I locked eyes, each of us plagued by the hunter's proposition. We had to keep him alive to seek the answers we needed and when Bonnie brought him some breakfast that morning he had offered something none of us had expected. The only question remained was if we would accept his offer.

The hunter suggested that if we set him free, he would assist us in our search to find Caroline and Elena. He had made it clear to Bonnie that he was now the most formidable weapon in our arsenal. He had extensive experience in vampire hunting, possessing a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of crime scenes. He was skilled at uncovering leads in unexpected places. He possessed connections and had access to books that far surpassed anything in our collection.

However, if we placed our trust in him and he turned against us, we would be left without our only connection to the events of that awful evening.

We had to hold a vote tonight.