AN: This is the last chapter of volume one. Volume 2 will come soon. Be sure to show your love and like, comment and share.
All around the world, if you've found that one person with whom you know the worst things feel right, then you're one of the luckiest people on the planet. Nothing screams happiness louder than the smile you hold when your hand intertwines with someone's hand who you love dearly. Once you've found the right person for you, the only thing which you never should stop doing is making sure that you stay in the person's life and never make the person feel sad.
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The dinner was served after the grand ball. The Mikaelsons seemed in a hurry because they all were agitated to meet the person again they met during the ball. They all had talked already while they were dancing but they didn't want to stop. They all wanted to talk forever; they felt like it. But they had to eat. All the time, they all were looking at each other; the partners they had danced with. Unfortunately, Kol wasn't so lucky. He couldn't see Ayana because she was absent from the dining table. She was nowhere to be seen after the ball. But she had promised to meet him on the topmost story.
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"Can we talk now, Esther?" Mikael asked patiently. Esther nodded nervously. "What is it with you? Why are you behaving like this?"
"Mikael, I am very thankful for what you've done and your decision to take help from The Order. Otherwise, we won't be here breathing." Esther began to speak.
"So what? Esther, tell me what's wrong with you!"
"I don't like having Josephine around!" Esther said. Mikael seemed offended. "I know it's very blunt of me to be like this. After all, Josephine has done so much for our family and I'll be forever thankful for that. But l am now getting a little irritated and bothered by her. Whenever you two are together, you act like nothing is there in the world except the two of you…."
"That's because we are friends for so long!"
"And because you two have been lovers, haven't you?"
"That was before we were married you know that!"
"No, I know that! (Esther comes closer to Mikael) Weren't the two lovers after that? After our--- marriage?" Esther asks with tears in her eyes.
Mikael seems nervous.
"Tell me, Mikael. Haven't you spent intimate time with Josephine after our marriage?"
Mikael leaves the room where he and Esther were having a conversation seconds ago to avoid confrontation to his unfaithfulness. He didn't know where to go but he just had to be nowhere around Esther right then. She held those tears in her eyes which didn't express being hurt but expressed guilt. Nonetheless, he couldn't face them.
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Josephine heard someone knocking in her room. She asked to come in and saw that it was Elijah.
"Elijah, what are you doing here? Is everything okay?"
"Madam Josephine I just wanted to um--- say thank you for the… um--- the ball and dinner," Elijah said standing at the doorstep.
"It's nothing, Elijah. We do this every time we win a war."
"Oh, so um--- there was nothing new today?"
Josephine smiled and started to walk towards him,
"Well, I didn't say that. Never in any party, I saw a man having the audacity to ask me for dancing."
"Madam, if I have hurt you in any way, I am deeply…."
"No Elijah, it's the opposite. It excited me, it gave me a feeling of companionship which, to be honest, haven't been feeling that much. So tonight was for sure different than other balls Elijah."
Elijah chuckled and said,
"I am glad I was able to excite you, Madam."
"You know there are many other ways to excite a 200 years old woman besides asking her to pair in the ball," Josephine said closing their distance a little more.
Elijah looked at how Josephine's face just turned to naughtiness and excitement. He chuckled again and looked down in refusal,
"No, madam Josephine. Not now, you are not in your senses. I don't want it to be like this."
"Oh Elijah, please! I drank as much as I drink any other day. I am in my senses completely."
"But it's not just that, madam Josephine! When we do it, I want you pure. Just you and with no effect of wine. When I taste your lips, I want to taste the beauty it prospers and not the effervescent of wine. But for now, excuse me madam please." Elijah said and left.
That left Josephine surprisingly warm. Tingling in the guts and deep pressure of warmth in the chest. She couldn't figure out why or how this was happening. Perhaps the body, perhaps the looks, or perhaps his nobility which drove her off of the edge for him. And she didn't feel disrespectful when he denied that opportunity. On the contrary, the respect she felt for him grew more and stronger.
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Kol waited impatiently in the topmost story constantly on the lookout for Ayana. It had been quite a while but he didn't believe that Ayana would've lied to him. He trusted his luck. Being under Niklaus and Elijah his whole life, his luck had to give her Ayana. It had to be at least that good. When he heard rushed footsteps, he turned to see Ayana walking towards him restless having a serious face. Kol was so happy, he wanted to just hug her but before he could do anything, Ayana walked past him which left him in confusion.
He turned to see her just walking and finally stopping in front of a door. She stood in front of it and chanted a spell and then signaled him to come in. Kol immediately rushed into the room and so did Ayana after him. She closed the door and chanted a spell. After that, she turned to Kol who was all of this time stood wondering.
"I am sorry, was I visible out there?"
"Kol, I had to find a safe space for us as soon as possible. If someone would catch me here, you don't know the things I would've gone through!"
"But a wave of hand would be enough."
"Priorities, Kol!"
Kol smiled at the fact she; like himself placed herself above everything.
"So is this what my life with you is going to be? Constant lookouts and spells?"
"Oh, and I thought you were a patched-up man." Ayana teased and started to walk ahead.
Kol held her hand and said looking in her eyes,
"You don't know the first thing about me!"
Ayana got away with his hold and said,
"Then why do you think I am here?" she started to walk ahead while Kol just kept on smiling sheepishly.
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"Where are we?" Rebekah asked.
"In a second!" Christopher said.
"Must we do this eye-covering thing? It's terrifying!"
"Oh no, you don't have to be terrified of me!" Christopher assured.
"How can I believe this?"
"You will," Christopher said after removing her hands from her eyes.
Rebekah opened her eyes and was bedazzled to see the room she was in. The room was huge and there were painting all over the place. But not just any random painting. Each one of them was exquisite.
"What is this place?!"
"It's my room," Christopher replied.
"No! So does this mean they're your paintings?!" Christopher nodded. "And this room is just so magnificent!"
"I have one of the most spacious rooms. Because of my talent. Many people reside here but Madam Josephine was extremely kind to give me this room. She appreciates my paintings, you see."
"It is worth the appreciation Christopher!" Rebekah exclaimed.
Christopher chuckled.
"No Christopher, this room is so majestic."
"Not quite I think."
"Why do you say that?"
"Maybe I believe something is missing."
"What?"
Christopher looked at Rebekah and replied,
"May I paint you?"
"Me? Here?"
"Yes. Of course, you'd help me find my missing spot right?"
Rebekah smiled and nodded amusingly.
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"Can you believe it?"
"No!"
"I do have eight brothers and four sisters. Why would I lie?"
"And I thought my family was too big." Henrik saddened.
"It's okay. For everyone, their family is big. Believe it or not, I sometimes feel that my family is short."
"Oh, no!" They both laugh. "So where is your family. Are they here with you?"
The boy furrowed his eyebrows and his smile flashed off,
"No, they um--- they didn't like me worshipping something other than God. So when I accepted this offer, my family kind of kicked me out and since then I live here with my people."
"Why did you decided to be one of The Order then?"
"Oh, come on! Who doesn't like the idea of never dying by anything? I thought 80 years of living was too small to explore everything around me. So I accepted this offer and then I became one of The Order. After that, I haven't seen anyone from my family. I have spent three years crying in their memories. And it's not like I haven't tried to reconcile with them, but every time, they just shove their doors on my face. No one desires to talk to me. Not even my little brother. He and I used to be so close! That's why I sometimes feel that my family is too short. If one or two would've been added, maybe they would talk to me, you know?" The boy says sadly.
"Oh…" Henrik felt so sorry.
"Hey! Enough about me! You tell me! Why didn't I see you in the war?"
"Because… um--- I am not turned to a vampire yet. I still have five years of mortality with me."
"Why?"
"Because my family says I am too young to turn into a vampire. They say I must be 22 before turning to a vampire."
"Seriously! This older person just telling us what to do every time! Just like in the ball. Everyone kept on telling me to go pair with a girl and dance. But why? Why should I pair up with a girl and dance if I don't want that? I don't want to dance with a girl!"
"Me neither!" Henrik said in the flow. The boy looked at him and Henrik shied. They both laughed at that.
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Esther tried to comb her hair. The hairstyle messed up her hair and now it was too difficult for her to straighten them out. Dahlia entered the room and saw the miserable Esther.
"Sister?" Dahlia called out. Esther turned to see her sister and couldn't stop herself from crying. "Sister?..."
Dahlia was confused and just hugged her.
"Esther, what's wrong?!"
"Everything's messed, Dahlia! I ruined everything!"
"Why what's wrong?!"
"I even asked the children to go outside so that we can talk alone. But I said something and now Mikael and I can never be the same!"
Esther started to cry.
"Are you crazy! You are talking about Mikael and you. There's nothing in the world that can happen to both of you! And if something happens, I am sure it would work out." Dahlia broke the hug.
"You listening to me? Nothing will happen to you, okay?"
Esther nodded,
"Thank you, sister. Anyways, why are you here?"
"I just wanted to say goodbye. I have to go. I have to take care of, you know."
"Oh, yes! Okay, sister. Take care of yourself and everyone else."
"I will."
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Niklaus entered the ballroom to sip wine. He couldn't understand why his mother asked everyone to leave. Maybe she and his father wanted to talk about something. Something important. But what was so important that they couldn't be a part of it?
He started pouring wine on a glass when all of a sudden, he heard a familiar voice,
"What are you doing here?"
"I can ask the same question don't you think?"
"So here's the thing, I cannot sleep. Maybe it was after seeing the color of your eyes that is keeping me awake or I had too much eaten. Why are you here??
"My mother asked; actually, not just me everyone to leave so that she can talk to my father about something. They all walked in opposite directions and I came here."
"So give me a glass too, will you?"
"Full or half?"
"Full." The girl who danced with Nicklaus replied.
"Hey, how's it possible that I still don't know your name?"
"Oh, no! My name is Celine."
"Nice to meet you, Celine."
"Now I think you are available for the whole night, aren't you?" Celine said after shaking hands.
"Yes, I am."
Good for you! I think I am going to be sleepless for the whole night so you've got some good company alright?"
Nicklaus laughed and they cheered with their glasses.
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"Sometimes I feel like just giving up on my family!" Kol expressed.
"Hey, don't you ever say that, okay! It's a dream to have around people that care about you! Ask me…" Ayana says with a dejected tone.
"Why would you say that? You have hundreds of people around you that care about you!"
Ayana chuckles,
"Are you serious?! These people may be very helpful to you and to everyone who uses that oak! But it's just that! The oak! They help only those who use the oak because their usage gives them power. And if they don't save the people who use white oak in its true order, then they grow weaker. And so becomes weaker their power to reborn. You may think I am kept here with my happiness. But no! The more I do the spell of reviving them, I grow a year older on the inside. On the outside, I may be 20 years old but on the inside, I am 35. And when I die, they'll keep some other witch hostage."
After saying all this, Ayana looked at Kol who was just flabbergasted.
"You could say something, okay."
"Why did your parent agreed to let you be here?"
"My parents? They don't deserve to be called parents. Bloody greedy bastards. Sold me for their immortality!"
Kol was speechless. But he looked cute too. Before Kol could say anything, Ayana kissed him on the lips. Kol did not expect that. He was befuddled for a second but smiled then. He put his hand on Ayana's waist and then started kissing her. And soon, they were sharing a passionate kiss.
Soon, Ayana broke the kiss and left the room. Kol got out of the room only to see the empty hallway. He giggled and started walking in the hallway.
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"It's done!" Christopher informed.
Rebekah at that instant looked at the painting,
"Okay, not going to lie but that painting seems more real than me."
"But it is not. The real gorgeous woman on the portrait is standing beside me."
"Christopher, this is so beautiful and seems so effortless. Thank you. (Christopher rolled his eyes) So was I the missing part in the room?"
"We'll have to see that," Christopher said and they chuckled.
"How come I didn't see you in the war that day?"
"I am not a vampire yet."
"Why?"
"I asked my mother to give me 5 years to start my own family."
"If only you'd known that you didn't require 5 years. Just a few days." Christopher said with a wink and a cute smile.
Rebekah chuckled and shyed.
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Josephine respected Elijah to not do anything further because of the wine. But she hated him to leave her being in that state. So excited and wanting more. She removed her gown and now was full-on naked. Just then Mikael entered her room all drunk.
"Mikael! Go away!" Josephine shouted.
Mikael looked at naked Josephine and gave a crossed smile,
"Oh, Jo! You look extravagant!"
Josephine quickly covered herself with the dress she wore and said,
"Are you okay? You seem intoxicated."
Mikael closed the door and latched it.
"I may have drunk some wine from your wineries."
"Oh, Mikael…"
"Jo, don't you miss being called that? Jo? By me? (Mikael starts walking to Josephine) Don't you miss our talks? Our flower exchanges whenever we'd go hunting? Our nights?.." Mikael stood in front of her.
"Mikael.."
Mikael started unclothing himself.
"Mikael!"
"I miss it every day! And when I looked at you that day after so long, I can't say the level of ecstasy I was at."
Mikael was down to removing his shorts.
"Mikael stop!"
Mikael removed his shorts too and now he was naked.
"Don't you say you don't miss this body? Our sweat?" The euphoric feeling of our body is one."
Mikael took her hand, thus uncovering her from the dress, and took her to the bed. He laid down and had open arms. Josephine cursed Elijah for leaving her unsatisfied.
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It was still night. The sun could rise in a few hours. Niklaus woke up to see Rebekah, Finn, Henrik, Kol, and Elijah above him standing.
"What?" Niklaus asked in tension.
"Come, let's go," Rebekah said.
Niklaus got up,
"Let's go; but where?"
Kol said yawning,
"We don't know either brother. She is just taking us somewhere. Honestly sister you can be annoying sometimes."
"Oh shut up, Kol! Brother let's go."
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The next morning Michael woke up naked in Josephine's bed. Unable to remember what happened last night, he was very much surprised and mostly worried. He grabbed his clothes, put them on, and went outside the room. He rubbed his eyes from the morning light and saw Josephine just walking by. He asked, "What had happened last night."
She replied, "It's better not to remember. I don't remember either. She lied."
"Um… okay. Where are Esther and the children?*
"Esther told me she was visiting your house to check it was rebuilt or not and I haven't seen the children anywhere. But I heard that someone saw them walking out so they must be around.
"Okay, thank you, Josephine. And uh… why was I naked on your bed?"
"I don't know. I did not sleep in my room."
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"Where are you taking us, sister?" Kol shouted. "Walking in this forest instead of sleeping is not cool! It was a long night, I am still sleepy."
"It was a long night for me too!" Niklaus whined.
"How come brother?" Elijah asked.
"Uh… mother kicked us out. Couldn't sleep after that." Niklaus tried to hide the fact that he slept only for a couple of hours. Before that, he was talking to Celine.
"Hmm if you would talk to a girl, then sure you couldn't!" Elijah teased.
Kol cheered.
"Oh, it was just a few chit-chats. Nothing more than that. It was a long night and that's the case here. Ouch, my body hurts!"
"I slept in late too," Henrik said and everyone stopped to look at him.
"Why so?" Finn asked.
"I met someone."
Everyone cheered and Kol asked,
"What's her name?"
Henrik crossed his brows in disappointment and replied,
I don't know, we uh… decided to not say our names."
"Hmm… nice!" Niklaus commented and they resumed walking. "Speaking of meeting someone, who'd you meet brother Finn?"
"No one. I slept in one of the empty rooms just after mom asked us to leave." Finn replied.
Everyone got disgusted.
"Okay, less talking and more walking!" Rebekah shouted who was leading everybody.
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Esther reached their home and saw her house built almost halfway through. She smiled and before she could talk to Ada about it, she was called out by Hilrin. She hoped she would not stumble upon her.
"Hi, Hilrin! How are you?"
"Good! Where have you been?" Hilrin asked.
"I was staying at a friend's house until my home was rebuilt."
"It's halfway through, huh."
"Yes."
"Esther, why don't you come with me? We'll have supper and talk, just like old times."
"No, Hilrin I just came to check on the house. I should go."
"Oh no, Esther stay!"
"No, Hilrin, I must go."
"Esther, I insist. Please I could cover for my weird behavior last time. Please?"
Esther realized that Hilrin seemed fine and that there was no problem being with her. It would give her more away time from Josephine, so why not?
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"Now we're in a cave!" Kol complained.
"Rebekah now tell us already! Where are we going?" Niklaus said.
Rebekah stopped at the end of the cave and stopped.
"We're here."
"We're here for what exactly?" Finn asked.
Rebekah took out a sharp stone and cut her right palm.
"What are you doing?!"
"When that war was going on, I was restless. I was scared that I will lose my brothers and that made me so restive! I don't want to feel like that ever again. So we have to make a promise to one another."
"And that is…" Elijah asked.
Rebekah handed over him the stone.
Elijah cut his palm and so did everyone. Then Rebekah asked to hold everyone's hand. When everyone did, Rebekah said,
"A promise to remain with each other Always and Forever."
Everyone smiled at one another.
"ALWAYS AND FOREVER!"
"Always and Forever!" Everyone else repeated.
After that, they all drew their names and each other's face on the cave with the clay lying down there. After that, they again looked at each other and said,
"Always and Forever." They all hugged.
"Now can we go? My body's paining so much!" Niklaus complained.
"Okay, let's go!" Rebekah said.
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Esther saw Davian's brother Davik playing with himself.
"Why don't you try a spell to make him normal?"
"Because I am afraid. Afraid that I may lose what's left of him. And I am a mother. I have learned to love him just the way he is." Hilrin said while preparing a meal.
"You are a great mother Hilrin."
"Yes, I know and that's why I also know that your son Niklaus killed my son Davian."
Esther got shocked.
"Wh—What?"
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"That was something, Rebekah!" Kol said.
"Yeah, didn't know you were so deep," Finn said.
"Well, what can I say? I am a fool for my brothers!" Rebekah replied and they all laughed. Except for Niklaus.
Niklaus was not having any fun. He was in very much pain. His head ached so much and his body too. He was sweating so much! He couldn't take the pain anymore.
The others looked at Niklaus standing at his place holding his head in pain.
"Brother!" Elijah shouted.
"Nik! What's wrong?!" Rebekah asked.
"It hurts!" Niklaus yelled.
"What?" Finn asked.
"Everything!" Niklaus shouted.
Then he bent down and all of them bent with him. They constantly asked him what was wrong but he didn't reply. He was yelling and shouting. Suddenly he twisted his arm and the noise of bones cracking was heard. Everyone got away from him then. Another twist and another snap.
"Help!"
Then his back twisted with the same sound. It seemed like every bone in his body was breaking.
"Help!!" Niklaus yelled.
"Should we call father?" Rebekah asked.
"That's a good idea. Kol, fetch father!" Elijah ordered.
Kol was about to leave when Finn suddenly ordered,
"No."
"No? Why no? Nik is in pain!" Kol seemed confused.
"Because pain is what father will give to him if he sees him like this. Elijah, you carry Rebekah in your arms, and I'll carry Henrik. We all will run like there's nothing else left for us to do."
"We can't leave him here!" Elijah shouted.
"We have to if we have to live! Okay? He'll be fine, now go!" No one seemed to listen to him. "RUN!!!!" Finn growled and so they all ran away.
"NO!" Niklaus yelled.
"I am sorry Niklaus. But we have to. When you want to rest, come here only, okay?"
Niklaus howled and Finn left.
"STAY!!!!!" Niklaus shouted before the last snap in his body and now his eyes turned to almond green and his iris contracted very much. Niklaus howled and soon he turned into a werewolf. He growled and licked his lips and started running after his siblings.