'The Vampire Diaries' Daniel Gillies on Elijah and Elena: 'The romance has already begun'

As if Elena didn't already have enough potential vampire suitors vying for her affections, it now appears that our "Vampire Diaries" heroine may be looking at a love square in Season 3. There's no denying Elijah's (Daniel Gillies) charm and charisma -- but could he sway Elena away from Stefan and Damon?

When Zap2it caught up with Gillies this week, we had to ask him about Elijah's potential for romance in Season 3. After all, he clearly has some centuries-old love for Katherine, and it's arguable that his interest in Elena extends beyond the sacrifice.

"It's funny you say that," Gillies says (as we swoon over his accent). "I would venture to say that those romances have already begun. Whether it's requited or unrequited, I think that Elijah already has enormous feelings for Elena, and I think he did have incredible feelings for Katerina. I think that there already is romance."

That said, as an ancient vampire, Elijah is as patient as they come. It's possible that he won't actually act on any feelings for a while -- and that's just fine with Gillies. "I don't mind the very Elizabethan suppression of emotions," he tells us. "It's very theatrical but kind of wonderful. I feel like the restraint of romance to me is just as interesting as the execution of romance."

Now that Elijah betrayed Elena in favor of his family, their relationship may prove to be more contentious than affectionate. Still, Gillies likes the antagonism that exists beneath the surface.

"I really liked the scene where Elena put the knife in me, actually," he says after we ask about his favorite moments this season. "I quite liked that - I don't know why, but there's something about it that's kind of romantic to me. I don't know if it's the imagery, or just something about those two together. When I watched that back, even though she stuck the knife in, there's something sort of symbolic about love and a relationship. I love scenes with her. I think that particularly with Elena -- apart from the fact that Nina is a cool actress to work with -- Elena reminds Elijah that people can be enchanting, too."

In tonight's Season 2 finale, Elijah continues his quest to save his family, who were killed by Klaus with white oak daggers.  "He's going to explore further this assertion that Klaus made about the bodies," says Gillies.

We've got our doubts as to whether Klaus can be trusted, though. Did he really keep the pile of Original bodies safe, or did he toss them out to sea? Gillies says that even though Klaus isn't as honorable as Elijah, Elijah had no choice but to leave Klaus's heart in his chest.

"He had to take that chance. I think it's something that he's been trying to do for thousands of years, hundreds of years. I think that it's something he had to do. I don't even question that decision that he made," Gillies says.

Tune in to see how it all plays out tonight, Thursday May 12, at 8 p.m. EST on The CW.