Claudia Lockwood-Mikaelson

Chapter 43 - A Silver Dagger

Nik has been insisting we either visit Eden or have her come here, the entire morning. I don't really know what to say in response. I want him to be happy so I reluctantly agree but I am so uneasy about seeing her again. She probably can't help and I'm embarrassed that she saw me at such a low point. I can't believe I asked her to lie to my mate and let me die. It's mortifying to think about.

Nik leaves to join his meeting with Elijah and Marcel downstairs. It's back to the normal routine now we are home. New Orleans doesn't stop needing it's leaders just because I am ill. Elijah happily took over Nik's obligations while we were away but it isn't sustainable for him to do that forever. I know Nik's excited to be back home too, he's been itching to get involved again.

Making my way downstairs I enter the kitchen. Maeve is already there so we decide to eat breakfast together. Food doesn't taste quite the same anymore but I can still enjoy it. Besides, it's all I can consume at the moment, blood is a no-go. I can't face it right now.

"How are you feeling?" Maeve asks me gently, worry all over her features. It's clear she knows what was revealed last night. What Elijah told Nik. I am still furious with him for upsetting my mate.

"I'm okay," I say carefully. "I suppose Elijah told you everything?"

"He did," she answers and we make eye contact and fall silent. Both of us unsure what to say next.

"I had no idea, I'm sorry for not noticing," Maeve says between mouthfuls of cereal.

"I hid it from everyone and ate food so no one would know, it's not your fault," I remind her.

"But we're best friends Claudia. I should have realised. We were talking about how you're completely better last night, why didn't you say something then?"

"I couldn't I'm sorry. You all know now, so I guess that doesn't matter anymore," I reply wistfully. "I didn't want to upset anyone, I can manage this. Elijah just caught on."

"Yes Elijah can be very attentive to details," Maeve adds. We don't discuss whether I would have told anyone if he hadn't noticed though. We both know I wouldn't have.

Just bringing up Elijah's name, reminding me of his words last night ignites the same rage within me as yesterday. I'm furious that he noticed and forced me to tell my mate. And when I didn't, he took it upon himself to inform him instead. I hate him right now.

"He has an annoyingly attentive eye," I agree with her. "It infuriates me."

She just smiles her sympathy but doesn't comment. I know she's glad that Elijah noticed and spoke up when he did even if I'm not.

"My dad said you tried to contact him," I change the topic. "I didn't know you had even tried."

"Of course I did. I just couldn't tell you back then because you wouldn't have spoken to me for weeks if you found out," she admits. She smiles at me lovingly.

"Thank you," I say to her earnestly. "You're right. I would have been annoyed at the time but you were only looking after me."

She nods accepting my thanks but remains quiet. I think she is unsure how to discuss the hex now it's been accepted I'm not fully better. I don't like how nervous she is around me again all of a sudden as if she might say something wrong. As if she might make me worse again. It's a step backwards and I don't like it. I don't like it at all.

"I was researching with Eden while you were away," she reveals out of nowhere. "We don't know if anything will work to help you but there are a few spells we might be able to try."

My thoughts on Elijah immediately still. "You have?"

"Yes, we can't promise it will work though but it won't hurt to try."