Elijah Mikaelson & The Dragon's Legacy

Chapter 33

With summer over, they all returned to the penthouse in New York City. But in the eight weeks since the ritual, Angelica noticed that she was feeling unusually fatigued. It was slight at first, but gradually became more significant as the weeks progressed. She hid it from Elijah and would not call Mason, assuming she was only feeling the effects of the new link and she did not want to alarm Elijah. He didn't trust Mason and she knew it and she did not want Elijah to be angry with Mason.

For Elijah, he noticed she was sleeping a bit more and much more deeply than usual. He asked her several times if she was feeling unwell and each time she assured him she was fine, but Elijah was starting to doubt her. He knew she was not one to complain and had a stubborn habit of only sharing good things with him.

Elijah and Angelica were in the midst of negotiating a major deal for AEM Enterprises and they were in the study preparing together. Angelica was on the couch and Elijah was at the desk, file folders were stacked neatly as they reviewed the research in the files. Elijah asked Angelica a question but no answer came. He glanced up from the folder and saw that she had lain down on the couch having fallen asleep. The file folder was resting on her stomach still clutched in her hand. Elijah smiled as he watched her sleep, then quietly rose up and walked to her. He gently removed the file folder and placed it on the table. He covered her in a throw that was hanging on the back of the couch then returned to the desk and continued reviewing his file.

Rafe walked into the study to ask them a question and Elijah put his finger in front of his mouth, and Rafe fell silent. Elijah motioned to the couch where Angelica was sleeping. Rafe paused then looked at Elijah, and Elijah noticed that Rafe was concerned. The two men stepped out into the hallway to speak. "What is it," asked Elijah. "Is she alright? She is usually wired before a negotiation like tomorrow's meeting, and she's always up the entire night going over every detail in triplicate." Elijah answered that she had assured him she was fine as he had noticed she seemed a bit tired of late, "I think she is still feeling the effects from the ritual but she does not want me to call Mason." Rafe commented that perhaps a good night's sleep is what she needs. The two men agreed and let the issue drop for now.

Elijah spent another hour in the study then put the folders away. They were more than ready. Elijah went to the couch and gently scooped her up into his arms but she was so soundly asleep she did not even stir when he did so. He tucked her into bed and then he retired as well. Elijah awoke the next morning to the sunrise but Angelica was still in a deep sleep. It took a bit for Elijah to wake her up but eventually she got out of bed, slowly.

She took longer than usual to shower and dress but when she emerged she was sharply dressed and ready for the day. They arrived at the AEM offices, met with their competitor in the conference room, and the lengthy negotiations began. Angelica was a definite force to be reckoned with but Elijah knew in his heart that something was wrong; she was slightly off her game. She seemed to be preoccupied and distracted, and she was looking very pale. Two hours into the negotiations, Elijah could see she was becoming fatigued so he adeptly arranged a break for lunch. He waited for the conference room to clear then turned to Angelica, "I can see something is wrong, Angelica, what is going on?" She looked at him and shook her head, still denying that anything was wrong. Elijah thought about it for a moment and then took the direct approach, "You are exhausted, you are distracted, and you do not look well, maybe it is time to call Mason?" Tears were forming in Angelica's eyes, "It will pass," she said, "please don't call Mason." The tears began to fall down her cheeks. Elijah turned her chair and knelt down in front of her, holding her hands. "Now I know something is wrong. I'm going to have Conrad and Mick take you home, I think you need to rest. I will handle the negotiations with Rafe and Albee and when I get home, we will call Mason together, okay?" Angelica reluctantly agreed. Elijah kissed the back of each of her hands, then wiped the tears from her face and kissed her forehead. "I love you, you know that, yes?" he asked, and she nodded her head still unable to look him in the eyes. He helped her out of her chair and she turned and walked out of the conference room with Conrad behind her. Elijah grabbed Mick by the arm and told him, "Straight home, Mick, don't let her talk you out of it." Mick nodded then left the conference room. Elijah, Rafe and Albee looked at each other, all three looked worried. There was definitely something wrong with her and they would need to find a way to help her.