Severed Heaven (Niklaus and Elijah Mikaelson)

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Nothing But The Naked Truth

              I returned back to the compound with the pendant in my hands. I occasionally felt a sting of anxiety in anticipating my resumed snub at the breakfast table this morning, only to remember that I should be past that state now. It should no longer matter. It should be out of my mind by now. He should be out of my mind, especially out of my body, but it appeared he wasn't quite yet.

It only just occurred to me, as I was going through the heady motions of feeling over and done with my doubts about this morning, that Freya was standing there with her hand over her heart. She was staring down at something, and I slowly approached her with a frown on my face. "Freya?" I said her name, but she didn't budge. Then, her despairing eyes met mine before she looked away again. "What's wrong?" I urged her to say something, but it seemed she struggled to.

The fresh tears on her cheeks told me nearly all that I needed to know. Whatever it was, this was the Strix' doing again, wasn't it? "Some compelled tourist." She said. Her voice shook a little. "He left this." 

There was a box on the table. I was hesitant to open it, but I raised the lid with a single finger either way to mend my worry. I instantly dropped it closed again, knowing very well what was inside with just having caught a glimpse.

My own chest hurt when I remembered the brief glance of the heart. "Who?" I asked her. This was, in fact, a threat.

Freya inhaled deeply. "Jackson."

Her answer led us upstairs. It was only a matter of time until we all found ourselves lost in discussions and strategies again.

Niklaus had lost control of his blazing paranoia, barely keeping it together as he was taking it out on all of us, especially his sister which angered me, his brother seemed to be caught up in a world somewhere else— still temporarily blinded by Jackson's death, and mainly worried about where Hayley could be right now.

I found myself feeling too much, all at once— guilty, because I slept with Elijah. I was nervous, because I did not know what awaited us. I was angry, because...

Because I just was.

Because I realised I had been caught up in this prophecy the entire time, fighting for what I believed in, what I loved.

Consider me selfish, which I was, but I was the one blinded by revenge, seeking my opportunity to finally get back at Aurora, because I knew she'd eventually make an appearance in this ongoing game. Freya appeared to be the only one with a clear mind, which most of us seemed to overlook. I found myself pacing around, as I would do when nervous, and through it all caught Elijah's glance, which only made me want to shut the doors and windows between us, blow out the candles because the sun was finally up, and reality had set in. The shame between us cast long shadows, very long shadows.

I turned my body the other way, as though a chill draft had touched my ear and I wished to avoid having it hit my face.

It was no use, because my glance came to meet with Niklaus'. It was a restless face mirroring another. "Two Original vampires and two powerful witches against an army of miscreants. I'm rather looking forward to it."

Freya rejected her brother's devilish smirk. Her worry never went away. I could easily sense it. "Before we rush into battle, let's keep in mind that Tristan may be the very foe that leads you to your doom." The witch warned her brothers. I knew exactly where she was going with this, and she was right to do so. "Isn't this exactly what the prophecy foretold? Rebekah's on the run. I will not lose the two of you as well." Her voice cracked when she said that.

I watched the expression on Elijah's face change from rather calm to considerateness for the hint of fear in his sister's voice. "Rebekah is safe." He said, and turned to face Niklaus next. "Brother, perhaps you should stay— Elizabeth, do me a favour and please stop pacing around."