Black Rose • Mikaelson

11. A blast from the past

Ivonna Petrovich

NADIA COMES HOME WITH A HUGE SMILE on her face. Nights spent with Niklaus often left her like this. Euphoric. No matter my distaste for her lover, I never had it in me to pull her from such states. Falling hurts much more when your standing higher up. Nadia plops down next to me on the couch, her smile aimed towards me.

"It seems I wasn't the only one spending the night with someone else." Nadia beams.

I roll my eyes, very annoyed Nadia has front row seats to every part of my life if she wanted — and when she didn't want. At this exact moment she was referring to my night spent with Elijah, even as he's in love with someone else.

"It's not a bad thing. It's actually a very good thing." Nadia smiles.

"What?" My sister's train of thought is confusing me.

"Nik and I are going to get lunch — and you're coming."

Nadia jumps up off the couch, pulling me along with her. I don't even try to protest, they'll go unanswered. She drags me to her room with her and I stay put on the edge of the bed as she changes her clothes from last night and brushes out her hair. If she had any shame at all, it'd definitely be a walk of shame. Nadia walks out her bathroom with the same bright smile and different clothes. She pulls me up again and drags me along with her. The walk to the small cafe we're having lunch at is a short walk from our house. Elijah and Niklaus is sitting at a table and now I know exactly why I was dragged here.

My sister takes her seat next to her lover. Niklaus presses a soft kiss to her lips, causing Nadia to smile into the kiss. They start their own conversation between just the two of them as a waiter brings drinks. Nadia cuddles into Niklaus' side, over the moon in love with him. No doubt she is on a happiness overload. I can feel in my own chest how hers fills with such warmth. I wonder if the two of them even notice Elijah's and I's presence. They haven't said anything to either of us since we've sat down. I doubt so, seeing they can't keep their eyes off each other. Or their hands.

"I got roped into this." I roll my eyes.

"Me too." Elijah says.

We share a smile. Nadia leans over closer to Niklaus and whispers in his ear with a giggle. Most likely sharing the things that happened between Elijah and I last night. Things she can't un-witness. I look at Elijah, giving him a look and admitting that Nadia knows what happened between the two of us. Nadia finally looks away from Niklaus, finding something just behind my head and her smile fades. A more accurate word — it drops. Niklaus tenses with my sister's reaction and Elijah turns.

"Ivonna?" A familiar voice calls.

My smile drops as fast as my twin's did. I'd know that all too cocky voice anywhere. It was the last one I heart before my heart ached and Nadia offered to let go of our mystical connection. My heart plunges into chaos at the sound of it. I turn to meet eyes with Ethan and I remember the first day we met. And everyday after he left.

"Last time we saw you, you were blonde." Nadia calls.

My mind fades away from the conversation.

"I don't know why I follow you everywhere." I shake my head towards Nadia.

"Cause you need me." Nadia laughs.

"No, you need me. I'm the anchor that keeps your souring soul from flying too close to the sun."

"You girls fighting over me?" A voice says behind me.

I know that cocky voice anywhere.

"Yep, just trying to decide who gets to choke you out." I frown.