CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
rapture

Elena and I jolted in shock upon hearing Elijah wake. We'd been sitting in silence for what felt like hours and the sudden sound was jarring. I stood, intending to rush to his side but I stopped dead in my tracks when his body started spasming as he gasped. I'd never been good in a crisis; my shock and concern override my ability to do anything helpful. Elena, not having the same qualms as I, knelt beside him as his body jolted unnaturally.

"Elijah!" She gasped and my mate looked up at her with wide eyes.

"Katerina" He gasped.

"Elijah, it's me, it's Elena!" The doppelganger reminded him.

Elijah seemed to calm so I cautiously walked over and knelt beside my mate. I stoked a hand down his still grey skin and his eyes shot to mine before he let out a gasp and collapsed. I blinked in confusion. Surely undaggering an original wasn't so complicated? Concern filled me as I looked down at my unconscious mate.

I moved a hand to stroke his face once more but before my fingers could meet skin, his body spasmed once more. Elena and I let out simultaneous gasps in shock as I fell onto my stomach in my haste to get away.

"I can't- I can't breathe." He choked as he stood before collapsing to his hands and knees, "What's happening to me?"

I watched helplessly from the ground as my mate was overcome with panic and crashed into the wall of the cell. Tears began to fall as sobs escaped my lips. The man I deeply cared for was in severe pain and I didn't know what to do. I slowly stood, desperate to help in any way.

"Elijah!" I said, shaking as I moved towards him,  "Elena, what do we do?"

"I can't- I can't- I can't be in this house." He breathed heavily and my eyes widened.

"You're not invited in." Elena voiced in realisation.

"Get me out of here."  He choked before he began speeding out of the cell, crashing into walls as he made his way out of the house.

Elena immediately ran after him. I didn't immediately follow, taking a moment to wipe my eyes and compose myself. It didn't take a genius to tell that I was having difficulty coping with the current situation. I didn't know how Elena was handling it all so well because I was an absolute mess. After taking several deep breaths, I left the cell to go join Elena and Elijah.

It was bright when I left the basement. It seemed to be early in the morning, which meant I hadn't slept all night. I was absolutely exhausted. Elena was conversing with my mate when I approached. She stood in the safety of the house whilst he stood just outside, looking a lot better than he had been just moments before.

Elijah's eyes seemed to brighten when he spotted me and I ran past Elena and collided with his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and I did everything I could not to burst into tears. I'd missed him more than I could comprehend. Swallowing, I tilted my head up to look at him. He smiled down at me before speeding us further away from Elena so we could have some privacy.

"Are you okay, my love?" He asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

“I am now that you're okay.” I nodded and he smiled softly, “I didn't like that one bit.”

“I'm sorry you had to see that.”

“It's okay, I'd just rather not witness that ever again.” I said with a shudder, “Is that what it's like every time one of you is undaggered?”

“No, I imagine that the complications were caused by my being in a house I am not invited into.” He informed me and relief washed over me, “Why were you with Elena?”

“I was the one who removed the dagger,” I began and his eyebrows flew up in surprise, “I snuck into the house whilst the Salvatore's and Elena were at a school dance. I was in the basement with you when Elena entered with the same intentions as I.”

“I see,” Elijah hummed, bringing both hands up to touch my forehead, “May I see these events for myself?” Noting my confusion, he elaborated, “Vampires have the ability to dive into people's minds and see memories.”

My eyes widened in slight horror, the idea of someone looking through my memories was terrifying, “Why do you want to do that?”

“I wish to view your interaction with Elena. I need to know whether she can be trusted.” He explained, “Although, if you are not comfortable, then that is absolutely fine.”

“Okay,” I replied hesitantly, “You'll only look through my memories of last night?”

“I promise, your memories are yours alone unless you wish to share them.” He replied softly.

With a deep breath, I nodded my confirmation that he could do it. I trusted Elijah and knew he wouldn't invade my privacy so I relaxed as he dived into my mind. Visions of last night flashed before my eyes, from me climbing through the window and searching the house, to removing the dagger and my interaction with Elena. In just seconds, it was over.

Elijah just watched me from a moment with a small smile. If I didn't know better, I'd say he looked proud.

“That was incredibly brave of you, I am honoured to have a mate with such courage.”

I blinked back tears at his words. “It was nothing,”

“It wasn't nothing.” He said, caressing my face as he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

“I shall, however, be having a word with Henrik for allowing you to do that.” He said and I narrowed my eyes on him.

“You will do nothing of the sort!” I argued, “Oh, that reminds me, I need to text him!”

I write out a quick message explaining the situation before I send it. I frown when I notice that Henrik hadn't responded to my previous message from late last night.

“How is Henrik?” Elijah asked as I put my phone back in my back pocket.

“Stressed.” I replied with a sigh, “He's been going mad looking for you since you disappeared.”

“I'm sorry to hear that.” He swallowed before quickly looking away from me.

“What's wrong?” I ask before my eyes widen in realisation, “Oh my god, you're hungry! I completely forgot, I'm so sorry.”

“It is quite alright.” Elijah smiled stiffly.

“I got you a blood bag whilst I was in the Salvatore's kitchen!” I said proudly as I reached into my hoodie pocket and pulled out the blood bag, which appeared to be half empty. I frowned at the bag and the hand holding it, which was now covered in blood. It must have burst in my pocket during all the chaos. My clothes were all black so I hadn't noticed any stain.

“Great, now I'm covered in a stranger's blood!” I said with a sigh, “Did you not smell the blood on me?” I knew vampires had an enhanced sense of smell but I was unsure of exactly how enhanced it was.

“I presumed you were menstruating.” Elijah replied calmly, keeping his eyes fixed on my face to avoid looking at my blood covered hand.

“I am but that's not the point.” I mumbled, my cheeks heating.

“My senses are dulled from being dead, usually I would be able to tell the difference between the scent of your blood and another's.” Elijah explained as I passed him the half empty blood bag.

“Will it be enough?”

Veins appeared under his eyes as he downed the bag in seconds. I blinked at him. I should have been horrified but as I watched him, I found that I wasn't at all. Elijah seemed to mull over my question after finishing, “No, but it will have to do for now.”

He began to walk back to Elena when I grabbed his arm to stop him. He turned and looked at me in question.

“You can drink from me.” I offered, blood rushing to my cheeks. I didn't exactly know what I was getting myself into but I couldn't stop myself from suggesting it.

His eyes darkened as they fixed on my neck, “You don't have to do that, Morgana.”

“I know,” I said with a shy smile, “But I don't want you to be hungry. Besides, you're going to have to bite me when we consummate the mate bond so we might as well practice.”

The side of his lip tilted upwards at my statement. He stepped close to me and gently tilted my head to the side to expose my neck. His thumb stroked my pulse and I shuddered as the sensation.

“Would you prefer I drink from your wrist?”

“No.”

He slowly brought his mouth down to my neck, kissing it gently. He kissed that spot once more before I felt his fangs pierce my neck, causing a gasp to escape my lips. I'd expected it to be painful but after the initial bite, I felt rapture. Elijah's hands gripped my hips as he drank and my eyes fluttered closed in bliss. I let out a small whimper and he gripped me tighter.

Just as soon as it had begun, it was over and my eyes slowly opened as Elijah released me. Our eyes locked and I found myself lost in his gaze, breathing heavily. My phone buzzed in my back pocket, pulling me back to reality. I blinked as I pulled it out, finding a text from Henrik.

Sorry for not messaging you sooner, I'm currently with Klaus. Stay with Elijah.

I frowned at the somewhat cryptic message and turned the phone around to show Elijah. He hummed as he read the message before meeting my gaze once more and offering me a small smile.

“Well then, I guess you're coming with me.”