CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
the lockwood mansion

Sat in the backseat of Elena's car, I looked out the window as she conversed with my mate. I desperately wanted to go home, especially since the blood on the clothes had dried so the bottom of my hoodie had turned stiff. Unfortunately going home wasn't an option since Elijah urgently needed to speak with Elena. When I suggested walking home by myself, Elijah had reminded me of the many vampires that lurked around Mystic Falls. I was exhausted from lack of sleep, so I closed my eyes and leant my head against the window as I listened.

“Where did you get the dagger?” My mate asked the doppelganger.

“I'll tell you everything. But we have to work together, Elijah. I need your word.”

“Your ability to make demands has long passed.” Elijah argued.

“No demands. I'm offering you my help. And in return, I want yours.” Elena bargained.

“And why should I even consider this?”

“The same reason that you haven't killed me. You need my help to kill Klaus. And I need you.” Elena said simply and I stiffened upon hearing this, suddenly feeling very awake. Her phone buzzed so she answered it. Whilst she was deep in conversation, I leant forward so my mouth was next to Elijah's ear.

“You're not seriously still planning on murdering my mate?” I hissed.

Elijah turned his head towards me and met my gaze. His lips were only centimetres from mine.

“No,” He whispered, “But Elena doesn't need to know that.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, not sure whether or not he was telling the truth, “Why should I believe you.”

I saw a flash of hurt in his eyes before he blinked, “Because that would destroy you and I'll do everything in my power to prevent that.”

I didn't have time to reply because Elena had just hung up her phone call. Elijah held his hand out and she placed her phone in it before he tucked it into his jacket pocket.

“He's here.” Elena told him.

“Klaus is here?” Elijah asked dramatically and I rolled my eyes at his convincing acting skills.

“He's taken over Alaric's body.” The doppelganger confirmed.

“Of course he has. One of his favourite tricks.”

“Well, what are his other tricks? What is he going to do next?” Elena asked, “You're the only one who knows him.”

“Yes, I do.”

***

Elijah knocked on the door of a beautiful mansion, Elena and I standing either side of him. Since Elena had pulled up at the Lockwood mansion, I'd been gaping in awe at it. I would have loved to grow up in a place like this, with lots of space to run around. I could only hope that one day my children would live like this. Considering Elijah seemed to be extremely wealthy, I was pretty sure that they would.

The door was opened by an older woman that I didn't recognise, the obvious owner of the house. “Elijah, Elena! What are you doing here? What happened?”

“I've had a bit of an incident, Carol. I'm hoping you could help.” My mate explained and I rolled my eyes at the under exaggeration.

“Well, I'm on my way to a meeting, so I-” She began but Elijah compelled her

“It won't take but a minute of your time.”

“Of course. Anything you need.” Carol smiled, stepping aside to allow us to enter.

“Thank you.” Elijah said as we crossed the threshold. “Well, first things first. I'm going to need a change of clothing, so is Morgana.”

I smiled, thankful that he'd remembered my blood covered hoodie, which I was extremely eager to remove.

“Well, we can try one of my husband's suits. I haven't boxed them up yet. Morgana is welcome to one of my dresses” Carol offered, smiling at me as if she knew me when we hadn't even been introduced.

“Wonderful.” Elijah smiled as the woman made her way upstairs.

“How did you know she's not on vervain?” Elena hissed at him.

“'Cause I'm the one who got her off it. Right before you and your friends killed me. Twice.” Elijah said calmly, “If you'll excuse us. We'll be down in a moment.”

He took my hand and led me upstairs. My eyes continued to dart around the fine home, appreciating every inch of it. We found Carol in the master bedroom, looking through her late husband's suits in the wardrobe.

“This should work!” She said, pulling one out with a smile and laying on the bed.

“Thank you, Carol. This shall do quite nicely.” Elijah said, eyes trailing over the suit in appreciation.

“Morgana, my dresses are in the other wardrobe over there,” Carol said, directing her attention to me, “Feel free to take your pick!”

I stiffened as my eyes trailed to the second giant wardrobe. I felt a flash of jealousy, which I tried to swallow down. In several foster homes, I'd had to share one small wardrobe with half a dozen other kids. Even though I’d had a wardrobe to myself for many years now, apparently that wound hadn't quite closed up yet.

“Thank you.” I forced a smile.

“Well then, I'll leave you to get changed.” Carol said, taking her leave.

Once the door had closed behind her, I looked at Elijah, who watched me intently. With a sigh, I walked over to the wardrobe and opened it to find dozens of beautiful yet casual dresses. They weren't exactly my style, however they would certainly do.

“You said to Elena that she and her friends killed you twice. What does that mean?” I said as I looked through the dresses.

“Well, the first time they daggered me, they didn't realise that the dagger had to remain inside me for me to remain dead.” Elijah explained, “Hence being killed the second time.”

“So they managed to catch you off guard twice?” I asked, turning around to find him shirtless.

“Unfortunately.” Elijah gritted out and I nodded, half distracted. 

He began to unzip his ruined trousers so I quickly turned back around. I flushed as I continued to browse through the dresses, taking longer than necessary. When I next turned around with my chosen dress, Elijah was thankfully fully clothed.

“I'm sorry for doubting you before,” I smiled shyly, tilting my head to the side, “I trust that you no longer wish to kill Klaus.”

Elijah stepped forward with a soft smile. He reached behind me and began to unbraid my hair, his eyes not leaving mine.

“I do not fault you for doubting me, Morgana,” He responded, “So much has happened in such a short time; we've barely had the chance to get to know one another.”

Elijah finished unbraiding my hair and the auburn waves rested around my face. His eyes seemed to light up as he watched me.

“We have time,” I shrugged, a small grin making itself known on my face, “That is, as long as you don't get daggered again.”

The corner of Elijah's mouth turned upwards at my teasing. He bent down and pressed a lingering kiss on my forehead. My eyes fluttered closed for a moment, cherishing the feeling of being close to him. When he pulled back, he watched me with that intensity he seemed to save for me.

“What's on your mind, sweetheart?” He asked gently and I felt my stomach flutter at his words.

“The past few weeks have put a lot into perspective,” I began tentatively, “I missed you a lot and I'm sure Henrik will attest to my lack of sanity whilst you were gone.”

“I'm sure you were perfectly sane in my absence,” Elijah cut in with an amused look.

“I tried to get Henrik to impregnate me so I was definitely not sane,” I rambled and Elijah raised an intrigued eyebrow as I continued, “But anyway, I was thinking that I'd like to complete our bond. Obviously not now, but soon.”

Elijah blinked for a moment before a smile engulfed his face, “I would be honoured. What about Henrik and Klaus?”

“I want to complete my bond with all of you, although Klaus is going to have to wait till last because I am extremely pissed off with him.”

“Why are you angry with Klaus?” Elijah questioned.

“He completely disappeared and Henrik and I hadn't heard from him until today. He better have a bloody good excuse.” I huffed.

Elijah frowned, “We'll go and talk with him after I've spoken to Elena.”

“Alright, I should probably get changed now.” I said, holding up the dress I'd picked. Elijah nodded and stepped away from me to give me space to change, “Um, could you possibly be a gentleman and turn around?”

His eyes lit up with amusement before he slowly turned his back to me, “Of course. I am, after all, a gentleman.”

I furiously blushed as I hastily changed out of my spoiled clothes and into the dress. I struggled with the zip for a moment before I felt Elijah’s presence behind me. I let go of the zip and allowed him to do it, my breathing unsteady as his hand brushed my back.

“You were meant to be looking the other way.” I tried to say it in an accusatory way but I failed completely.

“I was, but then I saw how much you were struggling in the mirror and thought you could use some help.”

I spun around to discover that there was in fact a mirror on the other side of the room. He would have had a near perfect view of me changing. I should have been annoyed but instead I felt my blood ignite. My eyes darted to Elijah, who looked very pleased with himself.

“Be careful, Elijah,” I teased, “Or you might be the one going last.”