Chapter 69

It had been five days since Arthur collapsed. It had taken a full day for the staff and doctors to convince me that Arthur wasn't dead. He was just in a magically induced coma. His soul was far away, fighting a battle that we couldn't help him win.

Every day and every night, I was at his bedside. Just like I had been when he was recovering at the hospital. I was terrified to leave. I was so afraid that if I left for even a minute, something would happen that I could have prevented if I'd only just been there.

I had staff bring me food and water. I took extremely quick showers, if they could even be called that. I would stand in the open doorway with a soapy rag and just run it over my body, watching Arthur for any signs of life.

On the fifth day, Noah came to the house. I didn't have the energy to send him away, even though I knew full well that Arthur wouldn't want him in the house. I didn't care about their stupid feud. It didn't matter anymore.

Noah stood a respectful distance away, watching as I ran a cool rag over Arthur's skin. He had been feverish and sweaty all day. It was the least I could do. I owed him so much more than this.

"Sweetness, you need to get out of the house," Noah finally said and I glared at him. He raised an eyebrow in surprise. I guess I had always been sweet to him, hence the nickname. He'd never seen this side of me.

"It's not good for you or the baby to be cooped up in here," he tried again, trying to appeal to my motherly instincts. Unfortunately for him, every instinct was screaming at me to stay by Arthur's side.

"While I appreciate your concern, me and the baby will be fine," I said coolly, not bothering to look at him. I only had eyes for Arthur. I only cared about Arthur. I valued my friendship with Noah, but if he couldn't understand what I was going through then perhaps he wasn't my friend.

"I'm just worried about you, Sweetness," Noah said on a sigh and it tugged at my heart a little. He was worried about me and I was being a little witch. He didn't deserve that.

I finally tore my gaze away from Arthur and gave Noah a small smile. "I know. I'm sorry. Things have just been a little tense here," I said in way of an apology. He returned my smile and took a step closer.

The hairs on the back of my neck rose. My body recognized him as a threat. Logically I knew that he wasn't, but that didn't seem to matter. I pushed the feeling away. It must have been from the stress.

"Will you at least allow me to take care of you?" Noah asked, ducking his head and peering at me through his long eyelashes. His violet eyes were captivating and I found myself nodding before I could stop myself.

"I promise you'll feel better afterward," Noah said quietly as he pulled a chair over and settled in behind me. His hands delicately kneaded my shoulders and I found myself leaning into his touch.

Something in me was screaming that this wasn't right. That I shouldn't let another man touch me like this when my husband was directly in front of me in a coma, but I couldn't seem to help it and the longer Noah massaged my shoulders, the less I could hear that voice.

A soft moan escaped through my lips and I could practically feel the predatory smile that was on Noah's lips. "That's right, Sweetness. I can make you feel so good. You just have to come back to me."

That seemed like a sensible suggestion. In fact, I was beginning to wonder why I had left Noah in the first place. He had taken such good care of me in my time of need and I'd just abandoned him. How could I do that?

Noah's hand creeped up my neck until he grasped my chin in his hand, turning my face to him. His eyes stared straight into my soul, a crimson slowly taking over the violet.

"Be mine, Almara. You're all I have ever wanted and I will love you until the end of time. You'll never want for anything. I will give you everything I have and more. Just be mine," Noah whispered against my lips. All I had to do was give in to him. All I had to do was lift my head that last inch and the promise would be sealed. And every part of me wanted what he was offering.

Just as I was about to offer myself to him, Arthur groaned, breaking the spell. I wrenched myself out of Noah's hold, my heart rate spiking as I looked at Arthur. His eyes weren't open yet, but there were other obvious signs of life that hadn't been there in days.

His muscles were slowly relaxing and he was continuing to make little grunts of pain. I grabbed his hand, forgetting all about Noah and the weirdness that had just occurred. Without opening his eyes, Arthur asked a question, his voice croaky from not being used. "Who are you talking to, little wolf?"

I glanced behind me and was shocked to see that Noah was nowhere to be seen. He'd pulled another disappearing act. Of course he had.

"Nobody important. Arthur, how are you feeling? Can you open your eyes?" I asked quickly, tightening my grip on his hand.

"I feel like I got hit by a car all over again. Only this time it feels like it was an 18-wheeler going at top speeds. I can open my eyes…for the right price," Arthur said and I felt immense relief at the teasing tone. If he was able to do that, then he had to be okay.

"I think I can pay that price," I whispered, leaning over to place a gentle kiss on his lips.When I pulled back, I found myself staring into his forest green eyes. My breath left my body. I had missed those eyes so much.As we continued to stare at each other, something snapped taut between us. It was a delicious rush of pleasure so intense that it was almost painful. It felt like I was flying at the highest of heights and swimming in the deepest of depths. Something I hadn't even known I was missing filled a void inside of me.

When the feeling subsided, Arthur and I were both panting. If I wasn't afraid that I would hurt him, I would have collapsed on top of him. I felt both rejuvenated and exhausted.

"What just happened?" I asked shakily, trying to figure out whether or not I wanted to laugh or cry. I had never felt anything so intense. Lily wasn't even commenting on it.

Arthur looked at me in wonder, stroking a hand down the side of my face. Then he said a word that completely turned my life upside down. In the best possible way.

"Mate."