Chapter 87

Almara

I had no idea how long I'd been in this cellar. There were no windows. There were no clocks. It could have only been a day. It could have been multiple days. Noah didn't exactly keep a firm schedule when it came to feeding me.

But whatever he was feeding me was keeping Lily quiet. I hadn't heard her voice ever since I'd woken up down here. I wasn't sure how that was even possible. I had tried so hard to shift, but nothing had happened.

All I could do was pray to the Moon Goddess that everything would work out. That me and the baby would get saved. That Arthur would somehow find us here and take us home where we belonged.

The only consolation that I had was when I was alone. I could close my eyes and pretend that I was anywhere but here. I could pretend that I was in Arthur's arms, safe and sound.

But Noah was leaving me alone less and less. It was getting to the point that he was almost sleeping in the cellar with me. And every time he visited, the crazed look in his eyes was worse.

I couldn't even recognize him anymore. This was not the same man I had met nearly a year ago. That man had been clever, charming, and so sweet. The man that appeared in front of me now was completely delusional.

I just couldn't understand how the change had come on so suddenly. Noah had always been supportive and very respectful of mine and Arthur's relationship. He had never tried to push me to do anything with him once I'd drawn the line in the sand.

But now he seriously thought we were in love. That I wanted to become a vampire and raise my child with him. So far I hadn't tried to correct him. I was terrified of what would happen if I tried to break his fantasy.

I faintly heard the door upstairs open and close. I closed my eyes and wrinkled my nose. Noah was coming for another visit. When I could clearly hear his footsteps, I smoothed out my features into something I hoped was pleasant.

"Good morning, Sweetness. I hope you had a pleasant evening. I am sorry that I have to keep you here like this, but I can't take any chances that the alpha will ruin our plans. I hope you'll be able to forgive me when this is all over," Noah said in greeting, coming directly to my side and sitting with me.

"All is already forgiven, my love. I know that you're doing this for us," I said and bile rose in my throat. No matter how many times I've had to roleplay like this for him, it didn't get any easier.

I still felt like I was being unfaithful to Arthur, even though, logically, I knew that I wasn't. It just made me feel icky.

I tried not to flinch as Noah took one of my hands in his. At some point he had taken off the restraints. It's not like I had the strength to get out of here on my own. I was basically human without Lily there with me.

"I'm so glad that you understand, Sweetness. I would hate it if you were angry with me," Noah said, brushing a stray hair away from my face. I smiled up at him, but it felt more like a grimace. Luckily Noah didn't seem to notice.

"Gods, I cannot wait until you and I are the same. I've been so lonely, Sweetness. As soon as I saw you in my yard, I knew you were the one. I knew you were the one who I was going to spend the rest of eternity with," Noah told me, nuzzling my ear with his nose.

Goosebumps rose on my arms, but it definitely wasn't the same as it was when it happened with Arthur. Noah let go of my hand and ran his hand lightly up my arm, tracing the goosebumps with the tip of his fingers.

"You have the loveliest reactions," he whispered and dragged his fangs across my neck. I stiffened. He hadn't bitten me the entire time I'd been down here and I had been grateful. But perhaps my luck had run out.

"I want to taste you again, Sweetness. Your blood is calling to me. It's getting harder and harder to resist. I had wanted to wait until the ritual, but I think one drop wouldn't hurt," Noah said and I instinctively arched my neck to get away from him.

However, it seemed more like an invitation. "So eager," Noah muttered and once again grazed my neck with his fangs.

"This will only hurt for a second," he whispered and then he bit down hard, his lips clamping around my skin as he began to drain me. Noah pulled me into his lap, my back against his chest, his arms locking around me possessively.

When I started to get light headed, Noah pulled back and gave my neck a few licks, presumably to heal the wounds. When he was finished, he rubbed my stomach lovingly.

"Normally, that would have ended with sex, but I don't want to risk it in your current condition. But you'll be happy to know that the baby is doing really well. I could taste her strength," Noah said and I really thought I was going to throw up. I didn't want him talking about my daughter.

"That does make me happy," I told him breathlessly and it kind of did. I was happy that the baby was okay. But it was a short-lived happiness.

"I hope I didn't take too much. How are you feeling?" Noah asked and he genuinely sounded concerned. He tilted my head to an awkward angle so he could look into my eyes.

His were crimson and alien. It cemented the fact that this was no longer my Noah. This was a monster that I needed to tread carefully around.

"I'm fine," I lied, my heart beating way too fast for my liking. "I'm just a little light-headed. You haven't fed from me since the failed wedding."

Noah stiffened and I had a moment of panic. Maybe that was the wrong thing to say. I shouldn't have mentioned the wedding. I shouldn't have brought up anything to do with Arthur.

Then he chuckled darkly. "You're right and once you have been made a vampire, I intend to correct that injustice. There is no greater pleasure than when vampires share blood and sex."

"I'll have to take your word for it," I said tightly. I had zero intentions of finding out. I'd rather die before I ever let that happen. The baby chose that moment to kick me. I instantly felt guilty. She needed me to survive, no matter what.

I'm not sure how long we stayed like that. It was long enough for my muscles to start to ache. I also needed to use the bathroom, but I was definitely not doing that when he was still in the room. I had been humiliated enough.

Finally, when I thought I was going to scream from pain, Noah reluctantly got up, giving the top of my head a gentle kiss. The gentleness was jarring. He was keeping me prisoner. Gentle just didn't match the situation.

"I'll be back shortly, Sweetness. Don't go anywhere while I'm gone," Noah said, chuckling at his own dark joke. I pictured stabbing him in the back as he left the room. One day soon that would be a reality.