Chapter 96

Almara POV

Our brief moment of bliss comes to an end as we hear Noah and the nurse descend down the stairs. I can only hope that Arthur clings to this moment of clarity and remains strong. I instinctively nuzzle Grace closer to my chest as Arthur retreats further against the wall.

I breathe in her scent and hold on to her smell like a lifeline. Grace begins to cry harder as Noah’s footsteps come closer. I try ease her stress, realizing that I no longer have any fear of my own wellbeing.

“What did I tell you?” It was a rhetorical question from the nurse with a twinge of panic. She quickly turns to Arthur who is in close step behind her. “I told her to wait, that you would want to be present.”

“I couldn’twait.” I remark trying to keep the bite out of my voice. “Grace Elizabeth was ready to come out.” Just saying her name softens my tone, and fills me with even more protective rage.

Arthur moves pass the nurse, ignoring her as his crimson eyes settle on my baby like a prized possession. “She’s glorious.” There’s a sudden chill in the air and the hair on my neck stands up. I steal a glance at Arthur who’s sitting mostly expressionless except for his tongue sliding across his lips.

My breath becomes shallow as my heart rate quickens. Grace must pick up on my anxiety because she fusses in my arms. My heart is gripped with a nagging pain to comfort her.

Noah’s eyes flicker across the mattress that I’m laying on. Noticing some of the blood that came about during the birth, he snaps his fingers for the nurse’s attention.

“Remove the bed sheets and clean them up. The sight of fresh blood is probably torturing our guest over there.” Noah tosses a cursory glance at Arthur.

.

“Yes, of course.” The nurse gives a quick bow and then is quick to swipe the mattress out from under me. I hold Grace securely as we shift at the nurses’ quick motions.

“Oh, thank you sire. Thank you very much.” Arthur’s tone drips with appreciation. Noah listens to the gratitude of Arthur and something darkens his expression as his face contorts to a twisted sense of pleasure.

Something else is in Noah’s expression, something akin to suspicion. I can’t think too much about it because my breasts begin to leak.

“I have to feed her.” I state aloud, breaking Noah’s fierce concentration on Arthur. Noah takes his time turning to face me. Arthur doesn’t even look up at me has he continues to twitch and fight whatever desires are pulling at him in the inside.

I worry that with Noah here, the vampire instincts now swirling in Arthur will become more prevalent.

“Nonsense.” Noah dismisses me with a wave of his hand. Confused, I sneak a glance at Arthur who doesn’t appear to be wondering why Noah won’t let me feed my baby. It kills me not knowing what’s really going on in his head.

He is confused, trust me. He’s also angry that Noah won’t let you tend to Grace’s needs.Lily informs me. This revelation filles me with hope. If he can be angry about that then that must mean he still has a sense of who I am and our relationship, even with Noah present.

Suddenly, an idea comes to me. If I can make Arthur even more agitated, maybe he can feed off the strong emotions to kill Noah. Not that Arthur would need much help when it comes to strength, but he might need all the emotional overload he can get in order to put off his vampire instincts.

“It’s just, she’s hungry” I pout. “It’s important she eats soon.” Arthur quickly shoots me glance with concern flashing across his face. I pretend to ignore him.

Noah kneels beside me. He softly shuts his eyes as he takes a long inhale, relishing in every moment. “You understand I am going to raise this baby, don’t you?” Noah asks.

I swallow the lump in my throat, though still unable to speak with him so close to me I nod in confirmation, though I still don’t understand why he won’t let me feed my daughter.

Noah traces a bony finger over Grace’s back. My blood turns cold at his touch on my daughter. I try to remain very still and focus on my breathing, but everything in me wants to attack.

“That’s it.” Noah whispers. At first, I think he’s talking to Grace as she settles in my arms, but then he turns his poisonous eyes on me. “Fight the urge to resist me. It’ll get easier with time.”

I don’t say anything, but I fixate my stare on Noah, letting him know I won’t back down from a fight. The heavy silence is filled with the sound of Graces whimpers as her hunger grows.

Noah remains a moment longer before slowly rising to his feet. I immediately begin to feel lighter as he moves back from me. I release a deep breath which causes Grace to relax slightly.

I glance at Arthur, trying to gauge how he’s feeling.Good work,Lily says with a sly smile.He’s seething. Especially with the frustration of having to stifle his anger.Satisfaction with myself washes over me.

“Give her to me.” Noah demands, snapping both my and Arthur’s attention. Noah’s mouth curves into a sardonic smile. “I’m in a generous mood this evening.”

Noah crouches down next to Arthur who struggles to hide the hatred in his expression. “Oh good, sire. I like when my sire is in a good mood. Nothing pleases me more.”

I can’t tell if Noah is buying what Arthur is saying, but when Noah speaks it makes it obvious that this will be the ultimate test of Arthur’s loyalty. “What better first meal to give than that of fresh, young blood.”

“Oh sire…” Arthur trails off and I jump in.

“A baby needs milk after they’re born, do they not?” I feign curiosity, but struggle to mask my concern. Just then, Grace lets out a wail as if she knows she won’t be feeding on me. Instead, Noah is going to make Arthur feed on her.

Noah crosses the room arms out stretched dismissing my weak protest. “She will drink blood.”

I pull Grace closer to my chest. “Shouldn’t we discuss this?” I stammer as if pretending Noah and I could actually co-parent.

“What is there to discuss? She will be a vampire and what better way to turn her than have the man you thought you loved do it.”

“Give her to me, sire. It would please me to taste her blood, but please me even more so if I get to do as you command.” Arthur pipes from the floor, with drool practically rolling down his chin.

My heart drops as I see his forest green eyes are becoming hazy with a dark red. My mind goes blank as primitive instincts kick in, though I don’t know what to do. I think I’m freezing under fear.

“Wait a minute.” I protest as Noah rips Grace from my arms. The abrupt motion causes her to scream in terror which rips at my heart. I try to leap after her, but chains keep me down.

“Silence!” Noah shouts. I watch with wild eyes as Noah takes my baby. He holds Grace close to Arthur’s mouth, and Arthur takes a slow, deep inhale. Grace seems to calm down, as if she knows she’s close to her father.

I’m soothed by her relaxation if only for a moment. I may not trust Noah, but I trust Arthur. Ihaveto. That’s until Arthur bares his fangs.