Almara’s PovRobert and I return home, empty handed once again. We step into the living room and I must say I’m a bit relieved to see it’s empty. I assume Roman is upstairs sleeping, I just can’t handle another hopeful look in his eye only to dim when we have to tell him we don’t have the potion, yet.It pains me just as much as I’m sure it pains him. I ascend up the long stairwell using the curved railing for support. I need to see Grace. I crack open the door and step into her nursery. The room is a shade of dust rose with painted clouds
Almara’s PovI’ve mostly come to terms with the very real possibility that Arthur is going to die, or so I keep trying to convince myself that I have.As of now he rests on this white armchair, cradling him the way I hold Grace in my arms. I’ve been watching as his breathing has become more and more shallow, his skin more and more cold no matter how many thick blankets I layer on top of him.I lay my head on his chest and listened to the rhythmic beating of his heart, until I
Almara’s PovMorning comes gracefully. For the first time in what seems like a lifetime, the break of daylight doesn’t feel like another pressuring race against the clock. Instead, I get the sense that this is a fresh start.I’m about to roll over and face Arthur and gently wake him up with a thousand soft kisses, but at the moment I move I feel his strong arm wrap around my hips and pull me into his side. He spoons me and nestles his face into my hair. He takes a long breath in and I press back into him.
Almara’s Pov“What did you just say?” I can’t even hear my own words through the shock running through my system. I see Cathy move her lips, but my ears are ringing as if a bomb just internally imploded inside me. I look at Arthur and he’s just as bewildered as I am.I grab for the couch, something to steady myself. “You risked your life for Arthur, for our family and that’s how you want to be repaid?” I ask making sure I understand the ridiculousness of her request.
Almara’s PovLater that same day Roman, Arthur, and I are compiled into a stuff waiting room at the local inmate holding center in vampire territory. I can’t help but compare the drastic change in how the day started to where it ended up.I blow some hair out of my face and shift in the cold metallic chair. Arthur puts a comforting, and protective, arm around my shoulder. Roman stands up, arms crossed, and refuses to back down from this staring contest with another potential inmate whose seated in the corner.The waiting room is exactly as I expected it to be; gray, cold, and small. The center is just on the outskirts of town, but it seems as if everyone left the town to come hurl obscenities as we arrived on the scene. The media also made the journey, shoving mics in our face and feigning care for Bess.Roman has his own body guard accompany us knowing the Council of Bloody Hollow would offer no sort of protection. It’s been thirty minutes since we notified the pale creature behind t
Almara’s Pov It’s been a week since Bess’s euthanizing, which means it’s been a week without joy. Even Grace seems to hold this vague sadness inside her, as if knowing if not for the life of Bess then she wouldn’t be here either. Though it breaks my heart to see, I can’t help but marvel as the wisdom that seems to be imprinted on her soul, a piece of Bess herself. Today in particular is the crux of sadness and acceptance as we attend Bess’s funeral as family. I always figured Arthur and my first outing with Grace would be happier and certainly not quite as important. I assumed our first outing would be normal, at least normal enough to get buried beneath the rest of our many days ahead. I almost want to apologize to Grace for what her first outing is as I button her fluffy black dress, but doing so almost feels disrespectful. Besides, something tells me that Grace actually doesn’t mind. I catch myself in this line of thinking and wonder if I’ve gone crazy. Can Grace really be r
Almara’s PovArthur and I sit across from the mystery lady, Chirstina, at a high end coffee shop. We’re separated from other guests by a velvet red rope and security guards. Arthur wanted to bring Christina here to remind her who she’s in the presence of, lest there be any tricks up her sleeve.Although, Christina seems to be at home in this elegant atmosphere. She stirs her tea precisely three times with her spoon before clinking the silver against the fine China and bringing the tea to her rosy pink lips. Arthur leans back with his arms crossed and I fidge
Almara’s PovLater that same night I recount to Arthur the wild tale that Bess, Robert, Roman and I ventured on in order to secure the ingredients for Arthur’s remedy. We lay in bed with Grace between us looking between her mother and father as we speak completely enthralled by our voices.To my surprise, Arthur listens to the story with a child-like interest. I tell him everything from running down the gate, to my unfortunate run-in with Claire. I half expected him to be concerned, enraged, or even embarrassment, but by the end of it all he cups my face and says