Chapter 19

Aldric's POV

Ever since the miscarriage, I can’t leave Simone’s side for longer than a few hours at a time. Whenever I try, an invisible elastic band rips me back to her side. I don’t know if she can feel it or not, but she doesn’t question my presence.

For the most part, she stays in bed. I make sure she eats and drinks, but I can feel her weakening – not just her body, but her very soul – and it scares me half to death. I’m very sure that if she dies, I’ll spiral into some kind of madness like Baron did after Imogen died.

On the fifth day, Simone bolts upright in bed and stares at me where I’m sitting in one of the chairs, sipping on a blood bag and reading a book about vampire hunting. I thought it was factual, but it’s mostly fiction. I chuckle every time I read something ridiculous, like, ‘Hang garlic in every corner of the house to deter vampires.’

It’s true that we’re not particularly fond of the taste or smell of garlic, but it won’t kill us or harm us in any way. “You okay