“You protected her?” she asked, pushing his hand away. “Then why do her memories seem so…”
“Full of dread?” he finished for her. “Ask her the next time you meet.”
Helena intertwined her fingers in front of her and looked down at her hands. “What are you planning to do now? I heard that you are making an army.”
“I am.”
Her head snapped up. “Why? This world doesn’t need another war!”
Arthemis didn’t like having a mortal telling him what to do. To maintain his composure, he folded his arms behind his back and considered his response. Love and need to protect others drove this girl. If he could find a way to gain her trust, he would be able to keep his mother by his side without the need to chain her to a wall.
“Have you heard of the gods who control this realm?” he finally said.
“What about them?”
“They are planning to destroy all of the supernatural beings in this realm and absorb their power. Do you believe they would stop there? They would wage war against the other realms, bringing death and suffering to their followers. I am trying to protect my kind and those I care about.”
Helena was silent for a long moment. She slowly moved to take a seat in the armchair he was using earlier. Her expressions told him of her internal conflict. He could win her over if he was careful. “Lucious gave me his body to protect his people and you. He trusted me to fulfil my promise to him.”
More tears rushed down her cheeks at the mention of her lover’s name. When it came to their loved ones, mortals were vulnerable and easy to manipulate. She was no different. Her love for Lucious would play the key role in this game.
“You can’t use his body forever,” she snapped. “He needs to live out his life.”
“And he will,” Arthemis assured her. “Once my original body is restored, he will have this body back.”
She swallowed nervously. “I know about the blood ritual you are doing to restore it. You’re killing people—”
Kneeling in front of her, he took her hands into his. With a sad smile on his face, he cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb against her warm skin. His action brought out a sigh from her. “Trust me, I never do anything without a reason. Their sacrifice will forever be engraved on my heart. And wouldn’t you rather I left this vessel, so you could return to being by Lucious’ side?”
She pursed her lips together, seeming torn between what was right and her inner wishes. He couldn’t risk her giving up control to Lilia until he had his body restored. His hand slipped to the back of her neck, and he pulled her closer. Tenderly, his lips pressed to her forehead, something he recalled Lucious often did to soothe her panic.
Her body relaxed under his touch. “Why are you doing this?”
He drew back and studied her perplexed expression. “Doing what?”
“Being nice to me when you locked up my friend in a dungeon for a week?” Her eyes lost the mist around them, and she glared at him. “You’ve hurt my friend.”
“I did not know she was someone you cared about. She was my way of finding you. Without motivation, Hans would not seek you out and bring you to me.”
She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “You have Lucious’ memories. I’m sure you knew exactly who she was.”
Arthemis got up. His plan was coming undone faster than he had hoped. She was no fool, and she was not falling for his act. It was a pity, and he had no choice left. He had to restrain her.
“I am sorry,” he whispered and jerked her out of her seat by the arm to land against his chest. He did not give her time to protest as he pushed her hair aside and sank his fangs into her slender neck.
She struggled to fight him off with feeble attempts. He knew she did not want to hurt his vessel, and that would be her downfall. As he swallowed her blood, he sighed in contentment. She tasted divine, almost like ripe persimmons in winter.
Her fight waned, and she sagged against his chest. He took enough blood to weaken her for a few days. In the meantime, he had to figure out a way to coerce her into doing what he wanted.
Studying her sleeping face, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to his bed. He laid her on top of the sheets and draped a warm comforter over her body before smearing some of his blood on her wound to heal it.
She should be asleep for some time. The thought made him a little disappointed. He enjoyed her spirit and determination. It was different to the reactions he was used to receiving from the others. Lucious’ memories of their lovemaking had made him curious. She never shared a bed with anyone but him. It was almost as if Lucious’ feelings were strong enough to permeate into Arthemis. On some level, he desired her approval as much as his mother’s.
His attention was drawn to the bracelet she wore on her wrist. No. It was a demonic tracker. She did not come to him alone or unprepared.
Arthemis lowered his head and left a fleeting kiss on her lips. “You’re not getting away from me.” With that, he left the room and found a vampire in the hallways.
The young man averted his gaze to the carpet. “How may I help you, Master?”
“Remove all mirrors in this building and destroy them.”
“All mirrors, sir?”
Arthemis arched a brow. “Was I unclear?”
“It will be done.” The vampire bobbed his head and scurried away.
HELENA
She woke up with a groan. Her head hurt like someone had used it as a battering ram. She massaged her temples and looked around the room she was in. Thankfully, she was alone. Arthemis had left her in his room and on his bed.
Pulling the comforter off of her, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and tried to stand. Her legs gave way, and she fell down with a thud. Using her trembling arms, she pulled herself into a sitting position. She rested her back against the side of the bed.
It could have been worse. He could have killed me.
To her, Arthemis was an enigma. Why would Lucious give up the control of his body? Had the original vampire manipulated him somehow? The answer to that question wouldn’t come to her if she remained in his room. She also had to find out if Perri was alright.
She used the bed to stand on her quivering legs. He had taken a lot of blood from her. Her vision blurred and darkened when she was upright. She was about to fall when a pair of strong arms caught her before she could kiss the floor a second time.
Opening her squeezed eyelids, she realised that the door was now open and that the man holding her was one of the Royals.
“What are you doing here?” she asked softly. Her vocal cords didn’t seem to want to cooperate with her, either.
Ealdraed—or that was what she thought his name was—helped her get back into bed. “You mustn’t get up. You could injure yourself.”
“This is nothing a blood transfusion won’t fix.”
For a second, she thought she saw him smile but that reaction was gone as soon as it came. “Rest is important for your body. Father has taken a lot of blood from you, it seems.”
“Why did he do this to me? And what happened to Hans and Perri? Are they okay?”
Ealdraed placed his hand against her forehead briefly and pressed his lips together. “You are cold. You must climb under the covers. I will fetch something hot for you to eat and drink.”
Helena grasped his hand. “Tell me what happened to my friends!”
“They are safe. The Councilman has taken the human to his chambers and is looking after her.”
She blew out a breath and obeyed him when he tried to help her get under the quilt. “Why are you looking after me?”
“You are Lilia’s vessel. We are not permitted to harm you in any way. It has also been our duty to protect her in the past.”
“The Royals protected Lilia?” She frowned. Why?
“Arthemis created us to amplify his powers as well as make us his mother’s protectors. He is overprotective to a fault.” He propped her back up with the pillows and withdrew.
“I will return with your food and beverage.”
“Wait!” she called out when he was about to leave. “Could you ask Hans to come see me? I want to talk to him.”
“I will ask for him to make an appearance. I cannot guarantee he will leave his woman. That is unless you wish for me to order him to come.”
Helena was confused by his words. She didn’t think he would listen to her request so readily. “No. Just ask him, please.”
Ealdraed fleeted out of the room, and she was left there stumped by how differently the Royals treated her with Arthemis around. They wanted to please and protect Lilia, so why was she so keen on killing all of their kind? Arthemis’ goals came to the forefront of her mind. He was building an army to go up against the gods. She couldn’t imagine a fight like that. How many people would die for nothing? Her friends had begun to suffer. Perri was hurt and probably scared after what had happened to her. Helena had to find a way to see her friend and make sure she was okay. Getting Perri out of here had to be her priority. Only then she would be able to decide on what to do with Arthemis and his plans.
After five minutes, Hans came into her room with a grim expression. “Helena, I must apologise for leaving you alone like that. Perri’s wellbeing was all I could think of and… Are you alright?”
Helena smiled at him. “It’s fine. I was worried about her, too. What happened to her?”
“I fed her some of my blood to help boost her body’s systems. She had gotten weak and dehydrated after such a long time in those dungeons.” His eyes flared with his fury. “I cannot believe he did that to her.”
“Don’t lose your head,” Helena warned him. She lowered her voice, “Try to find a way to get her out of here.”
He walked around her bed and sat on the edge of it. “I will do what I can, but Arthemis forbade us to leave the premises.”
“So we’re trapped here?”
He glanced at the door. “Someone is coming.”
Helena watched as Ealdraed sauntered in with a tray of food in his hands. He handed it to Hans and said, “Make certain she eats properly.”
“I’m not hungry,” Helena complained.
Ealdraed’s piercing glare softened. “Eat as much as you can. I will check on you in a few hours.” He left the room without another word.
Hans looked between the door through which the Royal left and Helena. “Did I miss something?”
“He has been treating me like I’m royalty.”
“Why? I thought Arthemis would be angry at Lilia for trapping him in a tomb for thousands of years. I know I would be.”
Helena shrugged and lifted the lid to see what food was there. The Royal had brought things rich in iron and vitamins.
Does he want me to recover soon?
Hans prepared a cup of herbal tea for her while she nibbled on a slice of an orange. “Do you think I could see Perri today?”
He stopped stirring the tea. “Not today. She will need a lot of rest to recover. I won’t be staying here long since I need to return to her side.”
“I understand. Make sure she regains her bright smile.”
Hans handed her the cup and placed the tray on the side of the bed. “Summon me if you need anything. We are at the end of the hall.”
Helena tried to stay strong and waved goodbye. She couldn’t show weakness or tell him the truth that she was actually terrified. Lilia was staying quiet at the back of her mind and everything was left up to Helena. The sole hope she had at getting away was Malachi. With the way things were going, she couldn’t use him to escape. Perri and Hans came first. Without them here, she would be able to make more manoeuvres, and Arthemis wouldn’t be able to use them against her.
18
FEELINGS
ARTHEMIS
T he girl had fallen asleep in his room. Arthemis did not dare visit Helena when she was conscious. He knew she would be mad at him for taking her blood and weakening her. On some level, he cared for what she thought of him. He combed his fingers through his hair as he looked out at the dark night’s sky through the large arched window. The stars were nowhere to be found from the light pollution of this city and the occasional thick clouds that drifted with the gentle breeze.
Why do I care what she thinks of me? It must be Lucious’ feelings and thoughts merging with mine.
He could not risk that vampire’s conscience combining with his. It was preposterous to even consider. But if they were united as one, Helena would not look at him with such fright. She would see him as the man she loved and wanted.
Studying his hand in the moonlight, he clenched his fingers into a fist. Am I so desperate for love that the mere possibility of it is reshaping my plans?
He would not allow it. Since she was Lilia’s host, regardless of her wishes, she belonged at his side where no one and nothing would harm her.
He closed his eyes, recalling the terrors Helena had undergone throughout her time with Lucious. She was a brave woman with a heart of gold, who fought for what she believed in. It was no wonder Lucious had fallen for her. She was a breath of fresh air amidst the sea of venomous humans. Now that he had hurt her, would she despise him? Would he see her hate directed at him when they meet again? The time for love never came for him. He belonged in the dark, just as Lucious did.
She stirred in her sleep, and he turned around. Her brow was creased and her breathing became irregular.
He moved to her side. Taking hold of her hand, he sat on the edge of the bed and whispered, “Do not be afraid. With me by your side, the world will fall to its knees before us.”
Her face relaxed at his words, and he brushed the wisps of her hair away from her cheek. Her soft skin and scent urged him to take another bite out of her. The savage hunger she had stirred in him was peculiar. Lucious must have had to restrain himself at all times to not drain her dry.
“Lucious…” she mumbled in her sleep.
Arthemis’ jaw clenched. He did not like her speaking the name of his vessel. If that man returned to his original body, she would be out of his reach. She would want to flee to Lucious’ side without a spare glance his way. Until his true body was complete, he had to convert her. For if he could not, he may, indeed, become the monster his mother saw in him.
He started to get up when she opened her eyes and gasped.
“You’re… What are you doing here?”
“This is my room,” he responded with a smile.
Helena tried sitting up. Her body was too weak, and she slid back down onto the pillows. “Were you planning to do something to me?”
“Why do you believe so?”
“You took my blood earlier without permission!” She glared at him and pulled her covers up to her chin.
“I have, haven’t I?” His eyes focused on the tremble of her hands that wrinkled the sheets she gripped. “Are you afraid of me?”
“N-no,” she forced out.
“Give me your hand.” He reached for her, but she didn’t oblige. “Please.”
Helena bit her lower lip and slipped her hand into his. He folded his fingers around her skin and tugged on her arm. Placing her palm against his chest, he asked, “Are you in love with the man or this body?”
“What?” She started to pull away. He didn’t let her.
“Answer the question, Helena.”
She never broke eye contact when she responded, “I love Lucious.”
He released her hand and trailed his fingers along her arm to her shoulder. He stopped at her neck, on the spot where he bit her that afternoon. “I apologise for hurting you. My intention was to prevent you from running away.”
“Is that how you treat all your guests?” She pushed his hand away and, through much willpower, finally sat up. Her sharp glare pierced his heart as if she drove a sword through it. “Don’t touch me while you are in…in Lucious’ body.”
“Then this voice and body affect you,” he said casually.
“No. I don’t like it!”
He placed his h
and on the other side of her and leant in. Her face was a short distance away, nothing a light bend of his neck could not cover. In her chest, he could hear her heartbeat racing. Her nerves came out in the form of rapid blinking. The denial she voiced was false, after all. “Do you wish to touch this body of mine?”
“It’s not yours,” she whispered.
“Must I remind you? It was given to me willingly.”
“I don’t believe you. Lucious would never—”
Arthemis’ eye twitched. He silenced her by placing his index finger against her lips. “Do not speak his name in my presence.”
She moved her face to one side. “Don’t tell me what to do. You are not Lucious, and you never will be.”
Arthemis’ eyes glowed red. She had dared to compare a youngling vampire to him! He moved his lips dangerously close to her ear. His hand rested on her shaking shoulder. He could sense the fear she was desperate to stifle. “Do not push me to my limit, girl. You may not like what you find if you annoy me.”
“I am not someone you can push around,” she muttered.
He pulled back enough to see that her fingers had paled from the grip she had on the bedsheets. Her bravery was irrational, and he liked her more for it. Having someone oppose him to such an extent without fearing for their life had him smiling.
“You will join me tomorrow for dinner in the main dining room. I will arrange for someone to bring you a dress,” he said, getting up.
“I don’t want you to dress me up like a doll.”
“You may wear it or go naked. Choose whatever is more comfortable for you.”
Helena gaped at him. “You’re joking, right?”
“I’m not very well-versed in the art of entertainment.”
She crossed her arms. “Fine, I’ll wear the damn dress. Can I go back to sleep now?”
Fated Origins: An Urban Fantasy Novel (Helena Hawthorn Series Book 4) Page 23