The next morning I awoke to the bright mid-morning sun flooding across the room. Iona was asleep. She felt relatively cool to the touch, but I concluded that her temp could've been better. I dragged my body out of bed, hopelessly looking down at Iona. Her soft little gasps let me know that her breathing was becoming troubled and I needed to find a solution to it soon. Before her labored breathing would go out of my control.

I headed out into the hallway where I was met by Trevor and Sypha heading in my direction.

"How is she?" Trevor asked.

"Her breathing is shallow and becoming more difficult for her. I was hoping we could discuss what to do about that." My voice was more pained than I wanted it to be.

"We will figure something out." He replied turning to Sypha who was engrossed in a book, "Do you have anything to add?"

"Shh… Almost finished." She replied, putting a single finger up to his lips to silence him. I rubbed the back of my neck out of stress.

"I think I've got it!" She shouted a few moments later, "I'm going to cook a meal with a bunch of onion and garlic… Sorry, Alucard. But they are full of antioxidants and are a good remedy to kickstart the immune system again. Trevor, come with me, I'm going to teach you how to make ginger tea, she'll be needing a lot of it over the next few days." Sypha trotted to the kitchen, Trevor's arm firmly in her grasp.

I followed behind them, hoping that somehow I could be of use in the kitchen. I could still hear Iona's heartbeat in my ear. Whether I was actually hearing it or whether it was residual from listening to her heart all night, I couldn't tell.

"Could I be of help?" I asked gingerly. Sypha looked at me with a soft smile spread across her face.

"The only thing you can do for me is to be in there with her." Sypha knew I was hurting even though I was able to push those feelings deep down. I sighed, leaving the kitchen so that they could prepare.

I walked back into the bedroom and took a seat in a chair near a window. The spring was quickly spreading across the land and I knew it would soon be time to try and cultivate new crops. Sypha, Trevor, and Iona needed to eat as much as I did. And traveling once a week was out of the question. Sitting silently, I planned the spring season in my head methodically. Calculating exactly what would be needed to tide us over until fall and winter.

"N… N… No… Stay back… Help…" Iona began muttering in her sleep, the words continually getting more frantic. She sounded helplessly scared like her life was in mortal danger. I walked over to her, kneeling on the floor next to her.

"Iona baby… Open your eyes, I'm here." I took her soft hand in mine, drawing circles on the top of her hand. She stayed in a deep sleep, still muttering to herself. I decided to forcefully wake her. I shook her, being careful not to actually harm her. A deep gasp escaped her lips. She continued panting for quite some time, trying hard to catch her breath.

"You're ok. You're safe Iona." I put a finger under her chin and turned her so she was looking at me. A final gasp of relief ran over her, she squeezed my hand in turn. I was terrified, but was it me? Or the ring? I had to somehow learn to differentiate the things I was feeling so that in the future I could know what her feelings were and what were my own.

"Are you alright?" I asked, studying her.

"Mmm… Just a nightmare." Her voice was so shallow. Speaking seemed hard for her.

"I'm always here if you need to call out for me, alright? Sypha and Trevor should be in soon so that you can eat."

"You need to eat too." Was her response to me. Even struggling for her life she cared so much about my needs. I let a quiet laugh leave my mouth,

"Fine. But please focus on yourself for now dear." I stroked her hair and turned towards the door where Trevor and Sypha were walking in.

"I made one for you too, Alucard. Without garlic of course!" Sypha chimed.

"Just so you know for the future… Garlic doesn't affect modern vampires. Especially ones that are half human." I giggled, taking the plates from her and setting them down on the table beside Iona, "But I do appreciate the thought of Sypha. Thank you both so much." Sypha laughed before answering,

"Well better safe than sorry I guess. Could we eat in here over at that table next to the fireplace? Trevor expressed that he'd like to eat together, or at least all in the same room."

"I didn't think Belmont had a soft bone in his body." I looked over to Belmont. His cheeks were red with embarrassment.

"I don't asshole." He quipped.

"Even after a few months apart, you two still find ways to pick on each other." Sypha chimed in. They both turned towards the fireplace and sat down to eat. Iona had her eyes open and she seemed, at least, partially alert.

"Could you eat something for my love?" I asked politely. She didn't say anything but just held out her hands for a plate. A pasta dish was neatly spread across the plate, the smell of onions and garlic almost nauseating. I watched her start to take some small bites; And for every bite she took, I took a bite as well. I could see the realization in her eyes. When she ate, I ate. But my tactics worked out in my favor, she ate really well for the first time in over 24 hours.

"Here… Drink this as well. It's ginger tea. It should even out your breathing." I handed her the now lukewarm tea. It was probably better that it had cooled off so that it didn't raise her internal temperature too much. She sat quietly, looking around the room with those diamond eyes. She had always been so curious, even if it was a room she had seen a million times.

"Thank you all." Everyone in the room turned to face her. The way she said those words, she sounded ready to die.

"Sypha. Trevor. Could you leave the room for a moment? I'll come to find you in a bit." I watched as they quickly left the room. I liked to believe that Sypha knew what I was about to do, but I couldn't be totally sure.

"Look at me, Iona," I asked her, harshly. "I'm about to do something that I never wanted to do to anybody. It will be painful, uncomfortable, and just an all-around horrible experience. But in the end… You'll feel wonderful, alright? Do you trust me?" I feel as if I was rushing my words together, just ready to get this over with. It was as unpleasurable for me as it would be for her.

"Just promise you won't leave…" She took a moment to process everything else I said before answering me fully, "You've never let me down, not once. I trust you and your judgment completely." I moved quickly. Taking her in my arms and sitting down on the bed, I held her like a small child.

"I'm so sorry…" I cried before letting my fangs sink deep into her neck. The gasp that escaped her I will never let myself forget. It was so pained, I felt horrible for doing this. Especially to her, the one I loved most. I sucked on her thin neck for a couple of minutes before releasing her from my grasp. I watched as her eyes opened and I let her watch my next movements. I bit deeply into my wrist, letting the blood pool around my lips. In another moment our lips were entangled. I could feel her fighting against me slightly. I wouldn't let her breathe until she swallowed.

I felt her exhale through her nose deeply, letting me know that the deed was done. I pulled her close to my muscled chest, panting heavily. Guilt flooded my thoughts. Did I make the right decision? Was this in Iona's best interest? Would she hate me after this? And if she did, would she leave? Little did I know that tears were flowing silently down my face.

"Is it me you should be worried about?" Her sentence ended in a little chuckle. Her hand made its way to my face, gently rubbing the tears off my cheeks.

"Stop worrying Alucard. I'm yours, there's nothing in this world that could change that. And besides, I made a promise." Her voice was full of sweetness but I wondered how she could stay so poised through all of this. What I had done was considered a sin in so many ways. But… It just felt right.

I winced as I felt a sharp pain rush through my stomach. Iona let out a long drawn-out groan. Could this whole process start so soon? I watched as her body curled up into a fetal position, clutching at her stomach. I wrapped my body around her, trying to comfort her the best I could.

"I'm here Iona… I'll never leave you."