Contract Bound [Rewriting]

CHAPTER FIVE

When Zeref opened the cabin door, Belinda hadn't expected everyone to be still there. He stepped aside to allow Charlotte to enter, and Belinda followed, halting at the sight of Fane beside the fireplace. He appeared stunned that she had returned, just like everyone else present.

"You decided to stay?"

"Until this madness ends. I don't want to endanger anyone else."

When Quinn emerged from the powder room, Belinda glared at Fane. "Seriously? This was a mistake."

She turned, but Charlotte blocked her path. "Relax child. Do not jump to conclusions."

"We are allies and have many matters to discuss," Quinn said. "You better get used to my presence, human."

"My name is Belinda."

"Whatever—" Quinn stopped speaking when Charlotte shot her a pointed look. "Forgive me, I do not mean to be rude." The smile she gave Belinda didn't seem to be genuine. "I care a lot for Fane, so if he is happy with you, I am happy, even if I think he can do way better."

"You mean like you?"

She wanted to smack that smug look from her face. "If you want me to be honest, yes."

"Too bad you couldn't win his heart—It must be devastating to you that someone as simplistic as I did." Belinda bit her tongue at Harper's laughter. She needed to learn to think before speaking. To her surprise, Quinn seemed amused.

"I like her."

"I must return to the palace," Charlotte said. "Behave, please."

Zeref said something in a foreign language, and everyone appeared amused while Fane seemed annoyed. Charlotte even struggled to suppress a smile as she followed Zeref out the door.

"What was so funny?" Belinda asked.

Fane seized her arm and led her toward the stairs. "Nothing."

"It didn't seem like nothing—Where are you taking me?" He paused when she jerked her arm out of his hold. "What did Zeref say?"

"He was just being silly," Harper said with a beaming smile.

Fane grabbed her luggage and headed upstairs in silence. Belinda followed him, her eyes narrowing when he walked past the bedroom where she had spent most of her nights. She grasped his forearm, forcing him to come to a halt. "Where are you going? My bedroom is over there."

"Our room is the one down the hall."

"Our room?" She laughed. "I'm not sleeping with you."

"There are only three rooms in this cabin. Silas is staying here with Aurora for today—"

"All right and what does that have to do with my room?"

"Quinn is also spending the night."

Her smile fell. "Of course she is."

"Is that jealousy?"

"Why would I ever be jealous of her?" She was far prettier and had a body that probably looked amazing in everything. Of course, part of her felt a tinge of jealousy, even more knowing she was his ex. Next to her, she was generic.

He moved closer, grasping her chin and tilting her head back so their eyes could meet, and she hated how easily she became lost in their depths. "I'm yours, and yours alone."

Those simple words made her heart flutter. "Fine."

His smile broadened as he took her hand and led her into his bedroom.