n

n

nThe deed was done!

nThough Bane did not have an extra vial, I had to fill my blood in the vial that had his blood previously. For that, he had refused to throw the blood away and also to drink it himself. He managed to convince me to drink his blood by saying that I would need it in the next three days since Hailey and he were getting married.

nWe wasted half an hour on that one simple task because it took me so long to agree.

nWell, at least it did not do anything wrong with my body. My blood was perfectly capable of resisting poison till it expelled my body but I guess having some antidote in my body was good as well. I sighed,

"I can't believe you made me drink it.

"

nBane corrected his suit before he fiddled in the inside pocket,

"It will be useful for the next 5 days.

"

n

"Like my blood can't handle poison,

" right, we were still in the argument process. Bane hadn't exactly convinced me but had taken the vial back only to give it when I drank it from his hand.

"Let me tell you, my body can handle poison way better than you,

" my words resounded from my ego.

n

"Then it will be useful for narcotics,

" Bane was tired of handling me.

nI gave him a ridiculous smile,

"why would anyone give me narcotics? I don't think Hailey's family would be that cheap with their tricks. They are assassins and why would they even harm m-

"

n

"You are extremely irritating,

" Bane expressed himself and my eyes went wide,

"if you would stop trying to keep your point so stubbornly it will be much easier for you to listen to your heart. That is more important for you because your brain doesn't work well with trust.

" He walked away as if he could just leave me like that. My jaw fell slack to the ground. How that actually stung because it was actually true. I could not even follow him. In mere seconds, Bane had flipped to his too honest side and plunged knives in my chest.

nI placed my hands over my chest,

"oh, that hurt.

"

nMy eyes turned to the stairs, and neither Fang nor Hailey was still there. I walked ahead to the sofa in the corner because now I was actually spent, since I couldn't even interact with people. Bane was actually right, though. It was a habit of mine to stand with a strong head with my opinion. Maybe I should just let go. It wasn't like that was exactly benefiting me. I guess it was some defensive behavior. Well, I did not want to face why it was there, but changing it could always work.

n

"Why so gloomy? Missing your boyfriend?

" I heard Hailey's voice and my heart jumped in my chest.

nI took a deep breath before getting up,

"this is boring.

"

nHailey snickered,

"so missing him it is.

" I rolled my eyes at her. She had this thing of poking her nose in other's business. Specifically, love life.

"Did you have drinks? That could have helped,

" she said,

"maybe talking with others and sharing the dance floor.

"

n

"How did you meet and greet go?

" I asked.

nIf I didn't stop her, she would usually keep going. Hailey pursed her lips in disappointment,

"it went well. He did not talk about it, but Fang did the work.

"

n

"So you know where your family is now?

" I asked.

nIt was a little relieving to hear that. It had been some time since we were here and the main mission had almost bounced off my head. Bringing Zelda back to Winterwells. I doubted her family would let her go so easily if they have her, but I hope Hailey did that job for me. Over it all, she also might not be with her family right now. But I needed to take this bet. As for Hailey's wedding, I don't know how things were going to work out. I doubted I would wait for it, though.

nThe sooner I took Zelda back with me, the sooner I can pressure the elders in Winterwells to end the feud. It wasn't going to be a short task anyway.

nHailey sighed before she interlocked her arm in mine and made me walk with her,

"well we got it, but seems like Fang is adamant about keeping that information to himself.

"

n

"Fair enough, you might run away,

" I was quick with my reply.

nHailey acted as if she was hurt by my statement,

"have I tried it yet?

"

nI rolled my eyes before stopping and getting my hand out of her hold.

"Look Hailey, it doesn't matter how you have been in the past 2-3 days. It's just who you are. I guess he isn't foolish enough to trust you over your recent actions.

" Her sudden friendliness was not something that was going to erase what she was. An assassin and a deceiving individual. To my surprise, Hailey did not deny nor accept that fact.

n

"I see,

" Hailey said as if she was analyzing the situation,

"that is actually fair.

"

nHow did she change so much?

n

"That reminds me, I will need a bridesmaid for my wedding. You are going to be my best woman,

" Hailey winked. My face had a big question mark plastered on it. Hailey's brides- best woman?

nI scrunched my face,

"you don't have to do that for trust purposes-

"

nHailey patted my shoulder, her hand a little colder on my bare skin.

"Selene, you are the only one I have. Besides, if you see my other option is my sister, I definitely don't want that,

" Hailey rolled her eyes in disgust.

"Okay, so it is done, then. Now go, Fang, is waiting for you at the balcony,

" Hailey pushed me by my shoulders,

"go up the stairs and take a right.

"

n

"W-w-wait,

" I stuttered at the loss of words,

"I can't-

"

nHailey stopped pushing me and by the time I looked back, she was already gone. I saw her retreating figure at the far end before she hugged Bane. That girl has no right to be this fast!

nI sighed, looking at both of them. They needed their time, and I wasn't going to spoil it when they had just found each other. They needed their own space. About the bridesmaid thing, it can be sorted in the next two days. I turned to the stairs and climbed up to take a right turn. There was a guard standing on the left side and I ignored him, just like I ignored the eyes of the people when I climbed the stairs. I walked ahead to a dead end. Okay, where was I supposed to find this balcony now?

nI bit into the inside of my cheek as I grabbed the hem of my dress and walked through the dimly lit corridor on the left.

nAt the end, there was yet again a dead end.

nIn front of me was a wall with an almost camouflaged wooden door. I turned the handle and a soft cold breeze brush past me. Goosebumps washed over my body with my shoulders already bare. When I opened the door completely, I saw a seemingly small yet well-concealed balcony. Fang was standing at the far end, by the railing and when I stepped outside, he turned to me.

n

"Can you close the door behind you?

" Fang asked.

nThis was an extremely private place. The balcony had many pillars and a large shade to cover anyone standing here. I turned around and closed the door without hesitation.

nThere was something at the bottom of my stomach that made me feel giddy and nervous at the same time. After the door clicked as a sign that it was locked, I turned back to Fang. How far I had come with being comfortable around this man? He had covered half the distance and walked ahead to cover the rest. He bent a little to reach for my hand and brought it to his lips,

"should we continue where we left off?

"

nA smile spread across my lips, which I tried to hold back so hard. I nodded,

"sure, but here? Without music?

"

nFang brought my left hand to rest on his shoulder and this time he stepped forward to hold my waist and pull me closer to him. I sucked a sudden breath with his pull. He asked for my right hand and I placed it in his open palm.

"I don't think music means anything when there is such a beautiful dance partner,

" Fang said before he started swaying slowly.

nI couldn't help but giggle,

"maybe you can sing a song to go along.

"

nFang let out a breathy laugh,

"I am sure a man of many talents, but art isn't my area of expertise.

"

nMy eyes went wide,

"Are you admitting defeat this easily?

"

nFang swirled me around, increased his pace. I matched him without getting my eyes away from him. He brought my right hand to rest on his shoulder before his other arm curved around my waist as well. There was so much tension in the air, but I was loving everything that was happening. For a while, I was thinking it was my wolf acting up again, but then I concluded this was my voice. I wanted this for a long time and this time I was done running. From myself and from my heart. I stepped ahead to rest the side of my head over his chest.

nHe held me snuggly against him before finally deciding to answer me,

"I will lose a thousand times if I am up against you. Though I doubt even you could sing any well.

"

nIt immediately had me snicker before I leaned back to take a look at him.. Things weren't going to be the same for me anymore.

n