Aiden

I grabbed the bag a little tighter, attempting not to change my mind. Emotions weren't supposed to be forced. I was supposed to like her. I did find a few qualities of hers to be attractive. Belle was a beautiful woman. If she hadn't been given to me, I was sure she might have been engaged to a proper suitor by now. Weeks had passed after our argument in my study, we've oft met on the staircase going our separate ways, the look of boredom becoming more prominent in her eyes everyday. Apart from the constant teasing from my brother, no one else spoke with her. Not even me.

I didn't think I'd end up avoiding her, in my eyes she was nothing more than a human, the small possession of exchange between our races to keep my agreement in check. I hadn't thought about her feelings or what she would have wanted. I didn't expect that she would have liked us in any way.

In the last few days, she hasn't left her room, nor ventured near the garden. The idea slightly disturbed me. Knowing she was u