Chapter 40: Her scent
"How much you overestimate yourself, Belle. I chose the location long before knowing you would be tagging along," Quinn said, shaking his head at her assumption. Embarrassed for jumping to conclusions, Belle muttered a soft, "Oh," her cheeks warming in quiet shame.
Clearing her throat, she turned her gaze to the window, frowning as she silently chastised herself. This was Quinn, after all, why would he care about her preferences or her at all?
"We are here. Stay close to me unless you are with the King," he instructed, handing her a small dagger. Belle raised her head, her brows arching in question as their gazes met.
"Your loving husband can’t always protect you," he remarked, earning a frown from her.
"You are not my husband!" She snapped, assuming he was referring to himself. Quinn burst into laughter, clearly amused.
"I meant the King. You really should stop overthinking, it makes you look cute," he teased, dropping the dagger onto her lap before exiting the carriage, a rare warm smile gracing his lips.
Belle blinked in surprise. It had been a long time since she saw him smile like that, not since their first misunderstanding, which had begun barely a month into their marriage. Could that have been when it all started to fall apart?
"Are you getting down or just daydreaming?" Quinn’s voice broke through her thoughts as he lifted the curtain, extending a hand to help her out.
"Oh, right," she murmured, shaking off her reverie. She picked up the dagger and accepted his hand, stepping out of the carriage.