Jewelry Box

Ch. 6 The Contract

Victoria

I stood at the entrance of the mansion, waiting for Alexander’s arrival. The air felt heavy with anticipation. Today—Friday—was the day he would meet with my father to finalize the contract.

I still couldn’t believe this was happening. Yet I understood why my father insisted. This was his way of protecting me, binding Alexander to our family, demanding his loyalty above all else.

The sharp whinny of a horse snapped me from my thoughts. Alexander’s carriage had arrived.

The coachman opened the door, and Alexander stepped out, adjusting his gloves with that effortless elegance of his.

My lips curved into a smile, and to my relief, he returned it warmly.

“Victoria,” he greeted, taking my hands and brushing his lips against them.

“Hi,” I whispered, shivering as the heat of his mouth lingered on my skin.

“Are you ready?” I asked, clearing my throat.

“Yes. Shall we?”

I nodded, guiding him inside.

His gaze followed me like a shadow, not once drifting to the grandeur of the mansion. His eyes studied me, and though soft, it made my pulse race.

I slowed and turned to face him.

“Why do you keep staring at me?”

“I’m not,” he replied smoothly.

My narrowed eyes told him I didn’t believe it, but he only looked ahead as we reached my father’s office.

The guards knocked twice, and the door opened.

“Welcome,” my father said, rising from his chair.

I stepped back, allowing Alexander to greet him.

“Duke,” Alexander said with a firm handshake, “a pleasure to see you again.”

My father acknowledged me with a smile and a brief hug, but his eyes flicked with mischief.

I caught Alexander’s jealous glance, and my lips twitched. My father clearly wasn’t planning to make this easy for him.

“Let’s sit,” I suggested quickly, tugging my father forward.

“I’ll get straight to the point,” my father said, signaling to his secretary. He left briefly, returning with a solemn priest at his side.

“Father?” I asked, rising in alarm as the priest approached. “What’s the meaning of this?”

“Calm down, Victoria.” My father’s tone was firm, unwavering. “He will serve as witness to the contract and the oath.”

The air thickened.

My father’s gaze fixed on Alexander like a challenge.

“I warned you about the contract,” he said coldly. “This time, I’ll include the oath. Duke Graham will pledge his loyalty to us.”

My hands clenched at my sides.

“You can’t be serious—”

“Fine,” Alexander interrupted, his voice calm.

“Alexander—” I began, desperate to stop this.

But he ignored me.

My father smirked, satisfied, and motioned for the secretary.

The parchment was laid on the table, glowing faintly with the magic woven into it. Rare and binding, a blood contract few could ever hope to possess.

“Father, wait,” I pleaded, grabbing his arm. “If you’re forcing him, I won’t allow this.”

“Am I forcing you, Duke?” my father asked.

Alexander’s calm smile landed on me, silencing the words on my tongue.

“No, he isn’t. It’s all right, Victoria.”

I wanted to protest, but the look he gave me said enough. Defeated, I turned away as he approached the table.

The priest began.

“Shall we start, gentlemen?”

With a nod, Alexander slit his palm, letting blood drip onto the parchment before signing.

The glowing intensified.

Then, as he repeated the priest’s oath, light filled the room, too bright, too fierce. Chains appeared from the magic itself, wrapping tight around Alexander’s neck. Gasps erupted.

He was bound. Like a dog on a leash.

“Stop!” I cried, rushing forward. But as soon as I stepped in front of him, the chains turned on me, snaking around my throat, yanking me down beside him.

“Victoria!” Alexander’s voice was sharp with fear as his arms caught me.

Pain radiated as the magic dug in, my strength draining from me in waves.

“What’s happening?” I gasped, trembling, while the priest only watched, fascinated.

“When the contract is sealed, the chains will vanish,” he said calmly.

Alexander’s growl was feral.

“When?”

The priest merely gestured as the glow reached its peak. The parchment flared, the words burned, and finally, mercifully, the light and chains dissolved.

I collapsed against Alexander, breathless, my body weak.

“Victoria,” my father’s voice cracked as he came to me. “Why would you—?”

“I had to,” I whispered.

Before my father could press further, Alexander scooped me into his arms.

“Wait!” I gasped, clinging to him in surprise.

“Excuse us,” he said curtly, striding from the office.

He carried me to a guest room, his jaw tense, his hold unyielding. Once the maid left us, he set me on the canopy bed, kneeling before me. His gloves came off, and his cool fingers brushed the tender skin of my throat.

“What are you doing?” I murmured, shivering under his touch.

His blue eyes met mine, blazing.

“Why did you do that, Victoria? Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?”

“Nothing happened,” I muttered weakly.

“You don’t get it, do you?” His voice broke, anger and something else trembling beneath it. His gaze burned into mine. “I’m bound to you.”

My breath caught.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re my contractor. Not your father.” His tone was low, raw. “My oath is with you.”

The weight of his words struck me. My laughter was nervous, disbelieving.

“You will be head of the family anyway,” he added, his voice darkening.

I swore under my breath and stormed from the room, needing answers. Not from him, but from the priest himself.