Page 88 of Knot Your Romeo

He smiles, liking my opinion, it seems. I hope it was enough to pacify him. I glance around the room. At the exposed wooden beams, stone fireplaces, and expensive furnishings. Everything creates the illusion of rustic luxury while serving as an elegant cage.

"Let me show you to your room," Blake says, placing a proprietary hand on my lower back. "I think you'll find it quite comfortable."

He leads me up a sweeping staircase to the second floor, then down a hallway lined with what look like guest rooms. At theend of the hall, he opens double doors to reveal a space that takes my breath away. The room is enormous, dominated by a massive four-poster bed draped in rich fabrics. But it's the spiral staircase in the corner that draws my attention—it leads up to what appears to be a reading loft with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the mountains.

"I designed this space especially for you," Blake says with genuine pride. "The loft has a complete library—I remembered how much you enjoyed reading as a child. I thought you might appreciate having a quiet space to retreat to."

The thoughtfulness of it makes my skin crawl. He's trying to create the perfect gilded cage, complete with amenities, to keep me docile and grateful. It feels very Beauty and the Beast, but I'll definitely not fall in love with him.

I do like the reading space but the bedroom is far too big.

In my room,I tell Jude silently.It's like something from a luxury hotel, but clearly designed to keep me here long-term. He's trying to make it appealing.

We're coming,Jude promises.Just hold on a little longer.

"I'd like to be alone for a while," I tell Blake, exhaustion seeping into my voice. "To process everything that's happened."

"Of course, darling. Rest is important." He moves toward the door, then pauses. "Dinner will be at eight. I'm having your favorite prepared—do you still love pasta carbonara?"

The fact that he remembers such a specific detail from my childhood makes my stomach turn. "Yes," I lie.

"Wonderful. I'll see you then."

The door closes behind him with a soft click, and I hear the unmistakable sound of a lock engaging.

I'm alone in my beautiful prison, surrounded by luxury and utterly trapped. I sink onto the edge of the massive bed, finally allowing myself to feel the full weight of my situation. The softmattress and expensive linens feel like what they are—comfort designed to make captivity bearable.

Jude?I reach out desperately.He's locked me in.

We know where you are now. Beck has people mobilizing. It won't be much longer.

The promise helps, but I can't shake the feeling that Blake is planning something immediately. He didn't bring me all this way just to let me settle in comfortably.

Footsteps in the hallway confirm my fears. The lock disengages, and Blake enters without knocking, his expression thoughtful.

"You know," he says conversationally, "I've been thinking about what you said earlier about not being special. When you know you're an Aurora Omega. And only Aurora Omega's have the ability to speak telepathically."

My blood turns to ice. "Blake—"

"It was odd for you to say that. Almost like you were trying to deflect from something real." He moves closer, his eyes never leaving my face. "Tell me, Emmie—can you speak telepathically?"

"That's ridiculous," I say, but I can hear the tremor in my own voice. "You're being paranoid."

"Am I?" He reaches out to stroke my cheek with false gentleness. "Because if you could do something like that, it would explain how certain people always seemed to know things they shouldn't. For instance. The reason why your mother finally believed you."

I jerk away from his touch. "You're losing your mind if you think—"

The slap comes without warning, sharp enough to snap my head sideways and bring tears to my eyes. The taste of blood fills my mouth. I spit it onto the pristine floor.

"Don't lie to me," Blake hisses. "I can always tell when you're lying. You have the same look you've had since you were fourteen—that little flutter in your left eyelid."

Jude,I call out silently, panic flooding through our bond.He knows. He knows about my telepathy.

Stay calm. We're almost there.

Blake studies my face intently, watching for some sign of mental communication. When I don't immediately respond, his expression grows suspicious.

"You're doing it right now, aren't you? Talking to someone." His voice drops to a whisper. "Who is it, Emmie? Who did you call?"

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