chapter twelve

Nikolas' POV

The vehicle rolled to a stop, the hum of the engine fading into the thick silence of the forest. I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding in my ears as I looked around. The place felt strange isolated, yet structured. It wasn't some hidden cave or abandoned cabin in the woods like I had expected.

Instead, it looked like an estate. Rows of houses stood not far from each other, each with a sturdy build, but they weren't exactly close either. Bushes and tall trees surrounded the area, making it feel like a secluded world of its own. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, mixed with something else something that made my skin crawl.

I turned to Caspian, my fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt as I fought the urge to bolt. "Where is this?" My voice was hoarse, wary.

Caspian met my gaze, something unreadable in his expression. "A safe place," he said simply.

Safe. I wanted to laugh at the word. Nothing about this felt safe. I had no idea where I was or who these people really were. My body ached, my arm throbbed, and my mind screamed at me to run. But where? Into the trees? I wouldn't last long, not with the way Caspian and his people moved. They would find me before I even made it past the first row of houses.

I clenched my jaw, pushing down the panic bubbling in my chest. Lara jumped out first, stretching her arms with a dramatic sigh. "Home sweet home," she said, throwing a glance at me before smirking at Caspian. "You better keep an eye on him. He looks like he's about to bolt."

I stiffened at her words, forcing myself to stay still even as my instincts screamed otherwise. Caspian stepped out next, and I hesitated, gripping the edge of the seat. His hand extended toward me, palm up an invitation, not a demand. But I wasn't stupid. I knew what this was.

Reluctantly, I got out of the vehicle, ignoring his offered hand. My legs were shaky, exhaustion weighing me down, but I straightened my posture and scanned my surroundings again.

There were people here. I could feel their eyes on me. From behind the houses, through the windows, hidden in the shadows. I wasn't sure if they were watching out of curiosity or suspicion, but it didn't matter. I was trapped.

Ronan shut the car door behind me, his sharp gaze flickering over me before he turned to Caspian. "You should take him inside before the others get too interested," he muttered.

Caspian nodded, placing a hand on the small of my back to guide me forward. I flinched at the touch but didn't protest.

For now, I had no choice but to follow.

I was being pulled forward, my feet dragging against the ground as we moved through narrow passages. The scent of unfamiliar bodies and faint traces of burning wood filled my senses. I could feel the weight of curious stares pressing in from all sides watchful, analyzing, as if they were trying to figure out what I was doing here.

I kept my head down, trying to ignore them. But my body was weak, my steps uneven. My vision blurred for a moment, and before I could steady myself, my foot caught on an uneven stone.

I stumbled, my balance slipping.

Before I could hit the ground, strong hands caught me, steadying me with frustrating ease. Caspian's grip was firm but gentle, his fingers warm against my skin.

"Easy, love," he murmured, amusement lacing his voice. "Wouldn't want you falling on your face now."

Heat flared in my chest anger, embarrassment, something I couldn't name. I scowled, my body tense as I shoved his arm away with my own.

"Don't call me that," I snapped, my voice sharp despite how hoarse it was.

Caspian just chuckled, unfazed, his eyes glinting with something infuriatingly smug. "As you wish, princess."

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to take steady steps on my own. I hated this—hated how weak I felt, how easily he handled me, how he acted like he already had some claim over me.

The murmurs around us grew louder as we passed more people. Their gazes flicked between Caspian and me, their curiosity undeniable. Some looked surprised, others intrigued, and a few held an expression I couldn't quite decipher.

I gritted my teeth, pushing forward despite the way my body screamed in protest. I didn't know where we were going, but I knew one thing I had to find a way out.

We stepped into the room, and I immediately froze. It was big too big. Luxurious. The kind of space that felt too refined, too deliberate. A soft, expensive-looking bed sat in the center, the sheets untouched and pristine. The air smelled of something warm and woodsy, and the lighting was soft, casting golden hues over everything.

Panic crept in. Now it was just him and me.

I swallowed hard, my back stiffening as I turned to Caspian, who shut the door behind him with an almost lazy ease. My pulse pounded against my ribs, the silence stretching between us.

"I won't hurt you, Niki," he said, his voice softer than I expected.

I flinched at the nickname, my eyes narrowing in warning, but he didn't react to my glare. He just stood there, watching me not with mockery or amusement this time, but something deeper. Something that looked dangerously close to... love.

No. Not love. That wasn't possible.

"You want to shower? Change?" Caspian asked, stepping toward the closet and pulling out some fresh clothes. He turned back to me, holding them out. "Come on, Nikolas. If I wanted to hurt you, I would have already. I won't hurt you. Okay?"

His words made sense. But my instincts screamed at me not to trust him. Not to let my guard down.

I hesitated, my gaze flickering toward the bathroom. A shower. Clean clothes. A chance to gather myself, to think.

Caspian sighed, stepping closer, but not touching me. "Please," he said simply. "You need to take care of yourself."

I exhaled shakily, eyes still locked on his. I didn't trust him. But I was exhausted, and right now, fighting him wasn't an option.

Without a word, I grabbed the clothes from his hands and walked toward the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

I stepped out of the bathroom, my hair damp, water dripping down my neck. The clothes Caspian had given me were soft and warm, but they felt strange on my skin like they didn't belong to me. Like I didn't belong here.

Caspian was lounging on the bed, propped up on one elbow, watching me with that unreadable expression of his.

I hesitated. My eyes darted around the room, looking for another place to sleep. Anywhere but beside him.

"Where do I sleep?" I asked.

Caspian raised a brow and then, deliberately, glanced at the bed.

I immediately shook my head. "No, no, no. I can't sleep beside you."

His lips twitched, amused, but he didn't argue.

"Then I'll sleep on the floor," I muttered, stepping toward a space by the wall.

Caspian let out an exaggerated sigh and rolled his eyes before pushing himself off the bed. He strolled over to the chair by the window and sat down, stretching his legs out. "Fine. Go to bed, princess."

I scowled at the nickname but was too tired to fight him on it. Slowly, I climbed onto the bed, stiff and cautious, like the sheets might trap me.

Silence settled between us.

I stared at the ceiling for a long moment before finally speaking, my voice barely above a whisper. "Caspian?"

He hummed in response.

"Please… take me home." My voice cracked, the exhaustion creeping in. "Why am I here?"

I turned my head to look at him, and for the first time, I saw something shift in his expression. A flicker of hesitation. Maybe even regret.

"You are home, Nikolas," he said finally, his voice quiet. Firm.

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening.

No. No, this wasn't home.

This was a cage.