Chapter 115 115- Do Not Let Him Take You To His Lair
LEXI
This room is the most insane thing I have ever seen. Floor–to–ceiling shelves line every wall, each one piled high with gold, gemstones, and objects that look so expensive I don’t even have the vocabulary to describe them properly. It’s not organised in any normal way either, it’s not like a museum display or a shop. It’s… Abundance. Excess. The shelves aren’t just full, they’re overflowing, like there’s simply too much to contain neatly. Coins spill over the edges, gemstones catch the light in sharp, glittering flashes, and there are entire sections where things have just been stacked in loose, glittering piles instead of placed with any order. There’s a literal treasure chest off to one side, the kind you would expect to see in a storybook, except it’s real, and it’s filled to the brim, gold coins and jewellery practically spilling out of it. In the corners of the room, more treasures are stacked in uneven heaps, like there wasn’t enough
space on the shelves and Blake just… Put them wherever they would fit. One entire section is dedicated to books, old, leather–bound, intricately detailed volumes that look ancient and valuable, the kind of books that probably cost more than an average car each. Some of them are stacked horizontally, others
upright, a few wedged in wherever there was space. The room itself isn’t small either. It’s probably about the size of the potions lab, which means there is
an absurd amount of wealth packed into this one space alone. And what really makes my brain struggle to catch up is the realisation that this is just one
room. There were at least a dozen doors down that hallway. At least. I knew Blake had a lot, I knew dragons hoarded things, but I don’t think I ever really
understood what that meant in a practical sense. I still don’t think I do. It’s too much. Too big. Too impossible to properly process all at once. I turn slowly
to look at Blake, still trying to wrap my head around it all, my thoughts lagging behind what I’m seeing.
“Woah. This is… A lot. Is this seriously all yours?” I breathe. He nods like I just asked him something completely ordinary.
“Three of the vaults down here are mine.” He says, turning to close the door firmly behind us. The sound of the lock clicking into place feels heavy, final.
“The rest belong to my parents.” He adds. I blink, glancing back at the shelves, then toward the door, trying to mentally picture the scale of that. Three
rooms like this. Just his.
“It’s interesting that you have your hoards in the same place, but also… Separate?” I say slowly, still staring around.
“Traditionally, when a dragon passes, their children inherit.” Blake explains easily, like he’s talking about something completely normal..
“It’s easier to keep everything in one location. But none of us want the others touching our hoards, so they’re kept separate.” He says it so casually. So
matter–of–fact. Like that’s just how things are.
“I have no reason to steal from my parents, it will all be mine one day.” He continues, I freeze slightly at that.
“I suppose they could steal from me, but that would only give me reason to speed up my Inheritance, so it’s not likely.” He adds with a small shrug. I stare at him. The way he says it. The complete lack of hesitation. The total absence of emotion. It’s not angry. It’s not bitter. It’s just… Factual. Like his parents aren’t really parents to him. Not in the way I understand that word. More like… Distant figures, Obstacles. Future assets. People he doesn’t particularly care about. I feel something shift in my chest at that realisation. I think I can officially give up on the idea of Blake introducing me to them anytime soon.
“So… I guess you brought me here because it’s safe.” I say, glancing around the room again, still a little overwhelmed but starting to settle now that we’ve stopped moving.
“Yes.” Blake answers. Simple. Certain. Of course it is. I turn back to him, a small smile tugging at my lips despite everything that just happened.
“I really appreciate that you trust me enough to bring me here.” I tell him honestly. This… This is private. Important. This isn’t just a place, it’s his Something he doesn’t share with just anyone. He smiles back at me, easy and unguarded.
“I trust you.” He says confidently. The words land warm in my chest. For a second, I forget everything else, the panic, the running, the way he looked outside. I just feel… Close to him. Important to him. I have to actively resist the urge to step forward and kiss him. Actually… I still might. But first, I force
myself to stay practical. Just for a minute.
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8:17 pm P
Chapter 115 115- Do Not Let Him Take You To His Lair
“Thanks.” I say, taking a breath.
“So… What exactly is the plan? Are we waiting for something? I could call Layla or Principal Istvan and find out what’s going on back there and“– 1 freeze.
“Oh damn. I left my phone on my desk when we left.” I groan. Of course I did. I let out a frustrated breath, rubbing my forehead.
“Well that sucks… Do you have your phone? I want to at least text Ellorie to make sure she’s okay.” I tell him. Blake shakes his head.
“No.” He answers. I blink.
“Oh. You don’t have yours with you?” I ask.
“No.” He says again, but this time his tone shifts slightly.
“I mean, you can’t contact her.” He tells me. I pause. Something about that feels… Off.
“Huh? Why not?” I ask, frowning slightly. Blake’s expression has changed. The warmth is gone. Completely. His face is hard now. Focused. That same
intensity from earlier creeping back into his eyes.
“It’s not safe. I can’t trust her.” He says. My stomach drops.
“What do you mean?” I ask, slower now.
“Someone told the hunters that we weren’t drugged. We can’t trust her. Or Layla. Or anyone.” He says, voice firm, controlled. There’s no hesitation. No
doubt.
“I need to keep you safe.” He adds. Something twists in my chest.
“I trust them.” I say quietly.
“I don’t.” He answers flatly. The finality in his tone makes something cold settle in my stomach. I swallow.
“Then… What’s the plan? We just wait here for who knows how long and then go back?” I ask carefully.
“The plan is you stay here. Where you’re safe.” He says. My chest tightens,
“Yeah, but for how long?” I press.
“You’ll be safe here. He repeats. He didn’t answer the question. My eyes narrow slightly.
“For how long, Blake?” I ask again, more firmly now. His jaw tightens.
“As long as it takes for me to be sure you’re completely safe.” He responds. The words hit like a weight dropping.
“I’ll never be completely safe. Not when I am what I am, you know that!” I say, my voice rising despite myself. He doesn’t respond. Doesn’t soften.
“I’ll be stuck here forever.” I add, the realisation sinking in, cold and suffocating.
“Then you stay here forever!” He snaps. The words hit harder than anything else. I go completely still. He has never raised his voice at me like that before Not once. The silence that follows is heavy. I take a slow breath, forcing myself to stay calm, even as something inside me starts to crack.
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Chapter 115 115- Do Not Let Him Take You To His Lair
“I can’t stay here, Blake.” I say, keeping my voice as even as I can.
“Yes, you can.” He replies immediately.
“I’ll bring in whatever you need.” He continues, like he’s already planned this.
“Clothes. Books. Food. Anything. When I’m not with you, you’ll be safe down here. When I am here, you can stay upstairs. You can have a guest room, they never get used anyway. Or you can use my room if you prefer it.” He says it like it’s reasonable. Like it’s generous. Like this is some kind of solution.
“It’s not a matter of logistics. I can’t stay here.” I say, shaking my head slightly.
“Yes. You can.” He answers.
“I won’t stay here, Blake!” I snap, the frustration finally breaking through.
“Yes, you will.” His voice is firm. Final. My jaw drops slightly, and I take an instinctive step back from him. That… That wasn’t concern. That was control.
“You can’t force me to stay here.” I say, my voice quieter now, but sharper. His breathing hitches for a moment.
“Yes, I can, I need you to be safe.” He says, his voice steady. Something inside me breaks.
“I’m not some trinket from your hoard that you can collect and lock away!” I snap, the words coming out harsher than I intend, my voice shaking with a mix of anger and something else, something colder. Fear.
“I’m a person, Blake! Not part of your collection!” I remind him angrily.
“I KNOW that!” He fires back.
“Do you? Because it really doesn’t sound like it!” I shoot back immediately.
“I am doing what I need to do to keep you safe!” He insists, but there’s something underneath it now, something tight, something strained. Fear. He’s scared. But he’s burying it under control. Under decisions. Under THIS. But it doesn’t make it right.
“Then stop!” I say, my voice breaking slightly now.
“Stop keeping me safe like this! Because I don’t want this! I don’t want to be safe like this!” I tell him.
“I can’t stop.” He says. Just that. Quiet and final. And somehow it’s worse than when he was yelling. Then he turns. Just turns away from me. Walks to the door. Opens it and leaves.
“Blake…” I start. I move after him instantly, panic flaring sharp and sudden in my chest, but before I can reach him, the door slams shut. Locks. The sound echoes through the room. And suddenly I’m alone. Locked away like the rest of his hoard.
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R Visitor
ohh he’s about to get several ears full whenever he returns!! as he deserves
3 days ago
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
