Chapter 34

My eyes flutter open to a familiar ceiling. I’m in Roman’s house!

I try to sit up, but there’s a weight on my chest that keeps me down.

I attempt to push it off, but my hands are shackled. Just perfect.

I try to kick, but my ankles are also chained. I turn my head to the side.

There’s a bed, and Roman is sprawled out on it!

“Roman! Roman! Wake up!” He stirs and turns his head towards me.

His eyes slowly open. I give him a sad smile. He’s pale, and sweat is beading on his forehead; he’s really sick. He shakes his head.

“You’re not real! Go away! I don’t want you here.” His voice is weak, but his words slice through me.

“Roman, please. You’re sick.” He shakes his head again before turning away.

“Go away. I know you’re not real. Stop haunting me! I don’t want you. I don’t love you.” His words shatter me.

A single tear trickles down my cheek, and I turn my head to stare at the wall.

I nod, more to myself than to him. So he did reject me.

I hear the bedroom door open. I know it’s Jess by his scent.

I don’t turn my head to him. I don’t want to talk to him.

“Did he wake up?” I just nod, my teeth biting into my lip.

“Are you okay?” I nod again. I can hear him walk around the bed until he’s standing in front of me. I don’t look at him but keep staring at a spot on the wall.

“I’m sorry. He’s like a brother to me, I had no choice. He was going to die, Katelynn. I know you care about him. I know you love him, you don’t want him to die either.”

Tears are streaming down my face now. I do love him, despite everything.

Every time I look at him it’s like my heart is on fire, but I guess it burned too bright, because now my heart is just ashes.

“MERDA!” Jess and I turn our heads towards Roman at the same time.

Jess responds in Italian, and they seem to have a not-so-friendly discussion.

After a few minutes, I clear my throat loudly. Both men turn to look at me.

Jess looks at me with concern, but Roman looks at me with anger.

I shrink away from his gaze, pressing myself further into the mattress.

“You shouldn’t have come back. I told you to leave.” His words bring back the pain that was drowning me just minutes ago. I clench my teeth to stop myself from crying.

“You should have stayed with your family. As I am with mine.” This just stirs up anger in me. I keep my anger in check though.

“My life is worth something. I’d rather not die soon just because you’re a dumbass.”

The vein in Roman’s forehead starts to bulge in anger. His fists clench and unclench as his breathing becomes heavy. The door opens, but I can’t lift my head far enough to see who’s coming in.

“Hello, son. Good to see you’re up on your feet again.” The king’s voice sends chills down my spine.

Before I can stop it, a growl escapes from my throat. I see Roman stepping closer to the bed as the king’s footsteps echo loudly in my head.

“I am great, father. Thanks to my mate returning.” Roman's voice is devoid of emotion, tugging at my heartstrings.

The king walks around Roman, coming into my view. He looks down at me with a twisted smile.

“She did not come back, son. I brought her back. Katelynn, your trial is in an hour. I suggest you bathe beforehand, you smell.”

With those words, he turns around and walks away. I hear the jingling of keys before the door shuts.

Roman turns around to look at me, holding a set of keys. I can feel his anger through our bond.

I reach out to it, trying to delve deeper, but something that feels like a wall blocks his emotions from mine.

“He will not allow you to escape. Mother will not allow him to kill you, for it will kill me.” I shake my head, another tear sliding down my cheek.

Roman pauses from unlocking my chains to look at me.

“He has a spell. A spell that will keep you alive if I’d die.” Roman’s hands roughly unlock the chains.

I immediately rub my right wrist, trying to soothe some of the pain. I reach for my magic to heal, but it’s still silent inside.

“We have to help her escape.” I forgot Jess was in the room, his voice filled with panic. Roman slowly gets up and starts to walk away.

“Roman, she is your mate! We have to help her escape.” Roman stops walking.

I slowly sit up and study his back. His emotions crash into me with full force, making me gasp.

All he feels is anger and hate towards me. His emotions grip my heart and my mind.

I close my eyes and try to block it out. My body starts to shake as I fight against him.

Bit by bit, his emotions are pushed out. Sadness weighs on me like a heavy burden.

He doesn’t love me.

“She made her bed. Now she shall sleep in it.” The force with which he slams the door makes me jump. I slowly open my eyes, black spots clouding my vision. Jess's hand finds mine.

“He loves you, he does. He’s just angry at himself for letting it get this far, Kat. Don’t worry, I will help you. I won’t let anything happen to you.” I look up to see Jess's kind, concerned eyes studying me.

I manage to give him a small smile. Taking deep, even breaths, I push away my own feelings as I get up.

“I will be fine, Jess. I won’t let you get in trouble. I will figure something out.”

Jess starts to shake his head, but I raise a hand to stop him.

“Jess, I’ve got this under control, okay? Don’t go doing anything crazy. That’s just going to get you and Roman killed. If I’m not around anymore, Roman’s going to need someone.” Jess wraps his arms around me in a tight embrace, and I hug him back.

“You know, he was right. You do smell. Go take a shower.” He chuckles, but I can hear the forced humor in his voice.

Still, I nod and make my legs carry me towards the bathroom. No matter what happens next, no matter how much Roman despises me, at least he’s still alive.