Nicholas’s POV
I helped Hazel climb down from the bed, holding her steady until her feet touched the floor. She still looked tired from everything she had been through, but her eyes were bright with curiosity. I took her hand, intertwining our fingers, and started leading her toward the door.
She followed me without question at first, trusting me completely. That trust made what I was about to do even harder.
We had just reached the door when I stopped. “One more thing,” I said softly.
I pulled a black blindfold from my pocket. Before she could ask what I was doing, I gently covered her eyes and tied it securely behind her head.
“Nicholas…?” Her voice held a mix of confusion and amusement.
“Follow my lead,” I whispered close to her ear, letting my breath brush her skin.
I kept a fir
