Page 82 of Ascendant King

Standing, I turned away from them, murmuring in Cade’s ear, “I don’t think they know where Leon is. If they did, they would be bargaining.”

Cade grimaced, nodding. “Then we need to start the ritual. The longer we keep Bartlett mages suckling at the teat of poisoned milk, the more danger we are all in.”

“What ritual?” one of the mages shouted. It was clearly an attempt at a demand, but his voice went up at the end, the fear cracking his resolve.

“It should be done in one of the places of power.” Petrona spoke from the ground, struggling to her feet. Her cane was cracked but still held her weight.

“The council room is completely overtaken. I don’t want to risk traveling to any of the other places of power only to find myself trapped there. We’ll do it here.” Cade looked around the room. “I need privacy.”

His eyes flew to me, as chill and calm as ever, but underneath, I saw fear simmering. I nodded.

Glancing at Nia, I said, “Get the mages out of here. Put them with the wolves that we captured earlier and assign someone to watch them. Petrona, Sonja, head to the ballroom. See if any of the mages there can help you with Tyson.”

Within a minute, the room was clear, the click of Petrona’s cane loud as it receded down the hallway. I closed the door behind them, turning to stare at Cade.

“Are you all right?”

His shoulders hunched, his expression dropping. I hadn’t realized how tense he was holding himself until all of it drained out, revealing the frightened, exhausted man underneath.

“I really didn’t want the crown. Thatwasn’twhy I was doing this. That wasn’t why I dragged your people into this.”

Shaking my head, I let my lip quirk up into a smile. “No, but you have to admit, it sure does look good on you.”

He still wore the crown made of his black magic, the dark lines moving with him, fluttering like shadows. Raising an eyebrow, he straightened slightly. “Yes, well, that’s why I’m doing this. For the fashion.”

“You know,Voguesays reluctant royal is completely in this year.” I smirked. “And you wear it so well, Cade, King of House Bartlett.”

Cade rolled his eyes, but I could see his smile, despite how much he was fighting it. When he looked at me, his eyes curved down. “Areyouall right?”

“Sure. Fighting a half dozen super-strong mages, all in the Emperor Wolf’s day. Next on my agenda, I’m taking on a fairynest and a pride of gargoyles.” I tried to smile, but Cade’s words reminded me of every bruise, every place that magic had sliced through my skin. Blood trailed down my back, and I didn’t even remember when I had gotten a cut on my shoulder.

“Let’s get this over with, then I can heal you.” Cade closed his eyes. I watched as he frowned, his lips moving silently. Around him, the entire room went still, even the dust motes freezing in the air.

When I tried to breathe, it felt as though I was inhaling concrete. No, not concrete. I was breathing mud, a thick sludge that filled up my lungs, not letting in any oxygen.

I felt a twang, like a guitar string breaking, snapping against my hand.

“Stop.” I heard the word distantly and almost turned my head to find out who was still in the library with us, but I knew who had said the word.Ihad said it.

“Stop.” I was suddenly in front of Cade, my hand reaching for his throat. At the last second, I forced myself to grab his arm instead.

Cade’s eyes flew open, black as empty space, dotted with fine white stars. He frowned, trying to pull his hand loose.

“Miles?” He spoke from a distance.

“You need to stop. Something is wrong.” Even as I said the words, I pushed him back, pressing his arm against his chest and driving him into the wall.

“Miles.” Cade frowned at me, bringing his free hand up to cover mine. “You need to let me go.”

I closed my eyes, willing myself to feel only the heat of his fingers on mine, the pressure of his skin, the knowledge that he was touching me, hewantedto touch me. I struggled, trying to feel the memory of his lips on mine.

Instead, I felt a throb in my blood, the flow of something beneath my skin that pulsed and contorted.

“I won’t let you do it.” I glared at him, tightening my grip on his arm.

He hissed in pain. “Miles!”

Something twisted over my own wrist, a tightening of magic against my skin.Let him go, Basil hissed.You aren’t yourself.