Page 29 of Contested Crown

“I wouldn’t exactly call Krista my friend,” I said. “Associate, maybe.”

Cade raised his eyebrow, and I shrugged. “Either way, I’ve never heard of a house purchasing mages before.”

“Yeah, you’re only supposed to buy wolves.” I couldn’t help the bitterness in my voice. “After all, you can’t collar a mage.”

Cade frowned, his lips pursed. “No. You can’t.”

There was almost a question mark at the end of the sentence, a lingering uncertainty that I wanted to dig into, but before I could, Cade changed the subject.

“You want Declan.”

His words were so sharp and unexpected that I pulled up short. “What?”

“You want Declan Monroe. Everyone but me seems to get that. Your car guy. Your forger. You don’t care about me or Leon at all. You want to use me to get closer to Declan.” Cade raised his chin, daring me to contradict him.

I laughed, the sharp bark more an exhale than an actual laugh. “Are you kidding me?”

“You want your own throne. Declan’s throne.” Cade threw it in my face, and I had known as soon as Rick said it that Cade wouldn’t be able to let it go. I was surprised he had held off this long.

“I could have dumped you as soon as we got out of House Bartlett.” I raised my chin. “But I didn’t.”

“Because I was useful, just like she is.” Cade’s eyes glinted, a challenge. I realized what he really wanted.

“I don’t want Declan’s throne,” I said. “And I’m not just keeping you close because you are useful. Frankly, the past few weeks, you haven’t been much use at all.”

“A pawn is still useful in the right circumstance,” Cade countered.

“You aren’t a pawn, Cade. And this isn’t a game. I’m with you because I—” The end of that sentence was two words I wasn’t willing to say, not with Cade as sharp as an iceberg and twice as cutting as glass. “I’m with you because we’re partners. We’re in this together. You said you understood.”

Cade deflated, turning to stare at the wall. “What kind of prince doesn’t even know this is going on? I’m not worthy. You deserve a partner who is your equal.”

I blinked, the conversation taking such a sharp left turn that I was left with my mouth hanging open.

“What?” It was all I could manage.

“You have all these high ideals—you want to find out what Leon is up to. You want to stop whatever he’s doing against werewolves. Even taking down Declan makes you a better person than me. All I want is my life of privilege back.” He spat the words, disdainful.

I looked back at the wall, my eyes tracing the magic. “No, I don’t think you do. I think you see that magic, and you’re as worried as I am about the werewolves. You see that, and for the first time in your life, you’re worried about someone else.”

Cade blinked, gaping at me.

“You can’t pretend with me, Cade Bartlett. I see you.” I stared into his eyes, just as sharp, but the blades weren’t turned toward me anymore. They were turned inward, where he wasn’t ready to defend himself. “I know who you are.”

“I’m not anybody.” Cade shook his head sharply. “Everyone is right. I’m just the ice prince. What would I even do with the throne?”

I reached out, tracing my fingers over his throat. He inhaled sharply, his eyes flying to mine. His lips fell open, his tongue sweeping out.

“What would you do with all that power?” I countered.

For a second, I imagined Cade sitting insouciantly on a throne, knees spread, spine slouched, me kneeling between his thighs.

“Protect these mages,” Cade said, his eyes drawn back to the wall. “They don’t deserve whatever is going on.”

“Yeah.” I blinked, the image of Cade on his throne disappearing.

“You’re going to help me,” Cade said. The words were an order, but when I looked at him, it was more of a challenge than a command.

Partners, I tried to tell myself, even as I could feel the echo of Cade’s collar around my neck. What kind of partner also wanted that edge, that moment of possession? Or, not exactly possession, but that moment of utter belonging. As though I belonged to Cade, but he was alsomine.