Page 45 of Contested Crown

“Maybe this is the best option we have.” Cade’s smile was morbid. “It would certainly answer all of our problems.”

“Would it?” I said sharply. “Would it really?”

“Leon would be too distracted by a war to focus on whatever he’s doing to werewolves,” Cade said. “I would have House Bartlett back.”

“But not really,” I pressed. “Not at all. It would belong to House Morrison.”

“Does itmatter?” Cade asked, the raw edge in his voice telling me exactly how much it mattered.

“Long live the king, on his stolen throne,” I said, unable to hide the bitterness in my voice.

Cade turned to glare at me, his lips pressed together so tightly they had no color at all. Howard opened the door.

“Have you had your time to think?” he asked.

“We need more time,” Cade bit out. “While I decide, I will accept sanctuary at your house.”

“Wonderful!” Howard clapped his hands. “Caroline, if you would?”

“Of course.” Caroline smiled warmly. She stepped between me and Cade, resting a hand on our shoulders. Her magic swirled around us, a deep emerald green.

When it parted, we weren’t in Los Santos anymore.

ChapterFifteen

We appeared on a large, green lawn. Eucalyptus trees danced in the breeze to the left, and in front of us, the lawn broke off in a sharp cliff. The ocean spread out beyond it.

I squinted, looking to the north, but there was no sign of Los Santos. House Morrison was south of the city, although I wasn’t sure how far south or how much space it took up. My only real knowledge of it was from the map that Sonja had shown at the council meeting what seemed like eight hundred years ago.

When I turned around, the king’s massive house rose, blocking any view of what was beyond it. Enormous windows stretched on each of the three floors. It was painted white, blue accents making it look like a coastal home. I couldn’t see any other buildings, but if House Morrison was run anything like House Bartlett, there would be homes for other families elsewhere on the property.

“Prince Bartlett, welcome to House Morrison,” Howard said. There was a pause, and I saw Cade narrow his eyes.

“Are you offering us sanctuary?” Cade asked when the silence had stretched too long. “With the rules of hospitality in place?”

“I’m sure all that formal language isn’t necessary.” Caroline came close, tucking her hand in Cade’s elbow and pulling him toward the house. “House Morrison is very different from House Bartlett, but we’ll do our best to make you feel at home.”

“I thank you,” Cade said. He allowed Caroline to lead him into the house, and I trailed behind, reminded of learning at House Bartlett how wolves were expected to walk a half step behind their mages.

Elizabeth took position beside me, Phelan on my other side.

“You put up a good fight,” Elizabeth said. “Why didn’t you shift? Then it would have been a real competition.”

“I don’t like to draw attention.” I kept watching Cade’s back and fell into the habit I learned with Declan, playing slow and stupid until I had to be smart and fast. “Cade doesn’t like wolves.”

“I don’t imagine he does,” Phelan said. “And I imagine that House Bartlett is on the lookout for a mage and a wolf. Since that’s what ran away from their property.”

I grunted.

“Well, it’s good you didn’t shift. We don’t like shifting here either.” Elizabeth’s eyes were sharp, slicing through my façade.

“Good to know,” I said. “I’ll be careful.”

“As you are his consort, you’ll want to be put up in his room?” Phelan phrased it as a question, but I saw the threat in it.

They could pack me away with the servants, separate the two of us.

“Cade likes me close,” I mumbled. “I like to do what he says.”