Page 35 of Exiled Heir

He glared at me, the frustration evident. I didn’t rise to the bait.

Instead, I turned back to Cade. “Is that what you want from me? To meet your every need? To give you the last drop of water if I was dying of thirst?”

Cade didn’t respond for a long minute, and then he put down his silverware, placing his palms flat on the table. “Leon. I appreciate your advice and your dedication to House Bartlett, but I will be managing my consort any way I choose.”

“My prince—” Leon stopped when Cade held up a hand.

“This is not up for discussion. You have served me and my father well. You are the seneschal of House Bartlett, so I understand your concerns. But I am the prince. My decisions are final.”

Silence fell over the table, and I looked up to see Isaac smirking, even as Leon frowned.

He shook his head. “All I care for is this house.”

“No one is saying you don’t,” Cade said.

Before he could say anything else, servants entered quietly, taking away the dinner plates and replacing them with desserts from a tray. It was a chocolate mousse, whipped so perfectly that the ripples in it looked like waves in the ocean. When I used the small spoon provided to take a bite, my taste buds came alive, the sugary sweet cut with a salty caramel layer underneath. I took another spoonful immediately.

“I understand,” Leon said with a sigh. He turned to me, and I couldn’t read the emotion behind his eyes, although his mouth was pulled in a tight, flat line. “Should you need any help, any explanation, anything to make your job easier, don’t hesitate to ask.”

I raised my eyebrows at the quick turn. Swallowing the dessert in my mouth, I nodded. “Thank you.”

“You’ll need some help orienting yourself,” Jay said quietly. “I’m sure Prince Bartlett will be too busy, but I’ll come get you first thing in the morning and give you a tour of the estate.”

I offered a genuine smile. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

The corner of Jay’s lips lifted, but he hid it by eating another spoonful of dessert.

I expected the rest of the meal to focus on other topics. There had to be something other than Cade’s bad life choices that they wanted to talk about. But, to my surprise, the rest of the meal was nearly silent.

There was one question I had, and I waited until Leon was scraping the last bite of mousse out of his bowl.

“Why is it important that I was unbonded when I arrived? Cade said he wanted me to come so that I could meet everyone. To see if I could fill the role of his consort before we bonded permanently.” I remembered how insistent Cade had been. There was clearly something here I wasn’t understanding, and I didn’t like it.

Leon set down his spoon. But when he raised his chin, he wasn’t looking at me. “The last time unbonded wolves set foot on this property was eleven years ago, when they killed Prince Bartlett’s parents.”

My stomach dropped out. I knew the story. It was impossible not to. But something in me wanted to hear this man’s version of it. How twisted would it be? How wrong?

“The alpha who wanted to become the ‘Emperor Wolf’”—the disdain dripped off Leon’s words—“answered an invitation from King Bartlett and his wife. She arrived with her partner ashonored guestsof House Bartlett. King Bartlett wished to havepeace; he wished to showkindness. The wolves stayed two nights. On the second, just after midnight, they snuck through the house and killed Prince Bartlett’s parents. Prince Bartlett was there. It was only my quick thinking that saved him. That is why we do not allow unbonded wolves anywhere on the property. Any unbonded wolves found will be killed immediately.”

Cade had gone so white his skin almost matched his hair. I couldn’t look away from the expression on his face, as though some long-distant fear had been brought back to the surface.

When I tore my eyes away, looking back at Leon, his face was almost expressionless. Then he turned to me, and I saw that hint of a sneer lingering on his lip. “Any more questions, Consort Bartlett?”

I shook my head. Something clattered, Cade’s metal spoon falling against the porcelain bowl. He stood.

“My consort and I are going to retire.”

He was out the door quickly, but I managed to grab my last bite of dessert and stand in the same movement.

“Thanks for the food,” I said. “My compliments to the chef and all. I’ll see you in the morning, Jay.”

I strode after Cade, catching up with him quickly. He didn’t say anything until we were back in his room. I turned to close the door behind me but felt something shoot over my shoulder. A bolt of magic slammed the door shut.

When I turned around, Cade’s face had gone red. “Howdareyou?”

ChapterThirteen

Frowning, I crossed my arms, leaning back against the door. “You’re going to have to be more precise. There’s a lot of things I dare to do that I’m sure aren’t your cup of tea.”