“I’m sure they don’t make candles that smell like sweaty werewolves,” Cade said sharply.
I chuckled. “That just shows what you know. They modeled the entire ‘Mountain Man’ Yankee Candle line after me.”
“Questionable candle scents aside, will you be okay today?” Cade looked me over, a small frown pinching his brows.
“Are you worried about me? Or your investment?” I asked.
“Well, if you get yourself killed, I won’t have to pay you five hundred thousand dollars. Perhaps thatwouldbe a win.” But Cade wasn’t smiling, the corners of his lips pulled down.
“You might not believe this, but I survived a full twenty-seven years before we met. I’m pretty sure I can survive a tour of your expensive property.” I matched his frown. “What are you worried about? What do I need to be on alert about?”
“It isimperativethat no one finds out we aren’t bonded. The more I think about it, Leon’s words were a warning. If we give him evidence, he will have no choice but to execute you.” Cade’s eyes drifted to my throat, covered by the high-necked shirt.
“I heard his warning loud and clear too. I have no desire to be killed by an octogenarian. I’ll be fine.” I opened my mouth, but before we could say anything else, there was a tentative knock at the door.
ChapterFourteen
Isniffed the air, but that was the strangest part, not being able to smell through whatever wards Cade had put in place.
“Prince Bartlett? Miles?” I recognized the hesitance in Jay’s voice immediately.
“I’ll let you know if any poisoned apples fall from the tree,” I said. “Wouldn’t want to end up with a Snow White situation on our hands. Just to be clear, you’re Snow White here.”
“Which makes you which one of the dwarves? Grumpy? Ugly?” Cade snarked.
When I opened the door, Jay was standing a few feet back from the doorway. His shoulders relaxed when he saw me, and he smiled.
I looked over my shoulder to where Cade was still standing, frowning at me. Something tightened in my chest, and I said, “Be careful not to get killed today. It would look really bad if you died my first day as your consort.”
“Oh, I’m sure Leon would give you a tremendous reference,” Cade said. His mouth was still tense, but I saw a crinkle in the corner of his eyes, as though there was a smile there.
“Yeah, probably a reference as target practice.” I turned back to Jay and saw him frowning at me. Shutting the door behind me, I ran a hand through my hair. “Sorry. We were in the middle of a discussion.”
“No. It’s that Cade doesn’t joke. He’s cold…” Jay trailed off, shaking his head. “Never mind. Has anyone shown you the house yet?”
“No, Cade and I have been preoccupied.” I walked next to Jay, catching his elbow when he stumbled on the perfectly smooth carpet. He gave me a wide-eyed look, and I made a face. “I just mean we haven’t left the bedroom much, except to go to dinner with you guys.”
His face went red, and I realized I wasn’t making the situation any better.
“The rooms on this floor are all bedrooms.” Jay’s voice sounded choked. “Belonging to senior members of House Bartlett. Most of the rooms are inherited.”
I realized this was my chance to ask the question that had circled my mind last night.
“So that’s the king’s bedroom?” I gestured back with my thumb toward Cade’s room.
“Oh, no. The king’s rooms are upstairs.” Jay gestured up toward the ceiling. “They used magic to disappear the staircase because… until… well, until someone ascends the throne.”
I almost sighed in relief, the knowledge that I wasn’t sleeping where my parents had died, where my parents had killed Cade’s parents, hitting me like a twelve-hour massage at the most expensive spa in the city.
“It’s a lot of rooms,” I observed.
“None of them are in use, except for Cade’s room,” Jay said, confirming what Cade had told me earlier.
“Why not?” I asked.
It was obvious that Cade had one view of the world, and I wanted to know what things looked like from Jay’s perspective.
Jay frowned, glancing up at the ceiling for a split second before swallowing and starting down the stairs. “I think they enjoy their privacy.”
