The discussion turned to what sounded like a state dinner House Bartlett was hosting for the local dryad population. There was some disagreement over the menu and a few points about the safety issues. Cade stared straight ahead, seeming not to hear any of it.
Leon took a note down with his finger, the magic lingering in the air. “That was our last order of business, was it not? If so, this session is adjourned.”
Everyone began standing, except for Petrona. She raised her walking stick, bringing it down with a sharp crack. “Seneschal, you forget yourself. The head of our house brings sessions together and ends them.”
The room dropped to silence, every head turning to Cade. Slowly, he stood, resting his fingertips on the table. He bowed his head. “Session is adjourned.”
I saw significant glances exchanged and a few raised eyebrows as people left the session. I assumed they were waiting until they were back home before beginning to gossip in earnest. Leon was one of the last to leave.
He circled around the table, his expression gentle.
“I am sorry, my prince. I know you had pinned many hopes on this. You are still young. You do not understand the ways of a principal house.” He reached up and clasped Cade’s shoulder. “I understand your concerns. We can work together with members of the house, offer more rewards to families whose offspring retain their power. It will prompt a few of them to sire more heirs.”
Cade turned to Leon, his blue eyes blank. “I appreciate your counsel, Leon.”
Leon nodded, walking off into the darkness and disappearing with an audible pop.
“Well.” Petrona sighed, the air blowing out of her. “That did not go as you wanted.”
“No.” Cade shook his head. “Thank you for your support.”
Petrona stood, striding toward us, the click of her walking stick loud in the cavernous space. “It was not a bad idea to bring your consort, to remind them who you are and who you will be. But the idea of spending so much money… Many of them suckle at the teat of House Bartlett’s coffers. Even speaking of taking that much money out of the bank scares them.”
“I understand.” The words were ground out, Cade’s patience clearly running thin.
“If I might offer another suggestion? One old woman nosing where she isn’t wanted?”
Cade bowed his head. “Your counsel is always appreciated.”
“There is still some tension between you two in public. Resolve it before any other member catches on.” She glanced between me and Cade significantly.
With that, she turned, striding into the darkness and disappearing without sound.
“What was that about?” I asked.
“She wants us to have sex,” Cade said. He looked at me, his eyes traveling from the top of my head to my feet. “And I agree with her.”
ChapterTwenty-Seven
The silence of the room seemed to double and triple as I gaped at Cade. He might as well have suggested that we move laundry day to Wednesday for all the emotion he’d shown.
Cade’s expression closed in on itself, shuttering until he finally said, “Come on.”
I followed him into the darkness, feeling something drag across my skin. It was still agonizing, but I was so distracted by what Cade had said that I barely felt it. Light came slowly, first dim, then brighter and brighter, until we were inside the library again. Cade strode through the tall shelves, the books just as silent as the council chamber we had left behind.
In the main house, I could hear servants in the distance as they moved around, dusting and straightening, speaking to each other in low voices.
Cade stalked through the house. Even though he was shorter than me, he moved so quickly I was almost jogging to keep up. At the bottom of the stairs, I caught his wrist.
“I’m sorry, I’m just confused—”
He tore his hand free, glaring at me. Without speaking, he walked up to the second level. Basil tightened around my neck, and I wasn’t sure if it was in warning or in comfort.
Silently, I followed Cade up the stairs. He threw open the door to his room, and I caught it before it slammed into the wall. He went inside without turning around, and I shut the door behind myself.
“What’s the problem?” Cade asked, his back still to me. I leaned against the closed door, crossing my arms over my chest. I waited silently, letting the quiet stretch until it became awkward, almost suffocating.
Cade’s heart was beating fast, his shoulders rising and falling. When he turned around, pink was high on his cheeks, and he lifted his chin, as though looking down on me, despite our height difference.
