He laughed lightly. “I’m not going to bite.”

“I didn’t come here for that.”

“Then what are you here for?” He looked at me curiously.

“I have a proposition for you.”

“A proposition?” He arched an eyebrow. “The only proposition I’m interested in involves you and me in that bed, with my ring on your finger.” He nodded toward the closed door to his bedroom.

I shook my head, willing away the image he’d planted. “Not happening today.”

“Today? Does that mean it might happen later…” He sat up more.

“Will you hear me out?”

“Yes, sit back down. I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself.”

I sat down. “You want to be king.” I wasn’t asking a question. I already knew the answer.

He smiled. “Yes.”

“The only way that is going to happen is through me, right?”

He nodded. “Uh huh.”

“If you help me, I’ll make sure you’re a king.”

“What do you need help with? Although, I’d do nearly anything to get you as my mate…”

“The Blackwells have my friend. I think they’re going to kill her if I don’t pick Toby.”

“And Levi isn’t retrieving her?” Cade didn’t try to hide his surprise.

“He says he needs to wait, but I can’t wait any longer. She’s innocent—she doesn’t deserve this.” Meeting Toby’s grandfather had been the proverbial nail in the coffin. I was done waiting around.

“Let me get this straight. If I get your friend for you, you’ll make me king? What proof do I have that you’ll keep your word?” He looked torn. Like he wanted to trust me but couldn’t.

“I’ll swear it in any way I have to.” I made myself look at him as I said it. He needed to know I was serious.

“You’ll do a formal oath swearing that you will choose me to be your mate?”

I shook my head. “No.”

He sipped his wine. “You just said…”

“I just said I’d make you a king.”

“That’s the same thing.”

“It’s not. Just trust me on this.”

“I’ll need the usual witnesses, and of course some consideration.”

“Consideration?” I set aside my wine. I had no idea what a sworn oath was, but I figured it was the only way he was going to agree.

“To make it binding…just like a contract.”

“You want money?”

He smiled. “I’d take a kiss instead.”

“How about my bracelet? It’s worth at least a few hundred.” I started to unlatch it.

He put a hand on my wrist. “No, I’ll take a kiss.”

“That isn’t on the table.”

“You’re promising to make me king, which has to mean you’re my mate. Surely one little kiss won’t kill you?”

“I’d rather wait.” I tried to make it sound coy, but I’m not sure it came out that way.

He laughed. “Fine, I’ll take the bracelet. Let me call my father and my advisors.” If Cade wasn’t an heir, I’d be worried, but I was offering what he wanted on a silver platter—he had no reason to screw with me. Anyway, I had to be brave. Jess could be going through a lot worse.

He pulled out his phone and explained the situation in a few words before hanging up. “They’ll be right up. Relax and enjoy your wine, you’ve barely touched it.” He leaned back against the couch, putting an arm behind me.

I finally gave in and took a big swig of wine. “My life is insane.”

He laughed. It wasn’t a mean laugh, it was light. “I’m sure it’s been an interesting few months.”

“You could say that.”

“Mind if I get some of that tension out of your shoulders?” He put a hand on my shoulder. “I hate seeing such a beautiful woman so uptight.”

“You want to give me a back rub?”

He grinned. “I’d prefer to give you a full body massage, but I’m guessing I’ll have to wait for that privilege.”

“Privilege? Giving me a massage would be a privilege?”

“Touching you in anyway would be. To think you’re holding back that kiss from me…it’s killing me.” He ran a finger over my lips. The intimate contact felt wrong in every way.

“Yes, I’m depriving you of one of life’s greatest pleasures.”

“You are.” His eyes widened. I could practically feel the lust rolling off him. “So what about that backrub?”

“I think I’ll pass.” I resisted the urge to scoot away, that wouldn’t help my cause. It was far from over. I’d have to wait it out.

He chuckled. “Were you this hard on Levi, too?”

“Worse—a lot worse.” Even though I’d given in and kissed Levi early on, I’d made him wait all summer to sleep with me. If the Pteron lust thing was already in play, it must have been harder for him than I thought.

“It’s going to be hard for him to let you go.” Cade’s expression softened slightly, the lust replaced by some level of sympathy.

I didn’t say anything.

“We’re going to have a great time together, you’ll see.”

I mumbled a quasi-agreement just as a knock on the door had Cade off the couch. He opened the door and ushered his father and two guys around his age in. Watching them made me think of Levi with Jared and Owen. Those three were probably on the war path against me already.

His father came right over, stopping in front of the couch. “You’re choosing Cade? You’ve agreed to give him the crown?”

“I’ve agreed to make him a king if he can get my friend away from the Blackwells.”

“Easy enough to do, but why not ask Levi to do it?” He looked at me skeptically. “There has to be a catch.”

I stood up. I hated looking up at people when I talked. “Levi said to wait. I don’t think my friend has time.” I’d waited long enough.

“You’re prepared to swear your oath?” Mr. Daley asked excitedly.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“What consideration are you each offering?”

Cade answered for me. “She’s offering her bracelet.”

I unlatched it. “Yes, I’ll offer this.”

“And you?” Mr. Daly looked at Cade.