The Wolf Fount (33 page)

C
alhoun was being reasonable. Morgan decided that was the best track to take as well. “I need to finish training, and I need time to learn. I’m not ready to be a leader.”
I may never be ready for that kind of headache
. “I just need time.”

“I’ll give you all of it you need, but there may be times when I need you beside me, to prove we’re not at odds with each other. We kind of have a situation on our hands.”

She nodded. “Laney mentioned that to me. Just don’t ask me to try and make anyone change their minds. Maybe you can do that, but I don’t know how.”
I’m not sure it’s even right to do
. But she could worry about the morality of it later.

“All anyone needs right now is to believe that we’re in accord. That will go a long way toward settling things, aside from a few diehards. Can you do that?”

“I can, but it doesn’t mean I’ll sit beside you looking pretty and keeping my mouth shut.”

Calhoun smiled at her warning. “Does anything keep your mouth shut?”

“Not much.”

“Didn’t think so. Anything else?”

She couldn’t think of anything. “Not at the moment.”

“Okay, but I do have a question. What can I do to apologize for how we started off, and make things better between us?”

“You apologized, but not being a total dick in the future would be a good thing.” Morgan still hadn’t come to terms with her reactions to his actions and decisions.

“Sometimes being a total dick is necessary,” he said. “But I’ll try not to be one to you.”

Works for me
. “Don’t be one to Thane either. He feels guilty.”

“Why?”

She lowered her chin, looking at him.
You really are clueless at times
. “Because you saved him, and you’re his best friend in the whole world, in addition to all the king and Fount stuff.”

“Should I talk to him?”

Calhoun was being too reasonable. Morgan wondered why. “Not tonight. I had enough trouble getting him to come here.”

“I don’t want him to feel guilty.”

Reasonable Calhoun, with his hands clenched in fists to keep from touching her, making sure to maintain a polite distance, was proving to be an attractive Calhoun.
I need to wrap this up and get the hell out of here
. “Neither do I. I love him.”

That admission made him flinch, and her to feel surprisingly bad for having said it. “I have no idea why I should be, but I’m sorry.”

“You don’t owe me an apology for loving someone. I’m glad you do, and I’m glad it’s him.”

The rapidly whirling gold and change from dark to orange eyes informed Morgan that she could be pushing his limits in spite of his words. Though suddenly eager to escape, she hesitated. “I don’t know what the future’s going to bring. But I will promise to try and be a good partner.”

“Thank you. I’m glad we’ve talked, but ah, I think I need a few minutes alone now.”

Curiosity warred with being given reason to exit, but any idea of making things hard for him evaporated at the quivering tension emanating from his stiff figure. “Okay, sure. See you downstairs.”

She walked to the door, aware of his eyes following her, and slipped out, shutting it quietly behind her. Heading downstairs, she wasn’t sure exactly what had happened.

Thane’s welcoming, and relieved, smile gave her plenty of reason to put the matter away for later perusal. Morgan grinned, grabbing his hand. “Come on. We’re going to dance tonight.”

Seated at a table not far away, Brian held out his hand. “Pay up.”

Lucas rolled his eyes, but pulled out his wallet and selected two bills from it. “Here. Two hundred.”

“Told you they were solid.”

“Don’t gloat.”

Brian grinned. “Oh, I’m going to gloat. You’re going to get sick of my gloating.”

“Already am.”

“Y
ou stupid son of a bitch.” Cal leaned his forehead against the window, watching Morgan drag an obviously reluctant, but smiling Thane toward the dance floor. “All those centuries of waiting, and when she finally showed up, what did you do?”

Ignored the damn signs and ran her straight into someone else’s arms
. He took a deep breath, willing himself calm. “She’s willing to work with me. That’s good. And I am not willing to ruin what she and Thane have.”

Pushing away from the window, Cal gritted his teeth. “I can do this.”

Then he went downstairs, a smile on his face, because he was a king.

He was the Wolf Fount.

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