Page 18 of The Reluctant Heir

I thought succubi politics were bad, but there is so much more to vampire politics. I’m not sure that I’ll ever be ready to take over as heir. After today, I have more of a vested interest in seeing Lucien come home. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had run away—not with Kaine as his advisor.

Just as I’m about to walk into my bedroom, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn to see Julien walking my way. His bedroom is right across the hallway from mine.

“Hey, Maddie.”

I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “Hey.”

He tilts his head to the side, watching me carefully. “You look…” his voice trails off.

“Too tired to carry on?” I suggest.

“Just what did Dad do to you today?”

“Not Dad. Well, it’s kind of his fault. He stuck me with Kaine.”

Julien nods. “Say no more.” He motions for my door. “Want to talk in your room?”

“Sure.” I open my door and walk inside. I leave the door open for him to follow. I go into my closet to change into my pajamas and when I come out, Julien is sitting on my bed. I collapse beside him, face first.

Julien chuckles. “I should have warned you, but I didn’t realize Dad was going to leave you with Kaine all day.”

“He’s the worst,” I mumble, my face still pressed into my mattress.

“What happened?”

I sit up so that I can face Julien. “He accused me of murdering Lucien so I can have the throne.” I pull my knees up my chest and hug them against me. “Can I abdicate so you can be heir? I promise to support you.”

“Not on your life.” He makes an ‘X’ with his fingers toward me. “Do not curse me like that, Maddie.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “What am I supposed to do about Kaine?”

“Use your succubus charm on him and make him fall in love with you.” Julien wiggles his eyebrows at me.

I wrinkle my nose. “Gross. No thanks.”

“There isn’t a lot you can do about Kaine,” he admits. “He’s super loyal to my brother. To be honest, he doesn’t like me much more than he likes you. Though he’s never accused me of murder. I’m not sure how he thought you could kill Lucien—Lucien is almost a foot taller than you.”

“Great.” I lower my head letting my hair curtain my face.

“It’ll work out.” Julien puts a hand on my arm. I look up and see him smiling at me, his dimples showing.

“I bet you have a lot of girlfriends,” I say.

His grin grows wider. “I’ll have you know that I am very single.”

“And by very single, I’m going to assume you are talking to at least ten girls.”

He laughs. “Maybe.”

I frown. “Great. My little brother has a better dating life than I do.”

“Hey, you could still woo Kaine,” Julien teases.

“Or I could just accept the fact that I’m going to eventually be an old maid because nobody ever wants to date a hybrid.” I try not to sound bitter, but I’m sure Julien can hear it in my voice.

“You know that we look alike, right?” He scoots up my bed, lying beside me. He rests his back against the headboard.

“I’ve noticed—we both take after our dad.”

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