Page 19 of The Reluctant Heir

He nods. “And you probably didn’t notice because I’m your brother, but I’m kind of hot.”

My lips curl up without my permission and I find myself laughing. “Is this your idea of cheering me up or something?”

He rolls his eyes. “No. I’m trying to point out that since we look alike and since we’ve established that I’m drop dead sexy, you’re not going to be an old maid. You’re kind of pretty.”

Julien’s words warm my heart. “Thank you, Julien. But it doesn’t matter what I look like. You don’t understand because you’re fully a vampire.”

“What’s it like, being a hybrid?” Julien adjusts a pillow behind his back, getting more comfortable.

I smooth my hand over my comforter. “I’m not charming like a succubus and I don’t drink blood like a vampire. No matter who I’m with—vampires or incubi and succubi—I’m alone. There is nobody like me.”

Julien puts a hand on my arm. “You’re not alone anymore. You have me. You’re my sister and I’ll be here for you no matter what.”

I lean over, giving him a side hug. My eyes sting with unshed tears. I blink them away before looking at my brother.

“Thank you.”

He smiles warmly—not the smirk that shows off his dimples, but a soft smile that lights up his eyes. It hits me that he’s right. I’m not alone anymore. No matter what, Julien will be by my side.

I squeeze my brother a little tighter as a warm feeling settles in my chest. “Are you sure you don’t want me to abdicate?”

“And leave me to deal with Kaine? No, thank you.” Julien snorts. “He hates me probably more than he hates you.”

I pull back from him. “I didn’t know that was possible.”

Julien grabs something from one of my drawers and I look curiously at him as I realize he’s holding up a remote. He pushes a button and part of the wall slides open to reveal a television. He goes to a streaming service and starts some movie. I relax into the bed, getting comfortable.

“Thank you,” I tell him.

He grins at me. “I’m still not becoming heir for you.”

Kaine is waitingfor me in our office, but I’m stalling.

I don’t want to go inside. I don’t want to face him.

Wanting to prolong my stalling, I stop by the kitchen to grab some coffee. When a servant offers to make me a latte, I request an extra one. Maybe I can bribe Kaine into liking me with coffee.

Eh, it probably won’t work. I’ve been getting coffee for my cousins for years and they still don’t like me.

When I walk into the office, Kaine is glaring at his watch. His glare moves to me and I hold out a coffee toward him. He sniffs it, giving me a suspicious look.

“It’s hazelnut—with a dash of blood,” I say. “Barbara said it was your favorite.”

He takes a sip, still warily eying me. I notice the way his shoulders slightly relax.

I take a sip from my drink. “Wow. This is good.”

“Barbara makes the best coffee,” Kaine says, his voice sounding softer than it did the day before.

Maybe vampires like coffee more than incubi and succubi because my cousinsneverchilled after taking a sip.

I take a seat in my chair, putting my coffee cup on the desk in front of me. “What torture do you have planned for today?”

He huffs, sitting down across from me. “This is serious—I’m teaching you important things.”

“It’s a joke, Kaine. Relax.” I take another sip of my coffee, trying to remember to keep calm. Losing my temper isn’t going to give Kaine the non-serial killer vibes I’m going for.

“You’re just…” he waves a hand at me. “Ignorant to all things vampires. My work is cut out for me when it comes to you.”

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