Page 25 of The Reluctant Heir

He growls under his breath and turns to face me. He pauses, slowly taking me in. His eyes scan me from the top of my head right down to my feet. He takes a deep breath, his face softening. “Trust me, every one of those guys are going to be begging your father for an alliance.” He sighs, then adds, “Also, I might’ve misled you about the number of princes. Therearethirty princes, but only seven are marrying age. The rest are either too young or they are already married.”

Seven.

Okay, I can handle seven.

My stomach muscles cramp and I wonder if this is what the stomach flu feels like. I feel my forehead, wondering if I’ve got a fever. Sure, supernaturals don’t get sick, but maybe I caught some rare bug that affects us.

“You’re not like other succubi I’ve met.” Kaine looks at me for a moment longer before he turns away. He pulls his phone out of his pocket and glances at the screen. “It’s time.”

It’s time…

Now, I just have to make my grand entrance.

I start to walk toward the stairs but pause and turn to Kaine. “Wait, you’re telling me I have to choose a husband out of only seven candidates? What if I’m not attracted to any of them?”

He lifts an eyebrow at that. “They’re supernatural and they’re princes. I highly doubt they’re ugly.”

“I grew up surrounded by incubi,” I remind him. “There are more important things than looks.”

“Stop stalling, Princess Madeline.”

I do as he says—not because I have a sudden desire to do what Kaine says but because I want to get this over with. I want to get the entire night over with.

No matter what Kaine says, I’m still worried that I won’t have chemistry with any of the princes I’m supposed to meet tonight. Am I going to be forced into a loveless marriage? Do I get a say at all?

I take a few calming breaths before I head down the stairs and into the large space that is temporarily the ballroom.

The place is crowded, from corner to corner, and every single eye in the place is focused on me. The fact that vampires’ eyes glow only makes it that much more intimidating.

Still, I’ve been to enough events like this to know that I should hold my head high.

Being a hybrid, I’ve always been singled out. Hybrids are somewhat of a taboo in supernatural society. And the fact that vampire succubus hybrids don’t exist makes me… a spectacle.

Thanks to Eden, I look fabulous tonight. My long gown drags on the ground behind me and my hair is in perfect waves that I’d never be able to achieve on my own. My tiara is woven into my hair so well that I’m going to need help removing it in the morning.

My father waits for me at the bottom of the stairs. He extends his arm for me and I link my arm through his.

“Everyone, this is my daughter, Madeline Scott.” He keeps his voice at a normal level, but I know everybody can hear him because of vampire hearing. “I would like to thank everybody for coming to help me welcome my daughter home.”

Everybody cheers and claps as they look at me with varying expressions. I can see horror, interest, curiosity, and a few jawsdropped in surprise. I wonder what they’re surprised about. It’s not like everybody didn’t know exactly what this was about.

“You look beautiful,” Dad whispers to me, though everybody is talking now so they wouldn’t be able to hear over the roar.

“Thanks to Eden.” I look down at my gown, truly feeling like a princess for the first time in my life.

Julien stands off to the side, a smirk on his face. He’s talking to some girl, but his attention is on me. I wonder what my younger brother is thinking, though I’m sure he will tell me later.

“King Scott, will you allow me to introduce our children.” A tall, pale guy wearing an expensive suit approaches Dad and me. His blond hair is almost white and his eyes are a pale green. He nods his head in respect at my father, but his eyes linger on me. “You are quite beautiful, Princess Scott.”

“Madeline, allow me to introduce you to King Nodin,” Dad says.

I curtsy to the newcomer. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

“My daughter would love to be introduced to your son.” Dad nudges me forward slightly as somebody else approaches. I can tell from the white blond hair and the pale skin that this must be King Nodin’s son.

The guy bows low. “Princess Scott, it’s lovely to meet you.”

I curtsy back. “You as well, Prince Nodin.”

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