Page 26 of The Reluctant Heir

“It’s just Lucas.” He extends his hand, so I extend mine toward him. He takes my hand and gently kisses the back of it.

I’m not sure what to make of the move, but I have to resist the urge to yank my hand back. Now is when Ishouldtell him to just call me ‘Madeline’ without the titles, but I can’t bring myself to do it.

“Would you like to dance, Princess Madeline?” Lucas smiles at me in a way I’m sure most women find charming.

I glance to my dad who gives me a subtle nod before I turn back to Prince Lucas. “I’d be honored.”

I allow Prince Lucas to lead me onto the dance floor. His hands settle on my waist and I have to resist the urge to back away from him.

Dancing with a stranger is so awkward—we are standing way too close and there is too much… touching. Who thought it would be appropriate to hold a ball to introduce me to society? Why wouldn’t we do brunch or something?

“You are beautiful, Princess Madeline,” Prince Lucas says, breaking the silence.

My wrist itches and I have to force myself not to scratch it.

I don’t know how to respond to Prince Lucas calling me ‘beautiful.’ I’ve been called beautiful more in the past week than I have my entire life combined. I’m not used to this and I have no idea what an appropriate reaction is.

“But I’m sure you hear that a lot.” His pale green eyes stay locked on mine.

I clear my throat. “Where are you from?”

His eyes narrow slightly. “My father’s manor is about an hour north from here.”

“You talk about it like it’s not your home too.”

“It is.” He hesitates. “My older brother is heir, so it’s his place. I spent most of my childhood at a boarding school on the other side of the country and I just finished spending four years at Vampire University. This is the first time I’ve spent any significant time at my father’s home and it’s a little strange being back.”

“I imagine it would. After I finished university, I moved into my own place,” I say, trying to keep the conversation going.

I’ve never had problems talking with somebody before, but talking to Prince Lucas feels like I’m swimming against the current.

“You didn’t live with your grandfather?” His eyes widen, almost like he’s surprised.

I shake my head. “No. I never have. My mom had her own home, where I grew up.”

“Oh.”

A silence falls between us and I wrack my brain for something to say. Anything. But it’s like all coherent thought leaves my brain.

The sound of a throat clearing has me turning my head. I look to see Julien standing to my left.

“May I interrupt?”

Prince Lucas tenses up, but he lets his arms fall from me. “Go ahead.”

I relax as he walks away and Julien takes Lucas’s place as my dance partner.

“Thank you,” I tell him, sighing.

“You looked like you needed rescuing,” Julien says. “I couldn’t let my big sister suffer through a dance with a guy she needed rescuing from.”

I look suspiciously up at him. “Why do I feel like your rescue is going to cost me dearly later?”

“Siblings look out for one another—no strings attached.” His voice is nonchalant.

I narrow my eyes, not believing him for even a second.

Still, whatever the cost, it’s worth it to be free from Prince Lucas.

---