Page 32 of The Reluctant Heir

“Damek,” he says again, then nods. “Well… I will send for him. I wasn’t expecting this.”

“I’m… sorry.” I’m not sure what to say. He seems so surprised. Is he upset that I’m here for Damek instead of Duncan? “To be honest, I don’t remember Duncan. Last night was kind of a blur.”

“But you remember Damek.” His lips tug upward. “It’s okay, Princess Madeline. I don’t care which of my sons you’re interested in. We want an alliance with the Scott Clan. Duncan will be disappointed. He hasn’t stopped talking about you.”

I wince. “Oh.”

He chuckles. “He’ll get over it, don’t worry. I’ll get Damek.”

I stand there, feeling slightly awkward as King Rune leaves the room.

He thought I was here for his other son. Now I feel even weirder for being here.

Why did I tell him I didn’t remember Duncan? That’s so much worse than just saying I connected with Damek. I’m pretty sure every cousin of mine would laugh at how awkward I am when it comes to dating. I’m a succubus. I’m supposed to be charming, especially in matters of love. Not that this is love. I don’t even know Damek.

I’m just here to apologize. That’s it. I’m not proposing marriage. I’m not offering an alliance. I’m just going to say sorry and then go home. Kaine is waiting for me in the car, so it’s not like I can spend the day—or, er, night—here anyway.

I hear footsteps and I turn in time to spot Damek walking into the foyer. His face is perfect with no sign of my accidental punch. At least vampires heal quickly. But he’s not smiling at me either.

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

“Hey.” He nods his head in greeting. “I didn’t expect to see you today. Or ever again.”

“I thought we should talk after last night.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth as I watch Damek. He’s much more closed off than he was last night. His posture is stiff his smile is gone.

Damek crosses his arms over his chest. “What is there to talk about? I thought you made your feelings abundantly clearlast night. You punched me so your boyfriend wouldn’t think we were flirting.”

My eyes bulge. “Uh, no. No, no, no. Kaine isnotmy boyfriend unless you missed the part where he was accusing me ofmurder. He’s Lucien’s advisor and my appointed babysitter. My dad thought it would be a good idea.”

His shoulders relax slightly at that. “Oh. Then why did you punch me?”

“I wasn’t trying to punch you. I was trying to punch Kaine. You just…” I wave my hands in front of me. “Well, you stepped in front of him at a really bad time.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Seriously?”

I nod. “And I am so, so sorry that I punched you.”

He looks at me for a few more seconds before he smiles. It’s a big, dimple showing smile that causes my stomach muscles to cramp up.

Damek Rune is way too attractive for my own good.

“So, you’re not dating Kaine?” Damek asks.

I shake my head. “He hates me.”

He lifts an eyebrow. “I highly doubt that. You’re kind of impossible to hate. Trust me, even when I thought you purposefully punched me I still couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

My breath gets caught in my throat.

I break eye contact, wanting the intensity to lessen. “Your dad seemed surprised that I wasn’t here to see Duncan.”

Damek chuckles. “Ah, yes. I’m sure my father will be talking with me about that later. But don’t worry. He wants an alliance with the Scott Clan and he doesn’t care how we get one.”

“Why does he want an alliance with us so bad?” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Because of our bloody history. My grandfather was the one who started the war. My dad thinks it’s his duty to make thingsright,” Damek explains. “And I agree with my dad. We do need to make things right.”

“It doesn’t matter what happened in the past.” I shrug. “Anyway, I better get going. Kaine is waiting for me in the car.”

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