Page 36 of The Reluctant Heir

Not that what Kaine says matters—it doesn’t. Kaine is a jerk.

“Thank you,” I say to Prince Lucas. “And thank you for coming over. My advisor thought it would be a good idea for me to get to know all the guys whose clans submitted an alliance proposal.”

Prince Lucas’s lips turn downward for a second, but he quickly smooths his features. “Uh, did a lot of clans put in alliance offers?”

“A few,” I say evasively. I’m not sure what is normal for these kinds of things and I don’t want it to sound like I’m trying to make him jealous.

“Do you want to sit down?” Prince Lucas motions to the couch. “Maybe we could talk. I wanted to take you out, but your advisor mentioned you were more comfortable staying here.”

I walk toward the couch with him. “Uh, yeah. Because if I go out, I have to take guards with me.” I smooth the skirt of my dress beneath me as I sit down.

Prince Lucas sits beside me. “Yes, I can see where privacy would appreciated.”

I don’t know aboutthat. I don’t want privacy with a bunch of princes I barely know—I just don’t want guards following me around. The less notice I receive, the better.

Still, saying that out loud would be rude. Instead, I settle on saying, “Since I’m a hybrid succubus, I couldn’t spend too much time around humans.”

“Why not?” Prince Lucas asks.

“Human males can get… obsessive,” I answer, hoping he won’t ask any more questions.

He nods. “Oh, right. Your succubus magic is… strong.”

My succubus magic is strong? I nearly snort at the absurdity of his statement. My succubus magic isn’t strong at all. It’s barely there. But I keep the thought to myself, not wanting to make Prince Lucas feel stupid.

Uh… how many of these ‘dates’ am I going to have to go on?

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Kaine in the hallway. He’s leaning against the wall with a book in his hand, trying to look casual, but I know he’s listening.

That jerk.

I offer Prince Lucas a smile. “Will you excuse me for a moment, please?”

“Of course.” He smiles back.

I jump up from the couch and walk to the hallway where Kaine is blatantly listening to my private conversation. I grabKaine’s elbow and pull him further down the hallway, away from Prince Lucas’s hearing range.

“What are you doing?” I hiss at him, once I pull him to a stop.

He shrugs. “I’m just seeing how your date is going. It sounds like he’s enamored.”

I groan. “Please, he’s just attracted to me because of my succubus blood. I’d have more fun watching paint dry than talking to him.”

Kaine snorts. “That could be your future hubby you’re talking about.”

“No.” I jab a finger at him. “I willnotbe marrying that guy, I don’t care about the alliance. No alliance is worth that.”

He shoots me a glare. “Princess Madeline, you might not have a choice. Be reasonable about this.”

I roll my eyes. “I am reasonable. I’m bored. Send him home.” I try to walk away, but Kaine grabs me by the elbow.

“No. Your date isn’t over. Get back in there.” He shoots me a stern look before he turns and abruptly leaves me in the hallway by myself.

I groan.

Why me?

“You okay?”

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