Page 58 of The Reluctant Heir

“Madeline.”

I pull back from Julien to look at my dad. His eyes are wide and frantic as he scans my body. His eyes harden when they land on my face.

“Did he hit you?” Dad asks.

I start to deny it until I remember that he smacked his hand over my face. “Yes, but I think hitting is the least of his sins. I think he was trying to kidnap me.”

“He will be questioned. I have the guards taking him to the dungeons now.” Dad’s voice is harsh and promises death to the one who has crossed him.

“We have dungeons?” I ask.

My question is ignored.

“I need you to tell me everything,” Dad demands.

“Dad,” Julien says, his voice calm. “Maddie was attacked and almost kidnapped. Shouldn’t we let her sit down? She’s trembling.”

Dad’s face softens as he looks at me. “Are you okay?”

“I—” my voice sounds weak, so I clear my throat. “I’m fine, Dad. We can talk. Just give me a minute. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Dad nods once and turns to leave the room. Julien and two guards stay with me, which I should have expected. I take a deep, shaky breath.

“Can I change?” I ask.

The guard’s face hardens.

Julien steps in front of me. “The guards will check your closet to make sure it’s safe. You can change in there. Since there is no way into your closet except from this room, you’ll be safe in there. We will wait out here for you.”

“Thanks.” I give my brother a grateful smile.

After the guards thoroughly check my closet, I walk inside to change out of my pajamas. Once I’m alone, my stomach clenches a little bit. I look around the room myself, just to make sure I’m alone. But even after that, my pulse is still high. I put on my clothes in record time and race out of my closet, back to Julien’s side.

Julien slips his arm over my shoulder and leads me from my room. Once we make it downstairs, I find my dad talking to one of the guards. When he sees me, he beelines it toward me.

“Madeline.” His eyes scan me over. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” I answer, sounding far less dazed than earlier. “Do we know anything?”

Dad hesitates, then nods. “The vampire… he’s an advisor to the Rune Clan.”

I suck in a sharp breath. “But Damek wouldn’t have anything to do with this.”

Dad shrugs. “I don’t know. I’ve called King Rune. He and Prince Damek are both on their way over. They deny any involvement, but I’m not so quick to believe them.” He levels me with a look. “Until we know for sure, I want you to be careful with Prince Damek. He could very well be behind this.”

I want to shake my head and deny it, but I know arguing won’t do any good right now. Once Damek gets here, he and his father can prove that they aren’t involved. Until then, I’ll just keep my thoughts to myself.

“Okay, Dad.”

He surprises me by pulling me against him. He wraps his arms around me and squeezes me. I hug him back, my heart feeling so full. Even when he tries to pull back, I hold on for just another couple of seconds.

So many times in my life, I’ve longed to hug my dad. I always felt so guilty for needing him when I thought he abandoned Mom and me. But now I know, this is what’s been missing.

“I love you, Dad,” I tell him, as I pull back.

His blue eyes land on mine and an expression that I can’t comprehend crosses his face. “I love you too, Madeline. And I promise you, I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

Julien slips his arm back around me.

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