Page 60 of The Reluctant Heir

I snort out a laugh. “You know, all supernaturals are beautiful.”

“Maybe, but not as beautiful as us.”

His words only make me laugh harder.

Life would be boring without my conceited brother.

Before either of us can say anything else, I see my father walk into the room, flanked by guards. Kaine is walking behind them with King Rune and Prince Damek not far behind. Dad’s shoulders are tight and his lips are turned downward. Kaine is wearing a pinched expression, but that’s normal for him. But even King Rune and Prince Damek look frustrated.

I sit up straight, thankful that I took the time to brush my hair before coming down.

“What’s going on?” Julien asks before I get the chance.

Dad lets out a frustrated breath. “He’s dead.”

I flinch at his words. “The guy who broke into my room is dead?”

“His throat was slit,” Kaine says, through gritted teeth. “He was left alone for less than sixty seconds. I don’t know how somebody was able to break into his room in that short amount of time.” He turns his murderous gaze toward Prince Damek.

“We had nothing to do with this.” King Rune stands tall, his grim face giving nothing away. “We wanted to speak with him and hear why he would betray us like this. Everybody in our clan knows that we wish to have an alliance with the Scott Clan. We wouldn’t risk it by doing something stupid like this.”

“We believe you.” Dad is quick to speak, likely cutting off whatever accusations Kaine was bound to throw at our rival clan. “But for now, we would like to have some time to process this. An investigation must take place and my daughter will not be accepting visitors during this time. I hope you can respect our wishes.”

King Rune nods at my father. “Of course, King Scott. My son and I will respect your wishes.”

Damek frowns and looks like he wants to argue.Iwant to argue. But what can we do? It does look bad. The Rune Clan looks extremely guilty right now. And even though Iknowdeep in my heart that Damek wasn’t involved, I don’t know that hisfather wasn’t. The truth is, I don’t know much about his father or his clan.

Dad looks at Julien. “Stay with your sister. I have to speak with King Rune and Prince Damek.”

Julien nods.

Kaine opens his mouth to speak but my dad cuts him off.

“Kaine, you’re with me.”

Kaine clenches his jaw but dutifully follows my dad as he leads King Rune and Damek away. Damek looks back at me, his face tight with worry. I smile at him, trying to show him that I trust him. But this situation is far out of my hands.

“This isn’t good,” Julien declares.

Not good is an understatement.

This is a disaster.

17

MONSTER-IN-LAW

After a week long investigation with no leads, my father is forced to take King Rune’s promise that he wasn’t involved in the assault against me. With no other choice, my father invites Damek and his parents over for dinner.

I remember what Damek said about his mother—that she used to be human. So when they come over and I see just how beautiful she is, I’m surprised. She is just as beautiful as any natural born supernatural.

When Damek walks in, he abandons his parents and walks right over to me.

Though we haven’t seen each other in a week, we have talked on the phone every single night. The more I get to know him, the more that Iknowthat he had nothing to do with the attack on me. Though I can’t speak for his father, I do know that Damek trusts his dad and I trust Damek. If he says his father is innocent, he is.

Damek introduces me to his mother when she walks up to us. “Mom, this is Madeline Scott. She’s the girl I’ve been talking to. Madeline, this is my mother.”

Queen Rune turns her nose up as she looks me over from head to toe with a critical eye. “Thisis her? I thought a hybrid succubus would be more attractive.”

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