Page 61 of The Reluctant Heir

“Mother,” Damek hisses at her.

If I hadn’t heard how unattractive I was my entire life, I might take her words to heart. But this is something I’m used to. I’m just surprised that she’s the one saying it.

“It’s nice to meet you, Queen Rune,” I tell her, hoping to show Damek that I’m not offended.

“You don’t have to use titles,” Damek says. “You’re practically family. You can call her—”

Queen Rune cuts him off. “Queen Rune is justfine, Damek.”

Damek narrows his eyes. “Mom, you’re being rude.”

“Am I?” She puts a hand to her chest, feigning innocence. “I thought succubi were supposed to be charming.”

Damek tenses, clenching his jaw. I can tell he’s about ready to fight his mom for me. It’s sweet but unnecessary.

I put my hand on Damek’s arm. “It’s okay, Damek.” I look at his mother. “I am a hybrid succubus, but I have more vampiric traits than I do succubus. I have very little succubus magic.”

Queen Rune narrows her eyes like she wants to argue with me, though I’m not sure why. What did I ever do to her?

Damek grabs ahold of my hand and laces our fingers together. He’s still clenching his jaw, but he doesn’t say anything. He likely doesn’t want to start anything here, especially not after what happened last week.

King Rune makes his way over to us with my dad at his side. Damek’s father wears a genuine smile making me think that he’s nothing like his wife.

Damek’s stepmom is not at all what I thought she would be like, especially considering she was once human. All the humans I’ve ever interacted with have been very kind. Then again, QueenRune has been a vampire for over twenty years now, so maybe she picked up some bad habits.

Or… maybe she just doesn’t like me. Maybe she wants better for her stepson than a hybrid. I can’t fault her for that. Many people in our community look down on hybrids. My own family scorned the fact that I was half vampire. How could I possibly hold it against her?

“Princess Madeline, it is lovely to see you again,” King Rune says in greeting.

I curtsy to him. “Thank you for coming to visit.”

“Of course.” His grin widens. “My son is very smitten with you.”

Damek’s cheeks turn a light shade of pink. “Dad.”

King Rune chuckles. “Does she not already know?” He looks toward me. “He hasn’t stopped talking about you since he met you.”

I can’t help but grin, loving the fact that Damek has spoken to his father about me. I wonder what he’s said, but I don’t ask.

“Isn’t she lovely, dear?” King Rune looks at his wife.

His wife wrinkles her nose. “She’s not what I thought she’d be. I thought you said she was half succubus.”

“My daughter is half succubus.” Dad steps up beside me, putting his hand on my back.

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I was just explaining to Queen Rune that I don’t have a lot of succubus magic. My vampire side is dominant.”

“I highly doubt that,” King Rune says. “I dare say every single male vampire is half in love with you. Even without succubus magic, you would be popular, but your magic makes you more alluring.”

Alluring?

Nobody has ever called me alluring and I’m not sure it’s an adequate thing to say about me. I’m just a hybrid.

“That’s sweet of you to say.” I chew on my bottom lip, not sure what to make of the situation.

Damek’s dad likes me, but his stepmom hates me. Will he consider their opinions when it comes to me? What if Damek decides I’m not worth pursuing after this?

At Dad’s suggestion, we make our way into the dining room for dinner. Everybody has a heated mug of blood except for me. I opt to drink water, which Queen Rune takes note of. She narrows her eyes as she studies my glass.

---