Page 62 of The Reluctant Heir

“Princess Madeline, do you not want blood?” she asks.

“I don’t drink blood,” I inform her.

She opens her mouth to say something else, but Eden and Julien come into the dining room, taking their place at the table. My shoulders relax when I see my younger brother. He takes the free seat beside me, leaving me in between him and Damek.

“Queen Scott, Prince Julien, how lovely to see you both,” Queen Rune says in a sugary sweet tone. It’s not a tone she’s used when regarding me.

I guess she likes my family. But I’m not so sure that the woman can tolerate me. I wonder if she will grow to like me. The thought of having a mother-in-law who hates me isn’t an appealing prospect.

After the greetings, King Rune turns his attention to me. He takes a sip from his mug. “Princess Madeline, you said you don’t drink blood.”

“Correct,” I answer. “It’s not that it tastes gross or anything, I just can’t stomach it. Any time I’ve tried, it’s always made me sick afterward.”

“Fascinating.” His eyes light up. “And it doesn’t affect your strength?”

I shake my head.

“I’ve witnessed for myself that Madeline’s strength never wanes,” Dad says. “I’ve never seen anything like it. If she wasn’tmy daughter, I’d give her a job as a guard. I’ve considered training her anyway. It might be a good idea, considering the attack.”

“Training?” I take a sip of water.

“To learn how to fight and defend yourself,” Dad explains.

Fight?

The thought nearly makes me laugh out loud. I can’t imagine what my cousins would think if they heard that.

Succubi and incubi arenotfighters. Even my grandfather, the king, had to hire guards of other species to help protect him. Not that he ever truly needs protecting. Succubi and incubi are very passive. It’s, thankfully, a trait that skipped over me.

Julien rubs his hands together. “Excellent. I want to train with her.”

“You do?” Dad’s eyes widen in surprise at Julien’s proclamation.

Julien grins. “I’ve wanted to learn for a long time. I think it would be good for me and my sister to learn together. It would be a good bonding experience.”

“You two are close, I take it,” King Rune says.

Julien nods. “Very close. She loves it when we hang out in her room.”

I roll my eyes at him. “You don’t even knock. And you put your dirty shoes on my bed.”

“Julien,” Eden scolds.

Julien simply smiles at her and she smiles back.

He’s got his mom wrapped around his finger. And the fact that he’s the youngest I’m sure doesn’t hurt his case.

“Queen Rune, I haven’t heard how you’re doing with all of…” her eyes flash toward me, “this. How are you holding up?”

This? Am I not even a person now?

I notice Julien clench his jaw.

Damek reaches a hand toward me and grabs my left hand in his, clasping it firmly. He probably feels horrible about his mom’s behavior. I sort of wish he had warned me what she was like so I could’ve been prepared. Then again, maybe he didn’t know. She seems nice to him. And I don’t imagine Damek brings home many girls to meet the family. He has a very limited pool to choose from. It’s not like he could date just anybody.

“I’m fine,” Eden says. She’s smiling, but I know her well enough to see the annoyance in her eyes. “Madeline is like a daughter to me. I enjoy having her with us. She completes our family.”

“We love Maddie,” Julien says, standing up for me. He doesn’t try to hide his annoyance as he narrows his eyes at Queen Rune. “I’m not even upset about not being the prettiest one in the family anymore.”

---