Page 63 of The Reluctant Heir

I snort. “Only because, to quote you, we look like.”

He winks at me.

Damek chuckles. “I hadn’t noticed before, but you two do look alike.”

“And since you’re attracted to my sister, I’m going to take that as a compliment.” Julien smirks at Damek. “Thank you, Prince Damek.”

“Just Damek,” he says. “There is no need for titles when your sister and I are so close. We’ll likely be brothers someday.”

Dad chokes on his drink. “I didn’t realize the two of you were so serious.”

Damek’s words shock me too, but not as much as they do my father. I do like Damek and I think he’s the only marriage candidate that I’d ever consider. But we haven’t known each other long enough to make a permanent decision. And after meeting Damek’s mother…

“Oh, Damek,” Queen Rune sighs. “You don’t mean that, do you? This… girl… isn’t worthy of you or your love.”

Dad tosses down his napkin. “And what is wrong with my daughter?”

She snorts. “Yourdaughteris barely even legitimate.”

“She is legitimate. She is currently my heir,” Dad argues. “She comes from two strong supernatural lines. Her mother is a princess, second in line to the succubi and incubi throne. A throne that Madeline’s grandfather currently sits on and rules. She was born for greatness.”

My heart swells at my dad’s words.

I’ve never heard him talk like this before, not about me.

Julien slips his arm on the back of my chair. “Maddie is more suited to be queen than half the rulers that currently sit on the throne. She’s going to make an amazing queen.”

Queen Rune, realizing she’s overstepped, lowers her head. “My apologies, King Scott. I meant no disrespect to you or your family.”

“I apologize as well, on behalf of my wife,” King Rune says. He looks at me. “I would gladly welcome you as my daughter-in-law. I believe you will be a quite capable queen and the Rune Clan would be lucky to have you.”

“Thank you, King Rune.” I nod at him in respect.

Damek squeezes my hand. I know he hates his mother’s actions. How do I explain to him that I’m used to this? That my cousins used to berate me daily. I know that being a hybrid makes me unworthy of the throne. Just because I come from two strong bloodlines doesn’t mean anything. Blood is just blood.

After dinner is over, Damek and I escape from our families. I take him to the back, where there is an enclosed back patio. After my father realized how the cold affected me, he had it enclosed so I could still enjoy looking outside. Three walls are made up of entirely glass—bulletproof glass. From here, I can see the heated pool. Even though there is heat rising from it, I don’t plan toswim until summer. I don’t care how warm the water supposedly is.

“I’m sorry about my mom,” Damek says, as sits beside me on the loveseat. “She’s usually a very loving and kind person. I don’t know why she acted that way toward you.”

I shrug. “It’s okay, as a hybrid, I’m used to it.”

“What do you mean?” Damek slips his arm around me and pulls me into his side.

“I wasn’t exactly welcomed openly in the incubi and succubi community. Even my cousins made fun of me for being ugly.” I chew on my lip, trying not to think too much about what happened in the past. Damek’s stepmom reminded me of what it was like at home. Now, more than ever, I’m so thankful to be here with my father.

“Your cousins called you ugly.” Damek cocks an eyebrow. “Were they blind or jealous?”

“As I’m only half succubus, I’m not as pretty as most succubi,” I tell him, in case he doesn’t know. Maybe he’s never met another succubus before.

“Maddie, I’ve met other succubi. Trust me when I tell you, none of them were as gorgeous as you are.” He pushes my hair back from my face.

I blink, unable to process his words.

First, he called meMaddie. And somehow, hearing my brother’s nickname for me on his lips is blissful. Second, he thinks I’m gorgeous—more gorgeous than any full blooded succubus he’s never met. How am I supposed to react to this?

“You don’t believe me?” he asks.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “I believe you’re not lying, but I am questioning your judgment.”

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