Page 66 of The Reluctant Heir

“I’m telling you the truth right now.” I scoot slightly closer until my thigh touches his. “So… what am I supposed to do about Queen Rune?”

He rubs a hand on the back of his head, taking a deep breath. “I’ll figure out something. We can discuss it at work tomorrow.”

I groan, covering my face with the crook of my elbow.

I have a feeling no matter how much we discuss the issue and Kaine schools me, Queen Rune will never like me. I’ll never be good enough for her stepson.

“Did you know she was once human?” I ask Kaine, removing my elbow so I can look at him. “I didn’t realize humans could be so cruel.”

“You don’t know many humans then.” He gives me the side eye. “I may have been young when I was turned, but I knew just how cruel humans could be. They can be just as cruel as any supernatural.”

His words surprise me.

I knew that humans could be cruel, I had just never witnessed it firsthand. Being a supernatural, humans are naturally drawn to me. They go out of their way to be kind.

Kaine pats me on the arm and then stands up from the bed. “I better go so you can get some rest. We’ll start early tomorrow and figure out a plan. And we need to narrow down your marriage candidates.”

“Maybe you could stay a little longer.” Tears well up in my eyes again, almost without my permission. “I don’t want to be alone just yet.”

He reluctantly steps closer to the bed. “I don’t know, Princess Madeline.”

Princess.

There’s that stupid title again.

I scoot up my bed, resting my back against the headboard. I pat the spot beside me. “Come on. Distract me from my misery.”

He sits down slowly like he’s trying to be cautious.

I lift an eyebrow at him. “What? Are you scared I’m going to try and ravish you now that you know I think you’re hot?”

He coughs for a few prolonged seconds. “Madeline,” he scolds.

My lips tip upward. “That’s much better. You don’t have to call me ‘Princess’ anymore. I don’t like the title.”

“I am your advisor—I have to call you princess in public. If I didn’t, even your father would object. It would imply that we have more of a relationship than we actually have.” He narrows his eyes. “I also shouldn’t be in your bedroom right now.”

“Who will know?” I offer him a smile. “I won’t tell if you won’t.”

“And will you please never use the word ravish when referring to you and me? Because if anybody overheard you, they would get the very wrong idea about us,” Kaine says, continuing like I didn’t speak. “Honestly, I have no idea how I’m going to survive being your advisor.”

“Cheer up.” I link my arm through his.

He makes a choking sound of disproval, but I ignore it.

I scoot a little closer to him. “You’re my distraction. So what do you want to do?”

He narrows his eyes. “You’re the one who is practically forcing me to be here. What do you want me to do?”

I tap my chin, deciding it might be fun to mess with him a little more. “We could always make out.”

His expression goes completely blank as he looks at me. “PrincessMadeline.” His tone is darker than I’ve ever heard, but the displeasure is clear.

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Am I not allowed to joke with you?”

“No,” he insists. “Because you weren’t joking—you were flirting. And I’ve already told you, I am not an option. Your father needs allies. Theclanneeds allies. And it’s your duty as a princess to marry a royal.”

I sigh. “You’re no fun, Kaine.”

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