Page 70 of The Reluctant Heir

“You’re not getting out of this, Princess Madeline, so stop trying.” He levels me with a glare. “But you can think about that after work because today I am going to be teaching you about some recent vampire history.”

I groan as I watch him get up and make his way over to the large bookshelf behind his desk.

All we ever do is study history and law. I get that, as queen, I need to know these things, but I never get a break.

“I hope Lucien comes back soon.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Lucien knows all of this stuff.” Kaine puts the heavy book down on my desk. “He learned this at the academy and then he continued his lessons in university.”

“I already went to university,” I inform him, hoping he won’t get any ideas. There is no way that I’m going back to college. “I did my four years, I got my degree, and I never want to step foot in a classroom again—not even to learn about vampire law.”

“I’m not going to make you go back to university.” Kaine scoots his chair over to my desk. “You’re too old for that.”

I give him a look. “Gee, thanks.”

He chuckles. “You’re twenty three—I’m not calling you old. Besides, I’m older than you are.”

I rub a hand on the back of my neck. “You’re twenty four. Don’t pretend like you’re that much older and wiser than me.”

“I never claimed to be wise. But I did learn this.” He taps my book. “Lucien and I took all the same classes.”

I slide the book toward him. “So how about we don’t study this and just say we did.”

He slides the book back over to me. “Because you might need this someday.”

“But I might not.” I slide the book back again. “And if I ever do need it, you can just advise me on what I should do.”

He snorts. “With this kind of attitude, I’m surprised you got passing grades to get a degree.”

I smirk. “My professors were all human. I didn’t go to a supernatural college.”

“So you charmed them all into giving you good grades?” He shakes his head and slides the book in front of me again. “That’s cheating, Princess Madeline.”

“I went to a supernatural high school, don’t worry. I just had to get my degree before I could work with my grandfather. It’s not like I actually used anything I learned in college anyway.”

“Well, you’re not charming your way out of this.” He opens the book and taps a page. “Start with the war of 1917—there will be a test on it.”

“Atest?” I groan. “Come on, Kaine. This is so boring. Besides, shouldn’t we focus on the husband thing? Or did you forget I have less than two weeks?”

“I already told you, you can think about who you want to marry on your own time. Right now, you must learn this.” He slides his chair back to his desk. “Once you’re engaged, you’ll likely be spending your time with wedding planning and I want to drill this stuff into you as much as possible.”

He opens his book and begins reading, leaving me with no choice but to study the book he handed me.

I look at my book and try to focus, but my head is too busy focusing on what I’m going to do to absorb anything.

This sucks.

20

I JUST DID

Instead of spending the day reading about the War of 1917, I spend the day pondering my options.

I like Damek. A lot.

But…

His mother.

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