Page 72 of The Reluctant Heir

“No.” I chew on my bottom lip. “I wanted to talk to you first.”

“You need to tell Kaine. I’d tell him before you tell Dad or Damek,” Julien advises.

“Why?” I ask. “It’s not like I’m going to change my mind.”

“Just talk to him,” he demands. “And then let me know what happens.”

I roll my eyes. “Whatever. You know, you’re supposed to be supportive and maybe a little sympathetic.”

He pats my head. “Sorry you have to marry a rich, hot prince.”

I snort.

Okay, maybe it’s notallbad.

Kaine waitsfor me in the office, like always. As I sit down at my desk, he doesn’t even look up at me. Instead, his eyes are trained on the book in front of him. I recognize the law book infront of him, it’s one that I’ve had thepleasureof reading. It’s about vampire succession laws. The book is surprisingly detailed and tedious.

I put my iced coffee down on a coaster and wait for Kaine to finish reading whatever passage has him so engrossed.

“Have you made your decision?” Kaine asks, finally looking up.

“My decision?” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

He raises an eyebrow. “Yourhusband.”

“Oh. That,” I mumble, lowering my head. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

I shrug. “I just wonder who would want to marry me.”

He stares at me, cocking his head to the side. “I am confused. Have you forgotten the stack of alliance offers waiting in your father’s office? Every family with an eligible son has put in offers. One family even put in a very nice offer, if you’re willing to wait for their fifteen-year-old son to come of age.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Gross.”

He shrugs. “I’m just saying… everybody wants to marry you.”

“Because of the alliance, but not because ofme.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Do you not remember what Damek’s mother said to me? About how she thought I would be prettier? And that I’m unattractive and not charming like a ‘real’ succubus.” I chew on my bottom lip.

“We’ve already established that Damek’s mother is jealous because you’re prettier than her. She’s not used to other women being prettier than her,” Kaine says in a dismissive tone. “So if that’s what you’re worried about, don’t.”

“It’s not just her.” I rub my fingers at my temple, trying to ward off a growing headache.

“Explain,” Kaine demands.

I sigh. “You know that I’m only five feet, five inches tall, right?”

“What does your height have to do with anything?” Kaine’s brow wrinkles as he studies me.

“All of my female cousins are over five ten,” I explain. “They’re all gorgeous. Like, supermodel gorgeous. And then there is me. I’m not pretty like them. Maybe I’m pretty by human standards, but not by supernatural standards.”

Kaine rolls his eyes. “That’s utterly ridiculous.”

I shrug. “It doesn’t change the fact that I feel bad for whoever is going to be stuck marrying me.”

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