Page 86 of The Reluctant Heir

“Third option?” He raises an eyebrow.

“I stay betrothed to Damek and you let me and my brother go.” I put my hands on my hips and level him with a glare. “Because there is no way that I am marrying you.”

“The dungeons it is.” The hard, cold look from last night is back. It’s a look that promises pain.

Prince Lucas moves toward me with his vamp speed. I move out of the way in time to miss a kick to my side and land a punch to his jaw. I move out of the way again, before he can land a hit.

Am I… faster than him?

It’s clear from our movements that I am, but it surprises me. I didn’t imagine I could ever match the strength or speed of a full blooded vampire. I’m just a hybrid.

I feel my magic reach out to Prince Lucas and he abruptly stops fighting. The cold look from his eyes are gone and he watches me with a soft expression.

What is going on? Is he trying to lull me into a false sense of security? But I recognize his expression. It’s one I’ve seen hundreds of times… on humans.

Did I… no… there is no way that I used my succubus magic to enthrall him. My magic isn’t strong enough for that. But the longer he looks at me with a lovesick expression, the more I think that I was dead wrong when I thought my succubus magic wasn’t strong. For me to be able to enthrall a supernatural like this, my magic has to beverystrong. Possibly stronger than even my cousins.

“I’m going to go now,” I tell him.

He nods slowly. “Okay.”

I walk right past him and out the door that is now unlocked. As I walk past servants and guards, I get several looks, but nobody tries to stop me as I head to the front door of the mansion. Just as I’m about to reach the doors, they are thrown open with a loud thunk. Damek is the first to walk through and I meet him halfway as guards rush into the home. I’m flanked by no less than ten guards while the rest make their way through the mansion.

“Maddie, are you okay?” Damek’s eyes roam me, looking for any injury. He stiffens as he smells the dried blood on me. “You’re injured.”

I point to my head. “They hit me over the head to knock me out, but it’s already healing.”

His shoulders stay stiff.

“I’m okay.” I put my hands on his arms. “I managed to get away from Prince Lucas.”

He pulls me into his arms and squeezes me against him. The move feels comforting and sweet. I find myself leaning into him and letting him take the bulk of my weight.

“We need to get out of here. Our forces are going to check the dungeons for Lucien.”

I stiffen when I hear Julien’s voice behind me. I turn to face my younger brother. “Why are you here?”

He cocks an eyebrow. “You think I’d stay at home while Dad and the forces came to rescue you?”

I smack his arm. “Yes. Because you should be safe at home.”

Damek puts his hand on my lower back. “You can fight with your brother later. We really should be going now.”

I notice our guards make a complete circle around us. They’re ready for us to leave too.

As we head out the front doors of the estate, I glance back at the beautiful home that I was held captive at. I can’t help but think about what happened today. I used my succubus magic for the first time and I enthralled a supernatural.

No, notjusta supernatural. I enthralled a vampireprince. It’s something that should have been impossible. I’ve never heard of any succubi or incubi enthralling a monarch. Most of them aren’t even capable of enthralling other supernaturals, only humans.

I also used my vampire powers and I was faster than Prince Lucas. That can’t be normal. But when Damek slips his hand into mine and laces our fingers together, I focus my attention on him instead of whatever just happened. I can worry about that later. Right now, I need to focus on getting out of here.

“Besides your head, did he hurt you in any way?” Damek asks, his voice deceptively soft. I can still see the anger burning in his eyes as he glances at the dried blood in my hair.

I swallow hard. “No. I’m okay. He didn’t hurt me. I woke up in that room alone—that’s when I noticed there was a landline phone.”

“I’m hurt you didn’t call me,” Julien pipes in.

“Sorry.” I shoot my younger brother a smile. “Damek’s number was the only one I could remember.”

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