Page 75 of The Reluctant Heir

I sigh. “Sorry. I, uh… well, you know that vampires have laws about succession and marriage.”

“No, I didn’t,” Mom says. “But it’s not surprising. Succubi and incubi also have similar laws. It’s part of the reason I never got married. I didn’t like any of the options available.”

I snort.

I’m not surprised Mom was unimpressed with her options. Incubi men aren’t exactly my type either.

“Well, there are a lot of laws about it.” I begin to pace the room. “And, since I am currently the heir to Dad’s throne, I have to follow these rules. And I have to choose a husband.”

“Oh, and you need my help picking a guy?” I can hear her smile. “Madeline, you called the right person. Send me over pictures—oh, or better yet, let me come meet them.”

I roll my eyes. “That’s not what I need. I can choose myself, thank you very much. But I just mean, I have to choosenow. Dad is giving me until the end of the month to decide.”

“Oh.” Mom lowers her voice. “Do you need me to talk to your father?”

“No.” I run my fingers through my hair. “I just don’t know what to do. I’m not ready to get married yet.”

“But there is a guy you like?” Mom asks.

“Yes. But it’s complicated.”

“Meaning there aretwoguys.” She’s smiling again, I can tell by the tone of her voice.

“Mom!” I groan, sitting down on the edge of my bed. “There is only one guy. Well… therearetwo guys. But one doesn’t count because he’s not eligible to become my husband. He’s not a royal. I like him, but he’s made it clear that we can’t be together. But the other guy is a royal.”

“Say no more,” Mom says. “I understand. So, the royal that you’re considering is a guy you like, correct?”

“Yes. I like him.” I think of Damek and can’t help but smile. “But, Mom, I barely know the guy.”

“Then take a chance, honey. If I had the chance to do things over, I would have,” Mom says, then pauses. “Did I ever tell you about my first love?”

“No.” I chew on my fingernail. “I thought Dad was your first love.”

She chuckles. “No. There was an incubus that I was rather fond of. But because my father was trying to force me to marry him, I rejected him. A few weeks later, I changed my mind, but it was too late. He had already married somebody else.”

“What?” My stomach sinks. “You think that could happen with Damek?”

“Maybe, I don’t know. I’m just saying that you should take a chance,” Mom says. “Don’t have regrets like me, okay? If you have feelings for this guy,tell him. I don’t want you to be alone. You should be happy. Besides, I want grandchildren.Lotsof grandchildren.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Okay, Mom. I’ll get right on that.”

“Be sure that you do,” she says sternly. “Please invite me to the wedding.”

“You know I will.” I sigh. “I’m not cutting you from my life. I just needed a little time to adjust to everything. I was kind of blindsided, you know?”

“I know. And I am so sorry about that. I have made a lot of mistakes in my lifetime. But, Madeline, honey, you are not one of those mistakes. I will never regret having you,” Mom says.

“I know.” My heart swells. “I love you, Mom.”

“Love you too.”

As soon asI end the call with my mom, I pull up Damek’s contact information and hit the call button. It’s kind of late, so I’m not sure if he will answer or not, but it only rings twice before the line picks up.

“Hello.” Damek’s voice always sounds a little deeper when we talk on the phone.

“Hey.” My stomach clenches with nerves. “I need to talk to you, but not on the phone. Can we meet tonight?”

“Why don’t I come over right now?” he asks.

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