Page 1 of The Royal Engagement

1

FIRST MEETINGS

The car is completely silent inside, the only noise to be heard is the sound of rubber hitting pavement as we cruise along the interstate.

Dad taps his finger on the leather seat as he looks out the window—a tell that he is nervous. Not that I didn’t already know, I can hear his heart racing. I don’t comment on his racing heart, not wanting to point out the obvious.

I wonderwhyhe’s nervous. Sure, we’re on our way to the airport to pick up my mother—the woman he had an affair with twenty four years ago—but it’s not like this is the first time he’s seen her since the affair. He’s been in contact with her since I turned eighteen and he went to see her the day I agreed to become his heir.

Truthfully, my heart is racing almost as fast as his. I’m nervous about seeing my mom again. I haven’t seen her since I left more than three months ago and we didn’t leave things on the best of terms.

I’m still mad at my mother for keeping me separated from my father. I think how different my life could’ve been, how much better itshouldhave been. But I can’t stay mad at her forever. I need to forgive her.

I sigh softly, but because vampire hearing is a thing, Dad hears me. He turns in his seat to face me.

“Are you okay?”

I shrug, then nod. This isn’t exactly something that I want to talk about with my dad because I don’t want to give him a reason to hate my mom.

He reaches across the seat between us and takes my hand in his. It’s a sweet gesture that only solidifies my feelings—my childhood would’ve been so much better with him in my life.

“Thank you for coming with me to pick up my mom.” I take a deep breath. “And thank you for letting her stay with us. I know it won’t be easy to have my mom there, especially with Eden.”

He stiffens at the mention of Eden, but he squeezes my hand. “It was Eden’s suggestion. I was going to pay for a hotel for your mother during her stay, but Eden knew you’d want her close by.”

My heart melts at his admission. Eden is truly a great woman.

The car slows down and makes a left turn. My mouth goes dry as we pull into the parking lot of the private airfield. An airplane is coming in for a landing and I know my mother is on that plane. I take a deep breath to try and calm my racing heart.

When the driver gets out, he opens the door for Dad first before coming around to my side. I hesitantly get out, wishing that I could delay this for a few more days, but I can’t. We have less than six months to plan a royal wedding and I’m going to need all the help I can get, especially when it comes to Queen Rune.

My stomach churns as I think about my future mother-in-law. The woman has hated me from the moment she laid eyes on me. I am hoping that over the next few months, as she gets to know me, her opinion of me will change. I just wish I knew what I did to make her think so negatively about me.

Dad and I stand next to the car as the airplane comes to a stop not too far away from us. As the crew pulls down the steps, the two of us slowly walk closer to the private jet. My heart races as somebody walks down the stairs, but it’s not my mom.

“Grandpa?” My voice comes out squeaky. “What are you doing here?”

He comes to a stop in front of Dad and me and he offers me a smile. “My granddaughter is getting married—you didn’t think I would miss the opportunity to meet your fiancé, did you?”

“But…” my voice trails off as Grandpa turns his attention to Dad.

This is the first time they are meeting, I realize. My mom never revealed my father’s identity, not even to my grandfather. I look between them, my mind going crazy with scenarios. What I don’t expect is for my dad to extend his hand in a very human like gesture.

“Hello, I’m Michael—Madeline’s dad.”

My grandfather accepts his handshake. “I know who you are, King Scott. I am Madeline’s grandfather, King Bennett.”

My worlds are colliding and I’m not sure what to make of it.

Since I am paying attention to what is happening between my dad and grandfather, I don’t hear my mother’s approach. I nearly jump when she suddenly appears in my peripheral.

“Dad,” she says, giving my grandfather a scolding look. “You promised you’d be nice.”

“No, you told me to be nice and assumed I would listen. This man took advantage of you,” Grandpa says, still keeping his gaze on Dad.

Yikes, this meeting isn’t going well. Part of me is glad I didn’t know he was coming so I wouldn’t stress about it.

Mom steps between Dad and Grandpa. “No, Dad, he didn’t. If anything, I was the one who took advantage. I would’ve done anything to get out of the marriage you were arranging.”

---