Page 21 of The Royal Engagement

He thinks I chose Damek because of the way helooks? Does he not get that looks are the least of my concerns when it comes to choosing the man I want to spend the rest of my life with? Yes, Damek is gorgeous, but he’s so much more than that.

“I like Damek for a lot of reasons and the way he looks ranks far down on the list.” I link my arm through Damek’s. “Good evening, Grandpa.”

“Good evening. I am glad you and your prince could come.” Grandpa smiles at me. “Are you two ready?”

Do I have a choice?

“We’re ready,” Damek answers for me. “By the way, do you think you could introduce me to Henry?”

Grandpa pauses, looking from Damek to me. His lips turn up in the corners. “Henry can’t make it tonight. He’s out of the country.”

I let out a long breath, my shoulders loosening.

Damek huffs. “I guess I’ll see him at our wedding.”

Grandpa shrugs. “Possibly. He may be out of the country for a while.”

I get the feeling he’s ‘out of the country’ on purpose.

“You should’ve sent him out of the country a few years ago,” I mumble under my breath too low for my grandfather to hear.

Damek smirks at me.

When we get to the double doors that lead inside, a couple of guards open for us. They bow to Grandpa and nod to Damek and me.

I tighten my grip on Damek’s arm and nearly stop walking when I see how crowded it is.

Did all of my cousins decide to show up early tonight?

Grandpa leans over and whispers to me, “I told them it started an hour early. I didn’t want anybody to be late. Tonight is your night.” He winks at me and then turns around to address the crowd. I don’t make out a word of his speech because my heart is pounding so fast and hard.

So much for avoiding my cousins.

What was I thinking by agreeing to this? I should turn around and leave right now. I shouldn’t be here.

Damek leans closer and whispers, “Say the word and we will leave.”

I force myself to take a deep breath.

I can do this. It’s one night. And when the night is over, I’ll be going home.

Since when have I considered my home with the vampires? If I’m being honest, it was the very first night I arrived with my dad and met Julien. Being engaged to Damek only solidified it for me.

“I can do this,” I say low enough that only Damek will hear me.

The crowd around us claps and we follow Grandpa further into the room. The crowd parts for us and it feels strange to be the center of attention, at least here in my grandfather’s castle.

Long rectangular tables line the back wall. At my grandfather’s command, we approach them for dinner. My stomach is in knots, so I’m unsure if I’ll be able to eat anything.

Like the prince he is, Damek pulls out my chair for me. I notice my female cousins watching with calf-like eyes. Pulling out chairs, opening doors, and being a gentleman aren’t part of our culture. I wonder whybecause it’s so nice. I could get used to this.

When we sit down, Damek holds my hand and he watchesme. Even surrounded by beautiful succubi, it’s like he only has eyes for me.

Being chosen is an unfamiliar feeling. I never imagined that any man could pick me over another succubus. I’ve always felt inadequate. But with Damek, I don’t feel those things. I feel so seen.

Is a political engagement supposed to feel like this? Because it feels like we’re seriously courting. It feels like I’m introducing a man that I love to my family. And even though we’re not there yet, we’re not in love, I feel pretty close to it.

My stomach twists for an entirely different reason. It’s not nerves. It’s butterflies.

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