Page 61 of The Royal Engagement

Harper frowns. “It’s so unfair that you can see in the dark.”

“Right,” Sophia crosses her arms over her chest. “I’ve always been so scared of the dark.”

I grin at her. “Trust me, nothing is out there. Just a beautiful lake.”

“We eat here a lot, especially in the summer,” Tiffany says, once we head inside. “Damek and Duncan always loved coming here—I think they just wanted an excuse to ride in the boat. It was their favorite thing when they were younger. We make a point to come once a week, even now.” She smiles at me. “I suppose you’ll be coming with us this summer.” She pauses. “That is unless you want alone time with Damek. I don’t mean to pry.”

“I want to come.” I slip my arm through hers, linking them together. “We’re going to be family—don’t think you’re prying by inviting us to dinner.”

Her shoulders relax. “Not all women would feel that way about their in-laws.”

“Well, I do. So don’t worry about that,” I say, hoping to reassure her.

We get a table by the windows, even though Mom and my cousins won’t be able to see the view. Mom raises an eyebrow when Tiffany orders a glass of blood, but nobody says anything. We eat our dinner and laugh about silly things. It’s exactly what I want out of a bachelorette party.

When we eventually head to the hotel, Mom is exhausted and heads to bed straight away. Tiffany and Eden also retire early, though I have a feeling they just want to give me time with my cousins.

Harper, Sophia, and I stay up late talking about nothing and everything all at once. They tease me about my upcoming honeymoon—something that I’m quite looking forward to. And they talk about wanting their own vampire prince to sweep them off their feet. I want to warn them that the other princes are half as charming as Damek, but I don’t want to ruin their fantasy. They’re looking forward to all the single princes they’re going to meet.

I think about that—they technicallycouldmarry a vampire prince. They’re royalty and would offer an alliance with the succubi and incubi, which would give them an alliance with the Scott and Rune clans. It’s not a bad position for the other vampires to be in.

Still, the thought of either of them warming up to Prince Caedmon has me shivering. Then again, if anybody could handle him, it would be a succubus.

Surprisingly, my cousins stay up until the sun starts to rise, and then we all head to our rooms for a good day’s sleep.

I wake up in the early afternoon to Eden shaking me gently.

“Madeline, wake up.”

I rub my eyes. “What time is it?”

“It’s three o’clock. I’m sorry to disturb your sleep, but we can’t find your mom,” she says softly.

My mom?

I look around, feeling disoriented. It takes me a few moments to realizewhereI am.

The hotel.

The bachelorette party.

My skin is still smooth from all the lotion and oils they used during my massage despite the shower I took before bed.

I sit up and look at Eden. “What do you mean my mom is missing? She probably just went out to get food or something. Unlike us, she can’t sleep during the day.”

“Madeline.” Eden hands me a slip of paper. “She was taken.”

“What?” I look down at the paper and slowly read the words.

I’ve taken Princess Bennett.We will be in contact with demands shortly.

Sincerely,

Prince Lucas Nodin

My heart racesas I look at the signature.

The Nodin Clan took her? Why would they do that? Andhowdid they do that? We have guards with us.

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