Page 70 of The Royal Engagement

Lucien sits down on the other side of me. “You okay, Maddie?”

“I’ve been better,” I admit.

Damek squeezes my hand. “They’ll call soon.”

Lucien relaxes in his seat. “I admit, it’s harder to be on this side of things, waiting to see what happens.”

I grin. “Yeah, I agree.”

Lucien nods. “Right, Dad told me you got kidnapped too. He said you enthralled Prince Lucas and he just let you walk right out.”

“Yeah. I had no clue I was powerful enough to do that.” I chew on my bottom lip. “Before that, I could’ve sworn I was more vampire than succubus. I didn’t think my succubus magic was strong.”

Part of me still wonders if it’s a fluke thing…

Julien sits down on the other side of Lucien. “Maddie thinks she’s not attractive. But I explained to her that she and I look alike. Since I’m gorgeous, she is too.”

Lucien narrows his eyes at Julien. “Sometimes I wonder if you were adopted.”

I laugh.

Julien crosses his arms over his chest. “You are just jealous because I’m hot.” He grins at me. “Right, Maddie? We’re the cute ones.”

“I’m staying out of this,” I say.

Julien looks at Damek. “You’re on my side, right?”

Damek cocks an eyebrow. “I agree that Maddie is gorgeous, but I don’t particularly think the two of you look alike.”

Julien puts a hand on his chest. “I’m wounded. I thought you and I were going to be friends.”

“Children,” Dad says, giving Julien a look. “No arguing.”

As soon as Dad turns his head, I stick my tongue out at Julien.

“Dad, Maddie stuck her tongue out at me!” Julien tattles.

Dad looks between the three of us. “Aren’t you guys too old to fight?”

“Siblings are never too old to argue.” Lucien relaxes into his seat. “Having Maddie here is great. I finally have somebody on my side.” He turns to me. “Mom and Dad always sided with Julien—he’s their baby so they love him more.”

“We do not,” Dad says.

I’m sure they don’t love Julien more, but they definitely baby him. I’ve been around long enough to see that.

Lucien and I share a look, but we don’t argue with him.

Dad’s phone rings again and I glance toward the screen. When I see Kaine’s name pop up, my heart races knowing that it’s him who is supposed to call with news.

Dad picks up the phone and puts it to his ear. “Kaine.”

“We’ve got her,” Kaine says.

My entire body relaxes at his words.

They’ve got my mom.

“We’re about to board a plane,” he continues. “We also have King Nodin and his family in custody. We will be bringing them back for a trial.”

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