Page 71 of The Royal Engagement

“Excellent. I will make sure the council is ready when you get back,” Dad says.

“Is Mom okay?” I ask.

Dad relays what I said to Kaine.

“She’s fine—she fought them the entire time she was there. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody so mad in my life,” Kaine says.

I laugh, knowing Mom must’ve been very ticked off to be kept as a prisoner. She’s always had a temper and nobody can force her to do something against her will—I’m pretty sure that’s the reason I exist. She was mad at my grandfather for trying to force her into a political marriage.

Once they hang up, the rest of us leave Dad’s office so he can make phone calls to any remaining council members who need to be here for the hearing. Lucien talks to everybody else and tells them the good news.

Damek stays by my side, comforting me. My heart feels so full and happy, knowing that my family is safe. The Nodin Clan will be judged for their crimes and they won’t be able to hurt anybody ever again.

And me… I get my dream guy. Nothing could be better.

Damek presses a kiss to my lips. “I’m relieved they found your mom.”

I let out a breath. “Me too. I didn’t want to have the wedding without her. I was worried it might take months to find her. I’m relieved that wasn’t the case.”

“Two more weeks.” He shakes his head. “I know that two weeks isn’t long, but it feels like forever.”

I grin. “Two weeks and we start our lives together. It won’t be so bad of a wait. Besides, I kind of like the anticipation.”

“So we should postpone so you can have a long traditional succubus engagement,” Damek teases.

I press a finger to his lips. “Absolutely not. Don’t even mention that. We’ve waited long enough.”

He kisses my finger. “I tried to get you a year.”

“And I appreciate that.” I stand on the tips of my toes, trying to reach his lips. He bends over to meet my mouth.

The sound of a throat clearing has us pulling back.

“Madeline, Damek,” Dad says. “If you two would get ready. The council will be meeting as soon as they get back with the Nodin leaders.”

Translation: don’t make out where everybody can see us.

Right.

I grin at him. “Sorry, Dad.”

He gently pats me on the back and grins.

Damek and I do step back from each other, but he keeps giving me these heated looks and I know he’s thinking about kissing me.

Two more weeks, I remind myself.

A little later, the front doors are thrown open as Kaine and about fifty guards lead King Nodin, his two sons, and the rest of his family toward the meeting room. It’s a relief to see Lucas Nodin in handcuffs.

They can’t hurt us anymore.

Mom walks in a few paces behind the crowd. She is surrounded by guards. I run over to her and the guards makeroom for me. I throw my arms around my mom and she squeezes me back.

“Are you okay?” I ask her.

“I’m fine,” she says. “Don’t fret over me.”

“Madeline,” Dad calls.

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