Page 25 of The Royal Engagement

I expect him to laugh, but he gets a serious expression on his face.

“My father has never pushed me into marriage. After what his father did to him, he never wanted to do that with me,” Damek says. “There was no list of women for me to choose from. I just met you and after talking to you for only a few minutes, I knew I wanted to marry you.”

My heart pounds loudly in my ears as I consider his words.

I’ve never had anybody look at me the way Damek does. And I’ve never had anybody treat me like he does. He’s kind, sweet, and helikesme. He chose me over all of my gorgeous succubi cousins.

But I don’t understandwhy. It just doesn’t make sense.

“Maddie,” Damek says.

I look up. “Yes?”

“Will you please come on vacation with my family next week?” he asks.

I can’t stop the smile as I nod.

Damek smiles back, his entire body relaxing at my acceptance. “We’re going to the beach—a supernatural only island. It will be warm, but we’ll be spending most of our time in the water. My family owns a beach bungalow. It’s always a lot of fun.”

Spending a week on an island sounds perfect right now. And the fact that Damek will be there only makes it better.

“Thank you for inviting me.” I chew on my lower lip, wondering if he will regret bringing me. I still think he should have some alone time with his family before our marriage.

“I want you to come,” Damek says, interrupting my thoughts. “I know you probably don’t believe me, but you are my family now.”

Family.

With Damek.

I squeeze his hand tighter. “Thank you for inviting me. But are you sure your mother doesn’t mind? You talked to her, right?”

Damek looks away.

“Damek!” I sit up straighter. “You did talk to her, right?”

“I asked my dad. He can tell her,” he says.

I groan. “But she hates me. She’ll spend the entire vacation thinking I invited myself.”

“No.” Damek shakes his head. “I promise you, I will not let her think that. I won’t allow my mother to be mean to you. I will talk to her before we leave, I promise.”

I chew on my lower lip, not knowing what to say.

Queen Rune may love Damek, but she loathes me. I’m not sure even he can keep her from being upset at my presence.

“She has to get used to you,” Damek says stubbornly. “And it’s like I said, she will love you once she gets to know you.”

I don’t know about that…

“I know my mother.” Damek gives me a pointed look. “She doesn’t much like anybody when she first meets them. It takes a while for her to warm up to people.”

Maybe he is right.

Still, I think back to our first meeting. She was about as warm as a snowman in Alaska.

“What about Duncan?” I ask.

Damek furrows his brows. “My brother likes you.”

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