Page 31 of The Royal Engagement

He comes to a stop before we reach the stairs. I glance over at him, curious what he’s doing. He’s watching me with his glowing brown eyes. Ever so slowly he leans over and kisses me. He keeps holding my left hand, but with his other hand, he gently traces his fingers along my jaw and through my hair. I melt into him as I kiss him.

This is what I’ve always wanted—no guy has ever made me feel like Damek before. Our relationship may have had a strange beginning because of the political weight that comes with our being together, but that doesn’t change how I feel about him.

He pulls back a little and smiles at me before tugging me toward the plane. Any thoughts other than his lips are gone as we make our way up the stairs and onto the plane. It isn’t until I see King and Queen Rune sitting toward the front of the plane that I remember I was nervous. Damek doesn’t pull us toward the front though, he sits in the back. I also spot his younger brother, Duncan.

I haven’t spoken much to Duncan—I don’t think his younger brother has said more than a handful of sentences to me. I don’teven remember dancing with him at the ball that introduced me to society. The more I think about it, the more certain I am that Ididn’tdance with him.

Duncan, as per usual, ignores us as he does something on his phone. He glances up and gives us a nod before focusing on whatever is on his screen.

“What is your brother always doing on his phone?” I whisper to Damek as we buckle our seatbelts.

Damek rolls his eyes. “Texting.”

That’s it? He’s texting somebody?

Damek must see the question on my face because he explains, “Duncan has a girlfriend, but don’t bring it up while we’re on vacation. It’s a touchy subject for my parents.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“She’s a turned vampire, not born. Dad doesn’t care—he should marry for love. Mom, on the other hand, wants Duncan to marry to best. She wants him to marry a queen.”

“Isn’t that…” my voice trails off as I search for the right word.

“Hypocritical,” he supplies. “Yes, it is. My dad would’ve gladly given up his throne to marry my mom. And he pretty much did. It will be difficult for Duncan to marry a royal since he’s not considered legitimate by our laws.”

I lean closer. “I never danced with your brother at that ball.”

Damek grins. “Duncan already confessed as much to me. He pretended to be excited about you for our father’s sake. He said he never even introduced himself to you. He knew you’d never choose him when you had legitimate royals to choose from. I was glad to hear it. I didn’t want to fight with my brother for you, but I would have.”

I put a hand to the base of my throat. “Damek…”

He laces our fingers together. “We’ve got about a seven hour flight before we get there.”

The pilot comes back to make sure everybody is ready to take off and informs us we’ll be leaving within the next couple of minutes.

Once we’re in the air, Damek lets go of my hand and instead slips his arm around me.

Part of me still can’t believe that Damek wants me here with his family on this vacation. I wouldn’t have blamed him if he had wanted to go on one last family vacation before our wedding without me. I’m nottechnicallypart of his family. And our engagement isn’t ‘normal’ by any means.

And yet… I feel chosen. And, dare I say, I feelloved.

Does Damek love me?

DoIlove him?

As I consider my feelings, I already know the answer.

Yes, I love him. I think I’ve loved him for a long time, possibly since our first date, when we stayed up nearly the whole night talking on the phone afterward. Or maybe since he fought to give us a year long engagement because he knew it was the custom of succubi to have a long engagement. He did that for me. Because it’s customary for vampires to marry within a few weeks.

Everything Damek has done is for me.

What have I done for him?

“Damek,” I say.

He looks at me.

“Thank you.”

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