Page 39 of The Royal Engagement

He did thisforme.

Damek takes the ring from the box, so I hold my left hand toward him. He slides it onto my finger and smiles as he looks at it. “I asked your mom what size you wore and I got it resized last week. I knew I wanted to ask you while we were here.”

I glance at the ring, then I look at Damek. Part of me still can’t believe that this is real.

When I came to live with my dad, I never expectedthis. I never knew it was possible to be this happy.

My hand trembles in Damek’s grasp.

“Are you okay?” he asks. “Are you nervous?”

“Not nervous.” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. “I’m excited. I didn’t see this coming. I never thought you’d propose to me.”

He tugs me closer. “You deserve the world, Maddie. This is the minimum of what you deserve. I plan on giving you the happiest of lives. This is only the beginning.”

I grin. “The beginning—I like that.”

He lowers his lips to mine and gently kisses me, making me his in all the ways that matter.

He pulls back, just slightly, and says again, “You deserve to be happy, Maddie.” And then he kisses me again, deeper this time.

He thinks I deserve to be happy.

My heart soars at his declaration.

Tonight is the beginning of the rest of our lives and Damek is right—wearegoing to have the happiest of lives.

“I love you,” I tell him again after he pulls back.

Damek grins so wide that it reveals his dimples. “You have my whole heart.”

13

MY HAPPY PLACE

When Damek and I get back to his family’s bungalow, his family is waiting for us. They offer us congratulations and ask to see the ring. Tiffany even insists on taking a ton of photos with her phone.

They’re treating us like we really just got engaged.

My heart warms at the moment. I didn’t realize just how badly I wanted this until Damek proposed. I thought I was fine with the way things were. But having him propose means more than I could have ever imagined.

As the sun begins to rise, Damek and I cuddle on an outdoor sofa, our gaze on the horizon. And once again, I find myself imagining the future. I wonder what it will be like next year when we come. Or the year after that. I think about the children we will have and what they will be like.

Growing up, I wish I had something like this. Mom did try—we went on a lot of vacations. Grandpa had lots of family trips too, but those were always miserable for me. Before coming to live with the vampires, I never realized how lonely I was.

I wantthis. I want a family. I want to be happy. And I can admit that to myself now that Iamhappy. Before, I alwaysthought I was okay with mediocrity. I tried to convince myself that I could smile through the pain.

Later, when Damek and I part for the day, I find myself excited about waking up that night. I can’t wait to see Damek again and I don’t dread being around his mom anymore. Things are finally coming together.

When I lie down, I drift off to sleep quickly. I’m not sure how long I’m asleep, but it only feels like moments before I am woken.

I jerk awake when I hear a strange sound. My eyes take a few minutes to focus, but when I see my curtain move, I sit up straight.

What is happening?

A figure in a dark hoodie approaches and my heart races faster. I call out, knowing that there are guards stationed around the bungalow. I knowsomebodywill hear.

But how did this guy get past the guards?

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