Page 60 of The Royal Engagement

It’s been three and a half months since Lucien came home. We haven’t heard a word from the Nodin Clan. Wherever they are, they are well hidden.

Tonight is my bachelorette party, which isn’t a crazy evening like some bachelorettes would have. Queen Rune, Mom, and Eden are all invited, along with my cousins. We have a fun spa night planned with food, mani-pedis, and massages. I know Damek is having his version of a bachelor party with my brothers, dad, his family, and a few of his friends. I don’t know what they’re doing—Julien refused to tell me.

While my feet soak in the warm water, Sophia and Harper giggle as they look at some human magazine. What is so interesting in a two-year-old magazine?

When Harper sees me watching them, she turns the magazine toward me. “Look at this human man. He’sadorable.”

I look at the human and shrug. “He’s not my type.”

“Not your type?” She gasps.

Sophia swats a hand at Harper. “Now, now, you must forgive our dear cousin. She’s likely thinking of her prince right now.”

Harper grins. “Thinking about the wedding night, huh?”

My cheeks grow warm—not at her question, but because Damek’s mother is sitting beside me.

Tiffany looks up and winks. “I am a forty-five-year-old married woman, there is no need to be embarrassed. I know what happens on a honeymoon.”

Harper giggles again.

“Maybe you can give us advice then.” Sophia steps forward. “How does one get a husband?”

Harper’s eyes light up. “Yes, yes! Tell us! All the guys we’ve dated have been jerks.” She glances at me. “Though, I get the feeling maybe we’ve dated the wrong species.”

I could’ve told her thatyearsago. There was a reason I never went out with incubi and it wasn’t because they never asked me out on dates.

Mom sits down in the chair on the opposite side of me. “Girls, I’ve told you, when the right guy comes along, you will know.”

“Yes, but you’re single,” Harper says.

Sophia nudges Harper with her elbow. “Rude.”

“Ouch.” Harper rubs at her side.

Tiffany chuckles. “I hate to say it, but Sasha is right. When the right guy comes along, you will know it.”

“Was it that way for you?” Sophia turns to Eden, who sits on the other side of Tiffany.

Eden shakes her head. “I didn’t like my husband for the first three years of our marriage. But when you’re married and have a mate bond, youhaveto make things work. When we both decided to work on making a relationship, I fell in love with him. We’ve had a happy marriage.”

“Did you justknowwith Damek?” Harper asks.

I shrug. “It wasn’t like that. I liked him right away and was attracted to him, but I didn’t know he was the one until later. But even before we started dating, we’d spend hours on the phone every night.”

“I didn’t know that.” Tiffany glances at me. “Is that why Damek is always so tired?”

My cheeks grow warm. “Uh, maybe. We still talk on the phone until late. Sorry.”

She grins. “It’s quite all right, dear. I understand. I was once young. Though, Paul and I could never stay up late and chat on the phone. He had a toddler to care for and a kingdom to rule.”

Their relationship must’ve been difficult. I can’t imagine having all the responsibilities that they had at my age.

After we get our nails done, we head to dinner. Eden picked out an amazing restaurant on the lake—the same one Damek took me to on a date not long ago. Before we head inside, I look at the lake. Harper, Sophia, and Mom turn to look too.

“What are you looking at?” Mom squints, like she’s trying to get a better view.

“The lake,” I answer.

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