Page 67 of The Royal Engagement

“I was jealous,” Kaine admits. “Whenever you showed up, you took my breath away. I had never met somebody as beautiful as you. And then I got to know you and I liked everything else—your brain, your personality, all of it. It sucked that you were a princess because I knew nothing could ever come of my feelings for you. They would always be one sided.”

“Kaine,” I say.

He cuts me off. “No, Princess Madeline. It’s okay. I’m happy that you are happy. You were always meant for him. You deserve a prince.”

“And you deserve a princess,” I counter.

He grins. “Thank you for saying that. You don’t understand our society though. I will never marry a princess.”

“Have you not met my cousins?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

His cheeks turn pink. “Your cousins are, uh, lively.”

“You mean flirty,” I tease. “And since they met Damek, they all want to marry a vampire.”

Kaine’s cheeks darken to a shade of red. “Uh, yeah. They’re beautiful, but none of them would be interested in me. I’m not a prince.”

“You forget, it’s different for them. All the incubi princes are their cousins. They’re not expecting to marry royalty.”

“Yes, but I’m not attractive like an incubus.”

I snort. “Incubi aren’t half as attractive as they believe they are.”

“Are you kidding?” His eyes widen. “Incubi are all about being attractive. They have literal magic that makes women attracted to them.”

“You have to remember, my cousins and I grew up surrounded by incubi. Their magic loses its appeal, especially when you know the arrogance that comes with said magic.”

He wipes a hand down his face. “Please don’t take this wrong, but I’m not sure I could handle being mated to a succubus. Especially if she were anything like you.”

I laugh so hard that I have to hold my side to keep it from hurting. “Do me a favor and never tell Julien you said that. He’d never let me live that down.”

He grins. “I’m pretty sure Julien knows. When you first came, he was constantly teasing me about you. I think he knew I had a crush on you.”

“So that’s why you hated me so much.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m going to have to get revenge on Julien. Maybe I’ll recruit one of my cousins.”

Kaine snorts. “Please, if anything, Julien would charm them.”

“True.”

“I reallyamsorry,” Kaine says, lowering his head. “I had a massive crush on you and I didn’t handle it very well. I thought it would be easier if I treated you poorly and pushed you away. But it made things harder. I was an idiot.”

I shrug. “It’s okay. I promise.”

“I promise, from now on, I’ll be supportive of you. And of Prince Damek,” he says.

“I know.” I smile. “And I appreciate your support.”

“I’m also really glad Lucien is back.” He rubs a hand on the back of his neck. “Because I’m not sure I could handle being Julien’s advisor.”

I chuckle, imagining the two of them fighting every day. It would be chaotic. “I’m glad Lucien is back too.” The smile slips from my lips as I think about my mother, who is now with the Nodin Clan. I wish there was something more I could do to help find and rescue her.

“Princess Madeline,” Kaine says, getting my attention.

I look up.

“We’ll find your mom,” he says softly, reassuring me. “There are a lot of really powerful people looking for her.”

I nod, knowing he’s right. But I still don’t like it. “What if they’re hurting her?”

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