16. This isn’t good

16

THIS ISN'T GOOD

I wake up to an odd sound. I look around my room, first to my door. It's shut, like always. I continue looking, trying to find the source of the noise when I see a cloaked figure standing near my window.

My window was shut when I went to sleep but is now open. I open my mouth to call out or scream, but the figure is at me before I can get more than a squeak out.

A vampire, I realize.

From the bulk of the shoulders, I can tell right away that it's a male. A strong male, if the size of his forearms are anything to go by.

I thrust my fist toward my assailant's face. He isn't expecting it and he stumbles back a few feet, letting go of my mouth. I have just enough time to scream at the top of my lungs before he lunges back to me. He slaps his hand over my mouth. The sting makes my eyes water. This time, my arms are pulled tightly behind my back so I have no hope of striking back with my fist. That doesn't stop me from fighting though. I swing my legs wildly, though it's of no use. The guy is a lot stronger than me.

Wanting to lull him into a false sense of security, I go lax in his arms. His grip stays tight but after a few seconds, he loosens his grip. I yank an arm free and go to shove the guy again. He lets go of my mouth to grab my free hand. I scream again, knowing that somebody will have heard by now. The guy's wearing a mask over his face, but there are holes for his eyes and they seem to glow with anger and he stares me down. But before he can retaliate, the door is thrown open and two vampires in guard uniforms rush in. The team of two are able to take down my assailant.

I sink to my knees in relief as they haul the guy away from me. A third guard comes inside, making his way over to me.

"Princess Madeline, are you injured?"

"Maddie!"

When I hear Julien's voice, I push myself off the floor and run over to him. I fling my arms around him, feeling safe for the first time. He wraps his arms around me and squeezes me against him. He gently rubs his hands down my hair and softly tells me that everything is going to be all right.

A few seconds later, Dad comes into my room. The guard says something to him and he makes his way over to me.

"Madeline."

I pull back from Julien to look at my dad. His eyes are wide and frantic as he scans my body. His eyes harden when they land on my face.

"Did he hit you?" Dad asks.

I start to deny it until I remember that he smacked his hand over my face. "Yes, but I think hitting is the least of his sins. I think he was trying to kidnap me."

"He will be questioned. I have the guards taking him to the dungeons now." Dad's voice is harsh and promises death to the one who has crossed him.

"We have dungeons?" I ask.

My question is ignored.

"I need you to tell me everything," Dad demands.

"Dad," Julien says, his voice calm. "Maddie was attacked and almost kidnapped. Shouldn't we let her sit down? She's trembling."

Dad's face softens as he looks at me. "Are you okay?"

"I—" my voice sounds weak, so I clear my throat. "I'm fine, Dad. We can talk. Just give me a minute. I'll meet you downstairs."

Dad nods once and turns to leave the room. Julien and two guards stay with me, which I should have expected. I take a deep, shaky breath.

"Can I change?" I ask.

The guard's face hardens.

Julien steps in front of me. "The guards will check your closet to make sure it's safe. You can change in there. Since there is no way into your closet except from this room, you'll be safe in there. We will wait out here for you."

"Thanks." I give my brother a grateful smile.

After the guards thoroughly check my closet, I walk inside to change out of my pajamas. Once I'm alone, my stomach clenches a little bit. I look around the room myself, just to make sure I'm alone. But even after that, my pulse is still high. I put on my clothes in record time and race out of my closet, back to Julien's side.

Julien slips his arm over my shoulder and leads me from my room. Once we make it downstairs, I find my dad talking to one of the guards. When he sees me, he beelines it toward me.

"Madeline." His eyes scan me over. "Are you all right?"

"Yes," I answer, sounding far less dazed than earlier. "Do we know anything?"

Dad hesitates, then nods. "The vampire… he's an advisor to the Rune Clan."

I suck in a sharp breath. "But Damek wouldn't have anything to do with this."

Dad shrugs. "I don't know. I've called King Rune. He and Prince Damek are both on their way over. They deny any involvement, but I'm not so quick to believe them." He levels me with a look. "Until we know for sure, I want you to be careful with Prince Damek. He could very well be behind this."

I want to shake my head and deny it, but I know arguing won't do any good right now. Once Damek gets here, he and his father can prove that they aren't involved. Until then, I'll just keep my thoughts to myself.

"Okay, Dad."

He surprises me by pulling me against him. He wraps his arms around me and squeezes me. I hug him back, my heart feeling so full. Even when he tries to pull back, I hold on for just another couple of seconds.

So many times in my life, I've longed to hug my dad. I always felt so guilty for needing him when I thought he abandoned Mom and me. But now I know, this is what's been missing.

"I love you, Dad," I tell him, as I pull back.

His blue eyes land on mine and an expression that I can't comprehend crosses his face. "I love you too, Madeline. And I promise you, I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Julien slips his arm back around me.

Dad turns to Julien. "You look after your sister. When King Rune and Prince Damek get here, I will be going with them to question the prisoner."

"I won't leave Maddie's side," Julien promises.

"Good." His shoulders relax.

"Where is Kaine?" Julien looks around the room. "I figured he'd be here by now."

"He's with the prisoner." Dad looks at his phone. "King Rune and Prince Damek are here. I'm going to go greet them and lead them to our prisoner."

"I could come—"

Dad cuts me off, giving me a stern look. "You will not be talking with Prince Damek until I do. This could all be an elaborate ploy to kidnap you. For all we know, they have Lucien."

His words silence me.

I don't think Prince Damek would be involved in something like that, but I don't know him well. I don't know a lot about vampire politics yet, but I do know that through history there has been a lust for political power. A lot of families have tried to move to eliminate the other monarchs and have one ruling family. Each time they try, it always ends in a war that kills countless vampires.

Julien leads me over to the couch as Dad disappears down the corridor. My stomach tightens as I wonder what's going to happen. I like Damek and I'll be disappointed if his family is involved in a plot against my family.

"So, you like Prince Damek," Julien says.

It's not a question, but I answer anyway. "Yes. I like him quite a bit. I don't know him well enough to know if I want to marry the guy, but he's pretty great."

Julien frowns. "If you marry him then I will end up being heir if Lucien doesn't come back."

The words linger in the air between us.

If Lucien doesn't come back.

I suck in a sharp breath as I recall the events of the day—how somebody snuck in through my bedroom window and tried to… what? Kidnap me? Kill me?

What if Lucien is already dead? Am I ready to be a queen?

"Do I have to be a queen?" I worry my bottom lip between my teeth as I study Julien.

He rubs at his jaw. "If you marry Prince Damek, it's one hundred percent guaranteed that you will be."

"But just in name, right?" I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "Because if I'm with his clan, he'd be the ruler. I'd just be the consort. Like your mom."

"Is that what you want?" Julien asks. "To dutifully rule at his side and let him make all the decisions?"

"Maybe." I pull my knees up to my chest and hug them against me. "I don't know that I want to rule anybody. When I lived with my mom, there were ten people between me and the possibility of ever becoming an heir. I never wanted this."

"I happen to think you'd make a fantastic queen." Julien smiles at me, revealing his dimples. "I know you would do a lot of good for the clan."

"You say that hoping you never have to take the job," I tease.

"Absolutely." He nods his head, making his blond hair flop against his forehead.

"You need a haircut," I tell him, eying the flopping piece of hair.

He pushes his bangs out of his eyes. "Probably, but it annoys Dad when I keep it this length."

Meaning he won't be cutting his hair because he loves to tease our father.

"Why do I have to get married?" I ask. "I could just become an old maid."

"I've told you this already, but I'll explain it again. You and I look alike." He raises an eyebrow at me. "And our genes are way too good to not pass down to children. The world needs us to produce offspring."

I snort out a laugh. "You know, all supernaturals are beautiful."

"Maybe, but not as beautiful as us."

His words only make me laugh harder.

Life would be boring without my conceited brother.

Before either of us can say anything else, I see my father walk into the room, flanked by guards. Kaine is walking behind them with King Rune and Prince Damek not far behind. Dad's shoulders are tight and his lips are turned downward. Kaine is wearing a pinched expression, but that's normal for him. But even King Rune and Prince Damek look frustrated.

I sit up straight, thankful that I took the time to brush my hair before coming down.

"What's going on?" Julien asks before I get the chance.

Dad lets out a frustrated breath. "He's dead."

I flinch at his words. "The guy who broke into my room is dead?"

"His throat was slit," Kaine says, through gritted teeth. "He was left alone for less than sixty seconds. I don't know how somebody was able to break into his room in that short amount of time." He turns his murderous gaze toward Prince Damek.

"We had nothing to do with this." King Rune stands tall, his grim face giving nothing away. "We wanted to speak with him and hear why he would betray us like this. Everybody in our clan knows that we wish to have an alliance with the Scott Clan. We wouldn't risk it by doing something stupid like this."

"We believe you." Dad is quick to speak, likely cutting off whatever accusations Kaine was bound to throw at our rival clan. "But for now, we would like to have some time to process this. An investigation must take place and my daughter will not be accepting visitors during this time. I hope you can respect our wishes."

King Rune nods at my father. "Of course, King Scott. My son and I will respect your wishes."

Damek frowns and looks like he wants to argue. I want to argue. But what can we do? It does look bad. The Rune Clan looks extremely guilty right now. And even though I know deep in my heart that Damek wasn't involved, I don't know that his father wasn't. The truth is, I don't know much about his father or his clan.

Dad looks at Julien. "Stay with your sister. I have to speak with King Rune and Prince Damek."

Julien nods.

Kaine opens his mouth to speak but my dad cuts him off.

"Kaine, you're with me."

Kaine clenches his jaw but dutifully follows my dad as he leads King Rune and Damek away. Damek looks back at me, his face tight with worry. I smile at him, trying to show him that I trust him. But this situation is far out of my hands.

"This isn't good," Julien declares.

Not good is an understatement.

This is a disaster.