4. The infamous love child

4

THE INFAMOUS LOVE CHILD

T he airplane lands at daybreak. It was warm when we left home—a nice seventy degrees. When I step off the plane, I'm surprised to see snow coming down in large white flakes.

I rub my bare arms in an attempt to warm myself.

My father glances at me, an eyebrow cocked. "The cold affects you?"

I nod. "Not as badly as most succubi, but more than a vampire."

Vampires aren't affected by extreme temperatures. Unfortunately, it's not a trait that got passed to me, though I suspect it might have something to do with drinking blood.

He frowns. "I can have my driver dig out a jacket for you from your suitcase."

"I didn't bring a jacket. I didn't even think about it being winter," I admit. And why would I? We so rarely have temperatures below sixty at home. "I don't even own a winter coat."

"I'll buy you a coat—as many as you want. I'll send out somebody to purchase something for you until you can go shopping." He tugs me close to his side as we approach a waiting SUV. When he opens the door, I can feel the warmth coming from inside the vehicle. I slide inside and he shuts the door behind me.

I've never had anybody open the door for me—at least not like this. There were always humans that would open the door as I was walking inside a coffee shop behind them. I lived in the south, people are nice like that. But no supernatural has ever held the door open for me. I nearly laugh at the thought of an incubus going out of his way to open the door.

Incubi are selfish, vain creatures. They think they exist to be looked at and admired. It's part of the reason why I'm twenty three and have never had a boyfriend.

My dad gets in the back with me as the driver takes off.

We talked a lot on the plane ride, mostly about my job working for my grandfather. He seemed appalled when I told him what my duties were—he called it grunt work. Way beneath a princess. But I didn't mind it so much. The only thing I minded was my cousins' attitudes toward me, but that would've been a problem no matter what position I held. Being a hybrid put me at a severe disadvantage.

"We didn't talk about your personal life," Dad says, as the car pulls onto the main road. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

I snort. "You're joking, right?"

He lifts an eyebrow. "I'm failing to see what is funny about my question."

I turn in my seat so that I can face him. "I'm a hybrid —not beautiful like a full succubus—"

He makes a choking noise. "Not beautiful? You're joking, right?"

I ignore him and continue talking. "Incubi men don't make great dates and I couldn't date a human." I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "And it's pointless to date other supernaturals because they're waiting on their soulmates."

Dad nods. "I can see where that would be a problem."

I let out a long breath. "Yeah."

"Why do I feel like there is a story behind incubi not making great dates?" he asks.

"Ah, well… I was sixteen at the time. I was the only girl in my school who didn't have a boyfriend. So when this incubus asked me out, I said yes." I shake my head. "I didn't even like the guy. I thought he was arrogant, but I was so excited a boy was paying attention to me. They usually ignored me or made fun of me."

"Your mother allowed you to go to a school where other kids bullied you?" His eyes grow darker.

I quickly continue my story, not wanting to upset him. "The guy took me to this expensive restaurant. He ordered the most expensive thing on the menu. I was fully prepared to pay for myself—"

He cuts me off. "Madeline, sweetie, if a guy takes you out, you don't pay for yourself. Especially not on the first date."

I shrug. "I was sixteen and it was my first date. But what I didn't realize was that the guy expected me to pay. I didn't even bring enough money, so I had to have the waiter call my mom and ask for her credit card number."

"Please tell me that was your last date," Dad says.

I nod. "He wanted to go to a movie after that, but I pretended to have a headache. He had the nerve to try to kiss me so I punched him. I'm pretty sure he told all the guys in our class because nobody asked me out after that."

"Good. You deserve better."

The driver pulls off the main road and onto what I assume is a smaller road until we pull up to a set of gates. They open automatically and I see a guard wave as we drive past.

Right. My father is a king—it makes sense that he has guards and a gate. I was too far down the line of succession to need guards. Besides, incubi and succubi aren't exactly known for their political coups. Nope, they're far too worried about their looks for anything like that.

"Your life here is going to be vastly different," Dad says, as the car comes to a stop in front of a large estate. My jaw drops open as I look at the mansion. I've never seen such a big home before. Even my grandfather's home isn't this grand.

I turn away from the mansion to look at my dad. "I am okay with different."

He grins. "Good. Now let's go inside. I can't wait to introduce you to everybody."

I swallow the lump in my throat as I watch my dad get out of the vehicle.

By everybody, does he include his wife? Because somehow I doubt she's going to like me. My very existence is proof of his unfaithfulness all those years ago. I wouldn't even blame her if she hated me, I'd probably hate me in her position.

When my door opens abruptly, I jump. The driver offers me his hand to assist me in getting out. I take it, just because I don't want to be rude. My father comes up beside me and offers me his arm before leading me toward the front door. Just as we approach the door, a man in a butler uniform walks out, holding the door open for us. He bows at my father as we walk past, his gaze only lingers on me for a moment.

"Welcome home, King Scott. Welcome, Princess Scott."

"It's Madeline," I correct, but my father doesn't stop long enough for me to see if the butler even heard me.

"You're a princess," Dad says.

"Yes, but Scott isn't my last name," I tell him.

"I have my lawyer legally changing it. By this time tomorrow, your last name will be Scott," he informs me, leading me through the foyer. "But if you prefer, I can ask the staff to refer to you as Princess Madeline. Lucien and Julien both prefer to be called by their first name."

"That would be nice, please," I say.

"Very well." He leads me through a set of archways, and down a short hallway, and eventually, we end up in a sitting room.

I'm not sure what I expected a vampire king's house to look like, but this isn't it. The house is so… bright. The walls are an off white color and the floors are a light gray hardwood. The furniture is gray leather and the side tables are all a rustic white that matches the walls. There is a large, plush rug in the middle of the floor. But soon my attention is turned away from the decor and to the two people sitting on the couch. When they see us walk inside, they both stand.

The woman is a petite brunette with her hair pulled back into a bun. Her expression is closed off, so I can't get a read on her. The boy standing beside her towers over her by at least a foot. He has one arm wrapped around her back. His hair is the same shade of blond as mine, which must mean that he's Julien, my half brother. His expression is slightly less guarded, but from the way his eyes flicker to his mom, I can tell he's worried about her.

This must be hard on her. My heart aches for the woman.

"Julien, Eden, this is my daughter, Madeline." Dad looks at me, smiling warmly. "Madeline, this is Eden, my wife, and Julien, your brother."

The two turn to me and my brain goes completely blank.

What am I supposed to say to these people? They're my family, but this is the first time we've ever met. And I want them to like me.

I should've thought about this. What should be the first thing I say to them? It should be something elegant. Instead, I say, "Hi." My voice squeaks the word.

Yep, that showed them.

Julien studies me. "You don't look like a succubus."

I wipe my sweaty palms on the skirt of my dress. "So I've been told."

"Julien," my father warns in a lowered tone.

I wave a hand at him to let him know it's okay. "I know I lack the charm most succubi have. And the looks."

"You are quite beautiful," Eden says, taking a step forward. "I do hope that you will make yourself at home here. Feel free to make any changes to your bedroom that you like. I had my personal shopper pick out clothes for you." Her eyes scan me. "I know you're not used to the cold. Anything you don't like will be donated. I didn't know your style, so I had her pick out a variety."

"Thank you." My heart warms at her generosity. I wasn't expecting it.

She clears her throat. "It was nice to meet you, Madeline." At that, she abruptly turns and leaves the room. From the way Julien stiffens, I get the feeling that she is upset. My father pats me on the arm and then chases after her.

"I'm sorry." I chew on my bottom lip as I look at my younger brother.

He raises an eyebrow at me. "What are you sorry for?"

I motion a hand toward where our dad and his mom disappeared. "That."

"Don't apologize for existing." Julien takes a step closer. "We've known about you for five years now. It's not like it's a surprise. I think my mom was just taken back because you're really pretty."

My cheeks grow warm. "But you said I don't look like a succubus."

"Because you don't." He crosses his arms over his chest. "All the succubi I've ever met have this arrogant air around them that you lack. You seem… real. Less plastic-y and manicured."

"Oh." I'm not sure what to make of his words. "So… you're Julien."

He nods. "And you're Madeline—the infamous love child."

I snort at his description of me. "I've been called worse."

"Can I call you Maddie?" he asks.

I shrug. "Sure. Nobody has ever called me that before."

His grin grows. "I always wanted a sister. I bet you're a lot nicer than Lucien." The smile slips off his face as he mentions his— our — brother.

I want to ask him questions about Lucien, but I can see that he's not in the mood to talk about him. I try to think of a topic to change the conversation to.

He takes a step closer, lowering his voice. "You seem nice and I know you're my sister, but please try to stay away from my mom. She's having a hard time with this and I don't want you to make things more difficult for her."

His words cause a pain to stab through my chest.

I get where he's coming from. If I were in his position, I'd want to protect my mother too. But it still stings.

"The last thing I want is to hurt you or your mother," I say, hoping to reassure him.

Julien's blue eyes land on me, his shoulders sagging in relief. "You know, I didn't believe that I had a sister until I met you. We look alike."

I grin at his observation. "We do."

"Lucien takes after Mom," Julien says. "He has dark hair and eyes, though he's tall like Dad. He's quite favored among the females—you'd think he was the one who was half succubus."

His words make me grin. "Incubus. Only females are succubus. And he's probably a lot more charming than me." I wave a hand over myself. "Clearly the succubus charm skipped over me."

He narrows his eyes. "I can already tell that you're going to need me to look after you."

"Look after me?" I ask.

He slips his arm around my back and leads me from the room. "Let me show you around the place."

I allow me to guide me from the room and into the hallway.

"How old are you anyway?" Julien asks.

"Twenty three," I answer. "Dad said you're twenty one."

"My birthday was just last week." His grin widens. "You missed a killer party—Dad invited all the clans." He pauses his stride and turns to fully face me. "Now that you're here, I'm sure he'll invite all the clans again. Even if you weren't the heir, he has a daughter to show off now. And since you're half succubus, pretty much every single male will be in love with you the moment they lay eyes on you."

I roll my eyes. "Let me assure you, that's not what's going to happen."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because guys aren't attracted to me." I shrug, trying to show him it's not a big deal.

He narrows his eyes but doesn't comment as he nudges me forward again. "You may be my older sister, but you have so much to learn, young one."

I try to stifle my laugh, but it comes out anyway. Julien is so much better than I thought he was going to be.

Before we make it very far down the corridor, Dad steps out in front of our path.

"There you are, Madeline." Dad looks at Julien. "I'll take over from here. You should go talk to your mother."

Julien nods. "Good morning, sister. See you tonight."

Tonight?

Oh, right. Vampires have a backward sleep schedule from the rest of the supernatural world. The same sleep schedule I've been fighting my whole life. As much as I've hated to admit it, sleeping in the day feels so much more natural.

"Would you like me to show you to your room?" Dad asks, once Julien disappears down the hallway.

"Yes, please."