8. Needing a rescue

8

NEEDING A RESCUE

I wring my fingers together as I stand next to Kaine. He watches me out of the corner of his eye with a scowl on his face.

He grabs my hand. "Do you have to fidget?"

"Sorry." I drop my hands. "I'm nervous."

He lifts an eyebrow. "What do you have to be nervous about? Every single guy is here to see you—they're the ones who should be nervous. There are thirty princes, but only one you."

My heart races and my stomach clenches. " Thirty ?"

He rolls his eyes. "Did you miss the part where they're all here to see you? It's not you who needs to make a good first impression, it's them."

I try to breathe, but the air feels thin. "So… it wouldn't matter if I tripped and fell down the stairs?"

"You're a hybrid vampire succubus. I bet you've never tripped or fallen in your life."

He's not wrong, but now that the idea is in my head I'm worried it could happen.

"There is a first time for everything," I counter, still trying to breathe.

Kaine mumbles under his breath, but I hear every word thanks to my vampire hearing.

" How in the world did I get stuck babysitting her? "

I should probably feel offended by his words, but I don't. Honestly, I kind of feel bad for him. I know I'm not the easiest charge.

"What if none of the guys like me?" I ask, my breaths coming quicker the more I think about it. "I'm a hybrid ."

He growls under his breath and turns to face me. He pauses, slowly taking me in. His eyes scan me from the top of my head right down to my feet. He takes a deep breath, his face softening. "Trust me, every one of those guys are going to be begging your father for an alliance." He sighs, then adds, "Also, I might've misled you about the number of princes. There are thirty princes, but only seven are marrying age. The rest are either too young or they are already married."

Seven.

Okay, I can handle seven.

My stomach muscles cramp and I wonder if this is what the stomach flu feels like. I feel my forehead, wondering if I've got a fever. Sure, supernaturals don't get sick, but maybe I caught some rare bug that affects us.

"You're not like other succubi I've met." Kaine looks at me for a moment longer before he turns away. He pulls his phone out of his pocket and glances at the screen. "It's time."

It's time…

Now, I just have to make my grand entrance.

I start to walk toward the stairs but pause and turn to Kaine. "Wait, you're telling me I have to choose a husband out of only seven candidates? What if I'm not attracted to any of them?"

He lifts an eyebrow at that. "They're supernatural and they're princes. I highly doubt they're ugly."

"I grew up surrounded by incubi," I remind him. "There are more important things than looks."

"Stop stalling, Princess Madeline."

I do as he says—not because I have a sudden desire to do what Kaine says but because I want to get this over with. I want to get the entire night over with.

No matter what Kaine says, I'm still worried that I won't have chemistry with any of the princes I'm supposed to meet tonight. Am I going to be forced into a loveless marriage? Do I get a say at all?

I take a few calming breaths before I head down the stairs and into the large space that is temporarily the ballroom.

The place is crowded, from corner to corner, and every single eye in the place is focused on me. The fact that vampires' eyes glow only makes it that much more intimidating.

Still, I've been to enough events like this to know that I should hold my head high.

Being a hybrid, I've always been singled out. Hybrids are somewhat of a taboo in supernatural society. And the fact that vampire succubus hybrids don't exist makes me… a spectacle.

Thanks to Eden, I look fabulous tonight. My long gown drags on the ground behind me and my hair is in perfect waves that I'd never be able to achieve on my own. My tiara is woven into my hair so well that I'm going to need help removing it in the morning.

My father waits for me at the bottom of the stairs. He extends his arm for me and I link my arm through his.

"Everyone, this is my daughter, Madeline Scott." He keeps his voice at a normal level, but I know everybody can hear him because of vampire hearing. "I would like to thank everybody for coming to help me welcome my daughter home."

Everybody cheers and claps as they look at me with varying expressions. I can see horror, interest, curiosity, and a few jaws dropped in surprise. I wonder what they're surprised about. It's not like everybody didn't know exactly what this was about.

"You look beautiful," Dad whispers to me, though everybody is talking now so they wouldn't be able to hear over the roar.

"Thanks to Eden." I look down at my gown, truly feeling like a princess for the first time in my life.

Julien stands off to the side, a smirk on his face. He's talking to some girl, but his attention is on me. I wonder what my younger brother is thinking, though I'm sure he will tell me later.

"King Scott, will you allow me to introduce our children." A tall, pale guy wearing an expensive suit approaches Dad and me. His blond hair is almost white and his eyes are a pale green. He nods his head in respect at my father, but his eyes linger on me. "You are quite beautiful, Princess Scott."

"Madeline, allow me to introduce you to King Nodin," Dad says.

I curtsy to the newcomer. "It's lovely to meet you."

"My daughter would love to be introduced to your son." Dad nudges me forward slightly as somebody else approaches. I can tell from the white blond hair and the pale skin that this must be King Nodin's son.

The guy bows low. "Princess Scott, it's lovely to meet you."

I curtsy back. "You as well, Prince Nodin."

"It's just Lucas." He extends his hand, so I extend mine toward him. He takes my hand and gently kisses the back of it.

I'm not sure what to make of the move, but I have to resist the urge to yank my hand back. Now is when I should tell him to just call me ‘Madeline' without the titles, but I can't bring myself to do it.

"Would you like to dance, Princess Madeline?" Lucas smiles at me in a way I'm sure most women find charming.

I glance to my dad who gives me a subtle nod before I turn back to Prince Lucas. "I'd be honored."

I allow Prince Lucas to lead me onto the dance floor. His hands settle on my waist and I have to resist the urge to back away from him.

Dancing with a stranger is so awkward—we are standing way too close and there is too much… touching. Who thought it would be appropriate to hold a ball to introduce me to society? Why wouldn't we do brunch or something?

"You are beautiful, Princess Madeline," Prince Lucas says, breaking the silence.

My wrist itches and I have to force myself not to scratch it.

I don't know how to respond to Prince Lucas calling me ‘beautiful.' I've been called beautiful more in the past week than I have my entire life combined. I'm not used to this and I have no idea what an appropriate reaction is.

"But I'm sure you hear that a lot." His pale green eyes stay locked on mine.

I clear my throat. "Where are you from?"

His eyes narrow slightly. "My father's manor is about an hour north from here."

"You talk about it like it's not your home too."

"It is." He hesitates. "My older brother is heir, so it's his place. I spent most of my childhood at a boarding school on the other side of the country and I just finished spending four years at Vampire University. This is the first time I've spent any significant time at my father's home and it's a little strange being back."

"I imagine it would. After I finished university, I moved into my own place," I say, trying to keep the conversation going.

I've never had problems talking with somebody before, but talking to Prince Lucas feels like I'm swimming against the current.

"You didn't live with your grandfather?" His eyes widen, almost like he's surprised.

I shake my head. "No. I never have. My mom had her own home, where I grew up."

"Oh."

A silence falls between us and I wrack my brain for something to say. Anything. But it's like all coherent thought leaves my brain.

The sound of a throat clearing has me turning my head. I look to see Julien standing to my left.

"May I interrupt?"

Prince Lucas tenses up, but he lets his arms fall from me. "Go ahead."

I relax as he walks away and Julien takes Lucas's place as my dance partner.

"Thank you," I tell him, sighing.

"You looked like you needed rescuing," Julien says. "I couldn't let my big sister suffer through a dance with a guy she needed rescuing from."

I look suspiciously up at him. "Why do I feel like your rescue is going to cost me dearly later?"

"Siblings look out for one another—no strings attached." His voice is nonchalant.

I narrow my eyes, not believing him for even a second.

Still, whatever the cost, it's worth it to be free from Prince Lucas.

"You didn't enjoy Prince Lucas's company?" Julien asks.

I shrug. "He was okay. He's attractive and seems nice, but there is no chemistry. Like, at all."

"He's pretty boring."

"Yes, he is. I was trying so hard to have a conversation with him, but…" my voice trails off. "I'm so bad at all this. And dancing with a stranger is awkward."

"I told Dad he should do brunch instead."

"I was thinking the same thing!"

He smirks. "Where have you been my whole life? I'm telling you, when Lucien gets back, we're ganging up against him."

I nod. "Absolutely."

And I will be so happy to give Lucien his spot as heir back. I'll gladly be the spare.

Somebody else comes to interrupt Julien and my dancing and I spend the next hour being passed between dance partners. By the time I escape out the back doors of the house, my brain is mush. It's so hot in the ballroom and the only thing that is keeping my hair from being a frizzy mess is the fae-made hairspray the hairdresser used on it.

This stuff comes in handy.

I sit down on a stone bench, the chill biting through the material of my dress.

"Do you mind if I sit here?"

I jump, putting my hand to my racing heart. "You scared me."

I look up and spot a guy grinning as he watches me. "I'm sorry."

I wave a hand to the spot beside me. "Please, sit."

He takes a seat, angling his body toward me. "I wanted to talk to you in there, but you were busy."

I chew on my bottom lip. "I'm being auctioned off to the highest bidder."

"I noticed that." He chuckles. "I've been there a few times myself."

I turn to face him. "Really?"

He nods. "I'm the heir in my family. We're here for my younger brother, you danced with him. My father is hopeful our clans will form an alliance."

I rack my brain, trying to remember if I danced with anybody that looks like this guy, but all of my dances were a blur.

I study him carefully, noticing how his dark brown hair is slightly mused, his tie is loosened slightly, and the top button on his shirt is undone. Maybe he is also over the evening and is just ready to head home. Maybe he came out here to hide too. He's tall, over six feet, and lean. His brown eyes have that familiar glow that all vampires have and it makes his eyes appear almost golden.

"I don't think I danced with anybody who looks like you. And, trust me, I would've remembered somebody as good looking as you," I blurt out.

He chuckles deeply, the sound causing butterflies to tickle my stomach.

My cheeks grow warm as I realize what I've said. "Who are you, by the way?"

"I am Damek Rune, from the Rune Clan." He holds out his hand.

I put mine in his, wondering if he is going to kiss my hand like that boy did earlier, but he doesn't. He just shakes it and lets my hand fall.

"You're prettier than I thought you would be."

My stomach muscles clench up. "Oh. Um… thanks."

He runs a hand at the base of his neck. "That didn't come out right. I knew you would be gorgeous—you're half succubus. Isn't that what a succubus is all about? Being beautiful? And you are beautiful, but you're… less plastic-y feeling. You're real. I like that."

"Oh, you mean because they have the whole Barbie thing going on? Yeah, try living with them." I roll my eyes.

"I bet the incubi loved you."

I laugh but stop when he doesn't join me. I raise an eyebrow at him. "You're serious."

He nods.

"Let me assure you, incubi didn't love me." I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "I'm a dirty hybrid."

"So you don't have an incubus boyfriend waiting on you?" he asks.

"No." I let out a breath. "I haven't even dated, unless you count one horrible date when I was sixteen. He ordered the most expensive thing on the menu and expected me to pay."

He frowns. "Your date did that?"

"Yes." I can't help but grin at the silly memory now. "After that, I decided to never go out with an incubus again."

"What about other supernaturals?" he asks.

"There weren't any local," I admit. "I did date a human once. We went on two dates. He told me he loved me so I had to break things off. I don't have as strong of an aura as most succubi so I didn't think it would affect him. It did, though."

Succubi are sometimes referred to as sirens. While it doesn't affect other supernaturals as strongly, it does affect humans. It's why relationships between succubi and humans don't exist. Their feelings would be obsessive and not real. It's all magic.

He furrows his brows. "You shouldn't tell any of the guys fighting for your attention this."

"Not even your brother that I don't remember?"

He chuckles. "Even him—especially him. He'll be disappointed that he's so forgettable. I know that he found you quite beautiful. He already told my father he wants to marry you. I'm sure all the guys have done the same. Your father will have alliance proposals from every single clan before the night is over, I guarantee it."

I groan, hiding my face with my hands.

This is worse than I thought.

Damek nudges me with his elbow. "Don't worry—it'll all work out."

"Will it though?" I chew on my bottom lip, wondering if it's too late to book a flight back home. But then I think about being the girl who takes notes and fetches coffee for my cousins and quickly opt against that decision.

"Madeline."

At the sound of my name being called, I groan.

I should've known better than to think I could hide out.