19. How does one get a husband?

19

HOW DOES ONE GET A HUSBAND?

I t'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's adorable ."

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 that years ago. 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, you have to 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 just know with 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.

Harper frowns. "It's so unfair that you can see in the dark."

"Right," Sophia crosses her arms over her chest. "I've always been so scared of the dark."

I grin at her. "Trust me, nothing is out there. Just a beautiful lake."

"We eat here a lot, especially in the summer," Tiffany says, once we head inside. "Damek and Duncan always loved coming here—I think they just wanted an excuse to ride in the boat. It was their favorite thing when they were younger. We make a point to come once a week, even now." She smiles at me. "I suppose you'll be coming with us this summer." She pauses. "That is unless you want alone time with Damek. I don't mean to pry."

"I want to come." I slip my arm through hers, linking them together. "We're going to be family—don't think you're prying by inviting us to dinner."

Her shoulders relax. "Not all women would feel that way about their in-laws."

"Well, I do. So don't worry about that," I say, hoping to reassure her.

We get a table by the windows, even though Mom and my cousins won't be able to see the view. Mom raises an eyebrow when Tiffany orders a glass of blood, but nobody says anything. We eat our dinner and laugh about silly things. It's exactly what I want out of a bachelorette party.

When we eventually head to the hotel, Mom is exhausted and heads to bed straight away. Tiffany and Eden also retire early, though I have a feeling they just want to give me time with my cousins.

Harper, Sophia, and I stay up late talking about nothing and everything all at once. They tease me about my upcoming honeymoon—something that I'm quite looking forward to. And they talk about wanting their own vampire prince to sweep them off their feet. I want to warn them that the other princes are half as charming as Damek, but I don't want to ruin their fantasy. They're looking forward to all the single princes they're going to meet.

I think about that—they technically could marry a vampire prince. They're royalty and would offer an alliance with the succubi and incubi, which would give them an alliance with the Scott and Rune clans. It's not a bad position for the other vampires to be in.

Still, the thought of either of them warming up to Prince Caedmon has me shivering. Then again, if anybody could handle him, it would be a succubus.

Surprisingly, my cousins stay up until the sun starts to rise, and then we all head to our rooms for a good day's sleep.

I wake up in the early afternoon to Eden shaking me gently.

"Madeline, wake up."

I rub my eyes. "What time is it?"

"It's three o'clock. I'm sorry to disturb your sleep, but we can't find your mom," she says softly.

My mom?

I look around, feeling disoriented. It takes me a few moments to realize where I am.

The hotel.

The bachelorette party.

My skin is still smooth from all the lotion and oils they used during my massage despite the shower I took before bed.

I sit up and look at Eden. "What do you mean my mom is missing? She probably just went out to get food or something. Unlike us, she can't sleep during the day."

"Madeline." Eden hands me a slip of paper. "She was taken."

"What?" I look down at the paper and slowly read the words.

I've taken Princess Bennett. We will be in contact with demands shortly.

Sincerely,

Prince Lucas Nodin

My heart races as I look at the signature.

The Nodin Clan took her? Why would they do that? And how did they do that? We have guards with us.

"How?" I ask.

Eden shakes her head. "I don't know. The guards said nobody had been in or out of her room. She had food delivered at about noon, but the guy delivered her food and left."

I run my fingers through my hair, trying to think. "How long has she been missing?"

"I don't know," Eden says. "Harper and Sophia were the ones who went to her room and found this. The guards woke me."

"Have you called Dad?" I ask.

She nods. "The guards called him before they woke me. He, Lucien, Julien, and Damek are all on their way, but they are out of town. It'll be another hour before their car arrives."

My hands shake as I run them through my hair, trying to gather my thoughts. "Eden, are… I…" I take a deep breath. "We have to call my grandfather."

"Sophia and Harper have already taken care of that." Eden sits beside me on the bed, putting her hand on my arm gently. "Are you all right?"

I nod then shake my head. "I don't know. I wish Damek were here already."

"I know, dear." She pulls me into her embrace and I lean against her, allowing myself to take comfort in her.

A knock on the door has her pulling back. I glance over as the door opens and spot Tiffany walking inside. She's dressed and looking poised and beautiful, as always.

"Madeline, are you doing okay?" She wrings her hands. "No, of course you're not okay. I'm so sorry." She walks closer to the bed. "Damek called and asked me to check on you."

I take a deep breath. "Make sure he knows that I'm okay."

Tiffany raises an eyebrow. "You don't look okay."

I let out a long breath. "I know. But I don't want him to worry. He can't do anything right now. He's on his way. They'll be here as quickly as they can."

She nods but doesn't look convinced.

"Do we know anything else?" I ask, turning to look at Eden.

Eden shakes her head.

"All right." I push myself to get out of bed. "I should get ready. There is much to do. Have the guards got the security feed from the hotel manager?"

"They're going over it now," Eden answers. "We should know something shortly."

"Will you be okay getting dressed on your own?" Tiffany asks.

I would be offended by her question if she didn't look so concerned. She really is worried about me.

I offer her a smile. "I'll be okay, I promise. I just woke up and this still feels like a strange dream. Once Damek and my dad and brothers get here, I'll be fine."

Tiffany and Eden both reluctantly leave me alone. I take a few seconds to breathe before I force myself to get ready. I go through my night routine of washing my face, brushing my teeth, and fixing my hair. With only one outfit packed for the day, it's easy to get dressed and ready. I don't have to think.

Once I'm ready, I head into the hallway. Guards are swarming the area, looking for clues. The door to my mother's room is open as people go in and out. Tiffany and Eden are talking to a guard. Harper and Sophia both spot me and rush over to me, each of them hugging me.

"Oh, Madeline, I'm so sorry." Harper wipes the tears from her eyes.

"I'm sorry you had to go in there and find her missing," I say, trying to keep calm. Tears press against my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I need to be strong right now. "Eden said you called Grandpa."

"I did." Sophia sniffs. "He has dropped everything and he's coming. He's bringing all his guards too. He even called in a favor with a local wolf shifter pack. At least half the pack are on their way."

I know that Sophia is worried because she doesn't even make a joke about how ‘hot' their alpha is—she's had a crush on the alpha for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately for her, wolf shifters have soulmates—succubi don't.

I let out a breath of relief. "With everybody coming, we'll find her quickly."

Harper nods firmly. "We will. This Nodin Clan won't get away with what they've done."