21. You deserve a prince

21

YOU DESERVE A PRINCE

D amek and I must have fallen asleep on the couch because I wake up with my head on his lap. He's slumped over against the armrest and I am careful when I move so I don't wake him.

I have a throw over the top of me. I smile, knowing it was probably Damek who covered me up. I fold the throw and drape it over the back of the couch. When I look behind me, I spot Kaine sitting at a round table in the corner, papers spread out across it. When he notices me looking, he glances my way and motions for me to join him.

"Any news?" I ask, slowly approaching the table. I'm certain that my hair must be a mess, so I comb my fingers through it. Once I check in with him, I'll head upstairs to get ready.

"Nothing," Kaine answers, his lips turning down in the corners. "But we've got a lot of people looking. They won't stay hidden long. We've even had members of the Nodin Clan asking for asylum. They don't like what their leaders are doing."

"Wow," I sit down across from him. "So what will happen to them?"

"They can join the Scott Clan." He pauses. "Or the Rune Clan."

Wow. He said the ‘Rune Clan' with no disdain and without making a face.

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "You seem happy—since Lucien came back."

He chuckles. "Well, I am happy. Without him, Julien would've been the heir once you get married. I love Julien, but he's not a leader."

I disagree, but I don't voice it out loud.

Julien is young, but he would make a great ruler. Even if he never becomes a king, whatever he does I know he will be leading people. It's in his nature.

"You are also happy," Kaine says.

I look up and see that he's watching me.

I nod. "I am. I didn't think I could be. When I first heard that I have to marry somebody for political reasons, I thought I'd never have a chance at being happy." I glance over at Damek, who is still slumped against the couch. "Damek makes me happier than I thought possible. He does things that he doesn't have to just because he knows that I want it."

Kaine nods to the ring on my finger. "Like the proposal."

I grin, turning to face Kaine. "Yes. Getting engaged is a big thing in succubi culture. The fact that he did this means more to me than I could ever describe."

"You love him," Kaine says as a statement.

"I do," I admit.

He runs his fingers through his hair. "I knew you did. It was clear to me from the beginning that the two of you had something special. I'm sorry that I tried to discourage you. I never should've made you go out on dates with all those spoiled princes."

I shrug. "It sucked at the time, but if anything it's made me appreciate Damek more."

"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 really am sorry," 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?"

"They have no reason to hurt her." Kaine pushes away his papers. "They never hurt you when they captured you. And they never hurt Lucien."

He's right. The Nodin Clan may not be the most upright, but at least they haven't hurt anybody. Or worse…

"Can your mom not get away from Prince Lucas like you did?" Kaine asks.

I shake my head. "My mom isn't as strong as me. Nobody besides my grandfather could enthrall a royal. I didn't realize I could until the moment it happened."

"Because you're a hybrid." Kaine nods. "Hybrids are always stronger."

It feels strange to hear him say that.

Hybrids are always looked down upon in the supernatural community. Even as recently as two hundred years ago, all hybrids were put to death. And elementals still put hybrids to death except in the case of soulmates. It's only recently that hybrids have become more accepted.

I hear rustling on the couch, so I turn to see Damek sitting up. When our eyes meet, he smiles widely at me. I stand up from the chair and make my way back to his side.

"Did we sleep here all night?" Damek asks.

I nod.

"That's why I'm over here," Kaine says, waving a hand at Damek. "King Scott didn't want Princess Madeline in here alone with you."

Damek rubs at the scruff on his jaw. "What did he think would happen? We're in an open room with a house full of visitors."

I grin. Damek's right, but my dad is always protective of me.

Kaine shrugs. "I don't question my king, I just follow his orders."

Meaning he likely agrees with Damek but he won't admit it out loud.

"Is there any news?" Damek asks.

"Not yet." Kaine frowns. "King Scott has been keeping me updated. More vampire clans are flying in today to offer their support, so I imagine the Nodin Clan won't be able to stay hidden for long."

My heart swells when I think about all the vampire clans coming together to help find my mom. I know everything is going to be all right.

Kaine's phone goes off and he looks at it. "Breakfast is ready in the dining room if the two of you are hungry."

"Thanks," I say.

Damek stands from the couch, so I grab his hand and lead him from the room.

"After we eat, I'll head home to get a shower," Damek says. "But I'll come over right after."

"Maybe bring some clothes so you don't have to go home tomorrow." I chew on my lip while I wait for his response.

"Of course," he answers.

Once we eat breakfast, Damek heads home to get a shower, so I do the same. As I'm getting a shower, I can't help but think about our wedding. It's only two weeks away. Two more weeks and I'll get to spend every day and night with Damek. We won't have to say goodbye anymore.

Once I'm dressed and ready, I head back downstairs to the craziness that is happening. The main level of our house is full of people and my heart feels lighter at the sight, knowing they're all here to help find my mom. Damek walks through the front door shortly after I come down—he must've taken a very quick shower to get back to fast. Or maybe I'm just slow.

I make my way over to him, aware of the fact that people are watching me. Damek pulls me into his arms, embracing me. I feel his lips at the top of my head as he kisses me. I sigh and lean further into him.

"Madeline."

Dad's voice makes me pull back from Damek. I turn to face him. "What's going on?"

"We think we found where Sasha is being kept," Dad says.

My heart accelerates. I put a hand on the base of my throat. "Can I come on the rescue mission?"

Dad shakes his head. "It's too dangerous. I have my best men going. The Rune Clan is also sending men, along with many other clans and allies."

I take a deep breath and slowly let it out. "How long before we know something?"

"They'll be leaving within the hour," Dad answers. "The location is less than an hour by flight, so we should know within a couple of hours."

A couple of hours and my mom could be rescued. I just have to be patient a little longer.

"You're sure I can't go." I worry my bottom lip between my teeth.

Damek slips his arm around me. "Sorry, Maddie. I can't let you go and get hurt."

"Damek is right," Dad says. "This is a rescue mission and you don't have the training. I know you used your succubus powers to get away from Prince Lucas when he took you, but we can't risk it. You're too important."

I take another deep breath. "Sorry. You're right. I'm just ready to know that Mom is safe."

She's going to be home soon.

At least, I hope so.

"The council will be meeting this afternoon to decide what to do with the Nodin Clan," Dad says. "Since you're to be the crown princess of the Rune Clan, you are to be present."

I swallow hard. "What?"

"You and Damek both." Dad glances at Damek, then at me. "You deserve to know their fate. Neither of you will be voting since you're not the head of your clan, but you will get to speak."

Speak?

In front of people?

I nod. "Okay."

At least I have a heads up so I can think about what I want to say.

A few minutes later, I stand outside and watch the vans pull out of the driveway. There are at least fifty people between the Scott and Rune clans going on the rescue mission, not to mention the other clans that are meeting them there.

Damek squeezes my hand and I lean my head over, letting it thump against his side. He wraps an arm around me and squeezes me to his side.

"Everything is going to be okay," he promises.

I believe him when he says it.