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Damek turns to look at me for a moment, then nods to my grandfather. “We will come, but I won’t tolerate any of them treating my fiancé rudely.”
Grandfather bows slightly to him. “Of course, Prince Damek. I will make sure all of my grandchildren behave.”
I nearly laugh at the idea of any of my cousins behaving. But I do know that none of them would cause a scene, not at a place like that. I have handled their jeers and insults for twenty three years, what’s one more night?
“I will have my secretary get in touch with you for the dates,” Grandpa says, smiling at me. “I look forward to seeing you again soon and I’m excited for what your betrothal means for both of our communities.”
I wonder what he means by that. Succubi and incubi don’t marry outside of their species. That is part of the reason that my existence is such a big deal. I am one of a kind.
After that, Grandpa leaves, getting a ride to the airport from our driver and I’m not sure what to make of anything that’s happened, but Julien is in a really good mood as he throws my bedroom door open, without knocking, of course.
“Do you ever knock?” I narrow my eyes as he saunters into my room.
He smirks. “I wanted to make sure you and your boyfriend were behaving.”
I lift an eyebrow at him referring to Damek as my boyfriend. “Damek left about an hour ago—you know he never stays this late. And he’s never been to my bedroom.”
“Good,” he says, his tone very subdued.
Julien may be younger than me, but he is very protective of me. It’s really sweet, even if unnecessary when it comes to Damek.
“How is Eden doing?” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth.
Tonight was hard on her—even harder than the night she met me. Part of me still can’t believe she’s being so welcoming to my mother. If I were in her position, I’m not sure that I would be so kind to the woman who had an affair with my husband.
Julien takes a step closer to me. “My mom will be fine. She and Dad worked through their issues a long time ago. It was hard for her to see your mom, especially seeing how pretty she is.”
I sigh, running my fingers through my hair. “My mother is a beautiful woman, but so is Eden. She has nothing to worry about when it comes to my mother.”
“She trusts Dad now,” he says. “Or else their marriage never would’ve lasted this long. Everything will work out.”
“I just feel so bad. I don’t want to force your mom to be uncomfortable. This is her home.”
Julien shakes his head. “No. She is doing this for you, Maddie. Because you need your mom here to help you plan for this wedding.”
Still, my heart aches when I think about Eden’s face today. She looked completely crushed. It’s one thing to forgive your husband for his transgressions, it’s another to invite the woman into your home.
“My mother is a strong woman,” Julien says.
He’s right. Eden is strong—probably the strongest woman that I know. She’s a great queen and wife, she’s a great mother to Julien, and she has been a great stepmom to me. I know she can handle anything, I just wish I could somehow make it up to her.
“Enough about my mom.” Julien wiggles his eyebrows. “Let’s talk about your grandfather, who looks young enough to be your dad.”
“What about Grandpa?” I gaze curiously at him.
His smile turns into a smirk. “He’s very, uh, good looking.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s an incubus—of course he’s good looking. You should meet the rest of my perfect family—you’ll see why I don’t fit in.”
“Maddie, Maddie, Maddie,” he says my name as if it pains him to even utter it. “I’ve told you already—you and I look alike. If I call you ugly, I’m calling myself ugly. You and I are hot.”
I gently bump my elbow into his gut. “And you’re so humble too.”
He chuckles. “You have no confidence, I have too much confidence—we balance each other.”
I laugh at his thought process, but I will let him win the argument tonight. “I love you, you know that?”
“What’s not to love?” he teases, but then his smirk turns into something warmer. “I love you too, Maddie. I’m glad you moved here.”
