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“What for?” He raises an eyebrow.

I take a deep breath and shake my head. “Just… everything. You’ve done so much for me—like arguing for a long engagement.”

He smirks. “That was slightly selfish on my part. I wanted to make sure your father didn’t accept any other alliance proposals and I thought if we had a lengthy engagement you might be more open to the idea.”

“Still, thank you. Everything you do is for me and I haven’t done enough to reciprocate that.” I chew on my bottom lip as I wonder what I can do to show him how I feel about him.

Do I tell him that I love him or is it too soon?

“Having you here, by my side, is all I want.” He gently kisses the top of my head.

“Gross.”

I look up and see Duncan take a seat across from us. “Could you two keep the kissing to a minimum this week?”

Damek snorts. “Absolutely not.”

I study Duncan, noting that he and Damek do look similar, with their brown eyes, dark hair, and pronounced jawlines. But Duncan’s features are softer and he carries himself differently.

Because he doesn’t have the weight of a crown, I realize.

Damek has a lot on him. Someday, he will rule his clan.

And he chose me to rule by his side.

My heart feels so full at the thought.

Duncan groans. “The two of you are going to be stealing love sick glances at one another the whole week, I can already tell.”

Damek tightens his grip around me. “You’re just jealous.”

Duncan nods. “Because they wouldn’t let me bring my girlfriend with us.”

“I doubt your mom wanted me to come either.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

“True,” Duncan says. “She has been complaining about it for days, ever since Damek confirmed you were coming.”

Damek shoots his younger brother a glare.

“It’s okay,” I tell Damek, to reassure him. “I know your mother doesn’t like me.”

“Mom doesn’t like anybody,” Duncan says. “It’s her coping mechanism. She is snubbed by most other royals, so she does her best to pretend like she doesn’t care.”

For the first time since I met Queen Rune, I can relate to her. I have never fit in with my royal succubi and incubi cousins because I’m a hybrid. It’s always bothered me horribly, even if I try to hide it.

“Don’t worry,” Duncan continues. “She might say she doesn’t like you, but I think she does. And once she sees how much Damek cares about you, she will love you too.”

I somewhat doubt that. I imagine Queen Rune and I will never truly get along with one another.

“What is there to do on the island we’re going?” I ask, changing the subject away from family drama. I’ve had enough of it to last a lifetime.

Duncan’s face lights up. “We’re going to have so much fun, you’ll see. We always take the boat out, that’s always fun. We have jet skis too, and we go night surfing. And the food…”

I grin at his enthusiasm.

Duncan sits up straighter, a mischievous grin on his face. “Though I suppose in a few years, I’ll get to teach your children how to surf.”

My cheeks grow warm.