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Lucien turns around to face Dad, who is talking with Kaine. “Dad, you approved this,” he yells, breaking up the conversation.

Dad turns to us. “Are you talking about Madeline’s engagement to Damek? Yes, I approved it. Though it was Madeline’s choice.”

Lucien turns to Damek. “You always were picky. I thought you’d be single forever—or until your council forced you into marriage. I will take it as a compliment that you chose my sister. But let it be known that if you hurt her, I will hurt you.”

Damek grins, not at all put off by what Lucien is saying. “Thanks, I appreciate your support. I will never purposefully hurt Maddie.”

The two of them shake hands and I stand there wondering what just happened.

Lucien just threatened Damek and now the two of them are going on like they’ve always been friends.

We head inside so that Lucien can get some food and blood. From what I understand of his captivity, he wasn’t given a lot of blood—only enough to survive. To make up for the lack of nutrition, he’ll have to drink double his usual amount of blood over the next few months to make up for it. The healer also gave him a lot of vitamins to take.

Eden coo’s over Lucien as he eats, making sure he has plenty of food. She keeps refilling his drink.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Eden smile so big and she can’t take her eyes off her oldest son. My heart feels so full as I watch the love she has for him.

Somehow, the family feels complete now. I didn’t even realize how much was missing by Lucien not being here, but now I can’t imagine it any other way. It feels as though he has always been here.

Dad catches him up on everything that happened while he was gone.

Lucien chuckles when Dad gets to the part of Damek and I getting engaged. He glances at Julien. “Which left you as heir. I’m sure youlovedthat.”

Julien shrugs. “I tried to talk her out of marrying Damek, but the two of them are sickeningly in love.”

Lucien looks at Damek and me. “I’ve noticed.”

Damek and I are holding hands, but I didn’t think we were doing anything too ‘lovey.’ I glance and Damek and he shrugs.

“I think they’re sweet,” Eden says.

Julien pretends to gag.

“Wait until you see Julien with my cousins.” I stick my tongue out at my younger brother.

Lucien chuckles. “Julien is probably as vain as an incubus.”

“Can confirm,” I tease.

Julien put a hand to his chest. “Wow. Is this pick on Julien day?”

“How is that different from any day?” Lucien takes a sip from his cup of blood. Eden rushes to refill it, but he waves her off. “I don’t think I can stomach much more, Mom. But thank you.”

Eden pushes his hair back out of his face. “I missed you, Lucien. I’m glad you’re home.”

“Me too, Mom.”

I lean into Damek’s side, watching my family.

Everything feels so good… so right. I glance over at Kaine, who is sitting at the table with Lucien. He’s looking at some paperwork, but I see him look at Lucien every few minutes. It’s almost like he can’t believe he’s here either.

After finishing as much of his food and blood as he can, Lucien heads for bed. He must be extremely tired because the sunset was only a few hours ago.

Damek heads back to the Rune estate soon after, promising that he’ll be back tomorrow night—he has a lot of duties as heir to his clan. When he leaves, it feels so quiet again.

19

HOW DOES ONE GET A HUSBAND?