Page 55 of Roaming Holiday

“Really? I know the others are all about business, but you and Mason are different.”

“I understand. I don’t—like to be around people much.”

He’s antisocial. This much I know. But it still stings. I want to show Maia and Vanessa the side of him that I love being around. How he’s smart and thoughtful. How he gives me subtle reassurances and knows what I need before I know myself. Maybe I’ll keep the second part close to the vest.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Disappointment fills me, and I try to keep it out of my voice. “Okay,” I quip. “Um—well… Maia wanted to invite Mason because Roman keeps getting too close to her. Can you let him know?”

Wesley nods and continues down the hallway. When I return to the main deck, the group falls silent. I suppress a huff. They could at least attempt to be normal.

“Let’s go swimming!” Vanessa exclaims, getting up and pulling three donut floats from a closet. Jace and Roman rip off their shirts before launching themselves over the edge without warning. I can’t help but laugh at the funny sounds they make while sailing through the air.

I shed my cover-up, still stuck with my one-piece that I regret bringing more and more. I put on my jumbo black sunglasses and climb onto the air-filled donut. Maia flips the music back to R&B and I let my anxieties melt away with the boiling sun as I brush my fingers through the surface of the crystal-clear sea. Every few minutes, I splash some water onto my chest and legs for temporary relief from the heat. If this float had a headrest, the gentle waves would have rocked me to sleep a long time ago. I’m already looking forward to my nap later.

From a quick glance up at the boat, I spot Wesley and Mason outside, both leaning their forearms on the railing as they chat. All the way over here, I study the curve of Wesley’s biceps and the width of his shoulders. I would have been more surprised if he had accepted the offer to spend time with everyone; it doesn’t mean I don’t feel slightly rejected. And I hate that feeling and I hate how much I crave him.

Letting myself fall for Wesley will only complicate things. I’m his job—one he takes seriously. Sleeping with me wouldn’t look good on his resume; he would get in trouble with Jack; the Higher Court would never look at me the same. With Queen Ophelia as my mother, they expect me to have some natural streak of regality.

I live for the ease of my family. I missed school dances because Dad was drunk and throwing up and Maia was lost on the proper way to take care of him. Until I was fourteen, Dad would try to drive, leave, or wander when drunk. Maia went out. I stayed. I never resented her for it—it was my job.

Do I want to risk the way my family and the Higher Court view me over some lustful thoughts about my bodyguard?

I blink myself out of my reverie, glancing around to spot the mountainous lands hundreds of miles across the sea. Yes. A distraction. I point toward them. “Are those part of Maldana?”

“Yup!” Vanessa exclaims, flailing her arms to twist the float toward me.

“Do people live there?”

“No, they aren’t livable. Something about the environment.”

The island view takes my breath away, but it’s not the one I crave. The real view is sitting on the second floor of the yacht in front of me.

27

NINA

After docking in Antina, Jace and Roman leave for the house while we three girls search for french fries at a nearby restaurant.

“Wait—where’s our luggage?” I ask, mid-chew of a fry.

Vanessa chuckles. “It will be waiting at the house for us.” She plops on a sunhat and guides us into the village where the paths are like a fairytale. Although the walls and buildings are dirty white, the roofs and shutters are either sky blue or shades of pink. Cats trot along the ledges, hopping from one side to the other. I thought the stone roads in Kosita were hell, but Antina is worse. My eyes glue to the ground with each step. Mason even catches Maia’s stumble once or twice. Shops flank either side of the narrow walkways. Trellises provide shade in some sections, the greenery and pink flowers making a pleasant umbrella.

“Neen! I found a black cat!” Maia squeals.

Vanessa blanches. “You don’t think they are bad luck?”

My sister gives the cat little scratches. “Look at this face! How can anyone look at this precious creature and think he’s bad luck?”

Just then, the feline stretches its long body and rolls to expose its belly. Maia damn near cries. She presses a hand to her heart.

“Nina. I want him. This is my baby now.”

I touch her shoulder. “This is his home. You don’t want to take him away from it.”

As expected, she pouts. I gather my sister in my arms and steer her away from the cat. We get little relief from the heat, and I drink in every breeze as it whooshes the skirt of my long dress around me. After following the path downhill, the roads get wide enough for cars and we almost get mowed down by a motorbike.

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