Page 138 of Scars Like Wings

As I was trying and failing to swallow my laughter, a large amount of water surged from within the house nearby with a tray of drinks and a bowl. Upon reaching us, the tide materialized into a handsome tanned twenty-something man with a body and face like a Greek sculpture and longish dark hair. The tray sat in one hand and the other notched behind him. Dorian gave us his best million-dollar smile.

“Good morning, everyone! I know how cumbersome teleporting can be, especially for first-timers, so I brought some ginger ale and crackers to help. They have been magicked to aid with teleportation sickness. I also made the cocktails you requested, Miss Simone.”

“Thank you so much, Dorian! You’re the best as always!” Simone said, taking a cocktail for herself and a cup of ginger ale on ice for Cole.

“Thank you, Dorian!” Maisie and Nat both said at the same time, batting their eyelashes.

“Welcome back, Miss Maisie,” Dorian winked at her before making eye contact with Nat and smiling wider. “Oh, and Daylily Isle always loves new guests.”

While Maisie and Nat swooned and got some drinks, Quinn raised her eyebrows my way. “So, Maisie has fucked him before, hasn’t she?”

“Oh, several times. Maisie has said he is easily in the Top Five of her hoe-rotation.”

“And Nat is obviously interested?”

“If you are asking if I think they are going to have some kind of a threesome, I would be shocked if they didn’t,” I snorted.

“Do you think that Nat and Maisie will jump his bones before Maisie and Cody do?”

“I forgot Cody was bi! My money is definitely on Cody and Maisie then.”

“You underestimate my sister. You’re on.” Quinn chuckled.

Once the boys’ tummies had stopped hurting, we made our way toward the house. Quinn and the guys carried most of our luggage, but Dorian helped with the rest they weren’t able to get. The house was definitely more of a luxurious Instagram-worthy mansion than anything else. It sat on a hill with a set of stairs leading down to the private beach that was its backyard. An infinity pool and extensive patio area overlooked the beach with a view of the ocean. Inside, it was all modern beachhouse with light-colored wood, bright beachy decor, top-of-the-line appliances, and floor-to-ceiling windows that doubled as doors to let the sea breeze in.

As the living room welcomed us inside, Quinn whistled in appreciation. “Wow, Simone! This place is gorgeous! It’s nicer than my place.”

“Thank you! There should be more than enough bedrooms for everyone, but we are free to double up if we want to! Thishouse isn’t usually a resort. It’s normally kind of like a halfway house.”

“What do you mean?” Nat asked.

“Well, it’s kind of a long story, but the short version is that royal merfolk are given an island when they are seven years old—which is pure lunacy, might I add—and they can decide what they want to do with it. Most use their island as, like, a second house. But my siblings who aren’t immediate heirs, sparse, or thirds-in-line, and I decided to make our islands into more of a safe haven for aquatic beings in need. So, anyone displaced because of capitalism or global warming or who are struggling to make ends meet can apply to move to one of our islands. We pay for relocation, provide a place to live, help them find a job, and give them an opportunity to build a community and grow. They can stay until they get back on their feet and decide to go elsewhere, or they can live here permanently. But our islands are meant to give them the freedom to make that choice and not be forced to make it, you know? We just didn’t want our generational wealth to stay with us like we were hoarding it when our people need it more.

“So, this mansion is fully staffed with a chef, butlers, maids, and a manager who helps with things while also making bookings for us when we are here. We only book the place for a week. It’s a vacation for us, but it also gives me a chance to check in on how everything is going.”

“Holy shit, that is all so sweet, Simone,” Nat said. “I had no idea you were such a philanthropist.”

“Well, she is the best.” Cole brought her in close and kissed the top of her head. “I would kiss your lips, but I really should brush my teeth first after… well, you know.”

“I know, Coco. My poor big guy.” Simone patted his chest. “How about we all go upstairs and get ready? We can have a chill recovery day poolside and go out into town tomorrow! I’ll haveDorian make some cocktails and heat up the burritos and some snacks to serve at the pool!”

Cody groaned. “I will pass on the burritos, I think.”

“Speak for yourself, buddy, most of us won’t be tasting it for the third time today,” Nat teased.

Laughing as Cody’s face turned a concerning shade of green again, we all made our way upstairs with our luggage. There were over seven bedrooms upstairs with most having their own ensuite. Simone, Maisie, and I went to the rooms we always stayed in, three bedrooms right next to each other facing the ocean. Quinn followed behind me with my bags.

“Thank you so much for carrying my bags for me, pumpkin!”

“Of course! I wouldn’t have it any other way, sweets.” She winked, setting my bags down. “I will call dibs on the room right across the way, okay? Just in case you need me or need help tying your swimsuit.”

I laughed. “You’ll be the first one I call, babe.”

After she left, I grabbed my duffel bag with all of my swim stuff and made my way to Simone’s room, the largest bedroom in the house. Inside, Simone was already digging through her bags. When she saw me, her shoulders immediately relaxed in relief.

“Thank Poseidon below! I thought we were going to get dressed separately,” Simone pouted.

“Are you kidding? It’s a tradition!” I said, putting my bag on the bed to find my swimsuit. “Now, where is the third Musketeer?”

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