Page 9 of The Prince

“We are, to the far side. We might have to hike a little and we might get wet.” He glanced at her quickly and then back at the road.

“I don’t mind.”

He breathed out. “Good. Sometimes you beautiful types get all bothered if you have to get dirty, or wet.”

“Us beautiful types?” Her happiness dimmed more.

But his smile grew. “Though being wet doesn’t seem to bother you much.”

She stiffened. Why did he have to bring up the discomfort of their first meeting? She had been furious. And with good reason. “I still can’t believe you took over two hundred pictures of me, without my permission.”

“And I told you I didn’t even realize what I was doing. I was caught up in the moment.”

“Hmm.” She searched his face, he seemed sincere. But she just found it so difficult to believe that he wasn’t just like every other guy who’d hit on her and tried to steal photos. They could only talk about how hot she was or how beautiful, something Daniel mentioned every time they were together.

They pulled to a stop in the parking lot. He let go of her hand and reached behind them to pull a backpack out. “Camera.”

She smiled. “Do you ever leave it behind?”

“Rarely. But especially not when I’m about to see what we might.”

Her curiosity peaked. And she was filled with excitement. She loved a good surprise. So much that she didn’t ask him to tell. “Okay, come on then!”

He looped one strap of the backpack on his shoulder and took her hand again. They started toward the far side of the park on their way to the cliffs.

The path turned narrow and hugged the side of the hill until it became a goat path of a trail, leading around the edge of the cliff face. Melodia looked down to her left and shuddered at the drop below them. They weren’t very high, but something about the dark water seemed menacing.

Daniel’s voice over his shoulder calmed her. “We’re almost there.”

They rounded another corner and a small inlet beach, completely surrounded by a small grove of trees and cliff face on all sides, was hidden from view to all but those at sea. They had to pass through some water to get there. Daniel took off his shoes, indicating she should do the same.

Then he whispered, “Watch this.” He dipped his hand in the water, swirling it around. Everywhere the ripples touched burst into light with a brilliant blue color.

“What?” Melodia was entranced. “May I?” She reached for the water.

“Certainly. Movement activates them.” His smile was tender. He watched her face with an intensity she found intoxicating.

She dipped her finger and the water lit with an explosion of light, as if twenty fairies were firing their sparkles at once. She ran her whole hand in a great arc and sparkles followed the movement. “So beautiful. Bioluminescence. I’ve heard of it, but never seen any.”

“Very few places on the Mediterranean have any bioluminescence at all. This small bay is one of them.”

“Why didn’t you tell the committee? I’m certain this could help preserve the park.”

“I didn’t want anyone to know.”

She looked up shyly. “But you brought me here.”

He stepped nearer and placed a strand of her hair behind her ear. Tingles followed wherever his hand touched her skin. “Can you keep it a secret for me?”

She shortened the spaced between them. “I can.” Her breath quickened. She had to force herself to keep breathing steadily. He ran a finger down the side of her face, then cupped her chin and ran his thumb over her lower lip. His eyes searched hers. “I’ve never been fascinated by someone like I am you.”

She wanted to lean into his touch, beg for more, so intoxicating his intense interest. She wanted more than anything to impress him, to hear him praise her intelligence, or her efforts for the island.

He led her into the water. It was shallow, just up to their knees. The blue bursts of light circled around them in great swirls. The area behind them where they walked filled with blue as the light spread.

“What is it?”

“Some form of plankton.” He stepped out onto the sand. “Watch.” He pointed to his footsteps. They sparkled with pinpoints of blue light. She laughed. “Look at mine!” Everywhere she stepped was a footprint size of blue sparkles.

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