Page 17 of Coral Prince Conundrum
I’m jostled between two people in the large front seat of Layla’s truck. The streetlamps flash through the night as we make the two-minute drive to the beach. I’m holding a towel in my lap, and to my left, Layla is going on and on about some absurd story from her past.
“And I really thought it would be the end for me. Touching the mystical river means instant death, but I was able to hop on enough stones to get out of there and back to our world.” She snickers like it’s a cute anecdote. “But I was limber in my twenties.”
To my right, Seero, with a towel on his shoulders, smiles. “You are truly the most worldly person I know.”
“Sometimes otherworldly,” Layla corrects. They both howl in laughter, and I chuckle uncomfortably.How can I be chill?
The guy next to me, my crush, is so much more than some sexy foreigner. This man—with his perfect pecs and killer abs on display —claims to be a freaking prince.
I gulp and try not to stare at his fine torso in the dark. I shouldn’t be surprised. Why am I surprised? The rumor mill has dubbed the Renversé Hotel as the ‘Runaway Prince’ Hotel for years. But I always thought that was an urban legend, a modern-day fairy tale.Well, considering how much magic has been popping up in kingdoms all over the world…
Is he made of magic? Fear creeps up my spine, and I’m once again acutely aware of how close Seero is to me on my right. If I kiss him, will I turn into a fish or something?
We pull into a parking lot near an empty beach. I notice half an abandoned boardwalk above, and other than streetlamps, the area appears bathed in the dark azure of the night sky. I try to breathe normally and think rationally, dismissing the thought of his magical mouth on mine. Seero doesn’t even like me like that. He thinks my Dad is the worst human to ever exist, so I don’t need to worry about any kiss-based magical shenanigans. I’m just a barista who attended his aquatic aerobics class once.
“Out you two.” At Layla’s words, Seero darts off. He’s practically a blur in the dark, tossing his towel on the sand and leaping into the water. I’m still overwhelmed by learning that my crush is actually royalty, so I turn to Layla with hopefully a pleading look. “That means you, Daryl.”
“Um, what should I…?”
“The water will heal him,” she says. “When he’s all patched up and ready, think you can walk him back to the hotel?”
I bite my lip, and then nod. After a beat, I scoot to my right to the passenger side door. “Hey, Daryl?” With one foot out of the car and a towel in hand, I turn back to Layla. “Give him some time to explain himself. He’s new to our customs, and I never turn away royalty when they need a place to get their head on straight.”
I let her words sink in, then softly reply, “I will.” With that, I hop out of the truck, and she drives away.
I take two steps and gaze upon the scene. The sounds of crashing waves surround me, and in the night sky, there’s nary a seagull in the sky. Looking around then turning back, I realize Itruly am alone. The only other person is swimming through the waves.
Even in the dark, he’s a sight to behold. Seero glides, cutting out of the waves with ease. Suffice it to say, he must be rapidly healing in the ocean. I step forward until my feet sink in the wet sand. I’m not about to jump in the water at night in my corduroys and blue button-down. I’m simply here to babysit him.
Seero…AKA Searoyal. A Corali. The prince of the freaking Coral Kingdom.
The immensity of it all makes me woozy, so I step to the side. I walk back closer to a streetlamp so I can at least have some light to ground me to reality. How am I friends with a royal dude who can breathe underwater? This shit doesn’t happen to black nerdy dudes from Oregon. More importantly, what do I do with this immense secret? Shit, is there some sort of rule against befriending the Coral Prince? Are Seero and I in danger?
I’m taken out of my spiral of thoughts by a figure approaching. Seero is sauntering over to me dripping wet and shirtless. I should be thrilled or at least try to check him out, but I have too much on my mind.
“All better,” he says with a sheepish chuckle. He’s so charming I have no choice but to smile.
“Here.” I hand him his towel.
“Thanks.” While he rubs his beautiful torso, I step forward and place my towel on the sand. I plop down into a cross-legged seat, and without asking, he does the same.
Now that I’ve relaxed, the thrumming of the waves is a soothing melody. My concerns and questions are still there, but my anxiety is slightly quelled. Seero’s presence has thrown me for a loop for the few weeks I’ve known him, but this is a companionable silence between us. It’s like we’re both enjoying the solace of the ocean sounds before real life starts up again.
After a long minute, Seero breaks the silence. “Um, is there anything you want to…ask me?”
I snort. “So many things.” We both laugh quietly, and I stare down at the sand. “Okay, first question.” I take a deep breath in and out. “Do all Coral Kingdom people talk to sea lions, or is it just the princes?”
He snickers. “Many in the royal guard do, as well as most of my family. Not everyone, but most who work in the government have to in order to maintain our infrastructure of marine wildlife.”
I glance at him. “Your kingdom’s infrastructure is based on animals?”
“Yes. The various creatures ferry our boats along the waterways, similar to your streets, and across regions,” he replies, like it’s the most casual thing in the world.
“Of course, how else would you get around,” I deadpan. “Any other magical abilities I should know about? Do you turn men into fish by kissing them?”
He snickers. “No. None of the men I’ve kissed have turned into fish.”
My heart wants to throw a parade at the fact that he implied he kisses men. I bite back a swoon and stare back down at the sand. “So no other Coral Kingdom powers? Do you become invincible in the ocean or something?”
