Page 19 of Coral Prince Conundrum
“People won’t get their medications and supplies,” I say softly. “Not to mention the jobs lost.”
“Then, when nations start the inevitable pushback, men will go to war and die.” His voice catches and my pulse rises with fear. “There will be devastation by the water.” He shakes his head. “I do not know how much time I have to delay this.”
Woah. Those are some high stakes.
Without saying another word, we quietly trek back to the hotel. It’s a somber mood between us, and I try to wrap my head around the immensity of it all. Billions of people in the world, dozens of kingdoms, and I somehow got entangled with the guy who can prevent world war. This is a serious conundrum, and now I need to find a way to stop it.
But how? I’m a freaking barista whose dad won’t stop pillaging the oceans for profit. He’s a man who can talk to fish and control water, a prince of the sea. He has all this knowledge, and even he is feeling lost and helpless.
Twenty minutes later, we make it back to his hotel room. Seero shrugs, the resignation rolling off of him, and he unlocks his door. He gives me a small wave and walks in. “Thank you, Daryl. For saving my life.”
I smile, trying to cheer him up. “For what it’s worth, I’ve enjoyed learning about you.”
He steps into his room. “Well, I’d be happy to learn more about you, too. Maybe one day, right?”
I snicker. “Yes. One day you can learn all about how I make coffee because I’m a broke marine conservation student.” A tiny spark of an idea jolts in my mind. My back straightens and I whisper, “Wait.”
“Hm?” He turns, his gorgeous dark eyes on mine.
“My studies…I’m all about marine conservationism.”
Seero nods like he hasn’t made the connection yet. “What does that mean?”
“It means I’m an ocean nerd.” We exchange smiles, and I snap my fingers. “What if you tell your dad that some of us want to protect the world? That we’re not a detriment to the ocean?”
Seero bites his lip. “The Corali Court will want proof. They are the governing body that work in conjunction with Father, and they are very close-minded. Without evidence…”
“Then we’ll give them evidence!” Hope rises in my chest, but Seero seems skeptical.
“What?”
“I can compile multiple presentations and sources for you.” The idea begins to take shape in my mind and my hands shake in excitement. “Photos and videos. I have hours of evidence to prove that some of us are good for the environment.”
Seero smiles and scratches his cheek. “With that, I may be able to convince the Corali people that peace is a beneficial option.”
“Yes! You’ll be able to show that other countries are not beyond saving!”
“Correction.” He steps forward and grins. “Wewill be able to prove that the world is worth protecting.”
With his sexy smile right in front of me, arousal courses through my veins. Tonight has been such a whirlwind, and having this hunk gaze at me with earnest admiration has me weak. “Um…we?”
He stands up straight. “It is settled then. I, Seero Dagat of the Corali Royal Family, would like you, Daryl Tishman of Oregon, to work with me.” He nods, and it’s so formal, foreign, and sexy.
“Um…of course.” I stiffly bow to him and we both chuckle.
“How about tomorrow? I have to teach aquatic aerobics in the afternoon.”
“I’ll meet you after I get off work. How’s that?”
“Very well.” Before I can go, he rushes up to me and gives me a hug. He’s strong,so strong, and smells like ocean water, but not in a gross way. It’s manly and delicious, and the hug is over way too soon. He steps back and says, “Goodnight, my dear Daryl Tishman.”
After he shuts the door, I take a moment to pause. Walking down the hall with half a woody in my pants won’t be easy, so I shake out my head and try to calm down. Everything I knew in life has changed, and that should scare me instead. Instead, I’m hopeful. I can’t fight the grin on my face as I exit the hotel. The stars shine on me and I breathe in the early summer air. “Goodnight, my dear Coral Prince,” I whisper to myself.
CHAPTER NINE
Seero
In the several weeks I’ve been living at the Renversé Hotel, these past seven days have been the most rewarding. I smile more, and have more energy as I walk down the hotel halls, greeting fellow staff. I work every day to clean the hotel pool, lifeguard, and teach aquatic aerobics to anyone who wishes to partake. I’m filled with mirth and hope, not simply because I survived a near death experience, but because of everything I have learned.
