Page 56 of Coral Prince Conundrum
“Do you not watch American movies, brother? Did you not learn anything from the great global survey?”
I frown. “I literally presented stacks of worldwide information to pass bills with our lawmakers.”
“Right.” My brother pushes his hair down, and I forget that he looks almost identical to me at times. “It is when the hero finds his love interest and surprises them, declaring his love.” He turns and gives me a thumbs-up. “It is most cowabunga,” he says in English.
I laugh softly. “My hope is that he is willing to forgive me for letting him get hurt.”
My brother’s smile falls. He turns and places his hands on my shoulders. “That was not your fault, brother. You did not ask our sister to be a murderer.”
I nod solemnly. Oroy has been my rock, taking my side all the way during the trial of my sister. I am glad that our parents have kept her locked up. Admittedly, her cell is a luxurious wing in the palace, but she is unable to swim away and hurt anyone else, and that is all that matters.
The phone in my pocket buzzes, and I pick it up.
“It is from Justice,” I say. “They are almost done eating, leading to the dance portion of the night. Wait, what does this symbol mean?”
My brother looks at it and grins. “That is a winky face emoji.” He closes one eye and beams at me, and I can’t help but laugh. “In this context, it means he is ready for whatever plan you have.”
I nod, and my pulse races. I was not even this nervous before speaking to the entire United Regions meeting.This time, so much more is at stake. So, I take my mask and place it over my face, and walk out the door.
My heart pounds faster when I spot him sitting alone. The elation from seeing him again after weeks is indescribable. My soul is pulled to his, the way the tide always returns to the shore. The man I love, the one I care for, my soulmate, is seated right there. He doesn’t seem to recognize me, so I make my move.
Once I stand before him, I hand him the offering, a coral made from sea glass. “Daryl Tishman,” I say. “May I have this dance?”
He blinks at me, eyes wide in shock. When I take off my mask, a small gasp escapes his lips.
“W-What? How?” he whispers.
My eyes sting as I smile. “It is good to see you, Daryl. I just want to say—oof!” My words are cut off when he darts up and embraces me. Daryl is hugging me, and I breathe in his perfect, masculine scent.Home.
In such a short period of time, Daryl has become my rainstorm in a drought, giving me life.I am complete once again.
He hisses and pulls back in pain, and I stare at him in panic. “Oh no!”
“Just gotta sit down,” he says, easing back into his chair. I pull a chair close so we can talk, grateful that we have privacy in this part of the ballroom. I notice the metal apparatus next to him; Justice informed me that most of his injuries are healing, and he is using the device known as crutches. If he were with me, I would have servants wait on him every moment of every day, so that he never endures any physical exhaustion.
With the pain gone, he beams at me again, eyes sparkling in the darkness. “Seero, what are you doing here?”
I take his hand and shrug. “I thought I would do some dancing. It is for charity, no?” My fingers play with his, and I thank the ocean gods he’s still alive.
He laughs softly and wipes at his eyes. “How could you do this?” he whines.
My smile falls. “I am…most apologetic that you got hurt. Words cannot express how sorry I am.”
“No.” He rolls his eyes. “How could you just appear here without telling me?”
“I…was not available until recently. And your father, Layla, and Justice all agreed that this would be an appropriate time for a…romantic gesture?” My heart pounds and my cheeks warm. “I will admit, I have never had to do any of this. Suitors usually line up for me.”
Daryl scoffs, gripping my hand. “So you thought it best to surprise the shit out of me, a man with a messed up ankle?”
I cringe. “I was hoping that you would think it was sweet. They told me you have not been dating anyone.”
Daryl huffs and rolls his eyes with a smile. “If I weren’t injured, I’d launch myself forward and smack you upside the head.” We both laugh. “And I’d do other things…” His words allude to so much as his fingers trace my palm. Arousal shoots straight to my groin. “Like…kiss you, maybe?”
My eyebrows jump, and I nod on instinct. “Okay!”
“It’s stupid.” He wipes his eyes and looks down.
“No, it is not!”
