Zee reaches out to hold Cal’s forearm, and he guides her down the vast hallway while she continues looking up at all the sights. A giant squid hangs behind the octopus, and an enormous whale skeleton is after that.
I’m confident they’ll be occupied for a while, and I take my chance to find the beautiful Ava. As Cal led Zelda away, I noticed her disappearing into the dark hall labeled “Dangers of the Sea.”
The exhibit twists around huge tanks of jellyfish, coral, and sea anemone. The space is dark except for the black lights illuminating the strange creatures.
“They’re really beautiful, aren’t they?” Ava speaks, and my stomach tightens.
“It’s always been my favorite part of the museum.”
“Look at that one!” She points a slim finger at a Portuguese man of war the size of my torso. Thick tentacles extend down as it floats in the current.
“They have no mouths, but they’re able to consume entire fish.”
“We used to get those in Florida. They have a horrible sting—much worse than jellyfish.”
“When were you in Florida?” I lean on the wooden rail surrounding the tank, watching as the purple lights flicker in her eyes.
She hesitates a moment before continuing. “I grew up there. I guess that’s something we have in common. Were you able to go to the beach a lot growing up?”
“All the time. Cal and I would spend every day playing in the surf when we were kids.”
“So being royal isn’t that much different from being any other kid on the beach?”
“I wouldn’t say that. Most kids don’t have guards lurking around the sand dunes.”
She wrinkles her nose in an adorable way and starts to walk. I push off the rail and follow her. “I suppose they couldn’t risk losing the two of you. Who would be the king?”
“We have that all worked out in our constitution.”
That makes her stop. “You have a constitution?”
The surprise on her face makes me laugh. “How do you think our government is organized?”
“I don’t know. I guess I thought you did whatever you wanted and told everyone what to do.”
That makes me laugh more. “Our government hasn’t operated that way in centuries, although, I think Cal wishes it still did.”
“Still, you can do anything you want.”
Watching her walk through the dark space, I can only wish that were true. “You might not believe it, but I probably have less freedom to do what I want than you do.”
“Tell me about it.” She turns and leans against the wooden railing.
Stepping up beside her, I watch the glowing orange clown fish swim along the coral reef. They dart in and out of the swaying pinkish-purple venomous plants without even hesitating.
I lean forward on the railing, and the warmth of Ava’s body is right at my side. Without hesitation, I gently lift her hand in mine, threading our fingers like the swaying tentacles.
“Everything I do now is tied up in the good of Monagasco.”
“How does that change what you can and can’t do?” Her voice is soft, and I turn to find her green eyes round and full of concern.
“You’re very beautiful.”
Pink floods her cheeks, and her chin drops. Reaching out, I touch the soft skin of her jaw, lifting her face with my finger. Her soft lips part, and she blinks fast, gazing at my mouth. We’re hidden in the darkness, only a breath apart. The slightest dip, and I’ll have her. My lips ache for hers, and as I lean forward to have my first taste, Cal’s fucking voice cuts through the silence.
“Now this is my all-time favorite part of the aquarium. It’s dark and winding. Loads of places to make out.”
Zelda laughs. “Somehow I get the feeling you know all the good make-out spots in all the historic places.”