by Dee J. Stone
“That’s okay. I’m sure you’ll figure it out soon. Besides, Misty’s Juice Bar wouldn’t be what it is without you.”
She rolls her eyes. Then a shadow passes over her face.
I touch her arm. “Are you doing okay?”
She swallows as her eyes tear up a little. “I am. Or I will be.”
“You seem to be in a better place than you were a few weeks ago.”
She stares off at the waves. “You know, I do feel better. I mean, I still miss him like crazy, and I’ll admit I cry myself to sleep almost every night. Hell, I’ll probably feel like this for a really long time, maybe forever. But I don’t regret my time with Jace. I’ll cherish all the memories I have with him.” She gives me a wry smile. “At least I can say one thing.”
“What?”
“It is better that I have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
I smile as I bump my shoulder into hers. “You’ll be okay, Leah. One day, you’ll meet the right person. I know you will.”
She pulls me into a hug. “Thanks.” She peeks at her watch. “Break time’s over. See you later.”
I return to Damarian and take his hand. “Ready to go home?”
He nods.
Hand in hand, we walk away. To our future.
Read on for an excerpt from Damarian, now available on Amazon!
Chapter One
Eteria. The palace that is home to the royal family. And to the princess who shall soon be my mate.
Father and Mother come to a halt near the entrance to the capital city, and Father places a firm hand on my shoulder. “Damarian, you understand the importance of this gathering.”
I stare at the large palace that is created from many shades of sapphire crystals, some identical to the color of the scales on my tail. “Yes, Father, I understand.”
He leans closer. “The Violets have worn the crown for far too long. It is time it returns to where it belongs.”
He has instilled this in me since I was a fry. How the crown rightfully belongs to the Sapphire clan, to my family. How Father is the rightful king, and I the prince. How it is time I correct this by mating with Princess Flora and uniting the clans.
Mother swims around me to rest her hands on my shoulders. She peers into my eyes in a way only a mother can. “It is understandable to feel apprehensive.” She presses her lips to my forehead. “Everything will be all right.”
I do not feel as though there are butterflyfish in my stomach. I feel…I am not quite certain. I have visited the palace many times over the moons, as I have been betrothed to the princess since I was a fry. She and I have not seen each other for many moons, and now that we have reached maturity, Father and King Palaemon have decided it is time. Still, it is not nerves I feel. I am not certain I feel anything at all.
“Quite some time has passed,” Father states. “It is still possible King Palaemon and Queen Lamara may change their minds. You must prove that you are indeed the ideal mate for their daughter.”
How am I to know I am the ideal mate for the princess? Because Father and the royal family have declared it?
“We must hurry or we will be late,” I mumble.
It appears as though Father wishes to say more, but he motions for Mother and me to follow him to the entrance to Eteria. We are nearing the palace, for I see many Violet tails and hammerhead sharks swimming about. A few ogle us. It is not common for a child of the sea who is not Violet to enter the palace, but that is not the only reason they stare. It is because they know who we are. Everyone knows who we are, or more specifically, who I am.
A Violet member of the Guard swims before us as we approach the palace. “State your reason for vising the palace,” he commands.
Father slightly bows his head. “I am Syren of the Sapphire clan. I am here with my mate, Kiandra, and my son Damarian, to meet with the king, queen, and princess.”
The Guard nods. “They are expecting you.”
Another Violet Guard leads us into the palace. Father’s jaw tightens when he observes its interior. It is the most exquisite thing I have ever laid eyes upon. Though I have seen this place many times, I am always amazed at its beauty. Sapphire crystals, of all different shades. Not Violet, for the crown does not truly belong to their clan.
The Violet Guard escorts us to a large room at the back of the palace, where the royal family sits on thrones made of sapphire crystals. Two large hammerhead sharks are stationed on each side. As we approach, the three of us and the Guard spread our arms over our heads and bring our palms together, lowering our heads. When my body is back to its original position, my eyes immediately land on Princess Flora’s face. I have not seen her in many moons, and she has changed significantly. Though she has always been quite pretty, she is beautiful now. Her long, brown hair flows behind her in lovely waves and her blue eyes, though identical to all the children of the sea, sparkle. On her head sits a tiara with sapphire, violet, emerald, ruby, and diamond crystals. A similar, although much larger, tiara and crown sit on her parents’ heads, though the crystals are in greater abundance.
A feeling nestles in my stomach as she and I stare into each other’s eyes. It is not excitement or joy. It is unease. She, who is no more than twenty-four moons my junior, is to be my bride. Though she and I have shared many times together, I do not know her.
Her eyes rake over me, from the top of my golden head that sweep my shoulders, down my chest, and to my sapphire tail and fin. A pleased smile appears on her face.
King Palaemon rises off his throne and spreads out his hands. “Greetings, Syren, Kiandra, and Damarian of the Sapphire clan. My queen and daughter are pleased to receive you as our guests.”
The three of us bow again. “Thank you, my king,” Father says.
“Let us eat,” Queen Lamara says.
Father, Mother, and I follow the royal family to another room. The princess turns her head and looks at me. I am not certain what expression lies in her eyes, and before I have a chance to discern it, she whips her head forward and continues into a room. This must be where the royal family feasts, for there is a large table made of sapphire crystals sitting in the center with ten crystal chairs. King Palaemon sits at the head, his wife settles on his right, and the princess takes his left.
“Please be seated,” Queen Lamara says.
I am set to lower myself in the chair next to Mother, when Princess Flora says, “I think it is befitting for my future mate to sit near me.”
Though I have dined many times at Princess Flora’s side, it did not hold a significant meaning then, for we were only fry. But it is extremely different now. The purpose of this meeting is to move things in motion. The princess and I have now reached the age to mate and Father claims there is no reason to wait any longer. It is my duty to return the crown to where it rightfully belongs, even if it requires me to mate with a female I am not acquainted with. I am not certain how we lost it, but it is believed to have transpired during the battle many moons ago.
She smiles as I sit near her, and I return it, though it feels forced. It is not my intention for it to appear that way—this is her duty as much as it is mine, but I cannot help the emptiness that lies inside me. In my heart. Would another child of the sea in my place feel overjoyed at the prospect of mating with the princess and taking the crown?
Manta rays drift in, carrying delicacies on their backs. Father’s lips grow thin again. Manta rays only serve the royal family. We wait until the king, queen, and princess acquire a fish before reaching for our own. As soon as my teeth sink into the flesh, I cannot help but sigh in pleasure. This is the most scrumptious fish I have eaten in all my moons. I do not recognize the breed—the hunters for the royal family must have swum quite a distance to retrieve this fish. The rest of the children of the sea do not travel too far out, except for those who enjoy exploring, such as myself. But I have yet to discover such a scrumptious breed.
Father and King Palaemon begin debating whether we should expand the border o
r place more sharks at the entrance to the colonies. It seems the humans have ventured too far out in their peculiar vessels that enable them to invade our sea. Mother and Queen Lamara bend close and talk about matters which interest females, such as family life. Princess Flora and I remain silent, and the only sounds are from chewing our food.
After a few moments, the princess says, “Will you not speak to me?”
I swallow and turn to her. “I apologize, Your Highness. I am afraid I cannot think of anything to say.”
She reaches for another fish. “That is all right. Is there anything you would like to ask me?”
My gaze falls to the half-eaten fish in my hand. I shall be mated to Princess Flora for all eternity, and it is time I learn all I can about her. Father would be pleased to know I am making an effort to acquaint myself with her. When I glance at him, I notice his head is bent toward the king as they whisper to one another. My heart starts to race. I am certain they are discussing the princess and me, our future.
I turn back to her. “What interests you?”
“Interests? Surely my people are of the upmost importance. Will they not be to you?”
I nearly choke on my fish. “Yes—of course. But I refer to interests outside the duty of the princess, or queen. Activities you enjoy doing in privacy.”
Her eyebrows lower toward her nose. “I am afraid I do not understand.”
“My sister enjoys spending her days with her friends. I am not certain what they do, but they seem to enjoy themselves.”
Her eyes drop to her fish and she takes a small bite. “I do not have friends.”
I do not know what to say. I suppose this is normal for the heir to the crown.
We sit in an uncomfortable silence, until Princess Flora says, “What is it that you enjoy?”
“Exploring.”
Her eyes narrow slightly, as though she is studying me intently. “I imagine you enjoy it very much. The expression on your face has changed.”
“Yes, very much so.”
She continues studying me. “I suppose it would be difficult to stop.”
“Stop?”
“Yes, for when you take the crown you will no longer be able to explore. It is the responsibility of the Scouts to explore the deep ocean, not the king.”
At first, it feels as though she has slapped me across the face. But then her words sink into my mind and I realize the truth. Exploring is not terribly dangerous, for the sea is quite peaceful, but there are always threats lurking about. The threat of humans, of their wastes and traps. The threat of rogue sharks. This is the reason King Palaemon sends out a party to explore. But even if it wasn’t slightly dangerous, I doubt the kingdom would allow their king to swim around and explore.
“You are correct, Princess.” My voice is hoarse and my gaze lowers to the fish bones before me.
“Perhaps if you were not destined to be king, you might have joined the Scouts.”
“Yes,” I mutter. “Perhaps.” I raise my eyes to her. “What do you suppose you would enjoy doing if you were not destined to be queen?”
Her eyes widen in shock and surprise, as though it is absurd for one to ask her such a question.
“I do not know,” she finally says. “This is the only life I have known.”
I am about to respond, when a Sapphire swims into the room. It is a bit odd to see a Sapphire tail in here, other than my parents and me, for many do not visit the palace. I recognize this child as Callen, head of the Guard. King Palaemon and Queen Lamara asked him to lead the Guard when they witnessed his keen instinct and intelligence. He also shares a close, strong bond with his great white shark.
He bows before the king and queen. “I am sorry for the interruption, but I am afraid I have pressing matters to discuss with you.”
King Palaemon wears an irritated expression. “Is it the dolphins again?”
“They cannot reach a conclusion on their own.”
King Palaemon scowls. “I am afraid I must bid my guests goodbye and see to the matter. It is not pleasant to be around impatient dolphins.”
Father does not wear a satisfied expression on his face. I gather he has not finished discussing my future with the king.
King Palaemon presses his lips to his queen’s forehead and then his daughter’s. “Please see that our guests are seen out.”
“The dolphins wish to meet with you personally,” Callen informs the king as they swim to the exit of the room. “They refused to speak to me.”
The last I hear is the king sigh.
I turn to Princess Flora. “There is trouble with the dolphins?”
She waves her hand. “Trivial matters, not something we should fret over. They constantly ask Father to put peace between them, but when he arrives, they have already made peace on their own.” She rolls her eyes. “I suppose the responsibility shall soon fall on our shoulders.”
I tear my gaze from hers. “Yes, I suppose it shall.”
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Read on for an excerpt from Falling for the Genie, now available on Amazon!
Chapter One
“Waitress? Over here, waitress,” the four teenage guys call and whistle from table number eight. I sigh and give my best friend Macy a look. She lifts an eyebrow.
“Take them,” I say.
She shakes her head. “No way. I served them yesterday. It’s your turn.”
I can’t argue with that. Those jerks gave her a hard time. “Why are sixteen-year-olds so annoying?” They’re only two years younger than us, but it feels like ten years.
“Believe me, they’re no better at our age,” Macy says. “Just take their orders and leave.”
Easier said than done. I sigh again and tuck my curly auburn hair behind my ears. Time to get this over with. Putting on a fake smile, I head over to their table. “What would you like to order?”
One of the guys, a redhead, scans my nametag longer than it should take. “Hello, Lily. What a nice name.”
I try not to roll my eyes. Did he forget he says that to me every time? “Do you want to hear the special?” I ask.
A blond winks. “I already see something special standing before me. How about you come meet me out back when you’re on your break?”
I tap my foot. “We have many people waiting for a table. Can you please order?”
The guys laugh loudly and eventually order, making sure to sneak in obnoxious remarks, which I ignore.
Screw this job. Except, I can’t. How else am I going to pay for culinary school? When I applied for a job here at Inferno—a restaurant known for serving spicy food—I wanted to work in the kitchen, but they wouldn’t hire me because I had no experience. The only other choice was to be a waitress. I took it because it was better than nothing. The more experience in a restaurant I can get, the better.
The guys laugh and whistle when I return with their food. The blond raises his eyebrows and points his thumb toward the back doors. I pretend he’s wallpaper.
When my shift is over, I go to the dumpster to throw out all the trash. A shadow sprints away. Looks like it was someone dumpster diving. We get that a lot.
I’m about to hurl the garbage into the dumpster when something shiny catches my attention. It’s buried deep inside, and I plow through all the smelly trash to get it out.
It’s a lamp. A golden lamp. Not the kind you’d have in your bedroom, but the kind from Aladdin. It looks similar to the genie’s lamp. It’s bigger than a football, and has these swirly designs all over that make it look exotic. Like something from a fairytale. Some kid must have had it for a Halloween costume and dropped it in here. It’s a shame to throw it out like that. It’s really a beautiful lamp, but I’m not going to keep it. I’ve learned to never take something from the trash, no matter how gorgeous it is.
I toss it back in the dumpster, except it won’t fall. My fingers are curled around the end of it, and no matter how many times I try to pry them off, it’s like they’re glued. What the hell? I shake my ha
nd, but no luck. The thing won’t come off. Some kid must have put glue on it as a joke, and lucky me got caught. I’m having such an awesome day.
I look to my right and left. No one’s around. How ridiculous am I going to look when I walk into Inferno with a genie lamp attached to my hand? There’s no hiding it, so I figure I’ll just add this incident to the “sucky things that happened to Lily today” list.
When Macy sees me, she smiles. “Finally time to go home.”
I hold up my hand. “I found this in the dumpster. There must be glue on it or something. Can you help me get it off?”
Her eyebrows knit. “Get what off?”
“The lamp.”
“What lamp?”
I stare at my hand. “The genie la—you don’t see it?”
She gives me a look like I fell from Mars. “All I see are fingers that need to be manicured.”
How can she not see the lamp? Am I completely losing it? I rub my eyes. The lamp is still there.
“Lily, you sure you’re okay?”
No. I’m not sure about anything. There is a lamp attached to my hand. I’m not crazy. Am I? “Yeah. Just tired,” I lie. “I need to go home. I haven’t been sleeping well.”
“Have you called your mom?”
“Twice, but no luck.”
Her face softens. She opens her mouth to say something, when I change the subject. “So what are your plans with Andy for tonight?”
Her boyfriend got an internship over the summer with a great company in Boston and is in New York for the weekend. He and Macy barely see each other.
She knows I don’t like to talk about my mom, and never pressures me. We’ve been friends since kindergarten, but after everything that happened four months ago, we’ve drifted apart. It’s my fault, not hers. She’s been trying really hard to be there for me, and I appreciate it. I just can’t deal.
“He’s going to surprise me,” she says with a smile.