Chapter 126 The Happy After
1661words
The sun settled across the ocean, leaving a golden shimmer dancing across the waves. Ember dropped a picnic basket beside me, shooting me a wide smile. "You think he tried to drown him?"
"Which one?" I snorted a laugh. "I think Kayn would win this time. I mean, he's in his element. Rake isn't."
Ember frowned. "You think he won't…" She glanced nervously at me. "What are the chances Kayn will do something to him."
"Ems, his your brother. You know him better than that."
"I do. But he's got issues."
"I won't argue that. But, you're one of the most important people to him. He will never risk hurting you. Even if he and Rake don't always see eye to eye."
Aria squeezed in between us, slinging her arms across our shoulders. "What do you think is the chances he's got a brother?"
Ember's eyes widened and I laughed.
"He's mine," Ember snapped at her sister. "Don't you even think about it."
"Oi, relax sis." She nudged Ember in the side with her elbow. "I asked if he has a brother. Not if I could have him. Sheesh."
"No, he doesn't," Ember's posture relaxed, but she still peered reluctantly at Aria. "But he's got some super cute friends."
"Hmm." Aria's eyes narrowed. "Could you introduce me?"
A sudden squeal sounded behind as, then, an outburst of laughter. We turned to find Poppy and Ella tugging a scarf between them, shortly followed by Hector who kept shooting them with a water gun.
Yep. Really.
Martha was by his side, shooting him a scowl. He said something to her, and her face suddenly cracked a wide smile and she waved him off.
"That old man keeps shooting us with a water gun," Ella whined when she got close to us. "Now look at my hair."
My eyes flicked toward Poppy, who was shaking with laughter. "Ella, were at the beach. The plan was to go for a swim. How do you expect to swim without getting wet?"
Ella pulled a face. "My makeup isn't waterproof."
Poppy rolled her eyes. "You're insane. Stop worrying about what you look like and have some fun for once."
"I'm having fun," Ella retorted. "I can have even more fun sunbathing and enjoying a nice, cool soda right here on the sand."
"It defies the purpose of going to the beach," Poppy snorted.
"How so?" Ella pressed on. "Isn't it the point to go to the beach to get a nice, long tan?"
I sputtered a laugh, turning to Poppy. "How about we just let Ella enjoy her sun and we can go for a swim? Who knows, we might have so much fun she might join in eventually."
"Yeah, not going to happen. I'm not ruining my makeup," Ella said. "And besides, I need to catch up on a good tan. I'm starting to look a bit too pale."
A string of water shot past me and straight at Ella, in her face. She released a cry of disgust. "Seriously?"
Hector barked a laugh and Martha smacked him on the arm. "Leave the girls alone, for goodness sake."
"Well, now you're makeup is done for," Poppy grinned. "So you no longer have an excuse."
Ella muttered a curse, turning away and snatching her bag from the sand, digging out a towel to wipe her face.
I turned to peer at Hector and Martha, who found themselves a spot on the sand and straightened out their towels, then sinking down on them. I couldn't hold back my smile, watching them as Martha snatched the water gun from Hector and aimed at him.
"If you shoot me with this thing one more time, so help me, I will spray you."
Hector stiffened, eyeing the water gun in Martha's hand nervously. "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me," she said. "And I think you know as well as I do the consequences is much bigger for you than me if I do shoot you."
Hector cleared his throat. "Of course, my dear."
I was still happily watching them, bickering cutely, when I suddenly got snatched up from the sand and turned toward the water.
"Kayn!" I cried out in panic as he ran toward the water with us. I managed to cry out with a distressed, "No!" before I got swallowed by water, and Kayn laughing in my ear.
I immediately turned into my mermaid form, and punched him in the chest. He cringed, "Ow. That's not nice!"
Man, I was loving this mermaid thing. How awesome was it that I could breathe, talk, and punch people effectively under water? "You could have warned me," I snapped. "I was talking to my friends."
"Really?" he snorted a laugh. "It looked more to me like you were watching the old couple making out."
I flushed. "So? It's nice to see them happy."
"This is freaking amazing," he said suddenly, peering down at his tail. "That king is a legend. For real."
I couldn't hold back a smile, shaking my head. "You're never going to stop going on about him. Maybe you should ask him out on a date?"
He peered incredulously at me. "Don't you think it's awesome that we don't have to take our clothes off anymore while going into the water?"
"Of course I think it's awesome. But you're being a bit dramatic about it, don't you think?"
"No, I'm not," he crossed his arms. "Though, now I'm missing out on excuses to see you naked."
I huffed, punching him again. "Is that all you care about?"
"Of course. That, and you." He stole a quick kiss then darted off in the water. I muttered a curse, and bolted after him. I barely moved when a hand appeared out of nowhere and grabbed me by the arm, pulling me back.
I released a cry of panic. "Eek!"
"It's just me," a girl's voice said, and I twisted around to find my half-sister, Salyssa, grinning at me. She was absolutely gorgeous.
Her hair a deep, fiery red floating around her and her milky white skin complimenting her pearly scales.
"Hey," I smiled. "I didn't think you'd come."
"I said I will."
"What about the big lunch at the palace?" I asked, giving her a suspicious look. "Isn't the king going to be angry you missed it?"
She rolled her eyes. "He might pop a vein or two, but nothing fatal."
I sputtered a laugh. "As long as he doesn't blame me for corrupting you."
"He won't," she said calmly, breathing out a deep sigh. "If anything, he's convinced I'll corrupt you."
"How's mom?" I asked her.
"She'll see you tonight. Then you can ask her." Salyssa pulled a face. "She might be a bit late, though. She'll probably scold me first before she comes over."
I could hold back a laugh as Kayn reappeared beside us. He reached for my hand and wove his fingers with mine. "I was wondering where you suddenly disappeared to." He peered at Salyssa, nodding. "Hi. You're joining us?"
"Yep," she smiled.
"But obviously she not supposed to," I turned to Kayn. "The king is going to be ticked off."
"Oooh." Kayn's eyes widened, and a suspicious grin appeared.
I elbowed him. "Don't encourage her."
"I wasn't," he shrugged. "Actually…"
"Here you guys are!" Ember cried out. "I was looking everywhere for you!"
"Where's the humans?" Kayn asked, eyeing his sister, who clucked her tongue.
"They're my friends. Anyway, Aria and Rake is entertaining them."
Kayn's brows shot up and he exchanged a look with me. "Do you really think leaving your boyfriend alone with Ella and Aria is a good idea?"
"Kayn," I snapped. "Seriously?"
"What?" He gave me an innocent look, then turning his attention to Salyssa. "Oh, I forgot. I just passed a royal guard on my way here. He's close."
Salyssa muttered a curse, bolting in the direction of the beach. Then, Ember said, "I need to go too."
She threw a reluctant look in my direction, before also darting in the direction of the beach after Salyssa.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" I scowled at him incredulously.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." He offered me an innocent look."
"You're incorrigible."
"But you like me," he grinned, tugging me flush against him.
"You're still a jackass," I sputtered a laugh.
"But you love this jackass."
"Get over yourself," I snorted, punching against the chest. "You can't always get away with this."
"I'm totally getting away with this," he grinned, his eyes flicking to my lips. "I can prove it. I already won the argument."
"No, you didn't."
"Want to test that theory?" his brows quirked. "I can prove you wrong it 3…"
"No, you can't. We have to go back and check on Ember. She's already paranoid as it is."
"2…"
"Kayn, you're not being funny." I tugged him on the arm and he refused to move. "Seriously, this is not cool. Come on." When he didn't move, still staring at me with that crap-eating grin of his, I clucked my tongue, rolled my eyes, and said, "Fine, I'll go back by myself."
"1…"
I snorted, turning around, about to take of when he suddenly snatched me back and said, "Time's up!"
"Oh, for goodness Kayn!" I cried out as his lips collided with mine. And he was right. I have immediately forgotten about Ember and Salyssa, getting lost in the kiss.
Here, in the deep blue, surrounded by a breathtaking scene, of coral, and schools of fish darting back and forth past us.
"I win," he breathed through the kisses.
"I hate you," I managed to pull away for a second.
"No, you don't."
I sputtered a laugh. "I guess not. But I still stand by what I said. You're a complete jackass."
"But you love me."
"Yeah," I sighed against his mouth. "I love you."
"I love you too, Carly."
