Page 31 of Coral Prince Conundrum (Runaway Prince Hotel #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Daryl

Graduation Day has me feeling on top of the world.

So much has happened since the day I was rushed via helicopter across a literal ocean while in a coma that I, fortunately, do not recall.

I am pleased to report that I no longer need crutches.

And now, here I am, with a master’s degree in marine conservation.

Dad is driving me across town to take me to a celebratory graduation dinner.

The forests of Oregon breeze past me as I gaze out the passenger window.

These past eleven months have been up and down.

Sure, my dad and I have gotten closer; almost dying halfway across the world will do that.

He’s been super helpful, even after the physical therapy ended.

I’ve been able to focus on my studies with online learning, and Dad seems to be genuinely interested in my degree in marine conservation.

But I know he still has his company to run, and he’s not exactly eco-friendly.

That’s where Seero has come in. It’s been difficult being away from my boyfriend for such long stretches of time.

He’s hella busy helping to rule a freaking kingdom.

But on the occasional weekends when he’s visited, we’ve had dinners with Dad.

Seero usually grills him about the company’s terrible fishing practices, which I find more than amusing.

My dad has always been a professional, confident man, but an ocean prince can be intimidating to anyone.

Still, they get along great on all other counts.

Most importantly, Seero and I spend those few days together going about like a normal loving couple.

We have coffee at the café, where Layla jokes that she misses her number-one aquatic aerobics instructor.

In the evenings, we also get to have our alone time back in my apartment, wringing as many orgasms as we can from each other.

We chat on the phone regularly, thanks to his brother’s tech upgrades. Seero’s supposed to visit in three weeks, but our time apart hurts. I miss him so much. With school over, maybe I can visit him. Or better yet, I can pack my bags and get ready to live in a castle…

We enter a hotel lobby and Dad guides me to an elevator.

We make our way up to the highest floor, where a fancy restaurant awaits us.

When the doors open, we’re met by a waiter who guides us forward.

I can hear the clanging of cooks in the kitchen.

Floor-to-ceiling windows allow the sunset to stream in.

Dozens of tables are in a row, but there are no customers.

Huh . When we round the corner, I spot one familiar face.

“Seero!”

I rush up to him and he catches my waist and lifts me up. “Hello to you, too, my love,” he says with a grin.

I kiss him between mirthful laughter. “What are you doing here?”

“Celebrating my boyfriend’s graduation.”

I turn to Dad, who nods. “Prince Seero. I trust you’ll take care of my son?”

Seero’s smile falls, and I hold his hand. “Mr. Tishman. I trust that you are implementing sustainable tuna harvesting, like the business plan I proposed to you?”

Dad seems rattled, as in all their business-related interactions. “I, uh…I have started employing it. In fact, Tishman’s Fishery has a new advertising initiative, detailing all the ways we’re keeping the oceans healthy.”

Seero smiles at me and squeezes my hand. “I am most pleased to hear that.”

Dad adjusts his tie and takes a bag from the waiter. “Alright, you two. I’m going to take my to-go dinner and get out of here.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“An old-timer like me is just a third wheel. I’m going to hang out with people my own age.

I wanted to give you this graduation gift, son.

Now you get to hang out with your royal boyfriend for a private dinner.

A very exclusive affair.” He points around, and I notice the occasional Corali guard standing ever vigilant.

Honestly, at this point, I’ve gotten used to them, too.

“Thank you, Dad.”

He steps forward and hugs me. “Congrats again on your degree. I’m so proud of you, Daryl,” he murmurs.

My eyes prickle as I pat him on the back. A moment later, he’s strolling away, and I’m left with my boyfriend, an entire restaurant, and a beautiful sunset.

Dinner is magical, like all my dates with Seero. He tells me about the latest United Regions meeting, and I catch him up on this morning’s graduation ceremony. After the meal, we decide to retire to his hotel room. The night is still young, and I’m down to have a sex marathon with my man.

After we shower, I walk out of the bathroom, eager to grab the packets of lube from my jeans.

We go bare nowadays, since we both got tested and aren’t having sex with anyone else, and I always carry lube just in case.

Justice made fun of me when I told him, but I can never tell when my boyfriend will show up. Case in point, tonight.

Before I can get freaky, I notice Seero getting dressed. “Huh?”

He sheepishly shrugs. “So…there is another surprise I have for you.”

I grin and grab him by the belt loops. “Well, I’d love to get to that, but your trousers are in the way,” I purr.

He kisses me, takes my hands off him, and giggles. “No. I meant I wanted to go out.”

“Out where?” I look out the window. “It’s already dark. Are we going to a club? I’d much rather we do it on this bed, then sleep, then do it again when we wake up.”

Seero laughs, then kisses my hand. “No, there is another place I want to take you. Somewhere…only I know.”

A few minutes later, we’re both dressed and walking to the small boating dock not far from the hotel. Seero does that whistling thing, and a dragon with red streaks surfaces. I beam at him—I never get tired of seeing his superpowers in action.

“What’s this beauty’s name?” I ask as Seero helps me onto its back.

“This is Misty. She’s a noble steed who got me here in record time.”

I sit down on the dragon, and Seero sits behind me, grabbing the reins. Despite all the adventures of last year, I still enjoy being on a sea dragon. But only with Seero, never alone again.

Misty pulls away from the dock and into the dark ocean, already knowing our destination. “How is Drakey?” I ask.

“He is well. They all miss you.” Seero informed me that apparently Drakey, Pelly, and even Jojo are all living the retired animal life. His sister didn’t manage to kill any of them, and they’re venerated royal heroes of the sea creature variety. “Pelly wanted to come, but I insisted she stay put.”

We share a chuckle as the sea dragon rides the waves. I cuddle up to the man behind me, my man. I trust Seero with all my heart, and I’ll happily go wherever he wants to take me.

Minutes later, we’re at what appears to be a small, unoccupied island.

There isn’t a boat in miles, and the stars shine like fireflies in the sky.

After hopping off of Misty, we quietly approach the inner forest. Trees and foliage surround the perimeter, but past that, in the center area, the forest is significantly less dense.

All around us there are surfaces of sand and smooth rock.

It’s like a private oasis, complete with a small estuary leading outward.

The whole scene is so romantic that I need to squeeze Seero’s hand.

“Seero,” I whisper, gazing at the water. It twinkles with a reflection of the heavens.

“Watch this, Daryl,” he says. With that, he waves his arms, and I know he’s using water magic.

The small basin of the estuary rises up and floats above me.

I’m breathless as I watch the bubble of water float toward me.

Inside, several jellyfish glow, and I lean my face so close I can smell the saltwater.

“Beautiful,” I say, breathlessly. Seero moves his hands, and the bubble changes form.

The water flows around me, like a ring with twinkling bioluminescent creatures.

After a beat, the ring bursts into several bubbles.

It’s like I’m the center of the universe.

I stare in awe at the galaxy of ocean water surrounding me.

“Daryl,” Seero says. His arms are outstretched, holding up the heavenly bubbles filled with glowing creatures. “I am so proud of you. You have made your dreams come true, and I am honored to have the privilege of calling you mine.”

“Seero,” I say wistfully. I step toward him, carefully dodging floating droplets.

“But our time apart is…not easy for me.”

I look around at the jellyfish, then back at my boyfriend. I think I know what he’s trying to say. My cheeks warm, and I grin. “Seero, put the water down and ask me to move in with you appropriately.”

“Really?” He windmills his arms, and the water goes back to being an estuary.

“Yes!” I say with a laugh. I launch myself around his shoulders and kiss him. He tastes like seawater and my happily ever after. “I would love to pack my bags and move in with you. I thought you’d never ask.”

He grins and holds my hips. “I was actually going to ask if you wanted me to move here. But given how my duties are increasing…”

I peck his lips. “Baby, I love you, but the Coral Kingdom needs you. It’s a no-brainer. I’d love to make a home with you in your country.”

“You already are my home, Daryl Tishman.” We kiss again, slower this time. When I pull off, he gives me that smoldering look. The island is so quiet that all I can hear is our hearts beating.

“Do you…want to…?”

I look down and notice the smooth rock. “Right here?”

Seero shrugs and says, “No one is around. And I have always wanted to make love on the beach under the stars.”

I snicker and trace his mouth with my finger. “If this was your secret kink, all you had to do was ask.”

The next five minutes are a blur of stripping and laying down clothes to be comfortable.

Under the stars, we proceed to make out with my body on top of his.

His hungry hands palm my ass, and I’m glad I cleaned myself and prepped before we left the hotel.

I reach between us and stroke our hard cocks together.

My hunger for him still hasn’t died down after a year, and I doubt it ever will.

We take a minute to lube ourselves up with the packets I brought.

Then, I lie on my side. He lifts my thigh up and kisses my spine.

Without saying much, he shifts forward and enters me.

I cherish the feeling of him completely inside me.

Seero holds my hip firmly, and, after a second, pulls out, then fucks me with rough passion.

I gasp and mutter obscenities as I reach behind to touch his hair.

In contrast to his animalistic hip thrusts, his kisses are so gentle on my neck.

Right there, under the stars, on a remote island, we make love. No one in the ocean exists except me and the Coral Prince.

Once we’re done and clean, he lies on my chest with clothes covering our legs. Seero languidly traces circles around my nipple, and I listen to him breathe.

“You should know…” he says softly.

“What?”

“You truly are my forever, Daryl Tishman.”

“Aw, babe, I feel the same way.”

“And one day, I am going to properly propose to you.”

I gulp. “Seriously?”

He looks up at me, brown eyes reflecting the stars. “Yes. I want to officially be yours, Daryl Tishman.”

My heart feels even fuller than five minutes ago. We’ve talked about being soulmates, but never actually referred to marriage. Of course, being with him forever was always the plan, but now that he’s said it out loud, it feels so real.

“I’d love that,” I whisper. “Me, a member of the royal family.”

He grins, and I touch his lip again. “You won’t be the king, or the queen, but you would be the royal spouse, one of the highest honors in the Coral Kingdom. You would have duties of course.”

“Duties?”

He kisses my finger. “The Corali people will look to you for guidance, which is appropriate. After all, you are the wisest person I know, and you have much knowledge you can share with the public. You have a master’s degree now.”

We both laugh, his voice reverberating through my chest. “What if I can’t? Or they don’t accept me? Or what if someone tries to pull another move like your sister? What if?—?”

He leans forward and kisses me hard. With a simple touch, Seero makes my anxieties vanish. “I will spend my entire life protecting you. And they will love you, because I love you.”

I smile and run my fingers through his scalp.

“You love me the most, Seero. I hope I can return the favor.” With another kiss, we seal our commitment.

Today wasn’t just about graduating or sex on an island; it was about the first step to my future with Seero, hand in hand with the amazing Coral Prince.