Ezra rubbed his thumb over my leg and pointed with his free hand across me, his arm obscuring my line of sight for a second. “There. Let’s grab some grub and head to the beach for a few hours.”
My stomach growled on command. Sounded like a plan.
Now, if we went to the beach, we did so on private property. We had promised the Kings we would do so, and since none of us wanted to be caught on national television killing Coms again, we actually obeyed the rule. Plus, this was one of the few privileges afford us during our extensive “grounding” and we didn’t want it taken away.
We picked up food and our swimsuits, and went to the assigned older Mage’s beachfront house. I really liked the old man, Richard. He always had tons of junk food in his cabinets when we dropped by. Also, I think he enjoyed our company too, since his mate had died many years ago. He was a recluse, and definitely off, his scent even corked, but that didn’t mean he didn’t chatter up a storm whenever we were there, and his magic felt mighty powerful. Sweet and innocent gramps look-a-like or not, his power was astounding.
After filling our bellies in his kitchen, he herded us out back, babbling merrily, “Shadows aren’t always innocent, vegetarians aren’t always sweet, not everyone enjoys killing, opposites inevitably attract, emotions can be destructive and deadly, never ask a favor from someone you don’t know, the dead stink, kill any bastard with silver skin, children are a true gift, with dark comes light, Commoners can advance, dragons from children’s fairy tales are my favorite creature, time keeps moving, innocence doesn’t mean innocent, the mighty fall head over heels, and remember you’re young.” A shooing gesture. “Go act like it while you can.”
We stared. Yeah, definitely off.
More hand shooing in our direction.
So, we did.
Pearl and I sunbathed lying on beach towels over warm sand.
Ezra swam so far out he looked like a tiny dot in the ocean, and then zoomed back to the beach in ten seconds flat, only to repeat this multiple times, the equivalent of a Vampire doing laps.
And, what does a water Elemental do around the ocean?
Cause trouble, that’s what.
Jack enjoyed making a wave swell up over Pearl and me when we were almost asleep, and then, fall down on us. He also delighted in making Ezra shoot up from the ocean in a spray of water. Moreover, he found it extremely entertaining, immediately following this, constructing a grand throne of water a few feet into the ocean that he sat on high above us so we couldn’t reach him when we tried to pummel him.
All in all, it was a perfect afternoon.
Other than the seaweed I had to pull out of my hair.
Chapter Twenty
That evening, the Kings, my friends, their mates, and I sat inside King Fergus’s house for an early dinner. Graduation was planned for the next morning. Very early, so we were all going home directly after our meal to get a good night’s rest. The Kings had switched it up this year, not having graduation for the seniors the same night as the last day of school with the Awakenings directly afterward. Because of the four of us. For this year, the change was worldwide, every scheduled Awakening happening tomorrow to coincide with our schedule.
Instead of the normal short evening graduations and Awakenings, it was going to be a full-day event, starting early because an influx of Mysticals was coming to our big day. Mysticals from all over the United States of America, and even several from other countries, would be in attendance, endeavoring to see the Prodigies’ “first” Awakenings and, generally, there to ogle us. Since there were going to be so many attending, the Kings decided it would be advantageous for us to be introduced to those in attendance with a small celebration between our graduation and the Awakenings. Even though I couldn’t be happier with what I had pulled off today, tomorrow’s event wasn’t entirely a pleasant thought.
King Kincaid couldn’t be more cheerful about it, though, which he expressed for, like, the third time before the salads were even placed in front of us. Somehow, he knew it hadn’t worked out between Broderick and me, the wolf drifter having been booted from the mansion that night, so he was hopeful I would meet someone tomorrow. I couldn’t say I disagreed with his eager thought, but I was hopeful for a different reason than him. He thought I was having lots of no-no sex with a Vampire, when — in the land of reality — my reason was I wasn’t having any sex, and hadn’t for way too long for my needs.
Pearl and Jack found King Kincaid’s behavior entirely entertaining as he said, “It’s truly delightful so many Shifters will be there tomorrow.” For the fourth time. Fi gave him an odd look, but he didn’t seem to notice, taking a sip of his wine and peering at me, smiling grandly. “Don’t you think so, Lily? Imagine all the Shifter alphas you’ll meet.”
Since he had actually brought me into this, I deadpanned, “It’ll be a real marathon.”
Jack, Pearl, and Ezra choked on their drinks.
King Kincaid merely patted my hand, his grin widening, even as he muttered under his breath, “Let’s hope so.”
King Venclaire coughed hard — Vamp hearing — while glancing at Ezra, who was studiously wiping his mouth with his napkin (when he hadn’t eaten anything yet), his eyes crinkled with mirth as he hid his grin. King Venclaire quickly raised his glass as everyone eyed King Kincaid strangely, saying, “Let’s have a toast.” Everyone obediently raised their own glasses. “To our Prodigies. Even though they only broke one of our records,” he smirked as the other three Kings high-fived each other over the table, “they did fantastic.” His grin widened. “Let’s have each King say their favorite part of the Prodigies’ training.” A nod toward King Fergus. “Feel free to go first.”
King Fergus rubbed his chin, and then sniggered. “My favorite would have to be watching them fly through the air for the first time. Their expressions were incomparable.”
The Kings nodded, all smiles.
Lowering my glass, I rolled my eyes. Here we go again. Kings and their pleasures.
My friends followed suit, glaring or looking bored or picking at their nails.
King Nelson said, “I think the high point was seeing Pearl tackle Jack after their first attempt at linking in preparation for funneling.” He chuckled, bowing his head to Jack. “You can really take a hit.”
The Kings snickered.
King Kincaid cleared his throat, offering, “My much loved part was when Jack tackled her in return.” A head bow to Pearl. “You don’t scream at all like a girl.”