Uncharted - A My Sweet Prince Novel (2)

Beach

I awake in the morning feeling refreshed. I stretch out and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. I admit that I can't remember any nightmares from the night before, and I sigh wistfully. Was Chezem to thank? Or maybe it had more to do with all of them. Since arriving, the princes had been very welcoming and kind. I feel safe here. I stand and pat my hair, checking that it isn't too wild and can't help the smile that stretches over my face.

I am safe here.

I hurriedly dress, wearing my spare bikini beneath my clothes, and head to the dining hall for breakfast. I laugh out loud when I arrive. Alvah and Nagit are sitting at the table in nothing but swimming trunks. The remaining princes are wearing shirts at least. My eyes find Asaka and she is smiling, holding Jun's hand beneath the table. Melchiorre and Lambert are talking, the former making grand and wild gestures and the latter looking unamused. And when my eyes find Chezem, he is watching me.

I find my seat at the table and greet everyone with a smile. "Good morning," I say.

Lambert glances at me and smiles in return. "Sleep well?" he asks knowingly.

"Yes," I say, for once not lying. "And you?"

He nods. "Quite."

Nagit looks excited for the day ahead, and I smile at him. "It was a nice idea," I tell him. "To get everyone out of the palace for a nice family day."

He grins. "Thanks," he tells me. "I love the beach and we don't go all that often. I hope you'll have fun. You're coming, right?"

I shift my shirt aside at the shoulder to show off the sparkly strap of my bikini top. "Already ready," I tell him with a laugh.

The remainder of breakfast continues in this fashion, everyone in good spirits. As soon as everyone is done, Alvah and Nagit jump to their feet. "Let's go!" Alvah calls and they hurry from the room. Lambert sighs and follows at a much more sedate pace. Jun stands and waits for Asaka, who dances her fingers across my shoulders as she walks by and I watch them leave, a wistful smile on my face. He is so good to her.

Chezem stands finally and holds his hand out to me. I accept it graciously and climb to my feet. He doesn't let go immediately and my cheeks heat slightly. Melchiorre is the last the rise from the table, but falls in step beside me so that I am walking in between the two princes. I hear his tongue click and glance over to see him slowly reaching for my shoulder. He pats once and drops his hand. "I am glad you seem to be doing well here," he tells me.

I smile. "Thank you," I tell him. "You all are very welcoming." My hand brushes Chezem's as we walk, and a shiver runs down my spine.

"Well," Melchiorre continues, as if he hadn't noticed. "While we are out of the palace today, if you need anything, I am happy to help. And I do mean anything." He wiggles his eyebrows and I roll my eyes.

"Yes, well," I say, clearing my throat. "I am certain I won't be needing anything of that nature from you, prince."

"Ah," he says. He clicks his tongue again, and I have come to the conclusion that this is the sign - intentional or no - that he intends to touch me and I smile as I feel his hand rest on my back. "I see Chezem has that base covered." He winks and hurries off, warm laughter trailing behind him.

"They are all incorrigible," Chezem sighs as we step out the front doors. It's a bright and sunny day and I take a moment to just enjoy the warmth. Everyone is figuring out the seating arrangements when we finally walk up to the car.

I know it's going to be a tight squeeze, but I remain silent, watching as everyone points and talks over each other. Eventually we get everything figured out. They have me climb in first so that I am against the door. Chezem is seated next to me, and Melchiorre across from me. Beside him is Jun, with Asaka in his lap, and Lambert. Beside Chezem, Nagit and Alvah have sat. Once we are all seated, Ivan starts the car up and I focus on my breathing. I'm not going to freak out, but it is a very tight squeeze. My thigh is pressed against Chezem's, no matter how small I try to make myself. I am grateful for the door at my left. If I had to sit beside two men, I would have had a meltdown for sure, packed so tightly.

Chezem leans over suddenly, his lips nearly touching my ear. "Are you okay?" he whispers.

I nod, his concern like a balm to soothe a wound. I am safe here, I remind myself. I begin to relax and can even focus on the conversations bouncing around the interior of the car.

We arrive at the beach as the day is growing hot. Everyone piles out and I take a deep breath of fresh air.

Click.

Melchiorre pats my head as he walks past, and everyone moves toward the water to claim a spot for all of us. Chezem pauses, waiting for me with his hand extended. I take it and am surprised when he treads our fingers together. He pulls me with him toward the water and I smile. Ivan has set out baskets with towels and sunscreen and is already setting up an umbrella for Lambert.

Asaka and Jun have pulled towels out and are lying them in the sand, one for each of us. I notice two of the towels have book places near them and take over, pulling Chezem toward them. We settle down on the towels and inspect the books that have been brought. "This is nice," I say. "But I'm going to need to put sunscreen on for sure, or I'll be redder than a tomato tomorrow."

As if hearing me, Ivan grabs a tube and walks over to us. "Here you go, my lady," he says, holding it out to me. "If you need, I can take your clothes so they do not get sandy."

I nodded and climbed to my feet, pulling my shorts and t-shirt off, exposing my sparkly lavender bikini. Ivan bows and takes my clothes over to a basket he has designated for just that purpose. Alvah and Nagit are already in the water, splashing each other and laughing. Lambert appears to be asleep under his umbrella and Melchiorre is nowhere to be seen. Probably off flirting. Jun and Asaka settle onto the towels beside us and I smile at them.

"I haven't been to the beach in a long time," I tell them.

Asaka smiles. "Yeah," she muses, regarding me. "You look great, Lina. "

I apply the sunscreen while we talk, but I already know I'm going to have to ask for help with my back. Before I can even ask, Chezem takes the bottle from my hands and motions for me to lie down. I blush, but do as he asks and he carefully spreads the sunscreen over my back, muttering incoherently to himself the whole time. His hands are gentle and warm, and I bury my face in the towel, blushing furiously. He's just being helpful, I tell myself. But a little part of me argues that Asaka could have easily done the job. It didn't have to be him.

He gives my back a pat when he is done. "Okay," he mutters, passing the bottle to Asaka, who repeats the task with Jun.

I sit up and send him a nervous smile. "Thanks," I say softly.

Once everyone has been protected from the sun, Asaka jumps to her feet. "I have an idea!" she exclaims.