I slammed the door of my truck with more force than I intended as the rhythmic sound of my caution lights blinked a soft orange, shining stark against the deep blue hue of the truck's exterior. I cursed under my breath as I grabbed the spare tire and tools from the back of the truck, hurling it all over the side and rolling the tire over to the front near the driver's side. I sighed, dropping the toolbox with a loud thud as I followed after it, getting down on my hands and knees as I placed the jack unde...

Ocean Boulevard, which runs parallel to the ten miles of oceanside property that stretches the length of the city, was home to many resorts, restaurants, and the infamous SkyWheel, offering tourists and residents alike an enormous view of the sea from high up in the air. But Ocean Boulevard wasn't just home to these sites; it was also home to a three-bedroom beach house that seemed to be hidden in between the large skyscrapers on either side of it. There, at 305 South Ocean Boulevard, sat my new home, wi...

 The faucet let out a loud squeak as I turned the shower on. Within seconds it sprung to life as the water began to pour out of the shower head, filling the bathroom with steam from the water's temperature. Pealing my bathing suit off, I dropped it, letting it fall to the ground with a wet flop before stepping  into the tub. Pulling the shower curtain closed, I turned towards the water, walking under the waterfall, feeling the sand and salt leave my body as it spiraled down the drain.

<...

The darkness crept across my vision as my head began to throb, sending sparks of pain across my temple. My limbs were numb, giving me no aid as to where I was or what has happened to me. My memory was a blur of black and white, the figures across my mind's eye foggy and unrecognizable, further frustrating me as I tried to open my eyes to ease the darkness of my vision. And then, I was able to see as my senses came back, the blood flowing down my arms as the pins and needles sparked across my skin as I ca...

My eyes fluttered open as the sun shone bright against my face, spreading its warmth across my features and awakening me from my peaceful escape of reality. I awoke to the soft sounds of someone breathing near my ear, I could feel their chest rise and fall near my back as their arms wrapped around me in a protective and comfortable hold. I felt my body relax further as they pulled me closer to them in their sleep, my body wishing it could go back to its peaceful state of rest as I leaned in to the other'...

By the time we arrived home, it was nearly five, and the back of the truck was filled with several cloth bags filled with various clothing items and toiletries. Exciting the truck, I walked to the back, grabbing a few bags as Delmare grabbed the rest so I could go and unlock the door. I watched as he held the door for me with his back, still holding the bags in his hands. Walking past him, I quickly set the bags down on the dining room table, looking over at Delmare as he followed in my footsteps.

...

As I awoke, I turned to my side, expecting Delmare to be there, sleeping soundly beside me, but he wasn't. Sitting up in bed, I tried to remember the events of the night. Looking down, I realized I was still naked and could feel the blush creeping up my skin. Did we? No, that wouldn't make sense, why would I sleep with him if I knew nothing about him? Swinging my feet over the side of the bed, I noticed that my hips were not sore as they should be had we really had sex. I sighed, relieved as I stood, cha...

While blow-drying my hair, I tried not to think about all of the events of the past week. After my hair was dry, I made my way into my bedroom, my towel wrapped securely around my body. Fumbling through my closet, I pulled out a cute, but comfortable, sundress. The navy-blue stripes running parallel across the white fabric, bringing out the red in my hair as I pulled the dress on over my head. Grabbing a pair of my favorite sandals, I slipped them on my feet, not bothering to put on makeup as I didn't ow...

The water in the large tub was still warm as I laid in it, my hair floating around me, each individual strand distinctive underneath the clear water. I tried not to move, fearing that if I did, the water would shift and splash onto the hardwood floor. Closing my eyes, I felt my body relax, letting the warmth of the water calm my nerves. It had been a month since I had met Delmare, and nearly the same amount of time that I had spent dating him.

We haven't kissed yet despite the bond begging us to an...

The soreness that spread across my hips reminded me of the afternoon I had spent with Delmare, it was uncomfortable yet amazing at the same time. We laid together in bed, our legs and arms wrapped together in a tangled mess as the sun began to shine through the window, dancing across the waves that rose to shore far across the horizon. I stifled a yawn as Delmare nestled closer towards me in his sleep, he mumbled something I couldn't understand as his nose brushed against the exposed skin of my neck. Try...

I woke up after a few hours drenched in sweat, my hair wet and clinging to my forehead. I was cold despite my phone telling me it was eighty degrees outside. Sitting up in bed, I fumbled with the hem of Delmare's shirt, my heart heavy as I remembered the events of this morning. Rubbing my eyes, I tried to ease the grogginess that plagued me as I stood, padding slowly into the kitchen and rubbing my arms while I walked. I was sore everywhere, each step I took ached until I grabbed a glass from the cabinet...

I was standing in the sand, the warmth from the sun no longer burning my skin as I stood barefoot. The sound of the waves crashing around me as I gazed out to sea. Smiling to myself, I admired the blue water as it crept onto shore, the waves breaking along the horizon. At least for once, I wasn't dreaming about my parents. As if on cue, I heard a familiar voice call my name, a woman's voice I hadn't heard in years.

"Anna, " They called from behind me, their tone calm and reassuring, "Baby."

"...

As I played with Delmare's hair, he rested his head on my chest despite the soreness that filled them. His eyes were closed as we laid there peacefully, holding onto each other as we rested in each other's arms. It was nearly one in the afternoon and I knew by now the sun would be high up in the sky, the water warm and ready to greet the beach lovers that spent their time in it. He mumbled in his sleep, wrapping his arm around my waist tighter, protectively pulling me closer towards him. I sighed as my b...

Grabbing ahold of Delmare’s hand, he smiled over at me, his eyes burning gold. I let out a nervous laugh as he pulled me to his side, grabbing ahold of my waist as he pulled me closer, kissing me softly on my cheek while I laid my head on his shoulder. I just need a moment; this was a lot to take in.

“I know.” He whispered, “Take all the time you need.”

“It’s just, I just found out I’m pregnant and now I have to meet your parents a...

I awoke at what felt like the middle of the night as the need to pee overtook me. How would I pee underwater? Was there a bathroom I could use? Delmare was entangled around me, his arms wrapped protectively across my body as he nestled closer to me in his sleep.

“Delmare.” I said, slightly above a whisper as I shook his shoulder, “Delmare, wake up.”

He mumbled in his sleep, his voice sleepy while he sat up, “What, what’s wrong?”

“I have to...

The walk back to my room was a silent one. Delmare’s mother was quiet, unable to breathe a word while the Captain offered to walk her back to her room. Her eyes, which were once happy and filled with so much raw emotion were now dark and cold, filled with a raging storm of hurt, sorrow, and shock while she walked, completely numb. The group of guards split up, some walking with Delmare’s mother to her room while others walked with us, making sure we were safe. I held onto Delmare as he tried ...

After breakfast, Theodosia insisted that I ask for the help of the maids as they were getting paid and they should be able to do their job. As much as I hated having things done for me, I agreed, knowing that I probably would never get used to it but knew that this was apart of what meant to be in the Royal Court. When we arrived back in my room, two ladies curtsied as they greeted us.

“Good morning my Lady, Your Highness.” One of them greeted, their hair dark and striking against the b...

By the time we made it back to the room, Delmare and the Captain were discussing the funeral, it had nearly been an hour. Both men looked up, quizzical looks written all over their faces before they acknowledged us.

“Are you at a stopping point?” I asked, as the men both looked at each other and then back to us.

“Why, do you need me?” Delmare inquired as the Captain scribbled something down.

“We were going to go to the physician for a checkup and I was wond...

As I sat down next to Delmare with a map and several pictures, Theodosia and Delmare took the time to explain the kingdoms in great detail and their family history.

Instantly Theodosia started, her eyes sparking as she recounted the history of her people, "The Goddess Keilani married a human named Marcellus in the early 1340s and they had five children together: Delmare, the King of Terenia and the Atlantic Ocean, Oshun, the King of Stowryn or the Indian Ocean, ...

I awoke cocooned in the comforter, the warmth spreading across my body as my eyes fluttered open. I did not hear any breathing beside me or feel an arm drape protectively around me like always. Confused, I turned around, craning my neck to look behind me, only realizing in an instant that Delmare was no longer asleep beside me or in bed. Suddenly, my door flew open, banging up against the wall as whoever was intruding made their way inside. Whipping my head back around, I stared at the intruder, as I qui...

The scratchy sheets that were draped over me, clung to my skin when I finally awoke, my head throbbing while I tried to sit up but failed to do so. My limbs felt heavy and sore and the queasy feeling in my stomach hinted that I hadn’t eaten in hours, maybe days. What happened to me? With a groan, I shifted under the blankets, my mind filling with hundreds of questions as I forced my eyelids open. A white light shown in my face, forcing me to quickly shut my eyes closed, shielding myself from the bl...

It had been two days since I had been discharged from the hospital, or the medical wing, as others in the castle called it and a little over a week since the funeral. Delmare had stayed by my side occasionally being replaced by his mother so he could finish his work. Currently, I was in the library, indulging in the history of the kingdoms of the sea. A guard stood near the door, his eyes searching the entirety of the room awaiting any danger that might dare to enter this area. I flashed my pearly whites...

The rocking chair where I sat in the nursery moved back and forth as I rocked, humming softly while I crocheted. I was determined to make a blanket, though the string of knots was not as straight of a line as I had hoped and looked more like a circle than I would care to admit. With a frustrated groan, I threw it on the ground, watching as the ball of yarn rolled across the floor and ran into a pair of men’s boots when Delmare came into the room. Looking up, I watched the amusing look play across h...

The next morning, I awoke to someone poking me several times on my shoulder and feet kicking my stomach. The annoying prodding wouldn’t stop when I swatted whoever was poking me with my hand or groaned in protest as I shuffled farther away from them. With a huff they stopped poking me, but the kicking soon persisted as I tried to fall back asleep. Suddenly, I felt something wet against my cheek as I immediately opened my eyes, Delmare’s face inches away from my own as he grinned mischievously...

I awoke from my nap wrapped snuggly against Delmare. His breathing slow and deep only confirming he was still fast asleep. I wasn’t sure how long we had been asleep for but I silently wished I could fall back into the dreamless rest I had grown so fond of. Shifting in my spot, my arm was numb as I tried to move it hoping I could ease the numbness and let the blood flow freely again. Instinctively, Delmare wrapped his arms back around me again, pulling me closer to him in his sleep.

“Del...

The room we were in was insanely loud, louder than what I was used to as Sedna and Delmare fought over who would be the car as we set up Monopoly. I shook my head, placing the steamship, which I liked to call the Titanic, on the go square at the corner of the board before sorting through the money. Shuffling the cards a few times, I waited patiently for both of them to stop bickering, but unfortunately, I didn’t think they would stop until one of them gave up. I knew that would never happen.

...

The morning of the wedding came faster than I anticipated. I wanted to stay in bed, wrapped in the warmth of the covers and Delmare but unfortunately, I couldn’t. We were both expected to get ready for the ceremony three hours ahead of it and I was not happy about it.

“We have to get up.” Delmare whispered in my ear, brushing my hair out of my face, his fingers grazing against my temple as I groaned in protest, “I know babe but we have to.”

“No, I don&rsquo...

The familiar smell of the sandy seaside town of Garden City, South Carolina greeted us as Delmare and I came ashore. Our clothes and hair were soaked as I coughed up the last of the saltwater from my lungs, taking in a deep breath of crisp clean oxygen. Looking over at Delmare, I smiled over at him as he brushed the sand off of his pants. It had been two days since my coronation and things were going well, but I had begun to get home sick and we thought it would be good for us to take a day to spend for ...

The swim to the Stowryn kingdom was quiet and by the time we made it to the Saltheir homestead, hours had gone by. It was a quant home covered in vibrant coral and the door looked as if it was made out of a ship's hull. We followed John inside, Delmare's hand entwined with mine as we watched silently as Daniel grieved for his wife's death. Within minutes, the men went into action, all three of them setting up the pyre as I sat next to Claire's body.

My lip began to quiver then, moments I had spend ...

The news we received the morning of the baby shower overwhelmed me. Thankfully, it wasn’t bad news when I forced Delmare to get out of bed and run with me to the medical wing where Claire had spent the last three days. When we arrived, Claire was upright in bed, flowers sat on her bedside table and her husband and son stood beside her as she turned to look at us.

“Hi dear.”

I couldn’t control myself as I ran towards her, pulling her into a tight hug as I began to cry. ...

Delmare strapped his sword across his waist his face focused on the task at hand but I could tell he was sad he had to leave. I had been worrying about this day ever since he told me he was leaving two weeks ago at the baby shower and now the day had finally arrived. With a sigh, I crawled out of bed, my gigantic belly making me feel as if I was a whale rather than a pregnant mother. With my bare feet padding against the crystal flooring, I watched him turn around, staring over at me as he tried to smile...

The game of Connect Four Sedna was trying to distract me with to keep me from thinking about her brother wasn't helping, much to her disappointment. This was the seventh game she has played with me today hoping I would stop worrying. Unfortunately, it only made me worry more. It had been three weeks since Delmare had left and I had been on bed rest since then, my back pain getting worse as I got nearer and nearer to my due date. Claire had written to me a week ago, wanting to come to visit and would be a...

I awoke with a start, beautiful white and pink lilies sat in a crystal vase on the bedside table, the sight of the beautiful flowers making me smile. Turning over on my side, I met Delmare's violet eyes as he grinned at me. Reaching over, I ruffled his hair laughing as he swatted my hand away just as Ronan and Chelsea began to cry. It had only been a few days since giving birth to the twins and during the time it had been exciting and exhausting. Every two hours I fed them, then they would fall back to s...