Page 35 of Seashells and Daiquiris

“We can take her.”

Liam’s strict gaze falls right to the very pocket that Shellie resides within. “No, you can’t.” With one blink, his eyes are back on mine. “They said she’ll be outside the parameters today. They even talked about creating a necklace for you that would protect you from her, in general. She’s banned from coming, since, well, I’m pretty sure today will go against all of her wishes.”

We’ve talked about this. About the threat of Thalassa extending beyond this. “Yeah, we can chat about that,” I say, my voice slightly higher pitched. “As long as it works…”

There’s a stiffness between us that contradicts the energy around, because we both realized that if this kiss fails… then we would have fallen into, well, whatever we are, before confirming we’re actual soulmates.

I did warn him plotholes were my achilles heel when writing.

“It will, sweetheart,” he assures, wrapping that strong arm around me as he pulls me into a hug against his warm body.

The Luminary unfolds around us like something from a dream I've been having my whole life and didn't know it. There’s copious amounts of food in the form of oysters, smoked fish, and colorful fruits I've never seen. There's live music as people dance in the circle, barefoot on glowing sand, and all the while the lanterns gently drift and sway around us.

Liam stays close after that. His hand on my lower back, my shoulder leaning into his arm, the easy choreography of two people who've spent three weeks learning each other's rhythms. When someone approaches us, he introduces me simply: "This is Freddie."

He knows that calling me his girlfriend has stressed me out, because I keep worrying that this won’t work, despite the way his presence is pure magnetism to me.

Despite the festivities, it’s like once the real fear of this not working sinks in… I can’t stop thinking about it. Tonight is basically a verdict.

“Nervous?" he asks. "About the kiss?"

"About what happens after." I look up at him. "If it works, everything changes. If it doesn't—" I trail off, looking away from him.

“Let’s go do it now, then.”

My heart slams against my ribs like I’ve taken a shot of adrenaline. "You said the shell's been wrong thirteen times."

"The shell has never spoken in my voice before." He pulls me closer, and god how I hope this man really is meant to be mine. "And I've never felt anything with any of the others. Only you. And no one dreamt about it.”

I press my forehead against his chest. The stillness where his heartbeat should be is so familiar now that I'd miss it if it changed—his body stiffens and I pull back, to which he looks over his shoulders.

“What is it?”

“I think she’s here. Beyond the border.”

I sharply inhale. “You said she couldn’t be here.”

Doing everything I can, I try to spot her by looking where he is. I scan many people as if I know what I’m doing. “Wait, what does she even look like?”

“Pale skin, dark purple hair.”

Out past the lantern line, in the dark water beyond the glow, something moves. A tall shape that surfaces just enough to catch the light. I see dark hair, and a face that's beautiful the way a storm is beautiful, and every nerve in my body fires at once.

Thalassa.

It’s like she’s sitting among a wave that’s a throne.

Liam’s arm tightens around me. “She can't get closer, Freddie.”

Thankfully the entire gathering seems to catch on to the grim arrival, carrying themselves with the quiet authority of people who've been doing this for centuries. They slowly face Thalassa, as if letting her know she’s not welcome.

“She’s not in good graces with the community anymore. Hasn’t been for a bit.” He looks down at me. "They’ve all decided to protect you. Well, because of me, but also they want this curse broken. It’s a negativity we don’t like in the cove. Guess it just took until now for it to turn into anything.

“Why did you date her?”

“I ask myself that all the time.”

In the distance, Thalassa's shape writhes. I can feel her fury from here, the shell beating hard against my thigh. The lanterns don't waver, and her figure dips back into the ocean.