CHAPTER1
Bonus scene alert: Read a fun and steamy bonus scene that takes place between Lucas and Zoe’s initial romance in Dancing with My Elf and now in Sprite Wedding. It includes their steamy mating bite. Read it now at Patreon!
ZOE
I’d lost track of time snorkeling near the reef. Time seemed fluid while exploring that underwater world. The variety and colors of fish were incredible, as well as the fascinating coral and rock formations. I wished I could stay longer, but we only had the morning free before our cruise ship sailed home. If I missed the return voyage, my dragon shifter boyfriend, Lucas, would be frantic.
I’d assured him I’d be fine, joining a small group so I wouldn’t be alone in the ocean while he explored a botanical garden. But I needed to get moving and return to the dock, so I would keep my word.
After I towel-dried, I packed up my belongings and strolled from the Bermuda beach along the road. We’d sailed down with our friends, Gianna, Sebastian, Nova, and Diego, for Gianna and Sebastian’s wedding. While they stayed in Bermuda for their honeymoon, the rest of us were sailing home.
The ocean stretched to my left in shades of blue and turquoise, meeting the sky in the distance. A handful of billowy clouds floated in the otherwise clear sky, a shade or two lighter than that of the ocean. The sea was calm, the waves smooth and steady. A perfect and relaxing last morning here.
Until a couple on a scooter drove on the wrong side of the road. We’d been warned about the dangers of renting scooters here, since many tourists weren’t used to driving on the left side. I jumped out of the way, twisting my ankle.
“Owww!” I howled at the sudden, sharp pain.
The couple sped off as if they hadn’t even seen the chaos they’d caused—or didn’t care.
“Are you okay?” A man’s voice sounded from behind me. He bent down at my side. “Zoe?”
I glanced at him, and my eyes bulged, distracting me from my throbbing ankle.
It was my ex-boyfriend. I stared into his familiar brown eyes. His pointy ears poked through his shaggy russet hair. Humans wouldn’t see our elf ears as they were masked by magic. What was he doing here? The last place I expected to run into my ex was on an island in another country, far away from where we grew up in Maine.
“Bryan, is that you?”
“Yeah, it’s me.” He smiled before he glanced down the road and glared. “I can’t believe they didn’t even stop to see if you were okay. You went down hard. It looks like you twisted your ankle.”
“I’m okay.” When I tried to stand, I groaned at the stabbing pain. Maybe not completely okay.
“Let me help you.” He took me by the arm and assisted me to my feet.
How embarrassing. I’d fallen in front of Bryan—the last man I wanted to rely on. After all, he’d burned me in the past.
I hated not being able to take care of myself. Until I stood and put my weight on my injured foot. Oof, that hurt! I immediately lifted my weight off of it.
“Let me carry you.”
Sweet and sour potions, no. My ego wouldn’t take that. I’d rather deal with the pain of a twisted ankle than have to rely on someone who’d broken my heart.
“No, I’ll be fine,” I countered while balancing on one leg. I just needed time for my body to rest and recover. Healing worked faster for us elves than humans.
“Where were you headed?” he asked.
“To my cruise ship at the dock.”
“Are you on the one sailing to Boston today?”
“Yes.”
He grinned. “I’m on that ship.”
My eyes widened as I stared at him, and my thoughts fired. This couldn’t be good. Knowing my ex was on board put a damper on the cruise. Who wanted to deal with dark memories of their past, especially while on vacation?
“Let me help you,” Bryan insisted. “We don’t want to miss the ship.”
Yikes. That would be an even worse predicament—being stuck in Bermuda with my ex while Lucas searched for me on board, frantic about what had happened to me. We’d gone our separate ways after breakfast this morning and planned to meet up for a late lunch on the ship. I’d insisted that it was healthy for us to pursue our own interests, and we didn’t have to spend every second together. After all, we worked together at the Salem Supernatural Network. I was a detective and Lucas often accompanied me on cases, especially if there was any hint that it could be dangerous. He also worked with green witches as Lucas loved to garden. He grew several plants that could be used in potions and spells.
