Page 354 of Reign

She squeals and tries to retreat, but the sand shifts beneath her feet. Her arms fly outward as she fights for balance.

I’m moving before she can fall.

She catches herself and looks back to find me already halfway across the sand.

Her laughter carries over the water.

“I’m fine.”

“I can see that.”

“You thought I was going to fall.”

“You were going to fall.”

“But I didn’t.”

“Because the ocean reconsidered.”

She laughs again, bright enough to make the entire morning feel like it exists for her.

Perhaps that is what Elena changes most.

Before her, my life was full. Businesses. Properties. Men who required direction. Problems that required solutions. Every day had a purpose.

Now the days feel like something more.

She makes ordinary mornings feel like celebrations.

And just like glitter, I know there’s no removing her from me now.

Not completely.

Not without finding pieces of her everywhere for the rest of my life.

“Come here, princesa.”

I reach her before the next wave does and lift her into my arms.

Elena squeals, one arm circling my neck while the other still clutches her sandals.

“You ruined my fun. I wanted to go into the water.”

“You’re wearing your cover-up.”

“I can go into the water with my cover-up on.”

“No.”

“I can do whatever I want.”

“You’ll complain when it’s wet and clinging to you.”

“I might enjoy that.”

“I won’t.”

She laughs as I carry her toward the blanket.