Everything about her seems made for him. The way her mouth moves in perfect rhythm with his. The way she combs her fingers through his hair, sending a stirring jolt down his spine. The way her cool lips ignite heat through his whole being. She fits in his arms, as if her every curve fills a place on his own body.…

Neither of them realize when the door opens, but their lips break apart when Emma’s mom clears her throat. “Oh, excuse me,” her mom blurts. “I thought I heard a car pull up.… Uh, well, I’ll just be inside then.” She disappears behind an almost slammed door.

Galen grins down at Emma, still in his arms. The contentment he feels is shattered when he sees pain in her eyes.

She tugs free of his grasp and steps back. “All this time, I worried you wouldn’t be able to perform, but I almost dropped the ball.”

“Dropped the ball?” he asks, alarmed by the way her swollen lips quiver. Is she about to cry? “Did I do something wrong?” he whispers. She moves away when he reaches for her.

Giving a forced smile, she says, “No, it was perfect. I didn’t even hear her coming. Now she won’t have any doubts about us dating, will she?”

Understanding hits him like a rogue wave. Emma thinks I kissed her for her mom’s benefit. “Emma—”

“I mean, for a minute there, you almost had me convinced that we … Anyway, I’d better go inside before she checks on us again.”

“Have you lost your mind?” someone hisses from the bushes beside the porch. Galen doesn’t have to turn around to know it’s Rayna. She marches up the stairs, already pointing at Galen.

Oh, no.

Rayna pokes Galen’s chest. “You’ve got a lot of nerve, you know that? Following her all over the world, pretending to have the kingdom’s interest in mind. You slimy eel! You kissed her. I can’t believe you kissed her.”

Emma gives a nervous laugh. “You knew he was going to do that, Rayna. We told you, remember?”

Rayna gives her a horrified scowl. “Oooooh, no. He was going to pretend to kiss you. That kiss was real. Trust me on this one, Emma. I’ve known him a lot longer than you have.”

“Maybe we should take this out back to the beach?” Emma says, glancing at the front door.

Rayna nods, but Galen shakes his head. “No, you can go in, Emma. Rayna and I can talk about it on the drive home.”

“Uh-uh. No way, Galen. You’re telling her the truth.” If Rayna keeps raising her voice, Emma’s mom will hear. Galen grabs Rayna’s arm and pulls her from the porch. When she struggles, he throws her over his shoulder.

“Emma!” Rayna shouts, wiggling around like a hooked fish. “You need to hear this! Tell her, Galen! Tell her why you shouldn’t be kissing her at all.”

Emma walks to the edge of the porch and leans on it. “I already know I’m of the Poseidon house, Rayna. I won’t tell if you won’t,” she says, smiling at Galen.

“Stop being dumb, Emma,” Rayna yells back as they round the corner of the house, disappearing from sight. “You’re supposed to mate with Grom. Galen is supposed to take you to Grom!”

Galen stops. It’s too late. She’s said too much. The conversation could have been salvaged up until now. He sets his sister down. She won’t look up at him, just keeps her eyes focused behind them.

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice?” Rayna says without looking up. A tear glistens in the moonlight as it slides down her cheek. “How the fish follow her around? You thought I was too stupid to figure out why we tracked her across the big land, then stayed with her after you found out she was a half-breed? It’s not right what you did. She belongs to Grom. The decision to breed with her or not is his. It’s not fair to Emma either. She likes you. The way she should like Grom.”

It’s kind of bittersweet in a way. His sister just ruined the best night of his life and possibly any chance of getting what he wants. But she did it out of respect for Grom. And for Emma. How can he be mad about that?

Galen hears the front door open. Rayna stiffens. “What’s going on out here?” Mrs. McIntosh says.

“Oh, um. Nothing, Mom. We’re just talking, that’s all,” Emma says, from the corner of the house. Galen wonders how long Emma’s been standing there, looking at his back. Listening to Rayna accuse him of all sorts of nasty, true things.

“I heard yelling,” her mother says in a no-nonsense sort of way.

“Sorry. I’ll be quieter.” Emma clears her throat. “Galen and I are going to walk on the beach.”

“Don’t go too far,” her mom says. “And don’t make me come look for you.”

“Mom,” Emma groans at the shutting door.

Rayna visibly relaxes when they hear the dead bolt slide into place. Emma pushes past them both and heads toward the sand dunes behind her house. Exchanging a look, Galen and Rayna follow.

At the edge of the water, the moon seems to shine down on them like a spotlight, as if somehow the universe knew tonight would be one of enlightenment. Emma turns and faces them, her face stricken.

She looks at Rayna. “Spill it.”

“I just did,” Rayna says. “I just told you everything I know.” She wraps her arms around herself as if she’s freezing.

“Why am I supposed to mate with Grom? I’m of the house of Poseidon. I’m Grom’s enemy.”

Rayna opens her mouth, but Galen cuts her off. “Wait. I’ll tell her.” His sister stares at him, doubtful. He sighs. “You can stay if you want. In case I miss anything.”