Chapter 13
As we enter, I'm instantly hit with the delicious smells of pizza baking, popcorn popping, and a hint of sea salt in the air. The aroma makes my stomach growl, reminding me of how hungry I am.
The restaurant is a lively hub of activity. There's music playing, a mix of tropical beats and sea shanties. Monsters of all kinds are eating, drinking, and talking animatedly, their chatter mixing with the sounds of the music and the ocean waves crashing against the shore nearby.
"Wow, this place is amazing," I breathe, taking in the colorful neon lights and the vibrant beach-themed decorations. I can see why this place is a hit among the resort guests.
I'm distracted by the spectacle of it all, but Zethe's strong hand on my back grounds me. I glance up at him, finding a warm smile on his face. He's watching me, his gaze soft and affectionate.
"Welcome to the Coral Cove," he says, gesturing grandly around us. "The best place on the resort for pizza and popcorn, and not a bad spot for dancing, either."
I laugh at his words, my eyes wide as I take in the scene before me. "I've never seen a place like this before," I confess, my voice barely audible over the hubbub.
"That's the magic of the resort," Zethe replies, his voice warm in my ear. "It's full of surprises."
A waitress comes over, a Dragoon—a scaled humanoid with horns and wings, rainbow-colored scales and long, black hair. She smiles at us, her eyes twinkling. "Zethe, Rey," she greets us warmly. "Zoe and Sage are at your usual spot."
Zethe nods his thanks, leading me toward a cozy corner booth. It offers a view of both the pizza ovens and the impromptu dance floor where a few monsters are swaying to the music.
"Just wait until you try their food, Rey. It's unlike anything you've ever tasted."
Zoe is waiting for us, waving us over to a booth toward the back. She's accompanied by the same emerald Naga from earlier in the day, both of them looking at ease in this laid-back environment.
As we approach, Zoe's eyes light up with genuine warmth. "Rey! You look absolutely stunning! I love what they did with your hair."
I beam at her words, a flush of pleasure warming my cheeks. "Thanks, Zoe. The Merfolk at the lagoon did it. They were incredible."
As I slide into the booth, I feel a giddy sense of anticipation. I have no idea what to expect from this place, but if it's anything like the rest of the resort, I'm in for a treat.
Zethe's hand finds mine again on the table, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a reassuring gesture. I look up to meet his eyes, a soft smile playing on his lips. It's a look that says ‘you belong here,' and I believe him.
"How are you feeling, Rey?" Zoe asks, bringing my attention back to her. "Are you adjusting well?"
I take a moment to consider her question. Am I adjusting well? I look around at the lively restaurant, the fantastical creatures around me, the delicious pizza before me, and the charming Kraken beside me. I think of the warmth and acceptance I've felt here, and the sense of belonging that's slowly but surely seeping in.
And I know my answer.
"I'm taking one day at a time," I respond, squeezing Zethe's hand and smiling. "Zethe has taken good care of me, and has been making sure that I'm not having any health complications. So far, so good."
Zoe raises an eyebrow at that, and her eyes dart to Zethe, who is sitting beside me. He curls a tentacle around me, pressing me closer to him, as he offers her a nod. Makes me wonder why he's been quiet so far—just listening and observing—but I want to assume he wants to give me time to calm Zoe's concerns.
"Zethe, huh?" Zoe's lips curve into a smirk. "Never thought he'd be the one to play tour guide."
I shrug, and struggle to hold back a smile. "He's been very helpful. Showed me all the important places around the resort, introduced me to some of the other monsters… he's been really nice."
Zoe's smirk softens into a genuine smile. "I'm glad to hear that. He's one of our best lifeguards. Very responsible."
My heart swells at her praise for Zethe. I feel a warm flush creep onto my cheeks, and I cast a glance at him. He's staring at me, his gaze soft.
"So how did the two of you meet?" I ask, my fingers tracing the condensation on the glass of my fruity drink. I cast a glance between her and the emerald Naga next to her; they were sharing the same large booth cushion that took up the entire corner. "You two seem close."
"Sage and I are… well, we are fated mates," she confesses, her voice just a whisper above the hum of the restaurant.
A gasp parts my lips. I blink at her, my brain struggling to catch up. Zoe and Sage… fated mates?
I'm struck dumb, staring at Zoe and Sage by how they interact with each other, the subtle glances they share when they think no one's looking.
I look over at Zethe, and I see a similar dynamic between us.
He's been there for me, protective and caring, ever since we met. The way he held my hand earlier, the way he reassured me when I was nervous.
Zoe's gaze finds mine across the table. She clears her throat, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her brown eyes unusually soft.
She nods, a faint smile curving her lips as she continues. "I first knew when I bumped into him on the way to a job interview. I'd slept through Eli's knocks when he came to get me… and when I saw Sage, everything just… clicked."
Her smile widens, and she claps her hands together.
"Once I scored the job, I decided to dive in headfirst and accept my bond with Sage. We've been living together ever since, working in different departments in the resort. It allows us to maintain our independence and avoid any… inappropriate situations at work."
"Has Zethe mentioned fated mates to you?" Sage, the emerald Naga gardener, asks, interrupting his silent contemplation of his own pizza slice.
"Yes." I nod to them both. "He told me as soon as I woke up that I was his fated mate, and we've talked about what that means and our connection."
Sage glances at Zoe, his gaze thoughtful. "I only ask because I know how difficult it can be to reconcile the human understanding of relationships with the deep, instinctual bond that fated mates share. It's not something that's easily explained, and it can be overwhelming."
I look at Zethe, his dark eyes meeting mine. I feel a reassuring squeeze from his hand, his rough skin contrasting with my own. "Zethe has been very patient with me. He's been understanding and has not rushed me into anything."
Zoe speaks up then, her voice soft. "It's a big decision, Rey. Nobody expects you to make it overnight. Just know that we're here to support you, however this plays out. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have, whenever."
I smile, appreciating their concern. "I know. And I appreciate it. I think I'm in a good place right now, and I'm willing to see where this leads."
"But would you be happy, Zethe?" Sage presses, his gaze fixed on my kraken lifeguard. "You love the water. Would you be content working on land?"
For a moment, Zethe's gaze flickers to me, his tentacles tightening around my hand. "I would do anything to make Rey happy," he says firmly. "And if that means finding a job on land, then I'll do it."
I feel a tight knot of worry start to form in my stomach as I think about the implications of what Sage is saying. I know Zethe loves his job as a lifeguard here at the resort, loves being able to help people.
Would he be happy working somewhere else, somewhere on land?
I take a deep breath, ready to voice my concerns, but Zethe beats me to it. "I'm aware that it would be a unique situation," he says, his voice steady. "But I believe that Rey and I are capable of handling it. Besides, this resort is large enough that we could separate our professional and personal lives."
"I… I hadn't really thought about it," I admit, my voice sounding small even to my own ears. "But you're right. It's something we should talk about."
Zethe gives my hand another squeeze, his face serious. "We have time, Rey. We don't need to make any decisions right now."
"But it's something to consider," Sage says, nodding to himself as if confirming a thought. "If you're going to be together, you'll need to figure out how to make it work."
Zethe's strong tentacle wraps around my hand, his grip secure, grounding. "Zoe and Sage… they decided to move in together the day they acknowledged their bond and chose to stay together as a couple."
"But you both were already living here, and had jobs here," I protest gently. "I'm an outsider. I don't have a place here yet, and I can't expect Zethe to change his whole life to accommodate me."
"Isn't that what love is, Rey?" Zoe asks softly. "Accommodating each other, making sacrifices, finding a way to make it work?"
I slowly put my pizza back on the plate and swallow hard, turning to look at Zethe. His dark blue eyes meet mine, and the tenderness in them nearly brings me to tears.
My lips curve upward involuntarily in a smile as I respond, "You"re right."
Here I am, a human in a monster's world, and I've found someone I truly care about. Someone who cares about me. It's overwhelming and incredible and…
Her words echo in my heart, stirring up emotions I can't quite name. But one thing is clear: I'm not alone. And with Zethe by my side, I feel like I can take on anything.
I look up to find both Zoe and Sage watching me, their expressions filled with understanding and warmth.
With a deep breath, I nod, meeting Zoe's gaze. "Thank you," I say, my voice steady. "For sharing your story. It's proof that a human and a monster can be fated and have everything work out for them."
"I'm so happy for you, Zoe," I say, my voice choked with emotion. "For both of you."
Zoe smiles at me, her eyes brimming with happiness. "And we're happy for you, Rey. I hope nothing but the best for you both, no matter what path the two of you take."
I glance at Zethe once again, his gaze steady on me, full of unspoken promises and love.
I am his fated mate. His other half.
And he… he is mine.
As I look around the table, at my fated mate, at my friends, I realize that for the first time in a long time, I'm genuinely happy too.