“It’s all just sodifferent,” he said, and Florian had to stifle a laugh. He wanted to tell Koji that of course not all of Earth was exactly like this, but he would learn soon enough as they would travel.
Then August came tramping up the stairs, greeting them enthusiastically all over again. After he’d hugged Florian and Kade, August looked at Koji with a friendly grin.
“Picked up a dragon shifter along the way, eh?” he said to Florian, who laughed.
“Something like that,” he said. “Koji, this is my Uncle August. August, this is Prince Koji of the dragon kingdom. He’s been helping us for a few weeks, but he’s part of the team now, I guess you could say.”
“Thank you so much for your hospitality,” Koji said, bowing politely, though August’s demeanor seemed to change when Florian introduced him as a prince.
“I’m happy to help,” he said stiffly, giving an uncertain bow in return. “It’s my pleasure to have you here, really. And, ah—thank you for helping Florian.”
“I’m happy to help,” Koji echoed, his smile softening. “I’ve only ever been to Earth once before, and it was nothing like this, so I’m already glad I decided to come along. What an adventure!”
August turned away, and Florian could tell he was fighting back a laugh at Koji’s earnestness. “Well, this isn’t much, but it’s home. Make yourself comfortable.”
Chapter Fifteen
Aftereveryonewassettledand dinner was done, Florian realized he would have to text Nadia. It was getting late, but he knew if he waited until tomorrow, and she found out that he’d already been in Coral Shores for a day, he would never hear the end of it.
Hey! I just got into town and I’ll be here for a few days! Want to meet up sometime tomorrow?
He didn’t expect an immediate answer, but only a few moments later, his phone went off.
Florian! Yes!! I’m off at 4, can we grab dinner?
Another text followed almost immediately:
You can bring your bf if you want
Florian flushed, laughing to himself. Kade gave him a questioning look from where he was sitting at the kitchen table—he and August had started a game of cards, while Florian sat on the couch with Koji, who was watching the television in fascination. Florian shook his head, and Kade shrugged, turning his attention back to the game.
Sounds like a plan. Pick your fav spot, it’s on me
She didn’t reply right away, but Florian already felt happier having plans to see her. With how busy they were in the Veil, he didn’t think of things on Earth very often; but when he did, his thoughts were usually on Nadia. He was sure that she still worried about him, and that she didn’t really believe his explanation for his long absences. But mostly he just missed her and hoped she was doing well. She worked at a smoothie shop a few miles south, or at least she did when Florian had seen her last—with the freelance art she did on the side, she would drop a part-time job as soon as she was tired of it and get another.
His heart squeezed when he thought about how her life had been going on without him, but of course it did. His life had changed so much—had moved so far away from their plan to take a road trip together the next year. When everything was done in the Veil, he could pay for them to go anywhere they wanted.
“Frozenyogurt?” Koji blurted out, interrupting Florian’s thoughts as he gestured at the TV, which had gone to the commercials. A local frozen yogurt chain’s familiar jingle accompanied the video. “Why would you freeze yogurt?”
“It’s good, really,” Florian laughed. “I’ll add it to the list. We havesomuch to show you while we’re here.”
They spent most of the next day on the beach. Between walking across the water in the Winter Court, taking the ferry out of Catalina Island, and now staying within sight of the shore for the foreseeable future, Koji explained had been around the ocean more in the past day than he had in his entire life.
“Can you swim?” Florian asked, as they stood on the beach after breakfast, the sand still cool beneath his feet.
“Not very well,” Koji admitted. “But I don’t know if I’d want toswimin it. It’s better to look at, I think.”
“It’s pretty cold,” Kade added. Florian laughed, nodding.
“Especially this time of year,” he agreed.
“Definitely better to look, then,” Koji chuckled.
They stayed on the beach until the afternoon, then they got lunch and showed Koji all the different shops that were walking distance from the apartment. Florian even pointed out the frozen yogurt shop from the commercial, but couldn’t convince Koji to try it, much to his chagrin.
Florian and Nadia had agreed to meet for dinner at five, so they swung by the apartment to change. Koji settled in quickly in front of the TV, watching curiously as August flipped through the channels.
“Be careful,” August called, as Florian was pulling his shoes on. Florian smirked at him.
