Zoe watched Davide make his way across the lounge carrying two drinks. Several women turned their heads to follow his progress. She sighed and wondered if there was a bathing suit event going on in the city. The women were all tall, young, beautiful, and curvy. Zoe felt like a shapeless stick.
"Here ya go." Davide placed her virgin strawberry daiquiri in front of her. At that moment, she wished she liked the taste of alcohol; anything to numb her breaking heart.
Davide had opted for something stronger. "What are you drinking?" she inquired.
"Scotch."
"Sounds strong."
"Would you like a taste?" he offered, and held the drink out to her.
She started to decline but then changed her mind. "Sure, why not?"
Ignoring her outstretched hand, he lifted the glass to her lips and gently tipped it, never taking his eyes from hers. She gasped at the strong taste and some of the drink dribbled down her chin. Before she could wipe the liquid away, Davide was skimming the drops away with his fingertips. She felt her face flame and couldn't draw her gaze away from his. The moment passed and she ducked her head to the side, grabbed a napkin and blotted her chin. "I think I'll stick with virgins." She heard Davide chuckle.
"Um, Zoe, I don't think I have a response for that."
She felt her face flame brighter and realized that she sounded and looked like a nervous schoolgirl. Trying to regain some semblance of dignity, she said, "Okay, Davide, why are you here?" She lifted her eyes to his and thought she saw a glimmer of attraction, but dismissed it as wishful thinking.
He studied his fingers tapping the side of his glass. "I need your help."
The unexpected admission took her by surprise. What on earth could Davide need from her? She waited for him to continue.
Instead of blatantly telling her what he wanted, he said, "You know about prophesy of me being…" he bent forward and said softly, "…the so-called Great Prince."
Zoe nodded.
"When I was a child, I believed what I was told, and I did everything in my power to live up to that prophesy. I diligently practiced my focus exercises, listened to my father's teachings, and prayed to Source that I would be worthy of my calling." He lifted his scotch and tossed back a swallow. "When I reached my teens, my lack of ability to shift began weighing heavily on me."
Zoe nodded again and sipped her daiquiri, waiting for his revelation.
He glanced around the room, seemingly forestalling what he wanted to say. "I've often begged my father to draw a map to the Cave of Thirteen so I could confront the co-Princes and personally tell them not to count on me to become their prophesied prince. How can a shapeling of mixed blood who has no shifting ability be the Great Prince? And anyway, I've never been told what this prince is supposed to do or accomplish." Again, he swigged his scotch. "About two weeks ago, my father and mother returned from the Cave of Thirteen and immediately wanted to see me. They told me they were willing to reveal the way to the cave."
Zoe gasped.
"Of course, I was elated until they told me their stipulation."
"What is it?" Zoe leaned in.
Davide sucked a breath. "I must first travel to Uluru in Australia and go on a walkabout."
"Davide, you can do that. You–"
"Wait, Zoe…there's more." He glanced down and drummed his fingers on the table. Finally, lifting his head and reaching into the depths of her eyes with his own, he said, "You have to come with me, both to Uluru and the Cave of Thirteen."
"What!" she shouted. Several heads turned to look at them. Leaning forward she said low, "What the hell are you saying, Davide?"
"You heard me, Zoe," he whispered fiercely back. The stipulation for me to be given directions to the place I've longed to visit, is that you must accompany me to Uluru and then to the cave. It's as simple as that."
"No Davide, that's not simple. I can't just pack up and travel to Australia. I have a job."
"Tonight was your last night for several weeks."
"So you've already checked my schedule!"
"Of course."
Although Zoe's heart longed for the adventure of being with Davide, she knew it would exponentially increase her heartbreak. "I simply cannot go," she said quietly, while staring at her daiquiri and circling the rim of the glass with her finger. She chanced a glance at Davide to see him watching her hand. Stilling the movement she waited for his response.
"Zoe, I need you."
His simple words made her want to cry and she blinked rapidly. Don't do this to me, Davide. She didn't respond.
Finally, he sighed and relaxed. "You know what I was going to do if you refused?"
She shook her head, unable to speak.
"Kidnap you."
Her jaw dropped.
"But of course, I won't do that." He slid out of the booth. "Honey, whatever I did to upset you so much that you don't want to be around me, I'm sorry." He tossed a tip on the table. "I had no right to expect this of you. I'm leaving tomorrow night on a commercial flight for Australia. I've decided to go on the walkabout anyway. You have a great life, kiddo." He started to walk away but paused. "Maybe you can find time for next year's birthday party."
Zoe stared after him gulping back sobs.