Cove does not want to be matched. Matching changes everything. Every moment of Cove’s life has been documented using the most advanced AI system ever created. Every thought, every action, and every dream will be used to determine his perfect match.
Ciaran is a dutiful prince of the Space Nation. His family expects a political match. They demand a marriage that will expand their power. When Cove and Ciaran are matched, the world is thrown into chaos.
A love match between a surfer and a prince. One that tests the political and social boundaries between two feuding nations. Can love bring peace? Does the technology behind their matching even work? Does any of it matter when power demands their compliance?
“C-Cove and Ciaran!” Ila yelled, gesturing for the two of them to join her.
The crowd went silent. Cove’s honey eyes blinked as if he were trying to wake himself. This was a nightmare. Ciaran went numb. Sweat dripped from his forehead. He knew he was fidgeting with his hands. Yet, he could feel nothing.
“Yes, this is terrible. Come on,” Ciaran ordered the stranger that was meant to be his match.
Cove was frozen, unmoving. The two stood on the stage, staring at one another.
There was no doubt in his mind that his mother was screaming in her booth. Cove was handsome. His black hair had a messy curl to it. The silk shirt he had chosen highlighted his toned chest and arms. His beauty was distracting. Yet, everything about Cove screamed Ocean Nation. There didn’t seem to be an ounce of political ambition in him. His eyes were earnest. His cheeks were red and flushed.
A flurry of flashes as cameras took their photos jolted Ciaran. This would be all over the news. He could not bow. That would suggest support for Cove’s nation’s politics. Ciaran decided he needed to act. The prince turned to the crowd and grinned. He shrugged then laughed. Ciaran patted Cove on the back and ushered him off stage.
“The prince is right. What a twist! Love is nothing if not unpredictable,” Ila announced, applauding.
Immediately after they were off the stage, Ciaran dropped the pretense. He glared at Cove. This man could not be his match.
“Mistakes happen. This was a glitch,” Cove suggested, not meeting Ciaran’s eye. There was a unique, charming lilt to his voice that only those from the Ocean Nation had. Not that every nation didn’t have accents.
Ciaran was affronted. He should be the one telling Cove this was a mistake.
“I am a prince. You should not be complaining…but yes. You are right. This cannot stand,” Ciaran agreed, his voice quick as his nerves peaked.
Cove stared at him.
“Can you repeat that?” Cove asked, biting his lip.
Ciaran grew flustered.
Speech lessons, the best education, and years of etiquette training had ensured he knew how to communicate with everyone. All his teachers complained when he was a child that he spoke too quickly. They said it was impossible to understand him.
“Let’s tell them they made a mistake,” Ciaran muttered, slowing his voice and calming himself.
Cove nodded, relieved. They sat on the cold concrete, waiting for the event to end.
“What a ceremony. Such shocks and twists. We will all be talking about Prince Ciaran and Cove. Enjoy starting your new lives!” Ila cheered, running off the stage.
Ciaran was on his feet before Ila was down the stairs. There was a commotion as Ciaran’s mother and two people who looked to be Cove’s parents hurried backstage. Cove ran into his mother’s arms.
“This is completely unacceptable. We will not allow for such a union,” Ciaron’s mother declared, glaring at Cove and his family.
“This has to be a mistake,” Cove chimed in.
“Cove, there are no mistakes with our technology. Mira and Kai, talk to your son. Astrid, you insist everyone respects your technology. You would be viewed as a hypocrite for exempting your family from that policy,” Ila responded. Her voice was warm, but her eyes narrowed. Ila’s lips thinned as she dared Ciaran’s mother to challenge her.
There was a crowd gathering. Phones pointed at them. Ciaran knew he was being recorded. Ila smiled and posed for the crowd. She led them down a hall into an abandoned office with stained white walls and dirty hardwood floors.
“I don’t want to go to space,” Cove cried.
Cove’s father soothed him.
“Maybe Ciaran longs for the water. You’ll figure this out,” Kai assured.
“I have no desire to be eaten by sharks. I am not moving. I cannot,” Ciaran laughed, shrugging. Ciaran was the prince and heir to the throne.
