She hurried down the stairs, then headed down the beach toward Petra. The sun was low on the horizon, turning the sky pink and gold and setting the sea ablaze with golden sparkles.
The Draganesti villa came into view. Robby had left a message on her phone that he’d arrived shortly before dawn. She’d been waiting all day for him to wake from his death-sleep. She stayed on the beach to watch the sun disappear over the horizon. It was a beautiful end to a day, and a beautiful beginning for her new life.
“Are ye sure ye’re no’ a Greek goddess?” Robby called out to her.
She turned and grinned at him. He was standing on the bluff, looking gorgeous as usual. “I won’t object to being worshipped.”
He jumped off the bluff and landed neatly beside her. “I missed you.” He brushed back a curl that the breeze had blown across her cheek.
“It’s only been two days since I saw you last.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I told my grandmother about you.”
He winced. “How did she take it?”
“As far as I can tell, you could be an alien from another galaxy, and it wouldn’t matter as long as we can have children.”
He chuckled. “I like yer grandmother.” He stepped back. “Remember when ye asked me yer three questions?”
“Yes.”
“Ask them again.” He took her hands in his. “Ask them again, and I will answer.”
She smiled. “What do you want more than anything in the world?”
He squeezed her hands. “I want you.”
Her heart expanded with joy. “And what do you fear more than anything in the world?”
“Losing you.”
“And if you get what you want more than anything, will it make you a better person?”
“Aye, it will.” He knelt on one knee. “Will ye marry me, Olivia?”
“Yes!” She fell on her knees and wrapped her arms around him. “Yes.”
He hugged her tight. “I love you, Olivia.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I love you, too.”
“I looked up yer last name in a dictionary, and it means salvation. That’s what ye’ve done to me, lass. Ye saved me from a life filled with hatred and vengeance. I’m free now.”
She rested her hands on his face and gazed into his glittering green eyes. “We’re free together.”
