After the Fall(75)
Magnus sat up slowly and took the locket, amazement written across his features. “It never occurred to me … I just threw it in the snow with a prayer to Victoria. I never thought I would see it again.”
Gigi reached up and helped him fasten it around his neck, then kissed him. “Let’s go below decks and celebrate its return,” she murmured.
He gazed at her, a flicker of amusement pulling at the corners of his mouth. “Not just yet, my sweet,” he said, putting his arms around her and leaning back. “Not just yet. It’s too beautiful out here, peaceful and … normal. Although it’s unfortunate these,” he waved his hand toward the path of contrails in the darkening sky, “jets mar the heavens as they pass. I don’t like them at all.”
He rested his head against the back of the seat. “Ah, here it is quiet. Aboard this boat, the world is as it should be. And you were right, that terrible day on the bluff at Rhegium — this Beneteau is truly a marvel, a wonderful sailing vessel. But I don’t know how you do it. I really don’t. The noise of your world, the rush — by the gods! — the speed of the ferry nearly stopped my heart. And those women on the beach today — baring their breasts in public — not that I minded looking — and men in Speedos, who’ve never held a weapon more lethal than a hot espresso, or a — what did you call it? — an iPhone?”
Gigi laughed at his odd tirade, wondering why he insisted on staying on deck, when she was so very ready to go below. “You’re making fun of your kinsmen,” she said. “And, by today’s standards, Italian and Greek men are plenty virile, believe me.”
“What about Jack?” Magnus went on. “I swear I knew him. He used to work as the master masseuse in the steambaths in Constantinople.”
She laughed. “He’s a good businessman and a good friend. He’s had to pull plenty of favors since we got back, to smooth things over with the police, and then get you some identity papers, not to mention keeping the world in the dark, all without doubting my story. I’m sure he thought I was crazy, but he asked a lot of questions and eventually seemed to accept my word. He was stunned to see the worn out shape my flute was in, especially the key pads, since it’d only been a day for him since I disappeared, and I always kept it in top condition. Then, when my old boyfriend Yves called to find out what was going on, Jack talked the poor guy in circles, so Yves still doesn’t know. He’s going to think I’m so horrible when he finds out I’m in love with you. That’s not a conversation I’m looking forward to!”
“I could run him through with my sword,” Magnus offered, nuzzling her neck.
“Don’t make fun of this. Yves and I were close before I left. From his point of view, I disappeared without a trace or a word of explanation, everyone was terrified with worry, and then I show up the next day, head-over-heels in love, and utterly without a decent excuse.”
“I know, but you will make Yves understand, somehow, although I wouldn’t chance telling anyone else but your parents the truth,” Magnus said. “As for Jack, I like him. He helped me with something before we left Ravenna, while you were out arranging for our passage to Greece.”
“What?” She looked at him, curious. “You spent time alone with Jack? What’d he help you with?”
“We snuck out of the hospital and went for a stroll, at my request,” Magnus replied evasively.
Sitting up, Gigi stared at him. “I can’t believe they let you out.”
“The healers would have none of it at first, but relented when I agreed to ride in a rolling chair. I thought it demeaning, but the thing proved useful, for I was spent long before we were done.”
“You’re a good liar. You acted like you’d never seen a wheelchair before, when we left the hospital.”
He smiled. “Wandering around Ravenna was a terrifying experience, I can assure you, recognizing nothing, and trying not to show how traumatized I felt by everything I witnessed — it’s truly a wonder, this world of yours, wonderful and terrible all at once. At any rate, Jack and I spoke for some time, or rather, I gestured, drew several diagrams, and generally felt like an idiot, but eventually I got my point across, and he agreed to my wishes.”
“But … what wishes?”
Magnus glanced toward the heavens. “I find I don’t much care for traffic, but that is beside the point,” he said, kissing her forehead. “It has grown dark, and I am glad of it, for the world looks as it should now, with the Milky Way giving us the only light we need.”