by Holly Rayner
“Julia, what job did your dad do?”
“He was a taxi driver.”
“Wow, that’s neat. That’s almost better than…” She thinks hard, then shakes her head. “Nah. I also have you beat for coolest dad job.”
“Yeah,” I laugh. “You sure do.”
Nikos chuckles as well and pats her knee. “Are you ready to do this?”
Maya’s the first one out of the car. “Let’s go! King Grandpa, here I come!”
Chapter 24
Julia
The plane’s engines rumble beneath my feet, and I adjust in my seat to get more comfortable.
“How are you doing?” Nikos whispers. On his other side, Maya has fallen asleep, her cheek against the monkey headrest Nikos bought her in the airport, her stuffie on her lap, and her tablet slipping from her hand.
“I’m okay,” I whisper back. “Flying for this long isn’t ideal, but I’m looking forward to getting there.”
Nikos draws a deep breath. “The same for me.”
That makes me cock my head in interest. “Yeah?”
“Yes, although I am…”
“Nervous,” I say with a smile.
He smirks.
“It’s okay.” I bump my shoulder against his. “It’s a normal reaction to have.”
“When Maya started asking questions about her grandfather, I went into shock. I had never planned to tell her much of anything.”
“Didn’t you think she would have questions eventually?” I ask.
Nikos drops the back of his head against the seat and gazes at the little light above him. It’s daylight, but a lot of the passengers have their blinds drawn and are making use of the last hour of flight by taking naps.
“I knew she would,” he says. “I imagined the answers could be easily played off. If I could convince her once or twice that my family and the life I left behind were of no importance, that would be that. She would never ask again.”
“Hm, well that’s not the case, is it?” I drop my voice so no one will hear. “You guys are royalty. That’s sure to have made quite the impression on her. Who knows if the questions will ever stop.”
“I only hope she will not get to Kalista and be disappointed.” He watches his sleeping daughter.
A lump forms in my throat. More than anything, Nikos wants to protect Maya. He’s shown that time and time again. Because of that, there’s nothing he could do that would ever cause me to stop admiring and respecting him.
“Even if your dad doesn’t roll out the welcome mat, it sounds like Thea will.”
“Yes.” He nods. “She is very excited for our arrival.”
“Did you tell her I was coming with?”
“Of course. As I said, she is excited.”
“What did you tell her about me?”
Nikos lifts a shoulder like it’s no big deal. “This and that.”
“Nikos. Come on. What did you tell her?”
A devilish glint enters his eye. “Why are you this eager to know?”
He’s teasing me.
And I love it.
Crossing my arms, I look away. “Fine. Don’t tell me a thing. You know what? Maybe I don’t care at all about what you have to say about me to others.”
“Unlikely.” He tickles my side, and I yelp.
An older woman across the aisle lifts her sleep mask from one eye and gives us a disapproving look.
“You’re gonna get us banned from this airline,” I say, stifling my laugh.
“Me? You are the one making all the noise.”
“You tickled me,” I protest, wishing he would do it again.
“Look!” A young boy a couple rows up shouts. “An island!”
“Are we there?” I ask Nikos.
He leans across Maya and lifts the blind. Sure enough, there’s a small island with sandy white beaches. Right ahead of it is another small one, and past that a broad expanse of solid land.
My breath catches in my chest. That must be Kalista. Even though we’re close enough that it looks like it’s part of the mainland, it’s not. It’s a big island with several million people living there full-time.
Dragging my eyes away from the window, I study Nikos’ face. The complexity found there makes my heart ache. It’s like he doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Maya stirs. “Where are we?” she murmurs, half asleep.
“Look.” Nikos taps a finger against the window. “We’re arriving in Kalista.”
Maya’s suddenly wide awake. Her stuffed animal and tablet fall to the floor. Pressing her nose to the glass, she gasps.
“It’s pretty,” she coos. “See it, Julia?”
I lean across Nikos, but since the window’s small I can’t really get a good look.
“It’s beautiful,” I agree, only to appease her—though I’m sure the view she’s got is amazing.
Nikos wraps an arm around me, and we smile at each other.
“How do you feel now?” I softly ask.
“A little nervous, but grateful that I have you both with me. Even if things don’t go well, at least the three of us are heading home tomorrow. That’s what matters.”
I could eat this man up.
Unfortunately, there’s no time for that. The pilot comes on the intercom, announcing that we’re preparing for landing and everyone needs to buckle up.
My heart hammers as the plane lands and taxis up to its final destination. A slew of emotions compete for dominance.
I’m already sure Nikos’ father won’t be pleased about my appearance, but what about his siblings? What if they don’t like me?
Screw it. If that’s the case, the trip will be over soon. At least I’ll have gotten a peek at Kalista.
The first thing that strikes me when we emerge from the plane is the intense heat. Instead of departing inside the airport, we’ve stepped directly onto the tarmac.
I squint against the sun. The heat comes at me from all angles, baking my shoulders from the top and the soles of my feet from the bottom.
Nikos has Maya by the hand, and he takes her to where our bags are sitting on a trolley. I grab my bag and start to follow the stream of passengers walking for the terminal building.
“This way, Julia,” Nikos calls.
He’s standing by a black SUV. A man in a suit has the back door open.
“Oh,” I say, momentarily shocked.
We have our own car?
“Thank you,” Nikos tells the man, who bows low.
We get into the car, Maya between us and a partition separating us from the driver in front.
“When did you order a car?” I ask Nikos.
“Thea sent it. It’s from the palace.”
“Oh.” Relaxing into the leather seat, I watch the airport go by the window.
Oh is probably a word I’ll be using a lot during this trip. I have a feeling there will be much in Kalista and at the palace to be surprised over.
The island is just as beautiful as its pictures. It’s blue, white, and green everywhere. Lush trees line the streets alongside Cycladic houses that boast patios with plants, chairs, hammocks, and old people hanging out in the shade.
I’m exactly like Maya, my face against the window, my eyes probably as round as they can go.
“What do you think?” Nikos asks, pride evident in his voice.
“I think you’re an amazing artist.” Leaving the window, I turn to him. “Because it looks exactly like your paintings. How close are we to the palace?”
“Not much further. It’s in the middle of the city, actually. On the highest point this side of the island. It was built there for defense some three hundred years ago.”
“That’s all?” I smile cheekily. “That’s not very old for a palace.”
“Yes,” he chuckles, “well, there is an original one a few miles away, but it is more of a relic than anything else.”
Maya taps Nikos’ arm. “I see it! Dad, is that it?”
We duck to look out the window. In th
e distance, a giant tan-colored home sits on top of a hill. I can just make out a fence around it and the brilliant green of manicured lawns.
“Yes.” Nikos is breathless. “That’s it.”
Again, his reaction to being home draws all my attention. My hand finds his, and he squeezes. I could tell him everything will be okay, that he’s making the right choice, but there’s really no need. We’ve said everything there is to say. All that’s left is to do.
The terrain becomes steeper, the houses further apart. We pass through an area of restaurants and cafes with people strolling down the sidewalks, and then through a neighborhood where many of the homes are hidden behind tall walls.
The car climbs a hill, taking my heart rate along with it.
It helps to remind myself that Nikos and Maya are what matter here. I’m along for emotional support and, selfishly, the pleasure of seeing a new place. There’s no way I’m half as nervous about this visit as Nikos is.
As we near the palace, the uncultivated foliage gives way to trimmed bushes and stone walls. Security cameras posted to street lights keep watch. Up ahead, a guard station looms.
Our driver comes to a stop in front of the gate, and a strict-looking man glances in our direction. Since the windows are tinted he can’t see in, but he salutes anyway.
With that, we’re off again, the tires eating up the last bit of the driveway.
Our journey ends at a circle that goes around a large, ornate fountain that features angels and cherubs playing in the water.
Maya reaches across her dad to tug on my dress. “Julia, do you see that? The baby statues?”
“I do.” I smile at her, though there’s a lump in my throat.
Nikos seems absolutely frozen, staring ahead, his hands flat on his thighs.
Two men stand in front of the palace doors, rifles slung over their shoulders. They’re so still they give the stone cherubs and angels a run for their money.
The doors open, and a man wearing a black uniform with gold buttons comes forward. He opens the car’s back door, which I happen to be sitting right next to.
My legs are jelly, but since nothing’s progressing until I make the first move and get out of the car, I put a shaky foot on the ground.
Nikos and Maya follow. The uniformed man wastes no time bowing low.
“Prince Nikos,” he purrs, “it is an honor to see you again.”
Nikos inclines his head. “You as well, Antoni. I hope you are in good health.”
“Nikos!” a woman shouts, cutting short Antoni’s chance to answer.
A young woman dressed in white pants and a cream blouse emerges from the palace. Her long black hair flows over her shoulders, and the light reflects off the gold hoops hanging from her ears.
She’s on Nikos a breath later, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close.
“Oh, Nikos.”
It’s Thea, looking just as youthful as she did in the pictures I’ve seen that were taken of her years ago.
Nikos is slow to hug her back, but once he gets his arms around her waist he loosens up. His eyes turn red, and he bites into his bottom lip.
“It’s been too long,” Thea says.
“I know. I am sorry.”
But Thea’s no longer paying attention to him. She lets her brother go to look at Maya, who has her arms behind her back and is toeing the ground.
“And you must be Maya.” Thea crouches to get on a closer level with her niece.
“Yes, ma’am,” Maya says.
Thea’s smile is giant. It makes her look twice as gorgeous.
“What wonderful manners. You do not need to be formal with me, though. I’m Thea. Your father’s sister. That makes me your aunt.”
For a little girl who was so exuberant over meeting her extended family, Maya’s sudden bout of shyness is quite the turn. She turns her eyes down and whispers, “Okay.”
“Tell me, Maya,” Thea says, “do you like horses?”
A switch has been flipped. Maya’s head jerks up, and she searches Thea’s face like the map to everything she’s ever dreamed of might be etched across those features.
“I love horses.”
“As do I. I have a white one named Sugar, and a brown one named Spice.”
Maya giggles. “Like sugar and spice, everything nice!”
“Exactly. Have you ever been riding?”
“No, but I want to. I could do it.”
“Then I shall take you. Spice is the gentlest horse you will ever meet, and he will be very happy to walk you around the corral your first time in the saddle. Especially if you give him a carrot.”
Thea winks at Maya and straightens up, her focus shifted to me.
“Julia,” Nikos says, “this is my sister, Thea.”
Unexpected panic envelopes me. I’m standing in front of a princess. And I didn’t do a single bit of research on protocols! Am I supposed to bow? Kiss her hand? Curtsy?
Can you curtsy without being in a dress? Oh, wait. I am wearing a dress.
“Uh,” I gasp. “I…”
Before I can even think further, I’m in Thea’s arms. The scent of lavender and vanilla surrounds me.
“Nikos has told me much about you,” she says into my ear. “Many, many wonderful things.”
“He has?” I don’t know why, but I’m laughing. Maybe it’s from shock. I didn’t expect to be this welcomed.
“Absolutely.” Thea’s eyes, which are done in a flawless smoky look, are teary. “He told me that it is because of you that he has come here today.”
Over her shoulder, I look at Nikos. “Really?”
His grin is lopsided. “I only said it because it’s the truth.”
Thea places her hands on my shoulders and looks me up and down. “You are perfect. The partner I always hoped my brother would find.”
Partner?
I look at Nikos again. His face is down, but there’s no missing the red cheeks. I feel a smile stretch my face.
This visit is turning out to be better than I expected.
“Come. Please.” Thea has Maya by the hand. “Darius is around here somewhere. I must tell you, Nikos, he is very nervous to see you.”
“He is?” Nikos’ brow furrows in concern.
We walk for the palace, and the car that brought us here drives off. Before crossing the tall front entrance, I turn to get a look at the vista behind us. The city splays out below, the aquamarine sea sparkling beyond it. My breath catches in my throat.
I swear, I didn’t know beauty until this.
“Why is he nervous?” Nikos is asking.
His question snaps me out of my trance, and I hurry into the palace with the others. I’m turning to close the doors behind us, but there’s no need. The guards are already taking care of it.
“He regrets not being in touch with you over these last eight years,” Thea says.
“That’s preposterous.” Nikos’ laugh is short and dry. “I could not risk talking with anyone other than you. I did not make the effort because I…”
His gaze drops to Maya. It’s probably good that he stops there.
“I know,” Thea says. “And I believe our brother understands as well. But understanding does not always fully take away pain.”
Nikos bows his head. “Absolutely.”
Thea leads the way across a giant foyer with a white marble floor and oil paintings on the walls. Up ahead, a staircase leads to a second floor, and closed double doors keep hidden rooms that I’m burning to see.
Thea takes us past all of this, going down a hall that has yet more paintings, along with pottery that probably costs more than all the money I’ve ever held put together, and vases filled with roses. Maya’s eyes are as wide as mine, and she gravitates toward me as we walk.
Her hand slips into mine, and I smile.
“What do you think?” I whisper.
“It’s so big.”
“I know, right? Maybe we should keep whistles on us in case we get lost in here.”
I squeeze her hand. “I was kidding. Don’t you worry. We won’t get lost. Aren’t you looking forward to seeing the horses?”
“Yeah,” she says around a smile.
“Me, too.”
We’ve stopped in front of an open door, which Thea raps on.
“Darius,” she says, “our guests of honor are here.”
Nikos’ Adam’s apple bobs. Footsteps from someone I can’t see near the doorway, and Darius emerges.
Like Thea, I would recognize him from anywhere thanks to the pictures all over the internet. At the sight of his brother, Nikos’ jaw slackens.
“Hello, Darius,” he croaks in a voice that makes me want to hug him tight.
“Brother.”
Nikos extends his hand for a shake, but Darius is having none of that. Like Thea, he pulls Nikos into a hug so tight it’s uncertain whether he plans on ever letting go.
“It’s good to see you,” Darius says, releasing Nikos.
“You, too. I am sorry I have been gone so long.”
Darius claps him on the shoulder. “Let’s not focus on that. You’re here now, and that’s what matters most.” He turns to me and offers his hand. “Darius Galanis.”
“Julia Fernandez. It’s nice to meet you.” I shake his hand, shocked at how casual this all feels. Clearly, Nikos’ siblings have impeccable manners, but beyond that and the fact that we’re standing in a palace, there’s nothing to suggest they’re royalty. They didn’t even introduce themselves as such.
“And I’m Maya.” She grins at Darius.
“Maya.” He savors the name. “Look at you. I am thrilled to have you here.”
“Are we going to see the horses soon?”
“Soon.” Thea puts her hand on Maya’s shoulder.
Darius nods once, his expression growing grim. “Yes. There will be plenty of time for recreations, as Thea and I do hope you will be staying for a good while. We wish to have you as long as possible.”
Nikos and I share a glance. As welcoming as his siblings are, there’s still the matter of one other person…
“Can I call for anything for you?” Darius asks. “Refreshments? Tea is in an hour, but if there’s anything you would like in the meantime…”
“Where is Father?” Nikos asks.