AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When I picture the dusty town I grew up in, I wonder why nobody ever leaves. Few manage to make the journey past the mountain ranges, and I’m convinced if they discovered how amazing life was on the other side, they would be packing up in their droves. When I remember the wicked reverend who ruled over it, I shiver knowing I had a lucky escape. What he did to my friend Faith was wicked and evil, and I am so glad Killian is nothing like that.
We park up on the edge of a wooden road of sorts. I overheard one of the crew call it a pontoon and I wonder about this language I have never heard. No wonder Killian is angry with me. I am so uneducated it must annoy him. I must do better, so he doesn’t regret my position and so, with a deep resolve, I follow him closely as we exit the boat.
He strides in front of me, and I stumble constantly as I attempt to keep up with him. Saint is behind me and many times I almost trip him up as I catch my heel in the wooden boards and yet he never reaches out to help me.
We come to a smooth surface of what appears to be marble and I’m a little flushed as we head toward the most beautiful building I have ever seen. It actually shines as it looks out to sea. A beautiful white palace of majestic grandeur surrounded by colorful flowers and gently swaying trees.
I notice two people waiting and as we get a little closer, I see an older man and woman holding hands as they watch us. As we draw nearer, the woman steps forward and says with delight, “Killian. It’s good to see you.”
I watch in fascination as he kisses her three times and then pulls her into his arms and I witness the happiness on her face as she hugs him back. Then she pulls away, and the man steps forward and does the same and it confuses me. This must be how you greet people on this island. Touching was forbidden in Heaven unless your husband allowed it, which he never did to my knowledge, unless it was to shake the reverend’s hand. This is different and as their attention turns to me, I feel their curiosity burning through my soul.
There is something incredibly powerful about these people. The air surrounding them is laced with power.
The woman steps forward and peers at me with curiosity and then smiles, causing me to sigh with relief.
“You are beautiful, Purity.”
I blink in surprise. “You know my name.”
I’m astonished and she laughs softly, “I know everything, my dear. You will soon realize that.”
She turns to Killian, and I note the approval in her eyes as she says in a voice that offers no disagreement. “We will leave you now. The next time you will see your bride is at the altar.”
Before I can say anything, she takes my hand and pulls me after her and the brooding stare of the man I’m to marry follows me as I attempt to keep up with her.
* * *
As we enter the house,I stare in amazement at the most beautiful room I have ever seen. I’m surprised because it’s filled with plants, art hanging on the walls, and deep couches laden with cushions. The sun streams in through the open doors, its warm fingers touching every corner of the room, filling it with welcome.
“You have a lovely home, Mrs. Vieri.”
I take an educated guess on her name, and she turns and smiles. “Call me Nonna.”
“Okay.”
I return her warm smile and she says with interest. “I can see why my grandson chose you. You are everything he was searching for.”
“Searching for?”
I’m confused, and she nods. “He was looking for a wife who he could mold into his perfect woman.” She shakes her head as if a little disappointed by that, and then she stops and stares at me hard. “Don’t make it so easy for him, Purity.”
“Why not?” I’m confused, and a little surprised and she replies with an infectious twinkle in her eye.
“Because men like my grandson — like all the Vieri men – relish a challenge. If you make it too easy, it strips away the fun. Make him work hard for your heart and you will keep it forever.”
“His heart?”
I don’t understand and she sighs a little and then surprises me by saying, “Do you love him, Purity?”
“Love.” I blink and consider her words before replying. “I don’t know what love is, Mrs. um, Nonna and I don’t understand what it has to do with marriage.”
Her face falls and I wonder if I’ve said something wrong, which worries me. Then she says with a deep breath. “I see.”
She seems a little sad and I say nervously, “Have I said something wrong?”
She shakes her head. “No. If anything, it tells me what I suspected all along. Come. We don’t have long.”
As I follow her up a huge white staircase, I think back on our conversation and struggle to understand what placed that disappointment in her eyes. I really hope it wasn’t something I said because more than anything, I want to make Killian proud of me, not disappointed that somehow I didn’t measure up.
