But the words stuck.
He held the book out to him.
With curiosity on his face, his grandfather took it from him. Wordlessly he placed it on his lap, and with hands that shook he opened it.
After several long minutes during which the only sound in the room was the King’s wheezy breathing, his grandfather raised misty eyes to him.
‘You did this?’
Theseus bowed his head.
‘It is incredible.’ His grandfather shook his head, turning the pages slowly. ‘When did you do this...? How...? I knew nothing of it.’
‘I wanted it to be a surprise.’
‘It’s not often a secret is kept in this palace,’ his grandfather observed, a tremble in his aged voice.
‘Loss of limbs may have been threatened...’
Astraeus’s laugh turned into a cough, and then the amusement faded. ‘This is a wonderful thing you have done for me, and I thank you with all my heart.’
Theseus took a breath. ‘I wanted to create something that would show how much you mean to me. I used to be disrespectful, and I brought much dishonour upon you, but I truly am proud to be your grandson.’
His words were met with a shake of the old King’s head. ‘Theseus, you weren’t a bad boy. Rhea always said you were a lost soul.’
At the mention of his grandmother’s name Theseus felt his throat close.
‘She adored you.’
‘I know. I will never forgive myself for not being there—’ His voice cracked, guilt filling him all over again.
Astraeus gripped his wrist and tugged him down so they were at eye level. ‘The past is over. What you have created here for me...’ A tear ran down his cheek. ‘Your grandmother would be very proud of you—for this and for how you’ve turned your life around. You are a credit to the Kalliakis name and I’m proud to call you my grandson.’
The backs of his retinas burning, Theseus closed his eyes, then leaned forward to place a kiss on his grandfather’s cheek. But before he could absorb the moment, and his grandfather’s words, a knock on the door preceded his brothers strolling into the room.
‘Is there a lovefest going on that we weren’t invited to?’ Helios asked.
Talos snatched the book out of their grandfather’s hands and soon all four of them were going through the pictures within, reminiscing with sad amusement, until the King’s private secretary announced that it was time for them to greet their guests.
* * *
An army of staff bustled around, handing out champagne and fresh juices as the stateroom filled. On an antique table to the left of the door sat a pile of hardback copies of the biography.
‘May I?’ Jo asked, dazzled.
‘Of course.’ A courtier handed one to her.
She studied the cover and the back, then flipped through the pages, inhaling the lovely papery scent only a new book emitted.
At the bottom of the front cover were the words Fiona Samaras & Joanne Brookes.
She traced her finger over her name, then carefully turned some pages. Pride filled her to know that this was something she’d helped create, but with it came a tinge of sadness that Fiona couldn’t be there to revel in their accomplishment too. After four years of working together, and all Fiona’s Greek tuition, they’d become good friends. Jo knew how much she would have loved to be there today.
While she waited for Theseus to join her she studied the photographs in the biography, which dated back a century, to the King’s own parents’ marriage. What a family she was moving into...
Where before she’d felt terror at the mere thought of becoming a Kalliakis, she now felt an immense pride and a determination to play her part. She’d grown to love the island, and the fierce but passionate people who inhabited it.
And what a man she was pledging the rest of her life to...
An image floated in her mind of when she had watched him teach Toby to swim in the villa’s outdoor pool the day before. She could still hear their laughter. He’d come back from the palace especially. She’d watched them with a heart so full she had wanted to burst. All her fears for Toby had gone. Seeing them together had been like watching two peas in a pod.
Toby loved his father. And Theseus loved him. She could see it in his tenderness towards him. And sometimes when he looked at her she thought she saw the same tenderness directed at her.
It gave her hope. Maybe love really could grow between them...
Activity at the entrance of the stateroom caught her attention.
An old wizened man in a wheelchair, who nonetheless had the most incredible aura about him, had entered the room. Theseus was at his side, Helios and another man who had to be Talos were with them.