Chapter 9
Tallia found both Eustakhios brothers lounging on the terrace below, which was a little surprising given the lateness of the hour. Fidelio lounged, Costa sat very straight and upright in a chair reading a newspaper. She almost stumbled in the door when she found him staring at her, as if he knew she was coming, his expression unreadable.
Smiling nervously, Tallia felt immediately breathless and lightheaded and clutched the doorframe to give herself a moment to get her bearings, rather than to actually steady herself. Fidelio jumped out of his seat and rushed over to help her, slipping an arm around her waist and practically carrying her bodily to a chair.
"I'm fine, Fidelio. I can walk," she tried to insist as he dragged her across the deck, easing her down onto a cushioned lounger. He fussed over her like an overwrought mother, tucking a pillow under her legs, dragging an umbrella over to shade her, and adjusting the lounger twice, all in less than thirty seconds.
"Why aren't you using the cane?" he demanded once he was satisfied that she was comfortable.
Pushing her hair back as it was falling across her face, Tallia could not keep her eyes from Costa. He looked carved out of stone, not merely because of his harsh, exacting features, but because he had barely moved a muscle since she appeared. When their eyes locked, he snapped the paper he had been reading closed and tossed it aside without looking away, his brown eyes fixed to hers hypnotically.
"Because I don't need it," Tallia replied, clearing her throat when her voice came out husky and dreamy sounding.
"You don't need it!" Fidelio parroted, oblivious to the staring match she and Costa were locked into. "You are limping badly, you need to use the cane Tallia so you don't fall and hurt yourself!"
"Don't be silly, Fidelio," she said with a forced laugh, finally tearing her eyes away from Costa and taking refuge in her hair. Dipping her chin, she let her overgrown fringe slide across her face to hide the blush she could feel starting across her cheeks as he kept staring at her in his unnervingly direct manner.
"I need to exercise my leg, and that cane is so dramatic- it makes me feel like I'm an old woman."
Fidelio gaped at her and then cried, "You women and your vanity," with an exasperated shake of his head. "You must be serious, Tallia. Your leg is still weak, and if you were to fall now you could really hurt yourself."
"It's not as if I am going anywhere Fidelio," she told him stubbornly. "I'm restricted to the house, on doctors orders. I'm hardly likely to injure myself lying about like an old dog. I can manage to stay upright going from the bed to the loo, or down the stairs to the terrace here," she insisted.
"Tallia-" Fidelio began, clearly not persuaded and determined to argue the matter.
Costa cleared his throat, instantly getting his brother’s undivided attention. "Fidelio," he said in that low, silky, carefully controlled voice of his that oozed authority and sent shivers along Tallia's spine, "do not browbeat our guest before she has had her breakfast."
Fidelio immediately blushed bright red through his tan, looking like a chastened boy at his brother’s lazy, faintly mocking words.
"Why don't you go and get Tallia something to eat? She needs food if she is to build up her strength, ne?"
"Of course," Fidelio agreed. A sly smile curved his lips as a private look passed between the brothers, and Tallia knew Fidelio believed Costa would have more luck convincing her than he was having. Tallia wondered if it were true and steeled herself as best as she could, to face Costa's brand of persuasion.
As soon as they were alone, Costa slid his chair back from the table and came to his feet. Even though he was only a head taller than her, he looked like a veritable mountain as he came to tower above her where she reclined on the lounger.
Tallia felt her stomach knot with a churning mixture of crazy emotions when he crouched down beside her, so they were on the same eye level. Costa was huge, his shoulders massive, his chest a wall, arms and legs like young tree trunks corded with muscle, and every inch of him a deep golden brown that set off his light eyes vividly.
"I wish to apologize Tallia, for my inexcusable treatment of you," he began in a smooth purr that slid over her like a velvet caress. "I know words can not suffice, but they are all I have. What I did-"
"P-please don’t," she whispered, cringing inwardly as she interrupted him, yet unable to help herself, as she couldn't stand to hear him apologize. She didn’t doubt his sincerity, because it was his very real regret that unsettled her the most. Watching Costa’s eyes soften with contrition made her insides begin to melt, and she felt her body start to tremble uncontrollably. She didn't understand the effect he had on her and was frightened by it. Costa arched a thick black brow, but he didn’t snap at her for cutting him off.
"You don't have to apologize," she said, struggling to sound normal as her voice wobbled dangerously. "I understand why you did what you did, and it is not your fault I had a relapse. I shouldn't have been traveling so soon, my doctor in England told me as much, but… I wanted to come."
He said nothing for a moment, just continued to stare at her in that unnerving way of his. "You understand my actions?" he finally repeated.
Tallia nodded.
"Ah, then please Tallia, be so good as to explain them to me?" he asked roughly, his faint accent surfacing.
She thought he was mocking her, but when he looked away, his thick lashes flicking down to shield his eyes, she realized he was serious. It amazed her to see a dull flush burned across his hard cheekbones and she knew he was genuinely upset.
"Well, you're an older brother, just as I'm an older sister, with no parents between us to depend on," she began softly. "You feel very protective of your brother, just as I feel towards my sister. I realize you misunderstood and thought I was Fidelio's girlfriend, and you wanted to protect your brother from… from a stranger who you don't… who you don't like," she whispered.
"You probably want Fidelio to marry a Greek girl, someone you know, of whom you approve. I think you got the wrong impression about me, what with all the pills…" she trailed off.
"I see," Costa murmured without inflection. He said nothing for a minute and an awkward silence settled between them. "You are a very unique woman," he finally told her, his eyes lifting to pierce her with a fleeting, inscrutable look, "Very forgiving. You have my apology regardless. I am in your debt and you may consider me your faithful servant, should you need my help."
"That is totally unnecessary!" she cried, disturbed by the very idea. The way Costa spoke was shockingly formal and she knew he was utterly serious. Archaic though it might seem, he really did believe he owed her a debt of gratitude. Fidelio once mentioned that his brother was ‘old school Greek’ in many of his attitudes, towards honor, family and business, and she was discovering first hand what that meant.
"You will not persuade me otherwise," he informed her tightly, standing up and turning towards the railing, giving her his broad, tense back.
"But-"
"What I should like to discuss with you now, Tallia," he cut across her objections smoothly, "is what you are hoping to gain by trying to convince my brother than you do not need that cane, when it is quite apparent that you cannot walk unaided at this time."
His words brought hot color back to her cheeks and made Tallia feel as transparent as glass. "Must… must you make it sound so sordid?" she asked weakly, thinking he had to have the most suspicious, disapproving nature on earth.
"Your health is my primary concern, Tallia," he informed her sternly, turning around to give her a chilling look as he crossed his arms over his impressive chest. He looked the very epitome of intimidation as he stared down at her archly.
"I- I just don't want to worry my sister when she arrives."
"Perhaps your sister needs to be worried," he retorted in the same biting tones.
"No, no she does not!" Tallia hissed, recovering her pluck as she sensed Costas’ criticism of Emily. She was fiercely protective of her sister, just as
her sister was protective of her, and couldn’t stand to hear anyone disparage Emmy.
"Emily has completely devoted herself to me for the past two years, to the exclusion of everything else- she almost refused to see your brother because she was so focused on taking care of me. I am better now, I just need a little more time to get completely back on my feet," she insisted when a thick black brow ticked up a notch and he looked as if he would argue.
"I want to get on with my life, and I want Emmy to do the same! If she sees me walking with a cane she will be terrified and blame herself, as she has been doing for the past two years-"
"That is only natural when she almost killed you," he snapped harshly, fury darkening his face and making his eyes narrow dangerously.
"It was an accident, and I got into that car knowing full well what state she was in!"
Costa let out an ugly bark of laughter. "You defend her for driving intoxicated? What if you were not the one she hurt and instead she crashed into another car, killed some innocent, paralyzed a man coming home from work or perhaps a mother, a child? Would you be as quick to defend her then?"
Tallia squeezed her eyes shut because his argument was one that had often played out while she tried to get through to her reckless sister during the height of Emmy's self-destructive tailspin.
"Of course you're right, I know it, that was precisely why I got into the car. I was trying to convince her to stop behaving so stupidly and think of the risks she was taking with her life and with the lives of everyone around her! We were arguing while she drove, she was out of her mind on drugs…" Tallia covered her face as memories of that night started tumbling through her head and she could feel herself break out in a cold sweat.
"Tallia, please, do not think of it. I did not mean to distress you," Costa's voice urged, soft and velvety in her ear. She felt his hand on her shoulder, and the lounger creaked as he sat down beside her.
Jerking back against the seat as his touch and proximity startled her, Tallia tore her hands from her face, but he was already gone. She could smell him all around her though, the warm, bewitching smell of man mixed with a faint exotic soap, a woodsy scent, cedar or sage.
He dropped his hand and moved away, rising effortlessly, his muscular thighs flexing beneath the jeans he wore. Retreating back to the railing, he put one strong hand lightly on the smooth wood. She had the fleeting, bizarre thought as she watched him stroke the smooth railing with his thumb, that she wished it were her arm his fingers were resting on, even though she just flinched from his touch.
"If it is your wish to deceive your sister then you shall have my help," he informed her stiffly over his shoulder.
Amazed at his complete about face, Tallia gaped at his back stupidly for a minute before recovering her wits. "I am not deceiving anyone," she insisted, hating his grim choice of words. "I am better. I'm not an invalid," she stated angrily.
"Of course," he agreed blankly, as if he were some mindless lackey.
"It's not as if I will be doing anything," she insisted, feeling like a silly child. "I'll be in this house the entire time, and it's only for a few days."
"You will not leave Seleni, Tallia, not for at least two weeks," Costa rounded on her, his eyes narrow again, his words a command and not a request.
Taken aback by the severity of his tone, she nodded meekly, "O-of course, I only meant… well Fidelio will be taking Emmy around to some of the other islands, at least that was the plan."
Costa inclined his head slightly, looking like the most benign and reasonable of dictators. "An excellent idea," he agreed. "I am certain he and your sister shall want their privacy as they make their plans for the future."
"So you're not angry with me?" Fidelio asked cheerfully as he appeared with a tray covered with food.
"Angry, why would I be angry?" Costa remarked casually, leaning back against the railing and looking almost carefree as he offered his brother a slight, amused grin.
"Well, for starters, I was sneaking around behind your back, invading your home, getting engaged to a woman you have yet to meet," Fidelio said as he set the tray down across Tallia's lap.
"Oh, that," Costa retorted lightly, "this is your home too Fidelio, and you are a grown man. I think I forget that sometimes. Perhaps you are ready to live your own life, without my interference."
Tallia was glad Fidelio had put the tray down because she was certain he would have dropped it the look of shock on his face was so complete. "Really?"
"Yes, really," Costa drawled, though there was something in his glittering gaze that made Tallia uneasy. He looked the picture of amicability, but she didn't buy it for a moment. Fidelio, however, seemed oblivious to the undercurrents of tension swirling in the air.
Rushing over to Costa, Fidelio threw his arms around him in an exuberant bear hug. Tallia was hardly surprised when Costa merely patted his brother on the back, he didn't strike her as the demonstrative type. Costa didn't look precisely uncomfortable as Fidelio embraced him, just… stiff, as if he were in the habit of holding himself apart from others, even his own brother.
It struck Tallia then that Costa might be very lonely, up on his high horse, and she actually felt a little of her apprehension towards him lessen as he became slightly more human in her eyes.
"Now Fidelio, if you really intend to marry this woman I suggest you not keep her waiting?" Costa prompted.
His brother immediately let go of him and dug his cell phone out of his pocket to check the time. "Damn!" Fidelio muttered, "I better get going."
"Yes, and perhaps a change of clothes?" Costa suggested, eyeing Fidelio's jeans and t-shirt pointedly.
"Suit?"
"Maybe something less formal?"
"Of course," Fidelio agreed, a grin on his face as he ran off. He stopped in the door and turned back to look at the two of them, "Wish me luck?"
"Always," Costa replied.
"You'll do fine," Tallia was quick to assure him.
Feeling the heat of Costa's eyes on her, Tallia reluctantly turned to find him smiling at her sardonically. Before she could read too much into the look, or work up the nerve to ask him what he was thinking, he was pushing himself away from the railing and inclining his head in a formal manner, almost as if bowing, "I shall leave you to your breakfast and send Calamini to help you."
"Thank you," Tallia said, flushing under his intense scrutiny.
"No, Tallia, it is I who must thank you, for gracing my home with your singular presence."
On those enigmatic words he strode off, probably to conquer the world or slay a dragon, she imagined fancifully. There was so much purpose in his graceful, muscular gait, such gravity in his mien that she could not think he was off to do anything mundane or ordinary. She thought if anyone was singular it was he, she was just an ordinary woman, a nobody, a schoolteacher from the suburbs. Costa, on the other hand, was larger than life.
Tallia didn't leave her room until the sun began to set. She knew Emmy and Fidelio must have come back from Tanos hours ago, but considerately she gave them plenty of time alone to catch up before she went to join them. The extra time was good for her as well, allowing her to rest up and regain more of her strength.
For the past months she often felt like a third wheel, an intrusive presence between the two lovers. Though Emmy and Fidelio never said anything, she was certain they were looking forward to spending the next weeks alone with no outside distractions. She knew if she were in Emmy's place she would want to be alone with her lover and not always have her sister or someone else tagging along.
She took her time on the stairs, using the banister for support, and made her way slowly through the spacious living room, which was thankfully Spartan in furnishings, so there weren't many chairs and couches to maneuver around. Of course, that also meant there was nothing to hold on to and her leg felt dangerously weak by the time she reached the huge sliding doors that let out onto the terrace.
Tallia could hear Emmy and Fidelio laughing and she braced
herself to face them, hoping her leg wouldn't give out on her. She gasped softly when she felt a strong, warm hand on her elbow as she pushed away from the door. Glancing up, she found Costa standing at her side as if he had been there all along. He moved with the stealth of a cat, she thought dumbly as she stared at him in mute wonder.
"Ready Agapate?"
"Y-yes," she whispered and leaned into him as they stepped out onto the terrace. He felt just as she expected, like warm bronze, secure and wonderfully capable. She simply knew she was safe with him, which was strange considering what had already passed between them.
"Tallia!" Emmy shrieked, noticing her immediately and jumping out of her chair to fly across the distance between them. Emmy threw herself against Tallia and almost sent them both flying. Costa's broad hand between her shoulder blades was all that saved them from disaster as Tallia lost her balance.
With the breath knocked out of her, Tallia could only whisper, “Emmy,” happily.
"Oh, Damn! Sorry, I'm such a dunderhead. I've just missed you so much," Emmy cried, squeezing her hard and laughing. She tossed her head, sending her wheat colored hair cascading wildly all around them as she turned to face Costa, her arms loosening a fraction around Tallia. "You must be the big brother, Costa?"
"Yes, welcome to Seleni Emily, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Though I am in good company, your sister and Fidelio have been talking of nothing but you since they arrived," he said graciously, flashing an irresistibly charming smile that almost reached his eyes.
Emmy, however, didn't notice his lack of real warmth and she gave him her million-dollar smile. Though they were similar in coloring and build, Tallia knew Emmy was gorgeous and far more beautiful than she could ever hope to be. Usually Tallia wasn't jealous, since she never sought the attention her sister had craved from the moment she was born, yet suddenly she found herself nervously waiting to see how Costa would react to Emmy.
Tallia took after their mother. She could have been her own mother’s twin, and though her sister bore them a strong resemblance, Tallia considered Emmy a more idealized and perfect version of their mother. Emmy's hair was a dark, rich blond, butterscotch to her own cream, her eyes were a vivid, striking, cornflower blue, her lips plump and pouting, and her figure all that a woman could wish for, with lush breasts and hips and long, toned limbs. Tallia knew she suffered in comparison as she looked like a thin, washed out version of her sister.
She watched Costa as he studied Emmy with his all-seeing eyes. Men always fell all over Emmy, so Tallia was used to being completely forgotten if she was around once her sister was introduced. Usually she didn't care, but tonight she found herself holding her breath, waiting to see if Costa would be bowled over by Emmy's striking good looks like everyone else.
Costa was hard to read, but she noticed no thawing of his gaze as he looked at Emmy, and he cut his eyes away from her sister after a moment to give his brother a relaxed grin. With an imperious jerk of his chin, Costa brought Fidelio running to join them like a puppy on a leash.
Once Fidelio was beside them, Costa took Emmy's hand and placed it in his brothers, steering Tallia away from the pair and escorting her to the table. He pulled a chair out for her and hovered as she sat, as if they were alone on the terrace, and then took the seat beside her.
All smiles, Fidelio and Emmy returned to their seats. Tallia was delighted by the shining looks the two exchanged as they held hands. She was happy for them, even if she still suffered a twinge of envy as she saw the secret communication that passed between them, that private language only lovers knew, which she had never been lucky enough to learn.
She sighed softly, hoping she would someday know the same happiness with a man who loved her. It was hard for her not to be impatient, she was twenty-five and her relationships to date had been few and altogether lack-luster. She had never felt anything approaching love for the men she dated and was beginning to despair that it might never happen for her. Maybe, she thought glumly, her fate was to be a spinster.
"What can I get you to drink?" Costa asked, brushing his fingers lightly across the back of her arm.
Smiling at him Tallia shrugged, "I don't know, I don't usually drink."
"Tallia's the original teetotaler," Emmy told him, “I drink in moderation.”
"Perhaps we shall begin with some white wine," Costa mused aloud. "We will be having seafood tonight, all of it caught fresh on the island today," he informed them as he got up and went to a side table, returning with a perfectly chilled bottle of wine, four glasses dangling elegantly from the fingers of one hand.
"Did you catch it yourself?" Emmy teased.
"As a matter of fact I did," Costa purred.
Emmy, tossing her lovely head, let out an infectious laugh. Fidelio and Tallia couldn’t help but join in. Once their humor passed Fidelio took Emmy's hand and kissed it before he told her, "He's not joking. Costa is a superb fisherman, and he dives for oysters too, we have several decent beds just off the island."
"Really?" Tallia asked, astonished.
"Well, I didn't harvest the oysters we will be enjoying, Fidelio fetched them from the market on Tanos before he collected your sister. I did, however, catch our main course. I expect you to be suitably impressed," he said with playful arrogance.
"Mmmm, sounds delicious," Emmy purred. "A financial genius and a master angler?" she queried, smiling at Costa with open admiration.
"I had to get the money to bankroll my empire somewhere," he replied casually as he filled the glasses.
"You were a fisherman?" Tallia exclaimed.
"Fidelio and I grew up on Tanos, on the island if one is not a fisherman then he is a goatherd," he explained lightly, "and I never cared for the smell of goats. Frankly, I hate them," he added, giving her a wicked smile.
Tallia was shocked when he winked at her.
Next to her Fidelio laughed, "That's probably why he's always mowing them down on that crazy race track he's built around Seleni."
Costa made a face and gave Tallia a long, apologetic look.
"But that's horrid!" Emmy cried, though she was laughing as she said it.
"Oh, he replaces them- with interest," Fidelio assured them flippantly. "It's become quite a joke among the villagers on the island. Whenever they have a sick animal they leave it out on the road hoping Costa will come along!"
"Now you’re yanking our chain," Emmy exclaimed between laughs.
Tallia wanted to be indignant, but she had to laugh also because the idea, though outrageous, was amusing. She saw Costa watching her with a serious look and without thinking reached out to squeeze his hand impulsively, worried he thought she was still traumatized over their hair-raising ride.
His lips quirked, and he raised his glass, everyone followed suit. "To life and the pursuit of happiness," he drawled.
After such a promising start, the rest of dinner proved both delicious and delightful. Tallia laughed more than she could recall laughing in a long time. It wasn't hard, Costa revealed himself to be an extremely good host and remarkably amusing.
She could understand why Costa had gone so far in life. When he set out to charm, he succeeded. He had all of them in stitches throughout the meal. He and Fidelio were like a comic duo, playing off of each other and outdoing one another with humorous stories about Greece and their life growing up on a small, undeveloped island.
They began the meal with dozens of fresh oysters and clams followed by an octopus salad. In a hilarious touch, when it came time to serve the main course, Ari appeared baring a beautifully garnished platter with grave fanfare. When he set it down however, there was only a small, shriveled fish laid out on a bed of seaweed.
From the dismay on Costa's face as they all began laughing uproariously at his expense, it was clear that he had not orchestrated the joke. He took the gentle ribbing of his staff with good grace, especially when Calamini and Neni brought the real fish moments later. It was a truly impressive catch, a lo
ng silver Dorad that required both of the women to carry it as the head and tail hung over the edges of the fishplate.
Calamini had grilled the Dorad to perfection, and Costa heaped praise on her as he carved the huge beast up and served it with aplomb. Tallia stuffed herself and was grateful when they took a break between courses, relaxing and sipping more of the crisp white wine as they chatted amicably and watched the stars come out.
Fidelio shared his plans for the next two weeks with Emmy and Costa, and the brothers discussed which islands were the most interesting and what attractions could not be missed. Emmy was right in the thick of everything, joking and teasing both Costa and Fidelio with her usual quick wit and sparkling laughter. Shyer by nature, Tallia was happy just to watch the three of them and laugh at their jokes.
She felt remarkably content tonight; surrounded by people she cared about on a beautiful, wild island. She would never have imagined ending up in such a place and in such company, so she was content just soaking it all in. Soon enough she knew she would be home in England, dealing with rain and work while putting her life back together.
By the time they finished the cheese course and dessert, Tallia was practically falling asleep at the table. Costa, ever attentive, said it was time to call it a night and helped her up with a gentle hand under her arm.
Emmy insisted she wasn't tired or ready for bed, and the brightness of her smile suggested as much. Demurring when her sister tried to cajole him into returning to join them on the terrace. Costa walked Tallia to her room and politely bid her good night. After washing her face and brushing her teeth, Tallia stretched out in bed. She had had a perfect day and was actually looking forward to tomorrow with enough impatience that it took her a minute or two to fall asleep. She finally drifted off with a smile on her face.
For Your Love Only Page 10
