Page 257 of Ruins
“Like my magical tree?” she whispers, recounting the fairytale she once told me.
I nod, adjusting the telescope to the exact coordinates I need. “Yes. You see, I used to believe in things like that too.”
I position her in front of the lens, guiding her gently. “Look,” I tell her. “Do you see that star?”
She leans forward, peering through the scope, and nods.
“That one, I had namedVasilisa.”
She freezes. Her breath shudders as she pulls back, staring up at me in disbelief. “You what?”
A slow smile tugs at my lips. “That way, you can shine brightly forever.”
Her lips part, her expression softening as the weight of my words sinks in.
“Really?” she breathes, wide-eyed and incredulous.
I nod solemnly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Truly. Just like the goddess in the story, you deserve to shine forever, my beautiful Dea.” I cup her cheek, my thumb brushing against her skin.
“You’ve brought light and warmth into my world—just like the sun. And nothing could ever dim it.”
A single tear slips down her cheek, catching the light of the stars. She throws herself into my arms, holding me so tightly it’s as if she’s trying to become a part of me. I feel the tremble in her body, the emotion thick in her silence.
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “One more thing,” I say, reaching into my pocket.
She pulls back slightly, wiping at her damp cheeks as I pull out a small velvet box.
Her breath hitches. “You’re spoiling me at this point, Santo!”
I smirk, popping the lid open to reveal a delicate silver necklace, a star-shaped pendant hanging at its center. A blue opal gleams in its heart—the exact shade of her eyes.
“This,” I murmur, “is so you can always carry your star with you.”
She stares at it, stunned, her fingers trembling slightly as she touches the pendant. Then, before I can say anything else, she throws herself into my arms again, burying her face against my neck.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice choked with emotion.
I wrap my arms around her, holding her tightly, protectively,endlessly.
The drive home is quiet, the kind of quiet that’s full of meaning, full of love.
Vasilisa’s hand stays locked with mine, my thumb brushing her knuckles. With her other hand, she lightly plays with the necklace resting at her throat, turning the star over between her fingertips as if grounding herself in this moment.
I glance at her between turns, catching the soft glow of the pendant against her skin, the peaceful expression on her face.
This night couldn’t have gone any better.
And I can barely contain the boyish excitement stirring in my chest, because there’s still one last surprise waiting for her at home.
I pull into the garage, avoiding the staff as we take the elevator straight to our bedroom. The moment we step inside, Vasilisa kicks off her shoes, stripping off her blouse and jeans.
I smirk, watching her move so freely, so unburdened.
A month ago, she was shy about her body, hesitant under my gaze. But now, she can’t stand a second inside our bedroom with clothes on.
I dim the bedroom lights, and when I turn back to her, I pause.
