Page 109 of Dagger in the Sea

“That was a different kind of victory.”

Her eyes glimmered, filling with water. “Yes,” she breathed.

“And then he was all in with his new life?” I asked.

“By all accounts he was a loyal husband, good father, and obviously a very astute businessman.”

“Good man.” I sniffed in air. “Did a vendetta begin between the two families after that?”

“How very Greek of you.”

“It’s the Italian in me. It comes out once in a while after the Irish has its say.”

“Ah, the Irish are soulful poets and musicians just like the Greeks.” She wiped her fingers through the side of my hair and my scalp prickled at the contact. “There was no vendetta, but there was a lot of hostility for years between the families. But that stopped when the silk trade was destroyed and Stefanos encouraged them to start over by investing whatever they had left into their own shipping business. The island was making a name for itself, and it was now or never for them.”

“He had vision.”

“He did.”

“And did Natalia’s family do it? Did they succeed?”

“They ended up becoming a strong merchant marine company, but not strong enough. Years later, Stefanos’s sons bought them out.”

I laughed. “Good for them.” I stroked her hand.

“Yes, good for them.”

“And how did Stefanos do in the end?”

“He lived a very long and healthy life. He had four sons and two daughters. He and his brother created a very successful maritime company, employing islanders, traveling the world.” She fingered a pile of small stones at her feet. “He threw that dagger into the sea and went on to create something new and vitally important for his family and his island. His country even.”

“Which still prospers today.”

“Yes.”

“And the dagger? Was it ever found?” I asked.

“Never. Men in the family have always dove down to try to find it, it’s a secret tradition, a rite of passage. But the waters here at this cliff are deceptively clear, yet deep and moody blue. Calm, then wild. Lots of underwater rocks and caves. It’s never been found.” She grinned, a pleasant memory flickering across her face.

“What is it?”

“I tried, once.”

“Of course you did.” I rubbed her hand in both of mine.

Her eyes flared. “But I hope it’s never found.”

“Why? Wouldn’t you like to have it?”

“No. It belongs to the sea that he loved so much, to the island they both loved. It belongs right here, here where they would meet in secret. Not behind a glass case, with people staring at it, a monetary value slapped on it. I know of its existence, and I know it lies here undisturbed, and I’m glad. I want Natalia and Stefanos’s lost love, their unfulfilled hopes and dreams respected, their broken hearts healed and united in another time, another place beyond here. I sometimes wish there is such a place, an alternate universe where broken dreams are at peace.”

“I don’t think there is, baby.”

Her face lifted and watery eyes met mine.

Something pinched in my chest, and I brushed the tears off her heated face. “Hey, what is it?”

“I worry that if the dagger’s ever found and disturbed from its resting place, it will be our downfall. I used to imagine there was a sea nymph down there who kept the dagger safe for Stefanos and Natalia and cursed those who tried to take it.”

---