They stopped to rest and threw pebbles into the sea, making bets as to who could skip a rock furthest. Nikolas let her win.
Up ahead in the fading light they saw a tiny chapel, painted white. "Let's go there, Niko," said Anna, pointing with a finger.
"Sure," Nikolas replied solemnly.
The whitewashed little church was dedicated to Saint Nikolas. It was so quiet and peaceful that when Nikolas rang the small bell, he pierced the silence. Once inside, both stood barely clothed in front of the holy gate and the sacrificial altar and pledged to love one another forever. Their witnesses were Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the protector of sailors, Saint Nikolas.
Anna prayed to the saint with devotion: "You, who love and protect sailors, I ask you to protect my lover, my Niko." She looked up into the icon's unflinching eyes, searching for some emotion to convey to her an answer. She turned away and they lit candles together, crossed themselves, and left the little chapel.
But then Anna turned around and went back to place a kiss on the icon of the Virgin, like some last pleading gesture.
The clouds gleamed in colors of gold, crimson, pink, and gray, promising a beautiful sunset. Nikolas drew Anna close as they watched. Anxious for more kisses, her lips received his as they embraced tightly. They were filled with contentment as they sat near the seashore. In the still warm sand, Nikolas moved behind Anna and his arms fastened around her as he nuzzled her disheveled hair.
The sea was quiet except for the slow, easy waves coming to the shore. The day was ebbing away, and a calm breeze was inviting them toward the evening. The cool air reinvigorated their energy levels, thus propelling the lovers happily into euphoric states-of-wellness. They sat silently for a while until Anna broke the stillness:
"I feel so complete being in love," she said and turned around to look at Nikolas.
"Always in love," he replied, sealing her lips with his forefinger. "Always in love, and always together. We shall never be parted."
"Never, Niko, never," Anna whispered.
"I want to take you to meet my mother and my sisters," Nikolas said.
"Yes, Nikolas. I would like that very much," Anna replied.
***
Walking back toward the boat, at the northwest point of the island Nikolas noticed an unusual mound of sand and tree branches. From the distance it looked like a bunker. What could it be? He decided not to alert Anna. Arriving at the campsite, Nikolas poured red wine into glasses and offered one to Anna.
She thanked him with a smile and placed a kiss on his waiting lips.