The food came, and they took their time eating it, enjoying each other's company and every bite. Greg realized that this was the first time they had been alone together since the dungeon, without the stress of trauma, grief, or other people's expectations. It felt wonderful, like they could really make something happen together.
Marina insisted that they walk through the meadow on the edge of the village after lunch. The grass was tall and golden, and it moved gently in the breeze. Wildflowers added bright splashes of color to the scene.
Marina said, "This reminds me of the Crystal Coast." She lay down in the grass and pulled Greg down next to her. "Not including the ocean, of course."
Greg lay back and looked up at the sky, where clouds were slowly moving across it. Marina was right about this place having a calmness about it that made the noise in his head go down to a manageable level.
"May I ask you something?" After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Marina said,
