Lies and Weddings(30)
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* Matrix designed the world’s first moisturizing pajamas exclusively for Emirates first-class passengers. The futuristic sleepwear actually releases tiny amounts of sea kelp into your skin to prevent dehydration while you sleep.
IX
Pololu Valley Lookout
KOHALA COAST, HAWAII ? NEXT MORNING
“Just when you thought it couldn’t possibly get more beautiful.” Eden shook her head in awe as she stood with Rufus, Solène, and Freddy gazing at the view of the magnificent Pololu Valley. Unlike the Kona side of the island, the Kohala Coast consisted of five-hundred-foot-tall sea cliffs stretching down the coastline as far as the eye could see.
“It does not feel like Hawaii here,” Solène remarked, staring at the moody cumulus clouds framing the cliffs. “It does not feel like we are anywhere on this Earth.”
Freddy nodded in agreement. “It’s Middle Earth! I feel like any minute, a dragon could come flying out from behind one of those cliffs.”
“This is my favorite view on the whole island,” Rufus said. “We’re looking down at the first of seven valleys that were carved into the coastline when the Kohala volcano erupted eons ago. Look, the waves are really starting to kick up. Ready to head down?” Rufus clutched his surfboard and led the others on a hike along the steep path that zigzagged its way down the cliff to the valley floor. As the group descended, hopping over boulders and rocks, the view became more and more breathtaking as the thick foliage along the trail opened up to reveal a spectacular black-sand beach backed by a lush tropical forest. Looking at the surf pounding against the towering cliffs took Eden back to the rugged landscape at Tintagel, the windswept village on the north coast of Cornwall, and the time she went camping with Rufus and his sisters when she was thirteen…
While Augie and Bea opted for tan maintenance on the pebbled beach, Eden and Rufus decided to climb up the hill to explore the medieval castle dramatically perched on the clifftop. As they wandered around the grounds, Rufus snapped away at crumbling medieval ruins with his Leica while Eden offered her commentary. “Richard, the First Earl of Cornwall, built most of the structure that remains today, but apparently it’s been some sort of royal residence since the early sixth century.[*] King Arthur was born here, if you believe the legend.”
“I believe it,” Rufus said as he brushed his fingers over a mossy stone wall. “Whoa! Eden, put your hand right here.”
Eden placed her palm onto the ancient stone.
“Can you feel it?” Rufus asked excitedly.
“I think so. What am I supposed to feel?”
“The vibration. The energy. Don’t you feel like there’s a portal into another dimension right here?”
Eden closed her eyes as the wind whistled through the castle ramparts. Suddenly the lines of Tennyson’s poem came rushing through her head…
Four gray walls, and four gray towers
Overlook a space of flowers,
And the silent isle imbowers
The Lady of Shalott.
“Stop! Don’t move an inch,” Rufus said as he adjusted the focus and took her picture. “That’s perfect!”
“My hair’s in my face,” Eden said, trying to swipe away her windswept hair.
“Stop fussing. Now open your eyes.” He clicked again. “You look beautiful.”
Eden made a face.
“I wish you could see what I see,” Rufus said. “You look like the fair maiden of the castle. Don’t you wish you could go back in time and see how life was back then?”
“Sure. I’d love to be a druid and learn how to make magic healing potions. Like Getafix.”
“Wouldn’t you rather be Queen Guinevere, and I could be Lancelot?”
“No thanks. Things didn’t end up going so well for them.”
“That’s because they were having a secret affair. They should have done things the right way and gotten married,” Rufus said, putting his camera down and ceremoniously getting down onto one knee. He gazed up at Eden earnestly. “Eden Tong, will you marry me?”
Eden rolled her eyes. “Ew.”
“I’m not talking about now. Twenty years from now.”
“Trust me, by the time you’re that old you’ll already be married to some girl named Pippa or Poppy, the type who goes to Marlborough.”
“Not a chance, I’ll be loyal to you forever. There’s no one in the entire world I’d ever marry except you. You’re going to be my countess.”
“Don’t be daft,” Eden scoffed, walking ahead dismissively. She stretched her arms out and raced down the emerald-green hill, the salty mist on her face making her feel as if she were flying.
“WOO HOO! THIS IS FUCKING AMAZING!” Freddy shouted, his arms outstretched as he ran along the black-sand beach joyously like a little kid. Stopping right in front of Eden, he said breathlessly, “Isn’t this one of the most incredible beaches you’ve ever seen? It’s right up there with the Amalfi Coast. You ever been?”
“I’ve only been to Florence and Rome—I’m dying to visit the Amalfi Coast.”
“Well, allow me to invite you to come yachting with me this summer. I’m on the Amalfi every August.”