The Governor's Palace was first on Reine's list of things to see in Colonial Williamsburg.

Its Georgian lavishness was unique in early eighteenth century America, and by the time they'd toured all three floors, stables, carriage house, kitchen, and English gardens, she was even more excited about seeing the rest of the historic attractions,. However, Gabe was unusually quiet and obviously already losing interest.

She hoped to reclaim his attention as they left the rest of their tour group behind and exited the gates of the building. "Ready for some ale in the tavern?" she asked.

His eyes finally lit up. "Absolutely. Is that's what's next on your agenda?"

"I can shuffle some things around. We'll already be in the center of the town there anyway, so we can just decide what to do then," she said.

"Are you sure? I know you put a lot of thought into it." He put an arm around her.

"Do you really think of me as being so anal that it would matter?"

"Of course not. I just . . . oh, look over there. A man in a funny hat." He pointed across the street at one of the re-enactors.

They both laughed. Not at the man or at each other, but at themselves. Reine accepted that she had a certain need to control the things around her, but it didn't mean she was worse for it. On the other hand, Gabe had also realized that even though she'd gained this insight about herself, Reine still didn't like others - including him - to blatantly point it out.

It was easy enough for him to get around it with either avoidance or a quick joke. He usually chose the latter.

Heading toward the tavern, they strolled down a tree lined, dirt street, passing small, yet colorful houses.

"Were these here during colonial times?" Gabe asked, pointing up at the trees.

"I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that all of this land used to be rather empty. These elms were only planted for the tourists less than a hundred years ago," she said.

"So, you're like five times older than them." He nudged her with his elbow.

Reine rolled her eyes. She'd already done the mental math, and it was probably closer to six. "Have you changed the way you feel about that?"

"About what? Your age? I think you're perfect." He bent down mid-stride and kissed her gently on the lips. "You're beautiful, smart, and rich. I'm the luckiest guy in the world."

She sighed. That's not what she had meant, and hopefully he realized that. They'd have to revisit this conversation soon, but only when he was willing to take it seriously. And obviously, that wasn't going to be today.

They continued on in silence. When they'd been walking for almost ten minutes, Gabe grew impatient. "Are we there yet?" he asked like a five year-old.

She tried to keep pace and look at the map at the same time. "Almost. I think. We should be able to see the tavern from this church up on the corner."

The red, brick building was just a few hundred feet to their right. Its tall, white steeple towered over the surrounding shuttered, colonial style houses. The church entrance was on the far side, facing the main street of old Williamsburg. A crowd was gathered on the sidewalk in front, a clear indication something was about to begin.

Going around the throng of tourists, Reine checked her map one more time against their current location. She'd always been bad with directions, as the previous night's GPS fiasco had proven.

"I think it's . . . that one." She pointed to a blue-gray building diagonally across the street.

A costumed group coming from that same direction blocked their path. A powdered wig wearing minister - the prayer book in his hands gave him away - led a young couple and their families directly toward them. Surrounded by onlookers on both sides and with the brick wall of the churchyard behind, Reine and Gabe were stuck between the church entrance and the coming wedding party.

The bride, wearing a flower patterned dress and a white bonnet, walked straight up to Reine and hooked an arm into hers. With a wink and a smile, she addressed her theatrically for everyone to hear. "Can ya' bear witness for me, love, in front of God and all these people today so that I can marry this here man?"

"Okay?" Unsure of what she was about to get into, Reine played along.

"Bless ya', darling!" the bride said.

"Well, I reckon' you'll have to do for me," the groom addressed the dumbfounded Gabe beside him as the throng marched through the gate and into the building to the joyful sound of the organ.

In just a few moments, they had become the impromptu maid of honor and best man at the re-enactment of an eighteenth century marriage ceremony. Taking their places at the front of the church, Reine and Gabe stood next to the bride and groom, respectively. When the music faded, the guests sat down into the crowded pews, and the minister began the traditional wedding service.

"Dearly beloved: We have come together . . ."

Reine sighed and didn't even listen to the rest. She'd taken part in several similar ceremonies and knew the script well. She'd also long decided she would never stand in the bride's place again.

Apart from her Christmas Eve wedding to Max, the rest of her marriages weren't based on love so they didn't matter. They were all for convenience and necessary to survive in a male-dominated world. No longer needing a husband - or any other type of male protector - she didn't have to contractually bind herself to anyone anymore.

Turning away from the audience, she looked at Gabe and noticed he was watching her. A coy smile played on his lips, and her heart began to beat faster. Lately, this had become her usual reaction to his presence, and it was invigorating.

His smile turned into the silent mouthing of words, which at first she couldn't decipher. Noticing her puzzled expression, he repeated the miming.

Mar-ry me, he enunciated the syllables.

Her eyes widened in shock at the words.

What? Be serious. She mouthed back as discreetly as she could.

I am. He nodded.

Her knees went weak even at the thought he might actually mean it. She was all too familiar with the realities of what marriage to an immortal would involve. She had to constantly move to avoid detection, and this wasn't the type of life Gabe ultimately wanted. He was just a kid who had been swept up in an unexpected adventure, which was still probably too good to be true. She wasn't sure how long they could keep on living in denial, but the day would come when they'd have to admit they had to go their separate ways. That may have to be sooner rather than later if he insisted on rushing things.

Still looking at her intently, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet bag. Reine's stomach dropped, and she held her breath in panicked anticipation. Clumsily fishing through the bag's contents, he eventually pulled out a sparkling, golden ring. Displaying it for all to see, he once again smiled brilliantly.

He's not kidding. She thought in horror.

Before she could gather her thoughts for a dignified reaction, she saw him turn toward the groom and hand over the ring.

She sighed with relief. As the best man, Gabe was the custodian of the jewelry until the point in the ceremony where the couple exchanged their vows. His improvised marriage proposal was just a result of his playful personality.

She finally smiled back at him, but Gabe's attention was now directed at the minister, as he focused on his cue to hand over the other ring.

Chuckling at her own gullibility for momentarily believing his ruse, Reine looked at the seated audience. They were all anxiously awaiting the climax of the ceremony, which by the sound of the bride's "I do" was just moments away.

She was also waiting for this, as well as looking forward to confronting Gabe about his joke. In fact, she was already thinking up a plan to turn the tables on him. Trying to come up with a clever way to make him think that she still believed he was serious, something caught her attention.

Max was right; she felt the danger before she saw the woman. Sure enough, standing at the back of the church and slightly hidden in the shadows of the rear wall was a familiar face.

As far as she knew, Max was still under the impression Sylvana had left the country. She hadn't; the woman had followed them. And by the cold, dark look in her eyes, Sylvana's intentions weren't good.

In order to have the best chance of escaping, they had to leave the church as soon as the ceremony ended. The resulting chaos among the throng of people would hopefully help in shielding them. There was also a door adjacent to the altar which could possibly lead them out.

"Those, whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder." The minister ended the service. "Congratulations. Now go on: kiss your bride!"

Thunderous applause filled the small church as the crowd got to its feet. This gave Reine the necessary cover to make her move.

At least two-hundred excited people blocked the space between her and Sylvana. Giving a quick hug to the newlywed couple, Reine grabbed Gabe's hand before hurriedly leading him toward the rear door into the sacristy.

"What are you doing?" he asked in confusion.

Without stopping, she scanned the room for a possible escape route and answered while continuing to drag him toward another door. "We have to go."

"Why? What's going on?" They emerged from the building and into a tombstone filled churchyard.

Not wanting to waste time answering his questions, she instead tried to run in the direction of the main gate.

Gabe still didn't understand the urgency and pulled her back. "Reine! What are we running from?" There was confusion both in his tone and the look in his eyes.

"Her!" she yelled, glancing at the figure who had just stepped out of the church behind them.

Gabe didn't need any more convincing, and he took off so fast that briefly he was the one dragging her behind.

They dodged unassuming tourists with maps and cameras. The most direct route to the park exit was taking them right through the middle of the daily parade. With their pursuer closely behind, they ran straight into an oncoming troop of musicians playing their Revolutionary War era fifes and drums. They may have gained a few seconds' advantage, but once out of the melee, there was no way they could both outrun an angry immortal.

As they frantically crossed the tree-lined street, Reine ducked behind a stack of wooden barrels in front of a period house. Gabe followed her lead.

While she felt fine, he was breathless from the running. "What do you think she wants?"

"Should I stop and ask her?"

Seeing the problem with the inquiry, he changed his approach. "Right. So now what?"

Going with the first plan which came to her mind, she tried to sound confident even though she didn't feel like it. "We have to split up. You're too slow. I'm fairly certain she wants me, not you. I'll go the long way around and you can get the car. Pick me up at the main gate."

Without waiting for his answer, she ran back into the street.

Sylvana had been standing on the other side, and noticed her almost instantly. Not caring about the dozens of witnesses, Reine didn't hold back on the speed that came to her naturally.

Running deeper inside the park, she basically turned into a blur right in front of Gabe's eyes. A second blur followed.