Spartan Heart, Part Two

by Kristine Cheney

  Wedding gowns hung majestic from pink, puffed satin hangers. Embellished with pearls, satin, ruffles and lace, they boasted the talent of a seamstress’ passionate skill. Slips, bras and lingerie were seductive in baby pinks, cobalt blues and sizzling reds. Burgundy velvet mannequins were dressed in regal fashion, showing off the hottest trends in bridal chic.

  A billowy, yellow curtain whooshed aside. Emerging from the back was a chubby brunette with a large braided bun. Greeted by her decadent smile, the woman’s eyebrows were pleasantly thick. Her demeanor was warm and friendly. She spoke slowly with a thick, Italian accent. The woman showed off her English skills. “Good day, ladies. My name is Gena. How can I help you?”

  “Hello, Gena. My name is Evangeline. This is Taryn and Eliza.”

  Gena shook their hands with grace. Her happy smile never left her cherubic face. “And who is beautiful bride?” Her dark, caterpillar eyebrows shot up in anticipation. Gena’s gaze swept over each of them in wait for confirmation.

  Evangeline raised a bruised hand and waived it the air. She smiled shy as she cradled her large belly. “That would be me.”

  Gena’s chocolate gaze glowed with a woman’s understanding. “Oh! The groom is a very lucky man.”

  “Why, thank you!”

  “When is the wedding?”

  Evangeline chewed the inside of her cheek in anxiety. “That’s just it…we’re getting married on Saturday.”

  Gena raised her hands and clapped loud into the air. She spoke in fast Italian. Evangeline waited for the woman to say Hallelujah!

  “Is something wrong? Perhaps I’ve made a mistake to think I could buy a gown three days before the wedding.”

  “No! No! Sweet child. I am sorry. Gena help you find beautiful dress for wedding. You’ll see!”

  Four heads turned in unison towards the thudded rush of tiny footsteps from the other side of the yellow curtain. A blushing young girl looked too young to be in her teens. She was the spitting image of her jolly mother. Seamstress tape in hand, the girl fussed over Evangeline, measuring her bulging waist, tiny arms, and the swelling of her bust line.

  “This is my Anna.” Gena beamed proud while stroking her daughter’s long, dark hair.

  Anna bit her tongue in concentration and scribbled noisily. Her green and white striped pencil scratched against the thin paper nestled in her tiny spiraled notepad. The pencil disappeared behind her delicate ear. She ripped off a page and slipped the notepad into her lavender shirt pocket. Dipping into a deep curtsy, the white cotton fabric of the skirt was striking against her tanned, Italian skin. Anna handed her mother the written measurements and disappeared into the depths of the yellow curtain.

  Gena smiled and nodded in approval. “Just as I thought. Your belly is big, but you are small girl. Come with Gena. I show perfect gown for you.” she beamed in accent.

  Evangeline glanced at Taryn and Eliza. She hoped the gown wasn’t too fancy. After all, they weren’t getting married in a formal church setting. “Gena, The wedding is on the beach, so really…nothing too elaborate.”

  “You not worry! Gena has gown for you! Please follow! I show you most recent creation.” She grabbed Evangeline by the hand and stopped mid-stride. The woman stared in surprise.

  “Evangeline’s laugh was nervous. She noticed Gena’s hesitation. “What’s wrong?”

  The woman turned a few shades of pale. Her brown eyes bulged wide, as if she were spooked. “Your ring! It’s a sign! The stars…come look!” Gena ran behind the yellow curtain.

  Stumbling into the back room, everyone’s stop was sudden. They bumped into each other as jaws dropped in unison.

  Taryn shook her head in disbelief. She patted her best friend repeatedly and pushed Evangeline towards the burgundy velvet mannequin. “Evan! I just can’t believe it! Look!”

  Evangeline touched the brilliant white satin in wonder. “I-I don’t know what to say!”

  Come, child! Come try it on.” Gena encouraged.

  Evangeline glanced back helpless. She was whisked away towards the fitting rooms. Gena nodded to Taryn and Eliza. “You sit while I help bride!”

  She had never felt so nervous. Her stomach was a pile of knots. Why couldn’t she stop her fidget? She hoped her tummy wouldn’t rumble in revolt.

  Gena didn’t seem to mind, she was humming in concentration. Her nimble fingers laced the back corset of the gown.

  What if the dress looked horrible on her?

  Gena twirled Evangeline around in a swift movement. She sucked in a gasped breath. Tears glistened in her dark, soulful eyes. “This dress was made for you, child! Come! We show the others!”

  The soft swoosh of satin swirled with the delicate sway of Evangeline’s hips. Taryn and Eliza stood from their padded salon chairs. Both of their heads shook in unison. Their jaws hung agape. Evangeline wrung her hands and studied their faces.

  “Okay! What do you think? Please be honest.” Biting her lip, Evangeline waited for their responses.

  Taryn and Eliza squealed. Their hands covered their open mouths. They jumped up and down in frenzied excitement.

  “Oh, Evan! You look like a princess!” Taryn shouted.

  “An angel!” Eliza cut in.

  Gena shook her head. “No! She looks like a queen!”

  Evangeline lifted the hem of her gown and stepped up onto the round carpeted platform. She stared at her reflection in the full length mirror. Shaking her head did nothing to clear the glistening of imaginary cobwebs. Was this gown a fantasy?

  The strapless A-line gown was a striking, diamond white. A laced corset back allowed for a customized fit. Its empire waist accented the blessing of ample curves. Scalloped Italian lace was embroidered with shiny silver threads that met and cinched just under her breasts. The white of the satin was offset by a series of sheer silver threaded lace pleats flowing down the gown’s center to the floor. It allowed for plenty of room for her pregnant belly. Tiny silver embroidered stars were lined in constellations scattered down each side of the pleats. They rounding around the bottom of the gown and encompassing the hem. Small constellations of silver stars showered from the back of the corset to the back bottom of the hem.

  Taryn gasped. “Evan, this is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. I can’t stop staring at you! Dorien will have to kick himself to keep his hands to himself!”

  Evangeline laughed nervously. “You really think so?”

  Eliza smoothed the back of the gown with a matron-like flair. “Evan, this is it! This is the gown! I love it!”

  Gena blushed to hear the gush of compliments on her work. Her brown eyes grew misty and wide. But her smile suddenly left her chubby face. “Wait! This dress is no good without matching veil!”

  Evangeline gasped. She was almost breathless. “There’s a matching veil?”

  “I get it for you now.” Gena disappeared for a brief moment and reappeared with a long, flowing, two-tiered veil and Swarovski jeweled tiara. The veil’s comb was nestled into the crown of Evangeline’s honey-wheat hair. Gena set the sparkling tiara on top of her golden head and adjusted the veil, fluffing it over Evangeline’s delicate shoulders. The bottom tier brushed just below her buttocks. It was the same striking white as the gown, and edged with the same scalloped Italian lace. Tiny embroidered constellations of silver threaded stars were embellished into the lace. Evangeline was startled and taken by complete surprise. Eliza sniffed and began to cry.

  “Eliza, what’s wrong?” Evangeline cooed.

  “Mum! What is it?”

  Eliza dabbed at her weepy eyes. She choked as tears fell down her glowing face. “I’m sorry girls! I don’t mean to ruin our lovely day.”

  “Eliza, please tell me why you’re crying!”

  Her long fingers wiped away her tears. But fresh ones threatened to spill. “Oh, Evan. You’re so beautiful. Your Mum will never see you in this gown! She won’t ever get the chance to meet the man who stole her daughter’s heart. Russell will never walk his beloved baby girl do
wn the aisle. It’s so unfair! My heart feels like it’s been shredded to pieces. I’m so sorry! The thought of it is unbearable!”

  Evangeline rushed into Eliza’s open arms. “There…there! Everything is all right. We are all going to be fine. I have to believe that Mummy and Daddy are here with me. Maybe Mum is here with us now, and that is why you thought of her. Adjusting to life without them had been almost impossible, but look at all I’ve been blessed with. Dorien loves me. I have you and Taryn to call family. Soon I’ll have four doting brothers. And come March I will become a mother. Eliza. As much as I have lost, I look forward to a very beautiful future!”

  Eliza nodded. They all enjoyed a big group hug.

  Gena looked at each of them. Her face scowled in distress. “Is dress not okay?”

  Evangeline laughed and wiped at her tears. “The dress and veil are perfect!”

  Eliza’s hazel-green eyes sparkled with a medley of mayhem. “Gena, please wrap up the dress and veil. Here is my credit card. Please show Evangeline your selection of slips, hosiery, shoes, and any jewelry that she wishes.”

  Gena bowed. Her face lit up in pleasure. “Of course. As you wish!”

  Evangeline shook her head in disagreement. “No Eliza, please! This dress alone will cost you over twelve thousand pounds. I can afford to purchase my own dress and accessories.”

  Eliza’s bottom lip jutted out in pout. Her sculpted russet brow commanded attention. “I know you are quite able, Evangeline. But since your parents aren’t here, and because I am your godmother, it is my responsibility to purchase these tokens for you in their honor. I refuse to accept no for an answer, understood, missy?” Eliza’s expression was as devious as her tone. Her pale eyes shined. They glistened with the threat of fresh tears.

  Evangeline couldn’t deny her. “Yes, Eliza. Thank you.” She kissed her godmother’s cheek and left her to continue shopping for accessories. Eliza sauntered in joy towards the front counter.

  Taryn startled Evangeline. She grabbed her by the hand and whooshed her around a rack of white, satin dresses. “I hope you aren’t upset at Mum for paying for everything.”

  Evangeline shook her head. “I understand her feelings of obligation to my parents. It is a respect thing, so I totally get it. You know my mum would have done the same for you.”

  “You look so beautiful, Evan, you really do!”

  Evangeline bounced in excitement. “Thank you. I can’t wait to see the look on Dorien’s face!”

  “Oh, he’s going to react all right! You know, you do look like a queen.”

  “I can’t believe I’ll be married in only three days. It is so unreal!” Evangeline gave into temptation. It was about time she broached the subject of her flighty best friend! “Speaking of unreal, what is the strange tension between you and Thessalus?”

  Taryn looked away and avoided Evangeline’s stare. It was obvious she didn’t want to talk about it. “Thessalus? What are you talking about?”

  Evangeline knew this game well!

  Taryn was playing it cool!

  “Oh, come on! Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. Thess stares at you like you’re the only woman who lives, while you try to pretend he doesn’t exist. There’s an obvious electric friction between the two of you that is well…combustive to say the least.”

  Taryn’s expression reminded Evangeline of a deer in headlights. “I don’t know what to tell you. Everything’s just fine. There’s nothing to talk about.”

  “It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it, Taryn, but don’t lie to me of all people! Evangeline lifted her gown. In a whirling flash of satin, she turned towards the dressing room.

  But Taryn grabbed her upper arm. “Okay, Evan, I’m sorry. The truth is…I’m losing my bloody mind!”

  “Losing your mind?” Evangeline echoed.

  “In case you don’t remember, I watched my best friend get dragged across a field by a madman. I thought you were going to be murdered! I saw Dorien and Philip stuck in a huge hole of mud, and watched not one, not two, but three magical statues come to life. What part of that doesn’t make me question my sanity, Evangeline? More important, why doesn’t it phase you? Anyways, with all I’ve seen, my brain can’t comprehend it all. I don’t want to talk about the rest!”

  “The rest? You can tell me anything, girl! You know that!”

  Taryn covered her eyes and groaned as if it were the end of the world. Evangeline pried her hands away. “Taryn, look at me.” Understanding hit Evangeline like a punch in the belly. “You slept with Thessalus!” she whispered.

  “Yes! I did. Heaven help me, but I did! I know I shouldn’t have…but it’s too late!”

  “When did this happen?”

  “The night everything…happened! The others went to rescue you. Thessalus was told to watch over me.”

  “Did he force you?”

  “No! I woke him and I can’t explain what happened between us! It was like magic! He was holding me and we were…kissing. I gave myself to him like a fool.”

  “You don’t want to be with him? Don’t you like him?” Evangeline prodded carefully.

  Taryn pressed her open palm against her forehead. “Like him? Evan, I’m crazy about him. He’s amazing and beautiful. He’s what any girl would deem the total package!”

  Evangeline shook her head in confusion. “Then what’s the problem?”

  “I’m afraid of him!” she whispered. Her eyes glazed over as if she were in a trance.

  Evangeline rolled her eyes. “Afraid? Now that’s crazy! You aren’t afraid of anything!”

  Taryn shook. “He’s not human, Evan. Heck, I don’t know what he is! The way his skin is cold....it’s so unnatural. Nothing ever felt so good. Every time he looks at me I feel so vulnerable and naked, like he knows what’s in my soul. My feelings are so powerful and out of control. I’ve never felt this way before! I’m terrified! You must tell me the truth! Dorien and Philip are like the others. They were statues, too! All of them. That is how Dorien and Philip knew where to find them.” Taryn shook like she was freezing. “What are they Evan? I know you know what they are. Please tell me before I go mad.”

  Evangeline scanned the room. Her voice fell to a hushed whisper. “You’re right, Taryn. They are no longer human. They call themselves Immortals.”

  Taryn’s eyes narrowed. “Immortals? What does that mean?”

  “Dorien and his brothers were like us once, but an Oracle gave them some liquid to drink, and now they live eternal. All of their abilities are amplified. They can see in the dark, and hear everything. None of them require food or sleep. They are fast and have great stealth and strength. All of them can read our minds like an open book.”

  Taryn winced. “Oh, no! He knows how I feel? Thessalus knows I’m afraid?”

  Evangeline pursed her lips. “I would say yes.”

  Taryn turned a few shades of green. “When did they become immortal? How long have they been…statues?”

  “Since 510 B.C. They are warriors from Sparta.”

  Taryn’s knees gave out from beneath her. Her hands flew to her forehead. “Oh, Evan, I don’t feel so good!”

  Evangeline helped her to the floor. “Taryn, I must ask you a very important question. I need you to answer me honest.”

  “What do you need to ask?”

  Evangeline bit her bottom lip. “Did you use anything to prevent pregnancy the night you slept with Thessalus?”

  Taryn thought hard. “No! Why?”

  “Every mating with an immortal extends the odds of conception for at least fifteen days.”

  Taryn moaned. Her body fell limp.

  “Taryn! Taryn, wake up! Someone help me! Taryn has fainted!” Evangeline yelled. Her heart seized with throbbed palpitations.

  Eliza and Gena came running. Eliza felt for Taryn’s pulse on her neck. With the gentle caress of a mother’s care, her fingertips brushed across her daughter’s cold, pale face. “Tell me what happened, Evan?”

  Evangeline hated t
o lie. “We were just talking about the wedding. I think the excitement got to her.”

  Eliza dug into her purse and pulled out a stick of smelling salts. She broke the seal and waved the horrid stench under her daughter’s nose.

  Taryn stirred. Her eyelashes fluttered opened with regained consciousness. But her face was still the palest shade of green. She stared at Evangeline. “What happened?”

  Eliza helped her daughter into a chair. “Are you alright, my dear? You fainted!”

  Evangeline analyzed the sour expression on Taryn’s face. Her lip was curled upward, revealing her small, perfect top teeth. The hand against her forehead tried to rub away her stress. Misery consumed Taryn’s gaze. It held nothing but regret. But her reaction said it all.

  She knew exactly what had happened.

  “Yes, mum. I’m fine. I think all the excitement went to my head.”

  Eliza smiled and brushed an errant hair from her daughter’s face. “And I thought it was because I told Evangeline to tell you to pick out a dress!”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Evangeline inhaled long deep slow breaths. The limousine engine revved and pulled towards the curb. The babies moved relentless. If they didn’t stop, she was likely to get sick and toss up her breakfast!

  Could they sense her excitement?

  She rubbed her belly in an effort to soothe her children. Nothing helped. Eliza’s smile was sheepish. She was relishing the moment. Evangeline felt desperate for breath, so she fanned herself with her hands.

  Eliza placed a hand on her arm. “Evan, darling, please stop fretting! All will be perfect.”