Dorien’s jewel green stare captured hers. His knowing tone was serious. “She will likely conceive, Evan. It wasn’t so bad when you found out my children grew inside of you.”
“No, but…”
“Evangeline, if you had any idea of what they truly think and feel towards each other, you would understand. A child created from their union would only clarify their destiny. Sometimes the best things in life are from unexpected mistakes.” He grinned in obvious acknowledgment.
Evangeline shook her head. “But Dorien, she isn’t aware of what Thessalus’ body will force hers to do. She doesn’t stand a chance sleeping with an immortal! She has a right to know that there are high risks involved…such as guaranteed conception!”
Dorien’s smile was wicked. His emerald eyes glowed. “You are indeed an expert on this, Madam. I am afraid Thessalus isn’t aware of his increased ability to father children. To be honest I don’t think knowing would sway him. Spartan tradition places very high regard on the creation of children.”
Evangeline groaned. Every cell in her body tingled all over. Dorien had addressed her as a married woman. The thought of him giving her more of his precious babies made her feel weak with need. His cold fingers caressed her face. She loved the sound of his knowing chuckle. Even his whisper gave her chills.
“Yes, Evangeline! I intend to give you many more babes.”
Her belly tightened and burned. It wasn’t the twins. She ached for her husband. Where was the bathroom? Why was it so hard to breathe? She was hungry, but not for dinner. “Dorien, take me upstairs.” she gasped.
“Feign illness and we shall escape. You are correct that I plan to ravish you…only not in the bathroom!”
She caught herself moaning out loud. Evangeline stood from the table. Dorien caught her as her knees buckled from beneath her. Eliza sucked in a worried breath and stood from the table.
“Evan, are you all right?”
Evangeline kept her lashes lowered. She kept still in Dorien’s arms. Her heart beat wild against Dorien’s hand. It splayed across her heart. She begged him to hurry with her thoughts. His muscles flexed in impatient response. All she could think about was him loving her. Evangeline peeked. Rakish grins came from every immortal at the table. They were well aware of their secret game.
She was aching too bad to care.
“She is all right, Eliza. I’m afraid today’s festivities have exhausted my bride. Will you excuse me while I can take her upstairs?”
Eliza’s suspicious grin gave her away. “Yes, Dorien. Please get your bride to your bed immediately! Doctor’s orders!” she winked.
Dorien ran towards the elevator. He pushed the button with repeated slaps and cursed in his native language. With a single hand he began to loosen the laces of Evangeline’s gown. A primal growl drifted from the back of his throat. “See, wife! I have been ordered to get you into my bed!”
Evangeline raked his chest hard with her fingernails. “Hurry, Dorien, before I die of this ache.”
Dorien turned from the elevator and dashed up the stairwell.
Chapter Fourteen
Evangeline relaxed against a puffed heap of pillows on the bed. Winter, for the most part, had been uneventful. Celeas, Thessalus, and Paraebates adjusted well to their immortality. Blending into their growing family was seamless. Her new brothers were more than doting. They treated her as if she belonged to them. The household was becoming anxious for the birth of the twins. Tomorrow was her due date. She was ready to end her suffering.
Dorien went out of his way to delight her with the smallest rays of comfort. A decent night’s sleep had become non-existent. He never seemed to tire of entertaining her into the wee hours of the night, and was an excellent sport until she finally passed out from exhaustion.
Every evening began with a fruit and yogurt smoothie. Evangeline enjoyed sucking up strawberries while he laughed and washed her in the tub. She moaned in pleasure to feel his cold fingers draw random pictures on her large, bulging belly. The babies joined in the fun by kicking until she felt her ribs would snap and break.
They could see the outlines of their perfect little feet pressing through the stretched thin skin of her stomach. She was well aware her time was growing short. Evangeline had no idea of what to expect. Anxiety and fear began to swirl and consume her thoughts. To be honest, she was absolutely terrified.
Evangeline snapped out of her daydream. Her attention flew to the beautiful man who cupped her face in his cool hands. She was pensive and thoughtful. His fingers gently caressed her cheeks. But it was obvious by Dorien’s typical look of concentration he was reading her mind.
“What is wrong, my love? You are much too quiet this evening.”
“I’m scared, Dorien. I don’t know if I can do this! I’m so afraid of giving birth.”
“You can do this, Evan. You will make be a wonderful mother. I’ll be by your side every moment. I won’t allow anything to happen to you or our babes.”
Evangeline couldn’t help but sniff. “Do you promise?”
The fire that blazed behind his emerald stare reassured her of his sincerity. “On my existence, I swear it.”
Dorien rinsed off her belly with warm water and scooped her out of the tub. He dried her off and propped her against a bed of soft, fluffed, jewel-toned pillows.
His tease was naughty. “Are you ready for your rub-down?”
This was her favorite part!
She loved it when he lathered lotion all over her body. The magic of his touch rubbed circulation back into her belly, back, legs, and feet.
“You spoil me rotten, Dorien!”
* * * *
Dorien watched Evangeline’s every reaction. He was afraid if he looked away for a single moment, she would somehow slip beyond the reach of his grasp. Her delicate condition grated against his fears. The thought of losing her made his soul cry out in pain.
Evangeline finally fell asleep from the bliss of his massage. She snored in an effort to take in much needed air. With the squeeze of the lotion bottle, a line of pink goo poured a creamy trail all over the stressed skin of her bare belly. He was in absolute awe of how her body stretched to accommodate his children. But he knew she was ready to have her body back.
She moaned in her sleep. He stole a quick glance at the wall calendar and winced at the steady progression of days marked off in red marker. Every strike became angrier with each passing evening. Eliza had warned the twins could arrive four to ten weeks premature. Evangeline had hoped for an early delivery. But he didn’t have the heart to tell her their babes would not come early.
Immortal infants needed the full forty weeks for their superior immortal features to fully develop. The twins’ arrival would be bittersweet. He never dreamed he would have children of his own. But would he lose his new family the day they would be given? Despite the cinching pain that threatened to possess him, he refused to allow the wager to dull his excitement.
He had to think positive!
The blessing of twins gave him an extra chance to keep his family. Unfamiliar machines and medical supplies littered their bedroom. Like her mother, Evangeline had insisted on having a home birth. But it was more than family tradition. Immortality placed their children at risk to be discovered. A home birth offered protection and privacy. Dorien obsessed for his wife’s safety. He had been shocked to learn men still risked losing their women to childbirth. Protecting a mortal female was far from easy.
He had asked Evangeline to join him in immortality after the birth of the twins. The extra vial he saved from his encounter with Phebus could easily make this happen. But she wanted to wait, and had insisted on filling his lap with more children. She was well aware a new immortal body would leave her fruitful womb barren.
The idea never sat well. He recalled the worried furrows that marred her arched, golden brows. She had worried if the same fate would pass to any daughters she bore. Dorien was glad to promise every one of their little girls would have the ability t
o bear children until they reached the age of thirty.
Half-breeds reached full maturity in their thirtieth year. Their bodies completed their transformation and gained full immortal traits. They would lose the ability to sleep and would no longer require food. Unlike immortal females, males never lost the ability to father children. He would have to be careful to avoid another pregnancy soon after the birth of the twins.
Dorien smiled to think of the ages old Spartan tradition. He doubted Evangeline would allow him to test his Spartan prowess of forcing her to conceive another child within twenty-four hours of childbirth. With two children already in her womb, he was satisfied with his proven masculinity. He wouldn’t think of asking her to honor the tradition.
Dorien kept Demona’s horrific accounts of immortal breeding to himself. Evangeline was already fearful. But he hoped with all of his existence that the wretched oracle was lying. What pain would Evangeline endure when she delivers his children into the world? If he would have known about the risks, would he have tried to protect her from pregnancy? The thought of placing her in danger tested his sanity.
He thought about the choice again. To choose differently, he would never know the joys of these past months. He cherished watching Evangeline’s body change and the feel of his children moving inside of her. Preparation for the twins was an absolute pleasure. He wouldn’t give up the countless nights they spent trying to find the perfect names or putting the crib together. Doting on his wife made him feel like a man. He loved how she relied on him to help her with even the simplest of tasks. She didn’t have a clue how beautiful she was in her fertile, fragile state. The creation of these new lives was nothing short of a blessed miracle.
No!
He would never regret filling her belly with his children. But he would do everything in his power to keep her safe and help her through this delivery. There was no doubt about it. He often wrestled with same question often.
What their children would be like?
Every child created from the union of a mortal and immortal resulted in the birth of an immortal child. Immortal genes always overpowered and enhanced every mortal one. Despite the twins immortality, they would eat, drink, and sleep like any other child until they reached thirty. They would still require food and nutrients to grow strong and healthy. A half-breed child could be spotted in a room full of mortal children. Their enhanced abilities were hard to overlook. They were gifted and intelligent in comparison to mortal children.
Demona’s words still made him shudder. An immortal infant’s birth causes significant pain to its mortal mother. The difficulty of getting the infant through the birth canal without damaging tender flesh and tearing its mother apart was next to impossible. He knew well an immortal infant’s body will not give to accommodate its own birth. The witch swore Evangeline’s cries would leave her begging for death.
Dorien closed his eyes. Perhaps Demona had exaggerated. She always was one for dramatics! If not, then he prayed Evangeline would be the exception to the rule. Would it change her mind about more children in the future?
He could live with that!
Then she could join him in immortality. All Evangeline had to do was drink the nectar and she would be his for eternity. He was beginning to believe the day would never come when he could stop worrying about losing her. But then again, if Demona won the wager, his future would be worthless.
If he were to lose, the twins would never know him. Evangeline would raise their babes alone. Demona’s idea of separating him from the woman he loved filled him with desperate rage. How could he ever exist in this world without his Evangeline? The thought of her moving on without him was enough to make him wish for death. He didn’t want to leave her lonely or allow another to ever touch her body.
He must stop thinking so much!
Dorien had to trust that destiny would bring about justice. He was powerless otherwise. He twirled a silky soft honey-wheat curl between his fingers. The woman he loved above all things was still deep in sleep. Perhaps a run in the garden would cool his active mind? The crisp spring air might clear his pulsating temples. The bedroom door closed behind him. He ran down the stairs and headed towards the back door.
Philip stopped Dorien with a hand to his chest. Worry clouded his brother’s ice blue eyes. “Dorien, you are worrying yourself sick! We’re all here with you and Evan. We will do whatever we can to keep our queen safe. I am confident Evangeline and the twins will be healthy and well.”
Dorien clapped his brother on the back. “Thanks, Philip. I guess worrying is normal in this late stage of pregnancy. Tomorrow is Evangeline’s due date. I have yet to be a father and already I worry about failing my family.”
“You are not going to lose her, brother. We must give Evan credit, for she is a strong little sprite!” Philip reassured.
Dorien chuckled at Philip’s coincidence. He always regarded his blonde busy bee as his precious, little sprite.
“I have not prodded the details of your deal with Demona, Dorien. I respect your privacy. From what little I know, I can tell you that I trust your judgment to win. We have faith that we will not lose our King.”
“Thanks, again, Philip. Your words are timely and mean a lot. Where are the others?”
Philip’s face bunched up as if he sucked on lemon. “Are you kidding? You passed everyone on your way out.”
Dorien brushed a cold hand down his face in tension. “I am losing it, aren’t I?”
Philip grinned. “Go for that run! While you’re at it, jump in the pool when you’re finished. Cool your thoughts.”
“That’s not a bad idea. See you in a bit. Oh, and…”
“Yes, Dorien! We will listen for our Queen. I promise we will come to get you if anything happens. Now go! Get out of here!”
Chapter Fifteen
Dorien ran like a flash through the property multiple times. With sixty acres to the North to roam, he was grateful for the privacy. But he became bored with his run and headed straight past the cottage house. In a single jump he landed in the center of the pool. His body sank to the bottom. The March water was vibrantly cold. It made no difference to his frigid, immortal skin.
He closed his eyes and allowed himself to enjoy the peace of weightless quiet. To stay under water resembled the closest to sleep he could remember. A woman’s muffled scream jolted him. It echoed through his skull and pierced his senses. In a rush, he stood in the pool. Drops of water cascaded down his pale skin. His head jerked towards the right. Paraebates crouched next to the pool.
“Pops! What is the matter?”
“I’m afraid it’s Evangeline. It is time, son. Her labor has begun.”
Another blood-curdling scream drifted through the night and assaulted him. Like the separation of muscle from bone, Dorien felt the sudden impact of a solid punch to his gut. In a single leap, he was out of the pool. “Evangeline!”
They both ran towards the house. Dorien and Paraebates whooshed up the stairs entered the bedroom. Philip, Celeas, and Thessalus huddled around Evangeline in an effort to comfort their Queen. Dorien read their minds. He felt the heavy weight of their helplessness and worry. His chest tightened. Furrows of stress relaxed from all of their faces. Their relief for his presence was obvious. Celeas took a large step back and allowed Dorien to take his place. Dorien fell to his knees and studied his wife’s face. His hands actually shook as he stroked the length of her arm.
Evangeline’s cast was like that of a total stranger. Her copper eyes were dilated wild, as if she was full of madness. Never had he seen her honey-wheat hair so severely disheveled. Her tender knuckles were white as bone. They clutched the bottom bed sheet tight. The comforter had been kicked off the bed. It lied in a jewel-toned heap on the floor. She panted like an animal. A growing puddle of amniotic fluid and blood saturated the sheet and kept growing larger beneath her.
What was he was supposed to do?
Dorien walked towards Paraebates. He could use some good fatherly wisdom about n
ow. He stopped in his tracks when Evangeline wailed.
“Don’t just stand there, do something! Get them out!” She grabbed a candled lamp off the nightstand and threw it at him. Dorien arched his back and ducked the projectile in a flash. The lamp crashed and shattered against the wall behind him. He looked to his brothers for help.
Evangeline moaned in her misery. “Please help me! Please! Somebody help me!” She panted and rocked herself. Another scream followed. Her hands clutched at her contracting belly. “Call the doctor, Dorien!”
Dorien read her mind. She was considering more projectiles. He winced to find her lost in a prison of panic, fear, and pain. Retreating from her thoughts, he was determined to try and help her find comfort somehow. “Evan, please listen. Everything’s going to be all right.”
But her eyes glazed over. Her fingernails clawed in desperation on his chest. “Dorien this hurts so badly! Please make this stop. The darkness! I see it! It’s coming for me! Please don’t let it take me! Do something to make it go away. I’m so scared.”
Dorien shook his head. He had no idea what darkness loomed for her. Looking to his brothers he wished one of them knew what to do. Labor had to be progressing. The intensity of her pain was visibly worse by the minute. He and his brothers were all in the same helpless boat.
Evangeline thrashed all over the bed. Her head rolled back and forth in an effort to escape her pain.
Paraebates handed Dorien his cell phone. That man was always the priceless voice of reason. “Call Eliza! She must know Evan has started her labor.”
Dorien’s feet thudded against the floor in pace. Eliza’s cell phone kept ringing. “Come on! Come on! Pick up!”
“Hello?” A sleepy voice answered.
Evangeline screamed. Another pain was assaulting her body.
Spartan Heart, Part Two Page 17