by Dawn Norwell
When he set me to my feet, he slipped Athena’s ring onto the finger of my left hand. The rose gold and jeweled band was truly beautiful, and the fact that it belonged to a benevolent, powerful woman like Athena, made it that much more amazing.
Zander gave me a gentle kiss before crouching down and resting his cheek against my stomach. He wrapped his brawny arms around my waist, holding me close. I smiled as his lips pressed against my skin as if he were kissing the baby inside.
“I love you. Both of you,” he said, looking up at me. His face was serious, as though my knowing this was the most important thing in the world.
“We love you, too,” I said, leaning down to give him a tender kiss.
**********
I spent the evening wrapped in Zander’s arms, asking him dozens of questions about the wedding, trying to prepare as much as possible. He assured me that it would be the complete opposite of what I was used to, a lavish event that celebrated love and prosperity, but that was the extent of the conversation. I begged him to tell me more, but he simply laughed, refusing to ruin the coming surprise, despite my prying.
“Let’s just say that you’ll love it,” he smirked. “It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen in Concord. I just wish Mom could be there,” he said with a sad smile. Though he tried to hide it, I could see the small tear welling in the corner of his eye.
I wrapped my arms around his waist. “You miss her a lot, don’t you?”
“Of course. But I know she’ll be there in spirit,” he smiled. I eyed him cautiously, wary of his reaction. He let out a sigh.
“When my father died, I had a hard time accepting that he was gone,” he said. “But my mother was always there to comfort me. One night, when the pain was almost more than I could bear, my mother said something that forever changed how I viewed death. She said:
‘Its human nature to mourn those who we’ve loved and lost, but it is also selfish to do so, for death isn’t imprisonment, but the ultimate freedom. In death, we can fly with the farrows and soar amongst the stars. We can journey to the furthest parts of the Earth, to worlds that have yet to be tainted by mankind. There is no pain and no worry in the afterlife, but joy and happiness beyond measure. Isn’t that the type of life we would want for those who we loved?
‘We should smile for those who have left us, and look forward to the day when we can join them in a peaceful paradise, where the cruelties of this world are just a faint memory. Envy the dead and rejoice in their departure, for they are the only ones who have known true serenity.
‘Though it may not seem fair at the time, everything happens for a reason. Even our worst moments make us stronger. For the brightest star in the universe could not shine if not for the darkness that surrounds it. So when the pain seems excruciating, and the hurt seems unbearable, remember that the darkness gives way to light if you know where to look.”
Zander turned his head to look out the bedroom window, where billions of stars that twinkled back at him. His lips curled up in a small smile as he gazed at their luminescent light.
“I hear my mother’s words coming back to me now,” he continued. “When I want to cry for her, I remind myself that she is at peace, finally reunited with my father after a decade apart. Instead of being sad, I turn toward the skies and think of the tranquility she must feel as she smiles down on us, watching us as we begin the happiest days of our lives, just waiting until the day when she will meet us again.”
His words moved me. I sniffled and wiped a tear from my eye, staring at the sparkling lights that decorated the night’s sky. “She was an amazing woman. I wish I could have gotten to know her better,” I murmured. “And I wish she could meet our little one. She would have been a wonderful grandma.”
His hand fell on my enlarged abdomen, and his face turned sad. “It worries me that we’re trying to bring a baby into the world right now. It’s not good timing, with the uncertainty hanging over our heads,” he admitted.
I nodded, unable to respond. My biggest fear was not knowing when the Syndicate would attack. The confrontation would occur eventually; they’d never let bygones be bygones. It was hard enough to think of Zander being in danger, but to think of an innocent baby among the violence was excruciating.
“I’m calling an assembly later to tell the rest of Nova, but I wanted you to know first,” he said, his brows furrowed with worry. “While we were in Concord, we acquired top-secret intelligence from the Syndicate headquarters. Information that, with the proper knowledge and construction, will advance our military tenfold. After a century of being undermined, we will finally be strong enough to hold our own against Concord.”
Thoughts of my unborn baby filled my mind. I swallowed hard, sensing the meaning behind Zander’s words, but I needed to hear it confirmed aloud before I could accept it.
“What are you saying, Zander?”
“I’m saying that we may stand a chance now, that we won’t just be helpless ants when the Syndicate sends more missiles our way. I’m saying that we need to attack while we have the chance,” he hesitated, his hand still lingering on my stomach. “I’m saying that we are going to war.”
**********
I wasn’t surprised by Zander’s revelation. After everything that had happened between Nova and Concord, a big battle was inevitable. I knew things would come to a head eventually, but I hadn’t expected to be pregnant when it did.
I tried not to let the idea of going to war bother me, to remain stress-free, for the sake of the baby, but it was difficult. I had seen a lot of violence during the last few months, more than many see in a lifetime. It terrified me that this would be the environment my child would grow up in, that they would be surrounded by hatred and cruelty from the day they were born.
I had dozens of questions running through my mind. Would the battle take place in Nova, or would our soldiers be going to Concord? Did we even stand a chance against Concord’s illustrious army, even with this new information we had obtained? Would Zander be the one to lead the troops into the coming war?
This last thought terrified me the most. I knew the answer- of course, Zander would lead his troops. He wasn’t the type of ruler who would take a backseat while his citizens fought for our freedom. He had too much of Athena in him for that. No, he would be there in the midst of the battle, on the front line, risking his life like everyone else.
My stomach churned. I hated the idea of him being in the middle of a war zone. I didn’t want to lose him, to raise our child alone with them never knowing their father. Just the thought of what the Syndicate might do to him made me hyperventilate. By the time I got to the hospital that morning, I had worked myself into a frenzy. Ximea prescribed me additional medication for stress, but it did little to ease my trepidations.
In the evening, Zander called a meeting to tell the rest of Nova what he had told me, vowing not to keep secrets from his people. I watched in silence as he gave the news. A myriad of emotions filled the room, from horror to rage to excitement about finally taking action.
What I didn’t expect, however, was the number of people who immediately stepped up to join the fight. Men and women of all ages wanted to be involved, wanted retributions for the Syndicate’s wrongdoings. Unsuits of every race, religion, and status wanted to make this world a better place for those who would come behind them.
I couldn’t say that I was surprised that this would be the reaction. These people were fighters. They wouldn’t cower in a corner when danger came knocking at their door. They had been fighting for survival since the day they were born, and they would continue to fight, even if it meant their death. I was filled with a sense of pride as I stared at my new community.
After the assembly ended and Zander and I were within the privacy of our home, I crumbled into his arms, collapsing under the weight of my emotions. The stress of the day was finally too much, and I was soon weeping. Zander’s eyes furrowed with concern, but didn’t say a word. He simply held me, allowing me to let go.
“If we’re going to war, then I don’t want to wait on getting married,” I told him. “The sooner we do this, the better. I want to be your wife for as long as possible before all hell breaks loose.”
His eyes widened with surprise. “If that’s what you want?” he asked quietly. I nodded; I had never been more sure about anything. “Then, I’ll get everything in order.”
We continued to stare at one another for a long time, neither of us saying a word. We simply held each other close, the two of us clinging to one another as though it were the last time because, in reality, it could be. I didn’t know what our future held, but I knew that I loved Zander, and for now, that was all that mattered.
I leaned up and placed my lips on his, gently at first, then more pressing. The kiss deepened, and I felt that long-forgotten sensation in my groin, screaming that I wanted him, all of him, my fiancé.
Sensing my need, he lifted me into his arms, carrying me down the hallway to our bedroom. He laid me on our bed, kissing my mouth, my cheek, my neck, down to the top of my swollen breasts, before abruptly stopping. He hesitated, worry creasing the skin of his forehead.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, a hint of frustration in my voice.
“Do you think this is okay? You know, for the baby?” he asked, almost afraid to touch me.
I rolled my eyes. “Sex is perfectly fine during pregnancy. It’s better, in fact, because of the hormones. So, yes, it’s good for the baby, and it is definitely good for the mommy,” I grinned, pulling him close to me.
With a smile, he continued to kiss me, pressing his lips gently against me. For the first time in a very long time, I was happy, as I made sweet love to my future husband.
CHAPTER THIRTY: MERRY MATRIMONY
O ne of the perks of being in charge was that Zander could get things done quickly. Within two days, he had our entire wedding planned, even down to my wedding dress and shoes. He insisted that he do the preparations so there was one less thing for me to stress about, and I agreed to let him have total control. It didn’t matter to me how things looked or what I wore, as long as I was able to marry my best friend at the end of the day.
I only had one small request of him. “I want lilies, as many of them as you can fit in the room.”
He looked at me curiously, and I explained how symbolic the flower was to me- how it was the sign I needed to leave Concord, how it was one of my first glimpses of life inside Nova, how it represented my freedom. After hearing how important the blossom was to me, he agreed wholeheartedly.
The only issue I had with the rest of Zander’s wedding plans was that the entirety of Nova would be at the ceremony. I frowned when he told me, already dreading the thousands of eyes watching me walk down the aisle.
“Why?” I complained. “Why can’t we just do something small? Just you, me, and Ximea.” I hated always being the center of attention.
“People are excited. I’m the first leader of Nova to get married while in office,” he explained. “With everything that has happened lately and with the threat of war hanging over our heads, everyone needs something to look forward to.” He pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. “We owe it to Nova to let them witness our union, to let them have some joy in their lives while they can.”
I sighed and gave a small shake of my head. He was right, of course. The atmosphere in Nova had changed since Zander announced that a war was coming. People were tensed, worried, watching the skies for a threat of things to come. If we had the chance to bring some happiness to this dreary place, it would be selfish not to do so. I could suffer through a few hours of embarrassment and scrutiny if it meant that everyone else could have a good time.
When the morning of my wedding day arrived, I was a nervous wreck. A large crowd was already gathering in the auditorium to vie for the best seats, even though the ceremony wasn’t for hours. I knew the place would be packed full of people, all watching and analyzing my every move. I bit my fingernails anxiously and prayed that I wouldn’t fall coming down the aisle.
The idea of getting married in front of a large crowd still made me uneasy, but that fear was quickly replaced by my apprehension about being a good spouse to Zander. I was still getting used to Nova’s lifestyle, and I worried that I would do something wrong or say something that would embarrass Zander in his new political role. I wasn’t sure I would be a very good wife, or if I could help him much in his attempt at leading the nation, but I vowed to try.
I sat quietly in my bedroom as Ximea and a few of the girls from the hospital worked tirelessly on my hair, nails, and makeup. They chattered happily around me, excited about the festivities to come. But I was too busy biting the inside of my jaw to participate. By the time they helped me into my gown and shoes, my legs were almost shaking with terror.
“What do you think?” Ximea asked, uncovering the full-length mirror in my bedroom for the grand reveal.
I let out a soft breath as I gazed at my reflection, gawking at the otherworldly creature standing on the other side of the mirror.
That isn’t me. It can’t be, I thought.
But it had to be, because why else would the woman’s face be frozen in surprise, same as mine? Still, it was hard to comprehend that the gorgeous woman in the mirror was the same Kai Markavitch. Sure, we had the same features, but the other woman was unrecognizable, a beautiful stranger from some exotic land who didn’t belong in this world.
“Amazing,” I murmured.
No other words could describe this remarkable transformation. I continued staring at myself while the other ladies giggled in the background. They had done a remarkable job, altering me into some tantalizing goddess that I hardly recognized.
My chocolate brown eyes were wide, stunned by the image before me. They were encircled with smoky blue eyeshadow that made me appear dark and mysterious. My lids were lined with black pencil, accentuating the dark mascara applied to the elongated lashes. My brown skin had been covered with a layer of powder that erased every imperfect blemish, and my lips were painted a dark, glossy beige, contrasting my pearly white teeth, which were turning upward in a smile.
My coffee-colored hair hadn’t completely grown back yet, but was long enough to be delicately braided. The pleats were pulled back into a glamorous updo, with soft tufts falling gently from the chignon knot, framing my shimmery bronze face. A long, ivory-colored veil flowed from the coiffure, held in place by a bejeweled barrette.
My eyes shifted to the floor-length dress, an exquisite ball gown that was as white as snow. A satin sash separated the dress into top and bottom sections. Silvery sequins shimmered along the strapless bodice, catching the light perfectly when I moved. Soft tiers of tulle flowed from the skirt, forming overlapping layers of varying lengths that extended from my waist down to the floor.
I smiled when I saw the small bump forming from the center of my dress where my baby was, the perfect final touch to an already impeccable ensemble.
We began our journey to the auditorium, where the rest of Nova had already assembled in preparation for the ceremony. I could feel my nerves intensifying as we drew nearer to the hall. I had never been to a traditional wedding before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
In Concord, people applied for marriage by using their barcodes, and if they were deemed a suitable match by the Syndicate, the couple simply signed a paper agreeing to the terms and conditions of the union. It wasn’t glamorous or romantic like weddings were in the old world, just a contract that needed fulfilling.
But things were different in Nova. Here they enjoyed the traditional way of life, the way things were before the Dominate War transformed the world. The wedding was certain to be a big event, far more luxurious than anything I’d attended in my life. I just hoped it wasn’t so ostentatious that I threw up on my wedding gown; I would certainly never live
that down.
When we finally reached the amphitheater, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my trembling limbs.
“Ready?” Ximea asked, gripping my hand soothingly.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I mumbled.
“Just remember that Zander is waiting for you down on the other side. That’s the real reason for this- the two of you promising to love one another forever,” she said with a reassuring smile. The reminder helped ease my worry.
A pianist started playing a hymn that I didn’t recognize, and the doors to the auditorium opened. As I took a shaky step into the building, everyone turned in their seats to get a glimpse of me, the bride. Gasps echoed through the room at my beauty. I could feel thousands of eyes glued to me, watching my every move. But I hardly noticed them, because I only had eyes for Zander.
All of my doubts and uncertainties washed away when I noticed him at the other end of the aisle, looking handsome in his charcoal suit and tie. His mouth was slightly open, his eyes wide as he gawked at me. I had to stifle my giggle, knowing that he was as mesmerized by makeover as I was a few moments before.
As I marched across the auditorium, I gazed deep into his crystal blue eyes and saw his love for me reflected there. The idea that this handsome man loved me and wanted me gave me the courage I needed to walk the rest of the way down the aisle.
Within a few seconds, I was at the end of the aisle, standing beneath a flora and ivy-covered trellis. When I reached his side, Zander leaned forward and gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek. “Wow,” he whispered in my ear so that only I could hear.
“Back at you,” I said with a confident wink, enjoying the way he melted before my eyes.
