by Liz Tyner
Thessa and Bellona watched the single lamp flickering on the table in front of them. Both she and Bellona had already changed into their night clothing, the same garments their mother had always insisted they wear when swimming. Their father had brought them the first ones, chemises, from London, and said all ladies wore them under their clothing.
Bellona put her hand near the globe on the small lamp, letting her fingers shadow the walls. ‘You are to wed Stephanos. I do not even want him as a member of my family.’
She waved her hand back and forth through the glow of the light and both of them stared towards the shadows on the wall. The little room still contained the small figurine their father had once brought. His easel was gone. They’d burned it on a night their mother was shivering.
‘If...’ Thessa couldn’t finish the sentence. If. If meant nothing. She crossed her arms. ‘I said I would never marry a man who would leave his children like our father did. A man who told us how much he loved us when he left...and never looked back. A man who said the word love...and it meant less to him than a hole in his boots.’
‘Forget the boots, Thessa.’
‘He was planning to stay longer that time. You know he was, then he realised his boots were worn through. He had to return to London for the new ones he wanted. He did not say that, but you know it’s true.’
‘Now you will be wed to Stephanos and wanting your husband to leave.’ Bellona made a soft fist, but left her two fingers out like little legs, letting them make running shadows on the wall.
‘I thought about asking his mother if she could speak with him concerning his ways, but she hardly has a thought in her head.’ Thessa put her palms flat on the table and imagined a ring on her finger. She didn’t wish to wear an ornament Stephanos gave her. ‘I might not marry him.’
‘You can’t stay on the island if you say no.’
‘Nor can you.’ She looked at the shapes Bellona made and put her own hand up into a fist, except for her index finger, and her shadowed image jabbed Bellona’s.
‘That ship in the harbour...’ Bellona let her hands rest on the table. ‘It took Melina. We can get them to take us. I know we can. Melina did. They’re men. They’re sailors. We’d have passage...just like Melina did. She did it. We can, too. It is not much different than doing what you must when you marry Stephanos.’
‘This talk is why we kept such close watch over you. Mana made us promise to take care of you and keep you from the men. You will not watch your ways around them.’
‘I am...I am not scared of them. I want to marry some day, but I will not change when I do. I will learn to fight just as men do.’
Thessa shook her head. ‘You don’t understand how harsh they can be. Stephanos is only one man. One man is better than a ship full of them. We know Melina sent us the kettle and shawls, but we don’t know if she’s even alive now...truly. I cannot believe that she didn’t return—if she is free to. The captain said she is married. It makes no sense a man would send his brother this far for nothing.’
Thessa remembered the captain’s lean fingers when he touched the stone. He’d held the statue’s hair and looked at her face. He’d had sadness in his eyes. Perhaps he’d not liked that she’d been broken. ‘I wonder if the stone is worth something?’
‘Melina promised to find Father. She said she’d send back something for us to live on. We were to just wait for her.’ Bellona shook her head. ‘But I am not like you. A husband who leaves is better than one who stays.’
‘Stephanos will not let me change my mind now. He would be just as hard to convince to let me go as it was for Mana to convince our father to stay.’
The memories of her mother crying rushed into her mind. Thessa still could not keep the anger away. Her father had left and her mother had cried. Mana had cared too much and sometimes Thessa had been angriest at her mother. She should have thrown his things after him and told him never to return, that she’d find someone else she loved more.
Bellona reached back to pull her pins from her hair and braided it as she spoke. ‘I don’t care if our father is alive or dead. You know what he is like. I know what he is like. Only Mana and Melina believed any good in him.’
‘Perhaps his mother should have...’ Thessa mocked her father’s voice ‘...tossed him into the sea when he was born and seen if Neptune would send back a son.’
‘He was just angry when he said that to you. He didn’t mean it. You just wouldn’t sit still enough when you posed.’
‘I am his daughter. He should know what I look like.’
Bellona laughed. ‘It is not that easy. Painting is difficult.’
‘Not as difficult as Mana’s life. Father put everything else in his life before us. At least Stephanos will not leave me. I know the house he is building is as much for himself as for me. I do not care. He will be there when the children are sick and I will not be alone to care for them. I will have a home and my children will have a home. And the roof will not leak.’
Thessa looked at the bucket in the corner—the one they always left out because the water always ran into the spot there. They’d had to move the bed. Bellona slept in the first room. Thessa now slept in the one their parents had shared.
Bellona shrugged. ‘Just because you marry Stephanos, do not expect your roof not to leak. All of them do.’ She reached across the table and patted her sister’s hand. ‘I wish you and Stephanos much happiness. Better you than me.’
Thessa flicked her sister’s hand away. ‘Remember you will be living with his mother in the old house beside us and caring for her.’
‘I will let you visit. And perhaps we can find out her secret for loving him. Because without one I do not think you can.’
Chapter Eight
In the room closest to the outer door, Bellona screamed. Thessa jerked herself awake, sitting up, covers falling to her waist. Her door burst open and a hulking form stood there.
It couldn’t be true, Thessa thought, but it was. Stephanos was right. The sea captain was kidnapping her to take her from the island.
‘No,’ she shouted.
‘Skase.’ Stephanos’s voice?
Lantern light shone through the open doorway. She heard rustling and realised several men were talking in the other room, all in the island language. Bellona called one a pig.
‘Leave,’ she shouted, forcing her mind into alertness.
‘No.’ Stephanos spoke as he walked into the room. ‘We are here to take you to safety. Get clothing. Now.’
‘We are safe,’ Thessa said. ‘Leave.’
‘No,’ Stephanos repeated, stepping to the bed. His fingers pinching her arm, he jerked her to her feet. ‘The English took your sister. I will not let them take you.’
‘Stephanos. I do not see them here. Only you.’ She righted her feet under herself and pushed at his body, but he didn’t release her.
‘The captain.’ He leaned towards her, his wine-soaked breath blasting into her face. ‘He will come for you. He is waiting until the moment the ship is sailing, then he will put you in the boat and take you. I cannot risk letting you leave. I lost your sister. I will keep you.’
Again she tried to push him away. ‘He won’t. He only wants Melina’s treasure.’
‘Foolish woman. A man does not sail from England for rocks. Your sister sent him for her family. When his ship leaves, he plans for you to be on it. I cannot take the chance of losing you. We will marry tonight and you will be in my home. Safe.’
‘No.’
He gave her a swift jerk towards him, holding her shoulders. ‘You do not tell me no—I will be your husband.’
The bed was at the back of her legs and he was at her front. She could not pull free.
‘Has he touched you?’ Stephanos’s voice shook with rage. ‘If he did, I will kill him.’
Stephanos’s guttural growl became louder and his hands clamped her arms immobile.
‘Stephanos. He did not touch me. He is here for the marble. They think it is something important b
ecause Melina told them of the French Museum’s interest. The captain has been all that is kind.’
‘You champion him? A man who would steal you?’
She kicked at his leg. ‘Stop, Stephanos. You are breaking my arms.’
He released her. ‘I do not wish to hurt you, Thessa, but I will not let an Englishman steal what is mine. We are to be married. Our house is almost complete.’
He turned to the men at the door. ‘Leave.’
They backed out slowly.
‘Thessa.’ Stephanos’s voice was calm in a way she’d never heard it before.
She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing the burning places on her arms where he’d grasped her.
This time, his hands were gentle, and he reached one finger to trace over her cheek, the trail of his finger feeling cold and rough. ‘Thessa. I love you. You know that I do.’
‘Yes. I am aware.’
He whispered, ‘Can you not say you love me?’
‘Stephanos...’ Thessa forced her voice to be light. ‘We have discussed it. I am not a woman who loves easily.’
‘No,’ his voice rumbled. ‘You do not. You wish for the house I give you. The children. But me. Me. I am nothing to you.’
Bellona’s scream jarred the air.
Thessa bolted to run to her sister, but Stephanos’s arm shot out, blocking her.
‘I will see to her.’ He scowled. ‘It is what I do for you. Your wishes.’ Then he gripped her hand, his touch unyielding. He pulled her out the door, shouting to his men to take their hands from Bellona.
Thessa was pulled along, just in time to hear Bellona gasp and Mikis’s laughter.
Stephanos swung his free arm towards the door. ‘Mikis, bring Bellona.’
Mikis lunged for Bellona, trapping her against the wall and then pulling her close to him.
‘All is well, Bellona,’ Thessa said, trying to calm her sister and to convince herself.
‘No. It is not.’ She spoke English.
Thessa pulled away from Stephanos, but he would not release her. ‘Stephanos, let Bellona light a lamp and gather our things.’
Stephanos pulled Thessa to the door. ‘My men will get them.’
‘Stephanos.’ She stopped. ‘I am in my nightclothes and so is Bellona. We must dress. The men...’
‘Very well. I give you a short while, but if you are not swift, we will go—dressed or not. In the darkness it matters little.’
‘It matters enough,’ she said, pointing to the lantern. ‘Outside.’ She waved him away.
She noted he didn’t pull the door shut behind him.
She heard the footsteps go down the stairs and then her mind focused on another sound. Bellona’s breath was in short rasps.
‘Get dressed. Quickly. Put your clothing on over the shift.’
Bellona answered again in English. ‘You cannot.’
‘Quiet. Get dressed.’
Both women pulled their white blouses over their heads and pulled on the gathered skirts, before twisting their sashes around their waist.
Before they left the doorway, Bellona whispered, again in English, ‘We cannot do this. Convince him to wait a little longer. I will find a way to get us weapons and we can protect ourselves. Make him wait. If we had weapons, we could be as strong as the men. They would listen to us then.’
‘You know as well as I that it will not work.’ Thessa moved down the stairs. ‘He would rather see me dead than let me go. He has already said it. And I believe him.’
*
Thessa’s blood rushed faster with each step towards Stephanos’s house. Several men walked behind her and Stephanos beside. Bellona walked in front with Mikis guarding her. Mikis put his hand between Bellona’s shoulder blades and shoved her along.
Stephanos saw the push. ‘Do not do that again, Mikis—or I’ll think you do not like her and will call off your wedding to her.’
‘Marriage?’ Bellona’s shriek jarred Thessa’s ears.
Stephanos laughed. ‘I think to have two marriages tonight. Thessa and me. Mikis and Bellona. Mikis has asked for marriage and I have given him permission.’ Stephanos leaned so close his whisper tickled Thessa’s ear and made the hair on her neck rise. ‘Two weddings tonight.’
‘Ochi,’ she disagreed. ‘I will not share my day.’ Her sister would never survive marriage to Mikis. Mikis had broken his sister’s arm and it had not been an accident.
Stephanos’s hand went around her waist and he pulled her into step beside him. ‘We wed first. I cannot wait any longer to have you in my bed.’
She only remained standing because he held her. She’d not thought it to really happen. She wasn’t ready now. It was too soon. She couldn’t marry him. Especially not if it wouldn’t even save Bellona. Both of them would be trapped. Her mind cleared in a way she’d never felt before. She turned to Stephanos, leaning in to him, softening her stance. ‘You should want a big celebration.’
‘Do not worry. We will have your festival. We can let others dance and sing the whole night through. But we will be having our own celebration.’
‘Stephanos...’ She forced his name through her lips and past her frozen smile. ‘You are hasty. Just because of the ship in the harbour. We were to wed after the house is complete.’
‘Thessa...’ He took her hand as they walked and pulled her fisted fingers to his lips and kissed them. ‘...I look forward to hearing you praise me to our children, telling them of this night when I rescued you from the English sea captain and claimed you as my own.’
‘He is leaving the island, Stephanos. He wants the treasure.’
‘He would also take you, Thessa. But you are to be mine.’ He released her hand. ‘Now I have a house. A wife to care for it and give me children. And the foolish captain—he can have the rocks and be on his way.’
He switched to English. Thessa knew it was so his men could not understand him. ‘You will learn to love me soon.’
‘What if it can never be in my heart?’ She spoke softly, hoping kind words would go beyond his ears and into his mind.
He shook his head. ‘I do not believe that. How could you not love me? I will have the biggest home on Melos. I am the heartiest man on the island. I can give you children. You will be so joyous to be with me you will make me happy. I give you the best man you could ever have. The other women will be jealous you have me. They tell me so now.’
‘Taking me from my home in the night is not the way to begin.’
‘My wife. You have much to learn about me. But I will show you all.’
He grabbed her, pulled her to him, pressed his lips to hers. Stephanos rammed his tongue into her mouth. She felt waves of revulsion. Could smell dirty hair and dried spit. She clenched her hands into fists and forced herself not to push him away. The effort caused tears to form in her eyes.
The men behind laughed.
Stephanos pulled back. ‘That is just the beginning.’
‘Oh...’ She could think of no words to say. He’d left behind the taste of tobacco and soured milk. She already wanted to bathe.
He resumed walking, catching up with Mikis and Bellona.
‘Two weddings,’ he shouted out, raising his fist in a victory punch. ‘What you say, Mikis?’
Mikis reached out, put an arm at Bellona’s neck and pulled her into him. Her feet stumbled and her hands pushed against him, but he kept walking, pulling her along ‘Only one.’ He let her rise enough to keep walking. ‘This one is too pale for a wife. But we will see how she is for erotiki ormi. If she cooks well, and you pay me enough, then maybe later we wed. But I do not marry until I know if she can be trained.’
The men in the back laughed again.
Thessa saw Bellona’s hand clench.
‘Adelfi,’ she called out and took a quick step, grasping her sister’s hand. ‘Later. Now you must celebrate my marriage with me.’
Bellona didn’t speak.
Stephanos pulled Thessa back to his side.
‘Let them court. N
ow you are only to think of me.’
‘Stephanos,’ she answered, making the word pleasant, ‘I think of nothing else.’
His mother’s house loomed in front of them.
Stephanos turned to look over his shoulder. ‘Go for everyone. Wake them.’ He moved forward again. ‘Tell them it is a matter of life and death. Theirs, if they do not drink with me. My lovely Thessa and I will wed when the sun is rising over the water. We will have wine. I have much drink ready for my wedding. Mikis—have enough and you may be happy to marry, as well.’ He laughed. ‘Because, my friend Mikis, you will marry whether you wish it or not. I wish my friend to be as happy as I am.’
Bellona screeched and Mikis pulled her tighter.
‘If I have to marry her, I will,’ he said. ‘She looks like she wants a man who can give her many babies. I am good with making the babies.’
The other men laughed and Stephanos turned to him. ‘You must thank the captain in the morning, Mikis, for if he had not seen our women, we would not have had so many nights with them as we will have now. The babies will be sooner.’
As his mother’s house appeared in the moonlight, Stephanos turned to one of the other men and waved an arm. ‘Go. Get everyone awake. Tell them it is the wedding they have been waiting for.’ Then he took Thessa’s hand and forced her arm into the air with his own. ‘We are to be wed and everyone is to be happy.’
They filed up the stairs and into the small main room of the older home. The house was much like Thessa’s, but did not have a pail in the corner. The curtains were not so faded and a broom leaned in the corner with a shawl draped over it.
The smell of cooked goat filled the air. Stephanos’s mother stood at the stove, stirring a pot. She turned to Thessa and gave her a warm smile before returning her thoughts to her cooking. The table held a collection of wine bottles, all full. Preparations for the wedding were underway.
Thessa let all resistance fade from her body. She gently put her free hand on Stephanos’s chest. ‘Let Bellona fix my hair. I cannot marry with it looking like this. I must look to everyone as if I am happy with this, Stephanos. They must know how happy your bride is.’ She pulled her fingers free from his and pulled the braid around to show him.
