“What?” I asked, walking back to him. “That I would lose you to this war.”
I grabbed his hands. “You haven’t lost me.”
“You’re far away lately.” He tightened his fingers around mine. “I don’t know where you’ve been, but . . .”
“I’ve been here,” I said growing defensive. “I just . . .”
He shook his head, and my chest felt nervous. I had to tell him. I wanted to tell him, but things couldn’t change.
“You have to let me be who I’m supposed to be. I have to be strong. I have to lead. I can’t be weak like I’ve been.”
“And I’m supposed to help you be strong, but you’re forcing me out.”
“Well, I’m sorry,” I said, tears fighting against my lashes. “I’m pregnant.” There. It was done. The words were out, and there was no going back.
His face was still for a moment, like he couldn’t process what I’d said. Time seemed to stretch on forever as I waited for his reaction. My ears blocked out the sound of the distant voices. My eyes stared into his, expecting fear, panic, or anger, but his lips slowly revealed a smile and a breathy laugh escaped. “I thought . . . you said . . .”
“I was wrong,” I answered with a gentle voice, still trying to accept the truth. “Some things seem to come true no matter what I do or say.”
He moved closer, slipping his fingers into my hair and pressing his lips to my forehead. “I’m glad you were wrong. I was hoping you were.”
Our eyes met, and he kissed me. His lips folded into mine with love, soft and familiar. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he pulled me closer. I always felt safest when he held me. For that moment all the uncertainty of the future faded to the background.
His hands lowered to my stomach, still flat enough to keep our secret. “So you’re sure?”
“Aside from the vomiting, either I’m going crazy or there’s an oracle inside me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been seeing things,” I answered, moving to sit down against the rock wall. “Visions.” If he was going to know about the baby, I had to tell him everything.
He sat next to me and rested his forearms on the tops of his bent knees. “What kind of visions? Dreams?”
“They’re not dreams.” I remembered the way the world pulled away each time, the loss of control as my consciousness was swept away. I hated the feeling. “I saw Christoph light the forest around my parents’ house on fire. I’ve seen warehouses of people that I know Christoph is planning to use for something, and I think I know how to stop him. One of the visions is of me talking with Adrianna. That’s why I’ve been so insistent on finding her. If I can get to her, I know she’ll help us.”
He stared at the dirt with high eyebrows before he looked at me. “And you say you tell me things.”
I shrugged, trying to casually play off the secret I’d kept from him. “I just did, didn’t I?”
“Okay so you eventually tell me things.” He laughed, but
I could hear the frustration behind it. “If I beg.”
“Ninety years of keeping secrets has made me a little . . . secretive.”
He laced his fingers through mine. “Just a little. You know, only about babies, visions, things like that.”
I stared back at him, embarrassed that I’d kept so much to myself, but he only smiled at me.
“I didn’t think you’d take it this well.”
“I’m not taking it well. I’m livid. Can’t you tell?” He narrowed his eyes at me, faking a glare. “Okay, I know I should be, but I couldn’t be mad if I wanted to.” His smile widened. “You’re pregnant. I’m too happy to be mad.”
“I’m glad you’re happy,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m . . . nervous.”
“Don’t be. It’ll be fine. It’s meant to be, Ellie.” He turned to face me and brought our laced fingers to his lips for a kiss. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”
My heart relaxed, finally releasing the secret I’d been holding in, and I let myself enjoy his happiness.
“Marry me,” he said, tilting my chin up so I would look at him.
“I already told you I would,” I laughed.
He leaned in and kissed me with smiling lips. “Today,” he said, our foreheads still pressed together. I pulled away surprised. “Here?”
He shrugged. “Yeah. Why not? Everyone is with us.”
I let myself get carried away by the fantasy for just a moment but shook my head instead. “We can’t.”
“I thought we weren’t going to let Christoph control us.”
“He’s not. It’s not that. I’m supposed to be a leader. We just can’t stop our efforts to have a wedding.”
“It’s one day,” he said, not seeing my point. “Besides, some of us could use a break.”
I shook my head. “We have to stay focused.”
Throughout breakfast William’s face seemed brighter as he spoke. Everything was said with a smile, and though I was still unsure about how he would react in the future, I enjoyed seeing him happy.
After we ate, Anna dragged me off to join the women at the bathing pool. I was anxious to get updates from Alex about Adrianna, but I hadn’t seen him around, and if anyone needed a bath it was me. We left our shoes at the entrance of the pool so no men would enter and stripped down naked before diving into the cool water. I washed and combed my hair, trying not to be shy as I bathed. No one else was. They splashed and screamed, chasing each other through the water.
“Why are you so smiley this morning,” I asked as Anna dipped her head back in the water. She’d been looking at me differently.
“What?” she asked, obviously hiding something. “I can’t smile?”
I rolled my eyes at her and grabbed the soap from the ledge. “I’ve known you too long. Come on. Spit it out.”
She avoided my eyes, but couldn’t hold back her grin. “The girls are having fun,” she said, trying to distract me. I watched for a moment as Chloe dove through the waterfall, and someone else covered the surface with blooming white roses.
“Is it Mac?” I asked, not letting it go.
“Maybe.” She shrugged, squeezing the water out of her black and silver hair. “He’s cute, huh?” It was funny to hear her talk about a crush, like we were back in junior high again.
I laughed. “Cute isn’t exactly the word I’d use.”
“You know what I mean.” Her smile still lingered as I passed her the soap. “That’s not it, then?”
“Oh come on, Ellie. You’re the queen of secrets, and I can’t have one?”
“No. Look at you. You’re dying to spill it. Just tell me already.” I dunked my head to rinse as I waited for her to answer.
She looked behind us toward the shoes at nothing. “All right. Fine. Let’s get out. I’m sure it’s been long enough.”
I wrapped a towel around my body and followed her, searching for whatever it was she’d been looking for. When we reached our clothes there was a white box sitting next to mine.
“Open it,” she urged.
I looked at her under low lashes and untied the blue ribbon. Inside, on top of the white tissue paper, was a note.
All is fair in love and war.
Marry me.
His words made me smile. I shook my head, folding the note up and digging into the tissue paper. “I told him I would,” I mumbled, but Anna only watched with anticipation. Beneath the wrapping was a white silk dress. I lifted it out of the box by its straps and my mouth opened a little at its beauty. It was a halter with a billowing skirt, much like Marilyn Monroe’s famous wind-swept dress from The Seven Year Itch.
“It’s gorgeous,” Anna said, her voice low and dramatic. “Now, come on. You have to put it on. They’re waiting.”
“Now?” My eyes widened in surprise.
“Yeah. Put on your clothes. You can change into the dress in the crevice.” She had me by the hand, rushing me through the camp before I had time to protest.
> “Can you believe this is happening?” Anna asked, once we were alone.
“No.” I shook my head, heart pumping faster and harder in a way it never had. “We were supposed to wait. Who’s out there? Does everyone know?”
“Ellie, relax,” she said, shoving the dress into my hands. “It’s all hush hush, okay? William made it pretty clear you didn’t want to have any fun with this.”
“That’s not true,” I said, sounding defensive. “I like to have fun. It’s just a bad time. What about the camp? What if something happens? We need to be alert at all times . . .”
“Elyse,” she said, taking hold of my shoulders. “Can you for once just allow yourself to have a moment? The world isn’t going to fall apart in an hour.”
“It might.”
She sighed through her nose. “You really are a master of excuses, you know.” We looked at each other, and she smiled at me in a motherly way. “How long have you wanted this? A lifetime? You’ve sacrificed so much for so long, and you finally have what you’ve always wanted, and you’re letting this war take it all away from you. Life doesn’t happen when it’s convenient, Ellie. It happens when it happens. Just let yourself enjoy it.”
I bit my lip, reluctant to see her point, but what was I going to do? Leave him at the altar? “Okay,” I said. “You’re right. I can’t let this war consume me.” That’s what William was afraid of, and I was starting to see his point.
“I always knew you would fall in love,” Anna said, as I stepped into the dress.
I rolled my eyes at her. She had not.
“You wanted it too badly for it to not happen.”
I tried to hold back my smile, because it was true. I’d never wanted anything so badly, and as nervous as I was about it happening here and now, at least it was secret. I promised I would let myself have this moment. It might be the last good memory I’d have.
“Oh, here,” Anna said, handing me the pearl ring on her index finger. “Something borrowed.”
I slipped it on and ran my fingers across my necklace, my something old. In the box there had been a set of pearls that once belonged to William’s grandmother. “Thanks.” I smiled at her. “It matches.”
“You look beautiful,” Anna said, tying my wet hair back with the blue ribbon from the box. She pressed her lips to my cheek. “Nobody deserves this more than you.”
When I was ready, I followed Anna along the cave wall away from camp, kicking up rust-colored dust around my white shoes. I stopped as the oasis came into view. Like the trees around our campsite, it was a paradise sprung from nothingness.
The aisle was lined with cherry trees that showered light pink petals onto the ground. Beneath the petals lay a path of mossy green grass sprinkled with wildflowers, and at the end of the walkway was something even more spectacular.
An altar of trees shot up in a semi-circle so entangled they created a canopy of leaves. Light from somewhere I couldn’t see shone through the branches the way it does when the sun breaks through the clouds, like heaven. I’d never seen anything so beautiful.
When my eyes met William’s, he smiled and lifted his eyebrows at me, pleased with his scheme. I shook my head, but couldn’t keep from smiling back. Mac was next to him, and to their right William’s parents and sister. On my side there was only one person, Chloe. She clasped her hands together in excitement, and Anna tugged at my arm.
As I started forward, something tapped the sole of my shoe, and I looked back. With every step I took, green shoots emerged from the earth, each one blooming into a white tulip. I looked at William in amazement, but he seemed to be watching nothing but me, as if I was what amazed him.
“Who gives this woman to be married?” Mac asked as I reached them. He tried his best to sound formal, but his voice was too rough for such delicate words. It made me smile to hear him.
“I do,” Anna said. She and Mac made eyes at each other like they were next in line.
“You really want to marry this kid?” he asked. I laughed with the group and nodded. “I do.”
I took William’s hands in mine, the heat between our palms familiar and reassuring. His green eyes held me the way they always had. His full lips, defined jaw, his smile, all perfect, but none of it was the reason I felt in love with him. It was the way he looked at me, like I was the only thing he needed. I couldn’t stop smiling. My cheeks hurt.
***
Word had gotten out before the ceremony was over, and by the time our small group made it back to camp, an entire reception had formed in The Cavern. The natural pillars, formed over the ages by stalactites and stalagmites, were decorated with vines of jasmine, filling the place with their scent. Floating stars lit the dark cave ceiling, and a lighter version of Lenaia’s traditional drum beats and flutes played, reminding me of the last time I’d danced in these caves. A buffet of meats and Greek delicacies lined one edge of the dance floor with tables set off to the right.
“What is this?” I asked William. I had expected to announce the news and that our friends would be excited, but this?
He shook his head as we stared down on to The Cavern floor. “It wasn’t me.” His face was just as shocked as mine.
Anna stepped up beside me. “I may have told some people.” The corners of her eyes creased as she smiled, hoping I wouldn’t be mad.
“Anna,” I said, my voice spiking with irritation.
“Oh, lighten up. What’s the harm in having a little fun?”
“Fun.” I laughed. “Sure. We’re only at war. Why not?”
Anna looked at me more seriously. “Exactly, and I don’t expect it’s going to get any easier. So have fun now, while you still can.”
I sighed. There wasn’t much I could do about it anyway. “I knew this was a bad idea.”
“It might be for the best,” Mrs. Nickel chimed in. “In times like these, people need a little distraction.”
Maybe she was right. Maybe all anyone really wanted was an excuse to dance and drink moonshine.
Without warning Rachel popped into form next to us. “Come dance with us, married lady!” she pleaded.
I resisted, but Anna was still giving me that look. “Please,” Rachel persisted.
“Okay,” I agreed, knowing I had no choice in the matter.
“Okay.”
William followed us and took my hands once we’d joined the crowd.
“So, Mrs. Nickel.” He spun me under his arm. “Ready to have fun?”
I shrugged. “Yeah, I guess,” I teased, but I couldn’t keep a straight face. My hard shell was cracking. He pulled me close and I smiled wide.
“Shocking,” he laughed.
Despite my hesitancy about all of it, I couldn’t deny how happy I felt. Marrying William was the best moment of my life, and no matter how many awful things loomed in my future, tonight, that happiness was untouchable.
Suddenly Alex was next to us. “We need to leave,” he said. “She’s there. Adrianna.”
20.
ALEX’S WORDS CAUGHT ME so off guard it took me a minute to really understand what he was saying.
“What?” I asked. “Now?”
“We might not have another chance before it’s too late,” he said, his voice insistent.
William’s gaze dropped to my stomach as people continued to dance around us. I could feel the conflict building within him.
“I’m . . .” I hesitated, not knowing what to expect from him.
“I’ll go alone then,” Alex snapped, turning away.
“Wait,” I said, catching his arm. He looked back at me and so did William. “If my visions are true, William . . .”
“I know but—” He stopped himself and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “What is your gut telling you? Will you be safe?” I could see the tension in his face as he waited for my answer.
I nodded, feeling guilty. As much as I wanted to deny it, I’d been waiting for this moment for weeks. Everything in me knew it was now or never. “It’s telling me to go.�
� I took his hand. “I’ll be fine. I will.” I waited for him to look at me. “Trust me.”
“Okay,” he said, still unsure. I knew it took everything in him to let me leave.
Before I had a chance to say goodbye, Alex pulled me away from him, and we were gone.
When I opened my eyes we were in the crevice. “You need to change,” he said, walking out of sight. “Call me when you’re ready.”
I slipped out of my dress as quickly as I could, regretting my choice, but knowing it was the right one. I pulled on my army green pants, black shirt and boots, strapping my dart gun to my thigh. This was what I’d been wearing in the vision. It had to work.
“Alaximandrios,” I said when I was finished.
I only saw a glimpse of him before we were swept away by the white. We appeared in the same hallway we had before, the one where I learned what it felt like to starve to death. This time it was empty. Daylight shone through the tinted windows exposing us to whatever threat might be lurking around the corner, but all was silent.
“Don’t stay here. Just listen for my call, okay?” I said to
Alex.
He didn’t move. Instead his eyes challenged me.
“Alex, go,” I demanded, and he disappeared.
I stared at the blue door for a moment, trying to relax my shoulders. I had to seem confident. I took a deep breath and turned the knob.
“I’m just here to talk,” I said as I entered.
She didn’t look surprised to see me. Instead her arms were crossed, as though she’d been waiting. She leaned back against the front side of the desk, just as I’d seen it.
“I have to tell you,” she said, sweeping her brown curls behind her shoulder. “You’re either very brave or very stupid for coming here.”
“Probably a little of both,” I answered.
“You should be careful using that messenger. He was on our side once, you know.”
I glanced around the room feeling the tension between us.
“He’s not anymore.”
“You realize Christoph has one, too, and his is faster, more precise. I press one button and he’d have Christoph here before you could blink. So much for your revolution.”
Uprising (Children of the Gods) Page 19
