Broken (Disappeared #2)

Chapter Five

The sound of people gossiping and eating faded away as Theodosia and Ahuil climbed down into their bed. Suspended from an overhead branch, it had both a headboard and footboard and was covered in colorful quilts and pillows. Ahuil turned on a lamp that sat on a hanging tiny platform nearby.

Theodosia felt her usual rush of nerves and excitement as they sat on the bed. It was such an intimate experience for her to even sit on the bed with him, never mind what else they did. And then there was the fact that Ahuil was ever so handsome — tall, broad-shouldered, and tanned with those striking golden eyes and tangled shoulder-length brown hair.

"Turn around," she said, fighting off a blush. "Xochitl gave me a proper nightgown so I don't have to sleep fully dressed for once."

Ahuil grinned, his teeth showing. "Scandalous! What would the gentry of England think of your lack of suitable bed armor?"

She scowled at him in mock annoyance. "I'm not in England. And I would rather sleep in comfort for once. By the morning I'm so tangled up it's like I'm in the belly of a big snake."

Chuckling, Ahuil turned around, leaving her to struggle out of her clothes and into a linen nightgown. An owl hooted in the great velvet darkness. She noticed that in the lamplight her pale skin glowed. She felt exposed but also deliciously alone in the world, alone with Ahuil. They had the entire night together without anyone to disturb them. There was nothing she could want more.

Once she was decent, she shuffled over to where Ahuil sat. He was looking out into the darkness, his legs crossed, eyes relaxed. He put his arm around her and gathered her onto his lap. She rested her cheek against his, reveling in the slight scratchiness of his stubble. Fireflies rose up around them, lazily circling the bed like bumblebees contemplating a flower.

Then one of them went out. Then another, and another. "They're disappearing!" Theodosia cried.

Ahuil swallowed hard. "And so close to the settlement. We really don't have much time left."

"Forget about that for now," she whispered. "Let's get under the covers. It's getting chilly."

They nestled in, pulling the quilts up almost to their ears.

"Come closer," he murmured, reaching out for her. "Keep me warm."

He did not have to ask twice. She snuggled in, sighing as his arms encircled her and pulled her flat against his chest.

As warm and comfortable as she was, anxiety still gnawed at her gut. The main reason was this: there was nothing between them except a thin layer of linens. She could feel the hard planes of his chest, the slight softness of his belly, and above all, the sheer warmth of him. The blood rushed to her face but she decided not to say anything. Ahuil already thought her a prude. She didn't want to make the situation worse.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "You're stiffer than a stone."

"Fine." She swallowed, trying for composure. "How are you feeling?"

"Horrible. Awful. Desperate. Should I go on?"

"Please do," she said, smiling tentatively.

He chuckled and kissed her temple. "Only you would ask for such punishment. Theo, they hated me down there. And I don't blame them. I may have been his brother but I'm definitely no Yaretzi. I've never been around the settlement much. I always just kept to myself, never showed much interest in politics. And now I'm suddenly leading them? No wonder they're angry."

He sighed and tipped her chin up so she could look at him. His eyes looked red and puffy. She tentatively stroked his brow with her thumb, still not exactly sure how to touch him.