Broken (Disappeared #2)

Chapter Nineteen

Helenshire, England

1813

Theodosia hit the ground with a loud thump, knocking all the wind out of her. She lay sprawled on her stomach. Gasping for breath, she tried to look for her friends but she was so exhausted that her eyelids wouldn't even open. She waited for her strength to return.

Eventually, feeling reentered her limbs and her breathing steadied. She struggled up. The familiar sight of an English forest was the first thing that greeted her. Shady alders surrounded her, letting in dappled sunshine. Delicate lily of the valley clustered in the shade. The air was perfumed with the crisp scent of new leaves and a hint of sweetness of wildflowers.

Relief flooded her brain. She was home.

Even better, three bodies lay beside her, panting. Ahuil was next to her, still slightly faded. She rolled towards him and put her arms around him. He felt like a cloud in her arms.

"How are you? Ahuil, you didn't quite come through."

"Are we in England?" he asked haltingly.

She nodded. "How do you feel?"

His eyes darted around as if trying to absorb the scene round him. "Strange. Like I'm here but not. My thoughts and my brain are here but my body still feels like it's half gone."

She took a deep breath. Xochitl was sitting up and checking over her daughter frantically. Both of them looked terrified but otherwise fine. She had forgotten how strange their world had looked when she had first arrived. The differences were subtle but real. And they weren't even in town yet.

"Mommy, where are we?" Yoltzin asked, eyes wide.

"In Theo's world," Xochitl answered, combing the little girl's hair with her fingers.

"How are you both?" Theodosia asked them.

Xochitl nodded. "Okay. I didn't expect coming through would be like that. I lost hold of Yoltzi and almost went crazy thinking she was gone." She pressed her daughter to her. "But we're safe now, right?"

"Yes, absolutely. Everything's going to be fine."

The stout woman pressed her fingertips to her mouth. "We can still communicate."

The strangeness of it hit Theodosia. "You're right! I didn't even think of that."

"Who knows how long it'll last." Xochitl crawled to Ahuil and looked him over. "He didn't come all the way through," she whispered.

"Well, my brain did and I can hear you," he grouched.

She scowled at him. "I'm still angry at you."

"I'm the one who should be mad..."

"We're all angry," Theodosia huffed. "Can we forget about that now, though? Why don't we stay here a bit and recover. There is no rush to go into town. From what I can tell, it's still morning here."

The others agreed and they stayed for a good hour or more in the glade. Yoltzin walked about, asking a million questions and touching every plant, flower, and tree in sight, while the adults rested. The dappled sun played on their bodies. Slowly and steadily, Ahuil gained back his color and weight. Theodosia watched him constantly. She felt his anger towards her but was too relieved that he was safe and recovering to pay much mind.

She was also consumed with thoughts of returning back to the estate and seeing her family again. She was surprisingly excited to see them, especially Louisa, but she dreaded their reaction to her return.

Eventually, Ahuil struggled to stand up. He flexed his muscles and sighed as the sun hit his body. He looked at the women sharply. "So you thought you'd drag me here against my will, is that what happened?"

Xochitl glared at him. "We just saved you from your own stupidity, okay?"

"Well, thank you, Queen Xochitl. I'm glad you were there to make that decision for me."

"You're welcome," she said, flaring. "You'll thank me later."

"Don't fight!" Yoltzin said, coming between them. Her wide eyes went from one to the other. "Don't be mean, Mommy."

"Why don't we argue about this later?" Theodosia interjected, ruffling the little girl's hair. "I'm exhausted and we still have to figure out where we're going."

"Fine," Xochitl and Ahuil muttered.

They followed her down the path that led towards the estate. The sun blazed down, illuminating the ferns on the forest floor. Theodosia guessed it must be late summer. She hadn't been in the Nextic world long, yet it seemed at least a month or two had gone by in England. Time was passing slower in the other world, though why she couldn't say.

She walked on, glad that Ahuil couldn't see her face. She understood how deeply he was grieving his family and home. But was there no room left for her? Hurt bloomed in her chest like a greedy plant trying to take hold over her heart. She was exhausted, filthy, and had just risked her life for him. Could he not love her in return, even just a little? Tears pricked in her eyes as she grappled with his sudden coldness.

They picked their way through the flooded forest and then diverted onto the path that led to the estate. The forest was inviting after the nightmare she had just been through. Delicate alders bent over the path, forming a natural tunnel. Their leaves shone in the sunlight. The grass alongside the path was lush and silken as hair and scattered with delicate white yarrow wildflowers and occasional swaths of buttery yellow irises.

Yoltzin skipped ahead, examining the flowers and chasing after butterflies. Her delight filled Theodosia's aching heart with happiness. She was acting just like Louisa did when they went out on their walks. Her stomach seized. Darling Louisa — she would see her before long. Despite her intense dread at seeing her parents again, the prospect of seeing her favorite sister made her return sweet.

She turned around to see how her friends were doing. Xochitl was walking steadily again and Ahuil was looking at everything around him. She knew he must be fascinated by all the new plants and trees. She caught his gaze for a moment, hoping he might grant her a smile, a wink, anything. Instead, he looked away and hurt clutched at her chest once more.

They reached the edge of the woods. The others gazed out over the verdant fields dotted with sheep and enclosed by little stonewalls. So far they had been lucky not to run into anyone. Going farther would be much more difficult, especially since Theodosia looked like she was in her shift. Such a state of undress was a scandal in itself. She would have to be very careful.

"I need you all to stay here," she said, turning to them. "I can't be seen with you, not yet. It raises too many questions. I have to creep up to the main house and find my lady's maid, Sarah. She can provide you with lodging and clothes."

Ahuil looked at her strangely. It was probably her mention of Sarah.

Xochitl and Yoltzin both hugged her. "We'll be right here," the elder said. "Don't worry. I'll look after Ahuil."

"I can hear you," he said loudly. "I'm fine."

Theodosia glanced over at him quickly. He did look stronger. Too strong — as if he could dash off at any moment and disappear. She wanted so badly to be able to stop him from leaving, for she knew her heart would break if he did.

She caught his eye before she turned to go and begged him with her gaze to stay. He held her look for a moment, his light eyes full of doubt. She saw no love there. She turned and walked away. Her heart screamed at her to go back but her brain, for once, took over. Practical matters first. Love could wait — or so she desperately hoped.

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