Theodora nodded, wiping her cheeks with trembling fingers. She took one last look at her room before they walked out, down the hall and into the foyer.
Her father stood by the open door, tapping his cane impatiently. “Finally.”
Lady Dowell glared at him. “You are a cruel man, Benjamin.”
He ignored her. “Get in the carriage.”
Theodora’s legs felt weak. She clutched her mother’s arm as they stepped outside and the chilly air hit her face unforgivingly. The sky was gray, and heavy with clouds, as if the world itself were mourning. She looked at the carriage waiting at the bottom of the steps and her heart clenched.
Lord Dowell gestured sharply. “Move.”
They walked until they reached the carriage. Her mother’s grip tightened on her arm until she felt a sting.
“Well? What are you waiting for? Get in!” Her father snapped.
Theodora didn’t move; she felt frozen to her spot. Memories collided in her mind and heart and all she could see was Alexander.
Hysteria.
Her father barked, “Now!”
Theodora flinched but still could not move. She felt as though she were missing something.
“Hush, Benjamin! She is saying goodbye to me.”
Lord Dowell scoffed. “She has had plenty of time for that.”
“No,” her mother said, voice trembling but firm. “She has not.”
Theodora continued to stare at the carriage, unable to breathe.
What am I forgetting?
Her mother turned to her. “Theo… look at me.”
Theodora forced herself to meet her mother’s eyes.
“You are not alone,” her mother whispered. “Not now. Not ever.”
Theodora swallowed hard. “Thank you, Mother…”
Her mother cupped her face again. “When I leave him, I will come to you, I swear it.”
Theodora nodded, tears spilling over again.
Her father snapped, “Enough! Get in the carriage!”
Theodora closed her eyes. Her mother squeezed her hands one last time before she stepped toward the carriage.
Suddenly, horses’ hooves could be heard. They all turned toward the commotion.
“Who the bloody hell is that?” Lord Dowell grunted and peered into the distance.
Theodora craned her neck and saw a carriage arriving. Her pulse quickened as it approached them and stopped a few feet away from hers. The door swung open and just before she could guess who it was, Alexander jumped out and ran to her.
* * *
Alexander barely felt the ground under his boots as he crossed the distance between them. His legs were shaking from the ride. His lungs burned too, but none of those physical discomforts mattered. The only thing he saw was Theodora standing next to the carriage, her hand on the door as if she were already halfway gone. Her mother’s face was streaked with tears and her father stood rigidly behind them, jaw clenched, eyes cold in his direction. The sight of him made Alexander’s fists clench.
