Page 23 of Wonder
Instead of looming over him this time, I squatted down and lifted him so we remained face-to-face. Nicky nodded and put his arm around my shoulders to hold on. “Thanks. I want to try standing up after lunch.”
“Great! Whenever you feel strong enough.” I opened the back door. Tucker was showing Jackson how to throw a softball.
Nicky leaned in and sniffed my neck. “I knew you before, didn’t I?”
I set him down in the chair I’d sat in last night. It was only a coincidence that I got to sit in the one Reno had used. I rubbed my jaw and sighed. “Yes, but you were very young when we saw each other last. You were only twelve years old when you were taken, and you’d been in Canada during the war. It won’t surprise me if you don’t remember much.”
“I remember my parents were King and Queen. My mother was pregnant, and she’d gone back home to the other place. But I never lived there. I was born on Earth, and I wasn’t happy about having to leave.” He stretched his arms out as if trying to soak in the sun.
“I don’t blame you.”
He gave a cynical laugh. It was the most adult he’d sounded since we’d rescued him. “I guess the vamps didn’t want to leave either.”
I shook my head. “No, the ones who took you had developed a taste for drinking blood directly from Wonders. It isn’t allowed in the Elven dimension.”
He traced a bite scar on his forearm with one finger. “Did you stay for the same reason?”
My head jerked back, and I sucked in a breath. “No! I stayed to rescue you and stop theluchd-òl fola. That’s what I’ve been calling them.”
He silently mouthed the words. “I don’t know what that means.”
Hell, it’d been so long since he’d even heard the Elven language. Understandable that he’d forget it. “Sorry, it means blood drinkers.”
“Oh. Makes sense. How many Guards did my father leave behind to help you find me?”
I leaned forward, my elbows on my knees. I forced myself to meet his eyes. “I’m sorry, Nicky, but when they cut your connections, your father assumed you’d been killed. Even when I found evidence to the contrary, he didn’t believe me.”
“Oh.” His voice was low. Across the yard, Jackson threw the ball overhand toward Tucker, but it landed in the grass halfway between them.
I forced a positive tone. “But he let me stay and search for you.” I reached out and touched his wrist. He looked at me with those purple Elven eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t find you sooner.”
He shook his head and smiled. “The way they moved around, I’m shocked you found me at all.” He sat up and mimicked the throwing motion Jackson was currently practicing. “So, how long until my parents reopen the portal?”
Fuck. I couldn’t lie, but... shit. “Your father, um. He was horrified by World War II.” I twisted my fingers together. “He told me he wasn’t planning to reopen it. Ever.” I glanced at him to gauge his reaction. “We’re stuck here.”
He pressed his lips together, gazing toward Tucker and Jackson. “So I won’t get to see my parents again.” He blinked rapidly, and one tear escaped. Jerkily he wiped it away. “It seems silly to feel like they abandoned me when they thought I was dead.”
“It’s not silly.” Frankly I agreed with the sentiment. Even after all these years, I was still angry at King Domhnull for not listening to me about his son being alive.
Nicky sniffled, then he spread out his hands. “At the very least they should reopen it to get you back.” He studied me. “Would you have rather returned to the other dimension?”
“At the time, yes.” I couldn’t stop my eyes from looking toward the back door. “But not now. Reno is my mate. He wouldn’t be welcome there, so I’m happy to stay here.”
Jackson managed to throw the ball far enough that it landed near Tucker. But when he tossed it back, Jackson slapped it away from themself like it would’ve harmed them.
Tucker cheered. “We need to work on your catchin’ game, but you don’t have any trouble with your reflexes.”
Nicky chuckled. “I need to make Jackson watch a baseball game.”
“Do you remember yourdèideag dìon?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Yeah?”
I tilted my head toward Jackson. “They have almost completed their Becoming.”
Nicky gaped. “That’s them? I didn’t recognize them. They’re.... Wow.”
I hoped Jackson stayed with Nicky. They’d be good companions and could help each other learn to navigate life on Earth.
