Atonement by Jordan Kathryn

Author:Jordan, Kathryn [Jordan, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The next week went by far too quickly. Word came that Eloekim’s messengers were on their way to Gothloria, and the tone around the meeting table changed from frustrated debate to hopeful consideration. Emmie loved seeing the change, and her heart soared as the king looked more and more encouraged each day. Every night before bed, she worked on the hat for Heath. Every morning, she looked forward to sitting at the table with Dean. Often, she came to the hall with her parents after supper, joining the others for games or conversation. In the middle of the next week, Emmie came to her parents as they sat by the fire late one evening, a shawl wrapped around her nightdress.

“Can I talk to you about something?” she asked, interrupting their conversation about planting herbs in the spring.

“Well, as you can see, we’re in the middle of a very important discussion,” Jent said mock-sternly. He laughed at himself and gestured to the chair. “What is it, Sweet Girl?”

She took a shuddering breath. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I love my life here. I love the clearing and its sounds and its people. I love being with you and Lisona and Sadie and all our family. But …” She took another shaky breath and let it out slowly. “I have loved sitting around that table, listening to the discussions about the kingdom and the world, seeing people work together, learning from them. I’ve loved being with Dean. He’s been such a good, kind friend to me. He’s been firm, and he’s lectured me and told me exactly what I needed to hear, even if it was hard to say. And I love him for it.”

“You what?” Jent and Gina said together. Emmie blushed but repeated herself.

“I love him. I know that might not sound very romantic and maybe even strange, but he knew exactly what I needed even when I was too stubborn to see it, and he wasn’t afraid to tell me. It has drawn my heart to Abneriel like nothing ever has,” she finished breathlessly, her anxious eyes on her parents. They scooted apart on the bench, indicating for Emmie to join them. She squeezed in between, and her father spoke gently.

“Em, that is exactly the kind of thing we were hoping to see—a man who draws you toward Abneriel, not away from Him.”

“It’s what made me realize how much I loved your father,” Gina put in.

“Really?” Emmie looked over at her mother.

“Really.”

Lines formed on Emmie’s head. “I don’t know what to do, though. I’ve been thinking about what Lundil said, and I’m terrified I’ll make a mistake. What if I hate living in Roftlen? What if she’s right? What if I won’t be happy living apart from you?”

Sighing, Gina studied Jent before responding. “I don’t know what to tell you, my Sweet Girl. Transition is hard. I had the benefit of living outside the castle for a long time before I moved here with Lisona. That made it a lot easier.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.