August Fortress (Kilenya Chronicles Book Three) by Andrea Pearson

Author:Andrea Pearson [Pearson, Andrea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
Publisher: Andrea Pearson
Published: 2019-10-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jacob returned everyone to their homes, experiencing feelings of dread and despair, but also determination. He believed what he’d said earlier—they could do this. He just wasn’t sure they would succeed on their first try.

He had strange dreams that night of blind dinosaurs trying to sell him reca flowers. When he finally woke the next morning, he had a headache and sore joints from tossing and turning. He took his time showering and dressing, then finally headed downstairs to see if he could help Mom.

She was making gravy while Dad carved the turkey, separating the white and dark meats onto two platters. Neither looked up when he entered, and they didn’t respond when he asked if they wanted help. He sat on a barstool and watched instead.

Mom kept her back to him, busy at the stove. Jacob frowned when he heard sniffling noises coming from her direction.

“Mom? You okay?”

She didn’t answer, but after a moment, she came over and hugged him. He patted her arm, not sure what to say. Then she pulled away, clearing her throat.

“You’ll be fine, Jacob. I can feel it.”

“I hope so.” He kicked himself mentally. He was supposed to be encouraging and uplifting his mom, and here he wanted comfort from her, when she was clearly suffering. She might be losing two of her children over the next few days, not to mention some very close friends.

He wrapped his arms around her tightly, not wanting to let go. He felt like a little boy again, running to his mom after falling off his bike.

Dad came over and hugged them both. Jacob enjoyed the feel of having his parents close. It didn’t happen a lot, since they were all so busy. Matt came downstairs, looking for Jacob, and Mom pulled him into the embrace too.

She finally extracted herself, sniffling and laughing. “We’re all such babies!”

“With good reason, honey,” Dad said. He put his arm around her and she snuggled up to him.

Thanksgiving dinner was much more relaxed than Jacob had thought it would be, considering the trip he and Matt would be taking soon. Matt and Amberly teased and joked with each other, and Jacob found himself following their conversation closely, enjoying it more than he normally would.

Mom beamed at her kids. “I have one thing to say.” Everyone looked at her. “I’m so very proud of our family—of our children. Jacob and Matt, you are growing into fine young men, and Amberly, you’re a sweetheart—an example to all of us.”

The color flowing around her face was a very light blue-green, the one for peace, and Jacob felt his mood shift to match hers. She knew the danger of the next few days, but she chose not to dwell on it, instead focusing on the love their family shared.

“Yeah, Mom, we love you and Dad too,” Matt said. “Even though you never told us you were a king and a queen.”

“And I’m a princess!” Amberly said, her face rosy.

She’d always said it—since she could talk. Jacob half smiled.

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