For the first time in over a year, Jack was actually looking forward to returning to the palace he had come to despise over the years. It was time to put the past behind him, to let go of his hatred of his father and Caleb, to confront the loss of David and the grief that had caused him to retreat from the world. Now, he planned to embrace the world, to face it head on and show Hannah all of the astonishing things it had to offer.
The sound of a board breaking drew his attention and William released a muttered curse. Jack tried not to laugh as he glanced over his shoulder at his friend. William picked up the broken pieces of ruined board and heaved them over the side of the building. "Easy," Jack told him.
William's eyes turned the color of a ruby as he glared back at Jack. His eyes gradually turned back to their normal blue color as he shook his head. "Sorry."
"It's going to take awhile, but you'll get it."
"I think I'm going to destroy a few more boards before that happens."
"At least it's getting some of your excess energy out."
William grunted in response and pulled another board toward him. Jack watched as he tapped the nail carefully in with his hammer before grabbing hold of another nail. His attention was drawn back to the town as Hannah, Aria, and Ellen stepped out of Abe's house. He couldn't tear his eyes away from Hannah as she moved with a lithe grace he found mesmerizing. Her skin, once so pale it was nearly translucent, now had a sun kissed hue to it that was radiant. The tinkling sound of her laughter drifted up to him, she held her loose hair back from her face as the wind blew around her. It was an amazing thing to hear her laugh, it had happened so rarely before but it had become a more common occurrence over the past week. Her laugh never failed to make him smile.
He'd never dreamed he'd find someone like her, and he'd never thought that he would be good enough to earn her love. He'd always been the least wanted son, then he'd become the rebel, and finally he'd become the man that had run from everything he'd ever known in an attempt to ignore his grief. He'd been completely wrong to do so though and she had proven that to him with her unwavering love. She had been his saving grace, his savior and redemption when he'd been adrift in the world and content to stay that way.
"I'll be back," he said to William as his friend released another volatile curse.
Jack didn't look back as William heaved another board off the side of the roof. Jack ran across the peak of the roof and dropped off the front of the two story building. Ellen took a startled step back, Aria shook her head at him but she was smiling as she brushed past him. Hannah gave him a teasing smile as she turned and ran back down the road.
Her laughter trailed behind her as she darted up the steps of the abandoned home they'd started sleeping in yesterday. He caught hold of her waist before she made it through the front door. A squeal escaped her as he lifted her within his arms and spun her around. Her eyes sparkled with love in the light of the sun as he carried her inside and kicked the door shut.
Where to Find The Author
Website: https://ericastevensauthor.com/home.html
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ - !/ericastevens679
Blog: http://ericasteven.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @EricaStevensGCP
Mailing list: [email protected]
About The Author
Though my name is not really Erica Stevens, it is a pen name that I chose in memory of two amazing friends lost too soon, I do however live in Mass with my wonderful husband and our fish Klinger, and crazy puppy Loki. I have a large and crazy family that I fit in well with. I am thankful every day for the love and laughter they have brought to my life. I have always loved to write and am an avid reader.
Table of Contents
Books by the author
Special thanks
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Epilogue
Where to find the author
About the author
Redemption Page 25
