“Well, you letme know if you change your mind about needing a prayer partner.”
“I will, thankyou, Jacob. For now, I’m going to try and get some sleep.” I turned off myoverhead light, reclined my seat, and closed my eyes, praying one last time forthe failure of our aircraft.
* * *
Phineas
I made my way into the library atthe back of the house, joining my parents and siblings for a quiet momentbefore the rest of the family descended upon us.
“There you are,”Liam droned sarcastically. “Always the last to arrive.”
My littlesister, Billie, rushed into my arms, careful to hug me gently so as not to ruinher gown. “How was your trip? I want to hear everything.”
Billie was adecade younger than me, and she was absolutely one of my favorite people on theplanet. She was bold and funny, and the most inquisitive person I’d ever known.As much as I leaned on Liam for his logic, I leaned on Billie for her levity.If I was having a bad day, my sister was the person I turned to to cheer me up.
“There’s nothingto tell, widget,” I said.
She dropped herhead back with a groan. “You always say that.”
I chuckled,taking her hand, and spinning her slowly. “You look really pretty.”
She wore an iceblue gown with our tartan sash over one shoulder and clasped at her oppositehip with our diamond encrusted family crest brooch.
“You look sohandsome, Phin,” my mother said. She kissed my cheek, then straightened mybowtie.
“Thanks, Mum.You look stunning as usual.”
She wore a deepgreen, velvet gown, and her sash was similar to Billie’s, only far more ornate,as was fit for the queen of our people. Her dark hair had been styled aroundher tiara, which I noticed was one of her tamer ones (probably on herinsistence as my mother was still not comfortable with her station), and otherthan her wedding and engagement rings, she was devoid of jewelry.
“Thanks, honey,”she said.
“Where’s Da?”
Mum rolled hereyes. “He forgot his cufflinks.”
She cupped myface and smiled, then released me and wrapped her arms around Billie, kissingher temple.
Dad walked in afew minutes later, carrying four gift bags in his hands.
“Kade,” Mumbreathed out. “What did you do?”
“Nothing,” helied, handing us each a bag.
For my mother,an emerald and diamond necklace that settled at her throat and fanned outalmost like peacock feathers.
“Kade, this istoo much,” she breathed out.
“For whom,love?”
“Me,” shesqueaked.
He smiled, andher expression of admonishment led me to believe she was continuing theirargument telepathically. Da continued to smile as he gently secured it to herneck.
“Mama, that isexquisite,” Billie rasped. “It matches yer frock like it was made for it.”
“Hmm, funny howthat is,” Da mused.
“You’re toomuch,” Mum said, grasping his lapels. “But I love you anyway.”
