Embody Read Online Free Page A

checked the paint on the
canvas before handing it to August. Staring into my eyes, he
reached for the painting; I knew he wanted to say something, to
warn me, but he couldn’t find the words. He forced a smile, then
kissed my forehead and began to walk off. “I’ll tell them the
troops are on their way,” he said over his shoulder.
    I watched him leave, wondering what his
fears were. I debated chasing after him and asking him to tell me
every possible scenario that lied ahead, then held myself back,
knowing his answers would only frustrate me more. Once he was out
of sight, I walked in the bedroom and found Landen hopping on one
foot, trying to put his shoes on and brush his teeth at the same
time. I tried to hold in my laughter, but it was impossible. He
looked up as he successfully put on his shoe.
    “You think I’m funny, do you?” he said,
turning to rinse out his mouth. I nodded, trying to hold in a
belting laugh. He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around
me.
    “I’ll show you funny,” he said, leaning down
to kiss me. His touch never got old; he could make me high with one
simple look in his blue eyes. I would easily lose myself inside his
heart and mind. I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him tighter.
His kiss slowed, then he leaned his forehead against mine.“We have
to go,” he whispered just before stealing another kiss.
    I let out a playful groan as he pulled me
through the beach house. We ran across the beach through the sand
dunes to the opening of the string; our home was only a few feet
from here. Inside the string, we found Felicity and Brady walking
in our direction. Felicity was holding on to Brady; she was not
from Chara, so she was blind inside the string.
    “Sorry we’re late...you didn’t have to come
after us,” Landen said, slapping Brady on the back. Felicity and
Brady were both extremely nervous.
    “We knew you’d be here. She wants to be in
the string; she says it feels good,” Brady explained, keeping his
eyes on Felicity.
    I could see Felicity’s point; the hum and
current of the string were very addictive. Felicity reached out
blindly for me, and I grabbed her hand and sent a peaceful emotion
through her. She smiled immediately and let out a breath. Brady did
so as well when he saw Felicity’s relief. Landen laughed and shook
his head, then walked over and kissed me.“I guess I’m going to
check on Dad to find out where Libby and Preston are,” he said to
me.
    “Wait...no, no, I need the both of you...you
both have to stay with me until the baby’s out,” Felicity
protested.
    The look in Landen’s eyes was nothing short
of comical. He blushed.“Umm...listen, Willow is very strong in this
area...I don’t know if it’s my place to be here,” he stuttered,
looking at Brady.
    Brady put both his hands on Landen’s
shoulders and looked him square in the eyes.“I need you to do this
for me. I’ll pay you back. I don’t care how, I don’t care when -
but I promise I will. Just help her...you know I’m scared. I don’t
want her to be.”
    Felicity smiled as she heard Brady’s plea;
she found him being honest with his emotions beautiful. I did,
too...he had always held his true emotions close to him.
    Landen sighed deeply and looked at me.
    “ Come on, macho man...I know you’re not
scared, are you?” I teased.
    Landen shook his head at me, then smiled at
Brady.“You better believe that I’m going to put this favor on a
shelf and save it for something really good,” he said. His tone was
humorous. If anything, we owed Brady; he’d faced the demons with us
and defended us when others were trying to shape us.
    Landen reached for Felicity’s other hand. I
could feel the peace he was sending through her; we pushed it back
and forth, smiling at each other like it was a tennis match. Brady
grew less tense and put his hand on Felicity’s shoulders.
    After walking hours back and forth in front
of the passages that led to Chara, Felicity’s breath