Jacob Holland X Oc Reader

Chapter 17 - Heavy Heart

The next morning Jacob was the first one to wake up. Lillianna was curled up by his side using his shoulder as a pillow, one of her hands still gripped tightly onto the front of his shirt. Her breathing was of a deep sleep. Reaching up he gently held her hand rubbing his thumb ever so gently.

Jacob shook his head leaning back to look up at the sky. He just had to go an fall for a princess didn't he.

Feeling her stirring he pretended to be asleep. Lillianna rose looking down at Jacob. Her heart saddened. That was it, that was the moment her little dream would end. Leaning forward she gently kissed him.

"Thankyou for the greatest adventure of my life," she whispered gently squeezing his hand before pulling away. Jacob held on slightly, holding on for as long as he could, till all he held was a finger tip and then nothing. His side instantly grew cold. 

They didn't talk after that. At one point Jacob had sat down muling over the picture of himself in the book. Lillianna stood next to the horn of Red her eyes closed simply taking in what she was sure was one of her last moments of freedom.

"That ain't you no more. You're not Jacob Holland who killed four of them beasts in a span of two days," Maisie said rounding Jacob and pointing the telescope at him.

"It was five," he said no longer proud of the fact. 

"You're Jacob Holland who befriended a beast, saved me life, and led us all the way to Rum Pepper Island," she said pointing to the island Lillianna had already spotted. Maisie giggled as she ran up beside Lillianna who smiled and ruffled her hair.

"We made it," Jacob said closing the book and walking up beside them. Lillianna looked up her smile saddening as they locked gazes.

"This is as far as Red goes. Won't be safe for her beyond the Dregmorr, but we can flag a passing ship," Jacob explained.

"And then what?" Masie asked. And then what. Lillianna almost laughed at the likeness of there questions. 

"Well, then I'll, uh, take you to Guelston, won't I? And The princess will be back on her throne," he said the words digging into Lillianna's heart.

"And what about you?" Masie asked. Jacob sighed heavily. He didn't know what he was gonna do. 

"Guelston is a place. It ain't a family. I ain't going back there, and you ain't going back on that ship," masie said going to sit on the ledge of red. "And you don't have to be a princess," Maisie said, almost begged. Lillianna smiled sitting down beside her pulling her in and kissing her temple.

"It's not that simple love. I gotta be the princess. It's an honour to protect my people. To protect you," Lillianna said. 

"But all you too have is me. And all I have is you lot. And that don't sound so bad," Maisie said. Jacob walked over and sat on the other side of her.

"So, what do you say? Should we give it a go?" she asked. Lillianna didn't know what to say. So when she looked up at Jacob her gaze asking for help with her answer.

"You mean, uh... You mean, like a family?" Lillianna froze at his words. 

"Sure. I-I don't know. Maybe if we pretend long enough, it could feel real?" Maisie said hesitantly rubbing her arm. She looked up to Jacob seeing his expression her hope for it instantly disappeared.

"Never mind. It's stupid," she said dismissively.

"What, are you picturing us on a farm or something?" Jacob asked.

"I said "never mind," ya donkey. So never mind," Maisie said defensively.

"It's just I-I don't think I'm..." Jacob felt like he needed to explain himself, the dejected look she gave him made him sad. 

"You got something in your ears?" Maisie snapped.

"All right, all right," Jacob said. "Well, guess, uh, we'd better pack up," he said before standing up and walking back to the supplies. 

"Well whatever happens. The orphanage is rung by the king and queen right?" Lillianna asked.

"Yeah so what?" Maisie asked. 

"well doesn't that technically make us family already?" Lillianna asked. Masie smiled softly leaning into Lillianna.

"While I might be busy being a princess Ill be there for ya ok," Lillianna promised. Jacob watched the two with a heavy heart.