Frankie (Through Time 4)

Chapter Nineteen

FRANKIE EYED HER father and put up a hand that said it all.

No, it said, don’t say a word against him. No, it said, Graely helped us, helped heal the humans at his own expense. No, it said, ye don’t understand. Ye just don’t understand, because ye have forgotten what it is to be in love, and know that it is right, so very right. She then looked into his eyes and heard her words flow freely, “Da, don’t be telling me I can’t see Graely.” She shook her head. “I won’t obey ye like a dog, and because I love ye, it will be a sadness for me to go against yer wishes, but go against them I will.”

“Frankie…you are too young,” her father answered.

“We have other matters now to deal with,” Jazz stuck in. “This is an emotional moment and not the time, Deimne…Frankie?”

Trevor inclined his head and put a hand on Deimne’s shoulder, “She is right.” He turned to Frankie, “What happened in Conglam? Where did the portal take you?”

Frankie related in quick succession everything that had occurred to her from the moment she had entered the portal to the moment Jazz had come for her. She turned to Jazz every now and then, and then made the point of telling her father, “It was Graely who reminded me to become all Fios, to use my Fios magic to escape the Fae trap Pestale has designed.”

Deimne looked away and Frankie grimaced but went on to recount her experience with the Shapeshifters and the fact that she believed they had known nothing about what the pack of Blue Demons led by Sventer had done.

Jazz took over what she saw, and encountered and Frankie stood back to watch and listen. Soon after, Trevor and Deimne began discussing what their next move would be.

“Do you come with us or your da? We are for Dravos and Queen Aaibhe, your da is for Daoine and Queen Mab,” Jazz asked her.

“Neither. I think I’ll go home and get some rest. I really do need an old fashioned soak in the tub and a chance to recoup. I’ll be meeting up with ye later, then,” Frankie said evasively.

Jazz stopped short and their eyes met, before Jazz said, “I see, of course, Frankie. We’ll catch up, later.”

“Aye then,” Frankie said, nodded to her father and Trevor and shifted off.

She did in fact, give the truth to her lie by going to the cottage, showering, and donning a sexy little black tank top and cut-off shorts, and sandals. A quick brush to her long black hair and she stood breathing anxiously for a moment. She was not yet back to full strength, but she would do.

She shifted off to the spot she and Graely had always thought of as their own.

Graely stood, naked to the waist, his black hair loose flying about his handsome face in the wind. He stood flexing his muscles unconsciously as he grappled with his thoughts and stared out onto the majestic green patchwork valley below. He stood looking like a hero, her hero and her heart melted for him as did her body.

She took a step toward him and he turned. Right then, Frankie, she told herself, time to make yer move and make it stick!

She didn’t say a word as she rushed him, wrapped her legs around his trim waist and held onto his shoulders to say, “Graely.”

He grinned in spite of himself. She could see he didn’t want to show his pleasure, but couldn’t help himself and he said, “Monkey, precious monkey.”

“Now what is it to be, monkey—brat—child or woman? Here, let me show ye what I think I am,” she said and moved in for the kill.

Her lips touched his and she felt the love of her life tremble. He trembled. This experienced male who had had females of all kinds in all ways trembled for her kiss.

She tickled his mouth open with her tongue, for although she was a novice, she knew enough, had experienced a kiss or two or three in her time.

He couldn’t help himself as her tongue found his and she felt the rumble of feral passion infuse him. His hold on her tightened. He returned her kiss, and when that connection was made, she felt her entire body respond to his.

The world vanished. There was only the two of them in a sky of blue, no it wasn’t just blue—it was lit up with sparkles and fireworks.

He was spinning slowly with her holding on. He groaned with the obvious effort it cost him to hold back. She knew he was trying to keep himself from responding to her. He was going to lose this battle, oh; he was so going to lose this battle.

Frankie pulled out of the kiss to whisper, “Graely, don’t fight me lad, don’t fight this. Ye know we are meant, ye know it.”

“No, oh no, Frankie love. I don’t. You deserve so much better than what I am,” he answered on an anguished cry.

“Stop it. I don’t care what ye were in the Dark Realm. Ye were left there to rot, and

it is a wonder ye didn’t go mad being what ye are, and what ye are, is so very solid, so very steady and good. That is who I see, and the little bit of dark ye are forever suppressing, well, my prince, it matches m’own darkness. Now kiss me, Graely and stop yer fussing.”

“No, Frankie. Don’t you see? I need you to save me. Frankie if I do this it will be the worst evil I have ever done. You are the only pure thing in my life. I won’t ruin you.”