She stood gazing at the serene and lovely landscape all around her, and sighed.
Thirsty from all her exertions, not Fae thirsty as Fae especially Daoine Fae could go for a very long time without food or water. She was human thirsty. Her human would always be a part of who she was.
She started to bend toward the swiftly moving stream as it bubbled over rocks and sand and wondered if it was drinkable. She was Daoine, a Fae of earth, wind, and fire. All she had to do was sniff…
Oh no.
Oh no oh no oh no.
Chapter Fifteen
JAZZ WENT FORWARD to meet Graely who had hung back. She knew with both Trevor and Frankie’s father on the spot, he would not intrude.
She eyed him and not for the first time saw what Frankie always saw.
He was magnificent in his dark brown leather pants, sandals and nothing hiding his muscular chest but his intricate rune tattoos.
He frowned at her, and she noted at once, he was looking for Frankie. He broke his rule and came toward her regardless of Trevor and Deimne’s attitude. His speaking eyes asked her about Frankie and she could see as he moved a mass of rock hard muscle, he was more than a little concerned.
His black hair blew around hi
s too beautiful face and Jazz could see the terror take over his features. All at once, she knew. He would not survive without Frankie. He loved her.
Jazz saw it all. He was the ultimate bad boy, a bad boy that wanted ‘saving’. It was a completely lethal combination. Could Frankie save him?
Looking at him now, he looked more beast than pliable male. He looked too headstrong for anyone to control. He stalked toward her and she regarded him from eyes that had become slits, giving nothing, and seeing everything.
What is that Daoine doing here?” his chin indicated Worley. “Where is Frankie? Why is Prince Trevor holding on to the Daoine like his life depended on it—where is Frankie?” Graely said in quick succession. “What has that thing done? Where is Frankie?”
Trevor shouted, “Don’t get to close to Jazmine Decker, Dark One!”
The Dark Prince ignored him, and Deimne sent out an electric charge of blue fire. It hit Graely square in the chest. Graely staggered but even before he straightened, he gritted his teeth and continuing forward, ignoring all except Jazz.
She saw pain and worry written all over his face, as he just kept stalking toward her, his lips pulled in tight with determination.
Trevor shouted at him, an angry frown drawing down his eyebrows, “Stand your ground, Unseelie!”
“What have you done? What have you all done?” Graely growled. “Where is she? What have you done with Frankie?”
Jazz shot a hard look at her mate and Deimne. “We don’t have time for you two to flex your muscles and prejudices. This is not the time for feuding, for ‘tis nothing more than that. Just keep Worley in tow. Can’t you see that Graely wants her safe?” She turned to Graely.
“Jazmine Decker,” Trevor called grimly, “I like to please you in all matters, but…this? Him? Now? You can’t ask it of me.”
She gave him a soft look filled with love. She knew how distressed he was, but he was in the wrong of it, “Graely might be able to help us,” she said to him, “And we need help immediately.” Jazz frowned at Deimne and added, “You know he cares about Frankie, so it doesn’t matter what you think of him. You know that he wants to help. You two would see that, if you could see past your own noses!” She shook her head, “Your prejudice is based on what? That he is an Unseelie, and think all Unseelie are evil. Be that as it may, he is not just an Unseelie, is he? He isn’t one of those monsters. He isn’t his brothers. There is more to Graely. Don’t forget what Crystal told you Trevor, she said he has more of his father’s Daoine genes than his brothers.” She waved Deimne’s objection off with a sharp movement of her hand and continued, “If you both weren’t so blind with preconceived notions, you would see that. The sorry truth is we aren’t sure the portal goes to Conglam and even if it does—we don’t know how to get past the wards. Time might be important…we need his help.”
Deimne lost control. His fear for his daughter, the blame he put on all Unseelie, Graely standing so erect in the face of this horror sent him reeling. He had both hands wrapped around Graely’s wide neck, as he attempted to choke him, all the while bellowing out the sound of his helpless rage.
Graely took it from him, keeping his hands open at his sides.
Jazz could see Graely would not raise a hand against Frankie’s father.
Jazz pulled him off with Trevor shouting for him to stop.
It was, Jazz thought, a nightmare.
Frankie’s father dropped his choke hold, he spat at Graely in the face and accused, “This is your brother’s doing. Where would he send her? I’ll kill you if one hair…”
“Stop it, Deimne. You know this was not his doing—we both know it. My Jazmine Decker is right. This Dark Prince might be able to help us,” Trevor said and Jazz sent him a thankful look.