Part 14 (1/2)

The room was dark, except for the fire.

But thank f.u.c.k, the chair was comfortable.

So Noc stretched out, stared at the fire, didn't think he'd get a wink of sleep, but was unconscious in minutes.

Franka I barely woke before I heard Josette's hushed, ”I think she's awake.”

I opened my eyes and tilted them up to see Noc and Josette standing by the bed, Josette looking anxious, Noc looking gentle.

b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l.

”Yep, she's awake,” Noc murmured and started grinning. ”How you doin', Frannie?”

I began to push up to my forearms, surprised that the pain in my back was dull rather than sharp, doing this snapping, ”I'll be excellent, when you cease calling me this crude name.”

Noc's grin got bigger but he did it bending closer.

”Move another inch, sugarlips, and I'll sit on you.”

I was groggy from the sleeping draught but I was also Franka Drakkar.

Therefore I was relatively certain the glare I sent his way was scorching.

Apparently I was wrong, for the glare had no effect except to make him stop grinning and start smiling.

He had excellent teeth.

Oh, but the G.o.ddess Adele did not like me.

Our eyes locked in a battle of wills I was physically incapable of winning, though mentally I could best him (perhaps), but movement made the dull pain sharpen and thus I decided (for my own sake, of course) to settle back down to my front.

Noc nodded like he was pleased and straightened, turning to Josette. ”Can you make her some of that tea?”

”Right away,” Josette whispered and scurried away.

”Kristian?” I said my brother's name as a question.

Noc looked back down at me. ”Your brother's good, babe. His wife, kid, they're all good. Valentine got to them in time.”

Thank the G.o.ddess.

”My father?” I asked.

”Your dad and mom are both currently sitting in a jail somewhere, on a variety of charges.”

That was...

It was...

I couldn't even decide what it was before Noc continued speaking.

”And Valentine stripped your mother of her magic. Frey's p.i.s.sed, babe. I mean seriously. They're not gonna hurt you anymore. They're not gonna hurt your brother anymore. They're not gonna hurt anyone anymore.”

My mother was stripped of her magic?

I couldn't help it, I felt my mouth curve into a gleeful, malicious smile.

”I know,” Noc stated, and I focused again on him for I had no idea why he said this. ”Wish you'd been there, sweetheart. Valentine magicked out your dad's tongue at one point so he'd shut the f.u.c.k up. If I wasn't so p.i.s.sed, I would have bust a gut laughing.”

I couldn't fight my eyes going wide.

”She magicked out his tongue?”

”You shoulda seen his face, Frannie. It was creepy as all get out, but still, I'll never forget it...in a good way.”

I thought of the other punishments that my father had given me, hundreds of them, perhaps thousands, none of which involved a whip. But they did involve the verbal las.h.i.+ngs of his tongue.

Yes, I too wish I'd been there.

”She gave it back but only 'cause Frey made her,” Noc shared.

In speaking, he regained my attention and I made an immediate decision.

Kristian well. My parents neutralized.

Onward.

”You need to leave,” I declared.

His brows drew together a moment before his expression showed clearly that comprehension had dawned.

Sadly, comprehension might have dawned but he didn't leave.

He crouched by the bed and offered in a soft voice, ”You need me to carry you to the other room so you can have a bit of privacy?”

Dear G.o.ddess.

He thought I needed a chamber pot.

But...

What was happening to my face?

Dear G.o.ddess!

The heat I felt in my cheeks could be nothing other than me blus.h.i.+ng.

I didn't blush. I'd never blushed. Not even when I'd set about seducing my first lover at age sixteen.