“You’re right.” I said. “Sorry, Shelley.”
“What did you just say? I am?”
“Though I hate to admit it, yeah. I never involved myself in how they were treating you at home. I just sat feeling sorry for myself that they were suffocating me. I could have been a sister to you, and rallied against them, but I was passive. That’s me. Well, it’s time I changed, so let’s see if we can contact Drake’s mum and then I’m going to visit my parents.”
“Alrighty then.” Frankie clapped his hands together. “Drake. Let’s do this.”
Drake was asked to close his eyes and think of the waves of the sea lapping at the shore.
“Now go deeper under the water, Drake. Deeper and further. I’ll count back from ten as you go so deep you touch the bottom of the sea. When you get to one, your feet are firmly planted on the bottom.”
“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, and one. Your feet are now firmly on the sea bed. Now, as you listen, pick up the sounds around you. Focus in and ask the sirens to sing their melody.” Frankie waited a moment. “Can you describe what’s happening?”
“A group of sirens have come to see me. Ones I know. They are sitting at my feet and waiting. I don’t know what they are waiting for. They aren’t singing.”
“This is perfect, Drake. Shelley is now going to say the spell. Can you repeat after her?”
“I call upon the water
I call upon our allies
Please sing a message of request
To the siren named Hali
The mother of Drake
The lover of Brishon
We need her help
In an important mission
For the love of the sea
And the love of a son
Please sing to the siren
As one.”
Drake repeated the words and then a smile appeared on his face. “They are singing. It’s so very beautiful. Just a melody, a chant, with no words.” His hand went to his chest. “I feel it in my heart.”
Then the smile dropped from his face and his hand dropped to his side. “They are gone. The sirens just left.”
“That’s fine, Drake. Our message has been sent. I’m going to count back from one to ten and bring you back to the room.”
“One: your feet leave the sandy floor, two: rising up in the water…”
He counted back to ten. “You are back in the room, Drake. Open your eyes.”
“Now what?” Drake asked, his expression one of longing. Clearly, he wanted contact with his mother. I wondered what it must be like to have never met her. Mine was a pain in the arse, but at least I had been raised with love—albeit dysfunctionally—and food and warmth.
“Now, we wait. There is no guarantee she will answer, Drake. If she does, it may be in your dreams. Or she may make her way to the farmhouse. Either way, you need to give it time.”
“Why don’t you go rest in our room?” I suggested. “I’m going to get changed to go and see my parents.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Shelley asked.
I shook my head. “No. I need to get off my passive arse and do something myself.”
She smirked. “Sorry about my outburst.”
“I’m not. You were right. Sisters can say it like it is, right?”
“Well, just call me if they get out of hand and I’ll whizz over there.”
“Thank you. And thank you to you also, Frankie, for your help. I can’t tell you how appreciated it is.”
“You’re welcome. Right, I’d better get back home, though Lucy probably won’t even notice. She’s started binge-watching X-Factor.”
“It is a great show.” I told him.
He raised an eyebrow. “Not when you have super-strong hearing it’s not.” He pulled a face. “The opening rounds. God! Anyway, good luck everyone. You know where I am if needed. Probably in my bedroom, with noise-cancelling headphones.”
With that he whizzed off.
I decided not to ring my parents in advance warning. It was my home still supposedly after all, so instead I took a cab and let myself in with my keys.
They both came rushing to the hallway. “Polly, my darling. You’re back! You came to your senses. Welcome home, honey.” My dad said, throwing his arms around me.
My mum stood in the doorway smiling a genuine smile at me, but she was more reserved. Waiting.
“I’m not back, Dad. I’ve just come to talk to you both.”
My dad’s face moved into a grimace and his body went still and taut. “You’re not still considering dating a supernatural?”
“Mark, let Polly get through the doorway, for goodness’ sake. I’ll put the kettle on.” My mum walked away.
The noise of the television rumbled in the background and the smell of a plugged-in air freshener permeated the air. Well I presumed it was that; it could well be some flower and herb mix to ward off something or other.
I took a seat on the sofa of my family living room. I’d only been gone a few days and yet I now felt like a stranger. Mum pressed a cup of tea in my hand and sat beside me while Dad took his usual armchair.
“Thanks, Mum. I’ve missed your cuppas. You will have to come to Jax’s with me sometime though because I have never drunk coffee like it. It’s amazing.”
“Your mother will not be frequenting that place.”
“Why? Jax is human.”
“And hangs around with supernatural beings. I’m sure before long she’ll be coerced in some way. Become one of them.”
“Dad, I’m trying hard, but I don’t understand why you think all supernaturals are evil. That’s like saying all humans are good, and we know that’s not true. Our prisons are overcrowded.”
“Me and your mother just like a quiet and simple life, Polly. When you start adding demons and wizards to the mix, quiet and simple isn’t going to happen, is it?”
I folded my arms across my chest. “Look, I’m going to get straight to the point. I want you to know that I love you both deeply, but I understand that after I leave here tonight I may not be welcome back.” I took a deep inhale. “You’re living a boring life. A frightened and restrained life. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that you’re not living at all. You go barely anywhere, and you think my ideal home is somewhere near where you can keep a close eye on me.”
“We have done nothing but the best for you.” A scowl burrowed itself firmly into my father’s face.
“I agree that in your minds you have done nothing but the best for me. If it’s possible you have actually loved me too much. I’m twenty-four. I have the whole world to explore, and even more fascinating, the sea. Who gets to travel beneath the sea? Divers covered in equipment yes, but I got to visit it without the need for anything and it was beautiful. You and mum should travel the world while you are still fit and able. You are so petrified of what terrible things could happen to you that nothing in your life is happening at all.”
“That’s enough now, Polly.” My mum said. The first words she’d uttered since she’d passed me the drink.
“You don’t wish me to come to harm. That’s why all the protection spells were put up and that’s why you have kept me home. Yet, on Saturday you are threatening to reveal the supernatural population. This will cause a war and may cause me injury as I have dated a supernatural; am dating a supernatural. I want you to think on that. It’s why I’m here. Maybe you can’t accept me dating Drake. If that’s the case then disown me and keep yourselves what you believe is ‘safe’, but please don’t out them because once you pop that cork it’s not fitting back in the bottle. Then the evil underbelly of them, the ones who wished to remain hidden, well, I have no doubt that yours would be the first door they’d call on.”
“Is that a threat?”
My head snapped to my dad’s face, my eyes wide. “Dad. Do you think so little of me? I wouldn’t do that to you. I love you. But on this occasion, I’m not doing what you ask. I love Drake and I’m fighting for us. I�
��m not on the supernatural side or the human side because we belong in both. All I want is to live my life. I have no idea at this point if me and Drake will last. But I do know that we love each other, and that we want to be together, without our parents’ interference.”
“So, you choose him?”
“Do I have to choose, Dad? Is that what you’re saying?”
He said nothing.
“Fine.” I stood up, placing my mug down on a mat on the coffee table. “Then I choose Drake because his love is unconditional.”
I turned to look at my mum, but she just stared at the floor.
“Okay, so that’s how it’s going to be. At least I know now.” Tears threatened my eyes. I swallowed to keep them at bay and then in the doorway I turned back to them both.
“I will always love you both because my own love is unconditional. Should you ever want to see me again you only have to call me, write, anything. But I won’t return here again.”
And with that I walked out of my childhood home, closed the door firmly behind me and I never looked back.
Shelley came to the hallway when I walked back into the farmhouse. I just shook my head at her and headed for the stairs. I didn’t want to discuss it with her right now. All I wanted was Drake.
I told him everything that had happened. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close.
“I wanted to sleep." He told me. "I tried to sleep so that maybe my mum would talk to me in my dreams, but my mind is too cluttered with thoughts to let me rest.”
I stroked his cheek. “Let’s just forget everyone else right now, Drake, but us. Let’s focus on each other and block the world out." I reached closer and put my mouth on his, and that’s exactly what we did.
Chapter Sixteen
Polly
I opened my eyes, realised what day it was, and a feeling of dread hit my stomach so bad that nausea burned through me. I raced out of bed to the bathroom where I heaved and wretched. Drake followed me, holding back my hair.
“Are you okay?”
Standing slowly, I walked to the sink and rinsed my mouth.
“I’m okay. Did you dream anything?” I searched his face trying to read his response before he even opened his mouth.
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
“It’s Friday. Tonight, we see your father. What are we going to do?”
“I shall just refuse to join in with his plans. We’re together and he’s just going to have to accept that.”
Sucking on my top lip, my eyes closed for a moment as I found the courage to say what needed to be said.
“Drake. If your father banishes you from the sea. You’ll have no life. Look how uncomfortable you’ve been just these few days out of water. I love you, and I want us to be together, but I also love you enough that I’d rather you lived a healthy life in the sea, than a miserable one on land.” I held my hand up as he was about to protest. “Drake. We have to face facts. We fight to the end but if we can’t win, then you’ll have to do as your father asks.”
“I’m not going to speak of this anymore today. We’re going to enjoy our day and not worry about tonight or tomorrow.” Drake answered.
But we both knew we would.
As we walked into the kitchen, Shelley’s face showed me that things weren’t about to get any better.
“What’s wrong?”
“Take a seat both of you. I need to talk to you.”
I had no appetite anyway, so I sat down at the table and Drake sat beside me. He grabbed hold of my hand.
“Go on.” He said.
“I’ve spoken with my father. I asked him if he would be willing to take over the position of Duke. He turned me down. For one reason he said—and I completely understand—that he wants to live a free life with my mum after being in captivity all those years. But… he also sat me down and explained to me just how good at his job your dad is. How the decisions he’s made over the last almost thirty years have kept peace below the water. As a sister I want to skin him alive and demand he let you two be together, but as Queen, my hands are tied as regards keeping peace. Hornsea is currently volatile. My father met with the Duke yesterday on my behalf. Your union with Keto is one way of bringing them under control. I protested the use of using Drake, but my father explained that business under the sea is very different, and very much a case of marrying for duty, rather than love. If your marriage to Keto would save lives threatened by Duke Gill, then I can’t be seen to take a stand against it as Queen.”
“So, you’re going to do nothing? That’s it? Brishon wins?” I slammed my fist into the table.
“No. I can’t do anything as Queen. But Lucy hopefully can. I spoke to her earlier as she had told me she was looking at ways to help you. I felt she was your last hope. She has the strangest, wackiest plan I’ve ever heard, but it’s the only chance you have. I can’t tell you what it is, but just know she’s fighting your corner. She will meet us under the sea but can’t say when. Tonight, we travel back, and I advise you follow the Duke’s plans until we see Lucy.”
“And if we don’t?”
“Then I can’t tell you both what to do, but you have to face facts that Drake may have to marry Keto.”
I sat with my head in my hands. The fact was I knew nothing about the sea and its rules and laws—nothing.
Today was going to be one of the slowest, most agonizing days of my life and tomorrow looked like being that plus torture as I faced losing the man I loved.
Chapter Seventeen
Shelley
“What’s up with you? Didn’t get any last night?”
I blew out a breath over my lips. “I can’t do anything to help my sister. She can barely look me in the eyes, Kim.”
“You’re her sister, not a frikking miracle worker, babe. Sometimes life is shit and you don’t get what you want. Especially if that is a twelve pack of Quavers and your husband refuses to go to the supermarket to fetch them because it’s three am and you’ve already had a grab pack of Monster Munch.”
“This time being the Queen of Wyvern Sea meant I had to put the place before my family.”
“Whoa there now, Shelley. She’s been going out with this guy six months. I get she’s in love, but you’re not a matchmaker.”
I glared at her.
“Oh yeah, actually you are, but she hasn’t paid us, she’s not a dating agency customer, and also our unions don’t always work out due to extenuating circumstances. And this is a big one.”
“I know. But she’s my sister.”
“Who has only started making an effort with you since she needed your help.” Kim raised her eyebrows.
“She’s not like that. She’s nice.”
“She may well be. But she’s a grown woman. Let her get on with her own problems. This is not a problem for the Queen of Withernsea and it’s not a problem for a sister either. It’s Polly’s problem. Full stop.”
“But-”
“Full stop.”
I put my hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I get it.”
Kim rubbed her belly, stretching out on her chair.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m getting those Braxton Hicks thingies. These little shits will be out soon.”
I gasped. “You can’t call them that.”
“I’m sure I’ll call them worse when they’re on the outside if they prove to be anything like their father.”
“You know Darius is an amazing husband.”
“Who wouldn’t go out to the supermarket for his pregnant wife.” She pouted.
Lucy walked in. “Just seen your hubby downstairs in the coffee shop. Told Jax he needed an extra shot because apparently you sent him out for food four times between eleven pm and two am.”
“God, you’re such an annoying bitch.”
My chin dropped. “Kim! You made it sound like he was being mean.”
“It was mean. I really wanted some Quavers. Like really, really badly.”
“You should see
the coffee shop. It’s packed, and everyone is apologising like crazy to Jax, telling her the waffle place’s coffee wasn’t a patch on hers. She’s put the price up and not a single one of them has complained.”
“Good for her. It serves them right, cheapskates.”
“How was your sister this morning?” Lucy asked.
“Not good, especially once I told her I couldn’t really help. I explained you might be able to do something, but I think she’s given up.”
“She needs some balls other than Drake’s, that one.”
“She did go and see our mum and dad last night. I’ve not had chance to ask her how it went, but by her face it wasn’t anything good.”
“Well, let’s focus on one thing at a time. Firstly, tonight and the potential wedding tomorrow, and then let’s consider the Linleys'.”
“Who made Lucy Wonder Woman? She’s all ‘I’m gonna kick ass’. I want to help.”
We both looked at our friend who could barely stand from her chair.
“I saw that look! It’s discrimination against pregnant women. I protest. I need a role in this rescue mission.”
“Who you gonna protest to? The only royalty you’re going near is Burger King.”
I snorted.
“Oh yeah, let’s all laugh at the pregnant lady. That’s nice. Now if you’d excuse me and go to your own offices, I have work to do.”
That brought out an eruption of giggle-snorts.
“See, you do have a role to play.” Lucy said. “Keeping Shelley’s spirits up by amusing her.”
Lucy followed me into my own office. “I need you to read out these words Frankie wrote on this paper please?” She handed me a piece of scrap paper.
“I hereby declare that Lucy Love may bring any guest she likes to the waters of Withernsea this Friday and Saturday.” I read. “Is that it?”
“Perfect.” She said, staring at me.
“What?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing.”
I held the paper up again wondering if there was a hidden trick. “Hang on a minute? Lucy Love? Your name’s Lucy Fir.”
The Complete Collection: Supernatural Dating Agency Books 1-6 Page 62
