Free Breaking Out by Gayle Parness Page A

like nothing I have ever tasted
before. Its magic took us between. ”
    I’d been between . It was glorious—and
addictive. “A lot of dangerous people will want him if they find
out what his blood can do.”
    “This is true.” He noticed me pushing the
plate away. “Don’t despair, Jacqueline. He is your son. I see none
of Kennet’s rot. Every young male feels anger and frustration, but
he is never cruel nor often impulsive.”
    This time I laughed. “If he’s not impulsive
he’s not like me, thank goodness.” I shook my head and met Fin’s
gaze.
    His lips had curled up at the corners, his
entire focus suddenly directed at me, as if I’d become much more
interesting. In that instant I understood how so many females had
wanted him to father their children. Finvarra was much more than
his incredible magic or his exalted position.
    Those dark eyes and full lips were an
invitation few unattached females would walk away from. Like his
son Caelen and his grandson Aedus, he was devastatingly handsome,
but his appeal went much farther. Finvarra was perceptive when he
chose to be, intuitive. With one glance I understood that Fin knew
what a female wanted, what she needed, what she dreamed of, and I
had no doubts he could deliver on every score.
    I cleared my throat, but my mouth had become
a dune in the Sahara. “It’s a good thing I’m mated to a guy who
plans ahead,” I blurted out, my nerves showing.
    He remained cool, calm and collected.
“Spontaneity can lead to great pleasure.” His seductive voice
traveled down my spine and lodged itself in my belly.
    Holy hells, was the King of Faerie flirting
with me? Should I be afraid? Would he force…? But I pulled the plug
fast on that thought. As scary as I’d seen him, I knew to my bones
I was safe alone with him. In fact he was doing an amazing job at
taking my mind off of Charlie—the scoundrel.
    “I believe you have a touch of the charlatan
in your blood, King Finvarra.”
    “You are a delightful creature, my lady
Jacqueline, and I enjoy your company very much. How does that make
me a fraud?”
    “You pretended to flirt, all to get my mind
off of Charlie.”
    “Did it work?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then half of me will admit to that being my
plan.”
    “And the other half?”
    “Will bow gracefully and admit defeat.
Garrett is a fortunate male.” He was grinning from ear to ear,
amused by the game.
    “Your kids are nothing like you, are
they?”
    “If you are referring to my penchant for
mischief, I would have to agree that none of my sons follow in my
footsteps. Jorrenn and Dinestri have lighthearted spirits, and
there is hope for some of my grandchildren.”
    “That’s true.” Kellaine loved a good laugh,
and Brina was full of mischief. “Charlie’s on the serious side.
Sometimes I wish he laughed more.”
    “Your son will laugh more as he gains
confidence.” He took a moment to clear the plates away with magic,
leaving the kitchen spotless. “I think it is possible that the
healer in him, the healer he inherited from you, is what gives the
mixture of races stability. I cannot imagine he would have survived
without it.
    “He almost didn’t. He was ill all the time
when he was young. It wasn’t until he was four that he seemed to
get truly healthy.”
    Imagine what a powerful healer will
accomplish with his powerful fae and demon magic?”
    “But I’m afraid for him. He’s in constant
danger.”
    Fin took my hand. “He is, but he can handle
more than he imagines.”
    “I hope you’re right.”
     
     

CHAPTER EIGHT
    I kept my hood
up so Jay wouldn’t see my eye right away. “You weren’t here a
minute ago. I looked.” Jay complained. He was growling, pacing back
and forth. In bear form he’d be showing fangs.
    “I’m sorry. Fin showed up and he took me to
some other place where we could talk in private. He said it wasn’t
Faerie, but it was looking that way to me.”
    “What did he say about this Ammon dude?”
    “Not much. He