Read Online Through Time-Slamming by Claudy Conn - Free Book Online Page A

so much more than her years. “I think I saw ye once…with m’mother. Ye were in our barn, and I only caught a glimpse of ye. I didn’t see yer wings then.”
    He laughed and squeezed his hands together as though he could not contain the infinite happiness he seemed to be experiencing. “Queen Aaibhe explained much to me.” He nodded towards Jazz, “My darling girl, I thought I lost you—that you were human and that I lost you to human time. I did not know that you were brought here from the past when this Fios, now of Seelie blood, found you being ill treated.” He hung his head suddenly as though remembering another time with regret. “My child, I am sorry I did not know your parents had passed. Had I known, I would have come for you. I cared for your mother a great deal and I have always wanted what was best for you. Your mother never said you were Fios. She never told me that you were anything but human, and I believed you were mortal like she. Even so I wanted to be with you, but she said being raised amongst your own kind—humans were what you needed. She said I would only confuse you and that I had no place in your life. I believed I was giving you what you needed; but even so I still came by and often watched you from the air. I watched as you grew and then time travel became next to impossible, for even the Daoine.”
    Jazz felt a tingling in her brain as now there was of course no doubt who this winged Fae was. He was Frankie’s father.
    As she studied Frankie’s face she also knew the child was so completely brilliant. Jazz saw at once that Frankie had known the moment she met him, just who he was.
    Frankie said simply in a hushed voice, “Ye are m’father, then?”
    “I am,” he said proudly. “You are the only child I have ever fathered and had I had my own way,” he spread out his hands as his voice trailed off. “Your mother was convinced you were human. I did not see any Fae signs when you were young and did not wish to impede on your human life,” he explained putting out his hand. “Come with me daughter, allow me to show you Daoine and our home.”
    Jazz stepped in front of Frankie then, “Oh no, no, oh no! She stays with me until we can get everything sorted out.” She saw a glint of anger light in the Sluagh’s brilliant eyes and hurriedly added. “Of course you must be with your daughter and are most welcome to visit here with her, but life for Frankie has been turned upside down. She needs time to understand what she is, who she is, and where she is headed. I hope this does not offend.”
    He considered this and tilted his head, “Very well, I understand and I shall accommodate my daughter’s needs— for now .”
    “Thank you,” Jazz said respectfully. Frankie’s father was proud and she could see he was used to getting his own way. This could be a problem in the future.
    Deimne smiled. Jazz realized then that he loved Frankie. He loved her and that would make all the difference.
    He said gently, “I see from your expression that we understand one another. However, I am not ignorant of the fact that I owe you much, Fios Fae,” he said looking into Jazz’s eyes. “Queen Aaibhe informed me that I have you to thank for my child’s rescue from an intolerable situation. She was in need when I tried to respect her mother’s wishes and had stayed away for a time. Our time in Daoine, as it is here in Tir, moves differently than in the Human Realm.” He frowned as he paused. “I am told that she was being ill used and you did not hesitate to step in. Thus, your position in my house is worthy.” Again he paused and this time looked at Jazz intently, “Do not allow my respect for you to lull you into believing I will ever again give up my rights as her father. I did that once and it did not work out well.” He looked at Frankie. “It hurts me gravely to think you had been left alone after your mother’s death. It hurts me to know that someone mistreated you. If I could