The Seduction of Jac Frost (by Tatienne Richard) novel Chapter 108

< The Seduction of Jac Frost

Making Plans

Original composition by Tatienne Richard exclusively for My

Fiction. If you’re reading this elsewhere it has been stolen from the platform.

Jacqueline surfaced from her state of consciousness and

heard the quiet prayers Jack was chanting at the end of the

bed which were being echoed by Wilder with equal intensity.

“She’s awake,” Fawn wiped her brow with a cool cloth.

“How’s your mom?” Jack quipped as he stopped

mid–sentence. “You went back there.”

“She felt I needed a hug after the day I’ve had.” Jacqueline

admitted as she took a breath deep into her lungs and then exhaled. “She also wanted me to hear she was proud of me for not murdering Bar’s family.”

“Is she proud of us too?” Rafferty questioned, “because I too was sorely tempted.”

She grinned at him, “she is very proud of all of us. “I can get a read on people’s thoughts no matter where they are in the world. I actually need to tone down the noise from itll 11:31

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However, if I want to see what is going on in real time my mother has this neat little pool in her garden. I was able to check on Jacinta, my parents, Oberon and Bjorn in real time to see the aftermath of today’s events in real time.”

Fawn smiled, “what a gift that is to be able to travel to the Queen Mother’s Realm for love, guidance and clarity.”

“It truly is. Fawn, you must know, she told me bluntly she put me in your family to teach me what love is. You are the example of a good mother she has given me to learn from. Winika is an example of an unconditional love, but our bond is frayed because she cannot respect or enforce boundaries. I know she loves me but how she loves overall is unhealthy. The Queen Mother explained no mother is perfect and all have things they wish they could do over or do better. However, how a mother corrects her own mistakes is important and she felt strongly you are the prime example of what it means to balance.”

Fawn’s eyes misted over, “really?”

“Yes. You felt tension in your sons and immediately raced to be at their back respectfully and lovingly. You are a good mother. I feel compelled to make sure you understand this.”

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“Thank you,” Fawn squeezed Jacqueline’s fingertips. “This

means a lot to me.”

“We tell you that all the time,” Wilder moved to kiss the top of his mother’s head. “It means so much more from Jacqueline?”

“Yes.” Fawn nodded. “You love me and you’re biased.

Jacqueline has fresh eyes and a different perspective. I needed to hear it after the last few days.”

“Why?”

“River.” The twins spoke simultaneously.

“What’s going on with River?”

“She’s taking her frustrations with Wraith out on Mom.” Wilder shrugged. “Or rather, she’s getting in Mom’s way with political stuff trying to butt in where she isn’t needed

because she can’t be arsed to deal with her own emotions.”

“I’m running out of patience with her, Jacqueline,” Fawn

sighed. “I left her with Hugh to deal with. She was demanding to know why the numbers for the budget for his military spending were so high.”

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“Is that part of her job description?”

“She is good with numbers, so we have her working directly with our accounting team. Between my three children, they make our realm money hand over fist. She likes to watch it grow and hates to spend it.”

“We’ve actually used her services a time or two,” Jack

commented as he moved to sit on the other side of

Jacqueline’s bed. “Dad trusts River’s judgment in financial

matters.”

“Speaking of Dad,” Jacqueline removed her hand from Fawn’s and reached for her brother, “he needs you.”

“Me?”

“He’s really angry with Winika. Furious even. She is heartbroken and sobbing but he was a peculiar shade of blue in the scene I witnessed. It was vibrant and it was

everywhere. His face, arms, ears, neck, hands,” she took a breath. “He said he needed space from her.”

‘I’ll go to him, but this is his mess, their mess. He should not have tried to free Jacinta this morning.”

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“I know and I’m not condoning either of their behavior

because I can’t figure out Winika for the life of me, no matter how many times people give me explanations, including her. However, he needs you.”

“I’ll go but I’m pretty angry with the pair of them myself.”

“I know but I’m trying to practice compassion the way the

Queen Mother would want, and I know I’ll end up saying

something I regret if I go now.”

“I get that.” He nodded.

“Before you go though, I will likely need you and River here in the morning to talk strategy.”

“Strategy?”

“Oberon made a comment to Bjorn about how it would be good for his throne and his power if Bar had only one mate. Bjorn shut it down and walked out but we need to prepare for the possibility that Oberon convinces him to help, and they come back to try to force us back to their realm.”

“You have got to be kidding me.” Bar growled furiously.

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“I wish I were. Oberon needs a reality check. Bjorn is drowning right now in regrets, pain of not being good enough, jealousy and anger. He is not in a good frame of mind and he’s all over the place. He vacillates between disbelief at his father’s request and rage at Bar for being more than he is. He is erratic and sometimes, in my

experience, the ones who are erratic like this are the ones

we need to worry about the most. I can feel him even now

with your father’s words in his ear, Bar, torn and confused. He wants the throne, the respect of the crown and the power

which he feels he is due, so badly he can taste it but there

is the other part of him who knows right from wrong and

worries of lines he should not cross. He loves you, Bar, there

is no doubt.”

“But he loves the taste of his reign more.”

“Yes.”

Bar looked at her curiously, “I must ask, is it this frustrating for you when everyone tells you how Winika is confused and conflicted. I hear the words you are telling me about my brother, but I am so furiously rageful with him I don’t give a damn. Do you feel this way too?”

“I do,” she nodded her agreement. “I can feel the sorrow in 6/12

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Winika, but it feels too little too late.”

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Jack squeezed her fingers, “I absolutely understand your

feelings, Jacqueline and in your shoes, I’m not sure I’d even

allow me to be here. Know when the time comes to deal with

Oberon and Bjorn again, I will be at your side and grateful for the opportunity.”

“Thank you.”

“If you are feeling better,” Fawn patted Jacqueline’s knee, “I’m going to go give a recap to Hugh and River. If either of them has any other insights to share, we will bring them to you.”

“Thank you Fawn,” Jacqueline smiled at her and then corrected herself at Fawn’s raised eyebrow, “Mom.”

“That’s right. Make sure she rests tonight,” Fawn warned Jacqueline’s mates. “She is exhausted.”

“We will take good care of her.” Bar said quietly and smiled at Fawn, “thank you for being there for me and supporting us as lovingly and as openly as you have been.”

“It is my pleasure.” Fawn kissed his cheek and squeezed his arm affectionately, “I have ulterior motives though. Please 7/12

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keep these two in line. No more diplomatic incidents?”

“Hey now,” Wilder laughed at the favor his mother asked of

Bar. “Who is to say he wouldn’t cause an issue?”

“I have been in many meetings over the years where Bar has been in attendance. He’s not the sort, Wilder.” She looked

over her shoulder at Jacqueline, “name your children wisely,

Jacqueline. This one bit me in the backside.” She gave a giggle and a wave before she vanished.

“On that note, I’ll also take my leave. Call me if you need anything at all,” Jack winked at his sister and then he too was

gone.

Jacqueline patted the spaces on either side of her on the

bed and laughed as Bar took up one side while Rafferty and Wilder pushed and shoved to figure out who was going to lay closer to her. Once they were all settled, snuggled up, she

gave a contented sigh.

“Today was much harder than I anticipated,” she admitted. “I did not know it was possible to feel so many different emotions of such stark contrast all in one short period. I went from bliss to apoplectic to frustrated and everything in

between.”

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“Is that why she brought you to her realm?” Wilder asked

quietly.

“No. She wanted to remind me she is always there and to

ease my mind. I can never be as powerful as she is, I am of

her but not her, but I can rely on her. Today was to remind me I have access to a power far beyond my imagination at my beck and call. Also, I think she was so angry with Jacinta she simply wanted to hug me.”

“She’s an actual being then. She can wrap arms around

you?”

“Yes. She is magnificent and loving and warm.”

“Does it hurt to leave her to come back to us?” Bar asked

softly.

“No. My home and my heart is here and she is everywhere. I

can feel her no matter where I am. She waited so long to be able to connect with me that she is reveling in the feeling of our relationship. It is new and exciting.”

She rested her head on Bar’s shoulder, “how are you feeling,

Bar?”

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“Truth?”

“Yes.”

“Christmas is round the corner.”

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“It is,” she laughed.

“I would love nothing more for the holidays than to spend it quietly with my mate and family in a happy, loving way. I enjoyed our snow building last night. I want more of those things. This town does all kinds of lovely things for the holidays. I want us to build some memories without all the nastiness we’ve been encountering. I love how you protected this town today Jacqueline. I worry their spirit will be harmed by the foolishness which is coming.”

“We will keep your town safe, Bar.” Jacqueline spoke

resolutely. “We will not let anyone cause anyone here harm.” She took a breath, “but soon it is going to get out you are in a relationship with two men and a woman. How will you handle

it?”

“I think the best way to handle it is headfirst. Why don’t we go down to Rooster’s for drinks and dinner? Then over the next

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few weeks we will participate in activities and really expose it

normalize it.”

“I think it’s a good idea.” Jacqueline agreed as she looked at

the twins. “You?”

“Let’s do it,” Rafferty nodded, “but nothing crazy. You need to

rest and relax. We will take care of you, feed you and make

sure you are well tended to but no brawls or snowstorms tonight, okay? No making the server fall on her ass.”

“Fine.” She waved off his concerns, “but you make sure you shut down anyone flirting with you or I won’t be held accountable for my actions.”

Bar laughed at her jealousy, “I like how possessive you are of us, mate. Rest assured it works both ways. We are equally as territorial. Orson feels like he’s always a hair from forcing a shift to pin you down on all fours.”

“Is it possible?” Jacqueline asked with curiosity.

“He has never, ever been capable of such a thing. In our past he mounted bears and never was compelled to try to rut anyone wearing skin instead of hiding but it’s in his head now and he’s nearly feral with it. It’s making him snarlier than 11/12

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usual. Do not even flirt in the direction of another man or I

might not be able to control him.”

Jacqueline’s eyes gleamed with the notion. Tonight was going to be interesting.

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