"I have never been in love," Frances said, "This is an amazing feeling to me, but do you know what's better?"

"What?" Emmanuel said, kissing her chin.

"Being loved..." Frances smiled, "I do not know how my coven will take this, but they must understand my feelings for you."

Emmanuel knew there was a possibility of her being kicked out of her coven even though they did harbor some succubi at one time.

"They will understand, I am sure," Emmanuel told her, "Some may take some time."

"What about your family?"

"What about them?"

"Will they accept me?"

"No, darling, they will not."

"Oh.."

"It isn't in their nature to do so," Emmanuel admitted, "Maybe Thomas and Samuel.."

"I won't need to be worried?"

"About what?"

"About your father?"

Emmanuel didn't think so, but he really wasn't sure. His father an overbearing lunatic.

"Can I have my powers back? How did you take them?"

"Dark arts, I told you—I don't know if I should."

"You can't trust me?" Frances sat up and glared at him, "After what we just professed to each other? I won't leave you and I won't hurt you—I promise."

Emmanuel sighed, "Alright. Tonight we'll perform the ritual and you can get your powers back."

"Thank you, Manny..I truly appreciate it."

After some time, the two went fishing—mainly to swim in the river naked, though.

"I could get used to seeing you naked—running around our house in nothing but your flesh.." Emmanuel said as he watched Frances swim circles around him, "Is this real?"

"It's as real as you want it to be, Manny.." Frances said, finally feeling content for the first time in so long.

"Watch this," Emmanuel said, and in an instant in disappeared.

"Manny?!" Frances yelled, "Manny!!"

Reappearing behind her, Emmanuel chuckled, "Everything I do to you today, you can do to me three-fold when you get your powers back. This time is about us—and only us. Why did you come into my life?"

"You kidnapped me!" Frances laughed, "Do something else."

Emmanuel waved his hand, causing Frances to fall into a deep sleep in his arms. He awakened her with a kiss.

"Did I pass out?"

"Want some more?"

"Yes."

Emmanuel dove under the water and swam circles at such a high speed that Frances grew dizzy.

"Wow.." Frances said, "Show me more. I want to know what I'm up against when we're bickering later on and trying to outdo each other."

Emmanuel smiled, placing his hand on her chest.

"W-what are you doing?"

"I'm healing your heart.."

"But my heart,-"

Emmanuel nodded, "You miss them greatly—I am healing your burden."

She turned away, "I don't want to be healed."

"Frances.."

"No!" She cried, "I want to miss them..I need to grieve."

"Why?"

"I survived!"

Emmanuel finally understood they that had that in common, too. Both of them survived the deaths of their loved ones and it was tearing them up inside.

"You shouldn't carry this burden.."

"Nor should you, but you insist on it."

He gathered her in his arms and cradled her as they swayed in the water.

"We will get through this together, my love.."

That night he performed a dark arts ritual to bring back Frances's powers.

"You can't tell my sisters or Devonia that you used this typr of magic on me."

Emmanuel nodded, "I won't."

He continued to chant and chant and chant on into the night until Frances fell asleep and woke up three feet above the mattress.

"Oh..I need to work on my levitation..." she laughed as Emmanuel helped her down, "Wanna see some more?"

"I would love to."

Emmanuel watched as she levitated, lifted and carried things with her mind, read his mind and read his aura. She was able to see his mother and his past—what he'd done and how he'd suffered.

"Oh, Manny...you're father is hateful!"

She watched the beatings and fights and torture Emmanuel and his siblings went through at the hands of his father and the soldiers. It broke her heart.

"I won't let them hurt you ever again!"

Emmanuel had never had anyone want to protect him before—save for Thomas and Samuel who only received far worse after they did save him from his father's wrath.

"I don't have a familiar yet," Frances said, "I should get one soon."

"What would you like?"

"Our familiar chooses us—I could even get a toad!"

"You and your toads.."

Frances giggled as they performed more of their powers for each other and she kept her end of the deal. She didn't hurt him and she didn't try to run.

Once asleep—after hours of lovemaking—Emmanuel could sense his brothers coming for him once again.

Slipping out, he didn't notice Frances had also followed.

"He's mad, Emmanuel.."

"Who? Father?"

Samuel nodded, "He wants her and he wants her now."

"What? Why? He has plenty of women! Tell him to fuck off."

Thomas shook his head, "We wanted to warn you—we're not coming for you, but you know when the time comes it's the end for her."

"No matter your feelings.." Samuel said.

"How do you.."

"I know you—I've never seen you like this—love..?"

"I won't let him take her!"

Frances stepped out from behind the brush, her hair was frizzy and her eyes were sleepy, but even Thomas and Samuel could see her beauty.

She buried herself in Emmanuel's chest as he held her close.

"We'll run then—we'll keep going and going until he forgets all about me—all about Frances."

Thomas and Samuel agreed that might be a way to evade him, but it wouldn't last forever.

"No, Manny...we need to fight him," Frances whispered, taking his hand in hers.

"And I will be right by your side when we do."