by Jeny Heckman
Music had always been Raven, just as Raven had always been music. Her earliest memories included that campfire listening to her father play his guitar and mother singing in a perfect alto voice. When she asked to play, she instantly felt a connection and understood the instrument. It was almost as if they spoke to each other. Barely able to wrap her tiny hands around it, she mimicked what he’d been playing. When left to her own devices, Raven gained power from her music. She just couldn’t explain it past that. It had been so long since she’d experienced any kind of power at all.
Now she performed without restraint, and it felt like she was breaking through a thick, sturdy barrier. She played the classics and then her own music, unaware of time or place. She continued to play that night and into the next day when he found her.
Finn walked up to the house and heard her playing the guitar. He stood at the screen door and knocked, but she didn’t answer. Preparing to open the screen, he stopped when she began to sing. It was a beautiful, uplifting song about power and possibility. The next melody was haunting, about youth, pain, and distrust. Singing, crooning to people that no longer lived, she spoke of pain inflicted and love extinguished.
Sitting down and leaning back in the Adirondack chair on her porch, he just listened, running a hand over his beard. In the two hours he sat there, he learned more about her than the entire time he’d known her. Finn tried to process what it all meant. What part was story and what part was true until suddenly, it stopped. Looking in the window, he saw her walk toward her bedroom, and after ten minutes he chose to try again.
She opened the door wearing a salmon-colored sundress, her hair wet and loose from a shower. Freckles had popped out onto her peachy complexion, from her time in the sun, and her eyes looked crystal blue and clear. She was happy, he realized. Radiant in a way he hadn’t seen her yet, almost making him sorry he’d interrupted.
“Finn, hi.”
“Hi,” he said, putting his hands into his jeans pockets. “Sounded good,” he said, gesturing to the guitar, and smiled at the chaotic mess of papers and music she’d written. “Sounded fantastic actually.”
“You listened?” Raven glowed. “Well, thanks. I’ve been working on some things, but it’s time to stop for a while, so you came at a perfect time. Wanna get out of here?”
It was like they hadn’t shared a bed, baggage, or time apart for the last week and it took him slightly aback. She’d never called or reached out in any way. Coming to her now was going to be his last attempt at contact. At least, that’s what he had promised himself.
“Ah, sure. Where do you wanna go?”
“Surprise me. Are you on your bike?”
“Yeah.”
“Perfect. Let’s go.”
Raven walked past him and climbed onto his bike. Watching, with his mouth slightly open in a half grin, he finally closed the door and walked to her. She balanced on it like a pro, and he genuinely laughed at how much she’d changed from the first time she saw it. She looked at him quizzically, as he shook his head and slid on sunglasses, possibly realizing the reason, as the corners of her mouth turned up too.
The bike sprang to life, and she snaked her arms around his torso, hugging him to her. When she laid her head on his back, he decided where to take her and moved onto the road, for the forty-minute drive.
When they arrived, a fence barred the road, reporting it was private property. Finn helped her off the bike, and winking, extended a hand to lead her over the barrier.
“Wait, can we go in here?”
Without saying a word, he just smiled, releasing her hand as they began hiking to the upper Ho’opi’i falls.
“So, how’ve you been?” he asked, pulling up a blade of long grass as they walked.
“I’ve been good, getting a lot of work done. You?” He looked out through the brush.
“Same. They set a date for beginning installation of the turbines.” She stopped, causing him to halt. When she turned, he scanned her face, which showed genuine emotion for him.
“Oh Finn, I’m so sorry. There are no more ways to fight it?”
“No,” he said, looking down.
They walked a little farther before finally turning the corner, and he watched her amazement as they approached the picturesque waterfall.
“Oh my God, this is so stunning,” she said gazing upward.
“It’s not even our best, but it’s my favorite.” The corners of his mouth turned up.
Finn grabbed some more of the grass he stood hip-deep in and began to shred it. Raven glanced over and watched him, as he turned to look up at the falls. After a moment, he threw the grass away, slid his hands into the pockets of his jeans, and lifted his eyes to hers. Caught staring, she quickly looked around.
“It’s quiet. Doesn’t anyone come here?”
“No, they do, just not many. It’s hit and miss now that they’ve closed it.”
“Why’d they close it?”
“Too many accidents. People go on vacation, feel invincible, and disregard nature. It happens a lot on the islands, unfortunately.” He glanced around for inspiration. “I heard you went hiking with Dee.”
“I did. It was so fun. She's the coolest lady.”
“Yeah, she is.” He decided it was time to cut the crap. “So, you’ve been a hard woman to get a hold of, Raven.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Jason?”
“Ah, he went back to Seattle.”
“When?”
“Couple of days ago.”
“But you didn’t call.”
“I was”—she smiled and looked up at the falls—“inspired.”
“Inspired?” he said slowly. “By Jason?”
“No.” She chuckled.
“By?” He stepped back onto the path a few feet away from her.
“I don’t know, by being here, circumstances…”
“Circumstances?” He approached her, and she looked up at him.
“Yeah.”
“So, I guess I thought something was going on with us. That first night we did pretty well together and hanging out, having fun.” He felt like a clingy idiot, much like the girls he hustled out of his bed quickly.
“We did.” She moved over to him, so they were a foot apart. “The second night had its moments too.”
“Are you kidding?” He snorted.
“Well, it was exciting.” She glanced at him and blushed. His laughter faded as he considered her, becoming more contemplative. “Jason said, you wanted money for your research, and I’m ashamed to say for a second I had doubt.”
“And now?” he asked, jaw clenched at the insult.
“I know better.” They exchanged smiles. “I just, I don’t know, it all got kinda confusing.”
“Confusing.” He brushed the hair away from her face. “What about now?”
“Even more confusing.”
She backed away from him. He exhaled hard and jammed his hands back into his pockets, looking toward the woods. When he glanced back again, she had toed off her tennis shoes and was pulling her sundress over her head. He raised his eyebrows. This was something he wasn't expecting. In fact, she was becoming more unpredictable as the weeks wore on. Looking around, he discovered there was no noise but for the water and birds. No people.
His gaze returned to her removing her bra, and his eyebrows went even higher. He scrubbed a hand over his face and beard because he knew how she’d feel. Finn toed off his own shoes and lifted off his tee shirt while approaching her. She removed her panties, and his gaze slid down her, scraping his teeth over his bottom lip. In a fluid movement, he relieved himself of the rest of his clothes as she had.
“So now, all of a sudden you’re into skinny dipping?”
“I’ve thought about you,” she quietly said and stepped into the water.
“I’ve thought about you too…a lot.” He stepped in too.
Leaning over, Finn kissed her and enveloped her waist with his arms, lifting her up. She wrapped her legs
around him, as he made his way farther into the cool water. They bobbed, as his hands moved over her ass and her arm held onto his neck. With one hand, he gently pulled her head back by her hair so that he could do his best on her throat and neck.
Breath coming short, Raven reached down between them, to find his cock, then impaled herself on it.
“Finn, this…” she began. “I’ve never …”
“Ah, Christ, Raven, you feel good,” he said at the same time.
Hands on his shoulders, she supported herself, leaving him to love on her breasts, neck, and face, losing himself entirely. Raven kept her eyes on him, as she slowly rotated her hips around him. She closed her eyes and licked her lips, appearing lost in the sensations.
“I never… With you was the first time I ever had…” He watched her and slowed his progress, as he realized what she was trying to say.
“If you think that makes me think less of you, don’t.”
“I just didn’t want you thinking that this wasn’t …isn’t…important, to me.”
She didn’t wait for him to answer and he couldn’t concentrate on exploring those feelings in the present moment. As the dichotomy of cool water and their heat collided, she closed her eyes and opened her mouth. Making noises a man wanted to hear, her breathy gasps and small whimpers, complemented with an arched back, began pushing him to the edge. And just before he fell over, Raven looked directly into his eyes as they darkened and closed.
Chapter 20
Dressed in a long gown of creamy yellow chiffon, with a tight bodice and gathered scoop neckline, Raven felt like she was going to a prom. Her soft hair fell across her shoulders in waves as she pushed a diamond stud into her pierced earlobe.
Hearing a knock on the door, she spritzed herself with fragrance, then hurried to open it. Gone were the board shorts, sandals, and tee shirt. Finn stood before her in a charcoal suit, creamy ivory dress shirt, and knotted light charcoal tie.
“Wow!” He took in the length of her. “We’re staying here.” He kissed her cheek as she looked past him to see Nate and Annie.
“Too late,” she whispered with regret. “You look incredible. I didn’t think you even owned a suit.”
“I don’t. It’s Nate’s,” he said with a sheepish grin. “Are you ready?”
“Yep, just let me grab my purse. Annie,” she called. “You look so beautiful.”
They arrived at the airport thirty minutes later and boarded the plane for the short flight to Oahu. The SeaHunt fundraising gala, thrown by their boss and his wife, entailed Nate giving a speech from the podium and both men selling their souls for donor funds.
Raven learned not only about the Hawaiian monk seal, but humpback whales, hawksbill turtles, and various birds scattered throughout the islands. Each was on the endangered species list and under the care of other branches of SeaHunt. Finn introduced her to the biologists specializing in the various animals and environments. She was fascinated to see what this group of people did and the passion and impact they had on the ocean and its inhabitants. Finn tried and failed to avoid his boss.
“Well Raven, it’s wonderful to meet you.” Alan extended his hand and smiled. “And don’t you look breath-taking.”
Finn explained how Sunderland became extremely angry when he learned a super star would be in their midst and they couldn’t exploit it for more donors. Now he was all smiles and charm.
“It’s a pleasure. Finn’s told me about everything you do here. It’s pretty incredible and very admirable.”
“Thank you. We’re proud of the work we do and the researchers that are out there every day in the trenches.” He slapped a hand on Finn’s shoulder while nodding to include Nate. “I don’t suppose you’d be willing to perform a song for everyone? It would be a real treat.” Finn moved away from his boss’ grasp and placed a hand on the small of her back protectively.
“She’s not here to perform Alan. She’s here to enjoy the evening.”
Sunderland’s eyes went frosty. He apparently wasn’t over his irritation toward Finn since the meeting with the turbine engineers. He opened his mouth to something but Raven, reading his displeasure, decided to interject.
“I’d be happy to.”
“Wonderful, let’s see…”
“Actually, Mr. Sunderland, how about we earn some money? Maybe set up an auction? I’d be happy to sing someone a song and offer a few signed programs.”
The older man’s excitement was apparent, as he condescendingly raised an eyebrow at Finn. He set a team in motion to make the rounds, as if the whole thing, was a furtive part of the original program.
“This is exciting and very appreciated, Ms. Hunter.” He moved away to oversee the preparations.
“Mr. Sunderland,” she called, and he turned. “I do have one request, however.”
“Oh, yes, what can I do?” he asked walking back to her.
“I’ll make it three songs, but the money raised goes to Finn and Nate’s research exclusively, okay?”
Alan swirled his gaze toward the two men but didn’t make eye contact. Nate, Annie, and Finn all looked dumbfounded and cast fervent glances at one another.
“Ah.” Their boss glanced at the trio, who were smiling, and clenched his jaw. “Of course, Ms. Hunter, whatever you’d like. Let me just get the ball rolling here.”
“Raven.” As the man left, Finn held her elbow and led her away from the group. “You don’t have to do this. Seriously, I can tell him right now you changed your mind, and we can get out of here.”
“No.” She smiled. “Come on, let’s raise some money. Buy Alaula and Kaimi a beach ball to play with.” Grinning confidently, she kissed his cheek.
When the auction was over, fifty-three thousand dollars, of the four-hundred-thousand grand total, had been raised by Raven’s three songs. As she posed for pictures and signed autographs for the top bidders, she noticed Alan walk over to stand by Finn. She couldn’t hear what he said but decided it couldn’t be good when Sunderland left chuckling, and Finn simply clenched his fists.
****
After the gala, Finn spent the next two weeks divided between work, food, sleep, and Raven. He’d shown her most of the island, met most of his friends, and watched the sunsets. Many evenings she brought her guitar and played him her new songs or works in progress.
He took her on some research trips, to show her what they did in the field. However, some of Raven’s favorite times were the ones they shared with Dee. The two women walked together, in the shared affection for one man. They also talked extensively about Dee’s project and her insatiable desire for Raven’s knowledge on the subject.
“What do you know about prophecies?” Dee asked, seizing yet another opportunity.
“Greek prophecies? Hmm, sorry, I don’t know anything about them. Are there some interesting ones?”
“Well, Themis was a Titan…”
“That’s the Cronus lot, right?” Raven asked to be sure.
“Yes. She handed down the ability to see and read prophecies to her sister, who also passed it down to Apollo.”
Raven felt a tightening in her gut and placed a hand protectively on it; maybe she was just hungry?
“And what did they see?”
“Well, many different things, but I wondered if there was ever one about Cronus overthrowing Zeus again. He had to be madder than an un-boiled potato.”
“A what?” Raven giggled. “A potato?”
“Oh never mind, you know what I mean. He was probably pretty mad and wanted his revenge.”
Still chuckling, Raven glanced over at Finn’s grandmother, who today was wearing a lime green, yellow, and orange muumuu. Her floppy hat contained a combination of four limes, a lemon, and an orange on a bed of ti leaves and kukui nuts. When she first saw her, Raven had nearly bloodied her lip, biting down on it to keep from laughing.
She stopped laughing when she looked at Dee’s profile. She took it so seriously, and Raven looked at her with apprehension. Some of Dee’
s queries were incredibly intense. In fact, Raven had the uneasy feeling that the older woman viewed them as real living and breathing people, at times. She decided to test the theory.
“Dee, Greek mythology is just that right, a myth? I mean, if you’re asking in the stories did Cronus ever get out, I don’t think he did. I mean I think Zeus maybe reassigned him to be like, the boss or head of part of the underworld. But he never came to power again.” She glanced at Dee, then added, “In the stories I mean.”
“The Elysium.”
“Elysium?”
“He made him the boss of the Elysium I think.”
“Really?” Raven was surprised. “Okay, but it would’ve been a kind of reward for being good or something, not causing an uprising.”
“But what if he did cause an uprising and used the Fates?”
“The Fates?” Raven stopped walking and turned to her new friend. “Dee, Zeus was the Fates’ father. They planned, like, all of time together or something. How would Cronus go around Zeus and get to the Fates, who were wholly controlled and committed to Zeus?”
“What if he had a helper?” Dee suggested after a minute of thinking.
“A helper?”
“Or dreams, maybe it was in the dreams,” she exclaimed. “You said it was their weakness, right?”
Raven took a deep breath and determined the older woman was spending way too much time on the project.
“Hey,” she said, trying to steer the conversation in a safer direction. “Fun fact for you. Do you know how Apollo got his lyre?”
“No. How?”
“From Hermes.” Relieved to find she had the older woman’s attention, she continued. “He was just newborn and very precocious. So, he went over to Apollo’s place and stole a bunch of his cows. He then found a turtle and took out all its insides, using the shell and some cow guts to make the lyre.” The older woman grinned broadly, delighted in the story.
“So, then Apollo was furious about the cattle and went to Zeus, who decided to punish Hermes. Well, the baby had already run back or poofed back to his crib. When they reached down to get him, Hermes pulled out the lyre and began to play. Apollo totally fell in love with the sound of music, and it became his most treasured possession. He felt so connected to the music that it became his power.”