The sun winked as it teased the horizon as it rose, and Edward and I were still a tangled mess of limbs on the bed. We hadn't spoken much during the night, and as we watched the morning arrive, he gently stroked my arm. We had been laying still like this for the past half hour, and my thoughts were full of when I was leaving. I didn't want to leave right now, but I had to speak with my parents as soon as possible. I wasn't looking forward to telling Edward, as we had only just been reunited, and I knew he wouldn't be happy. I wasn't happy about it myself, but it needed to be done, and I believed the sooner the better. My sense had curled around my mind as I thought things through, and it seemed to be agitating Edward. He sighed slightly.
"What are you thinking, Maeryn? You have closed yourself off to me."
"Sorry," I mumbled. "I was just thinking how happy I am, and that I could lay like this forever." I couldn't tell him just yet. I wanted a few more hours with him, before I dropped that one on him. He sighed again, softly.
"Me too," he whispered, as he gently kissed the top of my head. Holding me to him, he sat up in bed. "We really should talk, though."
Great. There goes my plan for another few hours. I rolled my eyes. "Yeah," I sighed.
"Does your family know you are back?" I asked, trying to deflect the conversation.
"Yes. I spoke briefly with them last night, before I came here," he said, smiling. "And I know you and Alice spoke. Do you have a plan?" he said, redirecting the conversation back.
I sighed as I got out of bed, and wrapped my bathrobe around me.
"Not really," I muttered. "But I will have to leave. Soon," I said, as I turned toward him. He was frowning. I knew he wouldn't like that.
"When?"
"Today. As soon as possible."
"Why so soon?" he asked, in a slightly despondent tone. "Can't it wait a little while? I've only just got back."
"I need to speak with my parents as soon as possible, Edward. I have brought dishonour to my family, and I need to rectify it quickly. Plus, they may have some knowledge of our situation. If not, they may be able to help us find a way around this."
"What do you mean, 'around this'?" he demanded, standing in one fluid movement. "You want a way out of this?"
"That's not what I meant, Edward. I only meant maybe they could find a way for us to be together without it impacting on others. I didn't mean I didn't want us to be together. Whether they can help us or not, it makes no difference. I am with you now, and always will be," I said, approaching him slowly. His eyes cooled a little, then he smiled softly.
"I'm sorry. I thought you were hoping for a way out," he said, as he embraced me.
"Never," I whispered, as I kissed his cheek. "I need to get ready. I will be leaving soon."
"Can't I come with you?" he asked.
"Certainly not!" I almost screamed. "Edward, you have no idea about the way we travel, and I would most definitely kill you if I were to try and take you! We travel by fire, and there is no way I would risk you even being around me when I left."
"Okay, okay!" he said, trying to calm me down. My heart was practically galloping with fear at the thought of him being lost to me that way. "Shh," he consoled. "It's okay, Maeryn. I won't be anywhere near you, if that's what you want."
"I'm sorry. It's just, I couldn't bear it if I were to be the one to harm you, and that is the only way to get back home, through the fire portal."
"I understand. Just promise me you will be back soon."
"I promise. I don't think I could stay away from you for long, now," I smiled at him.
"Good. Because I don't think I could stand you being away from me, either."
Edward left me to get showered and dressed. He wanted to run back home and let everyone know what was happening. He promised he would be back to say goodbye to me, by the time I was finished preparing for my departure. Before stepping into my shower, I opened my mind to Azriel and told him to expect me within the hour. He was curious as to why I would be returning home, but I told him explanations could wait until I had arrived and spoken with my parents. He agreed, but wasn't too happy that I wasn't sharing. I didn't care. My parents were my first priority, and Azriel would just have to wait.
I waited in my back yard for Edward to return, but time was growing short, now. I only had ten minutes before I had to leave, and I didn't want to be late or Azriel would come looking for me. That wouldn't be helpful if he turned up when Edward and I were saying goodbye. I paced around the garden, trying to remain patient, but it was useless. I had started to rub my chest, and I wondered why I felt so anxious. Probably my impending meeting with my parents, was making me feel edgy. I had at least thirty seconds left before I had to go, and Edward still hadn't shown up. Perhaps his explanations to his family took longer than he realised. Perhaps he was staying away from my departure, like I wanted. It was, after all, far to dangerous for him to be close when that happened. With a sigh, I prepared for my journey, and left in a bright flash. Edward still hadn't arrived.
Travelling the way my kind did, was magical. It never ceased to amaze me. It was like travelling through a massive tunnel system that was made of rainbows. Every color of the human spectrum resided in this labyrinth, and a few more besides. The outer walls were shining, and glimmering with fire, as I passed by. It was almost like flying, but my destination pulled me through the winding, sparkling tunnels. On the outside, the air was black, only lit slightly by the light of my travel. It didn't take long to travel this way, and I found myself landing about two minutes later.
I had arrived in the Imperial Realm, in the middle of the main lake of the city of Heliotrope. The water of the lake was a purple color, that shimmered with the light of our three moons. The sky was a dark lilac color, but spotted with luminescent stars, showing that twilight had arrived. I gazed around, re-acquainting myself with the view. To the north, stood a huge towered castle, that was made of the same crystal stone as my Falcata. That was where my parents resided. The city lay out like a blanket all around the castle, and lights flickered in the houses that surrounded it. The landscape around the city was spectacular. Hills and mountains were covered with an abundance of trees and shrubbery, and the lower hillocks were carpeted with wild flowers. The scene was breathtaking, and I found myself wishing that Edward could travel with me. Gathering myself together, I walked toward the lakes' banking. Azriel was there to greet me.
"Maeryn. Welcome home," he smiled, helping me to the shore.
"Thank you, Azriel. Are you well?"
"Fine, fine. And yourself?"
"Yes, thanks. My parents?"
"They are waiting for your arrival. I took the liberty of informing them you were coming," he said, as he walked me toward the castle.
"Thanks," I muttered, unsure of how to proceed now that I was here. We walked the rest of the way in silence, and Azriel never asked me once, why I had returned home. I was grateful. I didn't want to hurt his feelings by telling him nothing again.
As we approached the main gate, the guards on either side stood to attention. They were impeccably dressed in their uniforms of purple tunics, with gold brocade around the shoulders, and along the edges of their capes. They had swords that hung from their hips, and large, long spears in their hands. Their armour was gold in colour, but made of a much stronger alloy. Chain mail covered their chests, and they wore elbow length gauntlets. Their helmets were almost roman looking, but without the plumage. Only one single feather hung from the back of the helmets. A phoenix feather. It was long and reached to the small of their backs. It was purple in color, of course, but it shone iridescently in the light of the evening.
Entering the castle, and into the large hall, a feeling of happiness came over me. I was home. I hadn't seen these walls for the longest of times, and I was glad to be back, even if the circumstances weren't ideal. Swallowing hard, I headed for my parents chambers. They liked to relax in private when the night descended, so I knew they would be there. Azriel didn't follow me inside, but stood watching me until the gates closed. I walked forward, trying to piece together the words I would use when I saw my parents. As I walked through the passageways, I looked around. The walls and floors and ceilings were a light lilac crystal. A glass house, almost. It was beautiful. High ceilings, large floors, all dotted with portraits and furniture of exquisite design. It was almost minimal for the size of castle they lived in, but there was just the right amount of decadence to make it beautiful, and not crowded and busy. As I approached the large oak doors of my parents chambers, I took several deep breaths before knocking. I didn't wait for an answer, and let myself in.
"Maeryn!" my mother called, and stood from her chair and rushed toward me.
"Queen Callia, King Raynor," I said, bowing before entering properly.
"Please, don't do that Maeryn. We are in private quarters. There is no need to be so formal," my mother scalded me. I smiled as she grabbed me in a hug.
"Hello, mother," I whispered, as I clung to her. It had been too long since I had felt her mothering.
"Welcome home, dearest," she said, stepping out from our embrace. I looked up to see my father walk over to us, with a smile on his face.
"Dear one. It is good to have you home," he said, as he too, embraced me.
"Come, come. Sit by the fire. We already have your drinks and food ready for you," father said, as he guided me to the fire hearth.
"Drink, Maeryn. You must be parched," mother said, as we sat around the fire. I took the goblet of water she offered me, and drank it all in one go. She refilled it, and handed me a plate of bread, cheese and grapes, and I ate, too. Neither of them interrupted me whilst I was eating, and I was thankful. It gave me a little extra time to prepare myself, though I still hadn't a clue how to begin my tale.
I drained the last of my water, and sat quietly, fidgeting with my hands.
"Something is troubling you, dear one. Tell us, and perhaps we can find a solution together," my father said. I looked toward him, and he was frowning. It made him look older than I ever remembered him to be. He and my mother both had long, silver coloured hair, and both had it tied back with a thin lace of leather. They both had violet eyes, like me, though they were losing their luminance through age. My father had a long, neat beard that grew in a point below his chin. It didn't cover all of his face, just his top lip and chin. He was a large man, very muscular, and pale in complexion. My mother was very beautiful, even though she had small wrinkles around her eyes now. She had an athletic build to her body, and was also pretty tall. Her lips were full, and her facial features soft. She, too, was pale in complexion.
"Yes, father. Something is troubling me," I started, and looked toward the floor again. "I'm afraid I may have brought dishonour to you and mother. To our kind."
"Maeryn, you could never bring us dishonour," my mother said. "You are our daughter, and we are proud of you."
"You may not be so proud of me after our talk," I mumbled.
"Nonsense," father said. "Tell us what is vexing thee."
I had to smile slightly. My father only ever used old words like that when he was speaking formally. I really must have rattled his nerves for him to be speaking in such a way. The smile dropped from my face. I took a deep breath.
"I …. well, I …." I couldn't begin. I didn't know where to begin. I stumbled over those three words, and my mouth clamped shut. I was so afraid at this moment. I didn't know how they would react, but I knew it wouldn't be good. I struggled for more words to come, but they evaded me.
"Maeryn?" my mother enquired, with a worried tone.
"Mother, I …. well, you see, …. I'm sorry. I just don't know where to start."
"Start at the beginning, dear one," father said. I smirked.
"I'll try," I mumbled, but the words still escaped me. Perhaps if I just opened my mind to them, it would be easier for them to see, than me to tell.
"Mother, the words I need, I cannot find. May I project?" I asked, hopeful. She frowned slightly, a worried look.
"Of course, dearest. If you feel that would be best," she said, squeezing my shoulder lightly.
Taking another deep breath, I pulled my sense away from my mind. I let all the images of my memories from the past few weeks, invade both of their heads. I didn't dare look at them, for fear of seeing the revulsion on their faces. I heard both take sharp intakes of breath. I squeezed my eyes tighter closed, as the last of the images flickered and dulled. I was waiting for the onslaught, like a coward. Eyes closed, and flinching slightly, before the blow came. It didn't come, though. And the silence dragged on. I was expecting some screaming, some crying, and I was even expecting to become an exile. But the silence lingered. I still hadn't opened my eyes. I decided to give them a few more seconds. Maybe they hadn't realised what they had saw. Silence still filled the room, and I found myself opening one eye, cautiously. They were staring at one and other, in what looked like disbelief. I opened my other eye, and waited for them to speak. They didn't for a while, and continued staring at one and other. Were they in shock? Were they that disgusted with me, they couldn't look at me? They were making me extremely anxious, as not one of them had broken eye contact, or the silence.
"Mother?" I whispered. There was a flicker at the corner of her eye, though she still didn't acknowledge me. I then realised that she and father were having their own private conversation. They were hiding from me, and that made my anxiety soar to new levels. I stood, and started pacing around the fire, as they were consumed with their own thoughts.
This is bad, I thought to myself. Really, really bad. I wrung my hands out, over and over, as I paced. It was better if I didn't disturb them, or they may be angrier than they already are. I was just waiting for their wrath, and I didn't want to make it any worse, so I kept quiet. Another ten minutes lapsed before they finally moved. It was the longest ten minutes of my life. As they looked toward me, I stood ramrod straight, and perfectly still. I raised my chin slightly, as if getting ready for an argument. But no argument came.
"Maeryn," my mother started, as she stood and walked toward me. "You have shown us what has troubled you. We have seen everything that has happened."
Oh, no! I cringed internally. Everything?
"Now, we need to converse with you," she said, placing a hand on my shoulder, and squeezing it gently. This wasn't the wrath I expected.
"Mother, I am so, so sorry. Please, …." I began, but she hushed me with a finger to my mouth.
"Maeryn, it is our turn to talk. Please, sit and listen, for this will be a long tale to tell."
Okay, definitely not what I expected. What was going on? She walked me back over to the fire, where we sat down again. Father smiled, ever so slightly at me, and then looked towards my mother.
"Callia? Would you like to begin, or should I?" he asked her.
"Perhaps, Raynor, it would be better for you to begin. Your history is far more complex than mine, and you will tell it so much better than I," she confirmed. That confused me, extremely.
"What's going on?" I pleaded. "Aren't you angry with me? Disgusted, even?"
"Never, dear one. We could never be any of those things with you. Now, I need you to clear your mind, and please remain calm," father insisted. I nodded whilst frowning. I was so confused right now, but I did as he asked. I took a deep breath, as did he, and he opened his mouth to begin.
"Maeryn," father said, as he stood and started pacing. "I wasn't always a phoenix. I began life as a vampire."