Chapter 28
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Phoenix continued looking at her Companion and Alberich doubtfully and saw the feigned innocence that they were portraying. These guys are up to something. Maybe not Storm; I bet he's told Alberich that I'm ticklish. Well, that's all right, since I know where I could tickle Alberich back in defense. Phoenix had to try hard to keep her expression blank as a new batch of Bards took the stage and began a jig. Those who were inspirited by the couple's dance quickly went into the clearing and began a dance set. Phoenix chuckled a little as her eyes blurred at trying to watch the dancers. After a while she gave up, resting her eyes onto Alberich's calm face. Alberich looked at her with amusement as her eyes swept the planes of his sharp features. She absently licked her lips as she stared at Alberich's lips and was still staring dreamily when he tapped her nose lightly with his index finger.
Phoenix face turned a furious scarlet and he smiled, and she decided that he certainly looked hawkish tonight. A couple of mages were now experimenting with the mage-lights that Phoenix was reminded of being in a nightclub back in the Old World. To no one's surprise, she found out it was Edwin, Terrence and Hazel who were creating mage-lights of every possible color but they determinedly avoided any pinkish or purplish shades.
Phoenix laughed gaily at her friends and laughed even harder when Rayden stood up, his face bearing a prankish grin. Silk and Ruby groaned futilely as Elspeth, Darkwind and Myste looked at the hubbub with interest. They looked around at Phoenix's group of friends and after they found that Phoenix was incapacitated with laughter, the rest with faces bearing varying degrees of horror; including Dian, who was trying very hard to persuade Ray to forget his notion; they decided that it could have been a private joke.
"Ray, I swear if you do that, we are going to do something nasty to you," Terrence complained, his face clearly showing his agitation.
"Why not?" Rayden asked, in his trademark tone.
Phoenix quickly buried her face into Alberich's chest as she laughed hoarsely, her face already streaked with tears of laughter. Alberich looked at his beloved in amazement but soon, it became clear as to why she had been laughing so hard. Bright purple and eye-blinding pink mage-lights suddenly appeared amongst the other brilliantly colored mage-lights.
"Sunlord," Alberich muttered as he blinked his eyes dazedly, when a luminous purple mage-light shone directly into his eyes. Phoenix managed to swallow her laughter; although with great difficulty; and looked above at the mad combination of colors lighting up the glade.
"Is this the reason why you called him the purple-guy?" Alberich asked her curiously.
"Yeah," she answered, wiping her face with her sleeve.
She turned a mischievous look at Firesong. "What do you think?" she asked the Healing Adept, who was looking at the mage-lights with amusement.
"Too colorful; even for my taste."
"So what color is suitable for the current situation?"
"Depends on the Bards," Firesong said, twirling his silver-lock playfully in his fingers.
Phoenix gave him a wide grin; she frowned a little as she called her Power and abruptly all the mage-lights dimmed to a light gold shade as the Bards were playing a soft melody.
"Perfect!" Silverfox congratulated.
"Silv!" A chorus of whines erupted. Her friends were looking at her reproachfully and Phoenix shook her head reprovingly when Terrence dug his heels sullenly on the ground.
"Don't be childish," she said scathingly, although laughter threatened to burst out.
Those who were not dancing looked at the scenery with full appreciation. Myste shuddered involuntarily as she watched the glade ethereally illuminated by the mage-lights. She gazed at Alberich's direction and suddenly smiled as she watched Alberich and Phoenix. They're really in love.
: It kinds of soothe your soul when you're looking at the two, isn't it? : Jedren whispered lovingly in her mind. Myste turned her head a little, and gave Jedren a loving kiss.
: Yes, it does. Although I can't really imagine my friend to really, really, fall in love. :
: I get your drift. But then, I thought he was in love with you? :
: Lover, our intimacy then was nothing more than a cure for his boredom and homesickness. I did appreciate his attention, but I knew I wouldn't be able to give him the kind of attention that Phoenix is giving him now. I couldn't even challenge him in a sword fight, and my conception of his religion is only so much. I think that there are some things that Phoenix was able to see in Alberich. Although we all know that Alberich still very much love his religion and his country, we don't really understand him. :
: Maybe, it's because that he is like her. I myself don't really understand Phoenix. Although females by nature are a complex lot, she somehow gives me the feelings that she's holding a lot of secrets in her heart. Sometimes, she reminds me very much of Talamir. : They said nothing more; Myste was contented in having Jedren's arms around her and listened to the soft ballads of the Bards.
Phoenix was struggling very hard not to be cloying in public. Oh, Sunlord, I very much want to kiss him and get him to bed.
: I told you, you would be thinking of seducing him before long. But don't start getting pregnant until you get married. : Storm strongly advised her.
: As if I don't know what I'm doing. : Phoenix sniffed disdainfully at her Companion.
: There is something I'd really like to know. :
Phoenix turned to Alberich. : What? : She asked quizzically.
: How to fly. : He asked rather timidly, that Phoenix almost did not hear his request. Alberich braced himself for her ridicule but was immensely surprised when all she gave him was a warm smile.
: Care to take a walk with me, ahey'la? : She asked him tenderly as she tugged him to his feet.
: All you need to do is ask. : He replied. Both their Companions got up to follow their Heralds and the quartet was about to head off when Jedren's Mindvoice called after them.
: Are you retiring? It's not even midnight! :
: No teacher-mine. We're taking a walk and doing a little bit of experimentation. A flying business. :
: Okay, then. Don't take too long and see you again later. : Jedren said, as he grinned widely at wiggled his eyebrows knowingly.
They circled the clearing to go off into the direction of the river. Phoenix carefully extended a probe to see which of her favorite grottos remained available and motioned Alberich and their Companions to stay quiet as they avoided a nearby grotto.
: Trysting in progress. : Phoenix whispered in their minds.
: Silv, which grotto? : Storm asked her.
: Head down towards our usual. : Phoenix informed him, and took Alberich's right hand. They walked in silence, with Phoenix rubbing her thumb tenderly on Alberich's hand. Moonlight dimly lighted the interior of the grotto as Phoenix probed some more for unwanted occupants. Once, she had spent the night with Storm and a nest full of scorpions. Thankfully, they were not stung but when morning came and Phoenix took a good look around, she screamed almost hysterically and dashed out of the grotto with lightning speed.
: Be patient Alberich. She's just taking some precautions. : Kantor said.
"It's better if we sit down on the ground," Phoenix said and she sat herself down on Alberich's lap. She gave a sly look at him when she felt something hard against her small of her back. Alberich gave her an embarrassed look and tried to avert his eyes.
: Later, ahey'la. Are you sure you wish to do the transformation now? : At his surprised look, she hastily explained, : You have to become your true form before you could take flight. :
"Oh."
: For safety's sake, I think you and Kantor should link directly to me and I'll show the both of you how it's done. Don't start anything till I say otherwise. : She looked soberly at them. : Agreed? : At their nods, she took a deep breath and cast a shield around the grotto. Then she slowly let her barriers down, that made her receptive to the environment. She felt oddly naked and vulnerable but brave acknowledged her fears. It's time for him to know the real me I guess. Hope I won't be too much of a disappointment to him.
: Let your shields down. : She instructed Alberich and tentatively sent a probe that Alberich deftly caught and held her in a firm grasp. She waited patiently as he 'studied' her mind, and as a last minute decision she opened her heart to him, much to his surprise. Secrets that she had withheld in her heart for so long were given to him freely. Feeling a little relieved Alberich did the same. He was surprised when he Saw the image of the Sunlord in her mind and gazed deeply into her eyes. Kantor and Storm joined the meld at Phoenix's invitation and the four of them merged as one.
She took the lead, as she showed them how she Transformed. Alberich was aware that their body melted away, they were left with only their consciousness as it filled the Phoenix. It was a bit disconcerting for Phoenix for she was unused to the presence of Alberich and Kantor. Her raptor-like eyes were feeling itchy at the moment as two additional pair of eyes looked out of the grotto using her eyes.
: This really feels unnatural. : Alberich commented as he 'shifted' his view.
: It's a little overcrowded right now, ahey'la. It wouldn't feel so tingly if it is just you and Kantor. :
Alberich did not reply; instead he watched Phoenix rather carefully as she regained their mortal forms.
: Now it's your turn. You only need to link your mind to Kantor to bring him along. And ahey'la, since you are a Phoenix, you have some degrees of Mage-gift. You had noticed that I had built a shield around us before this. That's because the first part of the Transformation requires you to let your defenses down a little. Mind you, for a normal Transformation with Kantor, you only need to lower your shields so that Kantor can link his mind together with yours. But as a precautionary measure, just take your time to build up a shield, physical, mental and magical as well. I'll show you how to do it. :
She then took her time showing Alberich the basic and found that he knew how they were done instinctively.
: Now I want you to get used to your Form; no flights yet all right? :
: She can be stern one when she puts her mind to it, right Chosen? : Kantor mused. Alberich nodded, then his eyes grew distant and Phoenix watched both of them dissolved into the mold of Alberich's true form. While hers was made up of blue Fire, his was made of the incandescent Fire of the true Sun. He burned rather brightly and she was reminded of the instant when a Gate had been imploded. As Alberich was getting familiar with his Form, she had to admit that he was damn attractive in his true form.
: Phoenix, don't drool. : Storm said, almost laughing at Phoenix's dreamy expression.
: I am not! :
: Yeah right. :
: Whatever. :
Alberich suddenly knew why he had gone on to the Wheel and became a mortal. At Kantor's alarm, Alberich quickly clamped down on his Companion's mind.
: No wonder she said that the 'business' still felt unfinished. : Kantor said, his Mindvoice shaking.
: No use alarming her. We don't even know if it's going to happen. They only know that there is only one of us; She's the one who took the risk defying the Other Side. :
: So, it seems that Foresight is really your Gift. :
: It appears to be so. : Alberich released his Will slowly as Phoenix had done. Then he was back among the present as Phoenix waited patiently for him to link with her.
: Now for take-off. Incidentally, you only had to think about whether you want to be visible or invisible. : Once she was satisfied that Alberich could do the launch on his own, she released their link then Transformed, taking Storm with her. She soared up high in the sky, relishing in the sense of Freedom, and could be seen as a bright blue fleck in the night sky. She did not have to wait long for Alberich as he suddenly shot past her. She tumbled in surprise, blue sparks showering the sky.
: Good move! : Storm applauded as Alberich posed heroically.
Phoenix noticed that there was something different; usually when she Transformed, she felt detached about certain emotions but now with Alberich in the sky before her in his true form, she was vibrating with lust. It turned a notch higher when Alberich's Fire touched hers almost seductively.
: Don't worry; you're not the only one, : Kantor whispered. : Right now, he's reaction to you is almost akin to a male gryphon. I think he wants you to dance for him. Again. :
***********
Chapter 29
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When the four of them got back to the grotto, the four of them were laughing joyously.
: That certainly was a wild ride! : Storm exclaimed gleefully.
: Wrong, brother. It should be a wild flight! : Kantor turned to Alberich and looked at the Herald reproachfully. : You should have done this, months ago. :
It had only taken them a candlemark of experimentation and she suggested that it was time they make a reappearance to the gathering, which they found out from their flight, still in full swing. Their Companions took the lead as they went out of the small cave and skillfully avoided the other grottos. The Companions did not notice that their Heralds were not behind them until Storm swerved his head to comment something to his Chosen.
: Phoenix? : Storm stood rock-still and the Companions halted.
: What in the name of Vkandis is he doing? : Kantor exclaimed as they turned back frantically.
Alberich had backed Phoenix against a tree, pressing hard against her as he kissed her. His hands remained on her waist and back although he very much wanted her naked before him. He continued kissing her deeply and the heat between them increased a hundred-fold. Phoenix did not know how to react or think. She was overwhelmed by the feelings that were traveling down the lifebond and in her mind. She was stuck in a maelstrom and Alberich was at its center; as he showed her his desire and desperation. She herself felt feverish with need and involuntarily moaned.
Alberich quickly broke off their kiss, and leaned heavily against her, breathing raggedly. She continued to stroke his back, face buried in his chest as she tried to control her overwhelmed mind.
: Forgive me, ahey'la. I did not mean to lose control like that. : He said truthfully, as he drew back from her and tipped her face, so she was looking directly at him.
: It's all right. : Her Mindvoice sounded softly in the back of his mind, her mind whirling in confusion and desire.
: I just want you so much! : He confessed brokenly in her mind and to Phoenix's alarm, he collapsed on his knees and wept silently.
Dear Vkandis! Sunlord, what's wrong with him? She thought rather frantically, her heart beating furiously in her chest.
: Dearest, ahey'la. What's wrong? : She said, already on her knees and hugged him in comfort. In a rush, Alberich Sent her his thoughts, with feelings of guilt and remorse so great. Just because he wants me so much that he can't take it? Sunlord! How am I going to deal with this?
: Ahey'la, look at me, : she said forcefully, gripping his shoulders with a strength that was abnormal for her size. Their Companions were galloping towards them and screened their Heralds should anyone comes near the vicinity. : No matter what we are, we're still humans; we have our share of the common human shortcomings. You shouldn't feel bad about what happened a while ago because I don't. If I didn't want you to do that, I would have simply erected a barrier. : She gave him a kiss on his forehead.
: I certainly am not mad or angry with you. I am flattered that you could want me, : she looked into his eyes, : but if you had beaten me out of irrational anger, then you could feel as bad as you are feeling now for I won't tolerate that kind of behaviour from my partner. : She did not say anything else but enfolded him in her arms, kissing his hair every so often. He pulled away from her, took a deep breath and leaned forward to kiss her, carefully reigning in his desire.
: Silly man. : She said lightly when he released her. : Ahey'la, I do love you. : And she squeezed him hard that he grunted a little.
"Shall we go?"
**********
They made their way back to their former spot and noticed several disappointed glances from the group, while Firesong, Silverfox and Gesten smiled beatifically at them.
: Why are they looking at us like that? : She asked curiously. Kantor was the one who gave an answer.
: They are disappointed that you two did not at all look disheveled and uhm, : his Mindvoice gave off a slight reddish color, as the Companion blushed, that earned him an amused glance from Alberich. Kantor halted, clearly indecisive if he should mention it.
Storm snorted with impatience and looked at Phoenix. : Kantor is trying to say, that some of these people were thinking that you two had gone off for an erotic exercise. : He said bluntly.
Alberich added his opinion. : Given that Kero and Eldan are here, it is a good thing I have not mussed you too much, ahey'la. And from the look of some of them, I think they had lost quite a bit of money. :
: They were wagering as whether we did copulate or not? : She asked incredulously. : I think I'm feeling a little insulted. :
They resumed their seats and were there just in time to hear her friends play her requests. Phoenix remained silent, her fingers never leaving Alberich's as she held his hand and stroked his palm gently while he chatted with the group and sipped at his wine that was nearly empty. Phoenix's face bore a dreamy expression and she smiled fondly at her Companion. She blinked her eyes suddenly and looked at Firesong; he had been strangely silent when they had rejoined the group. Firesong was staring oddly at Silverfox, absently licking his lips.
: Dearheart, what's wrong with Firesong? : She asked her Companion who gave her a negative. A suspicious thought crept into her mind and Firesong's subtle caress on Silverfox's thigh confirmed her thoughts. Phoenix barely managed to control her expressions when Silverfox focused his eyes on her and his face burned with embarrassment.
: Well, what's wrong with him? : Storm asked her, his blue eyes looking at hers, and she was filled with love and warmth.
: I think the Healing Adept has had a bit too much of Alberich's wine. I think he's feeling tipsy. : She replied, her Mindvoice tinged with amusement as she watched Firesong trailing his fingers closer to Silverfox's inner thighs.
: Gesten, don't you think it's time for them to go back? :
: Thought you won't notice. He's been at it since half a mark ago. Silverfox's waiting for you to turn up; he doubts that Firesong can lift the lock-spells at the state he's in. :
: All right. : Phoenix said, nearly laughing aloud when Silverfox determinedly grasp Firesong's trailing fingers.
: Ahey'la, do you mind if we retire now? I need to go back and lift the lock-spells before Silverfox finds himself in an embarrassing situation. :
: No objections. : He said, smiling gently at her.
: Of course he does not have any objections! He wants to get down with you immediately. : Kantor commented sarcastically, more to Alberich than to Phoenix. Alberich scowled darkly at his Companion while Phoenix chuckled softly under her breath. At her eye signal, Silverfox got up to his feet, tugging at Firesong insistently. Alberich and Phoenix had risen from their seats and Phoenix spoke softly to the group.
"Sorry guys," as Lyra, Talia's daughter looked disappointedly at her and Phoenix gave her an apologetic smile. "We have to take our leave now." Alberich shared a few words with Jedren and Myste while Phoenix gave Talia and her family several hugs and kisses. Then she scanned the crowd for her friends and caught their attention by making the mage-lights glow blue briefly. She made a little hand gesture and she waved at them. Silk signaled that she would visit them in the afternoon and told her to prepare something good. Phoenix sighed in resignation and said her farewells to the group.
Silverfox had one of Firesong's arms over his shoulders and the mage was leaning against him. "I'll be glad when we reach the ekele." He said mournfully as Firesong made a near-provocative move.
Phoenix waited until they were out of sight from the gathering before asking the kestra'chern, her voice thick with surprise and amusement. "Silverfox, why did he get himself drunk? I mean, after all these years, he should have known his alcohol tolerance level," she said, grinning widely. "Unless, he got himself drunk in purpose."
"I have no idea," he abruptly broke off and pinched Firesong slightly on the mage's hip. "Stop that!" he said in exasperation. Alberich's shoulders shook with silent laughter at the Healing Adept and his mate. Taking Phoenix's hand, they took the lead with their Companions at their side while the hertasi took the rear, looking at the other couple with open amusement.
: Just how does this lock-spell of yours work? : Alberich asked her, as he let go of her hand, and pulled her closer to him by placing his hand on her shoulder. She instinctively held him by his waist, relishing in the body contact. She was distracted from answering him straight away as she heard Firesong complained that he was feeling a little light-headed and demanded Silverfox to carry him. Phoenix exchanged a glance with Alberich, but kept her expression bland when she turned her head to watch Silverfox.
"I must say that this would be the very first time he requested that from you; excluding the time when he broke his ankle."
Silverfox grunted and muttered dangerously, "I think that I'm going to throw him in the pool when we get back."
: Sorry, ahey'la, the lock-spell works exactly like a lock but it requires a password to unlock. Gesten could do it, but his mastery in handling the Elementals is not that good, so that's why it's mainly me or Firesong who will cast it. : She halted, and gave a sidelong glance at him. : Care to know how it's done? May prove useful. :
Alberich grunted his assent and touched her mind gently. Smiling, she took him down to her oldest memories. As an afterthought, she also showed him how to unlock the memories of his Form.
: Try to refrain from experimenting in your dreams. Let's wait till tomorrow; when we're fresh and it's daylight. By the way, Silk told me we might have company in the afternoon. Do you mind? :
: No, not really. :
Their Companions left them went they reached the path leading to the ekele to rejoin the gathering. Humans and hertasi finally crossed the miniature Vale, dimly lighted by the mage-lights that surrounded the pools. Silverfox crossed briskly to the hot pool, dragging the Healing Adept and then efficiently stripped the mage and himself. Alberich looked at Silverfox for permission before he shed off his clothes.
"Hurry up Silv," Gesten complained, retrieving the clothes that they had dumped unceremoniously onto the ground. Phoenix turned her attention to the ekele; using Mage-Sight, she saw a blue-glowing web that had wrapped every inch of the ekele. She had used the Lesser Fire Elementals to guard the web and to watch the surroundings and report for any kinds of mischief. She told them to ignore the littles who had placed mousetraps in hidden places but one unsuspecting teenager of about eighteen, found himself being dangled upside down approximately twenty feet above the ground by angry Sylphs.
Upon investigation, they had found out that he was a Blue, and he had set up some kind of equipment that will burn anything upon movement. Vibrations would trigger the opening, and release a substance that will explode when exposed to air. He was punished to a caning and was suspended from classes. Phoenix was not really interested to why he had rigged up the weapon.
The web pulsed lightly as the Elementals waited in anticipation. She carefully reached out a tendril of power and willed it to pluck the web at specific pressure and intervals. The Elementals sang briefly and they disappeared, taking bits of the web with them. She walked up to the ekele with Gesten following close behind her and activated the mage-lights in the ekele.
"Gesten," she requested after he had dumped the clothes in the laundry basket, "do you mind taking these out?" she asked as she waved her hand at her hair. Gesten expertly removed the hair accessories and took a moment to unlace her gown and waited patiently as she undressed, along with her underwear. She then went in search for towels and came back down, with her body wrapped by a towel. She carefully placed the towels on dry ground, and took her towel off, folding it briskly. Alberich stared at her, his eyes examining every inch of her before she went into the pool.
"Seems like Firesong isn't the only one with that in mind," Silverfox observed. Phoenix rolled her eyes upward and slid down the pool and swam towards Alberich. They stayed in the pool for a while when Silverfox demanded Phoenix to reach a towel for him and Firesong. She gave the kestra'chern a penetrating glare, but complied, heaving herself up and groped for two towels. Firesong got himself out of the pool and caught the flying towel shakily and gave the kestra'chern his. Silverfox had his back towards them as he quickly wrapped himself from the waist down and growled at his mate to get himself up the ekele.
"Why the sudden grouchiness?" Alberich whispered, once the Healing Adept and kestra'chern were up in the ekele. Phoenix shrugged, then pulled his head down to give him a kiss. Alberich suppressed his urge, as he returned a kiss. You can have her later, on the bed.
: Let's get back up. : Alberich whispered after half a mark later, as he felt a little waterlogged. They spent a couple of minutes drying themselves up first before going up the ekele silently. Gesten was already on his pallet and by his steady breathing, the hertasi was already asleep. The ekele was silent except for the occasional murmurs that can be heard from the Hawkbrothers' room. She dimmed the mage-lights of the living room and the kitchen.
: Would you like a drink ahey'la? :
: Just water would do. :
: Okay then, go ahead and dress up. It'll only take me a moment to get them. : She said as she made her way to the kitchen, carefully adapting her vision to the dim surroundings. Opening a cupboard quietly, she took out two bottles of mineral water and chilled the drinks a little before going to their bedroom, curtains already down.
She hid her surprise when she ducked under the curtain to find Alberich still wrapped in his towel. Placing the bottles onto the round table, she controlled her breathing as she was frozen in a rush of anticipation. He slowly walked to her and when he came close enough, he tugged off her towel. She took a sharp breath as her heart jumped in her throat, felt herself blushing as Alberich's eyes languidly studied her. She stood still like a paralyzed rabbit when it felt a predator locking its eyes on its prey; Alberich continued to give her a thorough once-over.
She reached out her hand and pulled his towel away slowly, her eyes remained on his face as she took in the sharp features of his face and swept her eyes upwards, to look at his short, snow-white damp hair. Her breaths were coming at a faster rate as she looked sensuously down at his neck, the muscles of his shoulders, arms and chest and a very flat stomach. Maybe Storm was right. I am definitely drooling right now. I am rather glad that he isn't that tall and over-muscular like Terrence. Taking a step forward, she trailed her hand tenderly on his chest. She drank in the view hungrily, as she looked at him, for the first time in the clear light. Her eyes dropped slowly down and smiled, her hand halting slightly above his navel.
: What are you smiling at? :
: Nothing ahey'la. : She said as she licked her lips, then looked directly into his steely, dark eyes. Alberich broke off the eye contact, and took her hand to lead her to their bed. He lay down the bed, with her on his right as she kissed him hungrily. She straddled him and they merged; their hearts, minds and souls entwined tightly. Phoenix did not bother to turn off the mage-lights as they made love, the need to see him in the light was too great tonight. He arched his back as he exploded in her, closing his eyes and gritted his teeth from crying aloud. She followed as she felt his release deep inside her and gave a soft groan.
Alberich sat up slowly, and kissed her as he pulled her down, bodies still merged. Phoenix focused enough of her attention to turn off the mage-lights before surrendering herself to Alberich.
