The air was almost tangible. My shock evident on my features and by the way my hands shook, violently. I stared at my father as if he were a jester in the Royal Court. Surely he was kidding? He stared back, letting this bomb shell sink in.
"H-h-how?" I stuttered.
"It is a long tale, Maeryn. Are you ready to hear it? Will you leave your mind open?" he asked. Was I ready? I was certainly in shock, could I handle more?
"Y-yes. I think so," I answered. He nodded, and began walking again as he gathered his thoughts.
"As you know, I am almost three thousand years old. But, that is only in my Phoenix years. In reality, I am almost triple that age. As I said, I began life as a vampire. The first on Earth. I do not know how I became, only that I was. Whether I was a process of natural evolution, or something more celestial, I do not know. I only knew what I was and that I was the only one. I wandered the Earth, content with what I was, and only hunting when I needed to."
He stopped pacing and scrutinised me. Probably checking that I was listening, and not going further into shock. Seeming satisfied, he began again.
"One day, when hunting, I came across a curious scent. Leaving my prey, I walked toward it, and found myself gazing upon the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She was kneeling amongst the tall grass, seemingly praying. I watched her intently. She sensed me there, and looked toward me. Her eyes were hypnotic. Violet," he said, as he gazed at my mother.
"I had no idea what she was, I only knew she wasn't human, or like me. Our first meeting that day, was much like yours and Edwards. She tensed, and ran from me. I tried to follow her, but to no avail. She was gone. I wandered around for days and weeks, searching, but in vain. I knew nothing of her, of where she came from, I only knew that I needed to be with her. My chest ached, like yours does now." He motioned toward my hand, where it was rubbing my chest absently.
"Years passed as I searched. She left no clues as to where she was, and I was becoming desperate. The loneliness and emptiness I felt was excruciating, so much so, that I decided I needed some company. I needed to be around others that were like me, and knowing that none existed, I thought about experimenting. Maybe I could create some companions of my own. I didn't know how to begin, or what to do, but I knew my bite was venomous. Maybe that was where I needed to look. My first few attempts at changing a human, was futile. I drank more than I should, and so the human never survived. I needed to contain my thirst, and learn when the right moment to stop was. I decided maybe experimenting with animals would be a safer option. Maybe I could train myself properly, without wasting so many lives."
"But you wasted lives anyway, so what difference did it make?" I asked, in a slightly offensive tone.
"Maeryn, please understand. It was my nature to feed from humans. I didn't like it, but it was all I knew. That is why I only ever fed once every few months. Only when I had to."
He opened his mind to me, and let me see a few of his memories. He was telling the truth. I could see by his expression when he fed, that he was adverse to it.
"Only when I started experimenting with animals, did I realise that I could survive a different way. But that is another story for another day. After training myself with the animals, I was sure I could now transform a human, without there being any … waste," he said, waving his hands dismissively. I suspected he couldn't find a more appropriate word.
"I had chosen a male for my first companion. I didn't want a female, as none of the females I had watched, held a candle to my mystery creature I had seen, so many years previously. He was a success, though I didn't like the transformation much. He seemed to be in a torturous agony for five days, though he didn't seem to remember when he awoke. I swore to myself if I tried again, that I would need to pass more venom into the human, hopefully to minimise the pain, or at the very least, lessen the days it took. I created my second and third companion together, a little over a year later. We became a coven, and my companions still are a coven. You know of them, Maeryn. Aro, Marcus, and Caius."
"What?" I was immediately incensed. "The Volturi? But they are … well, I mean … Father. They aren't very pleasant," I mumbled. I didn't want to upset my father by saying his creations were evil. He snickered slightly.
"They weren't always so. We existed for a few hundred years before the three of them found their mates. Their mates were always human, and had to be converted. This saddened me more, as they were happy, and I was still searching for the one thing I knew I would never find. That was what I thought, anyway, until we were in Italy. We had been there just a few months, when I came across the most glorious scent. I knew instantly it was her, and followed her. I found her kneeling in the same way as our first encounter, but this time I was determined not to let her go. I had to speak with her, and assure her I was no threat to her. I spoke softly as I approached, and I was sure I saw the smallest tug of a smile at the corners of her mouth. She knew it was me, and she looked toward me. 'Please, don't run,' I begged her. 'I have waited so long to find you again,' I told her. She stood, and walked slowly to me. 'As have I,' she replied. So, we realised that we were mates, and I told her of my history, and she told me of hers. She was still alone, though, unable to create any companions of her own."
He walked over to mother, and took her hand gently, and smiled. She gazed at him, her eyes full of wonder and love. It was beautiful to watch.
"So, how did you become a Phoenix, father?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
"Ah," he said. "This part I shall leave your mother to explain."
Mother smiled, and stood from her seating position. She kissed fathers' cheek, softly, and gestured to him to sit.
"As you know, Maeryn, I was created from the stars. I, too, had wandered looking for your father, as he had. I knew I needed him with me, but I never knew how it could work. After all, he took lives, and I saved them. But, I found your father before he found me again. I found him when his diet changed. He was now feeding from animals, though his companions weren't. They did follow his rule of only feeding when absolutely necessary, though. I watched your father for several months. I wanted to know if he would keep to his diet. If he did, then I knew there could be a chance for us. When he did, I was so happy, that I let him find me again. I prayed to the stars for some guidance. I needed to know if there could be a future for us. My answer came in a dream. We could be together, but he would have to leave his coven, and not tell them anything. They had to believe he was dead. Then, I was to let him drink from me. My blood would enable your father to change into a Phoenix."
My face must have been something to look at, because my mother stopped and asked if I was okay. When I nodded, she continued.
"The change from vampire to Phoenix, is a long and exhausting process. It took almost two years to complete, and the whole time, I was anxious and extremely irritable. I couldn't perform my duty of protector very well, so the stars created more of us to compensate. They were dispatched to other realms, and Earth was given a temporary Warrior, in my place. Once the transformation was complete, your father and I were crowned and my first decree as queen, was that mixed relations were forbidden. The agony that I had put your father through, and the pain I had watching him, I couldn't allow that for anyone else. I wouldn't allow anyone to go through what we had. The stars decided themselves, that each couple would only have one child. That is their law. I know not why, but I would never ask them the reason. Perhaps it is easier that there are so few of us, and perhaps my first decree as queen, had something to do with their decision, too. Each child would be destined to mate with their own kind, although, as we know, that doesn't always happen," she said, smiling gently at me.
"Has there been others?" I asked. I had to know.
"There has been one, though not with a vampire. The temporary protector that stood in my place, fell for a very handsome merman. It was extremely difficult for them, as you could imagine, so I allowed their union. They are now the Guardians of the Kell realm," she explained.
That made me quite hopeful. Perhaps my parents would allow Edward and I to be together, after all. Then there were all the questions about the Volturi running around my head. I decided to start with them first.
"So, the Volturi know nothing of what happened to father?"
"That's correct. They grew very power hungry over the years, and we tried to keep our existence from them. As far as we are aware, they still know nothing. We have been there to help protect the Earth in the worst of times, but the Volturi seem capable enough to keep the existence of their kind secret. We have never interfered with that. They have done a good job of policing the vampire kind, and they keep their killing to a minimum. Even though they are 'unpleasant' as you put it, we have seen no need to intervene."
I nodded, knowing they were right. The Volturi are very secretive, and they did keep the existence of vampires away from the human species. We were there to protect humans from the other dark elements of the mystical. Now I needed to know what would happen with Edward and I.
"So. What about …" I started. I didn't need to finish, as mother put her hand up.
"Edward and you are clearly destined to be together. We have seen how much you love one and other, and we will not forbid it. How could we? We would be hypocrites otherwise," she said, with a smile. "But, we are unable to tell you what to do. If you wish to change him, he would need to agree to it, and we will not stand in your way. If he doesn't want it, well, that will be a problem you would need to deal with together. In other words, if you wish to remain as you both are and remain on earth, only the both of you can decide that. If that is the case, then we will work out something that will keep the stars happy. There are compromises in every situation, Maeryn. You just have to discuss it and find them. If you do decide to remain as you are, then I am unable to tell you about children. I do not know if it will be possible, but that is getting a little ahead of ourselves. As I said, you have a lot to discuss with Edward, but I know that whatever you decide, it will be the best option for you both. Do not worry about this, dearest. Everything will follow in place."
I sighed, a thankful sigh, and hugged my mother.
"Thank you," I whispered. "Both of you. I understand why you have kept fathers' past a secret, but I am happy that you could share it with me. I honestly thought you would be angry with me, and exile me to another realm."
"Even if your father didn't have his past, we could never do that to you. You are our daughter, and your happiness is paramount to us. If that meant a mixed relationship, then so be it. We would have worked something out," she smiled, tentatively. I wasn't so sure. If father was a pure Phoenix, them I am sure there would be no way for Edward and I. I didn't dwell on it though, as I was happy that things were what they were.
"What about Azriel?" I asked, as I thought of him. My father choked down a laugh. "What?" I asked.
"Maeryn. There is no need to worry about Azriel," my mother said, as she scowled at father. "He has … feelings for another. A male of our kind."
I gasped. Seriously? Azriel was gay?
"So why did he become so defensive when he found out about Edward and I?" I asked.
"He was denying himself, as you did. It made him unhappy, so much so, that I asked him about it one day. He told me everything, and then waited anxiously for me to exile him," mother explained. "I didn't, though. I realised that times are changing, and we must change with them, in order to survive. The librarians are in the middle of changing our laws as we speak. They needed updating, and after asking the stars for guidance, they allowed us to do so. They see so much of life around the galaxy, that they know so much more than we do, so they agreed that our ways should change, but our duties will never sway. That is why I know that whatever you and Edward decide, the stars will compromise with you, so long as you remain Earths' protector, or are able to provide them with a suitable alternative."
"Okay," I agreed, but decided to worry about that at another time. It was a lot to process, and I wanted to see Azriel. "Can I see Azriel?"
"Maybe not right now, Maeryn," father said. "He was summoned by the stars to work on their compromise. They allowed him to greet you home, before taking him away. So it would be best if you didn't try to communicate with him for a while."
I nodded. "Could you ask him to get in touch with me when he's back? I would like to know how it went. Perhaps he will have some advice for me."
"Perhaps he will. And of course I will let him know, dearest," mother said. "Are you planning on leaving straight away?" she asked, her smile falling slightly.
"No, I could stay for dinner, if that would please you."
"Excellent!" she gushed. "Now you will be able to tell me more of your travels. It has been so long since you were last home."
After retelling my tales of the past few decades, I felt more and more at ease about Edward and I. In a strange way, it was a blessing that my father was a vampire at one point in his life. Strange, but good. I had no doubt in my mind that if he were a pure Phoenix, then Edward and I could never be together, without consequences. But it always seemed to work out right. That destiny had preordained our lives, and everything fit like a jigsaw puzzle. I was feeling rather buoyant now, but I knew Edward and I had a lot to discuss. But not right now. I would let him know the basics, and we could get to know one and other better, before hand. There was no need for me to overfill his mind with everything at once. We had time, after all.
Mother and father made a fuss over me with dinner. There were platters of all sorts of meats and vegetables. Fruits and cheeses and lots of wine. It truly was a feast, far too much for the three of us. But we did make a sizeable dent in the food. Mother always allowed the servants to eat whatever they wished after they had finished. Nothing went to waste. The good food was enjoyed by all. After another few hours of talking, I found myself rubbing at my chest again.
"You are anxious to be with him, dear one," father stated. "Please, don't feel the need to entertain us any further. You need to be with him. I know how you feel," he said, smiling.
"Thank you, father. For everything."
"You are welcome. Just don't wait so long between visits. We miss you terribly," he said.
"I won't," I promised. "But, maybe you could visit me soon. I would like you to get to know Edward."
"Oh, we will dearest," mother said. "But we shall give you two a little time together first," she said, knowingly. I blushed.
"Okay, okay. Take care of yourselves, and let me know if you need anything, or if there are any further developments," I said.
"We will. Do you wish us to walk you to the lake?"
"That would be nice," I smiled.
The walk didn't take long, and I was surprised to find that it was almost dawn. I must have spent longer than I thought with my parents. They stood at the banking, and watched as I walked into the water. This was always the best point for travelling. As I turned, I saw my mother crying.
"I'll be home soon, mother. Please don't cry."
"I know, dear. I can't help it," she smiled. I gave them a wave, and left before her tears flowed faster.
I arrived in my back yard just as the sun was rising behind the usual thick clouds. I was in desperate need of some water, and headed straight for the house. As I entered, I found a pacing Alice.
"Where the fuck have you been?" she screamed.
"Visiting my parents. Didn't Edward tell you when he was there earlier?" I asked, getting anxious.
"No," she said, standing still. "He's gone."
"Gone? What do you mean, gone?"
"Maeryn, he never came home. We haven't seen him since yesterday. The last vision I had of him, he left you and was heading home. Then he just … vanished."