by A E M
Phoenix
Incandescent
By AEM
Copyright © 2013 by AEM
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the permission of the author
except for the use of brief quotations.
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing, 2013
2nd Edition, 2015
ISBN: 9781514257821
Cover: by AEM
With art from blackmoon979
through bigstock
For my Husband,
oh my flame,
by your side I will remain.
Table of Contents
Prologue
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Epilogue
Prologue
The Parents of the Girl
He held her in his trembling hands.
She felt so small; so did he.
He stared into her emerald eyes.
“You risked your life for mine. Why?”
She smiled up at him.
“I saw you and I wanted to keep you, so I saved you.”
Audrey Locklear turned her face to stare blankly out the small airplane window. The black sky was blanketed with stars. The plane flew miles above. It had been many years. Yet she felt her past calling, coiling through the miles and years of darkness. She felt the thump of her heart increase in frequency and strength and she took in a sharp breath of air. Isaac reached for her hand and squeezed; he blinked and straightened in his chair. The bond between them, forged through the years, was strong enough to alert him through the layers of sleep. He rubbed his eyes and stretched his arm over her shoulders to pull her close. She turned her face to him and smiled.
“You are mine.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose and adjusted his glasses.
“Darling.” She leaned closer and kissed the stubble on his chin.
“Ah, you missed.” He chuckled. She sat back a bit and smiled coyly. He blinked and looked at her with wakeful eyes. Her emerald green eyes were bright and wide. Her dress was wrinkled and her legs were crossed. One leg kicked up and down in the air in the small space before her. Her black hair was a mess of wayward strands, and her lips were drawn tight across her face. She had been worrying again.
Isaac chuckled softly and leaned closer to her face. He reached across with his other arm to pull her closer. He traced a finger across her lips. “I won’t miss.” He warned her.
She blushed and he wished they weren’t on an airplane. They could have traveled home by portal, but he wouldn’t risk it. He wouldn’t risk losing her. He kissed her once, quickly, then once again slowly. She laid her face against his and he felt a few warm tears fall on his skin and slide down his neck to the stiff collar of his shirt.
“Oh, Isaac.” She whispered. Her hand fell to his waistcoat and she traced the top edges of it. “I never thought we’d have her. Then I thought she’d never survive. And now we have told her she has a choice, but does she?”
Isaac cleared his throat and kissed Audrey’s teary face. “Of course she has a choice, my darling.”
“You are getting weaker.” She shook the top of his waistcoat.
Isaac raised his eyebrows. “You let me worry about that.”
“You are mine.” She reminded him, matching his stern look with her own.
“And so I am.” He kissed her forehead and sighed.
They sat perched in their seats, thin and tall forms leaning against each other, hands entwined. Isaac let one of her hands go briefly as he reached across and pulled the shade over the window. “There.” He whispered to his wife. But they both knew she could still feel it, for the bond whispered between them. Isaac rubbed her arm absently and tucked her head against his neck. She kissed his neck before settling against him, her breath warm against his skin. But she wasn’t crying anymore.
Isaac rested his face on hers. What were they to do? They had postponed the decision for the last minute, intent on enjoying their daughter for as long as possible. Pangs of guilt seized him. They should have told her years ago. They should have told her many things. But their daughter wasn’t anything like he or Audrey. She was fiercely whatever she felt at the moment. He had hoped she would calm some by now, but the truth was that even by human standards she was still young and passionate. He lifted his head back up and stared into Audrey’s intent gaze.
“We will tell her.” He promised. “Tomorrow after the ball.”
“Today.” Audrey countered. “We will tell her today.”
Isaac lifted one eyebrow and settled his lips into a firm line. “Let her have tonight, Dee.”
She quarreled with him silently with her eyes for a moment. He wiggled his eyebrows and cracked a smile at her. She laughed a little too loudly. More than one passenger shushed them.
“You’re right. The news would ruin tonight.” She finally gave in with a shake of her head.
“We have waited this long.” He said and ran his fingers through her hair, stopping to gently tug a tangle free. He ran his fingers through her hair until the tangles were no more and she looked relaxed. He buried his nose in her hair for a long second. She smelled of lavender and chamomile.
“Do you think—” She wondered aloud, disturbing his trance.
Isaac straightened back up. “Perhaps, but he’s not much younger than I.” He answered. He looked across the cabin of sleeping humans. “The best option would be to find her a young weaver to wed who we could trust with the secret.” He shook his head. “But that’s a heavy weight to take on, and we can’t go around telling every suitor.”
“It affects her as well.” She chided him. “And she has no choice but to deal with it.”
He smiled apologetically. “It does.” He rubbed his forehead. “Tomorrow is going to be hard.”
“Well, don’t look at me.” Audrey huffed. They were shushed again, louder this time. She leaned close to him. “I don’t know where she got it from.”
Isaac smiled sadly. “I do.”
Audrey blinked and smiled. “Your sister?”
“Hmmm.” He said. “I’m afraid so.” He curled his hand around hers. “Maybe Ebby can get through to her.”
Audrey shook her head fiercely at him, waves of black cascaded around her shoulders. “We can’t rely on Ebby like that anymore, Isaac.” She scolded him. “And this is too large for even Ebby to iron out. We will all have to ride this wave bravely.”
“Yes, darling.” He said with a twitch of his lips.
“Flirt.” She scolded him playfully now. She reached into his jacket and snapped his suspender gently.
“Temptress.” He replied and pulled her hand out and kissed her knuckles before placing her hand in her lap.
Audrey teased her lips into a playful pout.
Isaac chuckled and flicked the armrest between them. “Darn our persistent chaperone.”
Audrey’s shoulders shook. She covered her mouth with her hand and her eyes sparkled.
Isaac lay his hand on the armrest, palm up. “May I hold your hand, Madam?”
“You may, Sir.” They sat silently for a few moments in the stillness of the morning hours, hands entwined fiercely.
“I remember when
I first saw you.” He finally said with a devilish grin.
She traced his collarbone through his shirt with her fingers. “I remember you when you first saw me.”
Isaac blushed now. The airplane was not traveling fast enough for him. His fingers fumbled with hers and he knew that she felt the same way he did.
“I suppose we must be patient.” He said and looked up at the ceiling in frustration. There were spells he could use, of course. He could freeze the others in the cabin, but he didn’t want to risk being found out by somebody from another part of the plane. He could suspend the airplane and freeze everybody, but that seemed a trifle selfish. They could hide away in the restroom and put up a protection spell, but then there was a matter of hygiene. They were both a bit stuck up in that department.
He looked over at Audrey and they both blushed. Isaac chuckled and winked at her. She smiled coyly at him once more and batted her eyelashes. Ah, they would settle for the old flirtation routine for the remainder of the trip. Isaac shifted in his seat. He would take her directly to bed as soon as they were home, morning or not.
Audrey reached over and teased her fingers through Isaac’s thick, black hair. He was tan and fit, the result of a love for adventuring and hiking through the wilderness as often as he could. She ran her hand down the side of his face and across his chest. His clothes were ironed straight into obedience despite their traveling. She laid her head back on his shoulder and breathed him in: ink and parchment and fresh air and tea and mint. He kissed her forehead and closed his hazel eyes. His fingers were still curled around hers. She squeezed them, and he returned the affection.
Soon they would be home. Soon life would change. But in this moment, time ticked a little slower, a little more kindly.
1
The Girl with the Bare Feet
She bowed, and her white tutu popped up in back.
“Encore?” She asked the room after the applause died down.
“The encore will have to happen in your dreams.”
Strong arms lifted her up. Violet eyes met her own.
“It’s not fair.” She pouted as she was whisked away to bed.
“It hardly ever is, child.” Came the reply.
Late again. Charlotte ran barefoot across the cold stones tiles through the castle hallways, making an occasional leap. She danced without worry. The guests would still be asleep, and the hobs knew her well. She slowed as she neared the lobby and straightened the two pleated layers of her skirt in front of the large oval mirror around the corner from the front counter. The bottom layer of purple lace matched her shirt; the top layer was made of stiff white material and adorned with silver buckles. She had forgotten to grab her shoes again this morning, but she had maintained order all summer long without them. She could manage one last day in the same manner.
Charlotte took her place on the stool behind the counter. The sun streamed through the windows, inching its warmth across the room. The lobby was spacious with a mismatched collection of chairs from around the world, six adjoining meeting rooms, a counter of carved mahogany, and double staircases that led to the suites on the two stories above. The middle of the floor was concrete stained to look like large mismatched stones in the shape of a star. To the rear of the lobby was a grand room with tall arched entryways and windows that served as both dining hall and dancing hall.
Lynx, her unimaginatively named bobcat, wound his way around the stool. Whether Lynx was the family’s pet or the family was his collection of pets could not be agreed upon; but all who happened to catch a glimpse of his eyes swore they could detect a hint of secret keeping within them. Charlotte reached down to stroke his fur. He was older than she remembered, but he was as active as a kitten. He was the only one who was fast enough to snag food in the kitchen without being caught by Basil.
Charlotte slipped off the stool and knelt down to stroke his back and the spot behind his ears he liked the best. “You, my friend, are the only loyal one left.” He rubbed up against her legs. “Not that I’m bitter or anything.” She added.
Four years ago she had stood in the lobby and said goodbye to her parents and the magical world. Her parents had insisted that she spend a few years in the real world attending college and experiencing life without magic.
Three months ago she had come back to an empty lobby. Her parents were traveling the world for the summer. Her closest childhood friend was away with family.
Charlotte remembered the thump of her bags on the floor, the stillness of the room, and the ache in her heart.
She knew why they had done it, but that knowledge didn’t make it feel right. The choice would have to be made in six months from now in early spring. Her parents would think that they would have six months left with her. They didn’t know that she had already made her decision. They didn’t know that she would take the first step earlier than she had to.
Charlotte gave Lynx one last scratch before she settled back onto the stool. The large double doors opened on their own then, as enchanted doors are often prone to do. Rhett, more commonly known as Bigfoot, strode in with his very pregnant wife following slowly behind. Cecilia, also known as Prettyfoot, smiled wearily and sat down immediately on one of the sturdier chairs. She put her hairy feet on the stool and sighed.
“Rhett, Cecilia!” Charlotte smiled a welcome. “Your new suite is ready, complete with an adjoining nursery.” She wrote their names down on the list of check-ins for the day. “Breakfast will be served soon.”
“Thank you.” Rhett answered. He laid a heavy hand on Cecilia’s shoulder and patted it. “I think we would like to rest. Could you have a hob deliver breakfast to our room this morning?” He raised his eyebrows hopefully.
“Of course.” Charlotte answered. “Would you like me to show you the way?”
“We know the halls and your system well.” He grunted. “Just a key will be fine.”
Charlotte handed him the shiny, odd-shaped new key. She peeked around Rhett’s hairy, massive chest and arms to glance at Cecilia. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
Cecilia stood slowly and shuffled towards the counter. “You want to get this kid out of me?”
Charlotte laughed. “I’ll let Sebastian know you are here so he can be ready if you like.”
“Oh, I doubt I’ll need him.” Cecilia said. “But I do feel good knowing there’s a hob with doctoring skills near.”
“Let me know if you need anything.” Charlotte offered.
“Thank you.” Rhett nodded. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must get my wife safely to the room before the humans wake. I fear we are too tired for entertaining this morning.” The two walked up the stairs.
“Josef.” Charlotte called out. A hobgoblin, or hob, in a suit and tie appeared out of nowhere in front of the desk.
“Good morning, Charlotte.” Josef was a family hob of Isaac’s parents. He and Isaac grew up together, and when Isaac set out on his own, Josef bound himself to Isaac’s service. Nothing happened in the castle that he didn’t know about. It was his large, dedicated extended family that served alongside Isaac’s family.
Charlotte smiled at him fondly. “Josef, Rhett and Cecilia have checked in. They would like breakfast brought to them. Cecilia looks uncomfortable. Could you let Sebastian know? Perhaps he could check in with her later today?”
“Of course.” Josef nodded solemnly. “Breakfast will be served any moment now.”
“Thank you.” Charlotte hopped down from the stool and made her way to Josef’s side. She gave his gray hair a kiss that he acknowledged with a loving grunt and a half smile. Under the super thick hair was a thin frame of muscles in a three-foot tall hobgoblin body that reminded her of a beautiful young boy and a weathered old man all at the same time.
Josef walked around the counter and up the built-in ramp. He sat down on the stool and checked the small pile of paperwork. “I have spoken with your mother and father this morning. We are not going to have any danes this weekend.” He looked over at her. “Act
ually, we are going to have a bit of a holiday from danes for at least several weeks.”
Charlotte frowned. Since when did they take a holiday from the human guests? The Wayfarer Inn’s business was two-fold. It provided lodging for magical creatures, called magani, of all kinds. The other side of their business was to provide lodging for humans, called danes, who enjoyed vacationing with what they thought were pretend magical creatures. Mermaids taught swimming classes. Centaurs lead classes on midnight star gazing and riding horses. Elves headed the archery and art lessons. The hobs were in charge of housekeeping and cooking. Gnomes, who lived in underground dwellings near the garage, kept the lawns and gardens thriving.
Josef cleared his throat. Mr. Chesterfield, who took art classes every summer, made his way down the staircase. He pulled and fidgeted with the sweater vest he wore. “It’s a bit early in the year to be this cold, isn’t it?” He asked as he laid his arm on the counter. He looked down at Charlotte’s bare feet and skirt. “Or perhaps I’m cold natured.”
“No, it’s definitely colder than normal.” Charlotte answered.
“You’ve practically seen her grow up.” Josef snorted. “She’s not exactly on top of the forecast and she runs around here barefoot in the winter.”
Mr. Chesterfield nodded and smiled warmly. “So what are your plans, Charlotte? Will you stay on with the family business?”
“You know, I’m not sure yet.” Charlotte dropped her eyes and played with the end of the counter. “My parents will be home soon, and I think I’ll take a small break and figure it all out.”
“Be young.” Mr. Chesterfield straightened and took a step away from the counter. “You are only this age once. Travel. Explore. Enjoy being on your own.”
“That’s excellent advice.” Josef tapped the end of his pen on the paperwork.
Suddenly, many hobs appeared in the dining room with trays of food and drink. They assembled the buffet table quickly. The room was filled with the sound of faint pops as the hobs disappeared.
