by Amy Sumida
Families sobbed in joy and rushed among the babies, their links leading them straight to their loved ones. Phoenixes scooped up their children and held them tightly, joyously; grandparents and parents starting the cycle again. I heard a muffled sniffle and glanced over to see Rath swiping at his eyes. He smiled at me through his tears and then pulled me into a hug.
“We will never forget this, Elaria,” he whispered brokenly in my ear. “Thank you. Thank you for saving them. Again.”
Chapter Forty-Four
The phoenixes and I exited the council chambers in a parade; the babies, held aloft by their families, in the lead. More phoenixes poured out of rooms to fill the corridors, applauding as they joined the procession. The Phoenixes are obviously a close-knit group and every member is precious; the return of the lost ones was rejoiced with an exuberance that reminded me a little of the Griffins.
And those babies. I've never seen infants like them; so expressive and aware. You could see the centuries in their eyes; the millennia. And yet there was none of the weariness or jaded ennui most ancient beneathers displayed. Not in those babies or in the adults. The Phoenixes had truly found the secret to eternal life. It wasn't just immortality, the ability to live forever, it was also rebirth. They started over, again and again; retaining their memories and yet experiencing the cycle of life from beginning to end. And it's the cycle that's key. Change. The shift of their bodies helped their minds to evolve and transition into each new phase. How profoundly brilliant.
The tide of the celebrating flock carried me into a vast central space; round as the council chambers had been but much larger. The domed ceiling hovered thousands of feet above my head; its golden cap so distant that I couldn't make out the patterns carved into it. The sunlight filtering through its filigree openings had further to go and floated down to the floor as if through water. Beneath that hazy light, in the center of the room, a round table waited but most of the floor space was left empty to showcase an intricate mosaic of Phoenixes rising from their ashes. The mosaic continued up the walls in a pattern of enormous flames, making it seem as if the room were on fire.
Rathlin led me to the center table along with a few of the council members, but most of the phoenixes fanned out and exited the room through arches along the perimeter. My gaze wandered up the walls, where balconies jutted out in the shape of giant birds; wings spread wide and heads lifted to the sky. The phoenixes reappeared on these sculptural balconies; filling them nearly all the way up the walls. They settled at tables there, several waving down to me after catching my eye. I waved gleefully back; swept up in their joy.
Rathlin held out a chair for me before he took the one beside me. “What do you think of our dining hall?”
“I don't know if I'd call it a hall.” I tore my gaze away from the magnificent display to look back at him. “It's more like an amphitheater but even that description falls short. It's a visual ode to fire and life.”
“Yes, we like it too.” Rathlin's smile softened.
Food was brought out; servers setting platters on dumbwaiters and using pulleys to deliver them to each balcony. I realized that I was sitting at what would normally be called the high table; a table reserved for the rulers of a group and their elite guests. I found it amusing that the “high table” in this instance was the lowest one in the room.
“Are you faithful to your men?” Rathlin asked casually as he filled my plate for me.
The question sent a jolt through me, harpooning straight into the issues I'd been having with my lovers and Lucifer. It took me a moment to recover.
“That's a rather personal question. And a little insulting.”
“I have a personal reason for asking it.” His lips twisted into a sensual smile. “And it wasn't meant to be insulting. Quite the opposite.”
Inside my head, the RS hooted with laughter. Bam! Another one bites the dust! Our girl is on a roll. Hey, you think he might be into—
Do shut up, Kyanite cut her off before she said something about my ass that would compel me to kick her metaphorical one.
I swear; I try one new thing, and everyone loses their damn minds.
“I am faithful,” I said adamantly. “I know that may seem silly to you, but I love them, and I wouldn't cheat on them. The only reason that I have multiple lovers is that I'm host to a spell that was forced on me, and the spell requires love to fuel it. But she's content with what we have now so there won't be anymore added. And honestly, that's a relief. Maintaining one relationship is hard enough but six can get rough.”
“Yes; Shava told me of your situation, and I don't think it sounds silly that you're faithful to them. Although it's a little disappointing. I hoped to have sex with you after the feast. That would have made this the most glorious day of my life. This life, at least.”
I choked on my wine and then stared at Rathlin in surprise. “Direct. Shocking, but I kind of like it. Especially when you add on the flattery.”
“Normally, I wouldn't be so forward,” he admitted. “I would take the time to seduce you. Time is something we both have in spades, after all, and seduction is a marvelous way to spend it.”
“Indeed.” I chuckled.
“But I have a feeling that I won't be given the opportunity to pursue you so I thought I'd throw propriety to the wind and be bold. Fortune favors the bold.” Rathlin's expression turned wicked. “And I've never been with a woman who isn't a phoenix.”
“Yes; I've heard that Phoenixes only mate with their own kind.”
“Well, the term 'mating' has two meanings; sexual intercourse and procreating.” He sipped his wine and let his gaze wander over me before continuing. “In this instance, it means the latter. We only procreate with other phoenixes. Some of us prefer to only have sex with phoenixes too but most of us know that variety is integral to satisfaction. And as far as procreation goes; we don't have children unless one of the Pyre is lost to us for good.”
“You don't ever have babies?” I asked in surprise.
“We are eternal; having more children at this point would be irresponsible.” He shrugged. “And we all get to experience parenthood anyway, even those of us who have never physically sired or birthed children in any of our lives.”
“What does that mean?”
“As I mentioned, I'm of the Third Generation. We decided to stop at three generations here on Earth,” he explained. “So, I never sired a child. But I don't feel the lack; I get to be a father in every lifetime.”
“That's enlightened and rather beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Rathlin inclined his head and sent me a little side-smirk. “We endeavor to be both.”
“And I'm flattered that you'd be interested in sampling my variety.” I lifted my glass to his. “To satisfaction; may we both find it with those we love.”
“To satisfaction in love,” he amended and clinked my glass.
“Speaking of love.” I looked around at the celebrating families. “You said that parents raise the same children in each lifetime.”
“Yes.”
“Does that mean that couples return to each other after being reborn?”
“Indeed, it does,” he confirmed. “But that's only with the first two generations. My generation ended up being the most... liberated. We, of course, have fallen in love and married, but we don't have the restriction of children. Something happens between a mated pair; they develop a stronger bond than the rest of us share. Those of us in the Third will develop different relationships in our lifetimes, but the First and Second Gens return to their mate every time.”
“I thought you said that most phoenixes know that variety is essential to satisfaction?”
“They do.” Rath's sensual smile returned. “You can be committed to a relationship without being restricted by it.”
“So, they have sex with other people but stay in a relationship with each other,” I concluded.
“Most do,” he said again. “There are the rare few who cling faithfully to each
other, and only each other, cycle after cycle.” He directed my stare to a balcony a few levels up, where a woman rocked one of the new babies I'd returned while a man watched them adoringly. “That's Tern and Kina; they're Second Gen. They've been together from their very first life.”
“That's rather romantic,” I whispered.
“Indeed,” Rath's voice went as soft as his gaze. “Sometimes I wish for that.”
I glanced over at him, and we shared a long look. A moment of kinship. I sometimes wished for that too; a single lover to cling to. I had it once; Darc and I had been together longer than any couple on the planet. But now, there are others in my heart, and I know that they're here to stay. I didn't just have one love to follow me through lifetimes; I had six. So, I suppose we didn't have much in common after all. I glanced away.
“Yes; I wish for it but then I realize how boring it would be.” Rathlin shivered dramatically.
We laughed together, the lighthearted mood recaptured, although there was a shadow in his eyes that saddened me.
After the meal was cleared away, the music turned more lively, and Rathlin lured me out into the space around our table. We danced—him twirling me expertly—to “Paris” by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals while the other phoenixes swirled and swayed and slammed their hips with us.
A movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. I glanced up and saw a phoenix step off one of the balconies as golden wings sprouted from his shoulders. I gawked as those gleaming wings caught the air, and then a woman launched herself at the winged man. He caught her around her waist as her wings whooshed open above her; a perfect Dirty Dancing lift executed in midair. That had to be more difficult, right? Performing it in midair? Then more phoenixes glided out to meet their partners in an aerial dance so graceful that it put Angels to shame. If only my men had been there to see it with me, I would have been completely happy.
“Will you sing for us?” Rathlin whispered in my ear.
“Again?” I smirked at him.
“Yes; I ask even more of you after you've given so much. But I've thought of a way to give us both satisfaction, Spellsinger, and I think one more song wouldn't be too much to ask in return.”
“Really? Tell me more.” I let him lead me to the side of the room and out through an archway.
We entered a stairwell; steps curving up. The music softened within the stone, and his voice became clearer.
“You need a fire teacher, don't you?”
“I do,” I admitted. “But I already have one teacher who my men disapprove of. If I add another man who has an interest in me, they will be very unhappy.”
“Oh, now.” Rathlin made a horrified face. “I would never be so rude as to try to seduce you in front of your lovers. Especially not after you've already refused me. Nor am I lacking in female attention, Elaria. I assure you; the offer is innocent and genuine.”
“You said it would be a way for us both to find satisfaction,” I reminded him.
“Yes; I'll get the satisfaction of seeing you again,” he said as if that didn't have other implications.
I stared at him hard.
“I like you. My sister likes you.” He shrugged. “Just because I'm also attracted to you, it doesn't mean that any relationship between us must be sexual for me to find satisfaction in it. I want to know you and keep in communication with you so that when my sister comes of age, I can take her to visit you. In short; I'd like to establish a friendship with you.”
“I'd like that too. And yes; I'm in need of a teacher. I had thought that I was nearly finished with my lessons, but I recently had some trouble with my Fire magic that leads me to believe otherwise.”
“I will be honored to help you.” He bowed. “And I would also be honored if you would sing one more song for my people.”
“Tricky.” I laughed. “How could I refuse?”
“I was hoping you'd say that.” Rathlin took my hand and led me up the stairs before taking me down a curving corridor until we came to an empty dining balcony. He went straight to the carved railing, leaning over the edge of a wing to call out, “Attention, everyone! Could someone please turn off the music?”
The music softened and then cut out.
“Our guest of honor has consented to sing one more song for our celebration!” Rathlin announced into the quiet.
The Phoenixes cheered as I stepped up to the railing. Down below, I saw a scurrying movement and then one of them was working the pulleys to deliver a wireless microphone to us. Rathlin snatched it off the dumbwaiter and waved his thanks at the Phoenix below before presenting the mic to me with panache. I didn't need to use it—Kyanite's magic could amplify my voice—but since they'd gone through the trouble of bringing me one, I couldn't just toss it aside.
Ky, it's a celebration. So, let's give them some balloons.
Another inspired choice, my love.
Suck up, RS grumbled.
“Hello, everyone,” I said into the mic. “I just want to say how deeply moved I am to be included in your celebration. Shavalina and I have grown very close over our short time together, and I will be waiting anxiously for the time when we can renew our friendship. She saved my life. Her tutelage helped me to control my Fire; a magic that was threatening to destroy me. Without her, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't have brought her or any of your lost ones home. So, it's Shava we should be thanking.”
Rathlin and Shava's parents stepped out into view and held her up to me. The baby gurgled and waved her arms as the other phoenixes applauded her.
“This song is for you, Shavalina Aryana.” I swear that she waved her hands even more wildly at that, and her laughter carried up to me. “Now, this may not sound like a song of celebration, but I think it's perfect for you. It speaks of terrible destruction, brought about by a terrible mistake. Your loved ones were destroyed, all because one of them made the mistake of being kind to the wrong man. And yet, here they are, back with you, and all of you have risen above that tragedy, just like a red balloon.”
The Phoenixes roared in delight, already knowing what song I'd chosen, even before the soft humming of “99 Red Balloons” by Nena began to float around them while I started the soft-spoken intro. It isn't your average war song, which is why I think it became so popular. It's a joyous expression of life that eventually leads to death. A warning to the world; that the very power that keeps us safe could become our destruction. But I focused my magic on the start instead of the ending. On the joyful act of mischief. On the one thing I wanted to add to the celebration along with the gift of my music.
The song trickled into the tapping, keyboard melody that was recognizable all over the world, even in a Phoenix Nest. The Phoenixes filled the air and the floor below as the music sped up and magic flowed out of my mouth along with my voice. The very air vibrated as ninety-nine candy-red balloons burst into being, right above the heads of those dancing on the ground below, and then slowly floated up, among the flying dancers.
Although the lyrics sauntered into sadness, the music sounded joyous; a vibrant, thrashing of drums and electric guitars along with that 80's keyboard grumble. All elegance was lost as the Phoenixes thrashed about in utter abandon; feet stamping and wings slapping the air. I grinned at Rathlin as he moved beside me; shoulders flicking with the beat. My shoulders moved too, along with my hips; it was impossible to stand still while singing “99 Red Balloons.” The Phoenixes sang along with me, voices rising with the spots of crimson. Bloody tears turned upside-down and released to float away. Sadness turned into joy. And, in the very center of it all, Shava shook her little body as best she could in the arms of her laughing, dancing mother.
It was bittersweet to wind the song down into its murmuring conclusion. As bitter as the lyrics that described ruins and dust. But there is hope even in utter destruction, and it was in that hope that I found the sweetness. I pushed it out with the last lines and set it firmly in place with my magic. But the Phoenixes didn't need my hope; they had droves of their own
. They know that life goes on despite the tragedy that sometimes rocks it. They know—better than most—that beauty comes from chaos and life rises from the ashes. When I finished and my magic swept back into my chest, the Phoenixes applauded with an exuberance that shook the stones beneath my feet.
Chapter Forty-Five
I got home late. Darc was sprawled in our bed, the other men either in their towers or gone to their own homes. I crawled beneath the covers and curled against his side. His arm swept around me automatically, and I fell asleep smiling. The day had gone better than expected and this was the perfect ending.
In the morning, while my men, Cerberus, and I were eating breakfast—all of them had stayed in Kyanite after all—Odin, Vivian, and Glinda showed up.
