The Phoenix

by J R Stone

  “Could you please bring us lunch?” he asked politely. The woman just nodded and left the room.

  “That was a bit creepy. Where was she hiding?”

  Seth started laughing. “She was not hiding. She was just waiting for someone to show up.”

  “That’s creepy, I hope you know that,” she said jokingly. She wondered if the other servants also lurked around, waiting.

  She noticed he was more relaxed, so she decided to go back to their conversation about Adara. “Seth, I know you asked me not to talk about Adara anymore, but I have one last question.”

  He got closer to her, his eyes penetrating her soul. She hesitated for a minute, but, as he did not say anything, she continued, “Is Adara a witch?”

  “Yes,” he said coldly. “Is this conversation over now?”

  “Sure.” She swallowed hard. She had not expected the blunt tone of his answer, so she felt oppressed. Luckily for her, the servant brought them lunch. “Great! I’m ravenous! Let’s eat,” Sarah said feigning enthusiasm.

  Seth gave her a faint smile. Her curiosity bothered him. There were things about Totkan’s past that should remain unspoken.

  Sarah ate quickly, not only because she was hungry, but also because she wanted to be alone. Seth barely touched his food. She knew he was upset.

  “I’m sorry if I hurt you in any way. I didn’t mean to,” Sarah said.

  “I’m fine, don’t worry.” He stood up. He would not give her an opening for the conversation about Adara, but he did not wish to push her away. “I just need some time alone, that’s all.”

  “Okay. I’ll go to my room. I need to get some rest. I always appreciate having you around, Seth,” she said sincerely.

  “Good, because I’m not going anywhere,” he reassured. He needed her to know that she could count on him.

  Sarah gave him a smile and left. She rushed to her room. She would wait a few minutes before leaving for the city. No one had told her that she had to stay in the palace, so she could only suppose that she was free to go anywhere she wanted. For a brief moment, the idea of stealing a horse and escaping Totkan crossed her mind, but she knew she would not get through the city gates. They were always closed, and no one would open them for her. She would stick to her plan.

  After some minutes, Sarah opened her door and walked to the main hall. She was tense. Every time she passed by a soldier, she had the feeling that she would be asked about her destination. But no one asked anything.

  Sarah hurried to Adara’s house. She looked around to make sure neither Tzeel nor Seth was anywhere near. She took a deep breath and knocked on Adara’s door.

  “Sarah! I’m glad to see you,” beamed Adara.

  “Hi! I just wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday,” she lied.

  “Oh, don’t be silly! I’m the one who owes you an apology. Come on in.”

  Sarah was pleased that Adara seemed truly happy to see her.

  “Would you like to eat something, maybe an apple or some bread?” asked Adara.

  Even though Sarah was full, her mother had taught her that it was impolite to refuse food when at someone’s house. “Thanks, I’d love some bread.”

  Adara gave Sarah a piece of bread that was certainly bigger than Sarah would be able to eat. She took a bite. It was delicious. “This is the best bread I have ever eaten!”

  “I know. I’m a great cook,” said Adara proud of herself. She looked at the young woman before her. She knew Sarah’s visit had a purpose. She decided to be the one to initiate the conversation.

  “I know you have questions, Sarah, and I know what they are,” she said nicely. “I would love to share with you some of the things that happened in the past, but I can’t. I’d never do anything to hurt my boys. And the truth is that there are things that must be forgotten. Please, leave it alone. I know you don’t want to hurt them.” Her eyes were fixed on Sarah’s. She hoped that would be the last time they had that conversation. “I also know that Tzeel made a bad first impression on you, but trust me, he’s a good man. If you have feelings for him, don’t hide them. He deserves to know.” Adara believed that, if Tzeel felt loved, he would make better decisions about the people around him.

  Sarah felt she could trust Adara. “I’m afraid he’s not honest about his feelings.”

  “Sarah, he’s got you here. I’m sure there are a thousand ways he can get whatever he wants from you without resorting to false feelings or lies.”

  “I’ll think about it.” She wished to believe Adara’s words. Everything would be easier if she could trust the passion she had felt in Tzeel’s kiss.

  “Please, do.”

  “I should go,” said Sarah politely. She did not want to stay away for too long. She feared being questioned about her whereabouts. Besides, Adara had made it clear that she would not give the answers for which she searched.

  “It was a pleasure to see you. You’re more than welcome to visit me every day. I’m sure there are many things we can talk about.” It would be nice to have some company, and to know more about the young woman who had stolen Tzeel’s heart.

  “I’ll try to come tomorrow. You can visit me in the palace too. You know you’re welcome there.”

  “I’ll consider that.” She did not wish to discourage Sarah, but she would not set foot in the palace while Uno was there.

  When Sarah left Adara’s house, she was dying to see Tzeel. She did not want him to run to Liora’s arms because he was feeling rejected. She had to make things right.

  Even though she suspected jealousy was clouding her judgment, she ran to Tzeel’s room. She was going to open the door, but she feared that Tzeel might not be alone.

  “Is Tzeel in?” she asked a soldier.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Is he alone?” She did not know what she would do if the answer was no.

  To her relief, Tzeel was alone.

  Before opening the door, Sarah promised herself that never again would Liora feel the heat of his hands, the taste of his kiss, the smell of his skin. She quietly walked into the room. Tzeel was on the balcony, lost in his thoughts.

  “Do you love her?” she asked, trying to sound firm.

  Tzeel frowned. He was surprised to see her there.

  “Do you love Liora?” she insisted.

  “No,” he said without hesitation. He felt his heart beating fast. He wanted Sarah more than anything else.

  “Am I like her to you, just someone you want to spend the night with?”

  “No.” Tzeel walked over to her. He wanted to kiss her, hold her, touch her. But, before he could do anything, she took his hand and walked with him to the side of the bed. She touched a scar on the left side of his face. Her eyes were inviting.

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Yes.” She had given up fighting the ardent desire to surrender to him.

  Tzeel gently held her face and kissed her lips. Sarah was blown away. His kiss was so passionate that it made her want him even more than she already did. She slowly took his shirt off. His chest was full of scars. She couldn’t help wondering what had happened to him.

  Tzeel kneeled and kissed her ankle, his hands going up the back of her legs. He kissed her thighs making her moan. His hands caressed her waist going slowly up her back. Her skin was smooth, and he wanted to feel every inch of it. He kissed her belly and took her dress off.

  “You’re perfect!” he whispered in her ear.

  Sarah sank her nails into his back. She was burning for him. He pulled her hair aside and kissed her behind her ear. She lay down on her back. She wanted to feel his body on top of hers. He did not keep her waiting.

  “I’ve never done this before,” she said shyly.

  Tzeel smiled, glad she would be his and no one else’s. He stroked her hair and passionately kissed her lips. “I won’t do anything you don’t want me to.”

  Sarah wrapped her legs around him and pulled him closer. “I want you. Make me yours,” she sighed, more to herself tha
n to him.

  Tzeel kissed, licked, nibbled all over her. Not an inch of skin was left unattended. Sarah could not think of anything else: he was all that mattered to her. She pulled his hair a bit; she wanted his lips on hers.

  Tzeel pressed his lips against hers as he unhurriedly deflowered her. Sarah felt a sharp pain that almost instantaneously gave room to an outburst of pleasure. She had no idea her body was able to feel anything like that. Once again, she sank her nails into his back, scratching his shoulders as she got louder, reaching her climax.

  Tzeel slowed down his strokes a bit and kissed her. He wanted that moment to last as much as possible, but the desire in her kiss, the way she pressed her pelvis against his, made him orgasm.

  Sarah touched his face, his hair, his chest in complete admiration. She loved the weight of his body on top of hers.

  “Did I hurt you?” he asked, caressing her hair.

  “Not even close,” she beamed. There was something different in the way he was looking at her. She wondered if she had done anything wrong. “What?”

  “I’m just gazing.” He kissed her again as he gently pulled himself out of her and lay down beside her. “Come here.”

  Sarah turned on her side and hugged him. Her shoulders still hurt, but she did not say anything. She did not wish to ruin the moment.

  Tzeel ran his fingertips up and down her spine. He couldn’t possibly be more satisfied; she was his, and there was no other place he’d rather be.

  She closed her eyes. She could stay in his arms forever. Her body was so relaxed that she couldn’t help falling asleep.

  When Tzeel woke up, Sarah was still sleeping. He could spend eternity admiring her beauty, and he would still be mesmerized by it. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and she smiled. It was good to know that he was watching her sleep.

  “Good morning,” he said sweetly.

  “Good morning.” She moved on top of him, aware that it was already too late to fight the insatiable lust that consumed her. Her hands ran down his chest; she could feel his heart beating faster. She longed to please him.

  Tzeel sat up. He wanted to be closer to her. He pulled her hair a bit and kissed her neck before changing positions and getting on top of her. She was frantic, whining with pleasure; she would climax. Tzeel kept on, slowing himself a bit. He would give her some more time to climax before him.

  She screamed as pleasure filled her, seeping into every inch of her body. He increased the speed of his thrusts. He was almost there. She looked into his eyes and murmured his name. Tzeel kissed her while reaching his climax.

  “We underrated this morning. It’s a great morning,” he beamed.

  “It sure is.” Sarah kissed him once more. Just when she thought nothing could ruin that moment, they were interrupted by a knock on the door.

  “Not now!” he shouted. He did not plan to go anywhere.

  “I have a message from Uno,” said a soldier hesitantly.

  Tzeel felt Sarah stiffen. She had certainly heard bad things about Uno. He knew she would be displeased, but he could not ignore a message from the wizard.

  He put some clothes on and left the room. “Yes?”

  “Uno wants to see you,” said the soldier politely.

  Tzeel wanted to say that he was busy, but he did not want to upset Uno. “Thanks.” He got back to his room and stared at Sarah.

  She could tell he was in a dilemma. He seemed to be waiting for her permission, but she would not give it to him. She wanted him to stay.

  After pondering for a few seconds, he moved closer to her. “Get some rest. It’s early. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he said warmly. Trying to minimize her frustration, he kissed her lips before leaving, “It won’t take me long, I promise.”

  Sarah closed her eyes. She was upset, not only because he had left her to see Uno, but also because her body craved him. His smell was all over the bed, making it impossible for her not to miss him. She would try to sleep.

  “Don’t let anyone in,” said Tzeel to the soldiers guarding his bedroom. He walked to the east wing of the palace. There was a servant in the main hall. “Leave some buckets of warm water by my door,” he ordered. He would take a bath with her when he returned. He found himself unable to stop thinking about her. With luck, he would be able to get everything he wanted and still have her.

  Tzeel entered a dark oval room where Uno waited for him.

  “What took you so long?” snarled Uno. He would not tolerate any mistakes. He had long waited for Sarah’s presence in Totkan.

  “I just woke up.”

  “You’re losing yourself, Tzeel.” Uno got closer to him. “Do you still want it?” he asked harshly.

  “Yes,” said Tzeel promptly. At that moment, nothing would be capable of making him give up on his plans.

  “We need to meet her to have an idea of her power. That is the only way we will know if we need more wizards for the spell.”

  “She is recovering.” The truth was that he wanted to have her a little more to himself before taking her power. He was not sure she would allow her to touch him after that.

  “By the scratches on your neck, I suppose she’s in good health,” said Uno maliciously. “We can give it all up right now. Totkan, the city you love so much, will never be anything more than what it is today. Its people will continue to be ordinary and mediocre. And you, well, what can I say? History will forget you and Totkan, both erased by time for your insignificance. You will be just one more ruler in its history. But if that satisfies you, I’ll accept it.”

  “I’m bringing her in an hour,” said Tzeel between his teeth as he stormed out of the room. Uno was glad to see that he still had control over Tzeel.

  Tzeel was apoplectic with rage. He had made a mistake; he should have kept a safe distance from Sarah.

  Liora was in the main hall waiting for him. “What’s troubling you?” she asked worriedly, her hand stroking his chest.

  “Nothing, I just need to do something. I’ll see you in an hour,” he said, taking her hand off him.

  Liora knew by his behavior and the scratches on his neck that she had lost him to Sarah. She would make sure Sarah did not live more than necessary to give them what they wanted.

  VI

  Tzeel silently opened the door. Sarah was asleep. He took the buckets the servant had left by his door and filled in the bathtub as quietly as possible.

  He sat beside Sarah and nibbled her ear. She smiled, her eyes still closed.

  “I’m going to take a bath. Care to join me?” he asked smoothly.

  “Yes,” she rejoiced. The fact that he had woken her up inviting her to take a bath with him surprised her. She wanted to believe that, even though they had started off on the wrong foot, they could have a fulfilling relationship.

  Tzeel took his clothes off and got in the bathtub. Sarah followed him. They faced each other. He caressed her lower legs. He could not imagine a better moment to tell her she would have to meet Uno.

  “I want you to meet my wizards,” he said calmly. He saw an abrupt change in Sarah’s expression. “Where are you going?” he asked, confused, as she left the bathtub.

  “That’s what this is all about, right? Getting me to serve your purpose,” she raged at him as she put her clothes on. “I’ll be in my room.” She would not stay there for even a minute more.

  Stunned, Tzeel watched her leave. Her reaction gave him one certainty: she would be lost to him once they performed the spell.

  Tears rolled down Sarah’s face. She hated herself for being so stupid. Never in her life had she allowed herself to fall in love with anyone. How could she have fallen for him? She was incandescent with fury. A strong wind started to blow; dark clouds appeared in the sky. Sarah did not know whether she was the one doing that or if it was just a coincidence.

  “May I come in?” asked Seth knocking on the door.

  Sarah closed her eyes and tried to calm herself down. She wanted to tell Seth to go away, but she could not aff
ord to upset the only person who could help her. “Come in,” she said calmly.

  “Hey, would you like to go for a walk?” he asked nicely. He noticed her eyes were red. “Have you been crying?”

  “No, I’m fine. You’d better ask your brother if I can go for a walk.”

  Seth frowned.

  “Why is that?”

  “He has plans for me this morning. He wants me to meet Uno and the others,” she replied. She hoped Seth could help her.

  “Listen, Sarah. You must be careful. Tzeel’s wizards are evil. Uno is their leader, and the worst person I have ever met. There are four other wizards: Aiken, Caleb, Elias, and Galil. They don’t talk much, but you’ll see there’s no goodness in their eyes. He is also followed by three witches. Lavia, Katerina, and Liora,” he said, hesitating. He knew that, if he went on, he would be sharing a secret that was not his to share. He pondered. Moved by the wish to keep Sarah safe, he added, “And there is Tzeel.”

  Sarah’s legs started trembling. “Excuse me?”

  “He’s a sorcerer,” he whispered. With any luck, no one would hear them.

  She had to sit down. “Tzeel? That doesn’t make any sense!” She thought about her own words. She had ignored the energy she had felt running through her body the first time her hand touched his. She had failed to pay attention to the details.

  He realized she was confused. “He hides it. He always thought our father would look down on him and on his skills as a warrior if he knew Tzeel was a sorcerer. After father died, he kept his magic a secret,” he said. Seeing that she was in shock, he tried to take her mind off Tzeel, “I asked Victor to check on your mother.”

  She raised her head to look at him. “Thank you, Seth,” she said, tears in her eyes. She admired Seth’s nobility and only wished Tzeel was this noble. “I need to be alone now,” she said politely.

  “I’ll let you know when he gets back,” he said before leaving her room. He could see that she was about to cry, and wished he could comfort her. It was a pity that all her attention seemed dedicated to his brother. He left the room, giving her the privacy she wanted.