Midnight Cove

Slowly, Phoenix stepped behind me and snaked his strong arms around my waist. Brushing his lips against my ear, he nestled his cheek against my hair, softly he whispered, "What are you thinking, Bonnie?"

In a hushed whisper, barely audible, I answered him, "I never imagined it like this." It was beyond anything my mind could have ever created.

"So, you like it then?" He seemed to be asking me work genuine sincerity.

"Yes, of course I do. I love it." How could anyone not love this place? It was impossible to tear my eyes away from that view.

"Good." Phoenix's voice was thick with satisfaction. "Now maybe you won't think of this realm as such a terrible place anymore." He straightened his posture and released his grip on my hips, taking a step back.

I took a deep cleansing gulp of air. "Come with me, Bonnie, I have more to show you."

But still, I couldn't move. I didn't want to leave such a dazzling sight. Phoenix gave me another moment to stand there, gazing, taking in the sights and sounds of this midnight wonderland, but when I stood rooted in place, refusing to move, he had to lace his arm around my waist again and turn me away.

I had forgotten about the black castle behind me. Seeing it in all it's grandeur once more forced an audible gasp from my lips. A sensuous and sinful chuckle escaped from Phoenix. He was enjoying my responses from the abundance of majesty surrounding me.

I scuffed my shoes for the first couple steps as I began to walk under the castle's noble archways. Down carved stone corridors, Phoenix lead me, hardly giving me time to look at all the intricate designs etched into the walls. Everywhere tiny flowers and miniature faeries were sculpted into the obsidian rock walls. The torch lit sconces illuminated the large glassy black stones.

The rich lavishness of the palace was overwhelming. Though it was night, it did not take away from the stateliness of the structure. Up a winding staircase, Phoenix continued to lead me, never loosening his grip on my waist or my hand. His touch was constant and for that I was extremely grateful. I could have lost my focus and easily wandered off, probably never to be seen again. The palace was so enormous, it seemed to go on forever in all directions. Neverending corridors that led to an expanse of impressive rooms elegantly decorated with furnishings I had only seen in my wildest dreams.

At last, he stopped in front of an impressive pair of golden doors embellished with two crowned snarling lions. Phoenix let go of my hand and I looked at him. He only smiled before turning the knobs that would lead me into a suite of spectacular opulence.

The plushness of the rooms drew me in like a moth to a flame. They were warmly lit and although it was undeniably elegant, it didn't hinder the cozy inviting feeling it gave me. Immediately, I noticed it was the only room that I had seen that wasn't black with the raw obsidian stones with which the palace was built. I walked into the foyer and ran my finger across the marble table sitting in the center of the room. A bouquet of lilies sat in an ornate vase. I leaned closer to get a whiff of their intoxicating perfume.

Straightening myself, my attention was caught by the large glass french doors that lead outside to the balcony. I headed in their direction, wanting to again take in the mountain top view of the Portical, and the lush forest land that surrounded it. Vaguely aware of him, Phoenix was in the corner watching me. He stood with his back leaned against the ivory papered wall, allowing me room to explore my new surroundings.

I stepped through the doors and onto the vast balcony of obsidian. The wide terrace swept out in a semicircle decorated with potted shrubs and the pink fragrant blossoms of garden heliotrope. I walked to the black balustrade and leaned over the parapet gazing down into the darkness trying to gauge our height.

"I wouldn't lean too far, Bonnie," Phoenix had stepped up next to me. I hadn't even noticed his approach. "You don't have wings you know?" A cocky half-smile adorned his face.

I smiled back at him unable to stop the attraction I was feeling. "You would rescue me, wouldn't you, Phoenix?" I batted my eyes at him and leaned farther over the railing.

Phoenix's smile grew and he shook his head. "And you think that I'm dangerous. You're toxic."

I rose back up, behaving myself. "That's not nice. What is that supposed mean?" I felt mildly insulted by his comment.

Gently, Phoenix put his hands on my hips and pulled me so that my body was pressed against his as his hands slid down my back, gripping my butt. His smile turned sly and satisfied as he took liberties with my body, squeezing a handful of tush, but I didn't attempt to stop him. He leaned his forehead against mine, slowly guiding my face towards his.

We stood there on the black balcony under a star filled sky, our noses grazing, as we looked deeply into each others eyes, our lips almost touching. His eyes took on a half glazed look and I softly closed my eyelids expecting him to kiss me. Instead, I felt his soft lips graze my cheek and his cool breath tickle my neck as he whispered sweetly into my ear.

"It means, that you're deadly. Your looks are like a toxin to a man, one taste and he's ruined for life." Phoenix wasn't just dangerous because he was powerful, he was dangerous because he was debonair. His flattery wasn't something I was used to.

Cove had told me I was beautiful, but he wasn't a talker, he was a doer. He showed me he thought I was beautiful more than he said I was. Phoenix on the other hand, had words that were sweeter than honey. My broken heart was already in danger of melting all too soon. I had to do something to put on the brakes. Everything was too much too fast.

"Whatever," I sighed feigning annoyance and disbelief. I began to turn away and escape from his close embrace.

He lifted his hands an inch from my hips allowing me to turn back around facing out before laying his hands back on my protruding hip bones forcefully pulling me against him.

"No," he practically growled. "You are beautiful and you will take my compliments." I blushed both at his words and at his demand. I tried to force back a smile but couldn't.

"Now," he said, a smile present in his voice, as well as thorough gratification that he had won out over my stubbornness. "Say, 'thank you.'" His strong grip a reminder of his dominance over me.

I can't lie, the truth is I liked it. I had never been with a man as strong and as powerful as Phoenix before. Cove may have been, but he never showed it. He had said that it would never be a fair fight between them because Phoenix was the younger brother, but that too could have been a lie. There was no telling what was true and what wasn't.

Using my softest, most flirtatious voice I responded, "Yes, Phoenix." I wanted him to get exactly what he wanted, to see that even by me being subservient I was still dangerous. I spun around my lips brushing against his chin as I quietly mouthed, "Thank you."

He groaned, his desire for me evident in his throaty moan of pleasure. His half-smile securely in place as he contemplated something for few seconds before placing his hands on my shoulders and turned me back around. Leaving his arm draped over my shoulders he escorted me the couple steps back to the parapet. He slid his arm down off my shoulders and wrapped his fingers around my waist, the gentle pressure of his palm against my back. I leaned my head against his chest and we looked out onto the majestic beauty of his kingdom.

I didn't want anything in that moment. I was perfectly content standing there staring out into the beauty of the night with Phoenix by my side. It felt surreal, but it felt right on some level. Instead of taking me home to my studio apartment so I could be alone, drowning my self pity in a quart of ice cream, Phoenix had taken me to his underground realm and treated me to a night filled with magic and excitement.

He had shown me the depth of his brother's lies by taking me to the very place where Cove had run from, deceiving me into believing it was a terrible place filled with hateful creatures. Nothing could be further from the truth. Phoenix shared his beautiful home with me and the entire time never stopped doting on me, forcefully making me accept my own beauty. He was the embodiment of a prince, and next to him, standing on that balcony in his black castle, was me, and I truly felt like a princess.