28 : Enemy is close

**Evelyn :**

We decided that evening to take a break from everything and rest while we still had the chance. We were both in the lounge, which had cushions, lots of blankets, a hammock and big windows with a beautiful view of the green garden.

While I swayed lightly with my laptop in my hands to continue my novel, Raphael was sitting nearby on one of the sofas with some papers in his hands and glasses on his eyes. In all his handsome glory, with casual pants and a black T-shirt, showing off his muscular body well, he looked like a snack. On the side besides him was small coffee table where lay his phone and a glass of wine. I noticed that he liked to relax with an alcoholic drink when he was not dealing with his night jobs as a God and paranormal creatures.

To be honest? I loved the atmosphere. I felt better and more comfortable than ever. Even though I was held by force from the beginning, I began to get used to his presence and the idea that I was his long-lost wife, even if it was hard to grasp that fact.

Now it was much different, my feelings had also changed. Every time Phoenix was close to me, I felt butterflies in my stomach and a pleasant excitement. It couldn't even be explained. On the other hand, this was a win-win situation, at least I was gaining skills and knowledge about my past.

Remembering myself, in another girl's body, I had to look at Raphael, who was already watching me.

I had to look away with my cheeks flushed but his voice broke the calm air, ''Are you alright Evelyn?'' There was a hint of amusement in his tone.

I had to collect my thoughts for a moment, but I didn't keep it a secret for long,'' That girl in that photo frame...That's me, isn't it?''

''Yes, sorry. If you are concerned, looks are not important to me now if you think I am comparing you in two forms. You were beautiful then but you are also beautiful now. My thoughts on that have not changed,'' he explained and I looked at him in surprise, his burning eyes already giving me warmth little by little.

"I - I didn't mean it like that... It's just -"

"It's all right, darling," he smiled. Putting the papers aside on the table and taking his writing glasses off his eyes to put them all in the same place, he finished his drink.

Holding the glass with the wine, still looking at me, he put the glass back in its place and spread his legs, leaning a little further back to make himself more comfortable in the sofa, ''Come here, I want you next to me,'' crooking his finger at me, I left my seat without even thinking when my the legs were already moving towards him.

As soon as I was inches away from his knees, Raphael put his hand on my leg and pulled me closer when without even blinking I was on his lap, both of the man's hands on my hips. I thought my face was already the color of strawberry.

He gently pulls my hair back,'' You are such a good and obedient girl to me. If I didn't know, I would think that you have already completely surrendered yourself to me,'' with a smile on his face, I had to bite my lips so as not to say something rude to him.

"Well, well, well," taking my chin in his hand, Raphael managed to turn my head towards him as I tried to turn away from him in anger, "I see that spark in your eyes, that's one of your qualities, why I'm so attracted to you," he muttered softly and my heartbeat quickened as our lips almost brushed against each others.

Looking at my mouth, he gently stroked my upper lip with his thumb. It was like my soul was leaving my body at that moment.

"Tell me, Evelyn. If I gave you the choice to go, would you take that chance?" our eyes met and I was under his spell again.

"N- Now?" I whispered.

The man nodded in agreement.

I was at a loss for words a moment. *You want me to leave?*

The words, of course, did not come out loud but they were noticable in the air, which hung like an unbreathed whisper.

The wave of emotions was unexpected because it seemed that it was the only thing I wanted from the beginning but now? I thought I was falling in love with my captor without even wanting to.

My beautiful captor. My old lover and husband. My king.

That revelation made my heart sink and for a moment it was hard to breathe.

What happened to change my mind? Memories? Time spent together? His touches? His love for me?

I had no idea but the fact that I was starting to have feelings for this mighty Phoenix, I couldn't suppress them no matter how much I wanted to. It happened unexpectedly and suddenly, even the questions run through my head, how is this even possible.

Am I rushing too fast? Is my heart doing the right thing before I even consider everything? What if...What if it's Stockholm Syndrome?

I can only confirm with shock whether it is really true but I know better. Over time, I have come to love this crazy man who trapped me in his house from the first day I broke into his property. Am I doing the right thing?

"'Little one, no matter what thoughts happen in your beautiful head, you don't need to occupy yourself so much with them because you know that you can tell me everything,'" I was snapped out of my mind when Raphael looked into my eyes and caressed my cheek with his fingers.

Heart pounding, I couldn't turn away any longer and felt that I had to say about my real feelings about himt and this situation overall.

“Raphael, I-” The sudden explosion made me startle completely and I couldn't even comprehend what was happening when Phoenix grabbed me with a firm hold and we were sent flying to the other side of the room. We both fell along the ground and to soften my fall, Raphael turned right around so that I was on top of him.

I felt some shards hit my skin as the window glass shattered and even blood trickled down my lips. For a moment there was silence, I heard absolutely nothing because my hearing did not pick up anything. The shock made me feel nothing for a moment until I felt someone nudge me, calling me in worry and anger.

"Evelyn! Evelyn! Love, can you hear me?'' Hot hands were on my cheeks and then I felt pain both from the broken glass on my face and everywhere in my body from the explosion and the fall together.

''W - What, from wh-,'' My lips were too dry to finish the question because everything hurt but Raphael already understood half of what eplanted to say. I could see worry, fear and even more anger on his face.

''I have many enemies but I never thought that someone would have the courage to attack me at the moment when I am at home with you. I have an idea who it is....''pursing his lips, he helped me sit up.

''What do you mean?'' Every breath pierced my side and I barely stifled a moan of pain.

“Remember the carnations and the note someone left on the bed?” When I nodded, he continued, “Looks like he's leaving surprises again because I found something when I was away from you and now he's trying to get me out of the way to get to you without causing too much chaos but I guess no one knows me that well if they dare to attack me,'' he grinned evilly, unpleasant shivers ran through my body, about the situation and what Raphael might do.

I noticed his skin was on fire and his wings had appeared from the emotions that were being spread between us.

''And now what?'' I was afraid to think as I looked around and was horrified at how terrible the beautiful terrace was now, with everything torn apart.

"Now we wait for his death," Raphael growled in anger and I watched as his body transformed before my eyes like a bird of fire.

With my mouth open, I watched as the face transformed into a beak and the body grew evenom larger in front of my eyes and now in front of me stood only a burning Phoenix, flapping its flashing hot wings.

The Phoenix roared and lifted his wings in the air, fire gushing out of his mouth but the flames didn't even touched me, it was more like a soothing balm on my skin which left me feeling a little better.

Looking at this magnificent and majestic creature made me smile and everything would have been fine if I hadn't passed out from shock and pain.

Everything went black and I was enveloped in black darkness.