71: Shall we?

This was about the second time today that I’d explained a series of prior events, mostly involving myself, Sebastian and his mother, to someone, and honestly, it was becoming one too many. Next time I’d document the events of my life in a journal so that whenever someone had a question to ask regarding my rather complicated and bizarre past, I’d just hand them the journal instead of repeating myself numerous times over.
“I still can’t believe what you’ve just told me. I mean that means you’re just about as old and ancient as Sebastian and it explains that portrait we found in the archives. I’m guessing it was the closest thing to capturing the memory of your wedding at that time.” Alice said as she sat on my bed. My four chronic pains in the ass had disappeared, all in an effort to notify the council members who resided in the palace that I was well and would be at my training practise today, should they need physical proof. What they did not know was that they would be seeing me much sooner.
I searched intently for a black coat in my wardrobe. After the scorching heat of hell, this palace was a freezer, and goosebumps had begun to cover my shivering skin. Once I’d found the black material hiding towards the back of the wardrobe, I yanked the clothing item from the hanger and once I’d draped it around me, I returned my attention back to Alice.
“Well technically I’ve only been alive for two centuries or so, and a bit. The rest of my time I spent dead, and so I don’t have as much life experience as either of Sebastian and Demetri. But if we don’t count Diana’s years of living, then I really am just as old as you are Alice.”
“But you say that you remember everything from your past life, so I think we really do have to include Diana’s lifetime and yours together. So, in essence, you are not as old as I am, Phoenix, and even though you haven’t been alive for as long as Demetri and Sebastian, you’ve existed long enough to clearly have more wisdom than the both of them combined. I see it, dancing across your eyes. You might as well have lived all those years you were trapped in that little red stone..”
I smiled softly and thanked her for her words. For a moment the whole room fell into a deep silence until I gave a small chuckle and said, “They really are idiots, aren’t they?”
“Your mates?” Alice asked.
I nodded, thinking back to how bizarre each and every single one of them was. “But I really do care deeply for each and every single one of them.”
“I think it goes deeper than that, Phoenix. From what I saw today, I think you might just love them.”
I paused a moment, gave a soft little chuckle and nodded before saying. “Perhaps you’re right. I do love them, which makes winning this game and protecting Liam and Xavier a top priority. I don’t think I could bear losing any one of them.”
“And you won’t.” Alice said before placing a reassuring hand on top of mine. I gave a smile and then my eyes widened in the realisation that after all this talk about me, I’d not once asked about her and Aaliyah.
“And what about you and your secret forbidden relationship with your vampire mate?” I asked.
“About that…” she trailed off and then scratched at the back of her neck nervously.
I grimaced. “Uh oh, what happened?”
“I just don’t understand how Aaliyah and I are going to work out. I mean she and I have really gotten to know one another and… well I’ve caught feelings for her. I just can’t stand being away from her or having to keep my distance, but that’s all we seem to be doing. Hardly anyone here knows that I exist, but everyone knows about Demetri. I guess it makes sense… Demetri is the famous bridge to the Moon Goddess and your mate, and on top of that, the vampires seem too afraid to even comment on his presence. I, on the other hand am nothing but a weak, pathetic wolf, at least, that was why I thought you were all keeping me as well hidden as possible.” She said sadly. And it was then that I realised that before I had my memories returned to me, and before I knew who I was and how powerful I had always been, I had been Phoenix- scared, nervous, socially anxious and unable to defend the people I loved and cared about. But that was going to change. I wouldn’t let anyone make *my* family and friends ever feel unwelcomed or unwanted. No, I didn’t want anyone to be made to feel inferior to these stuck-up, hypocritical nobles. Perhaps this was why the world was the way it was. People like Katherine still existed in the shadows, pulling their strings and wreaking havoc on our very society. She was the reason why other hybrids like myself lived in hiding, leaving me to be the only one able to stand up for not only hybrid kind, but the wolves and impure blooded vampires as well. Katherine had left a nasty aftertaste in the world, and I was planning to get rid of it, and her.
And so, I shifted and turned fully towards her, making sure that she was able to see the expression on my face and the sincerity it carried with the promise I was about to make.
“I promise Alice, I will never hide you away again. I should never have made you feel so insignificant. I truly am grateful that you came along with Demetri. You’ve been more than understanding with me and my past.”
She smiled and wrapped her arms around me, enclosing me in her warmth. She smelled of home, of rose bushes and the soft, subtle fragrance of the pine trees and the fresh green leaves I knew would be appearing on the trees as a result of the spring rains.
“You’re going to beat them, Phoenix… and you’re going to beat her too. Katherine won’t steal your happiness again, not when you have so many people rooting for you this time around.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell her that back then, I had the world rooting for me too, and that the people who had once tried to protect me were all now dead, leaving no one but Demetri and Sebastian. But I wasn’t the same person I was back then. I wasn’t her obedient daughter-in-law. I was Phoenix Ackerman for Goddess’s sake, and if I died, I’d make damn well sure to drag her right down to hell with me.
Soon there was a knock at the door, and immediately my hands fell from around Alice’s body and instead one of them latched onto one of hers. As soon as I stood up, I pulled her along with me.
“Where are we going?” She asked. But I ignored her question and instead opened the door revealing my four mates.
“I’ve spoken to the council members, and they will be observing you in the training room later on to make sure that you *are* actually here.” Sebastian said.
“Well, that won’t really be a problem considering the fact that Alice, Demetri and myself will be joining you all for lunch.”
“Well yes I suppose that will- wait what?” Sebastian uttered in shock as I pulled Alice out of the room and closed the door behind us.
“You heard me… or has hell impaired your hearing?” I asked. Demetri let out a little chuckle and then asked, “Are you sure you want to bring us all to lunch? The nobles will no doubt have something to say about it.”
“Yeah, little pet, I know for one that my parents would definitely not be impressed if you were to show up with Demetri and Alice.” Liam said.
“Well, that’s good then. I don’t think I’ve caused a real scene since the night I threw my chalice at your father, Liam. Goddess knows that is the most entertaining thing these palace walls have seen.” I said, beginning to walk in front of everyone else, still hand-in-hand with Alice.
“What about our wedding?” Sebastian questioned.
I laughed and said, “That was the most scandalous thing these palace walls have seen.”
“So, you’re just going to waltz to the dining room with these werewolves?” Xavier asked.
“Uh huh. Are you going to try to stop me?” I asked.
“Would you listen to me if I tried to?”
“Nope. I’ve been away for a while; my entrance should therefore be a grand one.”
By the time we’d made it to the entrance of the noisy dining room, Alice’s hand was clutching at mine for dear life. I looked back at her and shot her a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry Alice, I’m right here beside you.”
“As am I.” It came surprisingly from Sebastian who put a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“Me too.” Said Demetri. And soon all four of my mates- including Xavier- had reassured her that she was not going in alone.
“Right then, shall we?”
---
So which one of you asked Phoenix about her "rather complicated and bizarre past"?
Stay safe! Stay healthy! Sending my love!