Chapter 3: Phoenix

I followed Selenes’ father up to the office, he opened the door, “Close the door and have a seat.” He told me; I did as he asked. I was normally not scared of vampires, but this was the king of the vampires, so I was nervous. I waited for him to say something, out of respect for his rank. He was looking over some papers before turning his attention back to me, folding his hands on top of his desk as he stared me down; I could feel a small bead of sweat roll down my face, “Phoenix,” He started, I perked up immediately, “the arrangement your father and I have concerns you and my daughter.” I tensed,

“What do you mean, your majesty?” I asked, 

“Nick, please.” I nodded, “And what I mean is, your father and I think it might be best to join us, like the vampires and werewolves.” My heart was beating fast as the thought of what he’d say next ran through my brain, 

“Do you mean…?” I didn’t even get the second to ask when Nick blurted out what he and my father agreed on, 

“An arranged marriage.” He stated, “Between you and Selene.” My brain was running too fast to even think of what he was telling me, but then I thought of Selene,

“Does Selene know?” I asked, he shook his head, “She’s going to protest.” I told him, he didn’t disagree,

“She wouldn’t be her mothers’ daughter if she didn’t protest against this.” Nick told me, “Aiday should be telling her now.” I nodded; when we were children, Aiday and Nick would sit us all down and tell us the story of how they met and even how Aiday almost died until she finally admitted that she was in love with Nick. There was one night that we asked to hear the story, Aiday was pregnant and went into labor. They had Claire escort me and Selene to another room. Claire tried to hide the truth from us, but I could hear the screams, then the silence, and then more screams, followed by more silence… I knew what had happened because it happened to my parents. She had lost the baby. My thoughts were confirmed when Nick came down and held Selene and cried, telling her that she had two baby brothers who joined the angels. “Phoenix?” Nick called, I shook myself from my thoughts, 

“Yes, sir?”

“Will you agree to the arrangement?” He asked, I thought for a moment, but he continued, “If you do this, Phoenix, you’ll have my crown when I retire, you’ll have everything you see before you as well as an alliance with the wolves just as I do now. Not to mention, you’ll have a beautiful and strong young woman as your wife and queen.” I let the information run through my brain, but before I gave my answer, the door was kicked open. I turned to see Selene marching in and slamming her hands on the desk, staring her father down. Aiday followed but stayed far away from her daughter,

“How dare you! How dare you use me to gain an alliance!” She screamed, I tried to sneak away but Selene grabbed the collar of my shirt and turned to me, “You’re not off the hook. Did you give him an answer?” She asked me; I gulped, terrified as her normally light blue eyes turned blood red,

“No, I didn’t.” I answered which made her release me, and ran over to Aiday. “Is she okay?” I asked, Aiday gave me a look then smiled,

“Let me put it simply,” She told me, “My family had it easy when they did this to me.” I stood there, watching Selene yell at her father. 

After nearly thirty minutes, I had enough. I went in between them and shouted,

“Enough!” They both stopped yelling; I turned to Selene first, “They’re wanting to ensure your future Selene, and am I really the worst choice for a husband for you?” She stayed silent, then I turned to Nick, “I agree to the arrangement,” I told him; Selene was about to yell at me but I stopped her, “On the condition of a willing bride.” They were both surprised. Selene’s eyes returned to their blue color, which made me smile.

“I agree to the condition.” Nick stated, making the note on the contract then handed me the pen, but I looked to Selene before I signed,

“Do I have a willing bride?” I asked; she gritted her teeth. Aiday placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a weak smile. Selene turned to me and gave me a serious look,

“Yes,” She said, “you have a willing bride.” I nodded and then signed the contract, but under my line, I drew in another and handed the pen to her, 

“I’d like for you to sign.” I said, she took the pen and signed the contract as well. Nick signed after her. I took the contract and muttered a spell which caused the papers to glow with a lock and chain wrapping around it then disappearing. 

“What was that?” Selene asked, 

“It was a binding spell; it will bind us until death do we part.” I told her, she nodded before storming out of the room. Nick and Aiday smiled at me,

“I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into.” Aiday told me, I rubbed the back of my neck, thinking the same thing. 

“You may go, Phoenix.” Nick told me, which resulted in me running after Selene.

Selene was in the garden; she sat under the gazebo, her soft sobs were audible to me and I felt horrible about what just happened only a few minutes ago. “Selene,” She looked towards me,

“What do you want?” She asked; I sat beside her, wanting to hold her, but only placed my hand on hers which made her flinch, 

“Please, I didn’t want to hurt you, that’s the last thing I want.” I told her, “I just don’t think you should have been passed off to just some random wizard, because that’s what would happen if I wasn’t an option.” I stated, she stayed turned away from me; I was getting pissed off now and stood, “Am I really that terrible?” I asked her, “Would it truly be Hell for you if I am your husband?” I turned, about to walk away and calm down until she grabbed my wrist, which had me turning to face her. Selene looked up at me with sad but hopeful eyes,

“No,” She said softly, “it’s not horrible. I just wish it was my choice.” She told me, I nodded and sat back down and took her hands in mine, 

“That’s why I made the condition. I wanted it to be your choice.” I told her. She looked down for a moment, and before I knew it, she placed a soft kiss on my lips which surprised me. She blushed and turned away from me, 

“I-I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have done that.” Selene stammered, but I smiled lightly as I placed a finger under her chin and guided her back to face me before placing a kiss on her lips. Before long, we were making out. The beautiful woman who I have loved since we were children, is in front of me, kissing me. I kept my hands on her face, refusing to travel further, out of respect for her. When we pulled away from each other, we stared at each other for a moment, both of us blushing wildly, 

“I should get going. I need to tell my father that I’m getting married.” I told her, she nodded, I kissed her once more then started walking away, but I turned back once more, “I’d like to take you on a moonlight walk at midnight, will that be alright?” I asked her, she smiled lightly and nodded,

“Pick me up at midnight.” She giggled, I grinned at her little joke then headed off to set a few things up.

It was nearly midnight. I was making a few last minute arrangements before I picked up Selene; Father was so excited to hear that we were going to be married and even told me where my mother’s engagement was to give to Selene. I had the box in my pocket and grabbed a bouquet of moon roses, Selene’s favorite flower. I took in a breath as I saw her making her way to the gazebo. She wore a light blue dress and sandals, her dark hair was curled and she wore a little more makeup than normal. The moment she was close enough, I kissed her cheek, “You look incredible.” I told her, she blushed lightly,

“Thank you.” I handed her the bouquet which she happily took, “Oh, my favorite; I can’t believe you actually remembered.” I smiled before extending my arm, she took it and we began our walk. 

We stayed along the stream and talked, reminiscing about the good old days from when we were children and even joked about our families. It wasn’t long until I had her cover her eyes for her surprise. “Can I open them?” She asked, I guided her to stable ground then smiled, 

“Yes.” She opened them and her jaw dropped; I had set up twinkle lights and a small picnic with soft music playing in the background,

“Oh, wow,” She said, “Phoenix, this is too much.” I smiled as the light in her eyes danced around. After eating, we started dancing together, laughing, and when the moment was right, I got down on my knee and pulled out the box, “Phoenix…”

“I know we are already engaged, but I still want to ask you properly and present you with a ring.” I told her as I opened the box to reveal a two carrot, rose gold ring. Selene’s mouth dropped once more after seeing the ring, “Selene Summer Serkan, will you marry me?” I asked and waited for her response; Selene smiled lightly and nodded her head. I slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her as I spun her around. This will be the most memorable night of my life, I thought to myself.