The Red Phenix

Chapter 1

Her husband John woke up with the light. His wife was yet again not in bed. She had a habit of not sleeping. He rose and stretched.

He figured maybe she was passed out on the couch again. As she had many nights since their marriage. Just as he has figured she was having midnight rendezvous with strange men, because she always had money acquired from who knows where.

Just as he suspected his lovely Rose lay passed out on the couch the embers of a fire burning in their fire place. He had grown to love this arranged marriage.

Though his bride was very strange. She didn't show any emotion to him. She went about her duties as a bride. She cooked and cleaned. She was great in bed. Even if she was a mistress of the night he didn't care.

She made his heart beat so hard. He wasn't particularly a prudish man. So whatever she wanted to do in her free time was her business. Though if she were found out by the members of the court he attended she would be revealed as a scandalous woman worthy of being shackled in the town square.

He, however, loved his wife. She had nothing to worry about. He would never tell anyone of her secret nights out. Or that she wasn't a proper lady. To him she was perfect.

He stroked her soft red hair. It was absolutely stunning. As was she. Her green eyes were peircing against her ivory skin. It was as though she was an actual rose. Her features however weren't dainty. She looked as though she could hold her own in a fight but her face was delicate. It looked younger than she was. She may be seemed to be a teenager the way her face was round and childlike but, she was 28 soon to be twenty-nine this September.

Together they were a gorgeous pair. A couple who's appearance made kings and queens blush. John had always been a good looking guy. Girls would flock to him in his younger days. He had a rough stubble on his chin no matter how hard he shaved and curly brown hair that looked to be shaped by God himself. His jawline was chiseled and looked like it could cut you. Years of sports also helped tone his body out and make him a good match for his bride.

Their marriage was quite quick. They had been betrothed since childhood but had never met. He knew her name but her face had never been there he had no clue who Rose Hapsburg was. He finally saw her the day of their wedding as she walked down the aisle he knew it was forever and hoped she thought so as well.

Her white chiffon gown caressed her figure amazingly. To Top it all off a tiny green red and gold tiara topped off her veil he wasn't able to see her face but the red coming from out of the veil was enough to tell him she had to be stunning. but the minute the priest said you may now kiss the bride he flipped the veil up and was awed by a perfect face.

She was more gorgeous than he had expected. She took his breath away. he had never seen such fair skin or bright red curls but they eyes are what drew him in. They were like a sirens call but visible. he knew she was his.

But she did not look thrilled to see him even as the couple consummated their marriage she looked buisness as usual. It was strange but he found himself attached to his uncaring bride.

As he pet her hair she stirred in her sheets looking so peaceful only a moment ago she rose looking disturbed and slightly scared. Those expressions he had never seen before on her face.

"What's wrong my sweet Rose did I disturb your sleep?" John said but as soon as the face came out went. "I am absolutely fine John!" she declared with utter certainty.

He felt his heart dropping. He had wanted to console whatever had bothered his sweet Rose. She however was quite matter of fact in this moment so consoling would have to wait.

"So what misadventures did my wife pursue last night?" he questioned with a loving peck apon her forehead.

"Nothing you would be interested in I am quite sure" her voice sent a chill down his spine much like a chorus of birds chipper yet Erie her face was so delicate today in fact her face showed scorn or disdain toward her husband another emotion he had yet to see.

"Then tell me why was my blushing bride sleeping naked out in our living room" he urged.
"It was warm in bed next to you my dear I simply decided to sleep out here after a midnight constitutional" she exclaimed.

He was quite amused by her persistence in avoiding his questioning. He smirked lovingly at the cold hearted woman he had married. "Alright my love. I was only playing with you, jesting if you fancy".

He pulled his wife close to him, but she pulled away. "Do you not have work soon I must make breakfast and send you on your way we shall have pleasantries after you get home as we always do". And with that the woman stood and threw on a robe and began cooking. She seemed off.

His eyes wandered as he watched his wife, wondering if maybe something more was at play than her usual demeanour changing. Her ways were always set in stone, but not in this way. She seemed more rigid today. Had he forgotten a date or holiday? Maybe he had said something unkind to her.

He would never know because as soon as the stiffness had came it relaxed like that as she set the hot meal upon the table.

He ate silently still pondering whether or not something was wrong. It would have to wait after working for a busy day was ahead of him.